Thursday, March 29, 2007

I love you, Rock and Roll Confidential.

Rock and Roll Confidential targets the awesomely retarded band photos that float around cyberspace. Click the title link for hilarity.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Gloriousnoise.com interview with Elliott Smith archivist Larry Crane


On May 8th, Kill Rock Stars will release New Moon, a compilation of rare and unreleased Elliott Smith songs from his Either/Or and Elliott Smith era. Click on the title link for an interview with Larry Crane, Smith's archivist, about assembling the 24 song comp.

Click here for Gambit writer Alison Fensterstock's take on this year's SXSW

Peyton Manning's hilarious SNL United Way spoof

There aren't a lot of things funnier than watching kids get mercilessly attacked by a volleyball or football. Just ask Adam Sandler("Billy Madison") or Peyton Manning. I have a whole new respect for Manning after watching this clip. Click on the title link to get there.

The Buoyant Sea, Guitar Lightnin', My Graveyard Jaw, and White Bitch at The Mother-In-Law Lounge tonight


My friend Davitt Terrell, a.k.a. The Buoyant Sea, is celebrating his birthday tonight by bringing together his favorite local musicians at the Mother-In-Law Lounge. Expect sets by Guitar Lightnin', White Bitch and Ray Bong, and My Graveyard Jaw, along with music spun by DJ Lingerie. The shindig starts at 9.

Click here for a review of 00Dougs

Monday, March 26, 2007

Rotary Downs "Sing Like The Sun"

Rotary Downs for President

Hennessy, Rhapsody, and Rolling Stone are offering up a free recording session to the band that gets the most votes in their online competition. Click on the title link to vote for hometown rockers Rotary Downs.

Nostalgia


I'm listening to Elton John's Greatest Hits 1970-2002, and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" takes me right back to a feeling of childhood security and calm. My parents must have played that song a lot when I was growing up. Another artist that I associate with childhood is Hall and Oates. "Private Eyes" and "Kiss On My List" are like time machines. I'm not sure I would have such an affinity for this stuff if I hadn't grown up around it. The good feeling it gives me automatically gets me around any usual criticisms of cheesiness or it sounding dated.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

They say this cat Paul Webb is a bad mother...SHUT YOUR MOUTH! I'm just talkin' 'bout Paul Webb. THEN WE CAN DIG IT!


Paul Webb is my favorite local metal musician. He writes metal that I like. It's intricate, sometimes beauteous instrumental metal. But, it also kicks ass. It's A.D.D. like math metal but also anthemic and grandiose enough in sections to attract an AC/DC fan. Webb doesn't get enough recognition around town, so go check out solo compositions on his MySpace page(click the title link) and then go to the Music Exchange at Louisiana and Magazine and tell him how much you like his music.

Gov't Majik tonight at The Dragon's Den















This is what DJ Soul Sister said about Gov't Majik in her nola.com blog:

"With a name like Gov't Majik: The Dirty South Afro-Beat Arkestra, this New Orleans band is attempting to cover a heap of musical ground.

'Dirty South' gives it that obligatory New Orleans groove connection. 'Arkestra' conjures images of avant jazz freakster Sun Ra flying through Saturn. And, of course" Afro-Beat refers to the hypnotic sounds that Nigerian superstar Fela Kuti created with a series of 1970s and 80s albums. Influenced by African-American funk, West African highlife music, and Nigerian jazz rhythms, Afro-Beat is energetic, extended, improvisational dance music that makes sense in New Orleans.

A dirty south Afro-Beat orchestra is an ingenious idea.

True to the form of Fela, whose own Afro-Beat band sometimes swelled to 100 musicians and dancers, the number of Gov't Majik players will be massive. Past GM shows have boasted 10+ musicians, including horns, percussion, synthesizer, drums, bass and guitar..."

Please go check out this band tonight. Click on the title link to get to the band's MySpace page.

Ray Davies performing "Oklahoma U.S.A." in March 2006

Muswell Hillbillies


For me, at least, there are few things better in life than getting blindsided by a great album I didn't know existed and couldn't have expected to exist. I'm listening to The Kinks 1971 album, Muswell Hillbillies, and I'm loving it. This is my kind of country rock. It's distinguished, subtle, and it doesn't take itself seriously. Muswell Hillbillies is a nice flipside to The Stones' brand of honky tonk, which can be a little too dirty for me, sometimes. "Oklahoma U.S.A." is the first genuinely powerless and sweet barrelhouse song I've heard. Click on the title above to read a review of the album.

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Physical Overdraft Came From Greater Willpower

The band that I just joined, The Junior League, is nominated for Best Emerging Artist in The Big Easy Awards. So, that's pretty awesome, even though I had nothing to do with it. For those that don't know, Joe Adragna, the lead singer/guitarist, is the mastermind behind that band. He writes all the songs, plays all the instruments in the studio, and makes all the phone calls. Next Saturday March 31st at The Circle Bar it's the WTUL CD Release Party with The Black Rose Band, The Junior League, MC Trachiotomy with Lefty Parker, and Broken Smokes.


NOISE FEST


I encourage everyone to go out to The Big Top Saturday afternoon and night for the annual NOISE Fest. This is the place to check out what's best in local avant, electronic, ambient, and noise. The show starts at 4 with the Uptown Cajun All-Stars and ends at 10 with Electrical Spectacle. Tickets are $8. Bands include Electrical Spectacle, Chef Menteur, Potpie, Helen Gillet, Ray Bong, The Buoyant Sea, Archipelago, and more.


BLAIR


There's gonna be a lot of Carrollton Station incest going down at Blair's EP Release Party Friday night at One Eyed Jacks. Lucy Gossett, Alex Smith, Keith Ferguson, Arthur Mintz, Theresa Andersson, and Andy Wagner will all have their paws on either Blair's music or Jon Michael's set, which precedes Blair's. These guys are silly. I expect the good and the unexpected.


CALEXICO


I'm pretty excited that Calexico is coming back to town so soon after their last One Eyed Jacks date. Their music is so sharp and measured. It can sound so languid and dry that it transports me. On April 27th at the Republic, Blair will open for Calexico.


LIVENEWORLEANS.COM PRESENTS CALEXICO AND BLAIR
Friday, April 27th
Republic
$20


The first five people that can answer this question will get free tickets to the show: What band were the two main members of Calexico in before they formed Calexico?


PEEPING TOM


I'm a little suprised I'm not hearing more chatter about Peeping Tom's show at the House of Blues on April 2nd. Mike Patton is gonna be there. Dan The Automator is gonna be there. Have you guys heard the songs? Here's a link to the whole album: Peeping Tom


BIG BLUE MARBLE


According to Big Blue Marble drummer Stu Schayot, the band had a great couple of shows and a good time all around at SXSW this last weekend. Congrats to Big Blue Marble for landing a headlining spot at French Quarter Fest this year. They play on April 12th from 6:45-8. Other performers of note include Glasgow!, The Zydepunks, The Tin Men, Country Fried, and Gal Holiday. Everyone else playing is exactly who you'd expect to be playing.

Concert Picks for this weekend

FRIDAY, MARCH 23RD


One Eyed Jacks--Blair EP Release Party with Jon Michael


SATURDAY, MARCH 24TH


Circle Bar--Mod Dance Party

House of Blues--Shannon McNally

Rock N Bowl--Tab Benoit

One Eyed Jacks--The Public


SUNDAY, MARCH 25TH


Circle Bar--Stoner Rock Sunday

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

NOISE Fest Saturday at The Big Top


Don't miss the NOISE Festival on Saturday afternoon at The Big Top. This is the place to check out what's best in local avant, electronic, ambient, and noise. The show starts at 4 with the Uptown Cajun All-Stars and ends at 10 with Electrical Spectacle.

Eracism?

I'm down with Erace and their efforts to improve racial relations through community meetings, but even they list the thousands of bumper stickers they've handed out as the #1 thing they've done--not the meetings. As if the bumper stickers do anything but let white people make it seem like they're not racist. I hate when people are self-congratulatory about things they're not doing(like being racist). Everyone is racist. There are degrees, but don't tell me you've never treated a person differently because of the color of their skin. The bumper stickers aren't changing anything. The meetings are. But, how many people who have stickers have actually gone to a meeting? I'm sure it's more of a hassle than puttng a sticker on your car.

Click here for my review of The Good, The Bad, and The Queen

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Concert Picks for this week

THURSDAY, MARCH 15TH


Chickie Wah Wah--Cabral, Freilich, Garrison, and McMurray

Circle Bar--Davis


FRIDAY, MARCH 16TH


Tipitina's--The Dynamites


SATURDAY, MARCH 17TH


d.b.a.--Iguanas

Dragon's Den--Impulss MC battle

Le Bon Temps--Mike Dillon Trio

Republic--Diplo

Rusty Nail--Klezmers


SUNDAY, MARCH 18TH


House of Blues--The Walkmen

Republic--The Good, The Bad, and The Queen

Snug Harbor--Mike Dillon and James Singleton

One Eyed Jacks--Afterhours with Greg Dulli


MONDAY, MARCH 19TH


d.b.a.--Jeff and Vida

Republic--Cold War Kids

House of Blues--RJD2

One Eyed Jacks--Black Lips


TUESDAY, MARCH 20TH


d.b.a.--Vidacovich Duo with James Singleton

One Eyed Jacks--One Man Machine and Buoyant Sea


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21ST


House of Blues--Public Enemy

Gratowski, Blair, and The Bally Who

I saw German saxophonist Frank Gratowski, guitarist Rob Cambre, bassist and percussionist Bill Hunzinger, and drummer Endre Landsnes perform at the Hi Ho Lounge last night, and it was pretty great. If I find the beat in that kind of freakout, avant, free jazz kind of show, I feel like I've cracked a code. It's somehow doubly rewarding to rock out to such nebulous music.

The quartet set up in a circle on the ground floor of the club and played three long(15 + minutes each) songs. The show started with Gratowski and Hunzinger adapting to each other. The playing was violent but not loud. Hunzinger picked around the bridge of his double bass in spurts while Gratowski matched him with horn blasts. Though each player in the group was supremely liberated in their technique(Cambre played with a bow, Landsnes played with brushes and mini cymbals, and Gratowski used an alto, a soprano, and a long sax I didn't recognize), Hunzinger seemed a little nuttier than the rest. He had a whole set up of alternative percussion that consisted of foil, mini cymbals, metal, and woodblocks. It was cool when he wrapped the bridge of his bass in foil, afterwards picking at it with his bow to make strange noises.

The whole set was improvised, though the players did a very good job of slowly building the songs until they exploded near the end. The songs were normally loose and searching at the beginning, progressing until everyone had sped up and turned up, resulting in a frenzy. Though from watching the show it was obvious why Gratowski was lauded and that he could probably play anything he put his mind to, it shouldn't be ignored or passed over that we have one of the best drummers in the world right here in our own backyard. Landsnes is no Elvin Jones, but he's only in his early 30's. He's already gotten so far with such raw talent that I could see him progressing much further.


DAN THE AUTOMATOR


It's official. Dan "The Automator" Nakamura, known for his work with Gorillaz, Kool Keith, Cibo Matto, Dr. Octagon, Blues Explosion, Deltron 3030, Handsome Boy Modeling School, and Galactic, will perform as a member of Peeping Tom on April 2nd at The House of Blues. Dub Trio opens.

LIVENEWORLEANS.COM PRESENTS PEEPING TOM FEATURING MIKE PATTON AND DAN THE AUTOMATOR PLUS DUB TRIO
Monday, April 2nd
House of Blues
8 p.m.

Be one of the first five people to name three other bands Mike Patton has been in and you'll get free tickets to the show. E-mail your full name with subject title "Peeping Tom" to jason@liveneworleans.com.


THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE QUEEN TICKETS


Speaking of tickets, we have free tickets to The Good, The Bad, and The Queen Sunday night at the Republic. Just e-mail your full name to jason@liveneworleans.com with subject line "The Good, Bad, and The Queen"


BLAIR


I got a listen to Blair Gimma's new four song EP, and I enjoyed it. She sounds better on record with a full band than she does alone. Live is a different story. Her solo acoustic sets can be powerful.

Combine her heartwrenchingly angelic voice with catchy melodies and you've got a...winning combination.

"Allow myself to introduce...myself!"

The first song reminds me of Liz Phair, while the second is sadder and more country-like, complete with locomotive brush beat. On the third, the prowess of her backing band comes into play. The color on this EP is beautiful and subtle. Either much time was spent on the arrangement, or someone did a really good job mixing it. The mixer was Mike Napolitano, and it was produced by Keith Ferguson. The line-up:

Blair--vocals, guitar
Keith Ferguson--guitar, keys, percussion
Adam Campagna--guitar, keys
Arthur Mintz--percussion, trombone
Peter Harris--double bass
Dwight Breeland--pedal steel

I may be crazy, but I feel like Blair could push her voice a little further. Even though she can hit those high notes, she could sound even better. I bet she's one of those people whose voice gets better with age.

The album was recorded at Piety and mastered by Bruce Barielle. Expect to hear it on TUL.


WORLD LEADER PRETEND


New World Leader Pretend demos are available for consumption at myspace.com/wlpband.


THE JUNIOR LEAGUE


I'm the new drummer for The Junior League. The next show is March 31st at the Circle Bar for TUL's CD Release Party. Also performing will be Broken Smokes, Lefty Parker with MC Trachiotomy, and The Black Rose Band.


THE BALLY WHO


The Bally Who's first full-length release, "Keep on Dawn," is a monster. It's 15 tracks and 78 minutes long. The longest is 10 minutes.

For two guys, Rene and Jacques Duffourc, that have existed on the outside of New Orleans consciousness, this CD is quite an accomplishment. I hesitate to lay too much hyperbole on it, because I'm a little too close to it and because I've only listened to it four times, but DAMN!

I knew these guys were capable of this. I remember seeing a play around '98 or '99 in the theatre at Canal Place. I was taken with the pre-recorded soundtrack. It sounded like the flip image of Radiohead--all the quality but just different enough to not seem derivative. Jacques had done it, and since then, I've been waiting to hear something like that soundtrack again. This release doesn't sound like the soundtrack, since there are two people involved, but there are still traces of Radiohead and Pink Floyd in it. This record also sound-checks TV on the Radio and Queen. Oh, man, the ridiculous harmonics and bombast of one guitar part is very Brian May.

Rockin' metal guitar moments are rare. Rather, "Keep on Dawn" is mostly hypnotic and ambient, without going too far into electronica never-never land. Guitar is always present, but there are many layers and effectsand atmospherics on top of it. This album is a mantra. Phrases and words repeat over and over. It's motivational and inspirational, but it also focuses heavily on love and the regret that comes along with it.

This is a very New Orleans album. Sounds from cars riding on the underpass, parades, storms, and even Nagin's infamous WWL interview litter it.

The highlight of the album is when Bryan Spitzfaden reads a verbatim account from runner Roger Bannister about his world record. The monologue plays over music that mirrors the happenings in the tale. And, actually, the whole album has video that accompanies it. I believe the band will release it with video.

The song is about how people can accomplish the impossible if they have the will. The song makes my hairs stand on end.

I can't say when the album will be out, but look for it in the next two months.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Dan The Automator added to Peeping Tom bill!

It's official. Dan The Automator will be joining Mike Patton at the House of Blues when LiveNewOrleans.Com Presents Peeping Tom on April 2nd. Click the title link to see Peeping Tom performing "Mojo" on Conan.

Click here for my review of Mathcore and Venom-type metal bands

Click here for my new C.C. Adock review

The Good, The Bad, and The Queen's "Kingdom of Doom"

Win Tickets to The Good, The Bad, and The Queen

Send your full name to jason@liveneworleans.com to get free tickets to The Good, The Bad, and The Queen on Sunday night at the Republic.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Rock N' Roll Jeopardy

Since I'm a music dork, I've been playing Rock N' Roll Jeopardy today. And, since I'm even more of a dork, I've been writing down what answers I get wrong so I can go back on Wikipedia later and research them. This is what I've had trouble with:

rick nelson and the stone canyon band
ray parker, jr. and raydio
pat benatar
ben e. king
eagles, desperado
learn order of police albums
learn difference between boyz ii men and bell biv devoe
toto
los lonely boys
james ingram
peter cetera

Click on the title link if you wanna play for free online