Can you believe that in less than a month, barring another “chad” related incident, the 2004 Presidential Election will be decided? In less than a month we’ll know if we have to endure another four years of Cheney’s puppet mastering or a fresh start from king flip flop Mr. John Kerry. Since this blog could be considered a “media outlet,” I’d like to keep it bipartisan, but who are we kidding. The media is dominated by bipartisan opinion. You could even go as far to call it bipartisan popular opinion. Is it really possible for everyone at Fox to be a republican? They air programs like The Simpsons and Arrested Development. These shows don’t reflect the traditional values the Bush campaign has commandeered for their purposes, and yet their affiliated news channel is redder than a NY Post dipped in pigs blood.
In the latest issue of Rolling Stone, our beloved Daily Show anchorman, John Stewart, attempts to explain the tight rope walked by major media correspondents. He sheds an interesting light on the bias media, and explains that though what we see often slants to the right, these stories or opinions may not reflect the beliefs of the individual reporting them. It is a dog-eat-dog world, and more often than not, these newscasters skew their values in order to climb the influential news ladder. Then these Republican butt-plugged reporters attack a man like Stewart on the basis that his viewers are stoners. How could you vote Republican? They are the biggest group of hypocrites since Christianity became the dominate religion in Europe. Kill the opposition. It may not be in the literal sense, but damn, it sometimes the current regime reminds me of the late thirties in Western Europe.
So in response to the bullshit I just shat out, I’d like to post some information regarding some kids who are making an effort to assist in change rather than just bitching about it. Tonight, October 12, Audrey aka Melody Nelson is hosting a Concert for Change fundraiser at Rothko (115 Suffolk St). If you were ever suspect about the flow of money from these events, check out their web site. The DNC directly benefits from these events and most of the money is pushed to swing state campaigns. Speaking of swing states, if you are like me and have family members in swing states, get on the phone and make sure they are ready to step up on Election Day. Their voices hold the ability to change the direction of our country.
Tonight’s show is only $10 at the door. If you hustle and buy tickets online, it will save you a couple dollars. The line up is as follows:
11:45 - The Vitamen
11:00 - Modernage
10:15 - The So and So's
9:30 - Ben Arthur
8:45 - Say Hi to Your Mom
8:00 - MAGNET (from Norway!)
Guest DJ: Ultragrrrl
Don’t cop out on this show just because CMJ is looming. I’m hoping to get my business finished and shoot over for the early bands before heading to Webster in hopes that Pete Libertine may have wised up and joined the band, (yeah, I know, fat chance). Eric and the kids of Say Hi To Your Mom are ready to please. Don't get too drunk too early because Eric has some science to drop on you.
Yesterday morning was a difficult one. Waking up felt like sliding out of the womb, (from what I remember). It was cold, I couldn’t open my eyes and I really wanted to cry. My day looked up when I met D. and Mya (the dog) in Washington Square Park. As I wasted my lunch hour watching dogs run around, poop and fuck each other, my mood took a turn for the better. Little did I know, at 3:30pm a phone call would ruin my existing cloud 9. By 5pm my nerves were shot and I was out of the office like Mr. Smithers at Hooters. Mike showed up after work and we sat around discussing the future of our project. Christina and Builder showed up and we got down to business. Our meeting wasn’t as productive as it needed to be, but I think we all got a little fire lit under our ass, and that’s extremely important as we continue to press forward. If you don’t know about said project, you will soon. Hopefully you and your friends can be a part of what will make it awesome.
My night came to a close while watching the continued deterioration of Mr. Brett Favre. Paul, don’t get upset at this. Brett could have just hit a rough stride, but his passes don’t have the same accuracy as his glory years. Three straight losses at home must have the people of Wisconsin pulling their hair out, and after his late second quarter interception; I believe they were booing their golden child. Now, if you ask me, and most don’t, Favre would be one of my all time top choices for quarterback with the game on the line, but recently he has lost that magic. Could this be the end of an era in Green Bay? I’m hoping Brett pulls 8 wins out of his helmet and sticks around for one more year, but if he continues to play like he has, it may be time to walk off into the dimming spotlight.
It is officially CMJ Eve. Though this may not matter to anyone outside of the New York Metropolitan area, it sure shakes things up in my new hometown. The next few days will be hectic, and though I plan to take Wednesday off, I’m still hoping to score some sort of Irving list spot to see Jordan and the boys kick things off at the opening party. Since The Head Set won the CMJ battle of the bands, they were invited to open for the likes of The Moving Units and Sonic Youth at Irving Plaza. Hopefully the venue will have a good number of heads in the building, and The Head Set will please on lookers with their New York swagger and boogie laced pop tunes.
If you aren’t a badge carrier or you didn’t score a ticket to the sold out show, you should consider stopping by Acme Underground where Demander is playing a super early show. They were a late addition to the bill, but they decided CMJ could use a serious shake down. They will play at 7pm sharp on Wednesday evening. As always, this show is free for badge carriers and only $10 for those without. This show brings it back to the old days of Demander featuring a twosome of the lovely Karen on bass and vocals while the First Lady of Rock, Sivan, hammers out the beats.
Maybe you are the type of person who seethes at the thought of various college radio Dj’s and zine journalists crowding your beloved clubs. If this is the case, get to the one Wednesday night event that isn’t affiliated with the CMJ cluster fuck. Ultragrrrl and Karen +1 are hosting their first Tarts of Pleasure event at Snitch (21st St @ 6th Ave). For only $5 or free with a badge, you’ll get the chance to dance to Ultragrrrl’s favorite Smith’s songs in between sets by Apartment, Madison Strays and The Bravery. If you are trying to save money, be in the scene and catch some rock, this event has your name all over it.
When 1am rolls around ask yourself if you have the energy to fight a sold out crowd. If the answer is yes, get your ass to the Mercury Lounge where The Arcade Fire is scheduled to hit early Thursday morning. You’ve heard all about these Canadian rabble-rousers, so take this opportunity to decipher the hype from the hype-nots. If you miss it, don’t worry because they are playing with Dirty On Purpose at the Bowery in early November.
If you aren’t like me, and have the freedom to bounce around on Thursday evening, let me map out your itinerary. Unfortunately I have to work Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening so if you see me working the door, come say hello and tell me how tired you are from running around. I’ll check your name off the list and give a chuckle. Anyway, you won’t want to miss The Shout Out Louds who are playing a 7pm set at the Mercury Lounge. These kids are fucking fantastic. They might be 186’s favorite band. We dance around to their 7 inches and take knifers to their three song Ep. They are worth your time. The earnest vocals, the melodic guitars and the general energy projected from a bunch of kids who don’t have the best grasp on the English language make for a great event.
Once you finish with the kids from Denmark, keep the European buzz brewing with a trip to Webster Hall for a set by Zeppelin loving, jam rockers of The Music. Bring a note pad so you can jot down the dance steps from their light-on-his-feet lead singer Robert Harvey. Though they didn’t blow me away at their last Bowery gig, this band will surely impress the CMJ crowd. Expect tons of new tracks from their new record, Welcome to the North as well as old favorites like The Dance and The People. And let me know if you understand what Robert’s skat’n about. My American trained ears have trouble with his limey lyrics.
Maybe you have the ability to stop time. Maybe you have a helicopter license. Either way, if you find yourself in Brooklyn on Thursday evening, stop by the Northsix for local sweethearts Bishop Allen. Word on the street is they have been playing new material along with all our pop favorites from Charm School. With their line-up finalized these kids are solidifying what we already knew existed; a fantastic pop band that makes you smile and rocks when necessary.
The Bowery also boasts a killer show on Thursday night. Astralwerks newbie’s The Concretes take the late night slot. Some have compared them to the Velvet Underground, but to be honest that feels a bit ambitious. Their record has the hooks, and is a tremendous freshman effort, but lets hold the accolades for at least a second. Prior to their set, former funk masters VHS or Beta will force onlookers to shake their hips in approval of their new Cure laden sound. The new record is nothing like Le Funk, but it still has the ability to make you move. If you are in receipt of said record, help a brother out… I need the rock.
If you haven’t gotten your fair share of the local scene, take a second to cruise through Rothko on Thursday night. Dan Tracy and his crew, Circle and Square, will make your head nod in appreciate of their carefully plotted riffs and their off signature beats. Dan rips on the kit, so keep your eyes pealed. They’ll be sharing the bill with another Brooklyn outfit, Robbers On High Street. They have drawn numerous comparisons to Spoon, but I’ve yet to see their set. To put a fat ass cherry on this sundae, Mike Watt will be closing the evening. Yes, I said Mike fucking Watt. Go and bow in the presence of his handle bar moustache.
Ok, this should get you through the first couple days of the festival. If my fingers have the ability, I’ll try to preview the latter half of CMJ in the next couple of days. If not, go were your Chucks lead you, and by all means, make out with as many hot indie kids in tight jeans as humanly possible.
[Disclaimer: Some of this information may not be 100% accurate. Remember, I’m a blogger, not a publication. If a hometown, a set time or even a name was off, let me know, but keep the bullshit to a minimum.]
9 Comments:
the arcade fire kicks ass. i've been all over them lately. scat
werd scat. jin passed me their tracks the other day, but i haven't had a chance to give them a solid listen. though friends have labeled them as not "belin rock," i want to give them a solid go through.
Thanks for the plug, Belin! Awesome job at the door the other night, you looked great holding that precious list...
- audrey
its my pleasure to plug the worthy cause, especially when you and eric are involved. i'm gonna try to shoot over there early to catch some of the goodness, if my mtg runs late, good luck and have a great evening.
ahhh shucks, j! thats so sweet of you to plug our little show. and the photo!!! you rock!
kisses, sivan
by the way, when do i get to see you?? maybe we can brunch it up this weekend...
funny you mention "jinners". it was on her blog that i first heard about them and decided to check them out. man, it seems like the two of you have the only reliable pics i can find. i feel like i've found the treasure of the sierra madre in the two of you and your recommendations. thanks for that. as far as fire in the arcade is concerned, give em a chance. i can't gurantee you'll like them . they're not that kind of band (i don't think) with one of those sounds that almost everyone will like. i think they're worth the time, though. it's always worth the investigation, you know? scat
No problem Sivan. i don't think i'll be able to make it tonight, but good luck with the show. i'm sure you'll rock it.
scat, thanks again. yeah, i'm gonna give the arcade fire a shot... once i find the damn time. where did the fucking time go! i'm sure jin will be psyched about the comment.
hey Jay,
I just got my first taste of Arcade Fire at mercury about 2 hours ago, and i definitely think there's a good chance you'd enjoy it...the show was awesome, lots of energy, and one of the members bears an uncanny resemblance to the one and only Napoleon Dynamite.
-tumbleweed
i'm a fucking spaz. if i wasn't a souse i would have written "arcade fire" and not "fire in the arcade". it's a good thing i have no self-respect, or i'd be embarassed by how stupid i seem. scat
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