230 Publicity is throwing a listening party this evening. Go get your drink on because, well, let's face it - the air conditioning at Hi Fi is fantastic and Entourage isn't on again for another six days.

Come hang out with 230 Publicity and Friends at Hi Fi this Monday, July 31 (aka TONIGHT!) starting at 9pm. Have a drink and get a sneak peak from some of your favorite 230 Publicity artists:

The Hold Steady- Boys and Girls in America
Of Montreal- Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
Basement Jaxx- 'Crazy Itch Radio'

Throughout the night sample tracks from the 230 Publicity Megamix CD featuring tracks from Drones, Euros Child, Ratatat, Grizzly Bear, Awesome Color, Mixel Pixel, Big Sleep, The Lights, Lovers, Thunderbirds Are Now!, Mute Math and many many more....

I'm currently sitting at Lotus Cafe on the southwest corner of Clinton and Stanton and it has become completely necessary for me to comment on their in house mix. I've been here for all of a half of coffee and they've already played Spoon, The Little Ones, Dirty On Purpose, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Art Brut. Well done - keep up the good work.

Speaking of well done - I got toasted last night, but it was well deserved. After a hellish Brand New show at Webster Hall where some over privileged kid spit on me, I cruised down to the Mercury with Evan to check out a tip-top Friday night double bill featuring Cold War Kids and Sound Team. The Cold War Kids were the number three hitter in last night's lineup, and did they ever deliver the big hit. If you are no where near the crest of the wave and you've missed the initial hype train departure on these four kats, then you need to catch a up in the worst way. Their sound is something unique to the post blog rock scene and yet it seems to fit in the wake of storms brought on by the likes of the Wolf Parades and Arcade Fires of our world. Where CWK's win is their unstoppable energy coupled with a sound that tips its hat to soul influences along with quirky off signature white hot indie rock. I'm not the first person to write this and after last night's show I can guarantee I won't be the last.

Batting cleanup was those six loveable chaps from Austin, TX. If you read the papers - and I'm sure you do - then you know Pitchfork didn't look to kindly on their Capitol Records debut Movie Monster. Sometimes you just can't take stock in what PFM has to say - especially in this instance. Not only is the record a solid debut, but their live show has buttoned up and at the same time loosened up over the past couple years. Historically I found Sound Team to be somewhat stiff on stage; maybe they tried to convey the attitude of the music through their posturing or maybe they were simply nervous. In any event Matt and Bill lead this band into new sweat drenched territory. The band gave it their all and the all was fantastic. They recall the other side of indie rock (the side that is embraced by blogs, but rarely needs championed because it has a massive crossover appeal to college audiences and major label ears), but the points of reference get lost in their driving ambition and what appears to be a new found, no holds bar tude. I'm awfully excited to watch this band develop into something grander than their predecessors.

Could I fucking suck more than I do already? I think I know the answer.

In the past few weeks, my work email inbox has risen slightly higher, inching ever closer to the 5000th email. That's right. 5 Mother Fucking Thousand. As I hit 4800, I began to pre-jaculate. When I hit 4900, I felt happier than Lance Bass walking barefoot through a field of boners. The number continually grew on a daily basis, filled with work emails, personal emails, spam emails...any kind of electronic transmission you could imagine, and when I say electronic transmission I'm not talkign about robot cum. Dear God.

Each day, my dull vapid feeble little mind would sail away like Styx, constantly wondering who, or what this amazing milestone of an email would tell me. Perhaps a message from the future. Maybe a hot gentleman coworker would finally admit his lust for me and invite me for an afternoon truckstop tryst. Maybe it would even come from Mr Jay Goodtimes himself.

All I wanted was some kind of email that could carry the heavy burden of being awesome enough to be known as my 5000th email. (Wait a minute, can you capitalize numbers? If you can that should be a capital 5.) I mean shit, when my car crossed 90,000 miles in high school, I threw a fucking party. When I first crossed the Mississipi River in that car, I honked the horn constantly till the fuse blew. I am a man of milestones.

As it turns out, my 5000th email was a slightly racist tinged email from the Dogger (another Goodtimes guest blogger...Dogger the blogger, yeeeeeeeecccchhh) about stupid Carlos Mencia. Now I've never seen his show, and I dont want to, but the point is, my 5000th email was totally fucked up by the stupid Dogger. I felt like that housewife who is sitting alone at a magnificent table set for two with a terrific surf n' turf dinner getting colder by the second, while I wait for my son of a bitch husband to get home for our anniversary dinner that we planned like 3 weeks ago. Seriously, i felt like I was having a taint-ectomy sans anesthesia. I felt like I had stared down the barrell of a penis. I was shaking hands with the devil himself.

Now, you'll never believe this, nor should you, but this is the truth. I turned whitish green from the pain of a less than satisfying 5000th email and begna to feel queasy. AS the sensation grew, I threw up my gordita crunch wrap onto the tits of the girl in the nearest cubicle. Corn tortillas, flour tortillas, a felchy splash of factory made refried beans, a lil' bit of some tomatoes that looked like pimentos, and a whole lot of beef.

Of course this was awful, disgusting, embarassing...(the three words used most to describe yours truly.) But as we both realized what had just happened, the girl with chunky puke falling down her fat bosom looked over and made eye contact with me, and hers was not a look of disgust, pain or embarassment. It was a smirk. A smirk that had an inexplicable quality to it...sort of like the look you probably made when you saw your first pube. Then she stopped smirking and started smiling.

And that girl looked me in the eye and she said to me, "Mustachio, do you realize what just happened?"

Puzzled, I didn't reply. I did realize but I wanted to hear a second opionion.

"You are the 5000th man to puke on my tits. Do you realize what kind of milestone this is? "

So, I dont want to get up on a pedestal or get too preachy, but I want everyone to learn from me and my rollercoaster of emotions. Just remember that every anus has a pink lining.

Last night a few of us screamed out of the office around 6pm to head down to Castle Clinton to show love to our co-worker Craig while living and loving all things Hold Steady. It was with heaps of intrigue and mild concern that I entered the historic downtown venue. The stage was set with chairs, various mic setups and a large black grand piano. The other problem was the venue is seated, (Kerry told me it's because it's considered a National Park). Matt, Nathan, Greg and I strolled into the VIP section where we found a catering table (sweet!), but no free beer, (boo! - can't American Express hook it up). After a chat with Mr. DTL we settled in for a unique performance.

Tad was the first to climb to his chair (!!!). Yes, this is correct - the entire band took to chairs except for Craig who stood behind the mic the entire show bouncing around and having mild freak-out's and bursts of clapping like a retarded toddler, (I mean that in the most endearing way possible). The show was the complete opposite of the beer soaked Hold Steady late night parties I'd grown accustomed to, but you know what - don't fear the change. The big treat was the ability to truly understand the musing of Craig while the band held it down in a different fashion. My only complaint was that the mix was way to low, but it probably had something to do with the laws outlined by Ranger Jim, (he does exist). Personal highlights must were definitely "Your Little Hoodrat Friend", "212 Margarita", Craig's rant about the Twins sweeping the White Sox's before blasting out "Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night", "Multitude of Casualties" and the slew of new songs.

To sum things up, the acoustic version of the Hold Steady would never be my first choice of style, but having seen them a million times over, it provided me with a new take on some of the songs I've grown to love - even more than Coffee Patron.

Wolfmother's White Unicorn. Enough said.

Sometimes you know when you're watching something great, and on Monday - this was abundantly clear. After an awesome meal at Mary Ann's with a few friends including The Real NG, I wobbled home with a belly full of shrimps. For a second I contemplated throwing it all away for a night on the couch, but thankfully my sister was there to motivate me. We walked over to Rosario’s so she could grab a slice and we could meet the Beach and Giglet. We strolled into Bowery right on time only to find out the show was an entire band behind schedule. This prompted me to take my mild food coma to the basement to mingle with the hordes of friends who poured into the venue. After bouncing around from crew to crew, I went upstairs to check out Rick Steele who, if rumors are correct, is Sleepy Jackson's dad. He has a hilarious stage presence that compliments his everyman style of guitar/harmonica roots rock. He sounded like a weathered veteran who has spent his formidable days on the road going where the wind took him. It was like watching Easy Rider's VH1 Behind the Music - or something.

After his set I chatted up Jersey Dan (yes, the Italian Stallion was in the house for a 17 hour vacation that ended in a violent puke session in the Slope) and Mr. Adam will always be a key note speaker in my life. We took a tequila shot or two before taking my place up front for another mind blowing Sam Champion performance. The band took the stage as Ryan pounded out the intro to "So Good To Me" which is a total dance-in-the-pants jam. The band has a knack to jump all over the rock spectrum. As Christen said, they've shed the Pavement skin (though it isn't far behind), and picked up a bit more of a straight forward Americana rock vibe. They invited Mark from Sono Oto onstage to jam it out on keyboard for a few tunes which at times gave it a Doors feel, but don't think douchey Doors, just picture the good stuff - like being 17 in a car with a joint and the Best Of. Check out Christen's Tripwire report for more detail, but the bottom line was they book ended the show with two amazing new tracks (they closed with "B Mine" or "B Minor" pending on who you talk to) and in between they treated us to a bevy of fantastic songs. Things should be looking up for this band - way up.

I'd just like to note that last night was spent on a yacht playing dominos while munching ribs and sipping b-wiesers. It was a good day. That shit should be rolled out for me on the regular. I was also a strong memeber of The Orhcard's drinking team who beat eMusic in the second annual chugging contest.

Beirut is playing two nights at the Bowery Ballroom. Buy tickets now before your favorite underage hipster dream fuck dries out the well. Tickets are now available for November 21 and November 22.

Tonight the boys of Sam Champion will take the stage with an aresenal of new rock songs, (Listen Here). This new batch of tunes will help them shed their "Pavement" skin without forgetting what got them this far. Don't be a turd - get down to the Bowery tonight to support these kids in their endeavors. Their former record label recently went through some changes that left them on the margins, but this cloud has a serious silver lining. Hopefully they will get picked up by someone with the same vision and insight as these four driven guys.

Sam Champion is the main support for tonight's Sleepy Jackson show who have a new record out via Astralwerks. The show is only $16 at the Bowery door or $14 at the Mercury Lounge box office if you can get there before 5 or 6pm.

Yesterday afternoon I found myself amongst professional musicians on a rooftop patio in a steep, sleepy section of Silver Lake. Not too many "cool guys" own houses over there, so one would not have to endure the constant drone of a band that sounds like Interpol trying to sound like Joy Division ripoffs blasting out of a Jetta. Though you can almost hear the faint sounds of the scene a mere 6 downhill blocks to Sunset. Perfectly trekable in Chuck Taylor's I am sure.

Such serenity obviously yielded a "who's your favorite jazz musician" conversation. Baked, this is where I re-entered that oh so familiar place called the conversation quicksand. I was in over my head in less than a minute. I can talk shit loads about Finance and bore people, but I know that it's pointless, These doodz gave me way too much credit. When you don't know the reference point used to explain the unknown, you might as well forget it, Jack. Two years ago, Jayloose and I took a Friday morning stroll to breakfast.

He told me to check out a band. "The Schiv's, they're like The Shanks, but more spacy like this Sweedish Band called Prison Weapon." Sure. Like so many other great recommendations, I am afraid this one has gone to the wayside, too. My pal recommended some guitarist who wrote one album, he rocked it so hard he had to kill himself. Great. His name was like 4 names and it was all wacky and shit like Funky Joe Winkerbean Johnson or some shit. Sad part is I blame my condition, but I'll Never forget that the Afromen rapped "Because I Got High."

So my coworker and I have been shitting a collective house today. Why are our respective assholes gapping wide open? Well, it has to do with a little metal outfit named Blind Guardian. This band fucking rips. Their new album - A Twist in the Myth (Nuclear Blast) - comes out early this fall, and it will make you puke your guts out. Just wait until you hear the opener "This Will Never End".

Jay (10:39:17 AM): "Rise Up My Sister/Let's Cross the Portal"
Eric (10:39:29 AM): which ones that
Eric (10:39:33 AM): bling guardian?
Jay (10:39:40 AM): it's a lyric in the first track
Eric (10:39:51 AM): OH FUCK YEAH!
Eric (10:40:00 AM): that shit is majestic
Eric (10:40:15 AM): I love it
Jay (10:40:15 AM): mystical
Eric (10:40:23 AM): they ever play here I'm going
Jay (10:40:28 AM): i'm going to give the whole album play
Eric (10:40:29 AM): I'll wear my robe of death
Jay (10:40:37 AM): naked underneath
Eric (10:40:42 AM): and despair
Eric (10:48:17 AM): Blind Guardian's music is characterized by the classic fast guitars and double bass drumming of power metal, but is relatively unique in its use of overdubs to create an extremely dense, "epic" sound. This technique, especially notable in the guitar and vocal tracks, creates the impression of a vast army of musicians playing in unison and singing in harmony
Eric (10:50:57 AM): damn, dude
Eric (10:51:08 AM): they're shit is ultra mystical
Eric (10:51:16 AM): a little too mystical for my taste
Eric (10:51:19 AM): but
Eric (10:51:32 AM): that first track is the bees knees
Jay (10:52:35 AM): you've got no vision
Eric (10:52:48 AM): HAHAHAHAHAH
Eric (10:54:27 AM): that hook in the first track is fuckin bananas
Jay (10:54:45 AM): it's totes tits
Eric (10:54:46 AM): it sounds like an army of hell's angels are raining down from the sky
Eric (10:55:12 AM): rising up from middle earth to spread the wrath of HELL!
Eric (10:55:13 AM): MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Jay (10:55:14 AM): and battering us with short swords and battle axes
Eric (10:56:03 AM): brining with them, the mystical beast, and giant reaper of death only known as Slorr
Jay (10:56:55 AM): ha!@
Eric (10:57:06 AM): this track is dousche
Eric (10:57:43 AM): where'd you find the lyrics?
Jay (10:57:48 AM): dude, there are bagpipes on this record
Jay (10:57:52 AM): no where, i listened to them.
Eric (10:57:56 AM): HAHAHAH...I know
Eric (10:58:04 AM): that's what I was saying
Eric (10:58:12 AM): this shit is a little too mystical
Jay (10:58:29 AM): ha... loser, you can't hang
Eric (10:58:48 AM): I'm stuck on the first track
Eric (10:58:59 AM): if you hear anything else on there that's tits, let me know
Eric (10:59:38 AM): this shit is thick
Jay (10:59:40 AM): i certainly will
Eric (10:59:47 AM): like 50 multi tracked vocals and shit
Jay (11:01:01 AM): i'm worried about the nightmares i'm going to have
Eric (11:01:02 AM): dudes voice reminds me a little of serj from System of a down
Jay (11:01:37 AM): i kind of like #6
Jay (11:01:44 AM): thats true, it does recall him
Eric (11:01:53 AM): this is like german engineered metal
Eric (11:01:56 AM): very efficient
Eric (11:02:15 AM): I'm listening to #6 now
Eric (11:02:24 AM): so far it's dousche
Jay (11:02:32 AM): fuc that
Eric (11:02:41 AM): interesting verse
Eric (11:02:57 AM): got that "Love on a Real Train" vibe from the movie risky business
Jay (11:03:09 AM): you suck
Eric (11:03:37 AM): when rebecca demorne was fuckin tom cruise
Eric (11:03:49 AM): on the train
Eric (11:03:50 AM): serious
Eric (11:05:22 AM): Lionheart is interesting
Eric (11:05:30 AM): track 8
Eric (11:06:27 AM): oh jesus, track 9 is straight unicorn sex
Jay (11:07:29 AM): HA
Eric (11:08:47 AM): track 10 is tits
Jay (11:17:44 AM): dude, this ed sanders song "Thirsting For Peace In A Raging Century: Why Is Why Whying" is outstanding
Eric (11:18:06 AM): I bet
Eric (11:18:10 AM): great title
Eric (11:58:38 AM): man, does he say something about "the shores of Creed" in the hook of that first Blind Guardian track?
Jay (11:58:54 AM): don't know
Eric (11:59:03 AM): I belive he does
Eric (11:59:29 AM): which is fuckin tits if he said that

Head here to show your Deli Love...

KISS-NEW YORK GROOVE

I CANNOT STOP LISTENING TO THIS SONG. DONT FIGHT IT!!!

The heat is making me delirious, but the minimal hours of sleep over the past few days are nearly making me crazy. Who knew huge black leather couches would be a death trap in the dead of summer? Yes, I've been glued to the couch since my return from work, but the last few days had me running around Brooklyn like a dude who doesn't have a hurt on for Brooklyn.

It started on Thursday when a Kyle, Dana, Anna and I cruised out to Fontinas (is that the name) for some fancy-pants pizza with Dee, Lauren, Sonya, Christie, Danny and Gabe before stepping over to Supreme Trading for the Siren Preparty brought to us by Insound. We arrived a moments after the Professor Murder set (dammit!), and upon my entry to the backroom, I was greated by a Sparks addled Yaps who took a sweet tumble hello without getting pissed - good form. We settled into the back room for a Big Sleep set that featured a bit to much light. Yes, I said it, their mood is only enhanced by the pitch black room and front lit band. It was kind of weird. It would be like seeing them at a day show, and even though they are some very handsome kids - it felt strange. Thankfully Kyle filled the void by obnoxiously smacking beach balls around the packed room throughout the course of their set. The Big Sleep kept their promise to always deliver, (so what if it was an implicit agreement). They blasted out an assaulting set of huge beats and blistering riffs. Even though the mix was at a mind blowing level, it came off as an absolute ear pleaser. I don't know why the heavy side of things has such an easy appeal these days, but the impending doom and nervous anxiety that imposes itself on their sound steals the show and puts The Big Sleep at the head of their class. We hung around for a bit after the show, but it got a bit blurry. In fact - I credit Anna for the lack of productivity during Friday's office session.

The rest of my weekend was a big mess - but one of those beautiful messes you can really appreciate. It involved the following things, (inaccurate chronological order):

** Farewell carbombs with Tumbleweed in front of Mama Belin.
** Dinner at Clinton Street with Beach, lil Belin, Mama Belin and a guest spot by Dana.
** Mercury Lounge set by Richmond's Cheap Seats who despite the unfortunate Alabama name check showed flashes of pop potential.
** My first trip to Warsaw for the Mission of Burma show with Anna and Julia. The sound was awful, but the venue kicked some serious ass. You can't beat that smell.
** My first attempt to be cool at Royal Oak. It didn't go over well, but the room is sweet and I got to chat up Ben and Stefan.
** Bar scuffle with a bunch of white kids at Sin-e Bar. Glasses got broken, Kyle got called a N-word and my glasses came off for a hot minute.
** Oveis puked on Stanton and Essex.
** Breakfast margaritas from The Hat.
** Siren beer tent arrival of 1:25pm.
** Man Man bugs out in the best way imaginable.
** A pile of beer and 642 Red Bull vodkas.
** Buying bling from Joe in between songs during the Dirty on Purpose set.
** Builder and Belin invent a new hi-five.
** Another Stills set that complete gives me the inability to dislike anything they do - yes, this includes the new record.
** So many pot brownies and yet I forgot to eat anything. I didn't even get a brownie.
** 432 more Red Bull vodkas.
** A bloody Cribs set that reminded me of the all the good times.
** Yeti style fist pumping for Eddie and the rest of Art Brut.
** Some super drunk dude fell over in the VIP section and busted the bridge of his nose completely wide open. There was blood everywhere. Paul and I thought it was hilarious.
** A long ride home.
** A million degrees and an empty pool.
** Psychic Ills, Mobius Band and The Slip kick things off while the rest of us sweat.
** Bacardi Limon + Red Bull = Not Delicious.
** Cara's Margaritas = Delicious.
** Jack and I invent the dodgeball. Ask me to do it Friday night if the music is right.
** Bikini girls.
** A typical Belin only a few songs into the Dead Meadow set.
** Zero hours of sleep.

Ice, grillz, rims, rap sheets, STD's...Rappers have similarities and themes that run throughout the genre. First it was Scarface, then The Art of War, and now the new literary influence is the 48 Laws of Power. All the big dawgs from Jigga to Kanye to the Game are preaching the 48 Laws. Do you know the 48 Laws? Watchyou know 'bout them 48 Laws?

I know rappers don't always stick to their guns...Proverbial guns.

The problem is it's hard to follow all 48 Laws at once. Does it matter though?
#18 Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself - Isolation is Dangerous. Yet 50 Cent lives in Mike Tyson's old 8,000 room mansion. Nearest neighbor: half a mile.
#30 Make your Accomplishments Seem Effortless- Have you ever seen how many towels are draped over those peoples' head at the end of the show? Let alone the water bottles? So that don't work.
#35 Master the Art of Timing- Kanye told everyone with his body language watching hat Grammy thing on MTV he's fruity. I never acted that gay, even when I was on acid.
#23 Concentrate Your Forces- Or...retire, come back, do ads for sneakers, soda, computers, fuck R&B singers, retire, run a label.

They're all successful, so I guess good intentions are enough. So does that mean I can obey 8 or 9 of the Ten Commandments and still be wildly successful? Is that the key? Which ones should I toss out? If it were a Lean 7 Commandments, what do you pick? Personally, you can keep the ones about no sodomy, no coveting others shit, and "thou shall wait till she's 15." I mean what ever happened to separation of church and sex? Why should Catholic Priests be the only ones allowed to hang with young boys? I need my own religion so I can start breaking those Commandmentz.

Some weekend things y'all should be more than aware of starting with a couple post Siren events. The first involves Cap't Dan and the band Explorer who scored an opening gig for Murder Mystery at Northsix. Check them out if dig on some neu psych stylings. These guys are really good at smoking pot and melting face. Also on the bill is Mark's band Sono Oto who recently recorded the new Apple EP which he was kind enough to pass my way last night. I'm psyched to give it a spin over the weekend. It is a themed record, and I feel like it's going to be a perfect summer jam. Take a listen to "Granny Smith" and take a time warp back to the later days of the Beatles career. It's an easy comparison, but wow is this fantastic pop! Here are the details for the gig:

Saturday 07.15.06
@ Northsix / $10
Doors at 8 PM / Show at 9 PM
Murder Mystery, Explorer, Clock Hands Strangle & Sono Oto

I know what some of you are thinking - bands after Siren - are you crazy? Well, if you have a mean drunk on (like I'm fixing to do) then you might be looking for a party. Well, here you go, a certified after party with the kids from Dirty On Purpose. Check out the flyer below and know that the address is 5th and Union in the BK:


On Sunday you need to roll a fatty and meet me at the pool for some dominos. Check out this lineup featuring Dead Meadow, The Slip & Mobius Band - I feel it in my bones:


Finally, you need to watch the trailer for Rocky Balboa. Amazing.

Say it with me, "Sam Champion gives me wood". Well, it's time to get out the penis pump because they are back with some amazing demos. Get ready to walk around a la Ron Burgundy - your office mates will be frighted by the sidepipe. Enjoy these new demos coming straight from the heart and soul of a band that is so near and dear you might call them my boyfriends. They totally rip.

I fucking love this. Way to go Dirty On Purpose. You make me feel all warm and happy - down there.

It's the most wonderful time of the year. I mean seriously - big ups to all the pretty girls flauting their shit. Big ups to all the husky gents (including myself) who throw it out there (when I can - the new tattoo is a bit prohibitive). Yes, it's summertime which means the Siren Fest (Loose Preview) is knock, knock, knockin' on Jay Belin's door. But before you get a chance to turn from clear to red, Insound is here to help in the assisted suicide of your Friday morning. Put on a pair of shorts (you know I won't) and head over to Supreme Trading to catch my favorite married couple +1 (and a handsome plus one at that). I'll be at the front door dishing out the goon until the queen arrives, (you are coming aren't you). It should be an outstanding even full of booze, a couple cigarettes, unwelcomed sweaty hugs, hopefully a touch of making out, maybe some dancing and a punch in the balls from captain Steve. Oh, and don't be a turbofag (is that insensitive?) - go to Siren and rock out with the likes of Man Man, Dirty On Purpose, The Cribs, Priestess, The Brut, The Stills and whatever other bands might float your boat after powering through the biggest batch of bacon cheese fries you've ever seen.

They're baaaack! Insound's having a party in Brooklyn, and you're all invited as we present: Insound's Return of Shorts 2: The Beach. Just like last year, if you wear shorts, you get in for $2.00 instead of $5.00. And just like last year, you'll catch some amazing bands and have a whole lot of fun. Come out and show your chicken legs to the world!

What: Insound's Return of Shorts 2: The Beach

Where: Supreme Trading, 213 N 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
When: Thursday, July 13th. 8pm
Who: Oh No! Oh My!, The Big Sleep (Loose Preview), Professor Murder
How Much: $2.00 if you wear shorts, $5.00 if you chicken out
What Else: Free Sparks from 8-9pm
How Old: 21+

In my quest to continue my lame lifestyle, there is little to report. A dinner here some bands there. In fact, last weekend I saw Camera Obscura, Ra Ra Riot and The End of the World. All three bands were solid, but at the end of the day I enjoy partying and that is what I do best. For now I'm going to stick to keeping you informed on events like these:

Tonight Lookout Records cornerstone artists Frank Portman of influential punk band The Mr. T Experience will be appearing this evening at Coliseum Books on 42nd between 5th and 6th. He'll be reading from his critically acclaimed new novel King Dork and performing songs from the MTX catalog.

King Dork is in its 5th pressing since its release in April and movie rights are being negotiated now.

Also, this was lifted from Cara's C and C Blog Factory:

The Modular Monthly
Sunday, July 16 (2-7pm)
Union Pool (484 Union Ave, Williamsburg)
$3 w/ RSVP to modular@modularpeople.com $5 w/out
$2 PBR all day (band room only)

Foreign Islands Live!!! Foreign Islands has been killing it with their live sets in and around NYC lately. These guys combine elements of dance, rock, and PARTY into everything they touch.

DJs Roy Dank and Brion Paul. Not only is Roy Dank THE man about town, he also DJs the highly popular Pop Your Funk parties at APT. His buddy Brion Paul will be spinning by his side. You may remember Brion from the "What To Do with the Drunken Sailor?" party.

Food provided by Jean's Cook Up (Harlem). We're not F-ing around when we say this is seriously some of the best fried chicken/soul food/good food we've ever had. Our man Dante will be on hand with plates of the good stuff.

Post Siren plans feel a bit empty this year? Fret not my fellow hipsters and indie douches (yes, I said fellow), the French Kicks have the cure!

FRENCH KICKS AND "FIXED" CLOSE DOWN THE TRIBECA GRAND THIS SATURDAY! FREE SHOW! Well almost. Dave P and JDH's Fixed parties are moving from the basement of the Tribeca Grand and the soiree is becoming a mobile affair. They bid their old haunt adieu in style this Saturday with a special performance by the French Kicks. If you've ever been lucky enough to attend one of their blowouts (which included the first U.S. performance by Bloc Party) you know that this will be the most fun to be had in our fair city. A strong claim, but one that StarTime is unafraid to make.

Here are the details:

FIXED with Very Special Guests FRENCH KICKS (StartimeInternational/Vagrant)
Live @ Midnight!! Plus Residents JDH & DAVE P All Night!! 10pm
July, 15 2006 at Tribeca Grand (Basement)
2 Ave of the Americas, NY, NY 10960
Cost: FREE w/ RSVP to: weare138nyc@yahoo.com

Below is an email exchange with my roommate Dave that does not paint either of us as particularly masculine.

Tom Yaps
to David
More options
12:20 pm (38 minutes ago)

... we might have a problem of "Jason's Birthday Party" proportions on our hands.

ps. i know i should like whitney more, but why do i think heidi is soooooo cool?

Reply
Forward
David Mattei
to me
More options
12:28 pm (30 minutes ago)
i knew it... i know, i feel the same way...whitney is smart, considerate and attractive but i just can't stop thinking about heidi and how sexy and retarded she is. oh my god, i just realized i wrote the gayest email ever... delete it now. please god delete it now.
-

Ok folks; I just received this email from the lovely Mrs. Black. She along with her fantastic husband are putting together a benefit show at the Bowery. Check out her email, spread the love and get your ass to the show:

Dear friends,

I want to let you know about Rock for Roddy, a very special show to take place Friday, August 2 at the Bowery Ballroom. Starring math-metal steamroller the Dillinger Escape Plan, the event is a benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and a memorial concert for D. Rodman "Roddy" Scott, who was slated to be the best man in my wedding when he died at his Brooklyn home in March of 2005 from complications of type I (juvenile) diabetes. He was just 30 years old.

Roddy and my husband, Kerry Black, were best friends and, uh, "brothers in metal" which made my life noisier than it needed to be, but also made the two of them very happy. We know that Roddy would be over the moon to have a show like this in his honor. We miss him so much. Please join us in honoring his life the best way we know how‹by ROCKING OUT!

Here are the details:

Rock for Roddy Benefit with
The Dillinger Escape Plan
Wednesday, August 2nd
Bowery Ballroom, NYC
Doors at 8PM

Rock for Roddy is a benefit show to celebrate the life of David Rodman Scott and raise money to find a cure for juvenile diabetes. All proceeds will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The show has been announced and is on sale now! Special balcony access tickets are available to friends and family for $50. Use this link (make sure the VIP box is chosen and use the promo code "princeton") to purchase.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be forewarned that the music is going to be some serious heavy metal! Bowery Ballroom has a bar downstairs away from the music if needed. If you cannot make the show or want to avoid the ear-lashing, you can still show your support by buying tickets.

General Admission Tickets are available for $20.

The Strokes website just announced that the band is going to be opening for Tom Petty on a small number of dates in September. While there is no stop in New York, the tour includes stops in LA, Chicago, and Atlanta.

I just want to say that I think the band is really making some good decisions in terms of the musicians they have aligned themselves with recently. By spending time with, touring with, and recording with rock legends like Petty and Eddie Vedder, the coolest fucking band on earth will be learning from people who have lasted in this business and made good music throughout their careers. It is a move similar to Pearl Jam finding Neil Young and Pete Townsend to guide them in their early careers.

On a more personal note, I slept incredibly well last night. Two nights in a row of staying in, with only moderate alcohol consumption has really done wonders for me. I also want to say that if there is a better vegetable to throw on the grill then summer squash, I havent found it. That shit is amazing.

So it looks like my #1 indie rock crush has left Bishop Allen. That's right, bassist CO has bailed on the band to start her own new project, Music Magic. While this is a bummer, from the sounds of their June EP, Bishop Allen is still awesome, and now we will see CO as a frontwoman. Maybe everyone wins here.

Also, if you are in LA, they just released tickets for the sold-out Sonic Youth/Pearl Jam show tonight at the Forum in Inglewood. I just bought 4 for my boss who is out there for the ESPY's.

Tonight will feature a bbq in my backyard followed by a viewing of the always too long HomeRun Derby. To confirm for everyone what a loser I am, I am in not one, but two Home Run Derby pools. Fuck yeah.

Please don't hate me. I'm sorry to be such a shit, but I just wanted to drop a line to let y'all know Holy Fuck is playing tonight at Nublu. From a solid source they should be on sometime around 10:45pm. They are ill. Check it out.

On another note, any super cool kids out there interested in guest blogging? The shitstains I tapped earlier have fallen off the map.

Finally, if you weren't out at McCarren Pool Park yesterday you missed a hell of a party. The venue is super rad, super huge and super full of some of the best kids around. Check out this shot Jeff (CV) scored and you can also read his full review here. Make sure to get out to some of the Jelly NYC Pool Parties. You can't beat free ice cream, a slip 'n slide, dodge ball and some bands.

One of these days I'll start posting again. Wait, no I won't. Ok, I will if you go see Les Savy Fav this weekend. Read what Anna had to say about it in the Loose Previews section.

LIVE FROM CHICAGO, NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO and LOS ANGELES... IT'S THURSDAY NIGHT ROCK OUT WITH GAP AT THEIR SPECIAL IN-STORE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

Featured Local Musical Artists to Perform LIVE at Gap Flagship Stores
WHEN: Thursdays, July 20th + 27th and August 3rd (7-9pm)

CHICAGO Gap
555 North Michigan Avenue
Love Arcade - July 20th
Living Things - July 27th
Plain White T’s - August 3rd

NEW YORK Gap
122 Fifth Avenue
Mike Doughty with Tristan Prettyman - July 20th
Matt White - July 27th
Army of Me - August 3rd

SAN FRANCISCO Gap
2040 Chestnut Street
Thriving Ivory with Samantha Stollenwerck - July 20th
American Music Club with Graham Colton - July 27th
Ronnie Day - August 3rd

LOS ANGELES Gap
GROVE at Farmers Market
189 The Grove Drive
Graham Colton Band with Joe Purdy - July 20th
Waking Ashland - July 27th
The Hush Sound - August 3rd