IN: Hot dogs and Miller High Life
OUT: Mittens and indoor drinking

I never knew what floaters were until a recent conversation with my coworkers over lunch, which made my stomach turn. Everyone at the table claimed to have floaters in their eyes, which act up from time to time and throw Jackson Pollack splotches on your field of vision. When I asked what floaters were, the returned answer was something like "Amoeba. But floating around your eyeballs." Needless to say I was unable to finish the Szechuan bean curd in front of me.

Speaking of floaters, this photo is of Aaron, our Senior Editor. We're double-teaming the blog to give it more action. I think everyone likes action.

IN: Calm, Courteous Interactions
OUT: Irrational, Terror-Inspired Freakouts

I'm freelancer, so I have many different "offices." Tonight, at the security desk of one of them, I noticed that they have tacked to the wall a sign which is labeled "Bomb Threat Checklist." At a glance, I noticed it had about 15 items, but I could only get through the first two before my elevator came. They were "Be calm" and "Be courteous." Fair points, I guess, and a reasonable place to start. I just hope "Call for help" and "Regret taking $13/hour security job" are on there somewhere.

It got me thinking, though. Should I feeler safer or less safe at that building now that I know security has a bomb threat checklist? Have their been threats before? Is it a common enough occurrence as to be posted up rather than placed safely in a binder labeled "Rarely Needed Security Procedures"?

(Also: Hello. My name is Aaron. I will be occasionally adding my brand of stupidity to In and Out. Yay for me, yay for you. Yay for us.)

Last week I had the pleasure of watching the Japanese band OOIOO perform...it has been a few years since I first saw them live. They came to the Knitting Factory in NYC the day before they headed out to Chicago's Empty Bottle.

Upon first glance at the pretty girls dressed in desert island couture and dainty silver shoes, you would not expect massive kraut-inspired sounds and effortless technical skill. These five Japanese women descended upon our city with a furious brilliance that I will allow the future Loose review to describe in more detail. Until then, enjoy the sneak peeks I took at the show!

Download a rather impressive track off of the new CALLA album, courtesy of Beggars:

CALLA - "Bronson"

You can also watch a video of the band talking about this track here. Or you can watch them in person on April 14th at Bowery in NYC.

(Photo by our own Tammy Lo)
IN: Short-haired, hoodied Conor
OUT: Long-haired, pressed button-down Conor

Who needs one-offs when you can book a whole week at a time? Conor Oberst, aka Bright Eyes, has booked seven dates from May 25th through June 1st (minus 5/27) at Town Hall in NYC. Ticket on-sale is this Saturday at noon EST...GOOD LUCK.

The rest of this tour are for the most part one-offs. I've got to admit that if you can pull it off, hanging out in your home city and playing for a full week at a cushy venue is living the life.

Here are two mp3 downloads from the upcoming album, Cassadega, courtesy of Saddle Creek:

Bright Eyes - Four Winds

Bright Eyes - No One Would Riot For Less

In case you haven't noticed, I prefer Conor's previous short-haired incarnation.

IN: Warm winter weeks
OUT: Colds, viruses, and other seasonal ailments

Imagine being sick as a dog and having to play a rock show. Snot, fever, chills, and whatnot. Now look at this guy:



David Vandervelde performed at Union Hall on 2/26. I hear he was visibly ill, but regardless put on an impressive performance and rocked through his ailment. Enjoy the photos, courtesy of our star photographer Steph Goralnick.




By the way, does anyone besides me find the oval portrait at Union Hall to be mildly creepy?

IN: Blonde Redhead's new album, 23
OUT: The Number 23, starring Jim Carrey

Thanks to Beggars for this official promo mp3 for Blonde Redhead's upcoming album due out on April 10th, 2007. The band's last release in 2004 was a euphoric masterpiece, proving that with each album this trio's sound grows more glorious. The band will kick off a tour this week at SXSW and will eventually hit New York's Webster Hall on May 8th.

Download "23" by Blonde Redhead

IN: Free schwag + leprechauns
OUT: Not being in Austin next week

Loose is descending upon the SXSW festival next week in Austin, TX. Make sure you RSVP for our event on St. Patrick's Day, because:

The Walkmen are playing.

We will be handing out some viciously sweet gift bags.

You can meet Maggie and Xtina.

You may even meet a leprechaun.

I'll be at home watching everything on a secret webcam.

IN: Good Beatles-eque bands
OUT: Christian bumble bee hair metal

I'm under the weather and feeling crap-tastical today. You too? Well...

Dr. Dog's new album, We All Belong, hits stores today. It'll be worth your time to visit the band's gorgeous website, chill to a couple of the new tracks, and watch their music videos. The video for "My Old Ways" (directed by Isobel Knowles of Architecture In Helsinki) is an animated delight, so if you're having a shitty day make sure you watch it through. Then go see them live, because they will surely knock your grumpy socks off.

I loves me some dios malos. Laid-back California guys who are reminscent of the Beach Boys. They also headlined a Loose Record CMJ showcase once.

Click here to download their latest song, "Know Is Wrong."