The Run Down - Saturday May 3, 2008

Another weekend is here bringing in a wave of great shows. Abby Mott plays her second day of shows at the Nerve Center in Baltimore with The Bright Lights, A Cat Called Cricket and In Every Room. In DC the Black Cat has Jukenox the Ghost, Travis Morrison Hellfighters, and the XYZ Affair while the Rock and Roll Hotel has South, Silver State, and KI: Theory. Finally in Philly, Johnny Brenda's has the Kills and Telepathe while the M Room has The Major Leagues.

mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day
mp3: South - Here On In
mp3: The Major Leagues - Fire
mp3: Abby Mott - Wild Desire

The Run Down - Saturday March 8, 2008

If I wasn't having my own party tonight, I would for sure be at the Rock and Roll Hotel. What more could you want from a line up including Jukebox The Ghost, Tereu Tereu, Bear Hands, and Modern Skirts? Or maybe you might want something like The Hives and The Donnas at the 9:30 club. Also in DC is Appomattox, Len Bias, and The Mussels at the Velvet Lounge. In Philly Jose Gonzalez plays the World Cafe Live. Finally you might want to consider Prabir & The Substitutes, Happy Anarchy, Orbit To Leslie, and OSO at The Fire in Philly. Have a great one!

mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day --> website --> buy
mp3: Tereu Tereu - Don't Be Sore, Farmer John --> website
mp3: Bear Hands - Bad Blood --> website --> buy
mp3: Prabir - This Little Heart Of Mine --> website --> buy
mp3: The Hives - Tick Tick Boom --> website --> buy
mp3: Appomattox - Gotta Run --> website --> buy
mp3: Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Friday March 7, 2008

Friday is here at last and it brings a load of awesome acts. Here in Baltimore the Metro Gallery has a great show lined up with Panda Riot and Screen Vinyl Image. In DC, Sia plays the 9:30 club with Har Mar Superstar, and The Epochs play DC9 with Tigercirty. Finally in Philly you can check out Lightspeed Champion at the World Cafe Live or Drink Up Buttercup, Jukebox The Ghost, The Moneynotes, The modern Skirts, and Madi Diaz at The Khyber.
****UPDATE****
I've just received word that the Screen Vinyl Image/Panda Riot show at the Metro Gallery has been CANCELED. Dang!

mp3: Sia - Academia (with Beck) --> website --> buy
mp3: Drink Up Buttercup - Mr. Pie Eyes --> website
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day --> website --> buy
mp3: The Epochs - Tug Of War --> website --> buy
mp3: Panda Riot - She Dares All Things --> website --> buy
mp3: Screen Vinyl Image - Chaser --> website --> buy
mp3: Lightspeed Champion - Galaxy Of The Lost --> website --> buy

If You're Going To SXSW....

There's a couple of SXSW shows that feature bands that we enjoy greatly at Pasta Primavera. If you're heading out that way in March, be sure to check out Georgie James, Le Loup, Pash, Middle Distance Runner, These United States, Carol Bui, Jukebox The Ghost, and Exit Clov at the Cream Vintage Store on the 13th. The address is 2532 Guadalupe Street. Another band that we adore playing SXSW is Ravens & Chimes. They hit the SXSW day stage on the 13th and a showcase at Club Deville on the 14th. If you catch either of these shows, please feel free to let us know how it went.

mp3: Georgie James - You Can Have It --> website --> buy
mp3: Le Loup - Planes Like Vultures --> website --> buy
mp3: Pash - 1000 Cranes --> website --> buy
mp3: Middle Distance Runner - Monochrome Boys --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - Diving Boards Pointed At The Sky --> website --> buy
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Victoria --> website --> buy
mp3: Exit Clov - Working Class Hero --> website --> buy
mp3: Ravens & Chimes - General Lafayette! You Are Not Alone! --> website --> buy

In Review - Jukebox the Ghost and Bellman Barker - Live at the Black Cat - Jan. 26

The Black Cat in Washington DC played host to the sold out CD release party for Jukebox the Ghost.......What's that? ....... You didn't expect this show to sell out? Well, apparently no one did, including the bands. The large crowd slowed entry to a crawl, causing many people, including myself, to miss most of opening act, Pash. But there would still be no shortage of awesomeness this evening.

Bellman Barker took the stage, in all their unique glory. They powered through an energetic set that included much of their EP, Anise & Anisette. BB's power pop style and range impressed the crowd almost as much as Aaron's wicked handlebar mustache. All kidding aside, Bellman Barker are primed to become a really big deal in the mid-Atlantic and beyond. Their final song, showed how far these guys can go. Two Bees started with Thomas playing the clarinet, and then looping it through an FX box that built and built along with the xylophone and guitar into an amazing finish. Seriously, who can use a sampled clarinet sound well? Shades of Johny Greenwood on that one, and that's pretty good company.

But of course, Jukebox the Ghost was the main event tonight. The three piece from D.C. came out to quite an ovation, and couldn't disguise the awe on their faces. The crowd that showed up to welcome their new CD was both plentiful and excited. It seemed a little overwhelming for them at first, but it didn't take long before Jukebox was having a great time, and generally kicking butt.

What struck me quickly was how quircky Ben Thornewill is whilst playing keys. His facial expressions ranged from mad scientist to comedian. At times, it looked like he didn't know what notes his hands were going to play, but they were always the right ones. Also impressive is how well Ben and Tommy Siegel trade the role of frontman from song to song. They're each talented enough that they could split into two bands and each would still be amazing. Luckily they are in one band, aided by the sharp and steady drumming of Jesse Kristin. The obvious comparisons to Ben Folds will be thrown at Jukebox wherever they go, but don't let it fool you. Jukebox the Ghost have carved out their own style, and created a future that is quite promising.

Mp3: Bellman Barker - Charles Kil
Mp3: Bellman Barker - Two Bees ---- website ---- Buy
Mp3: Jukebox the Ghost - Under My Skin
Mp3: Jukebox the Ghost - Hold It In ---- website ---- Buy

The full length is not available online anywhere yet, so check back soon.

Bellman Barker

Aaron of Bellman Barker

Ben of Jukebox the Ghost

More photos available HERE

The Run Down - Saturday January 25, 2008

Strap on your dancing shoes because there's some serious concert goin' action tonight. In Philly, An American Chinese light up the Fire with Young Gene Buffalo, Slippery Coup, and Bee Team. Over at the Starlight Ballroom you can see an amazing show in Super Furry Animals and Holy Fuck. Finally in DC, I'll be at the kick butt show of the night! Jukebox the Ghost has their CD Release show at the Black Cat along with Bellman Barker and Pash. Don't miss it!

mp3: An American Chinese - Panic Pilgrim, Quick Grab Your Suitcase --> website --> buy
mp3: Super Furry Animals - Run-Away --> website --> buy
mp3: Holy Fuck - Lovely Allen --> website --> buy
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day --> website --> buy
mp3: Bellman Barker - Pockets --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Saturday December 15, 2007

It's Saturday and many glorious shows await you! First off why not take a drive up to the city of brotherly love to see Illinois rock your screendoor off with Ian Hunter at the Trocadero. There's a great hip hop act with Flex Mathews at the Velvet Lounge in DC. Finally there's the mega Washington Social Christmas show at the 9:30 club sponsored by SPIN and BrightestYoungThings.com. The line up includes Laura Burhenn of Georgie James, Jukebox The Ghost, Caverns, The Dance Party, Exit Clov, and more!

mp3: Illinois - Nosebleed --> website --> buy
mp3: Flex Mathews - B.P.M. --> website --> buy
mp3: Exit Clov - Violent Berries --> website --> buy
mp3: Georgie James - Long Week --> website --> buy
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day (Andrew Maury Remix) --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Friday November 30, 2007

November's going out with a bang. Well in the Baltimore/DC/Philly area it is. As I said yesterday, if you missed M.I.A. at the 9:30 last night in DC, be sure to check out her set at Sonar tonight in Baltimore. If you're traveling north, why not swing by North Star, where Via Audio, The High Strung, and The Teeth are playing. Finally if you want even more great indie rock then drop down to DC where Ra Ra Riot, These United States, and Jukebox The Ghost will be tearing down the Rock and Roll Hotel. Good Times!

mp3: Ra Ra Riot - Each Year --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - The Business --> website
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost Good Day (Andrew Maury Remix) --> website --> buy
mp3: M.I.A. - You're Good (Diplo Mix) --> website --> buy
mp3: Via Audio - Modern Day Saint --> website --> buy