New Wolf Parade & Nada Surf Live Concert Stream

The news keeps on coming in and it seems to always be great. You may have heard that Wolf Parade will be releasing a new album on June 17th. You may have also heard me say years ago that Wolf Parade was the best thing to happen to music since sliced Bread...no? Well maybe I'm a tad crazy, but go ahead and feast on this new track.

mp3: Wolf Parade - Call It A Ritual --> website --> buy

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In other news, NPR has done us all a great thing by streaming the entire Nada Surf show from the 9:30 club that we attended last Saturday right here. Enjoy!

Nada Surf @ 9:30 club - In Review

After making the commitment to road trip to New York for Nada Surf, of course it was a no brainer that I would make it to the 9:30 club Saturday night. It felt a little strange to be waiting in line while the sun was still up, as this was an early show, but there we were. Openers for the show were The Jealous Girlfriends and Kaki King.

TJG’s were up first. Although they seemed a little sheepish while taking the stage, possibly because of the early hour, lead singer and guitarist Holly Miranda soon surprised the crowd with her energy and gripping voice. She also proved to be a pretty kick ass guitar player. Their songs were frenzied yet still very tight. This was the last night of the tour for TJG’s with Nada Surf, but I’d expect to see them to be headlining shows very soon.

Next up was Kaki King, formerly a solo singer/guitar player, but now with a full band. Immediately clear was that King is an excellent guitar player, leading with a display of slapping and finger picking an acoustic guitar before her band joined in. Also obvious was that Matt Hankle is a fiercely talented drummer. He stole the spotlight several times through their set. Overall, the set seemed to vary a bit too much for my taste. I don’t really know how to describe their sound, because it changed every song. How do you go from acoustic jam band to covering German metal?

After a lightning quick set change, Nada Surf took the stage. Although a very similar setlist to the Terminal 5 show, this one had a unique feel. Of course, it was more intimate, but it also felt a little more loose. The crowd was more energetic and seemed better versed in their music. Everyone seemed to sing along to every song, whether prompted or not. The beginning of Fruit Flies was epic, with the crowd almost forcing Matthew off the mic because they were so loud. Speaking of Fruit Flies, Ira played these wicked cool glowing drumsticks. Watch the video below. The other amazing crowd moment was during Inside of Love, when Matthew asked that the crowd do a two step sway in time with the music, and we all happily obliged. It was very cool.

Anywho, Martin Wenk of Calexico joined Nada Surf again, adding wonderful depth to the sound. Keys, synth and awesome horns popped up all over the set. Seriously guys, you need to keep him. Or maybe clone him.

Ahhh, another amazing Nada Surf show. These guys just get better and better.

Blizzard of '77


Crazy Glowing Drum Sticks


Some pictures HERE

Setlist:

High Speed Soul
Happy Kid
Whose Authority
What is Your Secret
Weightless
Killians Red
I like What You Say
Inside of Love
Fruit Flies
80 Windows
Ice on the Wing
The Fox
Do It Again
Beautiful Beat
See These Bones

Blizzard of '77
Blonde on Blonde
Always Love
Blankest Year

The Run Down - Friday & Saturday March 28-29, 2008

The Ottobar has a pretty fantastic show tonight in store for you. The Ravonettes headline with Baltimore's Thrushes and Black Acid opening. In DC be sure to catch John "The Slice" Vanderslice opening for Stephen Malkmus at the 9:30 club.

mp3: Thrushes - The Hardest Part --> website --> buy
mp3: Stephen Malkmus - Baltimore --> website --> buy
mp3: John Vanderslice - Me an My 424 --> website --> buy

Yes I'm covering two days in one post because unfortunately at some point late tonight or early tomorrow our web hosting site(where all the mp3s are housed) will be down for an extended period of time. Hopefully all will be well come Sunday and Monday. Anyway Saturday has some sweet shows in DC and Philly. In DC there's Deleted Scenes, Drink Up Buttercup, Butterflies, and The Fordists at DC9 and the Rock and Roll Hotel has New Rock Church of Fire, Death By Sexy and Nunchucks. In Philly Johnny Brenda's has Caribou and Fuck Buttons while The Fillmore has John Vanderslice and Stephen Malkmus.

mp3: Caribou - Bees --> website --> buy
mp3: Fuck Buttons - Bright Tomorrow --> website --> buy
mp3: Deleted Scenes - Hyperbaric --> website --> buy
mp3: Drink Up Buttercup - Mr. Pie Eyes --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Wednesday March 12, 2008

The quantity of shows may be small, but if you're into the whole electro dance indie dj thang then you're in heaven. In Baltimore the Ottobar has MSTRKRFT, Rye Rye, Uncle Jesse, and Oh Snap!. Or maybe you just want to trot down to DC to catch that whole myspace deely at the 9:30 club with Justice, DJ Medhi, and Fancy.

mp3: Justice - New Jack --> website --> buy
mp3: Wolfmother - Woman (MSTRKRFT Remix) --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Wednesday March 5, 2008

There's plenty of shows tonight to keep area fans happy indeed. First off in Baltimore, THE Cadence Weapon will be performing at the Ottobar with Born Ruffians and Food For Animals. In DC, Matt Costa and Jonathan Rice play the 9:30 club. Finally there are three great shows in Philly. At Johnny Brenda's you can check out the Stills. The Khyber has a great indieshoegazerelectro show with Panda Riot, Ports of Call, and The Coast. Finally the Fire has Spanish Prisoners, the Graboids, Northern Valentine, and Cheyenne.

mp3: The Stills - Retour A Vega --> website --> buy
mp3: Matt Costa - Cold December --> website --> buy
mp3: Born Ruffians - This Sentence Will Ruin, Save Your Life --> website --> buy
mp3: Cadence Weapon - Oliver Square --> website --> buy
mp3: Food For Animals - Swampy Summer Jam --> website --> buy
mp3: Panda Riot - Like Flowers At Night --> website --> buy
mp3: Spanish Priaoners - Some Among Them Are Killers --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Monday March 3, 2008

Heeeeere we go. In Philly there's Say Hi at Johnny Brenda's. In Virginia catch These United States at IOTA. In DC you have the choice between The Sketches opening up for Blind Melon at the 9:30 club, The Muggabears and Sisters at the Red and the Black, or Ilad, Lindsay Holler & the Dirty Kicks, and Stella Schindler at DC9. Have a good one.

mp3: Say Hi - Bluetime --> website --> buy
mp3: The Sketches - Dizzy --> website --> buy
mp3: The Muggabears - Automatic Others --> website --> buy
mp3: Ilad - Looking Glass --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - Burn This Bridge --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Wednesday February 27, 2008

Well well well Wednesday...some good shows indeed. If you didn't catch Wilco at the 9:30 club last night, then try again tonight for their second show. Philly has two winers tonight. First there's The Spinning Leaves, Hezekiah jones, Macgregor Burns Band, Monadnoc, The Low Down, and Nu Cultures at The Fire. Finally you can stroll over to First Unitarian Church to see St. Vincent and Foreign Born.

mp3: Wilco - I'm A Wheel --> website --> buy
mp3: The Spinning Leaves - Bridges For Free --> website
mp3: Hezekiah Jones - Nothing's Bound --> website --> buy
mp3: Macgregor Burns Band - Drink Anything --> website
mp3: St. Vincent - Your Lips Are Red --> website --> buy
mp3: Foreign Born - The Entryway --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Tuesday February 26, 2008

Tuesday is here and there doesn't seem to be any shortage of shows. DC is where it's at tonight! You have the choice of seeing Wilco at the 9:30 club, St. Vincent and Foreign Born at the Rock and Roll Hotel, or Barton Carroll and Dave Ihmels and the Red and the Black. If you're up in Philly make sure you check out Bowerbirds, Phosphorescent, and Ginmarco Cilli at Johnny Brenda's. Have a good one.

mp3: Bowerbirds - Slow Down --> website --> buy
mp3: Wilco - Hummingbird --> website --> buy
mp3: St. Vincent - Paris Is Burning --> website --> buy
mp3: Foreign Born - Union Hall --> website --> buy
mp3: Barton Carroll - Certain Circles --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Tuesday February 12, 2008

First off, if you missed the Liars show in Philly (which you had to because it was canceled), then your in luck because they play again tonight at the 9:30 club in DC. Or you might want to stay put in Philly because the Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival is in full swing at The Fire. Tonights line up includes Cowmuddy, Devin Greenwood, The Spinning Leaves, Chase Pagan, Papertrees, and April Smith and The Great Picture Show.

mp3: Cowmuddy - Fire Warms Everyone --> website --> buy
mp3: Devin Greenwood - This Over Here --> website --> buy
mp3: The Spinning Leaves - Transistor Radio --> website
mp3: Liars - The Other Side Of Mt. Heart Attack --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Sunday January 27, 2008

Though I may be pretty tired, you may not be. So for you there are a couple good concerts tonight. At the 9:30 club, Super Furry Animals, Holy Fuck, and Fiery Furnaces take the stage and do what they will with it. Here in Baltimore, Sonar plays host to one of my faves, Lupe Fiasco. That's one that shouldn't be missed (though I am missing it...again...tired...and...it's sold out).

mp3: Super Furry Animals - The Proper Ornaments --> website --> buy
mp3: Holy fuck - Lovely Allen --> website --> buy
mp3: Fiery Furnaces - Duplexes Of The Dead --> website --> buy
mp3: Lupe Fiasco - Pressure --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Thursday January 24, 2008

The good thing is if you missed any of last nights shows in the area, you can probably see the same ones at a different place nearby tonight. At the 9:30 club in DC Dj Shadow and Cut Chemist bring in the sequel to Brainfreeze with The Hard Sell. Here in Baltimore, the Ottobar has The Walkmen, White Rabbits, and the Subjects. Finally up in Philly at Johnny Brenda's there's Voodoo Economics, Cloud Miner, and Life In Bed.

mp3: DJ Shadow - Hardcore Hip-Hop (Instrumental) --> website --> buy
mp3: Cut Chemist - The Garden --> website --> buy
mp3: The Walkmen - Wake Up --> website --> buy
mp3: White Rabbits - The Plot --> website --> buy
mp3: Voodoo Economics - What if those heavy things cracked their brittle bones to the marrow --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Wednesday January 16 ,2008

So many of you were itching to go to the Yeasayer/MGMT show at the Black Cat tonight. As we all know, it's sold out and nothing's going to change it. The good news is they're booking another show in April for the main stage. If that's too far away for ya, they're also playing the Troc in Philly next month. Luckily there are some other kick butt shows tonight in the area also. At the 9:30 Club, Blonde Redhead and School of Seven Bells will definitely put on a good performance for you. In Baltimore, Mary Nova rocks the Ottobar with Sparta Philharmonic, She Keeps Bees, and Sweet Basil. Finally in Philly at the Fire, Toy Soldiers garage rock it with British Lit.

mp3: MGMT - Weekend Wars --> website --> buy
mp3: Yeasayer - Red Cave --> website --> buy
mp3: Blonde Redhead - The Dress --> website --> buy
mp3: Mary Nova - Golden Rule --> website
mp3: Toy Soldiers - Wrecking Ball --> website

The Run Down - Tuesday January 15, 2008

There's some class act shows going on tonight. A sure bet will be down at the Black Cat where Vandaveer will style n' dial it up with Bottle Up & Go. If you want a big time show, get over to the 9:30 Club for Editors, Louis XIV, and Hot Hot Heat. Finally, up in Philly, Cheers Elephant continue their January residency at the Khyber with When Cars Ascent, The Danger Os, and Charles Latham.

mp3: Vandaveer - Different Cities --> website --> buy
mp3: Editors - Camera (SebastiAn Remix) --> website --> buy
mp3: Cheers Elephant - Wide Eyed --> 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 23, 2007

If you still have some energy and money left over from this grand shopping day, there are some solid shows going on around the area. In DC They Might Be Giants and Oppenheimer take on the 9:30 Club while Prefuse 73, Blank Blue, and School of Seven Bells electrify the Black Cat. In Baltimore you can check out some great indie rock down at the Ottobar with Jason Dove and the Magic Whip, Monarch, and Yukon. Enjoy!

mp3: They Might Be Giants - The Mesopotamians --> website --> buy
mp3: Prefuse 73 - Storm Returns --> website --> buy
mp3: Nobody presents Blank Blue - All The Shallow Deep --> website
mp3: Jason Dove - Girl My Love Is Like Keno --> website --> buy
mp3: Monarch - Regret --> website --> buy

Superdrag - Live @ 9:30

Where to begin. This was the last date on Superdrag's reunion tour, and it happened to be at the 9:30 club. How lucky. I'll keep this show review somewhat brief, and say that this was a pretty amazing show. The crowd was mostly older (meaning 30ish plus) and consisted of some pretty pumped up people. Superdrag has always had a great following in the Baltimore/DC area, so this was a natural spot to end the tour.

Overall impression of the show was how different the members have become, but how much they have stayed the same. John Davis is clearly a changed person, quite humble and honestly thankful for the chance to play live shows again. John bowed to the crowd after nearly every song and repeatedly thanked the crowd that showed up (important note: This show was moved to a 10:00pm doors on a Thursday, and that certainly limited the crowd). Other band members retained what made them awesome; Tom Pappas showed amazing energy and skill. Don Coffey continues to be a bad ass drummer. I guess the most important part was how passionate John was as a singer and frontman. His vocals were powerful and mostly sung with his eyes closed. It was obvious that he was pouring his heart and soul into the show.

On to song selection. Heres where I gush a bit. WOW. WOW. WOW. Seriously, Senorita into 6/8 into N.A. Kicker into Liquor. This show was totally built for the old heads. I felt truly privileged to see this show. It lacked some of the surprise of other shows, as it was so chronological, but that's like complaining about finding too many diamonds in a row. They played damn near everything from Regretfully Yous and 8 Track Sounds. What more could you want (except Load which I would have freaked out over). And then went into Head Trip and Valley. And then broke out Sucked Out and Cynicality.

Oh yeah, then Bloody Hell in the encore. I call that "Ape shit crazy."

Other aspects that were crazy include that the band not only signed autograph's before the show, but announced they would be signing in the club after the show. And that they did. I got this amazing poster signed by all, and went home a happy camper.

So, I didn't keep the review that brief. Big whoop. Wanna fight about it?

Oh yeah, Mic Harrison came out and played with the band for the last two songs......and it was good.

Setlist:

Whitey's Theme
Slot Machine
Phaser
Carried
Garmonbozia
Senorita
6/8
N.A. Kicker
Liquor
Nothing Good is Real
Tell Me I'm Not Free
I'm Expanding My Mind
Hellbent
Sold You an Alibi
Do the Vampire
Amphetamine
Pine Away
Unprepared
Keep it Close to Me
True Believer
Sucked Out
Cynicality
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Bloody Hell
Destination Ursa Major
Rocket


Superdrag ------- Keep It Close To Me.mp3

A little Superdrag to get you pumped

To get you all ready for Superdrag at the 9:30 club this Thursday, Daytrotter has an interview with John Davis, a review of their Chicago show, and a bunch of two track mp3's they recorded out there. Pretty cool stuff.

Somehow, there are still tickets available for this show. Buy them here.

Also, the show is now a late show with doors opening at 10:00pm. Expect many yawns on Friday morning.

Show Review
Interview
Mp3's

Jimmy Eat World - Live at the 9:30 club

Jimmy Eat World came to the lovely 9:30 club on Tuesday, and Evil Homer was on the scene. JEW at the 9:30 club has a special place in my heart, as I attended their two night DVD recording a few years back. My hopes were high, and they didn't disappoint.

Opening for JEW on this tour is Viva Voce, a duo from Portland comprised of married couple Kevin and Anita Robinson. I immediately deemed them the reverse White Stripes, as Kevin plays drums and Anita plays guitar. Both sing some lead and some backups. These two were a treat. They have a lot of style, a good stage presence, and can jam. Anita is the best female guitar player I think I've ever seen. They were a great warm up, and I'll be picking up an album.

So, jimmy took the stage around 7:30pm (being an early show). The crowd seemed pretty pumped, but turned out to not be (more on that later). A large banner unfurled, revealing the little bird symbol which has been all over their website recently. Wasting no time, they went right into "Big Casino," the opening track from Chase the Light. Big Casino is a solid track, right in line with what JEW does best, rock music. Showing that this would be a great show, they went into "A Praise Chorus" and then "Work." Jim Adkins played through these songs with so much energy and emotion that all could see he was really into it. At the same time, I could tell that this was not the best audience. Many seemed to not be at all versed in songs from Clarity and Futures, and even those who were did little beyond calmly mouthing the lyrics. By the time JEW had finished "Blister," I was pretty sweaty, as was Adkins.

This shows set list seemed to be aimed at the old heads who've been rocking to JEW since Clarity, but they seemed to get a crowd that mostly just listened to Bleed American. That's really a shame to, because the crowd didn't know what they were missing. JEW played an awesome set they even included the song "Robot Factory," which Adkins said before the song that they had not played it in ten years. On top of that, they played probably my all time favorite, "23," and an amazing version of "Kill" that was really powerful and emotional.

The end of the main set and the encore featured most of their radio hits, including "Pain", "Sweetness", and closing with "The Middle."

Overall, this was a great show. The production at the 9:30 club is always top notch, and the atmosphere is great. JEW continue to be one of my favorite bands to see live. Until next time.

Big Casino
A Praise Chorus
Work
Always Be
Blister
Lucky Denver Mint
Carry You
For Me This Is Heaven
Robot Factory
Get it Faster
Disintegration
Let it happen
23
Kill
Bleed American
Pain

Break

Your House alt version
Hear you me
Sweetness
The Middle

Viva Voce - The Tiger and How We Tamed It

JEW - 23

JEW - Carry You

The Cold War Kids coming to a 9:30 club near you

This is prob old news to some, but it was news to me, so I'm posting. And you can't stop me.

The Cold War Kids will be kicking off a limited US tour November 16th in Portland, and will be at my second home (the 9:30 Club) for two night November 27th and 28th. I had the pleasure of watching these guys open for Muse twice this summer, and they rock. Go see them.

Tickets

Hang Me Up to Dry

Cover of Radiohead's Electioneering

Website

Right now there are only tix on sale for the 27th, but their myspace clearly shows two nights. Not sure what that means.

And what do you know. I mentioned Muse. Thats a perfectly good reason to post more video from their amazing show in Philly this summer.

Toofer Toosday - Voodoo Style

After hearing evilhomer's escapades at Voodoo for the last few days, I decided to dedicate this "toofer" to two bands that I wish I was there to see myself. Spoon and Wilco. These guys pretty much sum up what happens when music goes right(not wrong).
Britt Daniel of Spoon writes songs that breathe from the heart. This allows him to really push and pull with different arrangements of drums, vocals, guitars, and keyboards. Sometimes it's just guitar and drums. Sometimes it's a full band with horns. Either way it never seems too much or too little.
Jeff Tweedy of Wilco puts his soul into every note, every lyric, and every croon of his voice. What more can you ask for from a musician. Enjoy!

Spoon - Back To The Life.mp3
Spoon - The Beast and dragon, Adored.mp3
Wilco - Theologians.mp3
Wilco - Jesus, Etc.(live).mp3

more Spoon --> website --> buy
more Wilco --> website --> buy

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Also tonight be sure to check out The Go! Team at the 9:30 club

The Go! Team - Huddle Formation ( RJD2 mix).mp3

more The Go! Team --> website --> buy