The Run Down - Wednesday April 9, 2008

Great shows everywhere tonight! First up in Baltimore, go see Superdrag at the 8x10 and don't forget they're playing a 2pm in store appearance at Soundgarden in Fells Point. Also in Baltimore, Minus The Bear plays the Recher Theater with Portugal The Man and the Big Sleep. In DC Dc9 has Riddle Of Steel and City of Ships. In Philly Johnny Brenda's has VHS or BETA, Tigercity, and Coyote, the Starlight Ballroom has Explosions in the Sky and Lichens, while in Lancaster, PA John Vanderslice plays the Chameleon Club.

mp3: Riddle Of Steel - John Frum --> website --> buy
mp3: Superdrag - In The Valley Of Dying Stars --> website --> buy
mp3: John Vanderslice - My Old Flame --> website --> buy
mp3: Minus the Bear - Throwin' Shapes --> website --> buy

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

Friday (I'm A Remix)

So here we are again. Friday. Do you ever have one of those up and down rollercoaster can't predict what will happen the next second kind of weeks? Well that's what I'm having this week. Looks like it's all going to work out in the end though. For a minute there, I was happy, then bummed, then stressed, and ultimately happy again. And of course there's these....

mp3: Annie - Happy Without You (Sebastian Remix)
mp3: John Vanderslice - Speed Lab (Chris Walla Rob0t Mix)
mp3: M.I.A./Diplo - Sunshowers (Diplo Mix)
mp3: Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor (Jesse Rose Remix)

image via blu

The Slice

John Vanderslice is the man. He is so much the man that I have shortened his name to simply "The Slice". Album after album, The Slice continues to churn out solid indie rock that strays from normal pop tendencies. There's no recipe to his genius, he just writes great lyrics(a bit of poetry and a bit of story telling) and is a master producer. The drums are thick and the guitar is up front with you patting your back, urging you to go on and tap your hand on your leg as if you were strumming along(ahhh the run on sentence). Ever since I heard MK Ultra's 'The Dream Is Over', I knew this guy is for real. He's not just a guy actually, he's The Slice. Keep on slicin' Slice!
The Parade (from Emerald City)
Trance Manual (from Pixel Revolt)
They Won't Let Me Run (from Cellar Door)
The Dream Is Over - MK Ultra (from The Dream Is Over)

More Vander'Slice' --> website --> buy

Also--he's on tour with Bishop Allen!!! Go check em out! Now!