My Favorite Band (this week) - Peel

Regular readers know I'm oh-so-ghey for Peel. I've written about them many, many times. Is that about to change? The band might be taking a hiatus. Here's a post from their site:

Josh is moving to San Francisco. This means uncertain times for Peel, and we are sad that our friend is moving so far away, but it's also a opportunity for fresh starts, new sounds, and renewal.

What does "uncertain times" mean? Will they go on without Josh, reform as a new band called Squeal, or just hang it up altogether? We'll have to wait and see. They're supposed to release another EP (a follow up to the excellent Auguest Exhaust Pipes) so I'm guessing we haven't seen the last of Peel playing live.

Before Josh heads to California the band is having a big blowout party. And they're doing it Kid 'n Play style: a House Party (1522 E. 12th, Austin, TX). Five bucks gets you in with a cup for the kegs. On top of that you get top notch entertainment: Little Stolen Moments, {{{Sunset}}}, and, of course, Peel.

Starr* Jonze

Potsy reviewed Stellastarr* last year and wasn't impressed, wasn't unimpressed. He was left unmoved. That sums up the way I've always felt about the band. I've heard their stuff on WOXY and listened to a few albums but I just don't pay much attention to the band. Maybe if I had discovered them at a different time in my life I might care about Stellastarr*. I figured they were past their prime and would fade away soon enough. Yet they continue to tour, put out records, be mentioned on blogs, and be played on the radio. Why? I needed to see for myself.

The Parish, while not exactly packed, was filled with Stellastarr* superfans. They knew the words to all the songs and happily bounced along to each tune. To the band's credit they did a great job of mixing their new stuff in with their "classic" songs. The crowd responded equally to both. A sign they aren't past their prime? Perhaps. It could've been my extremely low expectations or the fact I was close to the stage and surrounded by excited fans, but the show was very entertaining. A few tunes were a bit melodramatic but overall it was heavier than anticipated. There was some fuzz and distortion along with lots of searing guitar. I'm certainly not going to complain about that. I could get behind this band if they ditched the pop stuff and focused more on the new wave and punk songs.

This one show hasn't exactly turned me into a Stellastarr* fan. They easily surpassed my low expectations and garnered my respect. I no longer dismiss them as a shitty wuss rock band. However, I won't be lining up tickets for their next show. As I stood there amazed at how much I was enjoying the show I realized it wasn't that good. I started to compare it to other shows I had been to recently and frankly, it didn't rank very high. For example, last week I went to an in-store performance of Tiny Vipers. It was just one woman (a girl really), a microphone, and a guitar. Stellastarr* had more energy but in terms of overall performance and quality of songs, Tiny Vipers' short 5 song set won out. The Tale of the Tape says: Advantage Tiny Vipers. So there you have it. It's all so simple when you break things down.

Best of 2009

So far, and according to Spin (sorry, SPIN) (sorry, SPIN) magazine and NPR. Here's a link to the SPIN list, and here's a round-up of the NPR list.

As you well know we here at DCRC love lists. We love to read them and then say things like, "the absence of [insert band name] on this list really calls the whole thing into question." Potsy and Jumbo Slice love passing off tired and hackneyed catchphrases as their own, so they'll give you something like, "No [band name]? Really?" followed by "I'm Rick James, bitch/where's the beef?" Myself, I like to make lists, then preemptorily accuse readers of stupidity if they dare disagree with me. It's like a cloture vote in the Senate, it cuts off debate. As Steve Buscemi said in Fargo, this is not a debate. I'm not going to debate you, Jerry.

You can read the lists in their entireity on your own, but here's the breakdown:

• Commonalities: Animal Collective, Antony and the Johnsons, Bat for Lashes, Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear, Mos Def, Neko Case, Phoenix, Regina Spektor, Wilco, Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I have the Animal Collective album and true to what people initially told me, it's grown on me with each listen, after a lackluster first impression. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs album is also really solid. Who's Phoenix? Does anyone know anything about them?
• Outliers: SPIN included the Beatles of blind husband & wife Senegalese bands, Amadou and Mariam. Also the new Jarvis Cocker, which longtime Pulp and Jarvis fans seem to hate, but I like. Also, who the fuck is Sa-Ra Creative Partners? Is that a brand management agency? NPR likes the Decemberists (they would, wouldn't they?), M. Ward (the musical equivalent of untoasted white bread slathered in margarine), and Sonic Youth, which to me sounds pretty good from what I've heard. NPR also included U2, Silversun Pickups and Bob Dylan. Throw in Metallica, Neil Young and Springsteen, and we've got the foundation of a Rolling Stone magazine best of list, don't we?
  
• Songs: Only NPR did a best songs list, but here's a few highlights. "The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid," The Decemberists--I like this as well, great rock sound from a wimpy band, which makes for an interesting mix. "Zero," Yeah Yeah Yeahs--top tune. "This Tornado Loves You," Neko Case--love Neko but this one puts me to sleep. "The Fear," Lily Allen--she could use an ass-whupping but I must admit she makes good songs. "Daniel," Bat for Lashes--cool voice, I like her (is Bat for Lashes a single person, like Jethro Tull, or Led Zeppelin, or a group of people, like PJ Harvey? I must know).
• Left Outs: Commentors at Stereogum were largely indignant that SPIN left off Fever Ray (although NPR did not). Who are these guys, are they any good? Also missing, and this does not necessarily consitute a personal endorsement: Sunset Rubdown, NOMO, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Antlers, Akron/Family.
• Go Away: was it not enough that Bill Callahan wrecked my favorite team? Of course Jon Gruden knew all your fucking plays, you tit, he coached the team the year before, and you didn't change the schemes at all. And now you've got an album out. Well, this is one Raiders fan telling you to FUCK OFF AND DIE.
  
• Future of the Left: some commenters lamented the FOTL oversight on the SPIN list, but commenter "john" noted that "...a few people seem to like Future of the Left. I haven't listened to the record but based on their Siren performance, I'm glad they're not on here. Total butt-rock. They should hook up with Daughtry." Not sure I agree but I applaud the zinger.
  

Anyway, that's my take on things. Love a good list.

Days of Future Passed

The Future of the Left
DC9
July 19, 2009

First of all, sorry I'm so late with this one. The Future of the Left are from Wales and like fellow Welsher David Lloyd George, they rely on a guitar-heavy sound complemented with screaming and yelling. And some drums, and bass. Basically your standard power trio, where everyone plays harder and louder because they're losers who couldn't get a fourth to join their band.

Wale

These guys are a hair's breadth away from being metal, really. I didn't know FOTL well prior to the show, an only recognized two songs--"Arming Eritrea" and "Small Bones Small Bodies"--both of which are insanely catchy for something that makes your eardrums bleed and leak pus.

The Future of the Left came off as rather jovial guys, which is a stark contrast with their baby-eating sound. For once the stage banter was acceptable and even clever and humorous at times--apparently they had just gotten back from that Siren Festival and weren't impressed with Coney Island. Fair enough--when you come from a holiday wonderland like Cardiff, every other place in the world suffers in comparison. I think the problem was that they were up there with Malitz. Spending time with that guy makes you look at things with poo-colored glasses.

I must again give propers to DC9. The setup is nice and cozy as opposed to hot and cramped. It's fairly easy to get a drink. And for a small place they occasionally get fairly well-known bands, such as the FOTL. I have yet to have a shitty time at DC9.

Supergroup Postscript (or, I Read the News Today, Oh Boy): Did you see this? Did you fucking see this? It's a supergroup, and it features Ed O'Brien and Philip Selway from Radiohead, and Johnny Marr. Was Sammy Hagar unable to break his contract with Chickenfoot? I ran this past my supergroup consultant and he said there should be a "social conscience" waiver, as the proceeds from this go to Oxfam to fight poverty. Dude, I'm sure Cream, Asia, The Raconteurs and all the rest of them felt that to form a supergroup was to make the world a better place. I think not--request for waiver DENIED.

The Gossip on Tour

I knew The Gossip were coming to DC (Oct. 7th) but I just heard they'll also be stopping in Austin on Oct. 29th. I've only seen them once and it was eye opening to say the least. I'm not a huge fan of their albums but their live show is great. Beth Ditto knows how to work the crowd. Here she is strutting her stuff on Saturday at Seattle's Capital Hill Block Party.

My Favorite Band (this week) - Cass McCombs

From the time I heard "Dreams-Come-True-Girl" and "Lionkiller Got Married" on WOXY, I've been on the Cass McCombs bandwagon. His new album, Catacombs, is a gem and one of the year's best. It even garnered Pitchfork's much desired "Best New Music" distinction. Then again, they've been handing that title out like Skittles lately. Anyway, I love the album and I can't really disagree with the many Oberst and '70s Dylan comparisons.

It's easy to get lost in this album of mysterious love songs. It's stripped down yet retains an emotional depth while not getting too serious. It has a relaxed vibe and some humor. Clearly, the dude is no hack. Listen to this song and just try to get it out of your head. I dare you.

Cass is currently touring and on Thursday, July 30th he'll play Iota with Jennifer O’Connor and Mike Bones. I highly recommend you attend.

Quite exciting, this computer magic!

A week from today(July 28th), This Is Spinal Tap will be released on Blu-ray. The mother of all rockumentaries will include all of this extra goodness on the big format:

• Over 1 Hour of Deleted Scenes and Outtakes
• Audio Commentary by the Members of Spinal Tap
• Catching Up With Marty DiBergi Featurette
• Flower People Press Conference
• 4 Classic Spinal Tap Music Videos
  • Gimme Some Money
  • (Listed to the) Flower People
  • Hell Hole
  • Big Bottom
• Spinal Tap Appearance on The Joe Franklin Show
• Spinal Tap sells cheese and a variety of other exciting products

I am supposed to receive an advance copy so I can tell you all about it, but it has yet to arrive, so for now, you can enjoy the clip below. I love the intro from Wolfman Jack (an early hero of mine). Be sure to stick around thru the 2:30 mark for some psychedelic poker playing.

Ume at Tripp Custom T-Shirts

Despite the Texas heat the Prints for Non-Profit show at Tripp Custom T-Shirts was a great time. I went with my wife and young daughter and unfortunately I had to leave halfway through Ume's set (it was past Mia's bedtime). Fortunately, I found this this video of Ume performing "The Conductor" (a personal favorite of mine):

In between the sets they had old school breaking dancing from B-Boy City. It was unreal. My daughter was completely mesmerized. As I watched these guys I kept thinking, "that seems physically impossible." I couldn't believe some of their moves. To see what I mean check out this B-Boy City highlight video:

Yet another highlight of the show was meeting Richard from Ultra8201 which is easily one of the best music blogs in the country.