X and The Rollins Band Announce Summer Tour Together

X, featuring the original line-up of bassist/vocalist John Doe, singer Exene Cervenka, drummer D.J. Bonebrake and guitarist Billy Zoom, have announced a lengthy string of tour dates with special guests The Rollins Band, according to liveDaily. The tour is called "As The World Burns", and also features The Riverboat Gamblers.

No NYC date has been announced, but the thought of seeing this bill in the smallish Starland Ballroom in Central Jersey is pretty cool.

Tickets for most dates here.

July 2006
28 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
29 - Costa Mesa, CA - Orange County Fair
30 - Agoura Hills, CA - The Canyon

August 2006
1 - San Diego, CA - 4th & B
2 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
4 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
5 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theater
6 - Omaha, NE - Sokol Auditorium
7 - Sauget. IL - Pop's
9 - Minneapolis, MN - The Quest
10 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
11 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
12 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogart's
13 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
15 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
17 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
18 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
19 - Boston, MA - Avalon

X - "White Girl" mp3 buy
Rollins Band - "Starve" mp3 buy
The Riverboat Gamblers - "What's What" mp3 buy

Nada Surf & stellastarr* Invite-Only Show In Jersey...Win Tickets Here.

extrawack! is giving away a pair of tickets to the invite-only Nada Surf and stellastarr* show at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ next Tuesday, 6 June.

The show, sponsored by Jack Daniels, is a 21+ gig, and if it's anything like previous JD-sponsored shows I've been to, will feature free food and giveaways as well.






To win the tickets, send an email to extrawack@gmail.com with the name of the singer from either band...that way we know an actual fan will get these invites.

Nada Surf - "Do It Again" mp3 buy

Stellastarr - "Sweet Troubled Soul" mp3 buy

UPDATE -- TICKETS GONE!
Thanks to all who sent entries.

extrawack! Has Footy Fever...World Cup Songs And Videos

The World Cup is mere days away, and I'm totally fired-up, especially after watching the U.S. side beat up on Venezuela and Latvia in consecutive matches this past week.

One of our favorite blogs, Scatter o'Light, is running a bloggers' World Cup pool, and has graciously opened it up to any and all bloggeristas. OK, I made that word up, but it sounds cool, doesn't it? Get info and sign up here.




In honor of perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world:

Barcelona - "Kasey Keller" mp3 buy






Aside from the action on the pitch, one of my favorite things about the World Cup is the teams' theme songs. As far as I know, the U.S. team doesn't really have a song, though this Gatorade commercial for them and their WC quest uses America's Pastime's theme to great effect:



This is perhaps the sweetest pop song I've heard written for a World Cup team...it's from The Charade, and like most Swedish pop floating around these days, is catchy and beautiful:

The Charade - "Dressed In Yellow And Blue (The Unofficial Song of The Swedish World Cup Team)" mp3 buy


7 Seconds Of Love, a combo from Engerland, gives us this ska-tinged fight song for this year's Three Lions gang:

7 Seconds Of Love - "World Cup Winners" mp3

Here's a great animated video for "Oh Sweet England" by the 253 Boys from their (Wonderful World Of Football EP):



Here's what I think is the most popular Korean WC06 song, featuring a bunch of celebrities, and the goofy but cute slogan "Again 2002!"..."Be The Reds!" indeed:



Here's the least inspiring World Cup song I've ever heard/seen, on behalf of Australia's Socceroos:




And here's my favorite World Cup song ever, New Order's "World In Motion" from 1990...Hipsters take note: the video features an appearance by comedian Keith Allen (who co-wrote the song), father of current music blog fave Lily Allen!:

Gil Mantera's Party Dream Playing Knitting Factory In June.

Gil Mantera's Party Dream make their triumphant return to NYC after knocking crowds out opening for Art Brut earlier this year...They are playing Knitting Factory on 28 June. Get tickets here.

Easily the most fun $10 you'll spend on a show this year.

Here's the video for "Elmo's Wish":




and some bonus old-school Party Dream...this is "Chalkit Pyhe II", featuring Ultimate Donny as "The Pizza Guy":

Priestess Is Pimpin' My Ride This Summer.

Summer is approaching, and I'm finding that cranking up bands from Montreal with 3 violins and 2 flutes and a guy playing a motorcycle helmet with a drumstick is just not cutting it as I drive down the highway with the windows and sunroof wide open. Where does one turn now for a quality hard rock driving experience?

Back to Montreal, of course.

From that city's seemingly endless pool of quality music comes Priestess.

A hard rock band in the truest sense of the description, Priestess plays an unironic riff rock that, were there an actual rock radio station around here, would certainly be the muscle car blast of the Summer. Channelling AC/DC, Foghat, and often times the duel guitar attack of Thin Lizzy, these guys sound like they all turned 17 in 1979 in the Midwest, learned their instruments, then took a time machine ride here for the 13 June release date of their album, Hello Master.

Yeah, their name makes you think they are probably gonna be all evil and stuff, but it's not like that...it's just straight-up kick-ass rock, just like your older dirtbag cousin used to listen to in his red-black-and-Bondo colored Trans-Am.

Like the Wolfmother record even a little? Try these guys on for size.

Priestess - "Lay Down" mp3
Priestess - "Talk to Her" mp3

Preorder Priestess cd and vinyl

Priestess MySpace

Tour dates:

Jun 15 2006 8:00P
Spaceland Los Angeles, CA
Jun 17 2006 8:00P
Alex's Bar w/The Bronx & Riverboat Gamblers Long Beach, CA
Jun 18 2006 8:00P
Glass House w/The Bronx & Riverboat Gamblers Pomona, CA
Jun 19 2006 8:00P
Soma w/The Bronx & Riverboat Gamblers San Diego, CA
Jun 21 2006 8:00P
Jerry's w/The Bronx & Riverboat Gamblers Bakersfield, CA
Jun 22 2006 8:00P
The Belmont w/The Bronx & Riverboat Gamblers Fresno, CA
Jun 23 2006 8:00P
The Library w/The Bronx & Riverboat Gamblers Sacramento, CA
Jun 24 2006 8:00P
Independant w/The Bronx & Riverboat Gamblers San Francisco, CA
Jun 26 2006 8:00P
Rock N Roll Pizza w/The Bronx & Riverboat Gamblers Portland, OR
Jun 27 2006 8:00P
Crocodile Cafe w/The Bronx & Riverboat Gamblers Seattle, WA

and dig this bill!:

Jul 11 2006 8:00P
Asbury Lanes w/Electric Six and The Rinse Asbury Park, NJ

Team Band

I hear some great things from friends in Chicago about Team Band.

Sounding like an incredibly catchy swirl of Ted Leo, Art Brut, and The Offspring, these guys already have industry buzz happening before even putting out an official release...

False 45th recently posted an MP3 of their cover of Sambassadeur's "If Rain" that's totally worth the download.

Team Band's MySpace is here.

Team Band - "Team Band Fight Song" mp3

Quetzal, Antigone Rising, Django All-Stars To Play Weehawken Waterfront For Free

Just got this info...

Lincoln Harbor Park ought to be an awesome place to see these shows...I've already marked my calendar for the Quetzal date:

HRPAC Announces Lineup for Free Outdoor Concert Series at
Lincoln Harbor Park on the Weehawken Waterfront

Weehawken, NJ (May 22, 2006) – A rich and eclectic program of summer concerts returns to the Weehawken waterfront as the Hudson Riverfront Performing Arts Center, Inc. (HRPAC) once again presents Summer Concerts on the Hudson beginning Saturday, June 24 at 7:00 PM in Lincoln Harbor Park. The series of six FREE evening performances will feature top artists from diverse genres, including jazz, alt rock, hot swing, oldies, and Latin.

“There is something for every musical taste,” said Bruce Sherman, HRPAC’s executive director. “Concertgoers who haven’t yet attended an event here should definitely be impressed by the setting. It doesn’t get much better than to see and hear great music framed against a backdrop of the magnificent Manhattan skyline.” The public is requested to bring a lawn chair or blanket and encouraged to pack a picnic and enjoy the pastoral setting of Lincoln Harbor Park. All of the concerts are great for the whole family - from toddlers to seniors.

Summer Concerts on the Hudson 2006 features:

· SATURDAY, JUNE 24 - STEFON HARRIS AND BLACKOUT

Considered by many to be the best vibraphone player on the jazz scene today, Stefon Harris will join forces with his group Blackout for an evening of progressive jazz. Harris, a three time Grammy Nominee, has been called “one of the most important young artists in jazz” by the Los Angeles Times.

· WEDNESDAY, JULY 5th - QUETZAL

This group has great references. No less an authority than Los Lobos has hailed Quetzal as the musical group most likely to carry the torch for Los Angeles’ Chicano community. With female vocals and violin as the centerpiece, this groundbreaking band creates a unique Latin sound by mixing traditional Mexican and Cuban rhythms with jazz and rock.

· SATURDAY, JULY 15th - ANTIGONE RISING

This all female alt/pop/rock band garnered national attention when Starbucks featured the group’s first CD in their stores nationwide. Now, after having performed with some of Rock’s greatest, they are breaking out on their own.

· SUNDAY, JULY 30th – THE DJANGO REINHARDT ALL–STARS

Some of Europe’s finest musicians will join forces to play the hot swing of the legendary Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt who, along with Stephane Grappelli, made the Hot Club of France a musical shrine in the first part of the 20th century. Special guest at this performance will be Melba Joyce, who has sung as featured vocalist with the Count Basie Orchestra and has collaborated with Tony Bennett and countless other legends of song.

· WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16 – SHIRLEY ALSTON REEVES

Original lead singer of the legendary singing group, The Shirelles, Shirley Alston Reeves is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her voice is familiar to millions, heard on such hits as Mama Said, Soldier Boy, and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow. She will be joined by her band and two back-up singers.

· SATURDAY, AUGUST 26TH – THE EDMAR CASTANEDA LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Originally from Colombia, this extraordinarily talented jazz harpist will bring his one-of-a-kind brand of Latin Jazz to Lincoln Harbor Park. His unique and exciting style of playing has brought audiences to their feet at NJPAC and Carnegie Hall. Latin Jazz icon Paquito D’Rivera calls Edmar Castaneda “a real innovator and a star in the making.”

All performances begin at 7:00 p.m. Rain dates, if necessary, will be the following night after each scheduled performance.

For more info, directions, and late breaking concert news and updates, please check the HRPAC website (www.hrpac.org) or call 201-716-4540.

album reviews: Asobi Seksu, Whirlwind Heat, Zero 7

Asobi Seksu - Citrus

Regular extrawack! readers know of our long-time love for these dream-poppers from NYC. As somebody who has seen them play a bunch of times between their debut album and this one, I've totally enjoyed hearing some of the new tracks slowly evolve into the brilliance that is all over Citrus.

Maintaining every bit of the fuzz & feedback energy of the first album, Asobi Seksu has folded a bit of pop sensibility into the mix, creating a sound that is not only compelling and exciting, but catchy as hell as well. Yuki's voice has only gotten better from a couple years of steady road work, and James Hanna deserves the cover of every guitar gadget magazine in existence with his creative and expert use of delay and countless other effects.

There are a lot of bands that take stabs at this kind of distortion-heavy, MBV-influenced, beautiful rock and roll, but very few really cut the mustard. In Citrus, Asobi Seksu not only prove themselves one of New York City's best bands, but puts them way out in front as leaders of the shoegaze scene globally.

Hear me fawn over Asobi Seksu on a recent edition of Contrast Podcast.

Asobi Seksu - "Thursday" mp3 buy

Asobi Seksu - "New Years" mp3 buy


Whirlwind Heat - Types Of Wood

This is one of those albums that sounds so unlike anything else that it's really tough to describe...but here goes:

Imagine a cross between Beck and The Breeders, with Death From Above 1979-style fuzzed-out bass, funky but low-key synth lines, and a singer that delivers his lines like a sober Lou Reed...that's kind of what this album sounds like. You're gonna have to listen (links below) to see if I'm close.

Even if I'm wrong, you're gonna do that chair-swivel thing I know you do when you're listening to something groovy while you're on the computer.


Whirlwind Heat - "Reagan" mp3 buy

Whirlwind Heat - "My Electric Underwear" mp3 buy


Zero 7 - The Garden

Another classy and well-produced set of imaginative and mesmerizing songs by the team of Binns and Hardaker, featuring long-time collaborator Sia and several songs featuring hipster folk fave Jose Gonzalez.

Like previous efforts from Zero 7, The Garden manages to be both relaxing and momentous at the same time. However this album, though every bit a studio project as the band's other two, has a much more organic sound and feel to it. Zero 7 is one of those bands whose albums are never found in the same area from store to store...sometimes they are filed under "jazz", other times in "chill", "soul" and even in "electronica". This album does nothing to help the poor record store stockboy, as it's a melange of all those genres, and perhaps a few more. The bottom line, though, is that it's an incredibly groovy record.

A rare "studio band" with a fine reputation for live shows as well, Zero 7 will be touring the States starting in August, including a date on 27 August at the Hollywood Bowl featuring an opening set by Gonzalez.

Zero 7 (featuring José González) - "Left Behind" mp3 buy

The Hypertonics Give Away Radiohead Tickets At Sin-e

Here's one way to pack a gig...

from their post on Craigslist:

THE HYPERTONICS - Radiohead Ticket Contest

------------

The Hypertonics are playing at Sin-E on May 31st at 9pm.

During their set, The Hypertonics will hold a raffle drawing to win a pair of General Admission tickets to see Radiohead on June 14, 2006 at Madison Square Garden.

The cover is $8.

Each person who pays the cover for The Hypertonics will receive one raffle ticket.

You must be present in order to win.

There will only be one drawing and the winner will receive both tickets.

NOTE: The Radiohead tickets are guaranteed to the winner of the raffle drawing, however they will not be handed out on May 31st because they have to be picked up by the us at the Will-Call window at MSG on June 14th. The tickets will be personally handed to the winner on June 14th.

If you have any questions...
Please email: mike@thehypertonics.com or call: 917-558-3292

http://www.thehypertonics.com

The Hypertonics - "America Is A Miracle" mp3

Hatin' On Barry Bonds (with soundtrack).

Watch the kid who caught Barry Bonds 714th home run ball call Bonds "a dick" here.

"I hate that guy," Tyler Snyder told reporters before he was whisked away. "I don't really care for the guy." (si.com)

Murder Beach - "The Cheat" mp3

Slow Runner Is Controlling My Brain.

Ever get a song stuck in your head so deeply, you start thinking it might be taking over your brain? I've got that going on this week with "You're In Luck" by Slow Runner. Usually when that happens it makes me kind of nuts, but I love this song so much, I'm actually thinking a brain-takeover isn't that bad.

Slow Runner - "You're In Luck" mp3 buy

I see that Slow Runner is coming our way on an excellent bill also featuring the Sam Roberts Band (whom we LOVED at Mercury Lounge last month with The Stills) and The Damnwells:

June 9 - Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio tix
June 10 - Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop
June 12 - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's tix
June 13 - Arlington, VA - IOTA Club & Cafe
June 15 - Philadelphia, PA - World CafeLive
June 16 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
June 17 - Cambridge, MS - T.T. the Bear's Place

I just may have to show up at Maxwell's and hand my brain over personally.

album review: Chavela Vargas "Live at Carnegie Hall"

"Chavela belongs to an ancestry of singers on the way to extinction. I'm talking about Edith Piaf, Judy Garland, Billie Holiday... geniuses whose brilliant and explosive talent caused their early demise. For me, to know Chavela has been like knowing them all. A miracle."
- Pedro Almodóvar

If you are a fan of Almodovar's movies, chances are you are a fan of Chavela Vargas's music as well, possibly without even knowing it...Most recently, she is heard singing the moving "En el Ultimo Trago" in The Flower Of My Secret.

This album (and it's remarkable packaging complete with slipcase and beautiful booklet) are a document of her debut (at age 84!) performance at Carnegie Hall in 2003. Though my Spanish is pretty weak, the sheer emotion of Chavela's voice and delivery is extremely moving, enough so that any listener can't help but be moved by her stirring performance.

As much as I usually hate press-releases for their general over-statement and bombast, I think this excerpt tells Chavela's story appropriately:

"On September 15, 2003 an adoring and sold-out Carnegie Hall audience gathered to pay tribute to a true legend and revolutionary, Chavela Vargas. The New York Times wrote, "The audience did not want to let her go, bringing her back for encore after encore." Everyone in attendance was aware of all the magic and history on that stage, in awe of the fearlessness and heartache this 84-year-old woman yielded as she made her Carnegie Hall debut.

It was fearlessness that brought Chavela to the public's attention in Mexico in the late 1950s and early 1960s., Singer Chavela Vargas dressed in men's clothes, drank and smoked cigars like any man, carried a gun with her, and was notorious for her love of women. Some even say that she once kidnapped a woman at gunpoint, but Vargas denies that rumor. However, she doesn't deny that she gained her slight limp from jumping out of a window because a woman disappointed her in love. If that's true, Vargas in her youth was every bit as romantic as the music she sang. In her performances, Vargas dressed in traditionally masculine clothing and openly seduced women in the audience with Mexican folksongs-originally intended to be sung by men. Since then she has never stopped seducing, and has been an inspiration and muse to countless artists.

In 1990, the great German movie director Werner Herzog discovered Chavela for himself and coaxed her to play an Indian woman in his movie "A Cry of Stone". One year later, the Spanish movie director Pedro Almodóvar stumbled upon her work as well, and invited her to sing "Piensa en Mí" for the soundtrack of his movie "Tacones Lejanos". Chavela also appeared alongside Salma Hayek in the film Frida, appearing as "La Llorona" (the cryer), a legendary character in Mexican myths - particularly fitting since not only was Frida Kahlo and Chavela's affair well-documented, but because she is internationally renowned for moving her audience to tears."

Though her band at this performance is stellar, the brightest instrument on the album is Chavela's voice. Not even remotely traditional sounding, her weathered and crackled delivery suits the emotions of the songs in a way that reminds me of "Broken English" period Marianne Faithful. You can't help but not be drawn in by her vocalized passions.

Chavela Vargas - "Macorina" mp3 buy

Alison Goldfrapp Made Me Blush Tonight.

Just got back from Gigantic Studios downtown, where I was part of a very small group that got to watch Goldfrapp's live set for KEXP while they are broadcasting in NYC.

Holy moly.

I went expecting kind of a stripped down production, as radio sets usually are, but Goldfrapp had utilized the studio to its fullest, setting up the full monty for the mini-show.

Unfortunately, the record company lady begged us all not to take any photos, so I can't show you how close we were to the band as they played on the other side of the booth windows...but suffice to say I stood about ten feet in front of Alison as she sang directly towards me:

"Switch me on, turn me up
I want to touch you you're just
Made for love
I need la la la la la
I need oh la la la la"

during "Ooh La La".

I'm quite sure I turned all kinds of red, and I'm also sure I'll be reliving that couple of seconds in particular in uncountable daydreams to come. She sounds and looks like God's sexiest angel.

Listen to Alison and her amazing band sing to me (and, yeah, the other people in the room with me...) here (select May 16, 5:20pm in the "Listen By Time" box).

Goldfrapp - "Number One (Mum remix)" mp3 buy

How is it that we live in the media capital of the Universe, and it takes a smallish organization from Seattle to come to town to make fun stuff like this happen? It was cool to meet up with friend of extrawack! and KEXP morning maven John Richards, and the whole event made me realize how lucky we are to have such an amazing station run by people who obviously have great pride in what they do.

Support KEXP with a pledge here.

***TUESDAY UPDATE ***

KEXP has posted a few photos from the Goldfrapp set on their blog, along with a link here. So...hello KEXP listeners!

The Phoenix Foundation Playing Three Gigs In NYC

A Kiwi friend has been sending me mp3's of a really fine band called The Phoenix Foundation for the last few months...and I was surprised to find out this morning that they have scheduled a handful of American dates, including three in NYC:




Thursday, June 8th
Pianos
158 Ludlow
7:30pm

Friday, June 9th
The Cake Shop: Sentimentalist Party
156 Ludlow
9pm

Saturday, June 10th
Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston
10:30pm

A six-piece from Wellington, these guys are self-releasing teir debut ‘Horsepower’ in the US on their own Caravan Records on 12 September. Their music is kind of a melancholy pop...sort of a Travis meets Lemonheads sound that is catchy as hell, but they also don't mind getting all headphoney and instrumental when they need to. I'm really anxious to hear for myself what they sound like live.

Here are a couple tracks to help you jump on the bandwagon...I'm drivin'.

The Phoenix Foundation - "Going Fishing" mp3 buy

The Phoenix Foundation - "Sister Risk" mp3 buy

The Bongos Reunion Shows At Joe's Pub Slated For October

The Bongos have two reunion shows scheduled for Joe's Pub on October 14! Hot on the heels of The Feelies "semi-reunion" last weekend, and The dB's reunion of late last year, maybe "The Hoboken Sound" is on it's way back...

For the uninitiated, allmusic.com says this:

Hoboken's Bongos — founded as a trio consisting of Richard Barone (guitar, vocals), Rob Norris (bass), and Frank Giannini (drums, vocals) — made no pretense of being anything other than a pop band; fortunately, they were a good pop band, covering guitar pop from the Byrds to T. Rex, all of it pulled together by Barone's original songs. Although he was the focal point, the other members were by no means peripheral. After their first full-length album, Drums Along the Hudson (1982), James Mastro joined and contributed some stellar hooks. After releasing a series of singles and an EP on tiny Fetish Records in 1980 and 1981, the Bongos signed to independent PVC Records. Drums Along the Hudson compiled all their previously released tracks. They then moved up to major label RCA and released the five-song Numbers With Wings (1983) and the album Beat Hotel (1985), before leaving RCA and splitting up. At their best, the Bongos made some irresistible guitar pop.

According to Richard Barone's website:

Coming soon: The long-awaited re-release of The Bongos' "Drums Along The Hudson," their debut album, with special surprise bonus tracks! And, stay tuned for the announcement of a Bongos' reunion show to launch the release! More info soon....

However, as I was cruising the Joe's Pub ticket page looking for tickets to The BellRays show, I saw "The Bongos" listed next to them in alphabetical order, and sure enough, they are on-sale now.

The Bongos' MySpace here.

Richard Barone's MySpace featuring a download of the "Uptown Mix" of his River To River here.

Barone plays at Joe's Pub Saturday (May 13) night...tickets here.

Jim Mastro's Guitar Bar in Hoboken website.

How The Bongos Changed Janeane Garafalo's World.

The Bongos - "In The Congo" mp3

Buy Richard Barone music here.

Bongos Photo above by Phil Marino.

Is It Racist For A Music Critic To Not Like Hip-Hop?

John Cook from Slate posted a thought-provoking essay this past Tuesday on Sasha Frere-Jones' and Jessica Hopper's efforts to brand music critic (and Magnetic Fields leader) Stephin Merritt a racist because he proclaims to not like hip-hop:

"Stephin Merritt is an unlikely cracker. The creative force behind the Magnetic Fields, Merritt is diminutive, gay, and painfully intellectual. His music is witty and tender. He plays the ukulele. He named his Chihuahua after Irving Berlin. And yet no less an influential music critic than The New Yorker's Sasha Frere-Jones has used that word—"cracker"—to describe him. Frere-Jones has also called him "Stephin 'Southern Strategy' Merritt," presumably in reference to Richard Nixon's race-baiting attempt to crush the Democratic Party. These are heady words, part of a two-year online campaign of sorts by Frere-Jones (also a former Slate music critic) and the Chicago Reader music contributor Jessica Hopper to brand Merritt a racist. The charge: He doesn't like hip-hop, and on those occasions when he's publicly discussed his personal music tastes, he has criticized black artists."...

I think it's worth reading/discussing for two reasons:

1) It raises several valid points about critics and criticism in the arts in this current climate of political correctness.

and 2) I love seeing music critics get all huffy, as if their jobs were more meaningful than they really are.

Knuckleheads. It reminds me of standing in line a few years ago to pick up my credential at a CMJ, and watching two whiter-than-white critics in line in front of me discussing some recent hip-hop records, each trying to out-bluff the other over how deep their knowledge of urban music was. They both cancelled each-other out when they started discussing the (then) new artist Nas, whom they both pronounced as NAZZ, much to the delight of the three guys from Vibe in line behind me.

Run-DMC "It's Like That" mp3 buy

Magnetic Fields "I Don't Believe You" mp3 buy

The extrawack! Prick Du Jour...

Walking up 44th Street from 8th Avenue toward Times Square today, I noticed a group of Midwestern looking tourists arguing with each other over which one of them got them lost. They were crowded around a wrinkled map and getting really snippy with each other when I heard one of them say, "I had no idea this is Brooklyn! We're supposed to be in Manhattan! Let's get back on the subway...". I then noticed the cause of their confusion:




The new Junior's sign had them convinced that despite the fact that they were on a street with about six Broadway theatres within eyesight, they were in Crooklyn.

About thirty seconds after I took that snapshot above, I heard some screams and noticed a black SUV limo come flying up the shoulder around the two legitimate lanes, hitting puddle after puddle, splashing matinee theatre-goers all the way. I caught a bit of the splash, but once the driver got past where I was, he actually steered the driver's side wheels up onto the sidewalk to get around some traffic, causing sidewalkers to scramble out of the way. He just missed a construction guy standing near the curb in front of the Nokia Theatre with his rear-view mirror, and then pulled back into the street only to be forced to stop at the light on Seventh Ave.

By the time I got to "greet" the driver as he was stopped, the construction guy was already there making sure the driver was well aware of his opinions on nearly getting knocked off the sidewalk. As the construction guy really was much more articulate and colorful in his rant to the driver than I ever could be, I merely voiced a couple strongly-worded statements to the driver (that I won't print here for my buddies with curse-filters at work), and snapped a couple shots.

Here, for your pleasure, is the extrawack! Prick Du Jour:


And in the hopes that somebody recognizes this dope (or his employer) and might be able to continue the wrath that the construction guy so ably threw his way, here's what his Jerkmobile looks like and a blow-up of his license plate:





This mook totally confirmed every stereotype I've ever held true about limo-drivers being some of the creepiest people on earth.

***UPDATE***

Thanks to links on Curbed, Gothamist, and Spinach Dip NYC, several readers tipped us that the car is operated by BLS Limousine Service of Astoria. I've sent them an email stating my displeasure with their driver, though I doubt it matters. I'll let you know any results.

***UPDATE #2***

Just received the following email from BLS:

Mr. F,

I would like to personally thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.

My staff and I are currently investigating your claim.

We are in the process of installing cameras in all of our vehicles to ensure safe driving and appropriate behavior.

Once again thank you.

Sincerely,
Michael Okon
Vice President
BLS Limousine Service

Yeah, that oughta do it. No "Sorry our guy splashed you and many others, can we help with a cleaning bill?...". I guess they'll wait to see if that driver says, "Yeah, I was a jackass and drove totally illegally, then stuck my tongue out at the guy for good measure" in their investigation.

And yes, he really did address his note to "Mr. F.", even though I signed the letter with my real full name. Maybe that's Limo-speak. Perhaps Mr. T was an A-hole limo driver before catching a break with The A Team.

Futureheads/French Kicks, Radio 4, Ratatat, Forward Russia, Nouvelle Vague Tix On Sale Wednesday...Wolfmother Remix

I just noticed that a bunch of great shows go on sale Wednesday (May 10) at Noon:

Friday, June 30 (6:30 PM doors)The Bowery Presents presents The Futureheads (left) plus French Kicks at Webster Hall

Thursday, July 6 (8:00 PM doors)Radio 4 plus Small Sins at The Bowery Ballroom

Tuesday, September 5 (7:30 PM doors)Ratatat at The Bowery Ballroom

Tuesday, September 19 (8:00 PM doors)The Bowery Presents presents Nouvelle Vague at Webster Hall

I also see that tickets for Forward, Russia at Mercury Lounge on June 14 are on sale now.

Forward Russia - "Nine" mp3 buy

Amazingly, a few Wolfmother tickets remain for the Webster Hall show on June 3...for kicks, here's an exclusive mix for that head-bangin' CD-R you're gonna burn for the car this weekend:

Wolfmother - "Woman (extrawack! remix)" mp3 buy

New Radio 4 Single...Live On WFMU tonight.

Radio 4 has a new album, Enemies Like This out on May 16, and has posted the single of the same name on their MySpace page. Sounds pretty great.

Radio 4 will also be performing live on WFMU this evening (Monday May 8) on Mike Lupica's show, from 8-11pm EST. Tune into www.wfmu.org for live streaming; the show will also be archived for at least the next seven days.

Grant McLennan of The Go-Betweens, R.I.P.

From The Go-Betweens Website:
On Saturday 6th May, legendary Australian singer songwriter Grant W McLennan died in his sleep at his home in Brisbane.

McLennan was one of Australia’s greatest songwriters who created an outstanding musical legacy as a founder member of The Go-Betweens and as a solo artist. He was enjoying enormous acclaim for the band’s most recent album Oceans Apart, which has received five star reviews around the world and won a prestigious ARIA award. (full story here)

Sad, sad news.

Grant was an amazing songwriter, and had such a way with melody and guitar style. The Go-Betweens were one of those bands that I could not turn off of the radio (in those rare occasions they were played in this country) or the stereo if I tried.

The import copy of The Go-Betweens' "Liberty Belle & The Black Diamond Express" that my brother gave me as a birthday gift about fifteen years ago has always been one of those CD's of mine that never gets put away properly in the rack, because it's always out in one CD player or another.

Read more about them and hear them at Colin's fine blog:
Let's Kiss & Make Up

Steve Kilbey of The Church's eulogy for McLennan is here. Kilbey and McLennan colaborated in the band Jack Frost for a couple of fine albums.

Sound Of The Suburbs has a trio of mp3's from Grant's Go-Betweens, Jack Frost, and solo work.

Indie MP3 has a couple of tracks from "The Lost Album".

The Go-Betweens - "Right Here" (Live 2004) mp3 buy

The Go-Betweens - "He Lives My Life (Live 2004) mp3 buy

**Update**
Let's Kiss & Make Up has posted a tributary treasure trove of fine Go-Betweens work here.

Feelies Reunion (Of Sorts) This Sunday In Hoboken

From today's Star-Ledger:

Since the Feelies' demise, singer-songwriter-guitarist Glenn Mercer has continued to perform with bands, including Wake Ooloo and Sunburst. Mercer is recording his first solo album and will perform songs he has written for it as well as Feelies material at the Hoboken Arts & Music Festival on Sunday.

Former Feelies drummer Vinny DeNunzio, one of several ex-band members who participated in sessions for Mercer's album, is receiving equal billing at the free outdoor Hoboken event. Guitarist Adam Berardo, bassist Bob Torsello and another ex-Feelie, percussionist Dave Weckerman, will join them. (full story here)


Here's some Feelies history from the excellent Lost Bands Of The 80's blog:

New Jersey's the Feelies were once dubbed "The Best Underground Band in New York." by the Village Voice. Named after Aldous Huxley's "Feelies" (virtual reality movies with a sense of touch as well as sight and hearing), from his book "Brave New World", the Feelies released their first record, "Crazy Rhythms" on the legendary Stiff records label in 1980. After splitting up and working on other projects like the Willies and the Trypes, they regrouped and recorded "The Good Earth" (Coyote) in 1986 with Peter Buck of R.E.M.co-producing. Soon they appeared in the high school reunion scene in Jonathan Demme's film "Something Wild". A&M released the follow-up, "Only Life" in 1988, followed by "Time for a Witness" in 1991, but on July 5 of that year the Feelies played their final show at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ.

This is great news for fans of old-school jittery jangle. According to the festival's schedule, Mercer & DeNunzio's combo will be playing the Observer Highway stage at 1pm. This street fair becomes a total mob-scene around 2pm, so the timing is perfect to grab up some unhealthy carnival food, catch a great set of Hoboken musical history out in the sun, and split before the chubby balding mooks roll in for Southside Johnny (aka The Jersey Shore's Jimmy Buffett) and The Jukes' set at 3pm.

The Feelies - "Forces At Work" mp3
The Feelies - "Raised Eyebrows" mp3

Buy Feelies Music Here.

Thursday Night...Wolfmother, Mets, and The Clash @ Manitoba's.

Wolfmother is playing a free in-store at the East Coast's best indie record store, Vintage Vinyl in Woodbridge, Thursday night at 8pm. This is surely the last time you'll see these guys in such a setting for a while (they've already nearly sold out their June 3rd show at Webster Hall). Last weekend they played for thousands at Coachella...five days later, you can see them with a crowd of about 50 Jersey rockers. Nice.

Wolfmother - Woman mp3 buy

I'd go, but I'm headed to Shea for my first Mets game of the year. They play the Pirates, whom I've hated ever since their heady "We Are Family" days of the '70's. Amazingly, the Mets are offering Upper Deck seats for many games (this one included) for only $5. So that means you can get a game ticket, two beers, and round-trip passage on the 7 line for less than $20! Throw in a stop at the Dollar Tree on your way to the train for a bag of roasted-in-the-shell peanuts, and you're golden.

Yo La Tengo - "Meet The Mets" mp3 buy
(thanks to Murph at False 45th)

And don't forget to finish off your night at Manitoba's for Mike C.'s Neat Neat Neat party featuring an extra helping of Clash music this week. What's better than hearing "Train In Vain" with a fresh pint of Bass Ale in front of you at Midnight? Nothing.









Wolfmother photo courtesy Eleven Magazine.

movie review: "Goal! The Dream Begins"

Caught a screening of Goal! The Dream Begins last night. As a connoisseur of futbol flicks, I couldn't pass this one up.

As soccer films go, this one is wholly decent. A really solid cast and plenty of legit looking soccer action makes the mostly predictible storyline actually interesting, and even though the movie was obviously made for a family audience, the lack of skin and bad language is not really missed. Parts of it seem like a Disney version of Footballers Wives, but it wasn't corny by any means.

And who doesn't want to see a movie with short appearances by worldwide superstars like David Beckham, Brian Johnson of AC/DC, and Carlos Bocanegra?

The star of the film, Mexican televison actor Kuno Becker, is pretty great in the lead role, and comes off as kind of a cross between Ricky Martin & Robbie Williams.

Great soundtrack, featuring three (good) Oasis songs, the obligitory Kasabian track, and fine incidental music by Graeme Revell.

I had no idea this is the first film of a trilogy...that's some gutsy investing.

Official extrawack! rating: Three Shinpads.

Goal! The Dream Begins opens May 12th.

Kasabian: "Club Foot" mp3 buy