Tonight in Tempe: What Laura Says @ Yucca Tap Room

If you were to busy playing Cranium with your kids to make it out to the best sounding venue in the Valley last night for the Mini T's farewell show, but have now found yourself hankering for beer and musics. Then What Laura Says might just fill that void in your soul tonight. 8pm at Yucca Tap Room and as always no cover.

Videos: Jeff Tweedy @ The Orpheum 12/27/09

Seeing Jeff Tweedy anywhere (Denny's, rehab, Denny's) is amazing but seeing Jeff Tweedy at the Orpheum Theater solo is fucking amazing. Unfortunately I was too far away to get any good pictures so I had to settle for secretly "flipcaming" 12 songs instead. Everything is from pretty far away so watching is not really recommended but the audio is pretty darn good so if you want to pretend you were there but way in the back and that you have Parkinson's, your post christmas dreams have come true. I have taken the liberty of embedding a few more of my favorites after the break but you can see ALL of them HERE on our youtube page. For a more well written and cohesive review point your browser to MuzzleofBees.com.

Happy Holidays

I think I'm taking a blogcation until the first of the new year.  But before I sign-off for 2009 just wanted to wish all of our faithful readers a safe and happy holidays.  We really do appreciate everybody who shows support for what we do.  Shawn and I both wish we had more time that we could spend working on the blog so that we could make it better for you guys.  Here is hoping we hit the lottery in 2010. 

-Mike  

Photos: Kinch Xmas Party @ The Rhythm Room 12/22/09

Sorry about the whole one day delay in posting these pictures from the “Kinchmas Party” Tuesday night but time is a commodity hard to come by right before our national day of giving each other useless crap and/or gift cards to buy our own useless crap. But I set aside some "me" time and powered these out. Mike did a nice write up of the whole shebang for the New Times blog that you can read HERE... and you can visually inspect the several more pictures of the festive event on our Flickr page HERE as well as a sampling after the break.

Avett Brother at Mesa Arts Center in April

 Did you guys already know that The Avett Brothers are playing at The Mesa Arts Center in April? I didn't so it's a good thing I keep an eye on these kind of things because seeing shows from awesome bands inside the Ikeda Theatre is nothing short of amazing (ie Bon Iver) Tickets are $31 and you can get them HERE remember this video from before?

Tonigh in Phoenx: Kinch, Dear and the Headlights, What Laura Says & Black Carl @ The Rhythm Room

If you are smart, and I know that you are, then excitement is growing in the pants of your loins for this show tonight. What could be better then 5 of the best Phoenix has to offer all together for our pleasure? A shit ton of money maybe but other than that I can't think of anything. I am interested to see how this whole "xmas songs n' carols" thing goes because as a general rule I fucking hate xmas music. In fact the only thing I really like about xmas is the huge lines of mouth breathers at Wal-Mart when I just want to buy Cottenelle adult wipes.

mp3: Adam Green "What Makes Him Act So Bad"

Former Moldy Peach Adam Green has another solo album coming out on February 16 called Minor Love (track listing after the break) that just had a single born on the internet called "What Makes Him Act So Bad," and it's pretty darn uplifiting and catchy for a December when things are super depressing and stupid and I want to punch people in the face n' stuff, but not now since I have been uplifted.


Adam Green - "What Makes Him Act So Bad"

Phoenix Is Coming To Phoenix

This past Friday our favorite concert promoters ever announced that come Monday there would be a huge concert announcement.  The only hint provided is that whoever it was had one of ten best albums of the year according to Pitchfork.  While Shawn and I each had our own idea as to who it would be, it looks like we have our official confirmation on Stateside's website that French buzz band Phoenix will be playing Marquee Theatre on Monday, February 1st.

No word yet as to who will be opening but I'm sure it will be someone awesome.  For more info on the show you can visit Stateside's website here.

Crystal Antlers @ The Trunk Space

Despite the Trunk Spaces "not yet ready for prime time" PA system the Crystal Antlers put on a great show. They put in 110% and I won't hold the crappy sound against them but the Trunk Space seriously needs to upgrade their shit if they intend to be a viable replacement for Modified. I wasn't able to get any decent pictures since the only lights are pointed at the tiny little stage only big enough to hold the drummer so I took a bunch of grainy ass videos that very much represent the sound quality of the show, OR may even sound better strangely enough... So check them out and it will be just like you were there. Bunch more after the break.

mp3: Broken Bells - "The High Road"

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Danger Mouse can do no wrong.  There haven't been much details about his latest collaboration with The Shins lead singer James Mercer but a new track showed up available as a free download today on the groups website.  The track, "The High Road," sounds absolutely fantastic and serves as a perfect appetizer for what is sure to be an all around great album.  The Broken Bells album will be available March 9th but you can pre-order the album here.   


Broken Bells - "The High Road"

Video: Freeway & Jake One "Know What I Mean"

Up until today the only thing I knew about Freeway involved traffic jams but when a rapper has a beard like that I have to give him my full attention since I am a very superficial person. But I am glad I did because this song is dope as hell yo!

You can download "Know What I Mean" on mp3 by clicking HERE Stimulus Package the new album "Know What I Mean" is from will be out in Feb.

Oh and on a side note, if you are looking for a nice holiday gift please consider the official Freeway pre-paid Mastercard ? Bad credit? No problem, no one is turned down!

A Frog Stand X-Mas (Free EP)

Frog Stand Records has felt the power of christ in their hearts and used this great holiday spirit as motivation to put out a 3 song EP of christ songs recorded by some of the artists on their roster (all of them actually). Download is available HERE and if you want the track listings before you commit valuble hard drive space here you go.

1- Clare and the Reasons- "Blue Christmas"
2- Josh Mease- "I'll Be Home For Christmas"
3- Musée Mécanique- "White Christmas"

Video: Bradford Cox, No Age & Jim Jarmisch "Cortez the Killer"

Finally something cool to pull me out of my blogging lull. Bradford Cox, Randy Randall from No Age and Jim Jarmusch made a pretty creepy video for their cover of Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer".

[via prefix via p4rk]

Video: Washed Out "Belong"

Well as good as this video is it seams like they just kinda borrowed the idea from a certain other dude name Eric Wareheim. I didn't do any research at all so Blake Salzman could be the one getting ripped off OR he could even be the editor on Tim & Eric Awesome Show for all I know. But one thing I DO know is that I will not be putting any effort into finding out. But that being said it's still a great song and video combo... Good day.

Video: The xx "Crystalised" on Last Call

I love The xx, there I said it, whatevs. I really hate how hard it is to get decent video of musical performances on late night shows, so here is there best there is of The xx on stupid Carson Daly's show that only airs on the moon at 3am. I am still confused about how there are so many people there... does he just send a camera crew out to a band regular show then play a song with a retarded into every time? Why am I so interested in how this show operates?

Tonight In Phoenix: Rural Alberta Advantage,Destroy Nate Allen, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Do It Up Initiative, Gilmore Grrrls

So tonight is appears that the Trunk Space is the place to be if you want to see a crazy ass show. I just discovered all the bands that are playing tonight (except for Andrew Jackson Jihad) and listened to all of them on their respective myspace pages and I wasn't planing on going down there but I just might have to now.

Destroy Nate Allen
Andrew Jackson Jihad
Do It Up Initiative
Gilmore Grrrls 

UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!
Holy Crap I forgot about Rural Alberta Advantage at The Rhythm Room tonight!!! Shit... that is also going to be bad ass. DAMMIT I HATE HOW SHIT IS ALWAYS ON THE SAME NIGHT!!!!!!! Are there only 5 tour vans in the whole country or something and they all have to the same cities together?  I guess now I am just going to stay home and gently rock back and forth on the floor as I silently very loudly weep... You know, because I am saddened by the fact I can't make choices.

Video: BLK JKS "Molalatadi"

Unfortunately for myself and other people but mostly BLK JKS rolled through Phoenix a few months ago it was on the same night as like 17 other shows so a lot of people didn't go to the show.Fortunately they make a lot of videos that we can watch that are probably almost just as good maybe. This one is about soccer or some other ball related "foot sport" I don't care about ever since Joe Montana died in that space shuttle accident.

[via Fader]

Video: Or, The Whale "Rusty Gold" (NSFW)

Here we have a music video from San Francisconites Or, The Whale that is NSFW in the same way that Kevin Bacon movies are NSFW (or watching at all really). Contained withing you will find a wet hairy dog AND a wet hairy dankus... Enjoy!

Download A Free Album From Deerhunter

The holidays are all about giving.  In keeping with the spirit of the holidays Deerhunter is giving away Carve Your Initials Into the Walls of the Night, a CD-R release from 2005.  You're welcome.

Download:  Deerhunter - Carve Your Initials Into the Walls of the Night

Tonight in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Metric, Minibosses, The Necronauts, Get Down! To Brass Tacks

Couple good shows going on tonight...

Metric doing an acoustic set in support of their new acoustic EP Plug In, Plug Out
but it's already sold out so if you don't already have tickets then I suggest you head on down to the last (in it's current state) show at Modified Arts and check out Minibosses, The Necronauts and Get Down! To Brass Tacks. The cover is only $5 and maybe they will let you chip off a piece of the stage like the Berlin Wall or something.

Video: Hot Chip "One Life Stand"

Hot Chip - One Life Stand (MySpace Exclusive)


Fisheye lenses, mirror balls and keytars make excellent video fare in my opinion. Have I mentioned that I am REALLY REALLY excited about the new Hot Chip album?

Tonigh in Phoenx: Kinch, Wizards of Time, Andrew Jackson Jihad & Chad Sundin

I REALLY REALLY want to go to Modified tonight but I don't think I can. So you guys totally have to go for me and take some wicked pics and gnarly vids and send them over to me so I can see what I missed. Sort of like what a blog does but opposite right?

Kinch
Wizards of Time
Andrew Jackson Jihad
Chad Sundin (Of Via Maris)

White Denim Skip Phoenix For Tucson or How White Denim Ruined My Day

Biscuits and gravy!  The last time White Denim was in town they played a show at Modified Arts that I was super psyched for but ultimately had to miss due to some last minute happenings.  Oh well, life goes on, right?  So the band-who is one of my favorites-releases a new album this year and I sit and wait patiently hoping that the group will swing by Phoenix yet again in support of the new album.  Imagine my surprise and excitement when I see on Stateside Presents Twitter the words "Just Announced: White Denim" and then the disappointment when I see "1/16 @ Club Congress."  The only thing I can compare it to is meeting Natalie Portman for the first time only to have her kick you in the junk instead of make out with you.

This ultimately brings me to a much larger issue: what is up with bands skipping Phoenix for Tucson?

Let me first start off by saying that I am not the type of Phoenician who thinks that Phoenix is superior to Tuscon in every possible way.  If I'm being honest I think Tucson is a very nice city.  But, the facts don't lie; Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the country!  It's filled with people who want to buy tickets to your shows Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Wilco, White Denim, Santigold.

I'm sure someone will leave a comment saying that sometimes it's out of the artists control.  There wasn't a venue available on such and such date or the drummer has an outstanding warrant in this city.  Whatever the reason is I call bullshit!   

Maybe I'm overreacting.  I don't think I am though, and I'm sure there are tons of other Phoenix music lovers who feel the same way on this subject as I do.  Just be warned bands and artists who I like that skip Phoenix for Tucson, you need to fix this shit pronto or you can forget about the Christmas cookies I baked for you.

mp3: The Soft Pack - "C'mon"

 

It looks like 2010 is shaping up pretty nicely.  We've already heard some good new tunes from albums that will be available next year and now you can add The Soft Pack to the list to watch.  I'm not all to familiar with the group, but I'm definitely digging this track "C'mon" off of the band's self-titled full length that will be out in February from Kemado.

The Soft Pack - "C'mon"

[via: P4K]

Tonight In Phoenix: Colorstore, Fatigo, Stephen Steinbrink, JD Stooks

Even though tonight's show at Modified will probably not have any crazy surprises (you never know though) the line up is solid as hell and you will be sad if you miss it.

Colorstore
Fatigo
Stephen Steinbrink
JD Stooks

Photos: Jimmy Eat World & Reubens Accomplice @ Modified Arts 12/9/09

I have to admit that I have never been a huge fan of Jimmy Eat World but when I found out that they were the "secret guest" at a show I was already going to I thought it was going to be pretty cool to see a pretty huge band in such an intimate setting. And as it turns out it was VERY cool indeed. Even though I have never owned or even listened to a Jimmy Eat World album I found myself singing along to pretty much every song they played. I unfortunately missed both Source Victoria and El Oso Negro because I was still drunk from my work Christmas party so that sucked.

After reading the Kelly Wilson's review of the show on the New Times I think that part about The Format reunion "rumor" was targeted at what Mike posted yesterday. So I wanted to explain why I thought this might be a possibility.

1) Ian Stupar was the tour manager for The Format
2) Nate is listed as a member of El Oso Negro on their MySpace Page
3) On the poster it says "(El Oso Negro) performing together with special guests for a one time only performance"
4) Even though Nate moved to NYC and started fun. it's within the realm of possibility that he may be back here for the holidays since fun.'s next tour doesn't start until February.
5) You also have to know that I was told the night before that there was going to be "something BIG" and to plan on being at Modified, this was all just speculation I was basing on the previous clues of who it might be, that Mike decided to post for the whole world even AFTER the Jimmy Eat World tweet that pretty much made my Format idea retarded... so it's his fault ;-)

Check out some more pics after the break and all the rest on our Flickr Page HERE

Video: Portishead “Chase The Tear”

Portishead are one of my all time favorites. I LOVE Third and I am pretty excited to see some new material so soon since it took 11 years last time around. The new video and mp3 "Chase The Tear" is for the benefit of Amnesty, so if you like the song buy it HERE and help out a worthy cause why dontcha?

Surprise Show From Jimmy Eat World Tonight At Modified Arts (CONFIRMED!)

We had heard a couple of reports that a surprise guest would be making an appearance tonight at Modified Arts.  We've never received official confirmation on who that surprise would be, but Shawn had speculated that we could get a reunion from disbanded local favorites The Format.  After a cryptic message on the bands Twitter it's looking more like the surprise is going to be Jimmy Eat World.  This is the message posted on the bands Twitter: 

 "Stay tuned today for a surprise announcement. If you live in PHX and have plans for tonight, cancel them." 

We'll keep everyone posted but one thing is for sure, if you live in Phoenix and you have plans for tonight, chances are you're going to want to be at Modified Arts instead.

Tonight In Phx: Reubens Accomplice, Source Victoria, Ian Stupar (El Oso Negro) @ Modified

So this is the last week of things the way they are before the big "what nots" start happening with Modified Arts and they close down for remodeling etc. Tonight is the first of four consecutive nights of farewell type shows featuring some of best bands in Phoenix. Check the list of tonight's bands below please. Oh and it's only $5 so you really have no excuse now do you. Oh and I have it on good authority that there is a "surprise" a brewin' if you need even more motivation.

Reubens Accomplice
Source Victoria
Ian Stupar (El Oso Negro)

Video: Mos Def - "Supermagic"

The latest album from Mos Def definitely deserved an honorable mention on my best of the year list. Check out the video from The Ecstatic's opening track.

mp3: Harlem - "Friendly Ghost"

Here is the first track from Harlem's debut album on Matador.  The album Hippies is due out 4/6.  Enjoy!


Harlem - "Friendly Ghost"

Video: Music Go Music "1,000 Crazy Nights"

In an effort to make Music Go Music as popular as possible I try to post all of their videos as soon as they come out, but I am 4 days late on this one, so sorry.

Video: Kid Cudi f. Ratatat & MGMT "Pursuit of Happiness"

I really really love this song. It's the perfect mesh of stuff that doesn't suck. What do YOU know about night terrors? Nothing, that's what I thought.

[via Fader]

Cybals Eat Guitars, The Big Pink & A Place To Bury Strangers Coming to Phx

Two great shows, three great bands coming to Phoenix next year… There are more than that but this post is about the two I just now heard about. Cymbals Eat Guitars, The Big Pink & A Place To Bury Strangers are playing The Rhythm Room next year. Cymbals Eat Guitars with Bear in Heaven on March 22nd and The Big Pink apparently co-headlining with A Place To Bury Strangers. on April 14th. I know this is still a long ways off but time really does fly doesn’t it? Before you know it Christmas will be over and the new year will be upon us all. Like the hookers on the 8 ball of coke I ditched in ladies room trash can as the cops raided the strip club last night.

Video: The Middle East "Blood"

This is a good little ditty from The Middle East... the band not the region. I can't wait for the ambiguous band name thing to stop.

SNL Jabs Juggalos

This is very funny just on it's own but it's infinitely funnier if you know the source material they are making fun of. I would imagine that most people have not seen the 14 min + infomercial for the 2009 "Gathering of the Juggalos", the annual festival organized for and by the Insane Clown Posse. Check it out HERE and the SNL skit will go from a 3 star rating to a 5... in your heart.

mp3: Lil Wayne "She's On Fire"

I am not going to say that I love everything Lil Wayne does but when he does it right it's quite a thing to behold with your ears. "She's On Fire" is a combination of soooo many things you just have to listen to it for yourself.


Lil Wayne - "She's On Fire"

[via Fader]

Photos: Little Dragon & Black Carl @ The Rhythm Room 12/2/09

Sorry charlies that this took so long to get up but I was busy having my legs extended for your pleasure. If you missed the Little Dragon show the other night you missed out on something awesome. I believe I have shared my love of Black Carl with y'all before but seeing them at The Rhythm Room is even better than Modified Arts. Little Dragon didn't disappoint the pretty large crowd that came to see them, myself included. Check out some photos after the break and a few more on our Flickr page HERE

Video: Lightspeed Champion - "Marlene"

What a bummer! I am a huge fan of Dev Hynes first album as Lightspeed Champion and have been looking forward to the follow up and the first song from the new album isn't very good at all. Maybe I just need a few more listens.

What do you guys think of this new song?

mp3: Clare and the Reasons "That's All" (Genesis Cover)

Clare and the Reasons are pretty good and I like tubas so this song makes me happy in several different ways, and ALL of them are weird.



Clare and the Reasons - "That's All" (Genesis Cover)

mp3: Shearwater - "Castaways"

Can you guys believe it's already December?  Personally, I couldn't be happier that a new year is almost upon us.  December is typically a month without any new music releases of note and endless amounts of inane best of lists.  But I am so completely sick of everything I've been listening to for the past year that I'm already really looking forward to some of next years new albums that have already been announced.  You can go ahead and add the latest release from Shearwater to the list.  The album The Golden Archipelago is the Austin band's third album and if they are anything like the previous two should be pretty awesome.  The album is due out February 23rd from Matador.  You can take a listen to the first mp3 from the album, "Castaways", down below.


Shearwater - "Castaways"

Music Video: Maluca: El Tigeraso

I think it's a good idea to have videos where people are really having a good time with each other whilst listening to/hanging out with/dancing with the given star of said videos. It makes you want to be there with them doing those things, living that life... I want beer can curls, I want pink stripes connecting my mini skirt to my high heel shoes! Why can't I have these things? Is it because I am old and have a beard but no hair? Is it because I would look horrible in a pink mini skirt (hells no) and can't walk in heals (I can)? NO! The real reason is for more sad than any of these things. The reason I can't have any of these things is because they don't exist in the real world. So we will just have to pretend like they do when we watch these "bangin" vids yo.

Maluca is the newest star on Mad Decent and apparently Diplo's newest protege, so good for her.

Electric Mustaches ALBUMS OF THE YEAR!!!

Well it's that time of year again, list time is upon us. I tried to make it all pretty with the lala players but some of them just are not there for the posting so I had to go with the youtube on some of them and they look like shit...so sorry. In the best interest of how long it is going to take to load this page both my list AND Mike's list are after the break...

Photos: J Tillman, Pearly Gates Music & What Laura Says @ Modified 11/30/09

Damn fine evening of entertainment last night down at the old Modified Arts. What Laura Says put on a stripped down acoustic set re creating their sounds in some very interesting ways that I can't properly explain... so I won't, you just had to be there. Pearly Gates Music (Zach Tillman) was phenomenal and I wish I would have remembered to buy a copy of his EP before I left but I didn't have to pay the price. J Tillman was great as expected even if some of the full band songs seamed a little repetitive they were at least repeating something good, and with moxy! Check out some pictures below and the full set on our Flickr page HERE and I even added a bonus video of a J Tillman song that was performed at this very same show that I have not yet figured out the name too yet.

mp3: Stream Hot Chip's "One Life Stand"

I am super super excited for the new Hot Chip album coming out next year. If the rest of the album sounds as good as One Life Stand then it's going to be like another christmas, a month after christmas... word.

HOT CHIP "One Life Stand"

Video: The Bravery "White Winter Hymnal" (Fleet Foxes Cover?)

So this is pretty damn strange but not entirely bad. It does reek of publicity stunt but maybe they really love the song? Why wouldn't they it's awesome. The Pepsi Studios look fancy right?