February's 5 Best Albums

In all honesty this list could have been way longer but we narrowed it down to 5 this month. I have listened to Odd Blood and Have One On Me about a millions times. Well I have listened to Have One On Me like 3 times but that about equates to a million times of any other album. Any other choices you think we left off? Leave some freaking comments!!! Argghh See the list after the break...

Photos: Bear Hands & Colorstore @ The Rhythm Room 2/23/2010

Oh Hi... I didn't see you there. What's that? Oh why yes these in fact ARE the pictures of Bear Hands and Colorstore I told you about yesterday, yea the ones from when they opened up for We Were Promised Jetpacks. Right right, there are more of them after the break and yes of course there is even MORE on our Flickr page. And yes! I TOTALLY agree that the drummer from Colorstore looks like he is going to murder me in that picture.

Video: Efterklang "I Was Playing Drums"

I am trying to embed this goddamn video from Efterklang but when I re size it, the window of the video gets smaller but the actual video INSIDE stays the same. So since it looks all jacked up just click HERE to watch this video the right way as well as the rest of the sessions. They are really well made, they sound and look amazing. It's must see internet TV. These songs are all off of Efterklang's new album Magic Chairs that just came out this week... all songs except for "Me, Me, Me, the Brick House" that is a "download only" bonus track that you can only get with a separate purchase.

Tonight In Phoenix: Silian Rail w/ Whisperlights, Porches & Soft Drink

Soft Drink at the now drastically different Modified Arts on 11/13/09

Tonight if you are not doing something stupid you should get your bodies down to The Trunk Space and watch Soft Drink. You should also watch the other bands but I have only seen Soft Drink live and I don't want endorse the live performances of bands I have not seen. On the other hand there is really no reason for a band as good as Soft Drink to play with shitty bands and I HAVE heard recording of these other bands Silian Rail Whisperlights and Porches and I like the sound of them. So you know what? I am going to just go ahead and say you should go watch ALL of the bands at The Trunk Space tonight. I am pretty sure you get to see them all for ticket so you might as well right?

Album Review: jj - "jj no 3"

A phrase I've recently become re-familiar with is: quid pro quo.  For the non-college educated crowd that simply means something for something.  And as it turns out, when you're a music blog and you'd like to get your grubby little hands on the latest music before anyone else does you need to be familiar with the term quid pro quo.  As in, I'll give you an advance copy of this bands new album if you do a review on said album.  Quid pro quo.

Personally, I'm flattered that somebody, anybody would think that our poorly written ramblings about anything would help move a few extra copies of a bands album.  And so it is that I offer to you, the reader, my humble thoughts on the latest album from jj.

mp3: Casiokids "Finn Bikkjen!"

I am lovin' me some Casiokids. Try listening to this song and not liking it. It's almost totally impossible! But if I know the internet EVERYTHING is possible. Also fun fact, when they release their new album Topp stemning på lokal bar on 5/28 it will be the first all Norwegian-language pop music ever to be released in the U.S.


Casiokids - "Finn Bikkjen!"

Video: Sunset Rubdown "Dragon's Lair"

Check out the video for Sunset Rubdown's song "Dragon's Lair." The track comes off of the bands 2009 album Dragonslayer which is out now on Jagjaguwar. Being that the video is close to 11 minutes long I'd wait to watch this one on your coffee break.


UPDATE: Sometimes we post the same things twice. Here is what Shawn said:

"Ever heard of videos before?" "I thought you were going to spend more time with your kids this week?" "I will see you in hell!"... If one, none or ALL of those things have been said to you this week then you win this video from Sunset Rubdown. Congratulations of your success! I know none of that made sense but I am just trying to get you ready for this video. Ever heard of them? Also it's really long so make sure to grab a snack or some drugs first... but especially drugs.

FU P4K

Photos: We Were Promised Jetpacks @ The Rhythm Room 2/23/2010

I was not expecting a lot of things before I headed out to The Rhythm Room on Wednesday night. I wasn't expecting the parking lot to be full, the huge line of people waiting to get in and I honestly wasn't expecting We Were Promised Jetpacks to kick so my ass. But all of those things DID happen and the world is a better place for it... except for the long line, I don't like long lines, they make me nervous. 

I was pretty sick yesterday hence the one day delay in getting these posted. I also have pictures of Bear Hands and Colorstore that I need to edit, those should be up later tonight or tomorrow. In the meantime you can check out a selection of pictures after the break and a shit ton more on our Flickr page HERE.

Video: jj - "Let Go"

Check out the video for the song "Let Go" from Swedish band jj. The track is off the bands forthcoming album jj no 3 which is out March 9th on Secretly Canadian.

The Morning Benders and Miniature Tigers To Play Rhythm Room March 23rd

San Francisco band The Morning Benders have been getting a ton of buzz lately thanks in large part due to their song "Excuses."  A video for the song shot by the website Yours Truly and was posted on just about every music blog you could think of (including this one).  The song "Excuses" will be released shortly on the bands forthcoming album Big Echo.

In addition to the new album, due out March 9th on Rough Trade, the band will head out on tour starting March 23rd in support of the new LP.  That tour will bring the band to Phoenix on March 23rd for a stop at the Rhythm Room.  In addition to the The Morning Benders former Phoenix now Brooklyn favorites The Miniature Tigers will be opening the show.

Tickets for the show are only $10 and can be purchased here.  I'd get 'em quick because this one is sure to sell out fast.

mp3: Bonnie Prince Billy & The Cairo Gang - "Play, Guitar, Play"

Will Oldham, aka Bonnie Prince Billy, will be releasing a new album in March with Emmet Kelly under the name Bonnie Prince Billy & The Cairo Gang.  The album The Wonder Show of the World is scheduled to be released on March 23rd from Drag City and is available for pre-order here.  Drag City is offering a free mp3 from the group which they are dubbing a "non LP" version of the song and Conway Twitty cover of "Play, Guitar, Play."   


Bonnie Prince Billy & The Cairo Gang - "Play, Guitar, Play"

Video: Bowerbirds - "Northern Lights"

The song "Northern Lights" was one of my favorite songs of 2009 and I'm happy to see the song get a video treatment. The video, like the song, is simple but moving and a joy to listen to. The song "Northern Lights" is from the Bowerbirds album Upper Air which is out now on Dead Oceans.

mp3: Raaaaaaaandy & Dave Sitek - "Aaaaaaaangry"

Okay, I'm late to the party on this one but better late than never, I say.  Hopefully by now you've seen the hilarious videos made by Aziz Ansari as part of his character in the movie Funny People. If not, just skip to the next post.  Still here?  Good.  So yeah, the Raaaaaaaandy character has really caught on and most recently Aziz, as Raaaaaaaandy, has teamed up with Dave Sitek to release his own mixtape.  You can listen to the hilarious track "Aaaaaaaangry" down below.  This is pretty much the funniest song I've heard...ever.  Enjoy!


Raaaaaaaandy & Dave Sitek - "Aaaaaaaangry"

Tonight In Phoenix: We Were Promised Jetpacks @ The Rhythm Room

Hey, sorry about the lateness of this post but We Were Promised Jetpacks are playing at The Rhythm Room tonight. I heard that it is probably going to sell out so you should hurry and go now. I will meet you there OK?

Also The Strange Boys are playing at The Trunk Space but I am not going there but I am sure that will also be a really good show.

Photos: Brendan Benson with Frank Fairfield @ The Rhythm Room 2/22/2010

I took some pictures of Brendan Benson and his band along with his tour support Frank Fairfield last night and then edited them on my lunch break. Then I uploaded them to Flickr for you all to see... Your welcome ;-) Check out Mike's review in the New Times HERE if you like reviews by Mike written for the New Times, not my cup of tea but you might like it. Also check out some pictures after the break and the rest of the pictures on our Flickr page HERE god willing. 

New Music Tuesday: Joanna Newsom, Xiu Xiu, Shearwater, Phantogram & Past Lives

Damn fine day to be a person that enjoys new music. Corncopia of albums I doubt you even have enough money to buy they all. I am not saying you are poor, just frugal. If you were only able to buy like 3 or 4 (because of alleged money problems) I would recommend Joanna Newsom's TRIPLE album Have One On Me, Xiu Xiu's Dear God, I Hate Myself, Shearwater's The Golden Archipelago, and Phantogram's Eyelid Movies.Now you are obviously an adult or at least a savvy enough child to be reading such a high class music blog so by all means click on some of the other albums below (after break) and check their sounds out on Amazons thoughtfully provided 30 second clips, and make some decisions for yourself for once in your life. (Run on sentence and insults provided courtesy of our sponsor Amazon.com)

Video: Xiu Xiu "Gray Death"

Another great video from Xiu Xiu who also happen to have a new album out today called Dear God, I Hate Myself. If you were one of the lucky ones to order the special edition vinyl with the tshirt made out of real blood please do send me some pictures. I was thinking of ordering one of those shirts but when it came in the mail it would have been made out of real blood AND real vomit... my vomit, because a shirt made out of real blood is fucking gross.

Tonight In Phoenix: Brendan Benson @ The Rhythm Room

If you have ever heard of The Raconteurs then you have heard of Brendan Benson even if you didn't know it.... you see he is IN The Raconteurs, see how that works? But another nugget of truth is that Brendan Benson has a whole shit ton of stuff that has nothing to do with Jack White. And that is what he is probably going to play for all of us tonight at The Rhythm Room. Check out that video I just posted because it's probably a pretty good representation of what you can expect to see tonight, but without all the crazy camera angles, unless you can fly, and maybe you can. Who am I to tell you that you can't fly? Tickets are $15 and you can get them HERE.

Video: Seabear "I´ll Build You a Fire"

So I totally forgot to post this last week. Those 3 day coke binges are really starting to take their toll on my memory. BUT on the bright side I am making a good amount of extra cash recycling the cans.

GO Seabear!

Video: Extra Life "Head Shrinker"

Ummmm, this video is oddly not nearly as strange as the song contained in the video. Now I am all excited n' shit to see them (Extra Life) in March (17th) when they come to Phoenix.

via Stereogum

Video: Tegan & Sara "Alligators"

Here is a Tegan & Sara video for "Alligators", If you like alligators you are surly to be disappointed with this, if you like Old Navy commercials this is probably right up your alley.

mp3: Beach House "The Arrangement" (New Song From Sirius XMU Session)

I know that I poo pooed the idea that Beach House could be the album of the year for 2010 before 2010 even started but it probably is. It's really really fucking good and anybody that says otherwise can meet me by the bike racks after school.

via MOKB

mp3: The New Pornographers - "Your Hands (Together)"

The New Pornographers latest album, Together, is set to be released May 4th and you can get a taste of the new album with the song "Your Hands (Together)" down below.     


The New Pornographers - "Your Hands (Together)"

Video: Caribou - "Odessa"

Very cool new video for the song "Odessa" which comes off of the album Swim from Caribou. The new LP from Caribou is scheduled to be released April 20th on Merge Records.

Video: Vampire Weekend - "Giving Up The Gun"

Forgive me if what I'm about to say sounds exactly like something you would expect to hear Carles at Hipster Runoff say but are Vampire Weekend even indie anymore? DON'T GET ME WRONG: I don't base my decision of whether or not to like a band based upon if they are classified as "indie" or not. I'm simply making an observation here that it seems like all the buzz that Vampire Weekend has gained over the course of their career has finally propelled them into the mainstream.

Take, for example, the song for which the above video is for, "Giving Up The Gun," which is arguably their most mainstream sounding song to date. Now take the video above which features Lil Jon, Joe Jonas, Jake Gyllenhall and The RZA. Having The RZA in your video is cool as shit but having Joe Jonas and Lil Jon in your video, well, it may as well be a P Diddy video.

I'm sure I'm coming across like quite the asshole at this point so let me just say this. I like Vampire Weekend. I like them a lot. I think they're latest album Contra, from which the song "Giving Up The Gun" comes from is really good and if they are no longer indie and are now mainstream then good for them. They deserve the success and I'm happy that they will be exposed to a broader audience. I will however say that when I'm sandwiched between a group of "bros" from Scottsdale and a group of tweens from wherever at their show at Marquee Theatre in April I will think back to a time that they were just a small little band that no one had ever heard of before but me and how much I miss those days.

[via: Spinner]

mp3: CANT "Ghosts" Class Actress Remix

Here is an song for listening from CANT (Chris Taylor of Grizzy Bear fame) that was remixed by Class Actress one of the bands on his new label Terrible Records. Much... tired... cant write more... this is going to be a scarce posting day unless I buy some 5 hour energy at lunch today.


CANT - "Ghosts" Class Actress Remix

mp3: Broken Social Scene - "World Sick"

 

Pitchfork debuted a brand new song from Canadian indie rockers Broken Social Scene today.  The song, "World Sick," comes off the bands newest album Forgiveness Rock Record, the bands first LP in five years.  The album will be released May 4th on Arts & Crafts and you can download the the song "World Sick" down below by entering your e-mail.  Trust me, it's worth it.

Video: Black Belles "What Can I Do"

The Black Belles is the fifth band (by my count) in the newest fad in band naming... "Bells". I DO realize that they are belles (as in Southern Belles) not bells but it's still starts with BELL and sounds exactly the same so suck it!

Fortunately for them I kinda dig this song. The video is directed by Jack White, you know... the actor who played Elvis in Walk Hard, so it looks like he is branching out of the acting world... good for him! Broken er Hurricane... ah School of Seven mmm Sleigh arghhh BLACK...The BLACK Belles have a 7" ep available for purchase HERE I am thinking of getting it because I like witch hats.

Tonight In Phoenix: Harlem, Chandails, The Pods @ The Trunk Space

If you enjoy good/maybe excellent bands named after places they are not from and possibly had never even been too at the time of their naming but probably HAD been since people travel all over the country and even the world too it's definitely within reason to assume that one of them had at least been to this place at least once.

If you guessed that I was talking about Harlem, that moved from Nashville TN to Tucson AZ to Austin TX then you are the big winner, of joining me (at your own expense of course) at The Trunk Space tonight to watch Harlem play songs from their catalog of songs they wrote and learned how to play as a band together. I am very much excited to see this show because I find Harlem pleasing to my ears, couple that with the fact that I have recently (last night) gotten over my mild dislike of The Trunk Space and it's a recipe for fun and excitement.

Video: Bobby Birdman ft, Yacht "You'd Be Surprised"

Ohhh fancy new video from Bobby Birdman featuring YACHT. Did you know that Bobby Birdman is not an actual bird/man hybrid? He is just a regular human with a cool name. Did you also know that YACHT is coming to Phoenix Town (Tempe actually, Black Forrest Mill to be exact) with Bobby Birdman and also Washed Out, Pictureplane & Small Black on March 24th? No? Well then now you do and you can buy tickets HERE. Enjoy your video my dears.

Photos: The Magic Kids, The Young Friends & Gospel Claws @ The Trunk Space

On nothing but the strength of the only two songs I could find from The Magic Kids I overcame my seething laziness and trekked on down to The Trunk Space last night. Knowing that The Young Friends and Gospel Claws were supporting didn't hurt the motivation factor either... because like to hear the music they play.

For your personal reference in case you totally ignored my post yesterday and didn't go, all three bands have their own spin on the booming genre of "post nouveau surf wave" (or whatever the shit it's called) made popular by internet famous band such as Girls, Wavves and or Surfer Blood. One thing I came to understand deep in my heart over the course of the night is this... The best and really ONLY place to listen to this "music type style" is live in a small intimate space. In a bigger venue I think it might feel forced and weird, but the Trunk Space it kinda feels like you are just hanging out watching your friends jam in a garage a block away from the beach after surfing all morning. That might (no, it definitely does) sound stupid but I don't care, that's how it made me feel and YOU can't tell ME how to feel!

Oddly enough this is my first trip back to The Trunk Space since having my ears melted at the Crystal Antlers show last year, and you know what? Throw a pair of earplugs in and things are not so bad, in fact I think I might be able to get used to it. And that is a good thing for me due to the basket load of goats worth of good bands lined up to play there over the next coming... forever I guess.

As for these pictures, the one thing The Trunk Space hasn't changed is the lighting, its fucking dark in there and that makes for some grainy/blurry ass pictures that I have attempted to save via Adobe Lightroom, so please forgive me if they burn your eyes out or something. If for some reason you want to see even MORE of them click HERE for our Flickr page.

Video: Shearwater - "Hidden Lakes"

Check out the video for "Hidden Lakes" from Shearwater. The track comes off of the bands latest album Golden Archipelago which is out next Tuesday (Feb. 23rd) on Matador. I'd try and explain to you what's going on in this video, but, frankly, I have no clue. I think the one guy took the other guys dog or something. I don't know. Just press play and close your eyes.

mp3: Ulysses Campbell "Dinosaur Hunting"

Here is a little ditty that this dude Ulysses Campbell wrote right before he went to Africa for 6 months... or that is what I am told. But this is America where people are innocent till proven guilty so I guess I will just have to take his word for it. At least till I get some proof to the contrary. This song is very much a departure from his usual electronic "videogamie" sound. But I am pretty sick of that shit, so for me it's all working out gangbusters.


Ulysses Campbell - "Dinosaur Hunting"

Tonight In Phoenix: The Magic Kids, The Young Friends, Gospel Claws @ The Trunk Space

Normally I wait till later in the day to post this kind of thing but I wanted to give you all plenty of time to make plans for tonight at the Trunk Space. The Magic Kids out of Memphis are playing tonight with a couple of my favorite Phoenix bands... The Young Friends and Gospel Claws. If the promise of three great bands in an intimate setting are not enough to motivate you this Wednesday night I also heard a rumor about possible "free PBR at bikini next door" just one though and you will have to negotiate this yourselves, I am not here to be your middle man dammit! So let's recap... 3 great bands, free beer, intimate setting and free beer. What the hells else are you going to do on a Wednesday night? Tickets are only $10 and you can get them HERE

Videoa: Nocando ft Busdriver "Two Track Mind"

I love a good underground L.A. hip hop video. And this is one. I really don't have anything clever to say so just take it easy, relax and enjoy it, it's your big day!

Nocando

Video: Casiokids "En Vill Hest"

You can always count on Norwegians to come up with some pretty awesome shit. You see they don't have any problems in Norway, they all have tons of money, tons of oil, super awesome human rights and bitchen fjordes. About the only thing they DO have to worry about is the cold, but that just gives them more time to stay inside and be awesome. If you happen to be in Oslo tonight you can catch the Casiokids at Bylarm @ Teltel... whatever the fuck that means.

Download Steel Train's "Turnpike Ghost"... Gratas

Up until right about 5 minutes ago I had never heard of Steel Train and was about to delete the email until I saw that they playing with The National, THEN I realized they were playing AT The National, a venue in Virginia, with Tegan & Sara. That is obviously not nearly as good. But during all of this confusion I listened to "Turnpike Ghost" and it's pretty good, I guess, worth a free download at least. In other Steel Train news they are playing at The Clubhouse in Tempe on March 9th, same night as Dawes at The Rhythm Room so I won't be going but I am not here to run your life OK!

Video: Phenomenal Handclap Band "Baby"

I am really enjoying the quality of music videos coming from bands that I like these days. It's almost like people care again and are actually proud of making something that doesn't suck ass. Kudos Phenomenal Handclap Band, Kudos to your pants and eyes.

via Stereogum

mp3: The Morning Benders - "Excuses"

Just the other day we posted an awesome video from San Francisco band The Morning Benders.  The video shot for the website Yours Truly featured The Morning Benders and a small army of the bands friends and fellow San Francisco musicians performing the song "Excuses."  The band was attempting to recreate a Phil Spector-ish wall of sound type experience with the performance.  Mission accomplished, sirs.

The song "Excuses" comes of The Morning Benders forthcoming album Big Echo which is out March 9th on Rough Trade Records.  The band is giving away a free mp3 of the song "Excuses" on their website.  Surprisingly, given how big the sound comes across in the video we posted I think I actually like the album version slightly better.

Personally, I love this song and I'm hoping that the rest of the album is just as good.  Take a listen to the song down below and leave us a comment with what you think.


The Morning Benders - "Excuses"

mp3: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - "The Mighty Sparrow"

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are back and scheduled to release their latest album Brutalist Bricks March 9th on Matador Records.  You can take a listen to the opening track from the album "The Mighty Sparrow" down below. 


Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - "The Mighty Sparrow"

Video: Avi Bufalo "Summer Cum" Laundro Matinee

I really like Avi Buffalo, and I really like this song, it's pretty nasty though. High School kids these days say the darndest things. Check out "Truth Sets In" over on Laundro Matinee's website and join the battle that rages on about what show to see on April 19th... Japandroids with Avi Buffalo, Beach House or Frightened Rabbit. I have lofty goals of seeing both the Japandroids/Avi show AND the Beach House show with careful planning and REALLY fast driving.

Besnard Lakes Coming To Tempe 5/14 (Sail Inn)

Here is a little after hours post letting you all know that in like 3 months (I know, couldn't wait till tomorrow) Besnard Lakes is going to be playing at the Sail Inn well within the city limits of Tempe AZ. Also have a good Lost evening. Also check the rest of their tour dates after the break and also don't forget to buy their new album The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night on March 9th.

mp3: Undersea Poem "Makes Me Happy"

Undersea Poem has been described to me as a band that you will like if you are the type of person that likes Beach House, Devendra Banhart, She + Him, and the Fleet Foxes... what can I say, the person that said that was right. I do mostly like all of those bands AND I also mostly like Underdsea Poem. Oh and another thing about Undersea Poem that you might find interesting Kurt Loder likes them, and I found out Kurt Cobain was dead from Kurt Loder so I hold his opinions in very high regard.

Their self titled album came out last week and you can get it HERE


Undersea Poem - "Makes Me Happy"

Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Season Cinco Trailer

Here at The 'Stache we try not to go off topic too often. Sometimes though I just can't help it. Case in point, this trailer for the fifth season of Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! If you're not familiar with Tim & Eric and you watch the above clip you'll probably think that that is the most ridiculous thing you've ever seen. Which is exactly the point and what makes it so funny. But I highly recommend checking these guys out if you haven't already. Personally, I can not wait until the 28th for the new season to start.

Sasquatch 2010 Lineup

Pretty impressive alphabetical list of bands for this years Sasquatch Music Festival. I have been wanted to go to Washington for a long time now so this just might be what I need to motivate me... GARFUNKEL & OATES for hells sake! Check out the list after the break!

Free EP From The Laureates

Well, I may be in the minority here but I have never heard of The Laureates but they have a new EP out today called No Kontrol. In an effort to get us all to listen to it they are giving it away for "no dollars" and guess what? I listened to it, and it's worth the free download I guess. I has not made my ears bleed and I have also not thrown anything against the wall in anger. So on a day like today that means it's fucking amazing I guess.

Download HERE

Video: The xx "Night Time"

Here is a well made video of the awesome and great band The xx being their boring ass selves. I love The xx and I suppose "just fucking standing there" is kind of "their thing" but why don't they make their videos a little more exciting? Instead of just the 3 of them standing there, show stuff like 1970's porn or WW2 dog fights. OR even better, put them all together! Whatever they do it has got to be better than watching them just stand there for 5 minutes.

via P4K

New Music Tuesday: Local Natives, Soft Pack

This weeks "big deal" is probably The Soft Pack's self titled release, but I am  more about Local Natives Gorilla Manor I think. As you can see by the list that I have painstakingly created below there are a shit ton of things coming out today, things like Joe Pug's Messenger and retardedly named band Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now!'s Fixin' the Charts, Volume 1 . Like always check out the whole big ass list after the break...

mp3: Japandroids "Art Czars"

Even though I have made a personal choice (keep your hands off my body!) to go see Beach House rather than Japandroids with Avi Buffalo & Hooves (goddammit I want to see them ALL) I am a huge supporter of all things Japandroids. It's in that spirit that I post this mp3 of "Art Czars" from this limited edition 7", do with this track what you will. But please make sure one of the things you do with it involves some sort of listening.


Japandroids - "Art Czars"

The Whigs & Band Of Skulls Coming To Town 4/15

The Whigs along with The Band of Skulls are coming to The Martini Ranch in Scottsdale on April 15th. I would go to this show if not for two factors that can not be ignored. 1)It's at The Martini Ranch and I am not so fond of that place after being in a cover band there for a year 2) It's the same night as Yeasayer at The Rhythm Room. I know that Yeasayer's new album Odd Blood isn't getting a lot of love out there but I really like it so you can kiss my grits Alice. But anyway tickets to either shows can be had via Stateside Presents