artists
shows (past shows)
03/01 @ GREAT SCOTT
03/11 @ CAKE SHOP
Lower Dens “Brains”
I’m a little too busy prepping for travels to elaborate, but Lower Dens writes the most complex simple songs. Hope that makes sense. They play Great Scott on April 29th.
Earthquake Party! is kicking off their to-chicago-and-back tour a few days early with this guy: an Allston Pudding event featuring Abadabad, Skaters (a new project from Boston expats The Dead Trees!), and Krill. Oh mah god I think I see tiny sippy cups behind Uncle Sam.
Send our boys+girl down the Mass Pike with some cash: the first EqP! t-shirts are in, as well as the second edition of their vs. Pizza debut (white cassettes this time around).
While Grass is Green was busy ripping up Allston City Limits on January 4th, I found myself in serious Deja Vu Mode, as the Boston quartet’s sound reminded me of so many local bands of yore. Clickers came to mind initially because of the panned dueling guitars, but things slowed down at one point and I had images of Polaris Mine, then a bassline entered that I haven’t heard so prominent and crucial since Night Rally’s heyday. What’s even better is knowing GiG are largely unaware of these bands, unconsciously paying respects by working with the same ingredients and likely the same influences.
Ronson is Grass is Green’s third album in as many years, and “Riff Sibling” is a standout. Its big hook is coupled with a vocal delivery reminiscent of Tim Harrington or even Perry Ferrell, and like the bands they front, GiG is not afraid to inject significant groove into their punky ruckus. They make complex music, but it absolutely does not mean they want you arms-crossed and feet-planted.
Come celebrate Grass is Green’s Ronson at Great Scott on March 1st, alongside pals Arvid Noe, Speedy Ortiz, and Sneeze. Tickets are $7 in advance. Signups here.
Grizzly Bear :: Museum of Fine Arts Courtyard :: 08/14/2008
01 Cheerleader
02 Little Brother
03 Colorado
04 Service Bell
05 Knife
06 Fine For Now
07 Two Weeks
08 Lullabye
09 Shift
10 Fix It
11 On a Neck, On a Spit
12 Deep Blue Sea
13 He Hit Me (and It Felt Like a Kiss)
14 While You Wait for the Others
download ZIP of all 14 MP3s
Was sifting through my old ticket stubs over the weekend, and came across a great show that I actually have a recording of (apologies for being unable to credit the source). Grizzly Bear was opening for Radiohead this summer, and snuck in a headlining show on an offday. MFA’s Calderwood Courtyard was a beautiful setting that made for a few unexpected-but-awesome additions: the sonic wash of a helicopter flying overhead to segue “Service Bell” into “Knife”, and the growing buzz of crickets as the evening progressed (Steven even credits them for their contributions on “Shift”). This was the first time most of the us had heard “Cheerleader”, “Fine For Now”, and “Two Weeks”, and you can hear the excitement in everyone’s applause.
click-thru img to head to photo gallery of the show, courtesy of Boston Phoenix
FRIENDLY REMINDER: TONIGHT @ GREAT SCOTT
The Grammys will probably be on mute at Great Scott tonight, which is the best of both worlds, really. We’ll spin some Whitney and dance to all the bands and buy some records and cap off the weekend right. Signup here, see you there.
Robbie Robertson “Somewhere Down The Crazy River”
Robbie Robertson, sir, you cannot sing. The Band was so captivating in part because three out of five band members possessed amazing and unique voices, all in a different range to ensure a beautiful blend. And you were not one of the three. Levon said your mic was off for The Last Waltz and most shows. I believe him, likely because he doesn’t need to do things like spoken word verses.
While on the topic of The Last Waltz, Martin Scorcese directed this piece of crap music video. You’ll be rewarded in the worst way if you make it to the four minute mark (not to mention the VEVO ad).
SHOW ALERT: 03/01/2012 @ GREAT SCOTT
Holy moly, March 1st y’all. Grass is Green is releasing Ronson and we gonna celebrate. Speedy Ortiz will join us from Northampton, and those two will be sandwiched by Allston favs Sneeze and Arvid Noe, both on the cusp of new releases. Exciting times.
Pick up tickets at Great Scott ahead of time for $7, otherwise bring $9 the day of show and then some for records. Listen to tunes here, signup here. This was a group effort, and I’m beyond stoked the way it turned out. Teamwork.
Bon Iver w/ The Roots. “Perth”
May have been a little too auto-tuned on either side for my tastes, but The Roots totally make that vocal-less bridge their own. Questlove knows.
Shout Out Louds “Sound Is The Word”
A song from the Stockholm band’s 2003 debut Howl Howl Gaff Gaff that was foolishly left off the international release a year and a half later. Everything about this song is perfectly simple, from the music to the message.
photo courtesy of Bradley’s Almanac, from the band’s show at The Paradise in Boston on 11/05/05
