Breed (Nirvana Cover) by Titus Andronicus. Spin put a 20 year Nevermind comp out a little while back and I was surprised that TA broke their formula on this where they sound like a really rocking band versus a rowdy/horsy version of Crooked Fingers. Complete with octave pedal. Pretty good.
Territorial Pissings MP3 (Nirvana Cover) by Local H. this is from a whole show of Nirvana covers. Kind of funny but if you think about it they are almost a tribute band. Sort of outing themselves.
Stay Away MP3 (Nirvana Cover) By Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band from the same Spin comp as TA. This is the best and most awesome cover on there. Funk/soul he’s got it all my friends
Hey Joe MP3 (Jimi Hendrix cover) by The Creation. If you never heard of this band you won’t have any excuses for getting into them now. Making Time is probably the song you’ve heard on the Rushmore sound track. This cover is from the same record called We are Painterman.
Guns of Brixton MP3 (The Clash Cover) by Jimmy Cliff w/ Tim Armstrong from Rancid. Amazing how The Clash championed reggae and the black community and related in a very blue collar way to working class plight which was a re-occurring theme with the band and the respective audiences. Funny enough I always thought of Rancid as as really great Clash Cover band and here he is producing one of the godfathers of the genre some 30 odd years later with music influencing music full circle.
As this summer comes to a near close and stages are getting blown down by the mighty winds killing concert goers and Cheap Trick is getting their set shortened to 7 songs in Cooney Island due to crazy lighting; I’d say things are looking pretty grim for music. Natural disasters aside it’s mostly because somebody was hitting the super suck button with music submissions in my inbox. Well until this past week. I was hoping the fall submissions were going to shape-up. I honestly do try and listen to everything that comes over and I try to be fair so I can share better jems with you but if you are feeling charitable please do give to the Red Cross. We only review stuff that catches our ears but any way here’s a few. Enjoy!
Dave Rave - Live With What You Know
Anne-Marie MP3 by Dave Rave from his new release Live With What You Know This is a official Power Pop alert! This brightened my August of inbox releases that were getting smashed and trashed faster than a PABT street walker because before I knew it I streamed the whole record. If done well this genre of guitar rock never gets old. Catch Dave Rave live Aug 20 Hotel Utah Saloon San Fran buy his shit.
Bones Howell - Hair on The Dog 7"
Hair of the Dog MP3 by Bones Howell 7″ If New York grit and burned meat on the grill is your thing then you might actually appreciate this anti-hipster band. This is a Bauhaus cover done at a fast pace that would have a chick running as fast she could in her pair of trampy glittery gold Roman like heels in the meat packing district all away across the bridges. The flip is called “Nephritis” which was remixed by thee Daniel Ash. [Buy]
Talkdemonic - Ruins
Revival MP3 by Talkdemonic from their new one Ruins – Instrumental folk-art with some nice bass noodling mixed with some cello alla hugo largo meets Calexico in a strange alley with just a tinge of dust with the smooth edges massaged by the string arrangements. Hailing from Portland this is the 4th recorded collaboration between Kevin O’Connor & Lisa Molinero. Get the deal over from the fine folks at Glacial Pace.
The Trews - Hope & Ruin
One By One MP3 by The Trews from Hope & Ruin. This track is as about country alternative as I’ll go but I got to say the vocals and harmonies are great on this track. If your a timid Wilco fan or just like the Goo Goo dolls this should be the sounds in-between. Ripe for the plucking into your next playlist. I like the way the vocals follow the guitar riff on this track and electric guitar tethers right underneath the singer yammering on about North Ontario. You can feel the wind-burn on this seasoned band when the slide kicks in alla The Afghan Whigs like a sunrise beaming on the high-way with just a hint of Greg Dulli swagger. They know what the hell they are doing. [Check them out]
Here’s the second installment from the 30th Anniversary Big Takeover show documented at Bell House in Brooklyn last summer with Jon Auer from the The Posies playing solo. This one features Billy the engineer chatting it up bit. He helps produce the internet radio show Rabid in the Kennel on breakthrough radio for Jack Rabid. Jon Auer did a lot of great songs during his set and was quite the personality – i had no idea he was so dark and funny at the same time. This is the encore and judging by the slew of covers you can find he really loves music. All good things. no wonder he was part of the Big Star thing. We also have the opening song he did on video covering a Chameleons songs.
Tunes: The Year Of Our Demise MP3 from Songs From The Year Of Our Demise by Jon Auer Grant Hart MP3 by The Posiesfrom the DGC release Amazing Disgrace (1996) doing a song about the drummer of Husker Du. Solar Sister MP3 by The Posies originally from Frosting on the Beater(1993). I got this classic jam from Poptopia! Power Pop Classics Of The ’90s. Green Eyes MP3 by Jon Auer from 6 1/2. Yes this time a husker du cover. Swinging Party MP3 covering a Mats song! Live at Schubas 05/17/2006
The duo tradition of musicians goes back a long ass ways. Local H is one the greatest unknown bands who are cocky in their own right and maybe a little pissed they weren’t as cute as Jack White’s counter part. Alas on album their records sound just as full as their live show. They started their thing pre-grunge in 1986 and have been somehow managing to keep bringing the music post Cobain. Tonight this working band will jam it out at Brighton Bar in Long Branch New Jersey 4/23/11. You should go but if you can’t it’s alright. On album they simply just rock like superdrag and have more hooks than your standard tacklebox. This is not your mom’s boring alternative music. If you go scream for them to play “Puss” by The Jesus Lizard for me. Fine and Good MP3 by Local H from pack up the cats [BUY] Blood Stains (Agent Orange Cover) MP3 by Local H from their Awesome Mix Tape #1 release (2010) Lets just hope they don’t become a glorified cover band. That would be sad. Most great bands like this one know their influences so it’s cool to hear them pay homage to the music embedded in their sound because they do it damn well! [BUY] Puss MP3 by The Jesus Lizard [BUY]
Other Rock Duo Bands: Water Is Better MP3 by Bubble/Gum from their self-titled debut (2003). Wish this local Jersey shore band were still around. They had such heart and really wrote some amazing songs. Big Fan. Miner MP3 by No Age from Nouns [BUY] Noel, Jonah And Me MP3 by The Spinanes from the LP Manos (Sub Pop 1993). At some point Ted Leo made them a trio for a short stint. Regardless this album is amazing. Singer Rebecca Gates did some back-up vocals on Elliott Smith’s song “St. Ides Heaven”. Great simple bare-bone songs and thirsty like voice on her in the vain of Liz Phair. [BUY]
Tomorrow you shall Carpediem the crap out of some amazing schwagg and limited record releases. One spot and item that you should know about is this rarities Tape being offered to special customers at the Sound Station in dear old colonial Westfield, NJ. They have a special offer on freakin’ cassette. The contents of which are evem super secret and rare even to me. When you get there ask for Bob or Liz and tell them The Review Stalker sent you. They will know what to do. No you won’t need kevlar or anything like that but be prepared to imbibe some live music starting at noon by Milan, or catch some Reggae music, maybe catch a set by locals 117 Band or Daveen Decite. Anything could happen on Record Store Day! Be sure to check-in at Foursquare at The Sound Station in Westfield and try and kick me out as Mayor. The challenge is on and maybe you will find some of this stuff.
We recently did a bunch posts of women in rock that matter so here’s our favorite Jersey GirlNicole Atkins doing a couple covers and a series of video vignettes from her new record Mondo Amore (Lots of love) for her single “Dark Magic in Your Eyes”. She’s remisicent of a rocking Patti Smith and the country style of Juliana Hatfield but with her own vocal style. When listening to her music and watching her videos you get this sense there’s a lot of demons but not in a evil Courtney Love way but more of a Anais Nin old soul kind of way. If in victorian times there was rock music she’d be the queen of the scene. Which is passion recomposed for 2011.
Sexy Nicole Atkins Photos by Lucia Holm
She’s been at this music thing probably since her birth 32 or so years ago and putting out records, playing and singing on other people’s records. A hardworking musician with a mission slowly building up a following from North Carolina to New York and about to embark on a short tour to make her mark a little deeper in your heart. Lets see kicking it off with Bowery Ballroom show ain’t too shabby.
Here’s a Video of another track called “Vultures” directed by my pal Mandy Bisesti and photographer Lucia Holm (actually I think these Jerzy girls have done all of the videos from Ms. Atkins’s new album). This one seems to have been shot in Monmouth County from the looks of it along the banks of Red Bank, New Jersey — one of my old stomping, rocking and drinking grounds. It’s deep, dark and beautifully shot; really giving the song and the listener a baptism.
Download music and covers: Inside Of Love MP3 Nada Surf cover by Nicole Atkins from Digs Other People’s Song’s – Probably one my favorite Matthew Caws tracks and she builds it beautifully. [Buy] Under The Milky Way MP3 Cover by The Church Also unadulteratedly good. She was 10 when Starfish came out. Must have discovered them when lived in Australia. Cool Enough MP3 from Neptune City (2007 Columbia)
Jack Endino is one of the godfathers of the Seattle grunge scene. Mainly because he recorded bands cheap and fast for a bunch of Sub Pop bands. He also was pretty good head banging guitar player and Skin Yard was his band which literally influenced Screaming Trees, The Melvins and Green River. Matt Cameron was the original drummer before going over to play with Soundgarden. Skin Yard had releases on Toxic Shock, C/Z and Cruz Records. I got to see them on the 1,000 Smiling Knuckles tour at Maxwells. In fact I still have the T-shirt! Somehow it’s made it through several moves and girlsfriends. Sort of a hat trick if you ask me to still have the relic. They eventually broke-up shortly after recording Inside the Eye which was one of the cool 10″ records they put on C/Z. Which was in fact their last official active release. The other notable 10″ had a cover of “Hey Bulldog!”(Beatles cover). Anyway. Dig it.
Here’s The Sirs from the New Brunswick, NJ punk creep scene on Psychic Volt & Devildance records. This is a rip right from the 7″ so go ahead and buy the rest of the 4 songs on this record. Pretty good stuff paying homage to sing-alongs akin to Pegboy or Social D in certain spots. This song should not be confused by The Stuntcock’s song “She gets her pets high“.
Who knew that so many great songs start with the word “Hey” in the title of it. Total excuse for a quickie playlist but here’s a few attention getters to fill your brainspace when you’re trying to make a point or can’t remember the words you were trying to put together — Hey buys you time while you’re try figure out what you are going to say. When you feel you’ve been cheated out of something you deserved. When somebody steps on your toe and you scream “Hey mother F’er!”. When somebody cuts you off in traffic and you also scream “Hey Mother F’fer…” but the window is closed and nobody hears you mutter the words. When you see somebody at a office party and you don’t remember their name and you just say “…Hey you”. Um it’s me did you meet immediate person to your left or right and then they tell you their name (works everytime). You should know my name you bastard but hey here’s a list of songs. Hey, I know I’m a fuckin’ genius. DOWNLOAD MP3s: Hey Joe (Hendrix Cover) by The Creation from We are Painterman. Best alt 60’s record ever. Hey Cowboy, The Phone’s For Youby Grandaddy from Now It’s on CD (demo). Weirdo keyboard rock from Madesto, CA. Hey Julie by Fountains of Wayne from Welcome Interstate Managers Pop till you drop. Hey Man by True Love from their first record. Great Jersey Power Pop. [Buy] Hey Man (Backup Plan) by The Young Leaves from Mass off their first EP. Tremendous power rock trio. Hey! Luciani by The Fall from 458489 A Sides. Hey Sexy by Eddie Spaghetti from the CD Old No. 2 One man rocknroll band. [BUY]
The first time I ever heard of The Posies and sort of figured out who they were is when I received a three CD Poptopia! Compilation put out by Rhino Records with their hit “Solar Sister” which is this amazing pop-gem all unto itself. The comp set is great because it covers tracks from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s. Fast forward to The Big Takeover 30th Anniversary show summer of 2010, some 15 years later and I actually get to meet Jon Auer. He plays an amazing solo set and does a few songs with Jack Rabid and the guy from The Nerves. Later, It’s the end of night and I’m working the camera and I find a drunk Auer saying all sorts of funny things. He was funny in-between songs too which seems to be true to form. Nothing for the record but he did express he was super thrilled to have played the show. Tonight I run into some cover record where he does a Madonna song and Baby Bitch by Ween from Chocolate & Cheese. I hit hypem and find this bizarre blog by this cockled guy named Blair who posted ‘Baby Bitch’ on his blog called Certain Songs and also posted songs in ode to Craig’s list posting. Interesting idea bag there. Kudos.
Anyway, I find this very public email about how his wife cheated on him and then he sleeps with her sister as revenge but does not tell her and divorces her later. Crazy shit. Which leads me to really appreciating the heart and song writing of Mr. Auer for some reason. He’s a dark guy and an artist who writes about some deep shit like Blair’s post. Personally Baby Bitch is much better song than Beautiful Stranger anyhow Auer drives that home in his performance of it but I digress. Check some tunes out. Hopefully it lead you down a worm hole.
Jon Auer @ The Bigtakover 30th Anniversary Show
Plastic Paperbacks MP3 by The Posies from their new one Blood/Candy. This is a great record. Highly recommended. [Buy] Solar Sister MP3 by The Posies from Frosting on the Beater (1993). Stick this on any pop mix and you’ll be humming it in your dreams. [Buy] Baby Bitch MP3 (Ween Cover) by Jon Auer from 6 1/2 [Buy]
TOD performing “The Rest Will Follow” on the David Letterman Show.
SINGLE REVIEW:The Trail of Dead have jumped labels more than any band I’ve ever tracked with each release and quite consistently. Competing with the Poster Children and a few others with a decent stint on a major label ok maybe not as many as the pkids. Their upcoming release is going to be on their own label – Richter Scale Records. Never had the pleasure of meeting …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead (at least not yet) and or since i knew about their sonic existence (thank you Benny of the Highway) they have been one of my favorite heavy and noisy bands of all time. Well at least since 2001. Everything is really fuzzy before that. Conrad and the boys have persistently managed to bake in all the right elements of guitar swagger, big dumb drums and vocal angst. Giving you this huge soundscape of music. I can hear why Hemispheres was influence on this one with SIDE 1 and Side 2 of continuous music. I can’t wait for Tao of the Dead all to obvious album title. I’m still a devoted fan of their music> Their notereity will be there in a black flag kind of way with many a splinter and broken drum set in their path. The pre-release of Summer of Dead souls track is exactly what you can expect. Check it out on Spin.com. I encourage you to go to town if you dig these tracks and get the whole discography or at least parts of it. The new track is great. Feels right and the good payout is that they did not belabor the output. Less vanilla more rock. How’s that for a short review?
Sample some shit: Gargoyle Waiting from S/T …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead (1998) Trance Syndicate Records
Totally Natural from Madonna (1999) Merge Records. Totally out of character for the bands that were on merge at the time but damn wouldn’t it be funny if they returned like spoon did?
Another Morning Stoner from Source Codes & Tags (2002) Interscope. This is the record that put them on the map blah blah blah. Dude the cool kids picked them up.
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