Angry Citizen

Be Your Own Pet @ Bowery Ballroom 9/28/06

Three words to describe tonight's Be Your Own Pet show at the Bowery Ballroom…Out of Control. Here’s a brief synopsis of the evening. The two guitar players from the Black Lips decided to make out in the middle of a song. Outrageous, right? During the Black Lips set, the guitar player from Demon's Claws, the opening band, decided to jump on stage and execute repeated headstands. This prompted Kevin, the wacky but nice security guard at the Bowery Ballroom, to throw him off the stage right into me. Three big security guards moved in, picked him up, and carried him outside. As they were carrying him out, he managed to set off a fire extinguisher, which filled the Bowery Ballroom with smoke. This prompted an evacuation, forcing everyone to wait outside for ten minutes. As I was standing outside, I saw Rolling Stone Magazine Senior Editor, David Fricke. Back inside, I went up to Fricke to tell him I was a big fan. He thanked me, shook my hand, and could not have been nicer. At this point in the evening I’m feeling good. I met David Fricke, saw a few interesting bands and was about to see Be Your Own Pet. When they hit the stage the crowd went wild. The show was a keeper from early on, fueled by Jemina's energy. Then things took a turn for the worse, for me at least. During Be Your Own Pets last song, their guitar player decided to be Johnny Rock Star, and smash his guitar. Smart move, if you consider the stage to audience proximity at Bowery. Guess what happened next? A piece of the guitar hit me smack in the head. Rock and Roll, right?!? Kevin, the security guard, came over quickly to check on me. I stayed at the Bowery Ballroom twenty minutes after the show, putting ice on my swollen head. Quick shout out to ALL the security guards and personnel at Bowery who were so nice to me.

And now I present to you, an evening in pictures…

Guy from Demon's Claws, who was thrown out, and set off the fire extinguisher...

Black Lips...

Everyone waiting outside after the fire extinguisher was triggered...

Paparazzi shot of David Fricke...

Be Your own Pet...

Photos: Be Your Own Pet @ Bowery Ballroom 6/28/06
Photos: Black Lips @ Bowery Ballroom 6/28/06

Danielson Familie @ Hammerstein Ballroom 9/25/06

    Tuesday, I walked through the front doors of the Hammerstein Ballroom clueless as to the opening band. I was greeted with indifferent shrugs of the shoulder and the ever helpful "who cares" when I asked who was opening. When I questioned a security guard I was told that Deer Hunter would be opening. Maybe he had De Niro on his mind. Maybe not. Regardless, I was pretty sure he was referring to Sunday's opener, Deerhoof. I was fully prepared to see Deerhoof, and why not, they’re a great band. I realized rather quickly as the opening band walked across the stage that Deerhoof would not be playing. To my surprise, it was Danielson, and he was trailed by the entire Danielson Familie. To go from not knowing the opener, to expecting Deerhoof, to getting the Danielson Familie is pretty damn exciting in my book. At first I was worried that  Danielson’s sound would be too nuanced for the large Hammerstein Ballroom. Granted, some of the more nuanced sounds on Ships did not make its way through the speakers. From my vantage point there was not a Glockenspiel or Xylophone to be heard. It didn't matter. The Danielson Familie had no trouble filling the large venue with their edgier, rocking sound. As a matter of fact, they made you believe they belonged in a venue that size. By the end of the set the Danielson Familie had won over some new fans and pleased long time fan Wayne Coyne, who was enjoying the show from the side with drummer Kliph Scurlock. Off the top of my head the Danielson Familie played, Did I Step On Your Trumpet, Ship The Majestic Suffix, Bloodbook On The Half Shell, Two Sitting Ducks and Kids Pushing Kids along with four or five more songs. Did I Step On Your Trumpet and Ship The Majestic Suffix not only received the best crowd reaction, they sounded so good it was frightening.

Please click below, thanks.
Photos: Danielson Familie @ Hammerstein Ballroom 9/25/06
Photos: Flaming Lips @ Hammerstein Ballroom 9/25/06
Review: Flaming Lips @ Hammerstein Ballroom 9/25/06

Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf on the Daily Show

Update: Here's the video of Perv on the Daily Show.

Today, Pakistan's President, General Pervez Musharraf appeared on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. The taping will air tonight on Comedy Central...check your local listings. Pervez's appearance sounds like an interesting idea, but will Stewart ask him any hard questions? Maybe. Will Musharraf answer them? Doubt it. Either way, If this quote via yahoo is any indication, it should be a good time,

   

To conclude the interview, Stewart put Musharraf on the "Seat of Heat," a new feature for the program in which red lights flash around the studio and the guest is asked a final question. "George W. Bush and Osama bin Laden — be truthful — who would win a popular vote in Pakistan?" asked Stewart. "I think they'll both lose miserably," replied Musharraf, an answer met with raucous laughter by the "Daily Show" audience.

I'll youtube this one later tonight.

Real Time with Bill Maher - New Rules - 9/23/06

Watch more Maher...
Real Time with Bill Maher - New Rules - 9/16/06
Real Time with Bill Maher - New Rules - 9/01/06
Real Time with Bill Maher - New Rules - 8/25/06

Flaming Lips @ Hammerstein Ballroom 9/25/06

***UPDATE: Click here to watch a video of the Yeah Yeah Yeah Song @ Bowery Ballroom 9/25/06

Wow. If you've ever attended a Flaming Lips show you know what I mean. It's a spectacle. A traveling circus of good times. On the left side of the stage were ten people dressed as Santa Claus and on the right, ten people dressed as Aliens. Batman and Captain America were running around. Wonder Woman was snapping photographs and Wayne Coyne, the ring leader, managed to put a smile on every single face in attendance. But don't chalk up their success to visual stimulation. These guys can play and connect with an audience like no band I‘ve seen. They played mostly new material, heavy on At War With the Mystics. Those not familiar with the catalog got She Don't Use Jelly for good measure. Wayne addressed the crowd a lot last night. Coyne talked about the Yeah Yeah Yeah song being a protest song, and although it wont change the world, singing it loudly will exercise some demons. Wayne was truly happy last night smiling from beginning to end. He lamented the fact that this was the last show on their tour but assured the crowd we'd see them again, soon.

PHOTOS: Flaming Lips @ Hammerstein Ballroom 9/25/06
UPDATE: Click here to watch a video of the Yeah Yeah Yeah Song @ Hammerstein 9/25/06
Photos: Danielson Familie @ Hammerstein Ballroom 9/25/06
Review: Danielson Familie @ Hammerstein Ballroom 9/25/06

Fiddle While You Burn

What's up everyone? When you get a chance, do me a big favor and check out this great music blog, Fiddle While You Burn. It's updated constantly with great New York City concert photos. Fiddle While You Burn was cool enough to post some of my photos taken at Boris @ Northsix. Click on over to check it out.

Who's going to see the Flaming Lips tonight???

Sunset Rubdown @ Bowery Ballroom 9/24/06

UPDATE: Click here to watch a video for song 'Three Colors' performed @ Bowery Ballroom.

    Last night Spencer Krug ventured back to New York with his band Wolf Par, Swan Lake, Sunset Rubdown. Last time out the band played two shows at Mercury Lounge but have since graduated to a double dip at Bowery. Last May I checked out their second of two shows at Mercury. The entire band was suffering from food poising from an unnamed restaurant (Katz deli) which resulted in their performance being average at best. Spencer apologized to the crowd right before he had to cut the laborious set short. This time around Krug and co. were healthy and suffering from a good old fashioned case of the good times. The band, specifically Krug, was in great spirits. Krug was laughing, smiling and joking around with the crowd all night. For those not aware, Krug has recently sprouted a mustachio.

    Last night was New York's first opportunity to witness his whiskers in all its glory. As expected, it became an instant topic of conversation. One audience member yelled out, "you look like Magnum P.I." to which Spencer responded, "I've never been more flattered and insulted in my entire life." After that point Magnum P.I. became a running joke. Between songs Spencer put on a head band to sop up his sweat and joked to the crowd that he was "the Karate Kid and Magnum P.I." Finally, when strapping on his accordion before They Took a Vote and Said No, Krug asked the crowd if they had "seen the episode where Magnum played the accordion?" Ahhhh, good times. But all joking aside, Sunset Rubdown sounded UNBELIEVABLE last night. I don't know if it's the magic of the Bowery Ballroom or the fact that the band has gelled since their Mercury Lounge shows. Whatever the reason, Sunset Rubdown sounded more concise then any Krug led band I've seen this past year. Krug opened with a new song similar to Winged/Wicked Things and then rolled right into Stadiums And Shrines II. Speaking of Winged/Wicked Things, the crowd was treated to a dead on version of the song that was recorded for a Daytrotter session. Winged/Wicked Things sounded better than any song played all night and makes one wonder why it didn't make the album?
 

   The first half of the set was out of control amazing. I was waiting for an ebb in the flow but the energy kept building and the ebb never materialized. The band played pretty much everything off of Shut Up I Am Dreaming, as well as an "old song, re-worked" according to Krug. (I took a video of the "old song, re-worked" and it will be up soon) The band closed the first set with crowd favorite, I'm Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings. They came back out for an encore and performed a  haunting version of The Empty Threats of Little Lords. It’s safe to say that I’m a huge Spencer Krug fan and would go to great lengths to see any of his bands perform. Unlike other bands out today, Krug’s music has a life and intensity unto itself. Watching him perform is a mesmerizing experience that leaves you wanting more.

More Links
Check out BrooklynVegan.com for my review
Review: Beaver @ Bowery Ballroom 9/24/06
Pictures: Sunset Rubdown @ Bowery Ballroom 9/24/06
Pictures: Sunset Rubdown @ Mercury Lounge 5/24/06
Pictures: Wolf Parade @ Webster Hall 4/09/06
Pictures: Wolf Parade @ Webster Hall 4/10/06
Pictures: Wolf Parade @ Northsix 10/25/05
Video: Hadji getting down @ Webster Hall

Beaver @ Bowery Ballroom 9/24/06

The case of the Canadian Beaver. Beaver you say? Last night Beaver opened up for Sunset Rubdown at the Bowery Ballroom. Since I was unfamiliar with Beaver and his material, I didn't know what to expect. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised by his soul bearing acoustic set. During one song I thought of another Canadian, Destroyer. In particular, Destroyer's song Painter in Your Pocket. Both artists share the same affinity for complex, wordy songs. Wordy in an artistic, entertaining way I should add. Needless to say, I was thoroughly enjoying Beaver when something troubling washed over me. Beaver looked familiar. (I feel silly calling the guy Beaver over and over again) Real familiar. And then I realized where I've seen his face before. Granted, I'm not 100% positive about this, but I think last November Beaver came off the bench and subbed in for the lead singer of Think about Life. Think About Life, another Canadian band, opened for Wolf Parade at Northsix on 10/25/05. But Think About Life's lead singer couldn't get off of work, or at least that was the excuse the band gave. So Beaver tagged in and gyrated his way to glory as their impromptu front man. Interesting huh? Probably not, and I could be wrong. As a matter of fact, I'm probably wrong. It would be nice if someone could verify this...it's extremely unimportant. Here's the photographic evidence. I believe Beaver is the same guy in the "steroids free body" t-shirt, sweatshirt.

Beaver @ Bowery 9/24/06

Beaver @ North Six 10/25/05??

Now that I got that out of my system, let's get back to the show. If the uncharacteristically chatty bowery crowd would have shut up for a minute, Beaver would have been even more enjoyable. The last half of the set was drowned out by chatter from the bar. I sensed that Beaver was feeling the indifference from the back, which was a shame, because he was leaving it all out there. If you’re going to any of the remaining shows on Sunset Rubdown's tour, I’d recommend showing up early for Beaver.

More Links
Review: Sunset Rubdown @ Bowery Ballroom 9/24/06 
Check out BrooklynVegan.com for my review
Pictures: Sunset Rubdown @ Bowery Ballroom 9/24/06
Pictures: Sunset Rubdown @ Mercury Lounge 5/24/06
Pictures: Wolf Parade @ Webster Hall 4/09/06
Pictures: Wolf Parade @ Webster Hall 4/10/06
Pictures: Wolf Parade @ Northsix 10/25/05
Video: Hadji getting down @ Webster Hall

Sunset Rubdown @ Bowery Ballroom 9/24/06

***UPDATE: CLICK HERE FOR A REVIEW AND PICTURES OF THE SHOW

Check back very soon for a recap of the show and a video of an "old re-worked" song.

Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II

***UPDATE: CLick here for an MP3 from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II

According to Wu Tang corp...

Raekwon’s management has told Wu-Tang Corp that the highly anticipated "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II" is almost finished, if not already finished. According to Raekwon’s management the production credits are shared 50/50 between Dr. Dre and RZA but the final tracklisting has yet to prove if it will be the end result.

The whole Wu-Tang Clan will appear on the album, with more guests still to be announced. Aside from that, we would like to confirm you Raekwon is very much involved with myspace (http://www.myspace.com/raekwon), and he’s now accepting beats, as his statement on his myspace said, for other projects.Wu-Tang Corp will update you about Raekwon’s label situation in two weeks as his management asked us to put it on hold. via WU CO.

MP3 Raekwon - Spit Fire (Mixtape) (2004)
MP3 Raekwon - Pablow (Mixtape) (2003)

Buy your Raekwon albums here.

More Links
Wu Tang Clan @ Webster Hall 8/17-8/18 Concert Review
Wu Tang Clan - Triumph Video @ Webster Hall 8/17/06
Wu Tang Clan - Method Man Video @ Webster Hall 8/17/06
Bring Da Ruckus and Da Mystery of Chessboxin' Videos @ Webster Hall 8/18/06
Photos: Wu Tang Clan @ Webster Hall 8/17/06
Photos: Wu Tang Clan @ Webster Hall 8/18/06
Photos: Ghostface Killah @ Nokia Theatre 4/22/06