This Week's Nostalgia (7/11-7/17)

Well, this past week was “slow” in the sense that we only had two major things to suggest in last week’s Nostalgia report, but this week is pretty much the busiest we’ve seen so far this year. We caught Ted Leo & the Pharmacists tear through The Tyranny of Distance for free at the South Street Seaport yesterday, and we’ll have a full set of photos, a review and some videos up shortly. For now, let’s take a look at what’s in store for us New Yorkers this week…

Cibo Matto @ Brooklyn Bowl
Tuesday, July 12th

Cibo Matto have been on indefinite hiatus for the past ten years or so, but made a very brief performance at Le Poisson Rouge earlier this year, which was some sort of prophetic hint that they were up to a full fledged reunion. And that certainly turned out to be the case when they announced a series of dates much to our excitement. The food-obsessed duo will play the very awesome Brooklyn Bowl on Tuesday, and tickets are still on sale. If you miss this show, may God have mercy on your soul, but tickets are also still available for their Bowery Ballroom performance on July 18th, so you still have the chance to fully redeem yourself. Get at it. And may God have mercy on your soul.

Animal Collective @ Prospect Park Bandshell
Tuesday, July 12th

Goofy bastards...

The last time I caught psychedelic pop act Animal Collective, it was at the very same venue--Prospect Park Bandshell, two summers ago. And I still rave about it to anyone who will listen. Considering how heavy their 2009 release Merriweather Post Pavillion is on the samples and electronic beats, their live performance came off surprisingly uncscripted. With Avey Tare playing electric guitar most of the time, and Panda Bear banging on a set of drums while Geologist manipulates various samplers, the trio (now a quartet again upon Deacon’s return) are sure to stun you with their chaotic live show. If I wasn’t already seeing Cibo Matto, this would surely be the show to see, and though tickets are sold out you should have no problem scooping one up on craigslist. Bring glow sticks and enhancements.

Superchunk @ House of Vans (25 Franklin St, Brooklyn)

Thursday, July 14th

More here

If you haven’t seen Superchunk live, you haven’t seen one of the greatest live bands ever. Never mind the fact these guys have been rocking out since 1989, Mac McCaughan still jumps around on stage like an absolute maniac. Last time I saw them, Todd Barry (who recently made an hilarious appearance on FX’s Louie) opened the show with standup, only to return on drums for the band’s encore; a cover of the Misfits’ "Horror Business." Yep, it was awesome. This show, part of the House of Vans concert series, is free with RSVP. The great OFF!, who we recently caught opening for Dinosaur Jr., will also open the show. A line for this will start at 5pm, and doors are at 7pm. Doooo it.

Patti Smith and Her Band @ Castle Clinton

Thursday, July 14th

Patti Smith in 1978

I've never seen Patti Smith live, but I was at Lollapalooza in '07 where I could hear her playing while we waited in the rain for Interpol. In retrospect, that's pretty lame, and now that I have the opportunity to see her again, I can't make it because I'm going to Superchunk. So why am I suggesting this show? To make up for my stupidity I suppose. Smith will be performing at Castle Clinton in Battery Park as part of the annual River to River Festival. According to their website, free tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis onsite at 5pm and doors open at 6pm. Patti plays at 7pm. So if you plan on going, get there early to ensure entry. And let me know how it is.

Joan Jett @ Coney Island (West 21st Street & Surf Avenue)

Thursday, July 14th

If you had to choose between Patti Smith and Joan Jett, who would you choose? Choose wisely, my friend, choose wisely. Both shows are free, and both will undoubtedly be packed. I personally would go with Patti Smith, but that's more due to the fact that the trek to Coney Island by subway is akin to traveling to Philadelphia or something. Joan will be performing as part of the Seaside Summer Concert Series, hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who I saw give an hilariously awkward introduction to Mission of Burma two years ago. I'm sure this show will be a great time, especially if you're a fan of the 52-year old rocker. Heads up: she's still pretty hot. Enjoy.

Paul McCartney @ Yankee Stadium

Friday, July 15th, Saturday, July 16th

As big of a Beatles fan as I am, I've yet to see Paul McCartney live. It probably has to do with the fact that getting tickets to his shows are either impossible to obtain, or ticket prices are extremely high, or that he's kinda sort of a douchebag now. My good friend Colin (also an obsessive Beatles fan) saw McCartney a few years back and said he played "Too Many People" off of his excellent solo album Ram, which is pretty awesome in of itself. But Paul's setlists are generally comprised of Beatles material, including many songs the Beatles never played live themselves. And as much as I wish Paul (a.k.a. one of the richest entertainers in the world) would just bite the bullet and play a few club dates like Paul Simon recently did, seeing him at the new Yankee Stadium should still be pretty great. Nosebleed tickets are available for both the Friday and Saturday show. Bring binoculars.

Notable mentions (a.k.a. I'm too tired to write up stuff on these shows, but they're still great):

7/12 - Slick Rick @ Crotona Park (Free)

7/13 - Urge Overkill @ Rocks Off Cruise (Tickets)

7/15 - Dwarves @ Knitting Factory (Tickets)

7/16 - Dwarves @ The Studio at Webster Hall (where Andy from L.E.S. Stiches and also the manager at Fontanas will open with his band the Threads) (Tickets)

Yeah, summer in New York City is amazing, especially if you're a gigantic music fan and have no money. Also be sure to check out Radiohead's recent performance of The King of Limbs: Live From The Basement if you haven't already. If there are any other shows we've missed, please let us know in the comments. Until next week...

This Week's Nostalgia (5/16-5/22)

Welcome to the latest feature at Fucking Nostalgic, "This Week's Nostalgia," wherein we outline shows we're excited about for the week ahead in the New York City area. All of the shows featured here and loads more can be found on the right of of this page in "Upcoming Nostalgia." Click on any of those shows and you will be brought to an external website to purchase tickets for the event.

Last week brought us some great shows from Yo La Tengo and Echo & The Bunnymen. We will have our coverage of the Echo & The Bunnymen show from Saturday up shortly (with a full set of photos), but for now let's see what's in store for us this week...

Urge Overkill @ the Bowery Ballroom - Tuesday, May 17th

You may best remember Urge Overkill as the band that plays "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" in that scene from Pulp Fiction when Uma Thurman accidentally snorts heroin and passes out in a pool of her own blood and vomit (see left). Or, you may remember them as that band who was really popular in the '90s and subsequently got involved with drugs and were eventually dropped by their record label. However, the band is back and plays the Bowery Ballroom on Tuesday, so let's forget all that negativity and immerse ourselves in the sweet joy that is Urge Overkill. Tickets are still on sale.

Thurston Moore @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - Friday, May 20th

There's no two ways around it. Thurston Moore is an indie music legend. When he's not discussing the importance of punk rock, or collaborating with Yoko Ono, or playing in... um, SONIC YOUTH, Thurston spends his time writing and recording solo albums. His latest, Demolished Thoughts, produced by fellow boyish-looking musician Beck comes out May 24th on Matador Records. If you haven't already checked it out, download the beautiful lead single "Benediction" right over here. Make sure to find yourself at this performance as you never know what fellow NYC musicians might make their way onstage. Tickets are still on sale.

Ad-Rock (DJ Set) @ Webster Hall - Sunday, May 22nd

You won't be seeing the legendary Beastie Boys on tour in support of their latest album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two until Adam Yauch (MCA) is fully treated for cancer (we're all praying for you Adam!). In the meantime, Ad-Rock will be keeping busy with DJ sets like the one he did at MoMA a couple weeks ago. This event is actually an all ages benefit for the Children's Museum of the Arts, with all proceeds going to support increased expansion of the CMA'S free arts programming for children in NYC. Ad-Rock will be DJ'ing and hosting the event, with other performers as well. There is a carnival from 1-5pm and the concert goes from 6-9pm. Great event for a great cause. Tickets are still available and more information can be found here.

Elvis Costello & the Imposters' "The Revolver Tour" @ Beacon Theatre - May 22-24th

I'm not sure which came first; Yo La Tengo's idea to do their own Wheel Spin show based on Elvis Costello's tour in the '80s, or Elvis Costello's idea to revive his Revolver Tour, in which his entire setlist is determined by the spin of a wheel. Well, they're both great ideas so let's not worry about it. Elvis Costello is playing three shows at the Beacon Theatre starting this Sunday, and they're sure to be excellent. Tickets are sold out, but craigslist is hopping. Good Luck!

Doug Gillard (ex-Guided By Voices) @ Southpaw - Sunday, May 22nd

Sunday is pretty packed with nostalgia, and if you want a more intimate performance, this might be the best one for you. Doug Gillard was a part of the Guided By Voices lineup that took over when the "classic lineup" dissolved. You may best know Gillard's contributions to the band in the form of one of my favorite GBV songs, "I Am A Tree." But Gillard's solo work does not dissapoint. I caught him open for Guided By Voices on New Year's Eve (where the photo to the left is from) and not only was his set alone a treat, he and his band closed out with "I Am A Tree" featuring none other than GBV frontman Robert Pollard on vocals. It doesn't appear that tickets for this show can be purchased online, but it is $10 and more info can be found here courtesy of ohmyrockness.

That's it for now. If there are any other shows coming up you're particularly nostalgic about, leave a comment and tell us about it. Cheers!