Photos/Video/Review: 4Knots Music Festival @ South Street Seaport (Hospitality, The Drums, Archers of Loaf)

Archers of Loaf

New York City Firemen

4Knots Music Festival @ South Street Seaport - July 14, 2012

Photos/Video: Chloe Lee / Review: Geanna B.

The port! The port! The port was on fire! ... apparently. While I'm pretty sure I missed all of the action and excitement on that front, by the time I arrived downtown, the multi-alarm fire was the talk of 4Knots, causing Hospitality to cut its set short, with a bit of a delay later in getting the Crocodiles on stage.

After melting only slightly in the breezy heat, the Crocodiles got the show going again, kicking everyone into gear with their brand of noisy, distorted pop. The duo-turned-quintet from San Diego played an excellent set, chock full of fuzzy guitar riffs, droning vocals, and gritty, angsty lyrics.

Next on stage: The Drums. I started listening to this band at the urgent suggestion/demanding of Mr. James MacFie this past fall, and have pounced on every opportunity to see them live since. This kind of upbeat, surf pop still keeps a bouncy edge throughout every song, and it's always fun to watch lead singer Jonathan Pierce glide and twitch along the stage. It's true, there are heavy hints of The Smiths and New Order and even sometimes Joy Division, but the catchy sound and hum-worthy melodies cannot be argued against. Playing through "Best Friend," "Money," and "Days," the band closed with one of their earliest singles, "Let's Go Surfing," a kind of wistfully glee ode to summer, a perfect tune for a day by the water.

And finally, the main event. After The Drums skipped off the stage to eat ice cream sundaes, the majority of the crowd filed out, needing to replace their American Apparel tanks and tees that had been soiled by sweat and light beer. That gave us plenty of room to move up for Archers of Loaf, the quintessential 90's alt-rock band, complete with muscle tees and trucker hats to boot. It was an interesting change of pace to go from skinny-hipster-reverb to burly-man-guitar-anthems, but this is New York, and that's how we roll. Those who remained in the crowd were die hard fans, singing along with every note, and sometimes shouting out a very enthusiastic, "loooooaf!" The sound seemed to shake the entire Pier, giving us one driving, unforgiving song after another. Fuckin A.

Oh, NYC. Just when I think I can't love you any more, you give me an amazing free summertime show. I just want to hug the shit out of you. Forever.

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Check out photos Chloe shot for us of Hospitality, The Drums and Archers of Loaf below, and also a video she got of Hospitality performing a brand spanking new song...

Watch the crazy (NSFW) Erykah Badu/Flaming Lips video that REALLY pissed off Erykah Badu

In case you haven't heard by now, Erykah Badu collaborated with the Flaming Lips on a song/video recently, and she's not too happy with the results. Personally, I think both the song and video are fucking awesome, but I guess Wayne Coyne didn't get Badu's approval before posting it (she her sister Nayrok is all naked and glittery and bloody and, um... something elsey) and now she's really pissed. Read her entire statement (directed solely at Wayne Coyne) below the jump.

I generally avoid Perez Hilton, but it appears to be the only place that is actually still hosting the video. So watch it now below, before it gets taken down (and it most definitely will get taken down). What do you think?

Watch: The Stone Roses surprise show last night in the UK

The recently reunited Stone Roses held a free surprise performance last night at Warrington Parr Hall. As expected, NME's head exploded. Check out the set list and a short video below...

Watch: EULA's new music video "Honor Killer"

We love EULA. And you should too.

Watch: Afghan Whigs w/ Questlove on Jimmy Fallon

Afghan Whigs will perform at Bowery Ballroom tonight (their first show in thirteen years). Good luck getting in.

Review: Radiohead @ Philips Arena - Atlanta, GA (+ Hear A New Track From Their Dallas Show)

Radiohead @ Philips Arena - Atlanta, GA: March 1, 2012

By: Jeffrey K.

Hey, remember that time back in the summer of 2001 when we showed up to Stone Mountain 8 hours before the Radiohead show with the intention of spending the day hiking up the "mountain" [read: large mound of granite]? Yeah, we wound up spending the entire day sitting on the blacktop in the 95 degree heat waiting with the other diehard fans hoping to get a choice spot right in front of the stage at the general admission show. I don't think I peed once that entire day. From a distance, I was able to hear them play "Like Spinning Plates" during the soundcheck and I just about lost my mind in excitement (alas, they didn't play it during the show). How about that time we bailed on that super-important Circuits lecture back in college to make it to the amphitheater in time to hang out in the parking lot for 3 hours before the show? How about that last time when we realized we were adults and showed up at 7pm with the reasonable people?

Remember all that? OF COURSE YOU DON'T!!! You're not me! Get your own memories! I bet you have some similar stories though, don't you? I heard on Twitter that there were kids lined up by the Philips Arena entrance as early as 7am.

Fucking Nostalgic Films: The Big Sleep @ The Knitting Factory Brooklyn

The Big Sleep @ The Knitting Factory Brooklyn - February 2, 2012
Video: Nadia Chaudhury and Chris / Photos: Chris

On Thursday night in Williamsburg, The Big Sleep celebrated the release of their very excellent new album Nature Experiments, which was just released on January 31 on Frenchkiss Records (stream it on Spotify). The album is the band's first LP since 2008's Sleep Forever, and is by far the most accessible and catchy material I've heard from them yet. Be sure to preorder the vinyl copy, which will be released by Goodnight Records on February 14.

Thursday's show was somewhat of a warmup to an upcoming tour for the Brooklyn band that begins early in March, which will find them playing down the east coast and eventually heading over to Austin's SXSW Festival (all tour dates below).

Wondering how the show was? Well, Nadia and I had the opportunity to film The Big Sleep for our brand new Fucking Nostalgic Films series, so watch them perform their newest single "Ace" below the jump along with some photos from the show as well!

Photos/Video: Cass McCombs @ Bowery Ballroom

Cass McCombs @ Bowery Ballroom - January 25, 2012

Photos & Video: Chloe Lee

On Wednesday night, the enigmatic Cass McCombs performed a headlining show at Bowery Ballroom, as the singer continues his tour behind last year's two LPs, Wit's End and Humor Risk. Our photographer Chloe Lee was there for us and her photos adorn this post. Here is what L Magazine had to say about the performance:

"But even more than familiar/unfamiliar songwriting, the lure of Cass McCombs’ music is still that slightly dusty, slightly bittersweet, super world-weary croon. His voice was very high in the sound mix. We never saw his face, but his presence in the room was overpowering. And on something as pretty as “County Line,” extended forever, draped over that elegant bass part, it seemed like he could keep cycling through its heartbreaking melody for days. On the right song, you might not even mind if he did." - Jeff Klingman

Cass will continue on with his tour with Frank Fairfield through the beginning of February, and will play a few dates in England in March. Check out the remainder of his tour dates, a set of photos from the night, as well as an exclusive video of Cass McCombs shot by Chloe below...

Photos/Video: Fujiya & Miyagi @ Mercury Lounge

Fujiya & Miyagi @ Mercury Lounge – January 21, 2012
Photos & Video: Chris

Since the year 2000, Fujiya & Miyagi have been gaining more and more notoriety as one of Brighton, England’s finest electronic-based acts, releasing four full length albums and garnering much critical acclaim for their unique blend of krautrock and indie-influenced dance music. Though their most recent album Ventriloquizzing came out a year ago, the band made a return to the US last week to play a string of dates, hitting Glasslands in Brooklyn on Thursday and then a sold-out Mercury Lounge on Saturday.

The band plays Toronto tonight, and will continue to tour the States through the remainder of January (all tour dates below). We made it into the Mercury Lounge show and had a chance to witness the band in all its glory, as they riled up a crowd of 250 patrons at the stroke of midnight. Take a look at some photos we shot during their set in the slideshow below, as well as a short video we filmed from the front of the stage…

Watch: Sigur Rós Performs "Festival" From Live Album / Film "INNI"

Icelandic post-punk titans Sigur Rós have been rocking faces off for over ten years now, and their next project promises to continue that tradition. INNI, a double live album AND film, captures the band's last trip to London's Alexandria Palace, and judging by the first look at their performance of "Festival," is going to be totally fucking epic.

Check it out the live footage below in all of its stylized, film-noir goodness via NPR, and continue waiting impatiently for INNI's release on November 15.

Watch: Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) Performing With Aphex Twin, Steve Reich

Hey, remember that time on Friday when we mentioned that Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood would in Poland this (past) weekend premiering new pieces with Aphex Twin and performing at a tribute to Steve Reich at two different events? Well that did, in fact, happen, and just in case you missed the streams, you can check out videos of Aphex Twin performances below and the Steve Reich one via some dude named Thomosexual. Thanks to Pitchfork for the tip.

We also mentioned in passing that Ed O'Brien kinda already spilled the beans about a 2012 Radiohead tour, but we're seeing a ton of speculation around about whether or not they'll play here in NYC while they're here to make SNL infinitely more interesting. Stay tuned.

Watch: The Making of Grandaddy's The Sophtware Slump

As we mentioned last month, the now defunct indie band Grandaddy have recently reissued their extremely well-regarded album The Sophtware Slump. Last night, former frontman Jason Lytle posted the above video on his Facebook page with the following message:

"As long as the current subject at hand is the reissuing of the Sophtware Slump.....there is this little promo movie we made. Silly shit....yes, but there are a few pretty funny moments, and some OK memories put to tape."

The deluxe edition of The Sophtware Swamp was released on Monday and can be purchased here in the US on iTunes. Below, listen to some tracks on Jason Lytle's Soundcloud page...

Check Out Seven New Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs From Live Shows

I still don't get this album art, though.

About a month ago, I succumbed to some nagging curiosity and checked out the first single from SoCal funk rock stalwarts Red Hot Chili Peppers' upcoming album I'm With You, "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie." And, in a rare twist for any FN article that has the words "Technically Nostalgic" in the title, I actually kinda liked it!

Well now we have the chance to go even deeper down that rabbit hole thanks to our friends at Consequence of Sound, who have compiled live footage from recent RHCP shows in which they've showed off SEVEN new tracks from I'm With You in advance of its August 30 release, including the aforementioned single about Rain Dance Maggie and her surely wacky Adventures. Since the album itself is 14 tracks long, this is a good opportunity to preview half of it and see if you're up for the full ride.

Check the videos out below and let us know what you think!

Watch: Beastie Boys "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" (feat. Santigold)

The Beastie Boys Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win ft. Santigold from Beastie Boys

Speaking of videos of artists covering the Beastie Boys, here's an actual video by the Beastie Boys, directed by longtime collaborator Spike Jonze (a.k.a. the guy who made one of my favorite films of all time). "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" is off of the recently released, and excellent, Hot Sauce Committee Pt. II and features singer/songwriter Santigold, who I remember when she was Santogold. How fucking nostalgic....

Enjoy!

Photos/Review: Ted Leo & the Pharmacists @ South Street Seaport

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists @ South Street Seaport - July 9th, 2011
Review: James MacFie; Photos: Chris; Video: Josh Kesner;

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists put on a free show this past Saturday (a kickoff for the Village Voice's 4Knots Festival next Saturday) at the South Street Seaport to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their first album, The Tyranny of Distance. Ted Leo awesomely decided to invite New Brunswick basement punk/metal ninjas the Screaming Females. And both bands decided to destroy the surrounding area with a viscous carpet bombing of rock.

The Screaming Females took to the stage at approximately 6:30pm and began pounding out tight, controlled punk nuggets for the gawking tourists to dip in delicious Polynesian or barbecue sauce (depending on their preference). After several songs the Females revealed their true form when they started serving up slogging heavy Sabbath riffs and wailing hot Maiden solos. I must say, the Screaming Females skew in a much heavier metal direction live then they do on record. Heavy like a herd of dinosaurs shooting lightning bolts at your ears. And that is no complaint. Each song in their set got chunkier, crazier, and more technical. This power trio, with J Dougherty on drums, King Mike on bass and Marissa Paternoster on the mic and guitar, were a well oiled machine of rocking that absolutely destroyed for their entire set. Jodi Foster once said, “They should have sent a poet.” I say, “They should have charged us money.” I almost feel guilty seeing a band that good for free. For reals.

Now we come to the man of the hour, Mr. Ted Leo and his 10th anniversary blowout for Tyranny. Before discussing the musical aspects of the show, a couple things are worth noting:

Thing #1: The concept of a show celebrating the anniversary of an album is not a unique one these days. Over the last 5 years especially, every band and their mother (yes, even GWAR's mother) have rereleased/toured-behind/generally whored-out an album from their past. Most of it is a money grab based on our generation's jones for nostalgia (he says in the article on Fucking Nostalgic) and our somewhat geriatric belief that things were better back in “the Good Old Days.” So Ted Leo is also celebrating an old album but... for... free? Hmmm...

Thing #2: He helped SET UP THE EQUIPMENT FOR HIMSELF. Even the most jaded greasy hipster cannot resist a man of this caliber. Ted Leo would find your broken body in the street next to your fixed speed bike and nurse you back to help in his own living room. And when the hellish demons of a horrible nether-realm tore a hole in reality and began to destroy the Earth... Ted Leo would stand up and save us all with his guitar (somehow). I'm just saying, Leo is a dude who cares. About music. About his fans. About the safety of the Earth (I assume).

So that is what the audience feels before the Pharmacists even plug in... just some good ass vibes prescribed by Dr. Ted Leo (PhD. In Biomusicology). Finally the big man and his pill-pushers take the stage. Ted says hello, acknowledges the ten years the band has been playing, then tells us they will warm up before the Tyranny run-through. Well this was the kind of “warm up” you wished every band would start with, a screaming run through of six or seven of the Pharmacists best songs played with passion and energy. But this was merely the appetizer... Ted pulled a punk rock wardrobe change (removing one of his 2 shirts), took a deep breath, and began strumming the opening to "Biomusiciology."  Then came the others: "Parallel or Together?," "Under the Hedge," "Dial Up," "TIMOROUS ME"... etc. And they were playing it...but was the band enjoying it? Obviously the crowd was. This was a chance to hear some awesome songs that probably don’t make regular appearances on Pharmacists playlists. TL and Co. were putting their all into it, speeding through the first half of the album with barely a mis-step. It seemed like they couldn't help but put an extra Mach 1 or 2 into these tracks and you got the distinct impression that that is why these songs are not normal fixtures in a set. After 10 years, The Tyranny of Distance is still one of my favorite Pharmacists albums but it's an old Lincoln while The Brutalist Bricks is a Porsche. TL for better (and certainly not worse) just keeps getting a little quicker each year and that informed this play through of the album.

After a short break, the band tore apart the second half of the album like Jaws biting Robert Shaw in half... musically. The highlight was the solo/breakdown portion of St. John the Divine where it seemed like the band would never allow themselves to stop and Leo did jumping windmills with the rigging of ships behind him backlit by the setting sun. The band finished up with an encore of choice selections then bid the crowd a good night. And as you walked away (or stood there half dumbstruck), you thought to yourself that not only was that the best free thing you have seen in a long time, it was just one of the best things. Period.

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Below, check out a full set of photos of Ted Leo & the Pharmacists (my photos of Screaming Females unfortunately came out incredibly shitty), and also a video shot by Josh Kesner, which compiles a few of Ted Leo's songs from throughout the night...

Watch: Radiohead - The King of Limbs: Live From The Basement

Stereogum may have gotten these videos posted first, but Fucking Nostalgic caught the greatest screen shot in Radiohead history. Below, enjoy Radiohead's The King of Limbs: Live From The Basement, which was supposed to air on July 1st here in the US on Palladia, but for whatever reason never did. It will however air on Palladia on July 23rd.

Though they play the album out of order, they do play it in its entirety, in addition to new songs, "The Daily Mail" and "Staircase." And fuck if this version of "Give Up the Ghost" isn't a thing of absolute beauty. Again, props to Stereogum, and enjoy the show...

Watch: "Weird Al" Yankovic being fucking hilarious

Watch: Sloan cover Gary Numan’s “Cars”

Sloan covers "Cars" by Gary Numan

The latest entry in the A.V. Club’s Undercover Series, in which bands perform cover songs in a very tiny room, finds Canadian band Sloan covering the song “Cars” by one Gary Numan. When I saw the Dead Milkmen back in April they also did a cover of “Cars” and I must say that it will be hard to find a rendition that tops it, though this is still pretty good.

As mentioned in This Week’s Nostalgia, Sloan plays the Bowery Ballroom tomorrow (6/29) and stop by Brooklyn to play the Knitting Factory on Thursday (6/30). Tickets are still available for both.

Watch: New Radiohead song, "Staircase"

Taken from the band’s “From The Basement” episode which airs next Friday, July 1st.

Watch: Mission of Burma performing "Einstein's Day"

This past Memorial Day weekend, I got to see and photograph Mission of Burma in Portland, Maine. It was an unforgettable experience. During the one song that I could actually contain myself from moving around too much, I whipped out my Canon point-and-shoot camera and shot the band performing an incredible version of "Einstein's Day" off of their album Vs. Of course, I'm an idiot and left my camera in the car that my brother and I borrowed from our parents, so I didn't get to post this video with the original photos and review. But anyway, the performance is pretty amazing, and now you have the chance to see for yourself above.