Watch: Mac McCaughan (Superchunk) Talks About & Performs "Digging For Something" For The A.V. Club

More photos + a review of Superchunk @ House of Vans over here!

Ahh, gotta love The A.V. Club. From A.V. Undercover to their new One Track Mind series, The Onion's entertainment offshoot has provided us nostalgic music fans plenty of opportunities to geek out over their favorite bands' favorite songs.

Such is the case with the latest edition of One Track Mind, where they set down with frontman Mac McCaughan of the excellent Superchunk to get the backstory behind "Digging For Something," a standout cut off of the band's latest album Majesty Shredding. And since it's kind of a tease to talk about the song and not play it, Mac follows up the story with an acoustic rendition.

Check out both the interview and the performance combined below, and check out the full performance over here. Definitely a treat and a cool series to keep an eye on.

Listen to Superchunk cover The Misfits

Via Superchunk.com:

Happy Halloween everyone! An omelet of disease awaits your noontime meal! In the tradition of doing something we did last year, we’ve got another Misfits cover for you. We recorded it with John Plymale at Overdub Lane. Everyone sings! So it’s festive. Here you go, “Where Eagles Dare.”

Listen to the song over here. We saw the band play this song with Keith Morris on vocals over the summer. It was awesome. Enjoy!

Merge Reissuing Superchunk's "Foolish" In September

It's only Wednesday and it's already been a great week for reissues! Hot on the heels of yesterday's announcement that Jagjaguwar will be reissuing the first three Dinosaur Jr. albums in October, the good people of Merge Records have announced that THEY'LL be reissuing Superchunk's 1994 classic Foolish. This whole year has felt like one big reissues arms race, to be honest, but I'm pretty cool with that.

The reissued Foolish will feature new album art, special bonus material, and liner notes by drummer Jon Wurster - which, if they're anything like his hilarious Twitter feed, will be worth the price of admission alone. This marks the fourth Superchunk reissue in the past year, as Merge has re-released No Pocky for Kitty, On The Mouth, and Here's Where The Strings Come In separately and as a specially priced bundle.

Check out the new video for "Learned To Surf" off of their latest release Majesty Shredding below, and read our review of their recent (ridiculously awesome) show with OFF!

Photos: OFF!/Superchunk @ House of Vans

Superchunk @ House of Vans - July 14th, 2011

Though the line was ridiculously long showing up to 25 Franklin Street, the location where Vans and promotors FYF are holding their House of Vans shows this summer, once I made it into the space it was clear that it was large enough to house a shitload of people. The venue remained pretty empty through opener Lumeria's set, a band who are obviously influenced by Superchunk, and who had their share of fans in the crowd. A tight trio for sure, and worth checking out in the future.

But once OFF! took the stage, the band that are responsible for taking hardcore punk back to its roots in the greatest way possible, the place went apeshit. Keith Morris, former Black Flag and Circle Jerks frontman, has the charisma and vocal chops at the ripe age of 55 that every young aspiring punk rock singer could only wish to have an ounce of. Plummeting through songs off their debut album The First Four EPs, the band played "I Don't Belong," "Blast" and Morris' eulogy to his late friend, "Jeffrey Lee Pierce," in addition to many others--most clocking in at under two minutes. The supergroup, also featuring Steven Shane McDonald of Redd Kross, Dimitri Coats of Burning Brides and Mario Rubalcaba of Rocket From The Crypt, are sure as fuck one of the greatest current punk bands to see live, and I personally can't wait to see them again. Luckily at the end of their set, it wouldn't be the last we would see of Keith Morris for the night...

Superchunk took the stage at 9:45pm and opened with what just may be the greatest song Superchunk could have opened with, "Slack Motherfucker." Frontman Mac McCaughan got into his usual maniacal jumping so early on in the song that he even cut his forehead, which prompted a fan to pass a bandage up to the stage for guitarist Jim Wilbur to patch up the cut. It didn't stop them from rocking out though. Superchunk went right into "Digging For Something" off of their latest album Majesty Shredding, an album whose songs have entered the Superchunk canon as gracefully as any of their work in the '90s. The band also tore through favorites "Sunshine State," "New Low," "Crossed Wires" and "Throwing Things" with bassist Laura Ballance pogoing virtually non-stop the entire set. I also find it amusing that drummer Jon Wurster, probably one of the tightest drummers in all of indie rock, never said a word the entire show despite having one of the funniest Twitter feeds I read.

When the house lights came up, leaving the audience in a painfully bright flourescent glow, it seemed as though the crowd were being told to leave the venue. I didn't see a single person move though. After a good five minutes of chanting, the band finally returned to the stage to play "Cursed Mirror" and "Learned to Surf." But the highlight of the night came when McCaughan invited Keith Morris back on stage to sing Black Flag's "Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie," prompting a ridiculously larger moshpit (larger than any other pit throughout the night) and a crowdsurfer whose primary purpose seemed to be kicking the bouncers who were trying to pull him down. Needless to say, the band sounded amazing and the crowd went psycho.

The only thing that could've topped a Black Flag cover at this point was a Misfits cover. And yeah, that's exactly what went down. Covering one of my all time favorite songs by the band, "Where Eagles Dare," McCaughan gave his guitar to roadie while he grabbed the microphone and did his very best Danzig impression, at which point everyone in the front row got crushed against the barrier (not that any of us were complaining, we were all shouting "I AIN'T NO GODDAMN SON OF A BITCH" at the top of our lungs). After Morris left the stage, Superchunk finished with the appropriately titled "Hyper Enough," off of the recently reissued Here's Where The Strings Come In. Though I wish they had played "Precision Auto" and "Mower," it didn't really matter after witnessing one of the greatest encores I've ever seen. Cheers to Superchunk, for being one of the greatest live bands you'll ever see.

Below, check out photos of OFF! and Superchunk, as well as Superchunk's setlist. Also watch a video of the band performing "Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie" with Keith Morris on vocals and then "Where Eagles Dare"--apparently shot from directly inside the moshpit...

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...

Superchunk headlining free show on July 14th

The summer concert season is really starting to get pretty full. As a part of the Vans House Parties, presented by FYF, indie-rock veterans Superchunk will headline a free show at 25 Franklin Street in Brooklyn on Thursday, July 14th. All you have to do is RSVP at the Vans website and show up to get your face rocked off. Opening the show is OFF!, who also open for Dinosaur Jr. on June 23rd (tickets for that show are still available), and contain members of Circle Jerks, Black Flag and Rocket From The Crypt. And surprise… they’re awesome too. Enjoy!

Check out the new Superchunk video on Pitchfork TV

One of my favorite bands to see live, Superchunk, have released a new video for their song "Crossed Wires" off their 2010 Merge Records release, Majesty Shredding. You can watch it above or at Pitchfork TV. It features a stabby, pukey and driving cat. Yep.

Superchunk also have a reissue of Here's Where the Strings Come In that will hit stores tomorrow for Record Store Day. Be sure to check out Fucking Nostalgic's Record Store Day picks!

Superchunk to reissue Here’s Where the Strings Come In for Record Store Day

Influential indie band (and Merge Records masterminds) Superchunk will be reissuing their 1995 studio album Here’s Where the Strings Come In for this year’s Record Store Day (4/16). The album, which has apparently been out of print forever, will be available on 180-gram vinyl (with mp3 download of course) and has been remastered from the original reel tapes. Also on the release will be acoustic demos from the album’s sessions in addition to a live performance from at 2003 Superchunk show at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC. You can read more about it here. I caught Superchunk live back in September, and it was one of the more memorable shows I had been to last year, so a live recording of them is certainly a treat.

Nostalgic will be listing this year’s most nostalgic Record Store Day releases and events (there’s a lot) in preparation for this Saturday. Be sure to check back for that.