This Week's Nostalgia (7/18-7/24)

That sure as hell was a busy week for us. In case you missed it, we posted photos & reviews of shows from Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Cibo Matto, Superchunk & OFF! and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Shit was crazy. As summer in New York City usually is. So now let's dive in and see what's in store for us this week...

Cibo Matto @ Bowery Ballroom
Monday, July 18th

More here.

As mentioned, we caught the recently reunited Cibo Matto at Brooklyn Bowl last week, and I can say without hesitation that they are really fucking great if you missed that show. Or, if you just can't get enough of Miho Hatori's cuteness, then go buy a ticket and see them again. Sean Lennon showed up to sing "Moonchild" with the band, and who knows, he just may do it again. But Lennon or not, the band plays a seriously good show, one that will have you dancing and laughing the entire time. Ghosts Of A Saber Tooth Tiger open. Know your chicken!

Levon Helm Band / Emmylou Harris @ Central Park SummerStage
Monday, July 18th

If you were ever a fan of the Band (and you should be), then you've probably seen The Last Waltz, and you probably know how awesome Levon Helm is. Well, he's still touring, still playing intimate shows in his basement in Woodstock, and still sounds amazing. I caught Emmylou Harris play with Elvis Costello at Central Park SummerStage around six years ago, and though I wasn't blown away or anything, it should still be fun seeing both her and Levon play on a summer evening in the park. Let's hope it doesn't rain. Tickets are still on sale.

They Might Be Giants @ Apple SoHo Store
Wednesday, July 20th

The Brooklyn-based duo must feel some sort of obligation to play free shows for their New York City fans. We were already super excited for their free show at the Williamsburg Waterfront on 7/29, but this past week They Might Be Giants announced they would be playing another free show at the Apple SoHo Store. The band is touring in support of their fifteenth studio album, Join Us, which drops on Tuesday, July 19th. Though the band will be playing on Wednesday, if you want to make it into this show you need to pick up an admission wristband on Tuesday, July 19th. Though no time is listed on the Apple SoHo website as to when exactly you need to pick up the wristband, I know that in the past it's been at 10am. Please let us know if you receive any other information on this. And enjoy!

Death From Above 1979 @ Williamsburg Waterfront
Friday, July 22nd

The Canadian dance-punk duo Death From Above 1979 caused quite a stir at SXSW this year after playing a surprise appearance at the festival, and subsequently causing a riot that involved cops on horses. Shit. Let's hope that doesn't happen again at the Williamsburg Waterfront on Friday because it's a big wide open space that's extremely susceptible to tear gas bombs. I kid (sort of). The band is on a triumphant reunion tour and is sure to make all the kids in Brooklyn go crazy at this outdoor show. Tickets are still available. Rock it.

The Feelies @ Prospect Park Bandshell
Saturday, July 23rd

The Feelies, as far as I remember, have played a good amount of NYC-area shows this year, and no one is complaining. But if you haven't been able to catch them live yet, well now's your chance to do so for FREE. The Prospect Park Bandshell is a great place to see live outdoor music, and with Real Estate and Times New Viking opening the show, it should make for a pretty chill evening of indie rock. Gates are at 6pm, so if you wanna make it in, I suggest you head straight there after work. Show starts at 7pm. Have fun my minions.

Black Francis (a.k.a. Frank Black) @ Le Poisson Rouge
Sunday, July 24th

I rag on the Pixies for not producing any new material despite having reunited seven(!) years ago, but I can't really fault Frank Black as the man has released countless solo albums since the early '90s. And most of them are really fucking great. Though I've seen the Pixies live at least four times, I've never caught Frank Black solo, and even though now I have the chance to do so, I still can't make it. What's my problem? I don't know. But this show should be really great, full band or not, so if you're in the area, definitely make it down to Le Poisson Rouge for this. Tickets are still available (for some reason), and you should grab one ASAP since it's a pretty small place. Give Frank my regards...

Notable mentions:
Thursday, 7/21 - An Evening w/ the Monkees @ Coney Island (FREE)
Sunday, 7/24 - The Swirlies @ Beekman Beer Garden (FREE)

That's all I got for you this week. If there are any shows you feel we missed out on, please let us know in the comments section below. Have a good week!

This Week's Nostalgia (6/27-7/3)

Ah, what a crazy week. To recap: we announced that Mission of Burma will be playing a free show at the new Beekman Beer Garden on August 7th, the Descendents are playing Roseland Ballroom on September 23rd, Radiohead released a new song and played a surprise set at Glastonbury, Nirvana announced a 20th anniversary reissue of Nevermind, Thurston Moore and Bob Mould stopped by Jimmy Fallon, and Dinosaur Jr. played an amazing show at Terminal 5. Shit.

We're checking out the Archers of Loaf show at Webster Hall tonight and will have a review and full set of photos up tomorrow. Moving on, let's take a look at what's in store for us this week:

Matt & Kim @ Terminal 5
Wednesday, June 29th

I first saw Matt & Kim at the Lollapalooza festival in 2007, playing to a pretty full crowd at like 1pm. Since then, they've become one of the bigger "indie" acts out there, who are about to go on tour with Blink-182 (wow, really?). If you're into two really smiley people playing silly synth-driven dance-punk, then they should be right up your alley. Tickets are so very sold out, but I'm sure you can pickup a pair on craigslist from some guy who was just dumped by the girl he was going to take as his date. Punk band the Thermals open.

Sloan @ Bowery Ballroom / Knitting Factory
Wednesday, June 29th / Thursday, June 30th

Sloan, the Canadian band whose lineup has not changed since forming in 1991, have long struggled to become as big in the US as they have in their home country. Pitchfork recently gave their latest album, The Double Cross, an 8.1--a feat most bands this day and age only dream of. You have two chances to catch the band, on Wednesday at Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan, and Thursday at the Knitting Factory in Williamsburg. Tickets are still on sale for both.

The Feelies @ Maxwell's
Friday, July 1st / Saturday, July 2nd / Sunday, July 3rd

When I think of Hoboken music venue Maxwell's, I think of two things: Yo La Tengo, and the Feelies. The latter will be playing my favorite venue outside of New York City three nights in a row, still celebrating the release of their first album since reuniting in 2008, Here Before, which came out in March 2011. As usual with the Feelies (and shows at Maxwell's), you can expect special guests and surprises, and there's still tickets for Sunday's show (Friday & Saturday are both sold out). Definitely a great way to spend your Fourth of July weekend, so don't miss out on your chance to see this classic underground band.

The (English) Beat @ Irving Plaza
Saturday, July 2nd

I've written before about my waning interest in ska, but if there's one band whose records still stand the test of time, it's the English Beat. Dave Wakeling, who has recently dubbed himself "the King of Ska," still tours regularly with his band and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Last time I caught the Beat was around 1999 or so, and even back then it seemed pretty amazing to still see them live. Saturday's show at Irving Plaza should be no exception. Tickets are still available. Make sure to say hi to Dave, as from everything I've heard, he's one of the nicest guys out there.

Fucking Nostalgic Presents: A Fucking Nostalgic Saturday Night Out! @ Motor City
Saturday, July 2nd

We here at Fucking Nostalgic are very proud to present our first party in the Lower East Side of Manhattan at Motor City Bar (which will be the first of many events). If you're into drinking on Saturday nights in dive bars and hearing great music blasting on the sound system, than this is the party for you. I will be spinning vinyl along with DJ Boozy Jo and Fucking Nostalgic contributor Dana Distortion, who made the event happen. Expect loads of old school punk, garage rock, psychedelia, new wave, no wave, noise rock, indie, and everything awesome. We'll also have some free stuff to take home with you, so be sure to come down this Fourth of July weekend to party your face off. Motor City is located at 127 Ludlow Street and admission is 100% free. Can't wait to see you there.

Notable mentions: Radiohead will be performing their latest album the King of Limbs on Friday, July 1st on Palladia here in the US, though according to Radiohead fan site At Ease, no air time has been confirmed. We'll be sure to keep you updated on that one. And if it tickles your fancy the same night, my band the Barrens will be celebrating the release of our self-titled debut album at Cameo Bar in Williamsburg.

If there are any shows you feel we failed to mention, please let us know about it in the comments section below. Until next week...