Between Love and Like

Lifter Puller Catalog to Be Re-Released, Includes Live Tracks and New Compliation, Slips Backwards

2009-11-13T16:51:00.004-05:00

Prior to coming to Brooklyn and starting up The Hold Steady, frontman Craig Finn and lead guitarist Tad Kubler were in a band together called Lifter Puller. What's interesting about LP is that you can definitely hear, in both sound and lyric, the beginnings of what become THS lurking in that noisy punk sound. (And have Craig Finn and Tad Kubler aged at all in the last 20 years? They look exactly the same. Kudos to good genetics I guess.)

LP broke up in 2000 and as of 2006, all their records were out of print, but that all changes next month...It was announced yesterday that their catalog will be available digitally for the first time on 12/1, along with a new collection of odds and ends titled Slips Backwards. Sans their self-titled debut, the rest of the re-releases will contain extras in the form of various live tracks culled from a 1998 7th St. Entry show in Minneapolis, a 2000 gig at the Black Cat in DC, and 2003 reunion shows at Triple Rock in Seattle.

A book titled "Lifter Puller vs The End Of" will follow, containing photos, lyrics, and an oral history of the band.

Lifter Puller Releases (all out 12/1)
New:
-Slips Backwards (New-contains two live recordings from D.C.’s Black Cat in 2000 – one of the band’s final shows)

Tracklist:
1. Secret Santa Cruz
2. Back In Blackbeard
3. Math Is Money
4. 4 Dix
5. La Quereria
6. 11th Ave Freezout
7. The Langelos
8. Mick's Tape
9. The Pirate And The Penpal
10. The Mezzanine Gyp
11. Star Wars Hips
12. Slips Backwards
13. Nassau Coliseum
14. Prescription Sunglasses
15. Emperor
16. Secret Santa Cruz (Live From The Black Cat 2000)
17. Math Is Money (Live From The Black Cat 2000)

Re-Releases:

-Lifter Puller

-Half Dead And Dynamite: Deluxe reissue, includes live bonus tracks from 1998 7th St. Entry performance in Minneapolis

-Entertainment And Arts: Deluxe reissue, includes live bonus tracks from 1998 7th St. Entry performance in Minneapolis

-Fiestas and Fiascos: Deluxe reissue of Frenchkiss 2000 debut and last studio album. Contains six live cuts from the band’s reunion shows at Seattle’s Triple Rock, June 2003)

Give a Listen: To Live and Die in LBI-Lifter Puller (from Half Dead And Dynamite deluxe reissue)

Seen Your Video: "Sweet Soul Music" by Springsteen & the E Street Band (MSG, 11/8/09)

2009-11-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

During Bruce Springsteen's latest round of E Street Band shows, he's been playing many of his records start to finish. His was the last show played at Giants Stadium last month where they did all of Born to Run, and at the MSG show this past Saturday, they played all of The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle..

In the middle of last week, Springsteen announced he was playing The River straight though, with limited commercial interruptions at Sunday's MSG show. A double record, The River has some of the most incredible and jaw dropping rock songs Springsteen has ever recorded, ones that truly make you feel alive. As you can imagine, everyone I know that attended the show said it was something completely magical and amazing.

Somewhere towards the end of the show, Springsteen apparently saw someone with a sign that said "Sweet Soul Music," the old Arthur Conley song, and one the E Street Band hadn't played in some time. No matter, Springsteen took a notion and decided that they should give it a whirl anyway. That's the beauty of a Springsteen show, even in an arena the size of Texas, the man can still put on a show that makes you feel like you're seeing him in your basement amidst 40 people. That's also the beauty of Bruce and the E Street Band because even yelling out chord changes and with no rehearsal, an impromptu song like this by them sounds better than tons of other bands who'd rehearsed it a million times.

Seen Your Video: Dismemberment Plan's "The Ice of Boston"

2009-11-10T12:24:00.005-05:00

Washington, DC has been home to some interesting bands of note: Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Henry Rollins, Fugazi. Jonathan Fire*Eater was located in NYC but everyone in it was from DC. Then there was this band called The Dismemberment Plan. They broke up right around the time I got a DC address so while I'd heard the name, I never heard their sound.

Recently, I met someone with ties to the band so I gave TDP a listen and...wow. If Stephen Malkmus fronted and wrote songs for Fugazi, I think it would sound a little like TDP. And given that my ears have just stopped hearing nothing but Pavement, TDP was a nice find.

TDP regrouped in 2007 for a two-night-only benefit at The Black Cat. I understand that they were known for wild stage shows and massive amounts of energy, and this video from that show seems to capture some of that. But you can just tell it only scratches the surface and they were a band you most definitely had to see live.

Give a Listen: Ice of Boston-The Dismemberment Plan
(buy The Dismemberment Plan is Terrified)

Bad Lieutenant's Never Cry Another Tear Drops Today, Announce Chicago and NYC Dates

2009-11-10T10:56:00.006-05:00

It can never be said that ex-Joy Division and New Order member Bernard Sumner ever stops moving forward (in fact, I think the British version of the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" game may be called "Six Degrees of Bernard Sumner"). You may recall that when Joy Division ended because of Ian Curtis' suicide, Sumner, drummer Stephen Morris, and bass player Peter Hook went on to form the 80s synth that was New Order. Along the way, New Order picked up guitarist/keyboardist Phil Cunningham, who was in the Britpop group, Marion. Jake Evens, from Rambo and Leroy, filled in on guitar for Marion for a few dates, and then Rambo and Leroy picked up the opening slot for a bunch of New Order shows after that. Hook eventually left New Order, Sumner then dissolved the band, and he and Cunningham hooked up with Evans to form Bad Lieutenant. (Whew!) Says Sumner, ""There is some continuity to the music I've made in the past. But this is very different - because different people are playing on it. This is just how I now want to make music - it feels right to me and I hope at least a few other people feel the same."

The debut record from Bad Lieutenant, Never Cry Another Tear, dropped today, and includes guest appearances by Morris and Blur bassist Alex James. The band announced four U.S. shows in support of Never Cry, two headlining shows in Chicago and NYC ( joined by Stephen Morris), and two as openers for The Pixies. New Order and Joy Division tracks will be played during the live shows I'm told, so stock up on your eyeliner and practice those goth pouts!

Give a Listen: Dynamo-Bad Lieutenant
(Buy Never Cry Another Tear)

Bad Lieutenant U.S. Tour Dates

Nov. 18: Park West, Chicago, IL (headlining)
Nov. 19: Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL (opening for The Pixies)
Nov. 21: Webster Hall, NYC (headlining)
Nov. 23: Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC (opening for The Pixies)

!!!/LCD Soundsystem Drummer Jerry Fuchs Dies in Tragic Accident

2009-11-09T13:14:00.003-05:00

The NY Post reported today that Jerry Fuchs, drummer for !!! and LCD Soundsystem died early this morning from a five-story fall in an elevator shaft.

Sources said Fuchs, 34, was in the freight elevator with another male guest when it stopped three or four feet above the fifth floor. He and the man opened the door and attempted to jump out.

The other man landed safely, but Fuchs' clothing caught on the elevator as he was jumping, yanking him back into a space under it.

Fuchs' roommate, Alex Frankel, 27, said the drummer had called pals minutes before he fell to tell them he was stuck in the elevator.

"We found him in the elevator shaft," a distraught Frankel said. "He was no longer able to speak." Fuchs died at Bellevue Hospital at 3:30 a.m.

The musician's mom, Joy, said, "He touched lives. His gift for music touched many lives."

The Georgia-born drummer had been attending a benefit for The Uniform Project, designed to help the children of India's slums.

Fuchs is the second !!! drummer to meet a tragic end. In 2005, Mikel Gius was mowed down as he rode his bike in Sacramento.

Come on Pilgrim! The Pixies Give Away Four Live Tracks for Free

2009-11-09T10:09:00.007-05:00

The Pixies and their classic Doolittle was a seminal record in my music dork trajectory, so it was super cool to hear they were going out on the road to play the thing in full for its 20th anniversary. (DC dates are 11/30 and 12/1 at DAR.)

Now lots of folks are going out now and playing their records in full (why Springsteen just did The River in full last night at MSG), but the Pixies are taking it just a step further and selling the live shows.

The Pixies will once again be recording their live shows! Available starting on the Oakland leg of the tour, you can head to the web address below to order your CD set, a download of the show, or even a 2GB USB bracelet. For now the site will ship purchases to you, but starting in New York you will be able to pick items up after the show. Pixies site

What an innovative idea. I mean, most everyone enjoys a recording of a show they attended and loved, and it makes a little cash for the artist, so win/win yes? Something else unique about this is that there are options in which to receive your show, digital download or cd, which gets shipped to your residence. The cd "is high quality, individually numbered, collectible CD set (double disc) featuring the entire live performance. The Doolittle track listing is printed on each full color, UV coated DigiPak, along with the "Flying P" logo. There will only be 1000 of these CD sets ever made for each show." Not bad for only $23.50, especially as you know the quality will be soundboard, not the muffled attempts of some guy with a microphone under his jacket.

As well, they're selling 2GB USB Wristbands that contain four tracks from the Doolittle Live tour in Europe, and five bonus videos with a cool "dashboard" interface. Purchase of one also gets you $5 off the purchase price of a digital download of any Doolittle Live US Tour show. How's that for thinking outside the box to generate revenue? Now if the rest of the record companies would follow this lead...

(You can check out list of live cd's and wristbands here.)

Want to know if you'll la la love it in advance? They've blessed me to share with you four tracks from their recent show in Paris for your listening pleasure. I'm amazed baby, and you'll be too.

Pixies Live! 20th Anniversary of Doolittle Sampler
Crackity Jones
Dancing the Mantra Ray
Monkey Gone to Heaven
Gouge Away
Zip

Pixies 2009 Fall U.S. Tour Dates:
NOV 9, 10: Fox Theater, Oakland, CA
NOV 12, 13: Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA
NOV 14: Hult Center, Eugene, OR
NOV 16, 17: Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, CO
NOV 19, 20, 21: Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL
NOV 23, 24, 25, 26 (special 1:00 AM show): Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC
NOV 27, 28: Wang Theatre, Boston, MA
NOV 30, DEC 1: DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, DC

Rumored Springsteen Autobiography Deal Could Fetch $10M Advance

2009-11-04T11:57:00.002-05:00

From today's NY Post:

The Boss is going to find out if he was Born to Write. Bruce Springsteen is said to be quietly working on his autobiography. Publishing insiders are already panting for the book -- even though there is no manuscript yet. "It could be the biggest rock music autobiography of all time," said one insider at a major publisher, who did not want to be named. "He could get $9 million to $10 million for the world rights."

Springsteen has already been the subject of a few bios written by his unofficial historian, David Marsh, who is married to Springsteen's co-manager Barbara Carr. It could not be learned if Marsh will be involved in this book. "Springsteen is a better writer than Marsh," said our source. Springsteen is, however, said to be interested in hiring a researcher to assist him.

If there is a bidding war for the book, insiders expect it to eclipse the $8 million advance scored by Rolling Stone Keith Richards from Little Brown or the $4 million advance that Broadway Books paid Eric Clapton. The Boss, who recently turned 60, has kept voluminous journals throughout his career. They will serve as the basis for the book.

TVTOTR's Kyp Malone Guest DJ's NPR's "All Songs Considered," Appreciates Kermit the Frog

2009-11-03T11:35:00.003-05:00

TV on the Radio guitarist Kyp Malone was a guest DJ recently for NPR's 'All Songs Considered. He talked about his new project, Rain Machine and played some interesting favorites including Kermit the Frog's "Rainbow Connection." The podcast is available for download here.

Weezer Releases Official Weezer-Logoed Snuggie. Purchase Includes Copy of "Raditude" and One's Dignity

2009-11-03T11:10:00.004-05:00

Rivers Cuomo loves his Snuggie, and wants you to share in that love. Weezer announced today that it has released an official Weezer Snuggie. Yes, that is the 'blanket with sleeves' one sees for sale on late-night infomercials, but this Weezer-logoed one is complete with a free copy of the group's new release, Raditude! It's not clear whether or not this Weezer Snuggie is the 'Wild Side' leopard-print one favored by Cuomo, but really, your dignity is already out the window the moment you don one, so does color really matter at that point? :)

Alternative rock band Weezer and Allstar Products Group, marketer and distributor of the Snuggie, America's favorite "blanket with sleeves," have joined forces to create the official Weezer Snuggie. It will be launched today and will bear the band's trademark "Weezer" logo. This latest addition to the Snuggie collection will allow fans of the band to stay warm while keeping their hands free to rock out. And rock out they will; fans who purchase a Weezer Snuggie blanket will also receive a copy of the band's brand-new album, Raditude, as a bonus gift.

The Weezer Snuggie will be available for $29.99 for purchase online. It arrives around the same day as the band's latest album, Raditude. This new offering sees the band trying a brand-new approach, choosing to collaborate with a wide variety of musicians, songwriters and producers. The result of this collaborative effort is a collection of songs that amplifies Weezer's musical trademarks- deep-digging pop hooks and raucous rock riffs- while at the same time breaking new ground for the band. Raditude features appearances by Lil' Wayne, Jermaine Dupri and even a host of traditional Indian musicians.

From the subtly ironic but club-worthy "Can't Stop Partying," to the gleefully lascivious classic arena-rocker "The Girl Got Hot," to the sleek electro groove of "I'm Your Daddy," to the slow-building, anthemic "Love is the Answer" and the clanking, Motown-flavored "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To," Raditude, like Weezer, is full of thrilling surprises. As lead singer Rivers Cuomo says, "It sounds like a roomful of people having a great time."

The Snuggie blanket was featured at New York Fall Fashion Week in September, where models graced the catwalk in some of the latest Snuggie designs, such Snuggie Wild Side in zebra and leopard print, Snuggie Soft Rose for breast cancer awareness and limited edition Snuggadelic Snuggie in funky tie-dye print.

The Snuggie blanket is more than a fun idea, impulse buy or kitschy TV ad; it is a truly innovative and ultimately functional product. It's made of lightweight, soft fleece that keeps people of all ages warm indoors and out, with large, roomy sleeves allowing for free movement. It answers a basic need shared by many - staying warm and comfortable while having hands free to do what you please - channel surf, snack, read a book... or crank up the volume on your favorite Weezer song.

Off to New Orleans for the 2009 Voodoo Experience Festival!

2009-10-29T10:52:00.004-04:00

Things will be quiet here at BL&L for the next couple of days as we're leaving today for New Orleans to cover the 2009 Voodoo Experience Festival. This will mark my first time going to NOLA so I'm over the moon excited. I'm also shooting the Fest-which will make me the only sober person there (heh). Given the vast amount of great acts performing (Flaming Lips, Silversun Pickups, Drive-By Truckers, Mates of State, The Pogues, The Meat Puppets, tons of local acts), plus the amazing scenery that is just NOLA itself, I may come back with a sprained right index finger from all the shutter-clicking, but it's so going to be worth it. If only for the photos of KISS on Halloween!

Some tickets are still available (here). And if you go, come help us break the Guinness World Record for "The Largest Gathering of Zombies!"

Lineup includes:
KISS / EMINEM / JANE'S ADDICTION/ WIDESPREAD PANIC / LENNY KRAVITZ/ THE FLAMING LIPS / JUSTICE (DJ SET) / GOGOL BORDELLO / WOLFMOTHER/ THE BLACK KEYS / THE POGUES / WEEN / SILVERSUN PICKUPS/ JANELLE MONAE / THE COOL KIDS / MEAT PUPPETS / MUTEMATH / Q-TIP / FISCHERSPOONER / BRAND NEW / D12 / AMERICAN BANG / GENERATIONALS / EARL GREYHOUND / SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS / BLACK LIPS / DOWN / MATES OF STATE / ALL TIME LOW / ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND / the knux / george clinton and parliament funkadelic / jj grey & mofro / Alejandro Escovedo / sarah quintana / shooter jennings / drive-by truckers / eric church / ledisi / irvin mayfield / New Orleans bingo! show / rebirth brass band / leroy jones / trombone shorty and orleans ave / Big Sam's Funky Nation / Benjy Davis Project / Papa Grows Funk / marchfourth marching band / dj soul sister / rotary downs / andrew duhon and the lonesome crows / amanda shaw / cyril neville's blues revue with tab benoit, big chief monk boudreaux and johnny sansone / beausoleil / leo jackson and the melody clouds / john mooney and bluesiana / quintron and missy pussycat / fleur de tease / suplecs / little freddie king / preservation hall-stars with special guests / the happy talk band / lil brian & the Zydeco Travelers / why are we building such a big ship? / ratty scurvics / mynameisjohnmichael / loose marbles / luke winslow-king / dan dyer / Sam & Ruby / walter "wolfman" washington and the roadmaster with dirty horns / new orleans klezmer all-stars / glasgow / mas mamones / zydepunks / the white bitch / Kristin diable / New orleans jazz vipers / the vettes / lucy's walk / erick baker / tbc brass band / bones / mc trachiotomy / from legends to nancy / brother taisuke mass choir / r. scully rough 7 / katey red & dj papa, big freddia, sissy nobby / davis rogan / and more

A little history on the Fest:

The Voodoo Music Festival was first held on 30 October 1999 at Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park. Planned and executed by Steve Rehage, CEO of Rehage Entertainment, the festival consisted of three stages and many local and national acts.

The Voodoo Festival started with very humble beginnings in 1999 as a one day music festival in Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans with an attendance of about 8,000 people, the headlining artist was Wyclef Jean and The Fugees. The following year expanded to 2 days and drew attention with a performance by Eminem, whose fame had exploded just before the festival, this brought Voodoo to the attention of music fans from around the world. In 2006, Voodoo separated the show into 3 distinct areas (Le Ritual, Le Flambeau and Le Carnival) on six stages. Each area was designed to showcase uniquely different sides of the personality of the festival and New Orleans. “Le Flambeau” features music and sounds consistent with the hometown style of The Big Easy. “Le Ritual” features more mainstream music we’re all familiar with, and finally “Le Carnival” features indie bands, burlesque, and circus acts. In 2007, The festival expanded to 3 days and broke all previous attendance records with an estimate 100,000+ fans.

U2s Rose Bowl Show Available in Full on Youtube

2009-10-28T15:43:00.002-04:00

135_U2 with Muse, FedEx Field, Upper Marlboro, MD (9-29-09), originally uploaded by BetweenLoveandLike.

U2 played the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA a few days ago to 96,000 people....and another 7 million computers across the globe. The Irish Times said that this was the first time a major international act had streamed an entire show on a site like Youtube.

The show is still being streamed on U2's Youtube channel (here). The quality is stunning and you should definitely check it out, if only to see their incredible stage setup. See if you can get a glimpse of the people doing lights who are lodged in the arms of that claw thing...

Six Degrees of Separation: Bono and...The Airborne Toxic Event?

2009-10-28T14:55:00.003-04:00

Weird...

Awhile back, I posted about how I'd been hearing The Airborne Toxic Event songs in the strangest places: Buick commercials, over the din in a loud Starbucks....

Today, I was doing some digging around for some recent footage to add to a quick post on U2's 25th anniversary release of The Unforgettable Fire and came across a snippet of an interview with Bono on French tv. And what did I hear in it? Yup, you got it.

Weird. But also pretty damn cool.

Cymbals Eat Guitars Playing Free Brooklyn Show Friday, Want to Share Halloween With You

2009-10-27T12:59:00.006-04:00

Indie darlings Cymbals Eat Guitars announced today they're all about Brooklyn-love this Halloween weekend before jaunting off to Europe with The Flaming Lips and Wilco. The band will play a free instore show at Sound Fix Records on Friday in Williamsburg, and joining up with Mystery Roar and Teletexile on Saturday for Mystery Roar's Monster Mash 2009. Costumes and prizes and free beer, oh my!

10/29 - Sound Fix Free Instore performance (6 PM)
Sound Fix Records
44 Berry Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

10/31- Halloween Party With Myster Roar & Teletextile
1:00 AMish: Mystery Roar
12:00 AMish Cymbals Eat Guitars
11:00 PMish: Teletextile

$10 - Includes Free Beer
14 Steuben Street
Brooklyn, NY

Riverboat Gamblers' Guitarist Ian Mcdougall Hit by a Car, Sustains Major Injuries

2009-10-23T15:40:00.008-04:00

Austin's awesome Riverboat Gamblers were an amazing find at last year's SXSW. Fueled with an incredible punk rock spirit, they're a band that would make even Johnny Rotten's trademark scowl turn upside down.

Sadly, one of their guitarists, Ian Mcdougall, had a pretty serious accident last Saturday, when a car hit him on his bike. He sustained some rather serious injuries and is now in recovery. As is the case with hospital stays these days, Mcdougall's bills are astronomical so the band set up a PayPal account for donations. Get well soon Ian!

Hello all,

It’s definitely been a trying few days. On the night of Saturday October 17th, while riding his bike home, a car hit Ian Mcdougall, guitarist of our band Riverboat Gamblers. He sustained some pretty heavy injuries including a broken hip, a broken wrist and hemmoraging under the skull along with many lacerations, torn ligaments, bruises and and scrapes.

He was rushed by ambulance to Brackenridge hospital in Austin and stayed in the ICU for 2 days before being moved into his own room where he is undergoing physical therapy while awaiting the results on X-rays and MRIs as well as a deluge of other various tests.

That being said, the prognosis is better than we had first thought. We are happy that he is going to be ok and that he is alive and with us. Unfortunately, not only is he in for a long recovery and is in a lot of pain, but he will be celebrating his birthday in bed with hospital food.

On another unfortunate note, there are a pile of bills currently gaining a Mt. Everest-like summit from all his hospital expenses. We set up a PayPal account for our band mate and friend to try and help him get on top of the debt and focus on his recovery. His PayPal account email is ian.gambler @ gmail.com. Anything you can afford to give will be greatly appreciated by Ian and his family. Thank you all for your support and we wish Ian the speediest of recoveries. (Source)

Smokey Robinson Confirmed at Keynote Speaker for SXSW Music 2010

2009-10-22T16:05:00.005-04:00

Smokey Robinson has been confirmed as this year's keynote speaker for the Music portion of SXSW 2010.

The incomparable poet of soul music, Smokey Robinson has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the 2010 South by Southwest Music Conference, taking
place at the Austin Convention Center Thursday, March 18. As Motown celebrates
its 50th anniversary, Robinson, one the label's primary songwriters and first
hit-makers with the Miracles, marks closer to six decades singing professionally. The former VP of Hitsville USA recently released his latest batch of smooth romanticism, Time Flies When You're Having Fun, on his own Robso label and couldn't believe how 50 years felt like "three weeks ago" when the Chronicle caught up with him backstage this summer in Fort Worth: "I grew up in the hood in Detroit, [and being a singer] was my impossible dream. I never thought it would ever come true. I never thought I'd be doing this for my livelihood. Actually, when I was [young], I thought I was going to be a cowboy. That didn't go well. There were no horses in the neighborhood where I could hone my skills [laughs]." (SXSW.com)

Hold Steady Frontman Co-Writing Screenplay Adaptation for Chuck Klosterman's Fargo Rock City

2009-10-22T15:37:00.007-04:00

Given The Hold Steady's tour schedule, I gotta wonder, does lead singer Craig Finn ever sleep? The Hollywood Reporter blog reported today that Finn and Tom Ruprecht, writer for David Letterman, are teaming up to take Chuck Klosterman's memoir Fargo Rock City to the big screen. Finn and Ruprecht are currently at work on the screenplay and Klosterman will join them as producers once the film gets to that point.

The project is in the early writing stages currently, and upon completion, the team said they will begin shopping it around to obtain studio and third-party financing. Given the names associated with it though, it probably has a good shot. At the very least, the soundtrack should be pretty cool.

And $10 says they name the girl-character that Klosterman first dances with is named "Holly."

Sex, late-night and rock ’n’ roll?

Tom Ruprecht, a longtime writer on CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman,” and Craig Finn, frontman of the popular rock band the Hold Steady, are teaming to write and produce the coming-of-age comedy “Fargo Rock City.” The duo has acquired rights to the 2001 memoir of the same name by music scribe Chuck Klosterman, who will join the pair in producing.

Klosterman’s book tells of growing up in North Dakota as one of the few fans of heavy metal, and his experiences using music to transcend high school nerddom. The 1980s-set screenplay will revolve around a group of high school seniors facing graduation as they try to find success with women and generally break out of their geeky cocoons.

“Seventeen or eighteen is the perfect age for characters in a movie like this, because it’s at that age that you have drivers licenses and a certain amount of independence, but you’re still young enough that you can totally make terrible decisions,” Finn told us. “And you’re still young enough that you can have a two-hour argument over whether Motley Crue would beat Guns ‘N Roses in a fight.”

The pic will concentrate on particular portions of the book, including a chapter in which a faulty ATM dispenses excessive amounts of money to Klosterman, which both Finn and Ruprecht say they see as metaphors of the gilded age and easy credit of both the 1980’s and the past few years.

While music is an important theme in the memoir, it won’t be featured quite as prominently as it is in Klosterman’s writing. “Heavy metal is kind of a common bond among a group of friends,” Ruprecht said. “It’s the language they speak. But this will also be a universal story of dorky kids trying to be cool.”

Ruprecht and Finn are working on the first draft of the script, with the group planning to seek financing from studio and third-party entities when they’re done.

Ruprecht, repped by 3 Arts Entertainment, has written for Letterman for more than a decade and is the author of a faux oral history of George W. Bush; he’s also contributed to the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and McSweeney’s, though we’ll try not to hold that last one against him.

Finn sings and plays guitar for the Hold Steady, the Brooklyn rock band that has earned a devoted following thanks to its high-energy shows. He writes many of the act’s songs, which contain sharply etched characters and stories dealing with themes ranging from religion and the perils of being a teenager (the latter of which, like Klosterman, he draws from his childhood in the Midwest).

Klosterman is a music writer for publications such as the New York Times Magazine and Esquire. (Another book, “Killing Yourself to Live,” his nonfiction account of visiting the graves of dead rock stars, is being developed as a feature by indie banner Half Shell Entertainment.)

Musicians penning movies that aren’t about music is a fraught proposition. Most singers turn to acting, and even then, it’s with spotty results. (Yes, you, Dave Matthews). But Finn has the storytelling chops and, it seems, the dedication to make a go of it.

In Honor of Tonight's Gaslight Anthem Show @ the 930...

2009-10-22T11:43:00.006-04:00

Gaslight Anthem is at the 930 tonight for the first time, I believe, and if what I hear is true, the live show that these NJ natives put on will blow DC's ears and minds with their rad rock sounds.

Lead singer Brian Fallon's voice and delivery have often been compared to NJ's more famous son. That sort of gravel-strewn bellow works for rock songs but not always on those that require a little softer touch; it definitely takes technique and style to let the tenderness come through in voices like those. Bruce does it beautifully and here, covering Leonard Cohen's epic "Hallelujah," Fallon proves he shares more with Bruce than hailing from the land of refinery towers.

(Gaslight Anthem's 930 Club show is sold out tonight. The rest of the dates for this leg of their '59 Sound tour can be seen here.)

Seen Your Video: Airborne Toxic Event Covers "People Who Died" (with Henry Clay People and Red Cortez)

2009-10-22T10:18:00.004-04:00

I saw the awesomeness that was the "East LA Rock n Roll Revue" with The Airborne Toxic Event, The Henry Clay People, Red Cortez twice last week, once here in DC and back home in upstate NY (the latter show also included the beautiful and ethereal harmonies of The Parson Red Heads, the main reason I wanted to see the show). But the job-that-pays-the-bills exploded with deadlines upon my return so I am a bit behind with posting the reviews/photos. I did, however, want to share one of the shining moments of the DC show, which was when Airborne's lead singer, Mikel Jollett, brought both his opening bands back out during Airborne's set for a rousing rendition of Jim Carroll's "People Who Died." Carroll, who died back in September, was the male embodiment (to me anyway) of the poetry and grit that was New York's Lower East Side in the 70s, and I'm always thrilled when he's given recognition. "People Who Died" is a great song normally, and Jollett, obviously a Carroll fan, does it serious justice.

Show Review: Cymbals Eat Guitars @ BU Central, Boston, MA (10/17/09)

2009-10-20T15:32:00.013-04:00

by Dave "Scout" Tafoya

If you had given me the Cymbals Eat Guitars record after their show last Saturday at Boston University Central, I probably would have laughed and said you'd made some sort of mistake. Don't take offense just yet, their record Why Are There Mountains is a heavily produced, oft serenely languorous, oft slackerish and crunchy rock record that strikes a near-perfect balance between its disparate elements. The show that I and a few dozen others saw on Saturday, however, was quite a bit different from that. Throwing their dynamics almost entirely to the wind, the Staten Island band came out screaming and left in a hale of distortion. It was all fury and dizzying guitar athletics, and I know I wasn't the only one who was blown out of the front row. Rock this intense requires a break.

Perhaps it was my proximity to the band but I simply wasn't prepared for the sheer volume and energy from a band whose debut was so calmly assured. Singer Joseph D'Agostino told me beforehand that this was effectively their 'melting faces' tour. They were making a short stint around the country to hook fans in little venues like BU Central (a pool hall and game room when not hosting bands) before embarking on a more serious headlining tour that will start with their impending trip to Europe; hittin' em hard and low, as it were. Their all-out aural attack was quite a surprise. D'Agostino roared like a lion for most of the show, turning songs like "...And the Hazy Sea" from psych-gaze into a song Dinosaur Jr. might have written in their heyday; blistering yet lackadaisical. D'Agostino's guitar playing, incidentally, is absolutely stunning; he has the chops of James Iha and the inventiveness of Jonny Greenwood or Will Sergeant. His shredding and screaming were the two definitive features of that night's show. And powerful though they were (he was like a one-man metal band), they did occasionally undercut the brilliance of his songwriting, drawing the audience away from the little things that make Why Are There Mountains such a powerhouse. Take for example "Wind Phoenix." On the record, it's a playful and slightly noisy Pavement-esque track with skipping guitar lines and an overall pleasing feel; live the song became their raucous, solo-laden closer, the one meant to keep the ringing in your ears long after you've gone home.

After getting used to the volume I started to focus on the rest of the band. The volume was, of course, helped by Matt Miller's assured drumming and together with new bassist Matt Whipple, they make quite an impressive rhythm section. Whipple's fingers were almost as taxed as D'Agostinos, constantly running Specials-style ska riffs, and Whipple and Miller did a most excellent job supplying the fast-and-furious changes in volume and speed to keep up with D'Agostino's ear-splitting charge. Each band member had his own personality on stage and it's both awe-inspiring and more than a little overwhelming. With everyone essentially playing lead even as they anchor the song, the group projects enough energy and ferocity to power an entire town (D'Agostino doesn't call himself Joseph Ferocious, for nothing, I guess). But it can be hard to keep up with them. I had to take myself away from the PA and hang back for a bit to avoid hearing loss and whiplash. Consider my face melted.

(CEGs is currently on tour and heading to Europe in November. Tour dates can be seen here)

2009-10-19T13:39:00.005-04:00

Mates of State is one of those bands that have been around awhile and you can't help but be thrilled they endure because they're just so damn good.

This past April, Mates of State released Re-Arranged: Remixes Volume 1 on limited-edition 12" vinyl. Featuring four interpretations of tracks from Mates of State's latest full-length, Re-arrange Us, it included contributions from noted remixologists DJ Sega, Flosstradamus, The Mae Shi and RAC. Packaged in a classic DJ white sleeve, the 12" EP was limited to 1000 copies worldwide.

But, for folks who prefer the digital to the analog, we're excited to announce that Mates of State’s Re-Arranged: Remixes Vol. 1 is now available digitally at fine digital retailers everywhere. This digital version features a bonus track remixed by Amp Live and not available on the 12" physical edition.

Re-arranged: Remixes Volume 1 Track List
01 You Are Free (The Mae Shi remix)
02 The Re-Arranger (Flosstradamus remix)
03 Now (RAC remix)
04 Help Help (DJ Sega Philly Club remix)
05 The Re-Arranger (Amp Live remix)

The Mae Shi are this interesting and well, "different" young LA band that we saw last year. Their sound is decidedly less indie pop than Mates of State but they've made this remix into something super fun. At the very least, it will make you want to get up and dance around.

Give a Listen: You Are Free (The Mae Shi Remix)-Mates of State

(Mates of State are playing this year's Voodoo Experience Festival and should not be missed.)

Preview Notes on the Lucero Show @ 930 Club (10-15-09)

2009-10-16T15:35:00.005-04:00

I'm catching a flight home in a few hours to catch a ultra rare appearance on the other coast by The Parson Red Heads. With Red Cortez, The Henry Clay People, and The Airborne Toxic at Northern Lights in Clifton Park, NY. Short of being at Spaceland in LA a few years ago, I'm pleasantly shocked that I'm getting to see a lineup like that.

But I wanted to just drop a note and say...the 500+ photos and review of the Red Cortez, The Henry Clay People, and The Airborne Toxic's DC stop should be up this weekend, as will the photos/review from last night's Lucero show at the 930. A few quick notes on the latter:

-Ben's Nichols voice is pretty ragged out. I thought it might have been due to a cold or something but I found out after that they'd been practicing like 6-8 hours a day for like a week prior to the tour to get the horns up to speed. And Nichols, "who doesn't take care of himself anyway" (says Brian Venable), shot his voice. Anyone seeing them this show, seeing them earlier than later might be better.

-Nichols was drinking water (I know, shocking) but there was whiskey shots being brought up around all sides of me that he was drinking.

-Stand in the back of whatever venue you go to see them in order to hear the horns the best. I commented to their steel pedal player Todd Beene after about how hard it was to hear the horns where I was up front and he said, 'Yeah, the horns were put through the mains so the sound carries. If you're up front, it's not as much." He said he had a hard time hearing them in his monitor, and he was right in front of them.

-FYI: horns were worked into their older tracks and boy, are they niiiiice. They aren't onstage for the entire show though.

Oh and speaking of Lucero, if you're in Baltimore, MD tonight, be sure to catch The Revival Tour 2009 at Sonar. Lucero's buddy Chuck Ragan and the awesome Jim Ward are among the large group of performers.

The Whigs Set Release for Third Record,"In the Dark," Announce Fall 2009 Tour Dates

2009-10-15T14:36:00.007-04:00

I've had a special spot for anything out of Athens, GA for years now. It's got a soul and a kitch and heart that rocks with a unusual sense of style that I've long found fascinating. I'm sure you already know how cool its music scene is, and have heard more than a few of the various types of great music that various great bands have brought out from its 117 square miles over the years.

One of its more recent exports, The Whigs, blew the doors and the eardrums off of 2008 with their incredibly powerful and intense second release, Mission Control. They then spent the next 18 months blowing the eyes and eardrums off of everyone who saw them live. Drummer Julian Dorio is so amazing to watch, he's kind of like skydiving, you definitely have to experience it just once.

Well, drummers, lay down your sticks because Dorio is reentering the building. The Whigs are heading back out on the road next week in support of their third album, In the Dark, which is out in late February/early March 2010. The headlining tour covers 29 cities in seven weeks and The Features, The Dead Trees and Mean Creek will open.

Give a Listen: In the Dark-The Whigs

The Whigs Fall 2009 Tour
October 28th Middle East (Downstairs) Boston, Massachusetts
October 29th Funk & Waffles Syracuse, New York
October 30th Mohawk Buffalo, New York
October 31st Musica Akron, Ohio
November 2nd Mad Hatter Cincinnati, Ohio
November 3rd Newport Music Hall Columbus, Ohio
November 4th Birdy's Indianapolis, Indiana
November 5th Cannery Nashville, Tennessee
November 6th Bottom Lounge Chicago, Illinois
November 7th Triple Rock Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 10th Bluebird Theater Denver, Colorado
November 13th Media Club Vancouver, British Columbia
November 14th Tractor Tavern Seattle, Washington
November 15th Doug Fir Lounge Portland, Oregon
November 17th The Independent San Francisco, California
November 18th Detroit Bar Costa Mesa, California
November 19th The Troubadour Los Angeles, California
November 20th Beauty Bar Las Vegas, Nevada
November 21st Soma (sidestage) San Diego, California
December 1st Emo's Austin, Texas
December 2nd The Loft Dallas, Texas
December 4th The Variety Playhouse Atlanta, Georgia
December 5th Rhythm & Brews Chattanooga, Tennessee
December 8th Visulite Charlotte, North Carolina
December 10th Black Cat Washington, DC, Washington DC
December 11th The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza New York, New York
December 12th North Star Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 14th Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
December 15th Pour House Charleston, South Carolina

With The Features (from October 28th - December 15th)
With The Dead Trees (from October 28th - November 21st)
With Mean Creek (October 28th and December 5th - 15th)

Chris Taylor/Arthur Russell 7-inch Released, First in Terrible Records Series

2009-10-15T11:55:00.007-04:00

Chris Taylor (Grizzly Bear) and Ethan Silverman (Lust Boys)'s Terrible Records released the first of the label's 7-inch series yesterday with the Chris Taylor/Arthur Russell pairing of "CANT"/"Come to Life" that we mentioned awhile back.

CANT is the title of Taylor's first solo release, "Ghosts," and is coupled with a previously unreleased song recorded by Arthur Russell in the late '70's, called "Come To Life" (courtesy of Audika Records).

CANT is the first in a series of 7-inches recorded at Terrible Studios. The series will continue with songs produced by Taylor, recorded at his church-studio in Brooklyn where Taylor produced much of the latest Grizzly Bear record, Veckatimist. The CANT 7-inch release is limited to 1000 copies.

The next release for Terrible will be the Taylor-produced 5-song, 10" EP from NY group Acrylics on October 28th, entitled All of the Fire.

CANT can be purchased here.

Give a Listen: Ghosts-Chris Taylor

Terrible Records will be hosting a CMJ showcase at Pianos in NYC next Friday (10/23). Taylor and Silverman will be djing between sets.

Pavment to Kick Off Consecutive Reunion Tour Dates in Australia; Onsale This Friday

2009-10-14T16:05:00.003-04:00

In true fashion up to this point, Pavement announced the first eight dates of their world reunion tour today, which will kick off next year in 2010. And the onsale for the Australian segment is oh, this Friday, 10/23 (9:00 AM Australia time), a mere five months in advance.

Does anyone else think they're just trying to drive everyone insane by dribbling the tour dates out like this?

Pavement will launch their highly anticipated reunion tour on March 1, 2010 in Auckland, New Zealand and then continue on to Australia. All shows except Golden Plains go on sale at 9:00 AM local time on Friday, October 23. This is the only time the tour will stop in the two countries.

NEW ZEALAND 2010:
AUCKLAND: Monday 1 March - Auckland Town Hall

AUSTRALIA 2010:
-SYDNEY: Thursday 4 March - Enmore Theatre
-VICTORIA: Saturday 6 March - Golden Plains -Info
-ADELAIDE: Sunday 7 March - Thebarton Theatre
-PERTH: Monday 8 March - Metro City
-BRISBANE: Wednesday 10 March - The Tivoli
-MELBOURNE: Friday 12 March - The Palace

Earotica: The Life and Times of Rosa Lee-The Library Review

2009-10-14T11:07:00.005-04:00

One of my absolutely favorite bands from the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC, area during grad school was The Mayflies USA. Catchy songwriting and shiny guitar sounds of the Brit-pop variety with a smidgen of Big Star overflowed within this four-some, and it was a sad day for all of us when their operations ceased.

Mayflies guitarist/co-vocalist Matt Long moved to Brooklyn to help co-found Sound Foundation, a "music resource for advertising, an industry-guide for multi-level creative searches, and a sound studio for the moving picture," and started up a new band, The Library. The group, consisting of Jason Caperton (The Comas), Blake Courlang (Seamonsters), and lap pedal steel player Jeremy Burnworth, just released their debut EP, The Life & Times of Rosa Lee, on iTunes/Amazon.

While the Mayflies sound had the heavy drum/cymbal beat and fuzzy ringing Liverpudlian-guitars that spoke to their two-fold love of mid-60s Mersey Beat bands and Alex Chilton, The Library tangents off from the softer aspects of those two with keyboards and quiet guitars guiding the way. Long takes on lead singer duties with The Library, and his higher vocal range pairs nicely with the ethereal dream-state sound that runs throughout Rosa Lee's seven tracks; a deeper voice would have bruised their delicate skin. Along with the mournful melancholy of Burnworth's pedal steel and guest musician Carla Capretto's [Jesse Malin, Travis Pickle] piano and keyboards, these tracks are turned into what could almost be indie hymns for a Sunday morning.

Give a Listen: Nothing to Lose-The Library

(The Library is playing NYC's Bowery Electric on 10/20 and The Living Room on 11/19.)