Health: "Heaven"

Metallic keyboard melodies and building drums help keep this skier in serious hang-time thanks to Health. The imagery is suited perfectly with their bombastic sound, keeping it simple and powerful. "Heaven" is the first official video taken from Health's self-titled album. The L.A. based quartet are also playing loads of shows in the new year--including an opening spot for Autolux at the El Rey on Feb. 1st.

All of this footage was taken from the 1974 Werner Hertzog documentary "The Great Ecstasy of the Woodcarver Steiner". That's a band name waiting to happen.

The Setting Suns

The first release from the Setting Suns, featuring Adam Franklin (Swervedriver/Toshack Highway) and Sam Fogarino (Interpol), is out now. For those digital savvy fans waiting for the Swervies reunion tour next year you can download the EP via their iTunes-only format. While many side-projects are loosely thrown together Franklin and Fogarino have made a gem of a debut that is on par with some of the strongest music released this year.

The sound has a very 90's vibe, check out "Don't Go To Dream State", reminiscent of Mercury Rev while adding a plethora of guitar dynmics and horns. Franklin does the singing and Fogarino co-writes the tunes and pounds the skins. The collaboration turns out to be pretty damn good. One can only hope that the Setting Suns can keep the flame burning for a full-length.


1. Cold War Kids
2. Yesterday’s Flowers
3. The Way Love Used to be
4. Don’t go to Dream State
5. Cold War Kids (Get Claudius)
6. Cold War Kids (Cole Porter Kids)


Photo: Christy Bush

My Bloody Valentine to release digital follow-up a la Radiohead

Billboard nailed some exclusive news about MBV's next move. The plan is to release their next album on the internet and give fans a physical format later. MBV will not be offering the 'pay whatever you feel like' scenario either. London-based manager Vinita Joshi explains, "At the moment, all I can say is that Kevin is getting the band back together and they will go into the studio next month to work on the new record. The plan is that they will release the album themselves via the Internet, but there will also probably be a vinyl release."

As for the ever-rumored Coachella appearance Joshi goes on to deny any plans that the band are even entertaining the idea. Bummer. If you live in London, Glasgow, or Manchester tickets are still available for the recently added shows HERE.

For all you A.D.D. kids out there here's the video for the epic "You Made Me Realize":

Holy douchebags!

Unbelieveable, or not surprised? Read on from Billboard.com:

"Members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers have sued Showtime Networks and others over the new television show called "Californication," the same name used by the band for their Grammy-nominated 1999 album. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court today (Nov. 19), sets out claims under federal trademark law and state unfair competition law. The complaint alleges that the composition entitled "Californication" and the album achieved "extraordinary critical and commercial recognition."

"Band members want the show to stop using the name and to turn over any profits made by using it."

Has anyone else seen this show? If not cancel your HBO and order Showtime immediately. The episodes, acting and dialogue are fantastic. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are not fantastic.

UPDATE!
Music fans all over California are suing the RHCP for completely sucking and making horrible records.

More Coachella 2008 fakeness and speculation

First off, this is a joke and not an official Coachella lineup, Stereogum posted the flyer earlier this morning. Second, why would bands like Louis XIV and Airborne Toxic Event get billed higher than Love is All? And last, I'd be pretty stoked to see Serj Tankian performing a duet with Belinda Butcher on "Only Shallow". Just saying.

MBV add 4 more gigs

Just hours after the confirmation that MBV will be playing reunion shows next year drummer Colm O' Ciosoig shows up to Film School's amazing set last night at the Echoplex. It wasn't so shocking actually, he played some drums on their latest banger Hideout and apparently lives in the area. It was a nice coincidence that wrapped up a day of amazing music news. And seriously, what other band could make you completely forget about whatever Radiohead is up to?

Yesterday the quartet announced three gigs in the UK, their first tour since that "farewell" gig at the Palace in Los Angeles (1992). And would you believe those shows are already sold-out? So four more sets were added to the same venues.

Schedule:
6/20: London, England - The Roundhouse (Sold-Out)
6/21: London, England - The Roundhouse
6/22: London, England - The Roundhouse
6/28: Manchester, England - Apollo (Sold-Out)
6/29: Manchester, England - Apollo
7/2: Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowland (Sold-Out)
7/3: Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowland

I hear this guy is a little too familiar with the Roundhouse:

Night School = Film School

These guys.

Echoplex.

w/ Eulogies + Division Day.

Doors @ 8pm...supposedly, wouldn't count on it...more like 9:17pm.

Be there.

Like I was saying...

Duuuuuude. ATP has announced the first batch of My Bloody Valentine reunion gigs next summer. Also, I'm ready for a new PR photo from these guys. Here are the dates and info for all you lucky UK bastards:

Tickets go on-sale this Friday, November 16th. Tickets for all shows will be available at www.seetickets.com and venue box offices.

London - The Roundhouse
A: Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8EH
T: 0870 389 1846
W: www.roundhouse.org.uk
£25 + booking fee

Manchester Apollo
A: Stockport Road Manchester, Lancashire, Manchester, M12 6AP
T: 0870 401 8000
W: www.carling.com/music/venue/manchester_apollo.html
£22.50 + booking fee

Glasgow Barrowland
A: Barrowland Ballroom, 244 Gallowgate, Glasgow, G4 OTS
T: 0141 552 4601
W: www.glasgow-barrowland.com
£22.50 + booking fee

Schedule:

Friday 20th June – London – The Roundhouse
Saturday 28th June – Manchester - Apollo
Wednesday 2nd July – Glasgow - Barrowland

Here's Part 4 of the Kevin Shields interview via VBS:

Part 3 of 4: VBS interviews Kevin Shields (MBV)

"Burning Peacocks":

Part 2 of 4: VBS interviews Kevin Shields (MBV)

After viewing the first installment yesterday Kevin seems very happy and eager to answer questions in this VBS segment than in any interview I've ever seen him in. However, I have some issues with the lackluster attitude of the interviewer. Does he actually look interested? Did he even rehearse his lines? Why not bring along a notepad with questions? Anyhoo, here's part 2 from today:

Ta-DOW!




There's a sweet MBV cover that Chromewaves posted today. It's one of the last songs they ever released (on the Island Records compilation Peace Together). Kind of reminds me of a futuristic ballroom dance.

Download: "We Have All the Time in the World (Louis Armstrong cover)"

Miki, Radiohead, Film School, and more internet awesomeness

Miki Berenyi (Lush) comes from out of nowhere, London actually, in this interview with Under the Radar magazine. Read the whole shebang HERE.

Radiohead cover the Smiths in this recent video from their bombardment of live webcasts. Is there anything this band can't do?



Film School will play the Echoplex this Thursday night in L.A. with local faves Eulogies and the mighty Division Day. Eric Green will be in attendance shooting some live footage for the highly-anticipated Beautiful Noise documentary. Check out the already impressive stats HERE.

I played Guitar Hero 3 for the first time this weekend at Arthur's pad. I'm almost as good as this dude. Amazing:

1 Guy Beats Hardest Guitar Hero Level - Watch more free videos

Part 1 of 4: VBS interviews Kevin Shields (MBV)

Ta-dah!

POLVO reunite for All Tomorrow's Parties! I just changed my underwear.

Here's the deal. If either Slowdive or Ride reunite in the next month I will (1) Piss my pants, again. (2) Write a 500 word preview on how great Britney Spears is; defending her parenting, music, and overall behavior. (3) Go on a melba toast and spinach soup diet for 30 days. This shit is getting serious people.

Many, many years ago I stood in the back of the fledging venue known as Spaceland while one of my favorite bands Polvo delivered their final L.A. show. This was the mid 90's and a very sad moment for one of indie/alternative rock's most ground-breaking bands. Pitchfork just did a little news slice on the newly reunited Polvo. They are scheduled to appear at the Explosions in the Sky-curated All Tomorrow's Parties festival along with Broken Social Scene, Trail of Dead, Animal Collective, Dinosaur Jr., Four Tet, Ola Podria, Eluvium, Lazarus, A Hawk and a Hacksaw, the Paper Chase, Iron and Wine, and Adem.

Unless they do Coachella I will probably be flying out for this.

Coachella and Stagecoach announce 2008 festival dates, I announce that The Jealous Girlfriends fucking rule.

I saw it here first, but it just so happens that Coachella has officially announced next year's 2008 festival dates and a preliminary Stagecoach lineup taking place the following weekend. The "it's so freakin' hot out here" 3-day festival takes place April 25-27 at the usual spot in Indio, California. According to Billboard.com they will start announcing bands early next year. But why wait when you can build your own rumored imaginary list?

Dozens of bloggers will be compiling their own lineups in the next few months to build hype, get more hits, and, realistically, crush your dreams once the real list is confirmed. I'll do the honors:

Three Imaginary Days:

The Verve, My Bloody Valentine, Portishead, __________, ___________, Devo, B-52's, Jay-Z, Smashing Pumpkins, Polvo, Franz Ferdinand, Doves, Primal Scream, Broken Social Scene, AIR, Ween, Death Cab For Cutie, Underworld, Feist, The Chemical Brothers, Paul Oakenfold, Ian Brown, Swervedriver, The Breeders, Super Furry Animals, Sufjan Stevens, The National, Deerhoof, Supergrass, ...Trail of Dead, Liars, Wolf Parade, The Shins, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, Art Brut, Animal Collective, The Hold Steady, Celebration, Les Savy Fav, The Go! Team, Panda Bear, Stereolab, Autolux, Black Lips, Stars, British Sea Power, Mogwai, Muscles, The Field, Sea Wolf, Annuals, Man Man, Ulrich Schnauss, Prefuse 73, Saul Williams, UNKLE, No Age, Dan Deacon, Yeasayer, The Little Ones, Dntel, The Magic Numbers, Asobi Seksu and more!

If you're like me and you've already been trying to book a hotel for the past 24 hours then good luck. The rates have gone up over 300% (math skillz) a night at most small hotels, I'm talking about the shitty places like Motel 6 and Best Western. Expect higher than ever rates at all locations. But when you think about who may actually be playing this year how does one put a price on the probability of seeing great bands like The Verve, Portishead, and My Bloody Valentine? None of these bands are confirmed, but do you really want to be that guy who spends the next two years saying "I should have...".


No jealousy, only worship:

I've been patiently awaiting the Jealous Girlfriends' first trek to California all year. Their live debut in Los Angeles finally happened last night at the Echoplex and went off like a fireworks display. You always hope that the band you've been saying great things about to everyone you know kills it in a live setting--after all, your measly reputation is on the line. Thankfully, Holly, Josh, Alex, and Mike played a ripping set that was better than I could have even imagined.

The Brooklyn quartet displayed real melodic power, something that's been missing from our music culture in general. Their energetic songs and heavy melodies bring to mind Sonic Youth, Bettie Serveert and a splash of Blur. Other than rockets like "How Now" and "Something in the Water", they also included a few new songs that may possibly end up on their next release in 2008. I know many of you have forked out the cash to see Jason Pierce's "Acoustic Mainlines" set at the Vista on Monday. I'll be at the Silverlake Lounge getting another lesson in melodic rock. The Jealous Girlfriends are scheduled to go on at 9 pm.

p.s. My interview with the band will be up shortly.

p.s.s. Kevin Bronson nails the live review at his L.A. Times buzz bands blog.

"How Now" taken from The Jealous Girlfriends
Buy their self-titled debut album!!!

Pitchfork suddenly cares what you think about their website. Take the survey here.

Brad Laner's new album Neighbor Singing (Home Tapes) is out now and will most likely make my year end "best of 2007" list. Brad is also featured on the upcoming Eric Greene-directed documentary, Beautiful Noise, coming out sometime next year. His groundbreaking work in Medicine and Electric Company is highlighted.



"Los Angeles native Brad Laner, formerly of the bands Medicine and Electric Company, is currently at work on the score to Eric Green's shoegazer documentary, Beautiful Noise, which is currently in post production and is set for a likely 2008 release (according to IMDB). The film focuses on My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Cocteau Twins and other bands that have been influenced by those three. Laner's former band, Medicine, is the only American band featured in the portion of the film focusing on the first wave of shoegaze (80s/ early 90s)."



You've never heard Medicine? Those who know me well can attest to my ramblings about The Buried Life setting the standard for all things noise-pop. Here's the first song from their debut album Shot Forth Self Living (American, 1992):

Listen: "One More"

"June Gloom" taken from Neighbor Singing

"The Pink" taken from Medicine's The Buried Life

Machines & Babies

Tonite's Echoplex lineup is dope. I haven't heard Robbers On High Street's latest release so I don't really have an opinion on them. What I can guarantee is that the Jealous Girlfriends and Great Northern made better than average debuts and both raaaaawk. Be there.

"Machines" taken from the Jealous Girlfriends' debut, self-titled album:


"Low is a Height" taken from Great Northern's debut album Trading Twilight For Daylight:

My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields confirms new album

The Daily Swarm has been the flagship of all things My Bloody Valentine in the past year regarding the next mystery album and possible tour. With this breaking bit of news, and an interview coming on Monday, November 12th via VBS.TV, Ian Svenonius interviews Kevin Shields during a segment called "Soft Focus" where they discuss the new album and what's in store for fans next year. As far as the Coachella appearance goes there is nothing confirmed in this interview, although negotiations have been ongoing for several months...or longer.

"We were making a record in the 90s, around when the band broke up in 1995…and I continued with Belinda. We kinda made we made most of an album….It’s going to be this ‘96/‘97 record half-finished record finished, and then a compilation of stuff we did before that in 1993–94, and a little bit of new stuff.

I pretty much know what the one that’s going to come out this year is going to sound like because its already pretty much 3/4’s done already…it sounds like what we sounded like – different but not radically different. People will go, “Yeah, it sounds like My Bloody Valentine.”

"Feed Me With Your Kiss" taken from Isn't Anything

SXSW 2007: The Lost Photos

Thought I had lost these. Here are few live shots I took during SXSW earlier this year--more can be found at MySpace.


A Place To Bury Strangers


The Twilight Sad


Fujiya & Miyagi


Snowden



Land of Talk

Vote Drunkard!

This is a no-brainer. If you have ever spent a week reading the daily bloggings, or simply downloading some choice bluegrass/rock/soul, then you'd know that Aquarium Drunkard is one of the best and most original music sites on the net. Why? Content, consistency, and a real education in music that is relevant and classic. Although I do enjoy reading other great blogs like Brooklyn Vegan, Aurgasm, Fluxblog, and my favorite, Chromewaves, Aquarium Drunkard needs to be recognized. Imagine if all the press releases and new band-hype downloads disappeared. Drunkard's would be one of the few sites untouched and standing tall.

VOTE HERE!

2008 power rankings

While I'd love to sit and chat about how awesome it is that Joe Torre is officially the new sitting bull at Dodger Stadium I'm just too fired up about the prospect of releases coming next year. There are a handful of great artists returning with new albums and tours in 2008. I'm sure I left out a bunch so if you have any tips then feel free to email me.

1. The Verve
- The best news all year came in the form of the Verve announcing tour dates and a brand new studio album. Going back and listening to Northern Soul reminds me of how soulful and original their music is. Fans are already reporting in from the UK tour. You can listen/watch a new song entitled "Sit and Wonder" via Stereogum.

2. Doves
- Returning next summer with their 4th full-length, this Manchester trio get better and more timeless with every release. It's almost impossible for this band to create anything sub-par.

3. Portishead
- I expect a return to form in the realm of vocals and melody, but Portishead is also capable of going in any direction with glorious results. This will probably be a great soundtrack to your next make-out session.

4. Autolux
- Their second album. New live material points at an even more experimental and noisy direction. I think Carla, Eugene, and Greg should send Joe Torre an invite for their next L.A. show so he can get a taste of what great rock music sounds like.

"I'm really digging the new Autolux material."


5. Broadcast
- I would anticipate this next record to be as imaginable and progressive as Tender Buttons. But then again, it's been impossible for me to get any real news or solid info in the past 2 years from the Broadcast camp.

6. Stephen Malkmus
- A lot of my friends were disappointed with Face the Truth. That album happens to be my favorite post-Pavement record.

7. Death Cab For Cutie
- Ben Gibbard and Co. received some backlash for their popularity via "The OC". I thought Transatlanticism and Plans were good records.

8. Spiritualized
- Spiritualized are legends in my book. I'm hoping J. Spaceman makes a return back to his Ladies and Gentlemen... space rock roots.

9. Broken Social Scene
- Reports came in from a few friends who attended Kevin Drew's Orpheum gig, they basically wished they just would have done a BSS tour. Emily Haines helped rock the evening singing Leslie Feist's vocal parts.

10. My Morning Jacket
- The follow up to Z will be tough, but this band can do no wrong in my book.

A few L.A. bands with releases I'm really looking forward to:

The Little Ones: Debut album.
The Movies: Third album.
Mezzanine Owls: New EP, possible album #2 towards the end of the year?
Silversun Pickups: Second album next Fall, at least that's the word on the street.
Eskimohunter: A full-length after many, many years and several residencies.

Album Review: Xu Xu Fang - 'These Days'

Xu Xu Fang: These Days (Vacancy)
8/10


After years of preparation and band-crafting, Bobby Tamkin unveils the first Xu Xu Fang release in several years with this new 12" single. "These Days" has been a myspace gem for what seems like ages, garnering consistent praise and anxious commentors patiently awaiting the band's every move. Tamkin, the band's mastermind, has spent time as a drummer in the Warlocks and a newer incarnation of Medicine. But his greatest strength comes in the form of master songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and possessing a obvious knack for arrangement.

"These Days" slowly builds with layered guitars, a slow-motion rhythm and pristine slide guitar, all guided by a soothing voice that comes off like a passionate lullaby. As the song reveals itself the hooks appear vocally while guitar riffs wrap the song into tighter form. More and more changes are revealed as the song lifts off into a heavier state of rock, but never forces itself on you. The obvious feeling you're left with is that there's a lot of care and thought put into the songs, and every instrument has a purpose.

The b-side, "Doom's Shadow," is darker and even more lucid, as the title suggests. It's not as strong as the title track but clearly makes the statement that this band is clearly more interested in creating pieces that are moody and timeless. Both clock in at over 8 minutes in length and feature several minutes of instrumentals that could be soundtracks to a dark murder mystery.

The arrangements never drone or hold back, yet it instills this sedative state from start to finish. For a band that never relies on effects or gimmicks to get their point across it becomes even more difficult to classify. Verve meets AIR? Maybe. Classic Rock? Kind of. Psychedelic? Yes. Accessible? Definitely.