Quick Blip: TV on the Radio - "Will Do"

Another tough work week for me with no posts. I've had half of a future Wild Flag post done for days and just can't find the time to finiish the sucker up. In the meantime, enjoy this video for a new TV on the Radio song called "Will Do." The song is an excellent, pretty low-key number with an extremely memorable guitar line. The bell sounds and occasional "wooshes" are nice touches. They always seem to know when to say when though with the bells and whistles. The instruments and vocals are really well balanced. I was gonna post this song a couple weeks back for another lazy post, but I couldn't get a link from the soundcloud to work. I really hope the rest of their new album, Nine Types of Light, will be this good.

LIVE: Marnie Stern, Tera Melos, Ice Cream @ Red Palace 3/2/11

This was only my second show at the Red Palace. I unfortunately found out that a three band line-up on a weekday starts on time the hard way. So, unfortunately, all I can say about the band Ice Cream's live show is that the bartender thought they were "pretty good."  You can download an ep and a demo at their Bandcamp page. They both sound like they were recorded inside a giant trash can. Recording quality aside, the songs sound like they could have been good live. I'll make sure to show up on time the next time they open for two other bands. Promise. Unless Airwolf is on.

Next up was a band I'd heard good things about; Tera Melos. The first thing that struck me as I watched the band set up was the number of pedals they had. Board after board of pedals it seemed. Some had Disney stickers. Some had blinking lights. Some looked space-age. Some looked like they were made in East Germany in the '80s. Both guitarists had theirs, the bass player had his. I think the drummer had a distortion pedal just so he wasn't the only one without one. This made me a little wary. Like they might just play an A-chord and stomp a bunch of pedals and turn it into "Flight of the Bumblebee." While I appreciate technology and what it can do, sometimes I think bands can rely on bells and whistles too much. Thankfully, I had nothing to worry about.

Once all the pedals were plugged in and the power grid for the Eastern seaboard was re-established, Tera Melos ripped into their set. Within seconds the drummer broke a stick and a little piece of plastic went flying off the bass. Dudes meant business. It was frantic, loud, and off-kilter. The guitarists hands were a blur while he carefully danced above his 15 or so pedals. Ferocious sounds with tons of fuzz would suddenly mellow to a clean sound and shift again into a nice groove. And then back again but this time with arcade noises. Like Q-Bert fronts a noise band. The band was tight despite all of the changes and the songs flowed from one to the next. Really interesting, exciting stuff. The kids standing next to me were screaming the words to the songs they knew. When it was over one of them half-shouted toward the stage, "I'll cut my nuts off for you." He then explained to his friends that, to him, that would be the highest form of praise a band could receive.  Hmmm.

Here are a few songs from their record, Patagonian Rats, that don't capture their stage energy completely but are still pretty interesting:
Tera Melos - Kelly
Tera Melos - The Skin Surf
Tera Melos - Aped

Now on to the headliner, Ms. Stern. As you may have read in my previous post, there has been some debate about her chops on the guitar. In my opinion, there is no debate. She can play! Yeah, she might loop a couple of things here and there, but whatever. She switches from strums to finger taps effortlessly. It's kind of soothing to watch in a way. You want improv, you got improv. Over a sort of "Levee Breaks" bass jam, Stern and drummer, Vince Rogers, played off of each others cues for five or ten minutes; making eye contact the entire time. Then it all came crashing down in a spectacular ending. Two sips of white wine later, she is back at it with yet another frantically paced number. Stern keeps things fresh, playing up the dance beat in "Ruler" a little more in concert than on the record. Her voice really came through as well. Over weaving guitar and pounding drums in "Transparency is the New Mystery," Stern shouted "It's not enough... I'm not enough." like she was beggin for understanding or forgiveness. I felt emotion in the delivery. It was pretty awesome.She invited Nick from Tera Melos on stage for the final song of the set for that added dose of rawk. Highly recommended.

No new Marnie songs for this post. Check 'em out at the previous one. Couple of YouTube videos and bunch of my crappy pictures after the jump though.

First Video Cop Out Post

First of all, I want to say thanks to everybody who has been reading the blog. I've received a lot of really nice feedback. As much as I'd like to say that I'm all punk rock and would do this for myself, FTW, yadda-yadda-yadda, it's really nice to know that other folks are getting something out of this. So, thanks. Big up yourself!

Now, I need to ask for your patience. It's a busy week for me and I don't have a lot of time to write up something thoughtful. (Yeah, I actually gave the other post thought, despite the grammar errors and typos) This is meant to be a thoughtful blog; not a music news feed. At the same time, if I don't post something I feel like a total slacker. So I'm gonna do the first (and probably not last) "cop out post." Here are some music videos for your viewing pleasure.

The National - Music - More Music Videos

This brand new video has been included 1) because I really like The National and this song and 2) STAR POWER. John Slattery from Mad Men and Cadillac is a lovelorn secret service agent assigned to the POTUS, played by Flight of the Conchords' Kristen Schaal. Poor Mz. Prez. So bored, so lonely. Slattery vs Hamm - Slattery by KO. "Conversation 16" is found on The National's excellent High Violet record put out by 4AD.



Here is an amusing video/bloodbath for "Fever Dreaming" by No Age. This band has really grown on me over the past few years. When they came out, it seemed like everyone felt the need to make clear in interviews and album reviews that they were part of The Smell scene in LA. I couldn't help but wonder if people were reviewing the whole scene or just the music. Then I got over it. This song is available on their great Sub Pop release, Everything in Between. For a pretty cool behind the scenes look at how this video was made, check this out.



This last video comes from an electronic group, Above & Beyond, of which I know next to nothing. I was kind of into trance while I studied abroad, but it's pretty much off the radar now. I saw this clip on Stereogum a couple of weeks back. I like the track, called "Sun and Moon," quite a bit but I love the Northern soul dance moves and tender performances in the video. This song will be released as CD-single later in the month on Anjunabeats.

DeVotchKa - 100 Lovers (Anti-; 2011)

"What bands are you into lately?" When people ask me that, more often than not my mind goes completely blank for a second or two. I try to remember what I've listened to most recently on my mp3 player and evaluate whether it is worthy of a mention. Then I usually just say "Parts and Labor is a cool band." (New record this week, post will follow sometime soon). After a short discussion, the conversation moves on and only then do the I think of all of the other bands I should have mentioned. Among those names, nearly always is DeVotchKa. For the past couple of years, they are a band I routinely turn to on my commute. I listen to them at least few times each month. So now it's payback for all the times I should have brought them up.

A buddy of mine from graduate school introduced me to DeVotchKa in 2005 or so. At the time, it seemed like a lot of bands were making waves by combining rock and Eastern European folk music. I liked the sound a little bit, but didn't make it much past Beirut and the odd song here and there from the music blogs. It wasn't until watching Little Miss Sunshine, which featured DeVotchKa prominently, that the band really clicked for me. Their music goes well beyond an amplified gypsy party. There are southwestern sounds and really beautiful, classic vocal melodies. The melodies got stuck in my head and I was left humming "How it Ends" to myself for a few days until my eMusic account refreshed.

Reading reviews of DeVotchKa's latest record, 100 Lovers, some folks seem a little surprised that we're not being immediately treated to an accordion hoedown. Instead, the album opens with a fairly majestic, string-embellished four song mini-suite of huge-sounding music. There's a lot of feeling in Nick Urata's vocals. Bows and guitar picks flickering away. Skittering drums and brisk piano runs. It's a very full sound to start the record and it stirs the emotions. My wife said that the second song, "All the Sand in all the Sea,"  "tore out my heart, cried tears into the hole that was left, and then stuffed the hole full of roses." (Music has very little effect on her.) There is still a definite international flavor to these songs, especially with sitar drone sound on "The Common Good." So, while I may not immediately picture a man cranking a music box with a monkey on his shoulder when I hit play, I don't think that is boring or even unusual for the band. 

The rest of the record is nearly as good as its opening run and does have a lot more in common with the DeVotchKa of previous records. Perhaps its the Little Miss Sunshine connection, but these songs really do have a cinematic quality to them. Each conjures up a vision that changes with your mood. The front-and-center guitar and accordion (concertina maybe?) that starts "The Man from San Sebastian" reminds me of a 007 film. Probably Roger Moore. "Bad Luck Heels" starts off with a spaghetti-western feel but has "ohhs" reminiscent of the theme from Breakfast and Tiffany's. Mancini meets Morricone. Eastwood on guitar, Hepburn on trumpet. And it's only a matter of time before the whistling beginning intro of "Exhaustible" is used to sell Honda hybrids. The song has that hand-in-your pockets ramble that seems to make the ad-men crazy these days. I never said the images that pop into my mind would win Oscars (or even a Clio), but it's kind of cool to have music that inspires such a response from the listener. In short, a truly engaging record.

DeVotchKa - All The Sand in all the Sea
DeVotchKa - The Common Ground
DeVotchKa - Bad Luck Heels

Make the jump for a few of videos including one from Little Miss Sunshine. Even if you don't like the song, the movie footage will warm your heart. Awwwwwwww. Stay off drugs Abigail Breslin. You too, Greg Kinnear.

LIVE: Positive Force PA Fundraiser @ St. Stephen's Church (Part 2)

Before I get back to the music from Saturday's show at St. Stephen's, an anecdote. A brief glimpse into a mind suffering "scene neurosis."

It's a good logo, right. Striking. Clearly meant to convey the rebellious spirit for which the DC punk scene is known. I can't be the only one that suspects a straight edge X to be found on the other side of that fist, right?  The significant role that the DC hardcore scene played in establishing (and naming) the poison-free movement is pretty well known. So despite owning Minor Threat records and having been straight edge for 15 minutes in high school (I forgot about the gateway drug, caffeine), what do I wear under my hoodie this night? A Guinness t-shirt. Upon arrival at St. Stephen's, I'm faced with a table full of books on clean living and vegan eating. Shit. My cool is my everything--the hoodie must stay on. I began to sweat literally and figuratively. Thankfully, when I stepped outside after Laughing Man finished up (see last post), I noticed folks passing a container around. As per usual, whiskey set my mind at ease.

So that takes us to the third band of the evening, Title Tracks. This is John Davis' group; he used to play drums in DC's much loved Q and Not U. Title Tracks are a helluva a lot of fun and they don't let up. What immediately made an impression was how clear his vocals were above the rock n' roll bluster that poured out of the speakers. I found myself singing along to the second or third choruses of songs I had never heard before because I could actually understand the words. As far as the music goes, though saying so is sacrilege to my wife, Davis' songs remind me of Elvis Costello in a big way. Especially if he was backed by the Thermals. With the exception of one song, their jumpy, power-pop songs start fast, stay fast, and end abruptly. He warned us about the stylistic change prior to playing the song that fades out rather than stopping on a dime. I wonder if he thought we'd get bored? On record the band is more varied in pace and sound, but on Saturday night they were on the attack, hooky and tight.

From It Was Easy (Ernest Jenning, 2010)
Title Tracks - Every Little Bit Hurts
Title Tracks - Found Out

Ra Ra Rasputin was the name I heard mentioned most by folks as I wandered around the church between bands. People seemed psyched to get their dance on and when a guy poked his head outside and said in a monotone voice, "Uhhhh, Ra Ra is going on so you probably want to come in now," conversations ceased, cigarettes were squashed, and the packed picnic table and benches were vacated in seconds. Sensing a degree of enthusiasm that generally makes me wary, I kept my distance at first. Appreciating them from the back of the room, I thought they had a great dance-rock sound going on; mixing electronic beats and keyboards with rock instrumentation. From the first notes, people up front were dancing like crazy! I was surprised. Slowly, the layered beats and synths got to me too. I found a safe spot for the two records I had purchased and made my way up closer to the front. What began with a vigorous head nod, escalated to a rhythmic hip shake, and finally to an arm-waving, hopping thing I do. At one point all four members of the band had a drumstick in their hand and were hitting something. Bongos, drum kit, a timbale-like thing, cowbell. It was almost dizzying how many beats were being thrown out during one song. It's weird, the older I get the more I dance. Hope to do it again with these guys soon.  

From Ra Ra Rasputin (self-released, 2010)
Ra Ra Rasputin - Neon Scythe
Ra Ra Rasputin - Electricity Through the Heart

More terrible pictures after the jump.

LIVE: Positive Force PA Fundraiser @ St. Stephen's Church (Part 1)

I'm not a protester or activist. I'm just a dude who likes music. I respect those folks though. It's nice to believe in something strongly and to work with others to make a difference. I'm a gray area guy which makes me a little too wishy-washy. (I still haven't completely figured out how I feel about PM Dawn.) Positive Force DC has heart and they've been putting on shows and raising money for local and national charities since 1985. Take a look at their online flier collection. Jawbox, Fugazi, and Shudder to Think... playing the same show! At a church! Politics and moral codes aside, that would have been a great damn show to be at! Saturday's show at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church was a fundraiser for a new PA system to keep the tradition alive. Hey, even punks have overhead.

(By the way, if you clicked the PM Dawn link, that song is now stuck in your head. Question your assumptions, man!) 

Now, I wish I could say that I was cool enough to have heard about this show on my own. I can't. My friend Celina texted me on Friday about this sucker. She is a Californian. Progressive is in her blood. The underground heard she moved to town and sent her a membership card. I grew up in CT. If there was DIY scene, they didn't invite Advanced Placement students. Assholes. It wasn't until college that I found out a pile of card tables could be used for a stage as well as a Canasta tournament. So anyway, major thanks to Celina for pointing me toward a great four-band line-up.

What was truly great about the show was that the bands were really different from each other. The event was representative of an eclectic and talent-filled DC local scene that I don't take advantage of enough anymore. First up were The Cheniers, a talented trio who reminded me of early punk bands with some striking guitar rave-ups. In particular, I dug "Here Comes Trouble," a look back at the days when you used to stir it up way more than you do now. Cuz you old and bored. "Sad City" was another winner whose distorted guitar jabs and warm bass line gradually build in pace and distortion. By the way, this band's drummer was the singer in Metropolitan, who my wife and I loved dearly and used to check out regularly when we first moved to the area. They don't seem to be playing anymore, but The Cheniers are a more than sufficient substitute. Check their link above for a free download of their debut seven-inch.

From Trouble 7-inch (Windian, 2010)

The Cheniers - Sad City (Version)

Next up was Laughing Man, another trio, that was described by a musician I met outside the church as "annoyingly proficient" at their instruments. For me, these guys were blasting the most exciting music of the night. The talent certainly came through as they blended a ton of sounds into each song. What starts off as blues groove shuffle can end up as piercing, artsy ruckus. In a really good way. And then it all changes again with the next song. Tempo and volume changes keep it interesting. Their EP, The Lovings ('63-'69), hints at this, but it really really comes through live. I dig that these guys vary it. They warned the crowd that the last song was their most difficult and marked new territory for them; a kind of Southern-rock sound with a growl. I don't know. Check out the song below, knowing it doesn't do the live act justice.

From  The Lovings ('63-'69) (Sockets, 2010)

Laughing Man - Already Always

Hate to say it, but there is going to have to be a Part 2 to this installment. Thanks for not whining like sissy about it.

Next time: Title Tracks bring da powah-pop and Ra Ra Rasputin synth-pop has me dancing alone among the young and secretly drunk. Terrible, terrible pics after the jump.