Semi Precious Weapons Release New Video

Semi Precious Weapons premiered their video for "Aviation High" on Monday.  The clip was directed and edited by the band's own Stevy Pyne.  The song and video see the band more polished and pop than their previous brand of gritty, punkish glam.  On a side note, I've got to give props to frontman Justin Tranter for rocking the stilettos in the desert...my feet envy his ability to do so.  

Overall, the clip reminds me of Rio era Duran Duran, visually.  Well, minus the big budget exotic locations and sweeping aerial views.  Had this video happened back then, little 80's me would have been glued to the TV waiting for it to come on and tacking pictures of Tranter up next to John Taylor and Nick Rhodes.  Did I just show my age?  Oh well!  Check out the clip below and enjoy.




Directed and edited by: Stevy Pyne

Cameras: Creative Tirade, Clothing/Styling: Sandra Garcia, Hair: Naomi Knights, Visual assistance: Jared Heinrich and Armen Ra.

New Song From Semi Precious Weapons

Semi Precious Weapons have been out on the other coast writing, being glamorous and doing whatever people do when in Cali.  Now, we get to hear a taste of what they've been working on.  They have unveiled a new song, "Aviation High", which they're offering up for free.  It's a little different than what we're used to hearing from them. It will be interesting to hear what the rest of the music they've been working on sounds like. Check it out and grab it below.

Semi Precious Weapons: Glamorous Thunder At The Bowery Ballroom

Semi Precious Weapons: April 26 @ Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

Sold out! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Semi Precious Weapons came home Monday night and took to the Bowery Ballroom stage greeted by a sold out crowd. When I arrived at the venue, unpleasantly soggy from the pouring rain, there was already a line of people waiting to get in. About five minutes later, I looked back and I couldn't see where the line ended.

From the moment the band launched into "Semi Precious Weapons" to their closing number "Rock 'N' Roll Never Looked So Beautiful," the Weapons precious denizens were enthusiastic, energetic and loud! I have been to many shows where the crowd sings along. But, I'm not sure when the last time I've heard singing along at such a volume. To hear the entirety of the Bowery Ballroom erupt, in unison, at the top of their lungs singing, "I've been magnetic since I was a baby!" was slightly surreal and entirely magical. It sounded like thunder ... glorious, glamorous thunder.

Check out a some photos from their set.

More photos HERE.

www.myspace.com/semipreciousweapons
twitter.com/preciousweapons

Video: Semi Precious Weapons - "Semi Precious Weapons"

Semi Precious Weapons had an orgy, called it a concert. They filmed it and made a porn, um, I mean a music video. I like to call it Semi Precious Porn but I'm quirky that way. Okay, it's not really porn! So, all of you prudes don't go getting your giant panties all in a wad.

Watch the gorgeous goodness below and sing along. I'll help you get started ... "I can't pay my rent but I'm fuckin' gorgeous!" Yes you are baby and we love you for it!

UPDATE: As of 2/17 ... scroll down, I've added the YouTube version as well for those who can't view the MySpace version.

Semi Precious Weapons

Semi Precious Weapons | MySpace Music Videos

www.semipreciousweapons.com
www.myspace.com/semipreciousweapons
www.facebook.com/semipreciousweapons

Hell On Heels Tour, Part Three: Semi Precious Weapons

Semi Precious Weapons: January 31 @ Highline Ballroom, New York, NY

The third and final act on the bill for the Hell On Heels Tour was New York's own Semi Precious Weapons. They of course were the reason I was there. It was a very loud and enthusiastic hometown crowd that greeted the band when they hit the stage. My ears are still recovering from the random, spontaneous, high-pitched screams emanating from the audience.

I don't think you can fully get the gist of Semi Precious Weapons until you're standing there in the mist of a crowd of screaming, energetic fans getting swept up in the excitement. From the moment they hit the stage, it felt like a party, not a concert. What a party it was too. The band, Justin Tranter (vocals), Stevy Pyne (guitar), Cole Whittle (bass) and Dan Crean (drums) were the perfect hosts.

They launched into a short and to the point set with "Semi Precious Weapons" setting off a night of audience sing-a-long. The band was raw, sometimes sloppy, vigorous and thoroughly delightful. Tranter (who wears heels and tights better than I ever could) vamped around the stage larger than life feeding off the audience, soaking up the energy and returning it tenfold. You couldn't help but have fun. I'd wager a random person plucked off the street unfamiliar with them could have walked in and had just as much fun as those of us who were there intentionally for the experience. My favorite song is "Magnetic Baby" so of course that was the highlight for me.

While I'm happy to see the band in a venue such as the Highline Ballroom, it just didn't feel sleazy enough for me. My only real complaint was that the set was too short! I would have liked a bit more than the thirty minute, seven song set we got.

Semi Precious Weapons are entertainers. They're fun and give a good party. Like with any good party, you walk away with a smile on your face, singing their songs as you walk down the street to the train station ... and that's just what I did.

Set List

• Semi Precious Weapons
• Her Hair Is On Fire
• Put A Diamond In It And Bite Down
• That's Kunt
• ?
• Magnetic Baby
• Rock 'N' Roll Never Looked So Beautiful

Another one of my "artistic" moments ...
Semi Precious Weapons - Magnetic Baby (live)


http://www.myspace.com/semipreciousweapons
http://www.semipreciousweapons.com

All Photos: © L. R. Adams

Hell On Heels

I've made my plans for next Saturday! I'm off to catch Von Iva, Nico Vega and the reason I'm going to the show, one of my faves, the ever so delicious Semi Precious Weapons. This is all taking place down at the Highline Ballroom.

I might just be giddy ...


http://www.myspace.com/semipreciousweapons
http://www.myspace.com/voniva
http://www.myspace.com/nicovega
http://www.highlineballroom.com

Around New York ... December 29, 2008 - January 4, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

December 29 -- Pat McGee / Ernie Halter / Luke Mulholland at Mercury Lounge (pictured Pat McGee)
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 29 -- Big Big Bucks / Paris Can Wait / Ten Minute Turns / Sora An at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
December 29 - December 31 -- Patti Smith And Her Band at The Bowery Ballroom (sold out)
http://www.boweryballroom.com
December 30 -- Katie Pearlman Band / Anita Nikki Krishnan at Cafe Vivaldi
http://www.cafevivaldi.com
December 30 -- Alisa Shamrow / She-Dick / Jasper James at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
December 30 - 31 -- Gov't Mule at Hammerstein Ballroom
http://mcstudios.com/boxoffice
December 30 - January 4 -- The Bad Plus at The Village Vanguard http://www.villagevanguard.com
December 31 -- Semi Precious Weapons at Public Assembly (pictured)
http://www.publicassemblynyc.com
December 31 -- The Damned at Blender Theater at Gramercy http://www.blendertheater.com
December 31 -- Chuck Berry at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill http://www.bbkingblues.com
December 31 -- Yo La Tengo / The Feelies at Wellmont Theatre http://www.wellmonttheatre.com
December 31 -- Blonde Redhead at Terminal 5
http://www.terminal5nyc.com
December 31 -- Ippazi / Dan Torres w/Ryan Vaughn / Ellen Kaye Band at Cafe Vivaldi
http://www.cafevivaldi.com
December 31 -- A Place To Bury Strangers / Dirty On Purpose / The Vandelles / My Best Fiend at Mercury Lounge http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
January 1 -- Amanda Palmer & The Danger Ensemble / Emilyn Brodsky at Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
January 1 -- Crystal Castles / Alex English at Music Hall of Williamsburg (Crystal Castles pictured)
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
January 1 -- Chewing Pics / Raymond Bally / Armedalite Rifles at Cake Shop
http://www.cake-shop.com
January 2 -- Chris Cubeta & The Liars Club / Bryan Dunn / Matt Singer / Emily Easterly at Union Hall
http://www.unionhallny.com
January 3 -- Rich Girls / Blip Blip Bleep / Jacksonknife at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
January 4 -- My Best Fiend / The Main Street Gospel / Silver Rockets / The Midnight Prayers at Cake Shop
http://www.cake-shop.com
January 4 -- Women / The Mighty Handful / The Comfort at Public Assembly
http://www.publicassemblynyc.com

Semi Precious Weapons Loves You!

Several weeks ago, I picked up We Love You. the debut record by Semi Precious Weapons. I actually picked up the version that came with the bonus gun shaped USB necklace because it was, well, cute! The USB contains a couple of videos ("Semi Precious Weapons" and "Her Hair Is On Fire"), wallpaper, photos and a digital copy of the CD booklet.

We Love You. is a fun record. It's one of those records that you put on when you want to sing along to something or dance around the room uncontrollably. In my case, I do both somewhat questionably!

Upon seeing frontman Justin Tranter with his stunning eyes spectacularly made up and his stiletto boots, you might mistakenly think you're going to get some glamorous pop band or a dance act. You don't get either. What you get is some pretty solid rock 'n' roll. The band, Cole Whittle (bass), Dan Crean (drums) and *Aaron Tasjan (guitar) provide the perfect foundation for Tranter to be the rock star he was obviously born to be.

We Love You. houses some catchy songs. The catchiest of the bunch and my personal favorites, "Magnetic Baby" and "Her Hair Is On Fire" take the gloves off and dare you to sing along. I've also become very fond of the dramatic "Time Zones."

You don't have to see these guys live to visualize their performance ... it comes through loud and clear on record. We Love You. is what would be playing if you were "making out" with some bad boy in the bathroom stall of a dingy rock club. They're a luscious blend of rock, glam, sleaze, drama and fun.

*Tasjan has since left the band and has been replaced by Stevy Pyne.

Track Listing

• Taste
• Magnetic Baby
• Semi Precious Weapons
• Bleed To Heal
• Genius
• Her Hair Is On Fire
• That's Kunt
• Jesus
• Time Zones
• Rock 'N' Roll Never Looked So Beautiful
• Magnetic Baby (radio version)
• Her Hair Is On Fire (radio version)

Stalk Them Online
http://www.semipreciousweapons.com
http://www.myspace.com/semipreciousweapons