The Annuals Hit The Road

The Annuals are on the road and making a stop in New York. They'll be at The Bowery Ballroom on January 28.

Listen To The Annuals Confessor

Check out the Annuals performance on Spinner's Interface
(Click on image)

(photo credit: Charles Harris)

www.annualsmusic.com
www.myspace.com/annuals
www.boweryballroom.com

Tickets Go On Sale This Week For Upcoming Shows In The New York Area

On Sale Thursday, January 15, 2009

March 7 -- Lisa Hannigan / The Anthem at Highline Ballroom
http://www.highlineballroom.com

On Sale Friday, January 16, 2009

March 9-10, 12-14, 16-17, 19-21 -- The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon Theatre
http://www.beacontheatre.com
March 14 -- Butch Walker at Webster Hall
http://www.websterhall.com
March 28 -- Les Claypool at Terminal 5
http://www.terminal5nyc.com
March 31 -- Lady GaGa (pictured) at Webster Hall
http://www.websterhall.com
April 5 -- Mates Of State / The Black Kids (pictured) at Music Hall of Williamsburg
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
April 6 -- Mates Of State / The Black Kids (pictured) at Webster Hall
http://www.websterhall.com
April 24 -- Cinema Bizarre at Highline Ballroom
http://www.highlineballroom.com

On Sale Saturday, January 17, 2009

March 25 -- Bloc Party at Terminal 5
http://www.terminal5nyc.com
April 14 -- Dave Matthews Band at Madison Square Garden
http://www.thegarden.com

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announced its Inductees for 2009

As we all know, artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording is released. Now, normally, I don't really feel like an old broad. Then there are times like these when I do. Both Metallica and Run-D.M.C. are being inducted. Say wha? Has it really been that long? I still remember getting my first Metallica record. Next thing you know, I'll be yelling, 'get off my lawn you young whipper snappers!' to all the unruly kids who happen upon my property.

I want to know why "Fujiyama Mama" Wanda Jackson is the only early influence inductee. Surely they could have tossed in a couple more.

The performer inductees are:

• Jeff Beck
• Little Anthony & the Imperials
• Metallica
• Run-D.M.C.
• Bobby Womack

Early Influence Category Inductee:

• Wanda Jackson

Sidemen Category Inductees:

• Bill Black
• DJ Fontana
• Spooner Oldham

The Induction Ceremony will air Live on Fuse TV, April 4, 2009

Hot Seconds Live

Hot Seconds: January 9 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

I experienced and enjoyed my first concert outing in the new year. I braved the cold weather and went down to Mercury Lounge to catch Hot Seconds this past Friday. Who better to warm up a cold night? When I last saw them perform back in October, I noted that they were a tight unit. They still are. This time, they were even tighter!

They started their ten song, 45 minute set with "Pieces Of You" and just didn't let up. All of the favorites were played. Plus, we were treated to some new songs ... huzzah! Can you tell I'm excited about the new songs? No? Well, I am! If all of their new stuff sounds like the ones played at this show, then I'm going to have a new favorite album when they release these songs. The first new song of the night was "Born Again," a surging mid-tempo rocker. And, I got to hear "Gone To Ground" again ... yep, I'm a happy camper.

Now, I'm going to hang my head in shame for a moment. I'm embarrassed to admit this but, I tend to neglect drummers. It's nothing personal, I'm just more of a guitar fan. Sorry drummers of the world! However, I can't be neglectful this time. I have to show some love to drummer Ian Hudgins who was back there playing like he was put in charge of a Hot Seconds plot to take over the world. All I can say is, damn! Toss bassist Bob Toria into the brutal rhythm assault, add in Marcel Simoneau with his various implements (keyboards, tambourine & megaphone) and a couple of guitars courtesy of Eran Westwood (lead) and James Love (rhythm) and voilà, the world and me conquered, or did I just surrender? Either way, the proverbial Hot Seconds flag was planted declaring this land, or at least the Mercury Lounge stage, theirs.

Their defining conquer the world moment of the night happened when they ripped into "When I Go" which came complete with a harmonica solo. Simply put, they rocked the hell out of the song. They rocked it like unrepentant rock stars on a mission to corrupt the masses, turning us into rock 'n' roll heathens. Oh yeah, it was that good. It's a dance yourself into a frenzied, hot, sweaty mess song and was my favorite of the night.

It was fun show. Someone lit their fire and they burned the place up. I only wished they could have done a few more songs. I had a blast and look forward to seeing them again ... they were hot, and I could use seconds. Yeah, that last line was pretty cheesy, wasn't it?

Set List

• Pieces Of You
• Can't Stop
• Born Again
• We Met Before
• Rooftop
• Clam Man
• Holy Moly
• When I Go
• Went To India
• Gone To Ground

The dark and grainy video ...
(We'll pretend I was being artistically adventurous ... yeah, let's go with that!)
Hot Seconds - Born Again (live)

Hot Seconds - Holy Moly (live)


http://www.hotseconds.net
http://www.myspace.com/hotseconds

All Photos: © L.R. Adams

Around New York ... January 12 - January 18, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

January 12 -- Wabaki / Soldier On Dear Friend / Stushido / Chief Mullet Hawk / Pompeii at The Annex
http://www.theannexnyc.com
January 12 -- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
http://www.bbkingblues.com
January 13 -- Moving Mountains / Pompeii / Aviation Orange / Prawn at Public Assembly
http://www.publicassemblynyc.com
January 13 - 18 -- Delfeayo Marsalis: A Tribute to Elvin Jones at The Blue Note
http://www.bluenote.net
January 14 -- Illinois / Drink Up Buttercup / Oceanographer at Fontana's
http://www.fontanasnyc.com
January 14 -- Two Dark Birds / The Caledonia Mission / Luke Winslow-King at Union Hall
http://www.unionhallny.com
January 15 -- Blood Street / The London Souls (pictured) at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com

January 15 -- Suzanne Vega & Lenny Kaye at City Winery
http://www.citywinery.com
January 15 -- Low Vs. Diamond / The Subjects at The Bell House
http://www.thebellhouseny.com
January 15 -- Heloise & The Savior Faire at The Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
January 15 -- Jackson Knife / Sean Walsh / Recluse at Cake Shop
http://www.cake-shop.com
January 15 -- Crooked Looks / Cynic Guru / Western Dresses at Reheb
http://www.clubmidway.com
January 15 -- Lauren Mulderrig at Caffe Vivaldi
http://www.cafevivaldi.com
January 16 -- Jenny Owen Youngs / Greg Laswell / Anya Marina at The Bell House
http://www.thebellhouseny.com
January 16 -- Si*Sé / The Pimps Of Joytime / DJ Nickodemus at Highline Ballroom
http://www.highlineballroom.com
January 16 -- Left Me Bashful / Luke Elliott / Measure at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
January 16 -- Wheatus at Blender Theater At Gramercy
http://www.blendertheater.com
January 16 -- The Raveonettes (pictured) / Nickel Eye / Zaza at Webster Hall
http://www.websterhall.com
January 16 - 18 -- The Fabulous Thunderbirds at Iridium
http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com

January 17 -- The Smithereens at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
http://www.bbkingblues.com
January 17 -- The Soft Pack / The Browns / Those Darlins at Union Pool
http://www.myspace.com/unionpool
January 18 -- Gil Scott Heron / Black Ice at SOB's
http://www.sobs.com
January 18 -- Nightmare Of You / Young Lords / US Royalty / Bottle Up & Go at Music Hall of Williamsburg
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
January 18 -- Honor By August at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com

Honor By August Live

Honor By August: January 9, 2009 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Arena rock on a small stage. That's how I'd describe Washington, DC's Honor By Honest. Here are some photos and the set list from their show.

Set List

• Found
• Half A Day Away
• Photographs
• There You Were
• Love Lies Awake
• Unbreakable
• Into The Light
• Good Enough
• Quiet Sky

http://www.honorbyaugust.com
http://www.myspace.com/honorbyaugust

All Photos: © L.R. Adams

Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul

I'm not an Oasis fan. That's probably not the best way to start off something, then again, maybe it's the best way. I'll admit, there have been some Oasis songs over the years that I have enjoyed. But, a fan, no. So, it comes as a surprise, mostly to myself, that I bought the latest Oasis record, Dig Out Your Soul.

What made me decide to buy Dig Out Your Soul? The Internet. What? That doesn't make sense? I was browsing around the Internet when I came upon the album being streamed in its entirety prior to release. I liked what I heard and I finally got around to making the purchase.

Dig Out Your Soul kicks off strong. However, somewhere along the line, I start thinking that maybe things are going on for a little too long and kind of plods to a mildly unsatisfying stop after the last two songs drag in to wrap things up. I think that some of my thoughts on this might have more to do with me not really being an Oasis fan rather than it being an issue with the record itself. I have to listen to the record in two sittings. Apparently, my Oasis intake has to be done in smaller doses instead of one grand dose. "Bag It Up" kicks things off and was the song that obviously caught my ear enough to continue listening when the album was being streamed. The music for "(Get Off Your) High Horse Lady" sounds like a combination of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" and The Allman Brothers Band's "Midnight Rider." Maybe it's just me who thinks that. "Waiting For The Rapture" is the song that, to me, hands down gets the 'Beatles' label attached to it. My picks on the record, the already mentioned "Bag It Up," "The Shock Of Lightning" and my favorite of the bunch, "To Be Where There's Life" which had me wiggling around the room a bit.

I have no idea what Oasis fans think of this record. I haven't asked any. To be honest, I'm not sure I personally know anyone that could be considered an actual fan. I know some casual listeners and they seem to like Dig Out Your Soul. I can only answer for myself though. And, this non-Oasis fan likes it ... just not all in one sitting!

Track Listing

• Bag It Up
• The Turning
• Waiting For The Rapture
• The Shock Of The Lightning
• I'm Outta Time
• (Get Off Your) High Horse Lady
• Falling Down
• To Be Where There's Life
• Ain't Got Nothin'
• The Nature Of Reality
• Soldier On

http://www.myspace.com/oasis
http://www.oasisinet.com

Tickets Go On Sale This Week For Upcoming Shows In The New York Area

On Sale Wednesday, January 7, 2009
February 3 -- Lykke Li at Music Hall of Williamsburg (pictured) http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

February 17 -- The Bad Plus at Bowery Ballroom http://www.boweryballroom.com

On Sale Thursday, January 8, 2009
February 7 -- Gene Ween Band at Music Hall of Williamsburg
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

On Sale Friday, January 9, 2009
February 26 -- Thievery Corporation at Terminal 5 http://www.terminal5nyc.com

Morrissey (pictured)
There is a lot of opportunity to see Morrissey ... if you've never seen him, now's the chance.
March 16 -- at Wellmont Theatre
http://www.wellmonttheatre.com
March 21 -- at Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
March 25 -- at Webster Hall
http://www.websterhall.com
March 26 -- at Carnegie Hall
http://www.carnegiehall.org

On Sale Saturday, January 10, 2009
March 1 -- Dan Zanes & Friends at Wellmont Theatre http://www.wellmonttheatre.com

March 5 - 6 -- Levon Helm Band at The Beacon Theatre http://www.beacontheatre.com

On Sale Monday, January 12, 2009
February 28 -- David Byrne at Radio City Music Hall
http://www.radiocity.com

Hot Seconds at Mercury Lounge, January 9

Looks like I'll be having a night out on Friday ...http://www.hotseconds.net
http://www.myspace.com/hotseconds

Around New York ... January 5 - January 11, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

January 6 -- Arms / The Loom / Marnie Minch at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
January 7 -- SisterMonk Harem at Cafe Vivaldi
http://www.cafevivaldi.com
January 8 -- Gregg Allman (pictured) / Honeytribe at Wellmont Theatre
http://www.wellmonttheatre.com
January 8 -- Femi Kuti at Webster Hall
http://www.websterhall.com
January 8 -- Steve Earle & Allison Moorer at City Winery
http://www.citywinery.com
January 9 -- Murder Mystery / The Kiss Off / Medium Cool / Honor By August / Hot Seconds at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
January 9 -- Vonda Shepard at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
http://www.bbkingblues.com
January 9 -- Raul Midón & Sonya Kitchell at City Winery
http://www.citywinery.com
January 9 -- Mos Def at Highline Ballroom
http://www.highlineballroom.com
January 9 -- Great Lake Swimmers / Haley Bonar / Daniel Martin Moore at The Bell House
http://www.thebellhouseny.com
January 9 - 10 -- Camper Van Beethoven at Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
January 10 -- Pyeng Threadgill at The Blue Note
http://www.bluenote.net
January 10 -- Free Era Band (pictured) / Dr. Snagreili and the Evil Sex Scientist at Rehab
http://www.clubmidway.com
January 10 -- John Doe and Exene at Music Hall of Williamsburg
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
January 10 -- Project Jenny Project Jan / Andrew Thompson at The Bell House
http://www.thebellhouseny.com
January 11 -- Bettye LaVette & John Hammond at Blender Theater at Gramercy
http://www.livenation.com/venue/blender-theater-at-gramercy-tickets