Monday, June 8, 2009

Hot Seconds Brought Joy To The Masses

Hot Seconds: June 6 @ Union Pool, Brooklyn, NY

A high spirited Hot Seconds kicked off summer, albeit a bit early, at Union Pool on Saturday night. Union Pool with its vintage appeal and cozy stage was the perfect setting for the lads, James Love (vocals/guitar/tambourine), Eran Westwood (guitar/vocals), Marcel Simoneau (keyboards/guitar/megaphone), Bob Toria (bass), Ian Hudgins (drums/vocals) and the audience to get up to all sorts of boisterous fun.

We were given a eleven song, fifty-four minute set. I checked out the set list prior to the show starting. I won't say I was cheated but, ahem, what happened to "Excuse Me?" I'm going to assume it was cut due to fact that three songs in, The Great Guitar Escapade of '09 took place and cut into their time. For those who need a Quirky to English translation, that means technical difficulties over there on stage right, in Westwood world, necessitated the switching about of guitars. With that all sorted out, the shindig continued.

They played all of the favorites. The big news is, they hit us with another new song. It's titled "Push To Pound." I haven't made out the words yet but, I'm diggin' on the music. It puts pictures in my head of the boys in sailor uniforms and pea coats on a gray day in the mist of some sweeping b&w epic video. What? Am I the only one who sees that? Probably. My head is a scary place filled with great music.

If you've been reading and paying attention to my little space here in the virtual world, then you know they debuted "Pink Caesar" back in February. I noticed this time out how much more relaxed and comfortable they looked and sounded playing it now. They're all loose and have the cool laid back rhythm in their moves. Go on with your bad selves. It's been great fun witnessing the new stuff and watching it as it gels.

"When I Go," the harmonica solo is back. Love was unable to do it last time out. But this time, he busted out the harp and blew a mean solo. Yep, all is right in my happy little Hot Seconds world of music.

In addition to the new song, there were new visuals too! They've gone fancy and perhaps a bit trippy with a portable flashing light rig over there on stage right. And if that wasn't enough for our happy little eyes, they've done gone and slapped their logo on the kick drum ... that's tight. While we're on the back line, it should be noted that I'm still feeling mad love for the rhythm section. Those boys are bad ass back there. Okay, I have mad love for the rest of the band too! I don't want anyone to think I'm being neglectful. But it can now officially be said that I'm a drum fan or perhaps just a fan of Hudgins drumming. I'll ponder that.

Much fun was had by me. Perfect weather, cheap drinks, a taco truck and a rockin' Hot Seconds ... it'd be impossible to not have fun, right?! If you're anywhere near when they play next, you should go and partake in the fun too. Bring on the next show boys. I'm ready!

"Push To Pound"


Set List
  • Pieces Of You
  • Can't Stop
  • We Met Before
  • Rooftop
  • Clam Man
  • Holy Moly
  • Push To Pound
  • Pink Caesar
  • Gone To Ground
  • When I Go
  • Went To India
Be a social stalker ...
www.hotseconds.net
www.twitter.com/hotseconds
www.myspace.com/hotseconds
www.facebook.com/pages/Hot-Seconds/6225253266

Around New York ... June 8 - June 14, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

June 9 -- PJ Harvey & John Parish at Beacon Theatre
www.beacontheatre.com
June 10 -- Gil Sco
tt Heron at SOB's
www.sobs.com
June 10 -- The Dec
emberist / Robyn Hitchcock at Radio City Music Hall
www.radiocity.co
m
June 11 -- Chris Bar
ron (pictured) at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineballroom.com
June 11 -- Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3 at The Bell House
www.thebellhouseny.com

June 12 -- Pup
petbox at Crash Manison
www.crashmansion.com
June 12 -- School Of Seven Bells at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
June 12 -- The Posies at The Bell House
www.thebellhouseny.com
June 12 - 13 -- The Avett Brothers at Irving Plaza
www.irving
plaza.com
June 13 -- The Detroit Cobras (pictured) / Dexter Romweber Duo / Sister Ann at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
June 13 -- Audio Fiction at Pianos
www.pianosny
c.com
June 13 -- An Horse / Telekinesis at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
June 13 -- Asobi Seksu at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
June 13 -- The Psychedelic Furs at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmonttheatre.com
June 13 -- Patty Smyth & Scandal at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
www.bbkingblues.com

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Folk Duo Dala Set To Release New Album

Canadian folk duo Dala will release their new album, Everyone Is Someone, Tuesday, June 9. The duo, Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine show off classic pop harmonies reminiscent of girl groups of yore on the albums lead single, "Levi Blues." Their vocals are a pretty fountain of melodies bubbling forth surrounded by an easy blend of acoustic folk pop.

Dala is on tour. They'll be all over Canada and the east coast of the US. Among their stops will be George Wein's Folk Festival 50 on August 2. They'll be in fine company too. Folk legend and festival co-founder Pete Seeger will be performing that day. Joan Baez, who along with Seeger, played the festival when it started 50 years ago will be there and so will Neko Case among many others.

Listen to the first single "Levi Blues" and "Alive" from Everyone Is Someone.

"Levi Blues"
"Alive"


www.dalagirls.com
www.myspace.com/dalagirls
www.folkfestival50.com

Friday, June 5, 2009

Audio Fiction To Play Pianos!

New York rockers Audio Fiction will be playing Pianos on June 13. Drop by and check them out!

www.audiofictionband.com
www.myspace.com/audiofictionband

Regina Spektor Set To Release New Record

Singer/songwriter/pianist Regina Spektor is releasing a new record. Far will be released on June 23. Spektor is also doing a slew of shows across the pond. But, New Yorker's, you're in luck. She's doing a show at the Beacon Theatre on June 17.

Check out the video for "Eet" from the upcoming Far.

Track Listing
  • The Calculation
  • Eet
  • Blue Lips
  • Folding Chair
  • Machine
  • Laughing With
  • Human Of The Year
  • Two Birds
  • Dance Anthem Of The 80's
  • Genius Next Door
  • Wallet
  • One More Time With Feeling
  • Man Of A Thousand Faces
www.myspace.com/reginaspektor

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Converse Launches Rockin' Fall Collection

Converse the legendary sneaker has hooked up with AC/DC and Metallica to produce some rockin' kicks for their Fall 2009 collection. The Chuck Taylor All Star AC/DC editions will be available this month in stores and from Converse. The Metallica editions will be available in July. There are four AC/DC designs and two Metallica designs. Everyone has rocked a pair of Chuck Taylor's at one point or another ... okay, maybe not everybody, but everybody I know!
www.acdc.com
www.metallica.com
www.converse.com
mnr.onthescene.com/converse/fall2009-collaborations.html

Bob Schneider Hits The Road

Bob Schneider is heading East! Yep, that's right folks, New York is getting another round of BS! He'll be at the Bowery Ballroom on Thursday, June 18. Jason Shannon and Charlie Mars are opening. If you haven't seen Schneider perform, you should check him out ... he's highly entertaining.

www.bobschneidermusic.com
www.myspace.com/bobschneider
www.jasonshannonmusic.com
www.charliemars.com

Monday, June 1, 2009

Hot Seconds At Union Pool This Saturday!

Those delightful men collectively known as Hot Seconds will be doing their thing at Union Pool this Saturday, June 6. The Yes Way will be there too. If you're in the 'hood, swing by. You'll have a good time! That's what I plan on doing.

Be social ...
www.hotseconds.net
www.twitter.com/hotseconds
www.myspace.com/hotseconds
www.facebook.com/pages/Hot-Seconds/6225253266
www.myspace.com/theyesway

The Phenomenal Handclap Band Set To Release Debut

New York band, The Phenomenal Handclap Band, will be releasing their self-titled debut album on June 23.

Download "15 to 20" from the album HERE. It's not even Summer yet and I have found my summer jam ... yes I have, yes I have. I've already had this one on repeat. I can't wait to hear the rest of the record.

 The Phenomenal Handclap Band - Cover

Track Listing
  • The Journey to Serra da Estrela
  • All of the Above
  • Testimony
  • Give It a Rest
  • You'll Disappear
  • 15 to 20
  • Dim the Lights
  • I Been Born Again
  • The Martyr
  • Tears
  • Baby
  • The Circle is Broken
www.phenomenalhandclapband.com

Around New York ... June 1 - June 7, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

June 1 -- Gomez / J
ason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.c
om
June 2 -- Young Love at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
June 4 -- Zigmat / Trouble and Strife at The Annex
www.theannexnyc.com

June 4 -- Doves (pict
ured) / Wild Light at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.com
June 4 -- 2AM Club at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
June 5 -- Ama
nda Palmer / The Lisps at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineballroom.com
June 5 -- Henry Rolli
ns at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmonttheatre.com
June 5 -- Love Is All / Right On Dynamite / Sean Bones at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
June 6 -- Hot Seconds at Union Pool
www.myspace.com/unionpool


June 6 -- Young Lords / The Steps (pictured) at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
June 7 -- Little Richard at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
www.bbkingblues.com