Video: Miss Derringer - "Click Click (Bang Bang)"

Miss Derringer, the band that consists of Liz McGrath (vocals), Morgan Slade (guitar), Sylvain de Muizon (bass), Cody James (drums) and Ben Shields (lead guitar) released their new record, Winter Hill, on July 14. Not familiar with them? Think a punked out Shangri La's or Blondie and you get the delight that is known as Miss Derringer. Check out the video for the opening track on Winter Hill, "Click Click (Bang Bang) below.

www.myspace.com/missderringer
missderringer.com
twitter.com/MissDerringer

Happy Beatles Day!

Today, 09-09-09 has been declared Beatles Day. It's the day the much anticipated, digitally re-mastered Beatles catalogue, The Beatles, and the equally anticipated video game The Beatles: Rock Band are being released.

Yeah, yeah, yeah so it's not an official take off of work, have a cookout holiday or anything; but, you can still have some fun and blast a Beatles song or two or how about the whole spiffy collection. I'm sure your boss won't mind. So, toss on your Beatle boots, put on your mop top wig or if you're among those who prefer to go the more trippy years, get some peace and love facial hair going, wear some funky threads and enjoy the day. Now, if you get fired and or committed to an institution of the mental variety for any of the fully costumed, spontaneous, Beatles moments you may partake in today, don't blame me. But hey, send photos of yourself being carted off!

You know, I think every NY band should find a roof top and have their own concert to celebrate the day. Let your inner John, Paul, George & Ringo out. It's just a thought!

In the mean time, check out this little clip of The Beatles performing "I Saw Her Standing There" ... click HERE.

I searched high and low for this ... okay, I just popped The Beatles in the YouTube search box but, that doesn't sound as dramatic! Anyway, I pulled up "Get Back" from their legendary rooftop performance. I like that song. It's funky. Enjoy!

www.thebeatles.com

ResidentBand Features The Deadlies "One More Time"

Our friends over at ResidentBand have a new episode out, Episode 21. This episode features The Deadlies who used to be called The Neon Tigers. Check out "One More Time" below. Also, pop on over to the ResidentBand site ... they have a blog now with show reviews and other cool stuff.

ResidentBand - Episode 021 - The Deadlies

www.residentband.tv
www.myspace.com/thedeadliesmusic

Chris Kirby Checks Into The Vampire Hotel

Canadian musician Chris Kirby recently released his Gordie Johnson produced sophomore effort, Vampire Hotel. When I first looked at the CD, I thought, oh, no way in hell I'm going to like this. But, I popped it into the player to give it a listen. Always listen folks. I have been pleasantly surprised more than once in my lifetime by something I just knew I'd hate.

My thoughts after my first listen. It started off well enough but somewhere along the line it all went awry. What starts as a harmless revved up Michael Bolton/Chicago hybrid type of disc ends up sounding like someone dared the cabaret singing guy at the local piano bar to bust out some R&B. What? Was that mean? I'm just saying, if the guy started bustin' out show tunes, he'd probably sound right at home. I know y'all are thinking the mild mannered QNYC must be recovering from some summertime, outdoorsy, heat induced, brain damage or something of the sort to go there like that. That being said, I've never seen him live but I have a feeling he's probably a very energetic performer that probably puts on an entertaining show. You never know. Hey, my mind is still boggled at the fact that I found a Tony Bennett show to be entertaining!

Did I digress? Anyway, after a second listen, I decided that Vampire Hotel isn't a horrible record, it's just not my thing. Kirby sings on-key with a decent enough voice, even tilting in the direction of blue-eyed soul. And, the music and songwriting are decent enough too. Aspirations I think are bigger than the label that was slapped on this effort though. Who labeled it R&B/soul anyway? Let us just call it pop. I can swallow that label and appreciate the record more under the pop label. The two tunes that stand out for me are "Fool No More" which seems to be aiming for a Stevie Wonder vibe and "Don't Forget About Me" with it's feel good music.

For my tastes, as an R&B record, it misses. As an AM radio, adult contemporary, pop staple, it's a thumbs up.

Check him out for yourself. Have a listen to "Don't Forget About Me" from the album Vampire Hotel.

Track Listing

• Day Job
• Come Clean
• Lift This Fog
• Don't Forget About Me
• Heavy Rain
• See you Again
• Fool No More
• Princess
• Entertainer Of The Year
• Identity Crisis
• Golden Year
• Vampire Hotel

www.chriskirbyonline.com
www.myspace.com/chriskirbyandthemarquee
www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Kirby-the-Marquee/19093231573

New York Goes Calypso ... Now, The Rest Of The World

Brooklyn band Calypso have set loose a four song EP titled Teen Age. If you're in or around the NY area, you've probably already checked these guys out or at least know about them. But for those who aren't in the know, the band is fronted by brothers Sonny and Michael Kilfoyle, is terrifically fun and full of catchy tunes. Check out their wicked tune "Casually Sad Mercedes" HERE (right click, save as).

Track Listing

• Casually Sad Mercedes
• Son Of A Gun
• Post 110 Pills
• Santiago!

www.myspace.com/calypsony

U.S. Royalty Set To Play NY & Releases EP

DC band U.S. Royalty released their debut EP, Midsommar, on August 25 while the 7" vinyl version of the album will be available on October 6. The digital download will include a bonus track, the Bo Flex remix of "Keep It Cool." Speaking of cool, you can grab the first track off the record, "Every Summer," HERE and check out the video below.

For those in the New York area, U.S. Royalty have a couple of shows coming up so you can check them out live. They'll be on the LES at Mercury Lounge this coming Wednesday, September 2. Then, they'll be across the bridge in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 24.

Track Listing

• Every Summer
• Where Are You Now
• Keep It Cool
• Rats
• Keep It Cool (Bo Flex remix)

www.usroyaltymusic.com
www.myspace.com/usroyalty

Audio Fiction To Play Brooklyn

New York based pop rock band Audio Fiction are playing their first Brooklyn gig of the year. They'll be over at Public Assembly this coming Tuesday, September 1. They're melodic, dramatic, cheeky and fun. That's a recipe for a good live show.

I've mentioned Audio Fiction several times here since seeing them perform back in March. The band, Kristin Wilson Ryan (vocals), Darren Korb (bass), Charles Park (guitar) and Mark O'Toole (drums) have a record out simply titled Audio Fiction. If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, give it a spin. It's a good listen.

The record is a nice mix of pop and rock. Y'all know I'm a guitar fan and Park laces these songs with some wicked guitar bits especially live. He does good guitar face too, by the way. I dig "Wishful Thinking" which stood out when I saw them perform it. I think the majority of us can identify with this song ... digging someone who doesn't know you even exist. "Ever Wonder" and "Suffocate" both of which have wicked guitar. The latter of the two is my favorite song on the album and rocks itself into somewhat of a dance mode. It's a solid album from a delightful live band.

Track Listing

• Race The Hourglass
• Kite High
• Johnny Go
• Way Out
• Days Like These
• Wishful Thinking
• Ever Wonder
• Suffocate
• All I Have
• I’m Alive

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

Video: Love Grenades - Young Lovers

I feel like getting down with my bad self. So to help me get moving, I turned to the Love Grenades. They're a Los Angeles group and they have some catchy songs. My favorite is "Tigers In The Fire" which is the title track to their EP. Tigers In The Fire was released at the end of last year but it's still fun. Check out the video for the catchy, somewhat infectious "Young Lovers" below.

"Young Lovers"

www.myspace.com/LoveGrenades

Langhorne Slim Set To Release New Record

Be Set Free, the upcoming record from Langhorne Slim is scheduled to be released on September 29. You can grab "I Love You, But Goodbye" from the album HERE.

Slim is also hitting the road this fall. For those in the New York area, he'll be at The Bell House in Brooklyn on October 15. Those of you outside New York, check out his MySpace page for dates.

Track Listing

• Back to the Wild
• Say Yes
• I Love You, But Goodbye
• Land Of Dreams
• Cinderella
• Be Set Free
• For A Little While
• Sunday By the Sea
• Leaving My Love
• Yer Wrong
• Blow Your Mind
• So Glad That I'm Coming Home
• Boots Boy

www.myspace.com/langhorneslim

QNYC Meets Star & Micey Virtually ... Sorta... Well, Not Really

I came to hear about Memphis based band Star & Micey via Twitter some months ago. I'd never heard of them but they started following me. I liked their name. How could I not? So, I made the following mutual. No formal tweetroductions (that's what introductions in the land of Twitter are called) have been made so I'll do it now. Hi Star & Micey, how are ya? I'm Quirky NY Chick ... QNYC for short, nice ta meet ya fellas. How are things down in Memphis?

Ah, virtural social outlets ... one stop shopping for stuff to check out and meeting new folks.

Well anyway, because I'm lazy, um, I mean a busy chick, I just now got around to checking out their brand of indie folk pop music. Hey, I may be slow, but at least I got around to checking them out! And, you know what? It turns out I like what I've heard so far. Star & Micey consists of Joshua Cosby (guitar/lead vocals), Geoff Smith (bass/vocals), Nick Redmond (lead guitar) and Doug Walker (organ/keys). I'm going to assume Walker isn't full-time as there's a cheeky "when willing" next to his name. But, I could be wrong, it has been known to happen from time to time. Guitarist Luther Dickinson makes an appearance on the song "So Much Pain" ... y'all know him, he's the bad ass guitar player from North Mississippi Allstars and The Black Crowes.

Star & Micey's self-titled debut album is slated to come out on October 20 and I look forward to checking it out. In the meantime, you can get a taste of what's to come using the handy widget below.

twitter.com/starandmicey
starandmicey.com
facebook.com/starandmicey
myspace.com/starandmiceymusic