Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Video: The Ettes - "No Home"


The Ettes have released a video for one of my favorite songs by them, "No Home." Y'all know I'm a fan of this band. If you haven't had a chance to see them live, I highly recommend it.



www.theettes.com
www.myspace.com/theettes

Video: HYMNS - "Appaloosa"


Hymns have released a video for their infectious song "Appaloosa." The stop motion video was directed by Thomas Risch. Check it out below and if Hymns happen to be playing near you, check them out. They're an excellent band to see live.



www.hymnsband.com
www.myspace.com/hymnsband

Monday, March 29, 2010

The Donnas Take New York By Storm


The Donnas: March 24 @ Highline Ballroom,
New York, NY


The Donnas kicked off their East Coast mini-tour at New York's Highline Ballroom Wednesday night. I'm a long time fan so I was looking forward to checking out this show. I wasn't disappointed. The ladies rocked the hell out of NYC. The only thing that would have made the show better was a few more songs!

The Donnas, Brett Anderson (vocals), Allison Robertson (guitar), Maya Ford (bass) and Amy Cesari (drums) took the stage to a packed and exuberant crowd. This was my first time seeing the band with guest drummer Cesari. While I missed seeing Torry Castellano rocking out back there, I quickly became a fan of Cesari, who drummed her ass off. She and Ford are a rhythm force to be reckoned with.

The band launched into their set and immediately, the audience was singing along word for word. There was a young lady behind me who sang every song, word for word at the top of her lungs. Normally, that would have gotten on my nerves a bit but, she was so into it, you couldn't help but get caught up in her excitement. It's been a little while since I've been to a show that housed so many hardcore fans.

Anderson is a true frontwoman, interacting with the crowd, getting everyone pumped up, clapping and singing along with her. Robertson is ascending to a bonafide guitar goddess. She was tearing through lick after lick, a blurring mass of hair (I think I got more photos of her hair than anything else!) in constant motion. They played a solid set of crowd pleasers. But, the crowd became deafening when the band launched into "Fall Behind Me" and the one two punch of "Strutter" and "Take It Off" to end the night.

In a world that is sadly still too dominated by men when it comes to rock music, The Donnas are among the few successful all female rock bands that balance being beautiful women and rockin' out just as hard and well as the boys. And, rock out they did. Not once did they let up, giving an adoring crowd one hell of a show.

Visit Facebook for more photos.

www.thedonnas.com
www.myspace.com/thedonnas
www.facebook.com/thedonnas
www.twitter.com/the_donnas

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Gorevette Brought Detroit Fun To NYC


Gorevette: March 24 @ Highline Ballroom, N
ew York, NY


After a disappointing opening act, Detroit's Gorevette took the stage at the Highline Ballroom Wednesday night. They kicked things into high gear and got the crowd singing and dancing along.

Vocalist, the legendary Nikki Corvette, danced around the stage in stocking feet and smiling while dishing up their fun brand of pop garage punk. Guitarist Amy Gore (Gore Gore Girls) tossed out fierce licks all the while looking like the bad ass, cool, guitar chick that she is. While we're on the looking cool thing, some people just look that way, without effort, Gore is one of those. The slightest move, had fans cheering her on. And if you were in the audience on that side of the stage, then you likely experienced the mad crush of fans that made their way up front to get closer to her. The band was rounded out by Gore's fellow Gore Gore Girl, Lianna Castillo (bass) and Al King (drums) rocking infectious rhythms.

Gorevette turned the room into a party. Personally, I could have done with a few more songs. You couldn't help but have fun during their set. They were the perfect lead in to the nights headliners, The Donnas. They're definitely a band to check out live ... fun will be had, if not, something's wrong with you.

They have an EP out, Lustfully Yours. Check it out.

www.myspace.com/gorevette

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Russian Vogue Overwhelmed By Highline Stage


Russian Vogue: March 24 @ Highline Ballr
oom, New York, NY


Russian Vogue took the stage Wednesday night on the bill with The Donnas and Gorevette after a fun DJ set by Miss Guy. This may be a first for me but I have to say, I found Miss Guy's spinning more interesting than the band. I've never said a DJ was more interesting than a band before.

Anyway, they just weren't my cup of tea but there were others that enjoyed them. Personally, I thought they lacked stage presence and the singer sounded like he was screaming to be heard over the guitars. They played well enough but honestly, I can only kind of remember one song, something about a werewolf or silver bullets ... okay, "kind of remember" is obviously stretching things a bit.

I'm sure they're nice guys but I would have rather Miss Guy to have continued. At least I remember what he played. The only thing that would have made Miss Guy better is if he had gotten on stage.

Russian Vogue were kicking things off for two high octane bands. Sadly, they dropped the ball in the momentum building game. Perhaps in a more intimate setting I would have enjoyed them more and they would have seemed less overwhelmed.

russianvogue.com/home.html
www.myspace.com/russianvogue

Friday, March 26, 2010

ResidentBand Features Killola


Episode 25 of ResidentBand features one of my faves, Killola. If you don't know already, Killola has hit the road, yay! Their Buy The Milk Tour 2010 will bring them to NYC on Tuesday, March 30 at The Studio @ Webster Hall. Don't have tickets? Well, what are you waiting for? Go fork over some moolah and get yo'self some tix! They kill it live ... 100% guaranteed fun. Check out the episode below.

Oh, and they have a new record coming out. It's called Let's Get Associated. There are two purchase options ... the basic version and the we don't mind spending a few extra bucks to support a band who has given their fans a crap load of music for free version. Okay, that's not what they call it, they call it the "massive pre-order pack." You can pre-order it over in their store, HERE!



killola.com
twitter.com/killola
www.residentband.tv
www.myspace.com/residentbandtv

Doppelganger, Des Roar & Dead Sparrows To Play Webster Hall, 4/5


Doppelganger will be playing over at Webster Hall on April 5 as part of their "No Cover Mondays" happening. Also, taking the stage that night are Des Roar and Dead Sparrows. Go check it out, you won't regret it.

www.myspace.com/Doppelgangerisyourfriend

Video: American Bang - "Whiskey Walk"


American Bang released a video for their song "Whiskey Walk." They won me over with their live performance when I saw them last year supporting Juliette Lewis. That night they were, all up in your face, straight up fiery, whiskey drinking, kick your ass, foot stomping, Southern boogie and swagger rock 'n' roll. Check out the video below.




www.americanbang.com
www.myspace.com/americanbang
facebook.com/americanbang
twitter.com/americanbang

Robert Plant And The Band Of Joy To Tour US & Release New Record


Robert Plant is hitting the road. A 12 city North American tour has been confirmed so far. The tour begins in July and will preview material from his upcoming record which is set for release late summer, early fall via Rounder. The tour and record will feature the same musicians,The Band of Joy, Patty Griffin (vocals), Darrell Scott (multi-instrumentalist/vocals), Byron House (bass/vocals), Marco Giovino (drums and percussion/vocals) and co-producer Buddy Miller (guitar/vocals).

Tour dates are below ... no NYC dates yet.

Says Plant: “It’s been a blast working on these new songs…and I’m enjoying such creativity and vitality. It’s been a remarkable change of direction for all of us and as a group we all seem to have developed a new groove.”

In recent weeks Plant has been in the studio working on the planned release, which will be his first since Raising Sand, the multi-platinum, 6-time Grammy® winning collaboration with fellow Rounder artist Alison Krauss. Krauss has most recently been recording with her longtime band Union Station, and will be touring with them this summer. The pair do not expect to announce a new album or tour in the coming year, though when asked about the collaboration, Plant says: “Oh yes, Alison and I get together quite often…and sometimes we dance.”

Robert Plant and the Band Of Joy Tour Dates:
July
  • 13 - Memphis, TN - The Orpheum Theater
  • 15 - Little Rock, AR - Robinson Center Music Hall
  • 16 - Tulsa, OK - Brady Theater
  • 18 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Casino Amphitheater
  • 20 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theater
  • 21 - Tucson, AZ - Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
  • 23 - Dallas, TX - Meyerson Symphony Hall
  • 24 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
  • 26 - Austin, TX - Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater
  • 28 - Mobile, AL - The Saenger Theatre
  • 30 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
  • 31 - Miami, FL - Bayfront Park Amphitheater
www.robertplant.com

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Newport Folk Festival Announces Line-Up


A partial list of artists for this years Geo
rge Wein's 2010 Newport Folk Festival was announced today. The festival takes place on July 30 - 31 and August 1 in Newport, RI. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 26 at 10AM HERE.


FRIDAY, JULY 30 ~ 8:00 pm International Tennis Hall of Fame, 194 Bellevue Avenue
  • Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
  • Tim O'Brien
  • Sarah Jarosz

SATURDAY, JULY 31 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue
  • John Prine
  • Andrew Bird
  • Brandi Carlile
  • The Low Anthem
  • Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket
  • Doc Watson & David Holt
  • Calexico
  • Dawes
  • Nneka
  • O'Death
  • Liz Longley
  • Blitzen Trapper
  • A.A. Bondy
  • Sam Bush
  • Horsefeathers

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue
  • Levon Helm’s Ramble on the Road
  • The Swell Season
  • The Avett Brothers
  • Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
  • Richie Havens
  • Justin Townes Earle
  • Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
  • The Preservation Hall Jazz Band
  • Punch Brothers with Chris Thile
  • The Felice Brothers
  • Tao Seeger Band
  • Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons
  • Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore
  • Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three
www.newportfolkfest.net