Oh Snap! Free Nico Vega

When I put up my post about the Nico Vega show earlier, I forgot to mention that they're offering up their song "So So Fresh" for free. Yes, I said FREE! So, if you haven't already bought their self-titled record (Shame on you! And, why not?) now's your chance to get a taste of what you're missing out on for free. Now you have no excuse not to add some of their music to your collection. What are you waiting for? The sooner you get familiar with the handy little widget below, the sooner you'll experience the brilliance that is, Nico Vega.

nicovega.com
www.myspace.com/nicovega
www.facebook.com/nicovega

Nico Vega, Beautifully Euphoric At The Bowery Ballroom

Nico Vega: April 26 @ Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

Monday night, the brilliant rock band Nico Vega, took to the Bowery Ballroom stage. If you've been keeping up with my little corner of the blog world, then you know that I'm mad about this band. All it took was one mind blowing live performance and I was hooked. This is now my third time seeing the band, Aja Volkman (vocals), Rich Koehler (guitar) and Dan Epand (drums). I didn't think it was possible for them to get better than they already were. But, I'll be darned if they didn't do just that, get better!

Epand, who was off to the side of the stage where I couldn't see him, beats an insanely wild, yet amazingly controlled rhythm. That rhythm provides a driving beat for Volkman's primal tribal like dancing that matches her vocal style ... open and expressive, sexy and exotic. The last time I saw the them, Volkman's vocals were low in the mix. This time, she was crystal clear and it was a pleasure to hear her spot on performance. I know what y'all are thinking. Perhaps, I'd have been able to see Epand do his thang if I hadn't firmly planted myself in front of Koehler ... well, behind the people in front of him, symmetrics. What? We all know how I feel about good guitar! The man shimmy's and slides around the stage looking like a rock 'n' roll angel while musically ripping through you one part spiritual, one part sin, all parts good.

This is a band you need to see live. They're beautiful, primal, sexy, raw, seductive, intense and will completely blow your mind. A Nico Vega show isn't simply just a show, it's an experience. It's the kind of experience that reaches deep down within and brings about this incredible feeling of euphoria.

Check out some photos from their set.

More photos HERE.

nicovega.com
www.myspace.com/nicovega
www.facebook.com/nicovega

Photo Review: Breedlove At Bowery Ballroom 4/26

Breedlove: April 26 @ Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

I confess, until last night, I'd never heard Breedlove before. Oh sure, I'd heard the name but beyond that, I didn't have a clue. I didn't know what he sounded like; I knew nothing, nada, zip. So, after Lady Starlight's DJ set, a set that gave me severe 70's and 80's flashbacks (add to that, some folks were wearing stuff similar to what I wore back in the 80's!), Breedlove and his two very colorful dancing girls took to the stage. I am now, officially, in the know.

I'm still processing Breedlove. He wasn't bad by any means. But, he wasn't my cup of tea. He was however, very witty and rather entertaining. There was a very retro vibe to him; he looks very circa 1970-something. At any rate, my fellow New Yorkers liked him ... a lot! Declarations of love were screamed out. Someone wanted to marry him ... he jokingly accepted saying it didn't matter what the person looked like, he has incredibly low standards.

Check out some photos from Breedlove's set.

breedlovenyc.com
www.myspace.com/breedlovenyc

American Bang ... Straight, No Chaser

American Bang: April 19 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Oh, how I love Southern boys who play loud rock 'n' roll! Last night, Jaren Johnston (vocals/guitar), Ben Brown (guitar), Kelby Ray (bass) and Neil Mason (drums), better known as American Bang, brought their brand of old school stomp and swagger, straight ahead rock to NYC. It was seven months to the day since I'd been introduced to that which is American Bang. Oh we're a match made in heaven or somewhere. I love rock 'n' roll ... they play it, quite well; see how perfect we are for each other. These guys are all kinds of bad ass fun and make my list of bands you need to see live.

Y'all already know that this band won me over with their live performance the last time I saw them play. So, I was all kinds of tingly when I found out they'd be making their way to the Mercury Lounge stage. Well, they killed it ... just tore it up and ripped it to shreds. They roared through a set that included their recently released singles "Whiskey Walk" and "Wild and Young" as well as crowd favorite "Move To The Music." My only complaint about the set ... it wasn't long enough! I could have gone in for a few more songs and judging by the rest of the audience, they agreed. I walked away a happy camper and in case you didn't know, I'm happily and proudly in lust with American Bang.

www.americanbangrock.com
www.myspace.com/americanbang

Photos: MyNameIsJohnMichael At Mercury Lounge

MyNameIsJohnMichael: April 19 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

New Orleans band MyNameIsJohnMichael brought lots of energy and lots of percussion to the stage. The band was full of fun and Big Easy charm. They worked up a good sweat and rocked one heck of a set. Check out some photos from their show.

www.mynameisjohnmichael.com
www.myspace.com/mynameisjohnmichael

Photos: Flagship At Mercury Lounge

Flagship: April 19 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

North Carolina rock band Flagship took to the Mercury Lounge stage last night. I'd never heard them before but they put on a pretty good show. For some reason, something about them reminded me of Big Country. Check out a few photos from their set.

www.myspace.com/flagshipbrigade

Kids Of 88 - "Just A Little Bit"

Check out the latest video from Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy, the duo better known as Kids Of 88. These are the guys behind the hit single "My House." The video is for the song "Just A Little Bit" and was directed by Tim van Dammen. While "My House" didn't get me overly excited, I've had "Just A Little Bit" on repeat several times. Have a look below.

McCarthy rules vocals, programming and "complaining too much". While partner-in-heartbreaking Arts, plays synths, programming and "not complaining enough".

The twosome describe their music as a "whimful combination of dirt spitting kicks and feathering grit. An overdose of nightlife; the lubricated moan of spilt vodka. The hard realization of concrete and the happiness of blurry vision. An alleyway gangbang between Grandmaster Flash and The Knack."

The rest of New Zealand know Kids Of 88 better as architects of the Platinum selling debut single ‘My House’, and follow up single ‘Just A Little Bit’ which is a top 3 seller at iTunes. And the rest of the world? A UK Ltd Ed 7” of ‘My House’ already released through Dryden Street / East City Records, official remixes for Ke$ha &Cobra Starship, and Zane Lowe recently playing new demo ‘Ribbons Of Light’ on his UK Radio 1 Evening Session have certainly paved the way for arresting first impressions.

Having already become intimate with the chart-conquering 'My House', new single 'Just A Little Bit' is currently sinking it's fangs into your brainstem. Fans can also expect an album mid-July.

www.myspace.com/kidsof88