Grammy Award Winning...

Kings of Leon!

Congrats bros. Its been a long time fucking coming.

COACHELLA 2009 LINEUP

I posted this on ontd....

Rumors have been a swirl recently as to who will be playing this years Coachella Festival. It is set to Take place April 17-19 in Indio California. This will be Coachella's 10th year which has led to speculation of some major artists like David Bowie, Britney Spears and Neil Young. Coachella has also been known for bringing together dismantled bands such as the Pixies in previous years. This years rumored reunions are Pavement and the Smiths.



Confirmed:

The Airborne Toxic Event
The Bug
Brian Jonestown Massacre
Buraka Som Sistema
Christopher Lawrence
Crystal Castles
Drop The Lime
Fleet Foxes
Flying Lotus
Franz Ferdinand
Girl Talk
Glasvegas
The Hold Steady
The Killers
The Knux
No Age
Noah and the Whale
Late of the Pier
Los Campesinos!
Lupe Fiasco
Paul McCartney
Paul Weller
Peanut Butter Wolf
The Presets
Sebastian Tellier
Themselves
Tinariwen
The Ting Tings
X



Rumored:

Band of Horses
Basement Jaxx
The Black Keys
Bloc Party
Booker T. Jones
The Comedians of Comedy
The Courteeners
Crystal Antlers
Four Tet
The Gaslight Anthem
Glasvegas
Green Day
Gui Boratto
Gus Black
Heartless Bastards
Hot Little Pony
Jose Gonzalez
Keane
KONGCRETE
Lily Allen
Mastodon
Mexican Institute of Sound
Monotonix
Morrissey
Mr. Lif
N.A.S.A.
Neil Young
Neko Case
Nine Inch Nails
OutKast
Pavement
Plump DJs
The Pretenders
The Prodigy
The Replacements
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Roni Size Reprazent
The Thermals
Turbonegro
We Are Scientists
White Lies
The White Stripes

Main source
Source 1
I can say with confidence that I do think Kings of Leon will also be playing. Also, people over at the offical message boards have been saying that the offical lineup will be up on the LA Times website by Sunday. With official release on the Coachella site on Monday Longest weekend of my life. I was tote kidding about above pic.

Not So Silent Night 2008

I have an acquaintance who has close ties with someone at Live. Here is some NSSN news:

1) I am confident NSSN is going to be on December 12th. This is just an assumption here is the real juice...

2) There will be two events. Aaron confirmed this on Soundcheck a few weeks ago but, I can now say that the event will be a pre-party at Mezzanine on a Thursday. The line up for that is confirmed and it is so good that "it could sell out the Concourse". A Mezzanine event generally means a more dance type act.

4) This source was also really excited about the general line up. I have a few guesses as to who will be there. I am predicting the line up is going to have some or all of these bands:

Vampire Weekend
Cold War Kids
Kaiser Chiefs
Franz Ferdinand
the Killers

with a local band winner (I'm rooting for Dizzy Ballon or Bears!Bears!Bears!-you should too). Now I could be completely off and it could look something more like this:

Rise Against
Offspring
Weezer

Remember that year Iggy Pop headlined and the most random bands played? Yeah, neither do the rest of us but it happened so this second lineup isn't unlikely.


That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

ALSO: I am almost positive that this year's festivities will be held at the OAKLAND ARENA.

UPDATE

I have been very conscious that this page exist. However, though the slew of shows I have been attending has become less frequent, there is plenty of stuff still going on in the Bay. So, what is holding me back. I guess my own personal mess called a senior thesis. I am one of the few college students that is required to do one. Everyone from another University that I have talked to does not have this responsibility. So, the music does not stop. But the reflection of it does.

I guess the bottom line is: I have to focus on this, to get a stable job, in order to afford my hobbies. So for now I think I might just post one or two pictures and one or two lines of review. Which is lame. But something is better than nothing.

Festivals in SF are become really prominent. Before, the only thing available was NoisePop which is sorta like a festival. Oh and BFD. However, BFD went corporate I hear and the rest of the year is empty. So here is some worthy ones that are either based in SF or coming through that I am going to...and hopefully I will write about after the fact if I can just finish analyzing the effects of Christian fundamentalism on individual voting choices since 1980...

OutsideLands: Stay for Radiohead. Don't shower and become a hippie for Jack Johnson (or not!)
Treasure Island: Day one to dance with glowsticks. Day two is to dance with nerdy boys and girls.
ROCK THE BELLS: Two words: Spank Rock.

OUTLANDS FESTIVAL LINEUP

TICKETS ON SALE THIS SUNDAY!

August 22-24
Golden Gate Park

Line up:
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,
Radiohead
Jack Johnson
Beck
Primus
Widespread Panic
Wilco
Manu Chao
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals
Steve Winwood
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Café Tacvba
Broken Social Scene
Regina Spektor
Devendra Banhart
Galactic’s Crescent City Soul Krewe
Steel Pulse
Cold War Kid
Andrew Bird
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
Drive-By Truckers
M. Ward
ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra)
Matt Nathanson
Two Gallants
Mother Hips
The Coup
Dredg
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Donavon Frankenreiter
Kaki King
Black Mountain
Sidestepper
Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
Goapele, Nellie McKay, Sean Hayes
Rupa and the April Fishes and K’Nann

More to be added later...

Whoa, that seems pretty solid for like the 30+ crowd. Where is the dance acts? I am not completely confident I want to spend $225 (that will be the cost) on a three day pass for this.

Friday doesn't start until 5pm with gates opening at 3:30. That is the day Radiohead headlines. The other two days start at noon with gates opening an hour before.

There will be 5 stages and all other stages except the main stage ends at 8. Which means they are forcing you to watch the main act after 8.Also, it ends early. 10 pm on Friday and Saturday and 9 pm on Sunday. I guess that will be my cue to go to the clubsss. I guess the earlier the better since the afterpartys will be OFF THE HOOK!

I have my hotel booked just in case the lineup gets better. How about you?

Attendance is expected to be between 30,000 and 40,000. Which is fairly small.

City of SF
SF Weekly

Coming Soon

Shows I will be attending and recapping:

March 27: Justice @ Concourse
March 28: Portugal, the Man @ Bottom of the Hill
April 3: Cribs @ Popscene and Louis XIV @ Fillmore
April 11: Jessie Baylin/Hotel Cafe Tour @ Great American Music Hall
April 21: Tegan and Sara @ Davis
April 22: Sara and Tegan @ Rio Santa Cruz

Your Love Is a Deserter

Always have to give the background story:

So, I first read Matthew of Kings of Leon name dropping this band in a few interviews. I hadn't really utilized the ability of the internet to bootleg records and was too poor to go out and buy anything. They still were a name I put in the index card catalog (you know like how they use to have in the library) in my head. Where it says their band name (Kills), members (VV [real name alison], hotel [real name Jaime]) where they are from (VV from Florida originally, founding member of Discount, popular in the 90's punk scene, later moved to london where she met hotel though I am not clear where or how. Something about an apartment and mutual friends comes to mind) they played their first show on: Valentines day 2002. Bands to associate them with : Kings of Leon, White Rose Movement (due to VV dating lead singer guy), Bonnie and Clyde for their attitude. Do not compare them to: Raveonettes! They excude more sex, make better music and are just more kick ass in general. My brain has hundreds of these little index cards full of connections between bands, how many times I have seen them, what type of listener the particular band could appeal to as much as pointless information as who they may or may not have fucked, how tight they like their jeans, and their high school mascot.

First time I seen them was opening for Bloc Party. Having seen few images of them, when they passed by us and Concepcion (friend and concert goer, and yes thats her real name) said "Hey, thats the Kills right?" I was quick to respond no thats not them. They looked rushed, had tattered clothing, and the pale female whose bangs were covering most of her face definitely did not scream sexy vixen to me. However, a couple hours later when they got on stage I was shocked to learn that the Kills were in fact a hurried, messy pair of musicians whose boots would as easily stomp on your face should you offend them as stomp on your heart. Their performance was pounding in my ear, the guitar wailed, and I felt I should have smoked a cigarette after witnessing their onstage debauchery and lovemaking. Only in this case the lovemaking is strictly music and off the stage they affirm they are not involved. Which I can believe. It is a possibility. I do firmly believe that chemistry is strictly their personalities and their music and it can remain so attractive and beautiful without involving sex. Its one of those things you have to witness to believe. Or not believe.

I quickly managed to update my computer skills and acquired any of the music I could. Which was two full lengths, a couple of remixes, and a few b-sides. Its been so long I really don't know if the connection to the music was an instant one or a gradual one. I know now that they easily rank among my favorite musicians/bands to listen to. The title of this blog is proof of that.

Now:

With Valentines day approaching, and no prospects, I decided I was going to spend Valentines Day with the Kills. Well, not with them per say but in their presence. They played an intimate show as a part of Popscene, which is being held at Rickshaw Stop for a few weeks while Popscenes real home at 330 Rick gets remodeled or updated.

It sold out before I could by tickets. So I went and lined up early and met a wonderful guy who has been a fan for about four years after seeing them by chance at El Rey in LA and at SXSW later that year. I also met this girl from Bulgeria and her somewhat mute boyfriend who looked more foreign than she did. My friend Mike and I lined up and waited for a few hours in the front of the venue untill doors opened. I seen a taxi some time pull up and watched as the Kills got out of it some time after seven. I pretended to not notice them or even look at them too much for fear I may just throw up on their snakeskin boots as they passed. The guy in front of me said hi and I heard the shy and gentle voice of VV say "hello hello". This is probably the one band I could never approach to talk to and to get a photo with. Their music has so much attitude I fear they would brush me off.

Some time after doors, I headed to the bathroom, then the bar, then to the stage to ensure a prime viewing spot. I wish I could have danced as the DJ's choice songs were really good but being on the short side I had to make sure I had a spot in front.

The came out and played the setlist full of some of my favorites, as well as some new songs. I particularly enjoyed Tape Song off the new record Midnight Boom. They seemed more approachable on stage. Laughing and smiling. Even taking time to announce that it was the 6 year anniversary of their first performance ever and swigging some wine. The amps were having some trouble functioning. Which caused Hotel to jump on to the monitors and begin to kick them. Their interaction during Kissy Kissy Heart is a choreographed one but was still authentic and pure. VV picked up a guitar for a few of the songs and demanded the crowds attention with her hyperactive turns and twils on stage and angered voice wailing into the mic. Hotel with a more cunning, smoky voice did interject, though, the listener shouldn't be fooled. His voice is the type of voice that will reel you in but suffocates once its got ahold of you. Thus, is the power of the Kills. Dominant, disruptive, beautiful, standoffish, and yet inviting.

On Valentines day I had nothing but love for the Kills. A love that made a meaningless corporate holiday a reason to celebrate the union of two souls in a crowded room making noise that demands attention. I gave them my heart as they walked on stage but as is their manner it was short lived and they stomped on it and left the stage. Making me desire them all that much more.

Yay's:
Alicia Keys and Frank Sinatra
Daft Punk with Ye... Soon as I seen that pyramid I knew.
TINA IS KILLING IT! Rocking some American Apparel style spandex for reals.
Art Brut in a commercial!??!?!
Beatles Love tribute.
Aretha.
The skirt of Aretha's backup singer in blue.
OMG! Everything about Alicia Keys! The fit, the hair, and her and John Mayer.
Vince Gill.
AMY WINEHOUSE! Finally. Damn, she sure acts like she is on coke even when she isn't. Her voice...She hits it then misses it.

Nay's:
Rhianna ruining the bit she was a part of.
Miley Cyrus being way too tan.
No live telecast of Amy accepting her award.
Beyonce.
Continuing to plug amy winehouses performance that is "a few minutes away" like 40 minutes ago.
Kanyes acceptence speech. the whole attitude cocky shit is getting tired bb. You want respect? Respect the fact that they just gave you something when Common should have won.
Art Brut in a commercial?!??!??!?
John Mayers head looking super big. aha

More as the night progresses.

You Like My Loving Better, Cause You Said So In A Letter

I seen editors for the first time in November or something of 2007. I liked the first record, didn't have the second record, and overall enjoyed it. At times it did seem to drag on but I got to witness the madness that is Biffy Clyro opening so that made up for it I guess. Also, the afterparty with the band at popscene has become one of my favorite nights there to date.

Hot Hot Heat has been a favorite of mine for about 4 years. I remember attending BFD in 2003, strictly to watch them. They played first and opened the side stage. I even made a sign out of a pizza box that said "Can I play cow bell on Talk To Me Dance With Me?" and as I was waiting in line a van passed by with them inside and I held it up. Someone from inside the van either pointed or waved. I took the box inside, and was about to hold it up when I started to chicken out. Then my buddy Marie who I went with said I had to do it and she said she would hold it up. Within a matter of seconds we got it taken away by security because it would obstruct the views of the people behind us. There are other stories but thats for another time...if ever.

Louis XIV: My first encounter with them was opening for the Killers at GAMH back in 2004. It was a sold out show, people were in front of us being dicks, and we met two people, Elizabeth and Andrea, who still are my friends today. Those two girls, probably 15 at the time, had the courage to approach the lead singer and tell him to put my sister and I on the guestlist since it was sold out in exchange for buying merch. He smiled, probably flattered and impressed at these two girls and their business approach to the situation and happily obliged. We got in, bought merch as promised, really enjoyed the show and to this day have not thanked them for the kind gesture. Though, it wouldn't matter to them either way I still wanted to show them my gratitude whether they remembered it or not. They would later on tour with Hot Hot Heat and play GAMH but I didn't pay them much attention as Steve Bays had sung with me that night and I was determined to meet him.

Fast forward to "today". Editors are attempting bigger success and playing the Warfield, Hot Hot Heat has released their second record on a major label and Louis XIV are embarking on another tour as the openers having just released their second CD. I have missed Hot Hot Heat the passed two times in town and being generally nonchalant about seeing Louis XIV.

I am not really prolific when it comes to writing about a band live. I keep it simple. So in a nutshell.

Louis XIV:
Blew me away. I wished I hadn't brushed them off so many times before. I am completely in lust with the bassist. Who reminds me another bassist I am enamored with. So much so it could be his older, more confident brother. Since the last tim eI seen them they have added two violinist. Which helped bring in a more country (to be general) feel and I think they played Louis Reprise because of it. I was throughly shocked at how much I was into it. Look forward to maybe catching them at the Fillmore. I hear its the same day as the Cribs so I don't know.

Hot Hot Heat:
They should probably be playing this venue as headliners, but when an indie band goes to a major you can expect a backlash. Honestly, the music suffered as well. There wasn't as much danceable songs on Elevator as the superb Makeup the Breakdown. Elevator could easily fit into being played as Elevator music in comparison but I still stayed loyal. Happiness LTD is definitely a step up. More listenable. Which in my case I don't know if that means it is less or more accessible. They played the hits. Closed with Talk To Me Dance With Me.

Editors: I was in and out of the lobby and floor area like I was bumping because I wanted to try and meet HHH. I watched them play the good songs, Sparks etc.

Eventually, I left early and caught up with Dustin (who doesn't want to start a band with me) and Paul (who apologized about not remember who I was, its cool I didn't expect you to) and Steve wa super sick so he snuck out and I didn't get a chance to talk to him.

The Kids Don't Stand A Chance

I hate sharing. I am a selfish bitch. I don't want to share Vampire Weekend with the world. The first time I caught this band was last July opening up for Shout Out Louds. I went there not knowing who they were. I was surprised to see 4 young boys, 2 of which were barefoot, 1 of which reminded me of Michael Cera so much I was trying to convince myself it wasn't his brother, trot on stage and begin to play eccentric Caribbean fused, up tempo, vivid rock. I feel like all those parallels to Paul Simon ( I heard some comparisons to Simon and Garfunkel but I just think they remind me more of a You Can Call Me All band rather than Bridge Over Troubled Water band, shoot me for being stereotypical!) are a bit played out and repetitive but its really true. You can't compare this to actual African music because, well, they are white. I found a liking for them the same as another band of young-ins fresh to the scene and bringing something to the table that was both retrospective and refreshing all at once: Arctic Monkeys. I feel just as likely to dance M79 in the same fashion as I would to Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor.

The first lyric then that stuck out was one I am sure is being spoken at some dorm room: "Is your sweater off? Do want to FUCK?" I thought, okay, America, this is your Alex Turner. The crowd of 18+ was pretty receptive. The guitarist for Shout Out Louds watched the entire time from the side of the stage with a Swedish look of awe. You know, the really pale, good looking, Ikea inspired kind of awe that only Swedes are capable of? Oh, you don't, yeah I kinda just made that up. Just go along with it.

Many things happened that night that should have be foreshadowing to their eminent success.
1) A guitar string broke mid gig. They switched guitars.
2) One of those guitar strings broke. Or the guitar was just not working overall. Can't remember.
3) They were out of guitars and had to borrow one.
4) The words "VAMPIRE WEEKEND SUCKS" were written on the bathroom wall.

On the surface these all seem like something that would disenchant any band. However, they finished thier set to applause and
a desire within me to continue playing. They won me over. Though, in the larger scope of the world I was a little apprehensive to think how successful this band would be able to get.

Over the next few months I do believe they came back to SF a few times, none of which I was able to go to. I made an effort to go to Popscene but as no car hinders my radius of traveland Friday morning classes take precedent I was unable to attend.

So hearing they would be playing an in-store at Amoeba in the city the following day I made sure to seize the opportunity to see how the half a year time lapse had affected this band. Evolution. I arrived, with Alonzo and Steph, to Amoeba at about 6:15 to find the store pretty full and willing to wait another 45 minutes to see this much hyped, blogged about band. I managed to squeeze my way through some people and get to the second aisle from the stage. In the 50's girl groups section and compilations section. The four youthful men took the stage a little after seven and played 5 songs. Though short it did give me a bit of a fix. Ezra (lead vox) managed to gain applause from the crowd by mentioning the Peninsula city of Redwood City and their amazing burritos. Man, this band is going places I thought. Though I forgot my camera in my bag (now conveniently placed at the bag check at the front of the store) Alonzo was able to get some pictures and wicked cool video. (Find those at the end)

That same night they were on Letterman. Awesome, I thought, great exposure.

The following Tuesday I hear their record sold an insane amount of copies and was number one on a varied charts. They are also gaining ground in the UK as we speak, possibly even more than in the US. Shit, how weird is that.

In sum, I have now realized how much they not some little band I was exposed to by chance any more. That I had to share them with an entire populous of hipsters, bloggers, and teenagers ready to swoon was evident. Again, the parallels to Arctic Monkeys in terms of success, not in any way to sound, is visible. I guess, in this case, I will have to remember my kindergarden manners and learn to enjoy this band, share Vampire Weekend.





Photos dont work. Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/miraclesun