Yet Another NYC-Centric Music and Comedy Blog That Nobody Reads
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
REVIEW! DANDY WARHOLS - WEBSTER HALL - 11/29/05
Last night I saw The Dandy Warhols at Webster Hall and have to say I really enjoyed them. I know them only very superficially and am really only familiar with their more popular tunes, but hearing a larger representation of their catalogue live really made me a huge assed fan. It's weird though. Their style isn't that original and yet I hear a lot of bands who are DEFINITELY biting their style. How fucked up is that? Bands copying bands who are making a living essentially copying other bands. I know it happens a lot in music, but last night the concept really nailed me. Here's some pics: * Pics do not open in a new window *
UPCOMING! TODD BARRY - "COMEDY CENTRAL PRESENTS" - LIVE TAPING
Hey Dudes! One of my favorite comedians is doing a live taping for an upcoming Comedy Central Presents episode and you can be there! Todd Barry will be performing at the Hudson Theater in midtown Manhattan and AND BY CLICKING HERE you can make reservations to be there. With me. And other Todd Barry fans. And people from Long Island and Staten Island who always manage to infiltrate these events. The taping is on December 16th at 6:00pm, so you're probably going to have to get out of work early and skip your Learning Annex real estate pep-seminar to get a good spot in line.
REVIEW! ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - WEBSTER HALL - 11/20/05
Last night I saw Animal Collective at Webster Hall and I still can't seem to figure out what the fuss is all about. The show was sold out way in advance and there were plenty of people outside trying their best to get tickets. But after seeing the show, I remain vexed as to what the fuss is all about.
To begin with, the two opening acts just stunk. I'm sorry. They were uninteresting, boring, and so stinkingly derivative of other bad and boring music that I just couldn't wait for it to end. The first band was a soft, slow, predictable folksy outfit that had zero appeal to me. The second band was just a noisy spazz-festival that lacked anything resembling cohesion. A couple of guys with keyboards and synthesizers and a couple of guys moaning into mics. They put on such a contrived show that had zero artistic or musical merit.
And then came Animal Collective. I had heard so many good things about this band that perhaps my expectations were just too high. I found them to be pretty boring and unnecessarily over-praised. Their onstage energy didn't match their sound at all; their energy level was high, but their music didn't pack even the slightest punch.
I give them an A+ for attracting such an incredibly enormous and loyal audience. It just wasn't for me though. Oh, and David Bowie was there which is pretty dope.
REVIEW! ROBERT POLLARD of GBV - BOOK SIGNING - 11/17/05
Mentally, I carry around a list of a handful of my idols who I'd like to meet someday. In a matter of weeks, I've been able to scratch TWO people from that list. First it was the drummer from Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy. And tonight, it was ROBERT POLLARD from Guided By Voices.
Bob and author Jim Greer made it out to Barnes and Noble Chelsea NYC for a reading, discussion, book signing of Greer's book about the rise and fall of GBV. However, because of the immense amount of people who showed up, the event was reduced to a mere book signing. Neither author or performer uttered a single word. Luckily I got there at around 6:00pm and got a seat in the second row and had my book signed relatively quickly. I have to say that when it came to my turn I was absolutely petrified. For some reason, Bob had an almost God-Like effect on me which I did not expect. Ah, but he was so nice. When I got to him, he was warm and immediately greeted me with a firm, thoughtful handshake. He asked my name, signed my book "To Jeff, Love Robert Pollard" and, I shit you not, looked up at me like he recognized me. It was bizarre. All I could say was "Thanks a million for signing my book. It means a lot to me. I look forward to your new record and seeing you in the fall." To which he replied "Man, that's so nice. Thanks a lot for your support. It means a lot to me" to which he high fived me. And I left and met up with a bunch of old friends who I usually only see at GBV shows.
Oh, did I mention that I'm a dickhead? I forgot my digital camera and didn't get a picture with Bob. So many assholes took their time getting their pic taken with him. And then there's me, Mr. Asshole with a blog.
REMINDER! ROBERT POLLARD of GBV - BOOK SIGNING - 11/17/05 Don't forget, kittens! Robert Pollard is doing a book signing at Barnes and Noble in Chelsea tommorrow. Be there or remain square. Details on the long awaited, Pollard approved biography can be found HERE.
UPCOMING! INVITE THEM UP - RECORD RELEASE - BOWERY BALLROOM - 12/6/05
You see that picture up there? That's me on the right, the head cheese from Chunklet in the back, and Bobby Tisdale, co-founder of one of NYC's greatest comedy showcases EVER on the left. What's the big deal? Well, I'll tell you sister. Some of my greatest comedy experiences ever in New York City were facilitated by Bobby Tisdale, Eugene Mirman, and their weekly comedy showcase Invite Them Up. A few months back, Invite Them Up had a three night comedy orgy that was recorded for Comedy Central Records and DVDs. Now, finally, Comedy Central Records is releasing a 3 CD, 1 DVD set culled from those three evenings and the release blast off has finally been scheduled.
The release will take place on Tuesday December 6th at The Bowery Ballroom and the line-up so far made me have a release party.... IN MY PANTS. I am sure it will be loaded with surprise guests and good times. I honestly haven't been this cranked for a show since GBV played their final Irving Plaza gigs, and that says a lot dude. For more details, keep checking the Bowery Ballroom site, The Eugene Mirman website, the Bobby Tisdale website, and of course the Invite Them Up website. If you don't need any more convincing please BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE. For some highlights from the performances that were used for the recordings, click below (pics taken by some friends (probably huond and nick) of mine at the show because I didn't have a digital camera of my own. THANKS DUDES). * Pics do not open in a new window *
REVIEW! SUPER FURRY ANIMALS - WEBSTER HALL - 11/5/05
Man, when I heard SFA cancelled their second NYC show because of a lack of ticket sales, I was a bit nervous. I dig their tunes, but having never seen them live I began to fear that maybe their live shows sort of blow and that the lack of ticket sales was the result of people not wanting to bother seeing them live. My fears were further reinforced when Caribou went on stage to a crowd of about 50 people. The place was empty. Even as Caribou's set ended and they were prepping the stage for SFA, the place was STILL empty.
But then, a few minutes before they started, I looked down at the crowd from my spot on the balcony area and noticed that the place was suddenly packed. I don't know how it happened, but in the blink of an eye the place went from empty to FULL. And I have to say, SFA put on one amazing show. The stage was flanked with projection screens that showed movies which essentially went along with the tunes. They started the show with a 45 minute set of slowish stuff and then bolted off stage. I thought the show was over and was a bit let-down. But then they came back out and did another, more amped 45-minute set that really utilized the projection screens and the fancy-schmancy lights that Webster Hall has. It was intense. The second set really kicked my ass. It was like watching 4th of July fireworks; they start out nice but pretty subdued, then after a short silence they unleash an earth shattering finale that leave you stunned. Oh, and their glow in the dark jumpsuits were stunning
Here's some pics: * Pics do not open in a new window *
REVIEW! PILFERS REUNION SHOW - KNITTING FACTORY - 11/4/05
Let me start by noting that the image above isn't from the actual Pilfers reunion show. I stole that pic from the internet. Sorry. Anyhow, as I was once in a band with Vinnie Nobile I couldn't resist going to the nearly instantly sold-out Pilfers reunion show at the Knitting Factory. I was a huge fan back in the day and was actually really thrilled that they decided to reconcile and play one more time. They sounded incredible and the sold out crowd couldn't get enough...
And that's where my main beef with this show arises. They played for over two hours, playing nearly every tune in their library. I know it's a reunion show, I know people came to see them play everything, and I know that this young crowd has energy to spare... but jesus christmas, after the first hour I was ready to go. The fact that I have a broken tailbone coupled with the lack of AC made me pretty antsy and miserable.
Ah, but they sounded so good. Even though I was uncomfortable I can't deny that they were ON. Plus, I saw some old ska faces that I haven't seen since the third wave was at it's peak. Meanwhile, this show sold out waaaaaaaay in advance; why they don't book a Boston, DC, Philly, etc east coast tour I'll never know.
REVIEW! OPETH / NEVERMORE - WEBSTER HALL - 11/3/05
Goddamn. Metal is still alive and well in New York. In a city that increasingly alienates the poor and unfashionable, it is great to know that the right show will attract legions of long-haired metalheads into this city. Webster Hall was absolutely packed to the gills for last night's Opeth show. I got there at the start of Nevermore's set and was throwing up the devil horns and banging my head within seconds. Nevermore were absolutely fantastic. Their main guitar player was shredding so flawlessly and so brutally that I nearly decided to quit playing guitar altogether.
When Opeth went on, I thought the place would implode. One cannot accurately describe how fucking cranked the crowd was when Opeth came on. The energy in that venue was absolutely intense. It gave me the chills. But what can I say about their set that could accurately descibe its greatness? It left me speechless. They played for over 2 hours and I never once thought to myself "Geez, is this almost over or what?" The mix in the room was perfection. I have never heard double bass drums projected so well in such a large room. And their songs. Motherfuck. Absolutely anthemic masterpieces.
But the joy doesn't end there. I watched most of the show from the VIP balcony and while I was up there I met my biggest drummer idol of all time: MIKE PORTNOY FROM DREAM THEATER. The evening was absolute perfection. Here's some pics: * Pics do not open in a new window *
HEADS UP! ROBERT POLLARD of GBV - BOOK SIGNING - 11/17/05
Garage rock legend Robert Pollard is making his return to NYC in the form of a low-key book signing at Barnes and Noble in Chelsea. Robert Pollard of Guided By Voices will be on hand with author James Greer to sign copies of Greer's new book "Guided by Voices: A Brief History: Twenty-One Years of Hunting Accidents in the Forests of Rock and Roll. Details on the long awaited, Pollard approved biography can be found HERE.
