All Zombies are Wasted

I am an entrepreneur/web developer/musician. I'll write about those things, and the other things I feel like writing about. My Portfolio

[subwaybookreview]

Here is New York by E. B. White. Jonathan: “E. B. White is known for Charlotte’s Web among other books. This one he wrote in 1948. I’ve been reading books that have been taking place in New York each decade since the 1890s. The first book on my list was ‘The House of Mirth’. I just finished that list and told a friend, who said I should read this book as a closer. It’s about what it means to be a New Yorker - it means so many things to so many people. I think the author’s attempt is to represent that and he does it well.” #newyork #subwaybookreview #bookreview #book #ebwhite #hereisnewyork #loveletter #nyc #summer #reading (at MTA Subway G Train)

[conversemusic]

The Black Black take it down the turnpike to  “Trenton NJ.”

[lowfatgettinghigh]

[mpsincavage]

Trailer Space in Austin rules. They bought a stash of the Low Fat Getting High///The Black Black split seven inches and hosted some of the best unofficial SXSW shows. We will certainly be hassling them about the new Low Fat EP on the way…..

[lowfatgettinghigh]

Here’s a fine establishment in Austin, TX that will gladly sell you our music—- Trailer Space Records, 1401 RoseWood Ave.

[tigerblanketrecords-blog]

On the very first day I was open I had the pleasure of being introduced to two bands I really like who have put out a split 7inch together! Jon of The Black Black and Michael of Lowfat Gettinghigh asked if I would carry this little gem in my store and I gladly said yes. I’ve sold a bunch so far. Come buy one!

In following posts I will show you what these cool kids look like and set you up with link to their respective albums but for now here’s of photo of the 7 inch album cover which you can buy here at Tiger Blanket!

[jfdjfd-blog]

KEXP Top 20 albums of last 40 years

KEXP is requesting for listeners to submit their top 20 albums from the last 40 years (the station is now 40 years old).  I started making my list, but it's really hard.  I did learn that I really like records from the 2000 -> 2005 time period, and that the 1980's are woefully misrepresented.  I didn't spend quite as much time as I should have on this because I'm sure more time would have resulted in just more records.  Here's my 37 in no order whatsoever...now i just need to narrow it down to 20. 

Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols by The Sex Pistols from 1977

The Meadowlands, Wrens 2003 

Who will cut our hair when we're dead? by the Unicorns 2004

Funeral by Arcade Fire from 2004

Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons by Blonde Redhead from 2000

You Forgot it in People by Broken Social Scene from 2002

You in Reverse by Built to Spill from 2006

Fever to Tell by Yeah yeah yeahs 2003 

The Photo Album by Death Cab For Cutie from 2001

The Argument by Fugazi from 2001

McLusky Do Dallas by McLusky 2001

Appetite For Destruction by Guns n' Roses from 1987

Post-Nothing by Japandroids from 2009

Warsaw by Joy Division 1978

Transformer by Lou Reed from 1972

In Utero by Nirvana from 1993

The New Romance by Pretty Girls Make Graves from 2003

Room on Fire by The Strokes 2003

The Woods by Sleater-Kinney from 2005

Girls Can Tell by Spoon from 2001

Three E.P.'s by The Beta Band from 1998

Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem 2006

London Calling by The Clash from 1979

No Kill No Beep Beep by Q and Not U 2000

Stoned & Dethroned by The Jesus and Mary Chain from 1994

White Blood Cells by The White Stripes from 2001

Pinkerton by Weezer from 1996

The Unsustainable Lifestyle by Beauty Pill 2004

Directions to see a Ghost by The Black Angels 2008

Apologies to the Queen Mary by Wolf Parade 2005

Death From Above by Death From Above 1979 2004

Futureheads by Futureheads 2004

Entertainment by Gang Of Four 1979

Slanted & Enchanted by Pavement 1992

Pieces of the People We Love by The Rapture 2006

The Shape of Punk to Come by Refused 1998 

Left and Leaving by Weakerthans 2000

[jfdjfd-blog]

Hipster Relocation Party - Tour 2012 - w/ The Black Black, Schocholautte, Modern Baseball & Caterpillar Party

September 26th at JR’s

[jfdjfd-blog]

Hipster Relocation Party - Tour 2012 - w/ The Black Black, Schocholautte, and Foxy

September 15th in the East Village

[jfdjfd-blog]

This new tune from Phil Boyd (of the modey lemon)'s solo project Hidden Twin is fucking excellent. 

[jfdjfd-blog]

Don't use the rules. They're not for you, they're for the fools.  And you're a fool if you don't know that, so use the rule, you stupid fool.

- Mick Jones / Joe Strummer from Cheat by The Clash

[jfdjfd-blog]

The Japandroids Live @ The Bowery Ballroom - June 27th 2012

The Japandoids played a sold out show at the Bowery Ballroom last night, fresh off of rave reviews from basically everyone on their new record, Celebration Rock.  The crowd was completely enthralled, and the band's energy was great.  The set consisted of songs from both Celebration Rock, and Post Nothing.  Both seemed to be equally loved, and revered by the audience.  Nothing fell flat.

King & Prowse have their stage show down at this point, which they have been perfecting since they started touring endlessly for Post Nothing.  King comes across earnest, and humble, while Prowse seems generally happy to hang in the background.  At one point, King goaded Prowse into joining him in an impromptu rendition of Paranoid.  King teasing Prowse with the tidbit of a riff like this has become a staple of their rapport...it would have been interesting to see Prowse take him up on it this time. 

My two favorites of the night were "The Night of Wine and Roses" from Celebration Rock, and the Prowse sung, "Rockers East Vancouver" from Post Nothing.  In Japandroids tradition, they closed their set with a cover.  Last night they finished with "For the love of Ivy" by the Gun Club, which they also released on Celebration Rock.  Personally, I would have preferred "Racer X", from Big Black, or "To Hell With Good Intentions" by McLusky, but the live version of "For the Love of Ivy" was still a solid closer.  

The growing success of the band hasn't impacted the show much...although the addition of an actual mosh pit, does signal a growing/changing audience. They're tighter than ever, and apart from a longer set, it was Japandroids as usual.  Which of course, is always a great show.

[nickthejam]

[jfdjfd-blog]

The Black Black - Takes

The Black Black's new record, 'takes' is available, and free for download.  It's three tracks, and it kinda rocks.  So get it now.

http://www.theblackblack.com

[lowfatgettinghigh]

Low Fat Getting High, Wooden Teeth, The Happy Problem, The Renewals. CAKE SHOP. Thursday June 21st, 2012. 152 Ludlow. NYC. $8. 8pm.

[lowfatgettinghigh]

Awkward Positions. Low Fat Getting High.

[jfdjfd-blog]

The Japandroids - Celebration Rock - a review of

The follow up to the excellent Post Nothing came out this week, or last, or next, I'm not sure.  My pre-order let me download it last week, and my LP showed up this week.  Regardless, it's available.  On to the review...

Out of the gate, "The Nights of Wine and Roses", gives you that warm feeling that your favorite band is still your favorite band, and hasn't abandoned their sound in favor of a slicker, popier sound.  But 54 seconds into the record the sound explodes, and a larger than before Japandroids emerge.  It's welcomed.  The sound has broadened, but it's still rooted in what it has been: energetic songs with raw guitars, frantic drumming, unmistakable vocal cadences, and sing along backing vocals that make you swell.

Celebration Rock continues on with Post-Nothing's long song structures (by punk rock standards), that somehow never tire.  It's intro -> verse -> chorus -> verse -> chorus -> bridge -> outro, and everything is played twice as long as you'd expect, and you're happy for it every time.  

The misstep on the record is "for the love of ivy" which feels thrown together, and contrived.  Buried as the middle fourth track on the record, it gives them plenty of time to recover.  The remainder of the record is strong especially with the previously released tracks "Younger Us", and "The House that Heaven Built".  Both stand outs on a strong record.  

The bigger sound, and occasional overdubbed 2nd guitars certainly opens itself up for more commercial appeal, but it's welcome, and feels natural.  As always, it's the unique vocal cadences and melodies that set the Japandroids apart from everyone else.  It's their in-your-face secret weapon, and it works every time.  

*EDIT*

I should make a note that "for the love of ivy" is actually by the gun club which I didn't realize until i got my LP and read the liner notes.

[jfdjfd-blog]

Future of the Left is back, and (shockingly) Falco is pissed. Check out their new video using the upmost subtlety to rail against business capitalizing on art.  (ok, not so new at this point, but the new album is out now too).