Special One Time Screenings of the Jesus Lizard Live Around the Country

I usually report on contemporary, up-and-coming bands who are well deserving of attention, but this time I'm putting the spotlight on a defunct band of the 90s -- The Jesus Lizard. They were a foursome from Chicago whose independent spirit and talent helped bring life to music that veered more towards noisy, sweaty sets. But their records earned them a growing and loyal following, eventually also leading them to a major record deal with Capitol Records.

For those who rocked through that era of music, the Jesus Lizard's live concerts were tantalizing. They mastered the subtle art of channeling a frenzied energy and passing it along to their audience with every song. Now there's a way to re-live all of that and be a part of that audience. Lucky us, the band is releasing a concert film from a 1994 show at the Venus De Milo in Boston. In addition, there is some bonus footage from a performance at CBGB's in New York.

Screening information is below, followed by a YouTube clip of the concert film, which was officially released on May 15th.

CHICAGO
Tuesday, June 5th @ 7:30pm - Doors @ 7pm
Delilah’s (2771 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL)
FREE TO THE PUBLIC - 21+

NEW YORK
Tuesday, June 5th @ 9pm - Doors @ 8pm
Southpaw (125 Fifth Ave - Brooklyn, NY)
FREE TO THE PUBLIC - 21+

BOSTON
Tues, June 5th @ 7pm
The Middle East (480 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA)
Hosted by producer Chuck Prefontaine
Featuring a performance by Gang Green
$5 in advance / $7 day of show - 18+

PHILADELPHIA
Tuesday, June 5th @ 8pm - Doors @ 7:30pm
The Balcony at the Trocadero (1003 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA)
In conjunction with Sailor Jerry
Hosted by Needles Jones
Performances by Purple Rhinestone Eagle, Fnu Ronnies, Last Barbarians, Company Corvette
FREE TO THE PUBLIC - 21+

SEATTLE
Tuesday, June 5th @ 8pm
Solo Bar (200 Roy St - Seattle, WA)
In conjunction with Easy Street
FREE TO THE PUBLIC - 21+

WASHINGTON, DC
Monday, June 11th @ 9pm
Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW, Washington, DC)
FREE TO THE PUBLIC - 21+

Concert Review: Jesus and Mary Chain - 05/21/07 @ Webster Hall (New York, NY)

I'm not sure what most fans expect when an old band reunites and starts playing live shows again. Do people rock less hard as they get older? Perhaps. I think such is probably the case with Jesus and Mary Chain.

I've been reading some harsher reviews that some fans were quite upset that the band played for little over an hour on a $50 ticket. But you know what? I actually enjoyed their set quite a bit. You see, I never thought I would be able to see this band in my lifetime, but yet there I was -- in Webster Hall in New York City, gawking at one of those bands I was in awe of in my grade school youth. There was a twinkle in my soul when they started playing songs like "Never Understand," "Sidewalking" and "Just Like Honey."

So despite the fact that half of their set was played at a low volume (that inexplicably got louder towards the end of their set) and that I was surrounded by a raucous bunch who would have made more sense if I were at the Superbowl, I loved seeing Jesus and Mary Chain live. Sure, I would have loved a longer set (and I am not even a fan of jam bands), but the length of the set was also kind of perfect. It was longer than the 25 minute sets JAMC used to do back in the day and shorter than the set they played on their very last show back with Mercury Rev (according to a friend).

Summertime Is All About FREE Music!

This is my 10th year as a New Yorker (I think that makes me official!). Even after a decade of living in the city, I am still glowing about summers in New York. The weather is warm and breezy, people are vacationing during the weekends, and the city offers a multitude of free events for tourists and locals alike. Yes, free music is one of the benefits of living in the Big Apple, and every year thousands take advantage of this. Here is a quick roll call of what's coming up this summer:

River to River: R2R helps promote cultural summer events in New York's downtown area (yes, a quite successful effort to revitalize Tribeca and beyond after 9/11). Included are two of my favorites -- free concerts at Hudson River Rocks and South Street Seaport at Pier 17. There is an intangible magic to these shows as they are right by the water with ships in the background that make add to the atmosphere, especially at nightfall. Sometimes upwards of 5,000 people have gathered at the shows. I can say that there is no other summer concert series quite like the ones held at Hudson River Rocks and South Street Seaport.

Make Music New York Festival: This is the first year for this festival, which was inspired by the French festival, Fete de la Musique. The purpose is to encourage musicians in New York to "make music" on June 21. There is a free form spirit to this festival, which makes it unique from all the others. While everyone participating had to officially sign up to participate, it is open to all and has the entire city of New York as its venue. I am really looking forward to this one because it will be a spectacular sight to see the entire city turn into a big festival. What also kind of blows my mind is that 300 other countries around the world also chime in on the same day and participate with their own spin-offs of the festival, including far off places like Vietnam, Cameroon, Australia, Mongolia, Japan, Chile, Congo and more. It truly has the potential to make the world come together in the spirit of music.

JellyNYC McCarren Pool Parties: This is the second year for JellyNYC and their Sunday pool parties at McCarren Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Last year, they had dodgeball games and slip-n-slides in addition to the featured concert in the abandoned pool. What was so lovely about this event was that even though the concert skewed more towards indie rock, it wasn't only hipsters coming out to hang. In fact, often times, it felt like the entire community of Williamsburg and beyond came out every week just hang out and enjoy the sun.

Celebrate Brooklyn: This is one of the most laid-back concert series in New York. What I love about it is that it kind of reminds me of my first summer in New York when I would go to see the free movies in Bryant Park every Monday, except instead of movies, you are enjoying some free music. Bring a picnic, sneak in a bottle of wine, carry your Scrabble game in tow and sit back and relax in the lush setting of Prospect Park.

Siren Festival: Coney Island really flourishes when the Village Voice's Siren Festival takes over the beach front with two stages of today's most exciting bands. The great mix of new and old, local and foreign bands adds to the distinct Coney Island setting of Nathan's corn dogs and rickety roar of the Cyclone.

Central Park Summerstage: Summerstage at Central Park is also a great concert series, but it has its own flavor. Aside from the fact that it is set in the always wonderful Central Park, the people who come out to the show are varied and always ready for a good time. Every time I've gone to one of these shows, I would see the same kind of picnic feel as with Celebrate Brooklyn, but the focus here is definitely more on the show than on spending time chatting away with friends. And you know what? There ain't nothing wrong with that!

Fierce Friday iPod Playlist

Today, in lieu of a Songwriter Spotlight, I have come up with an excellent iPod playlist to cheer you up or empower you on a Friday. It contains some sunny numbers from bands like Nada Surf and matt pond PA to some fierce songs from bands like Cake and Time Machine.

1. "Punkrocker" by The Teddybears (featuring Iggy Pop)
2. "On the Moon" by Time Machine
3. "I Will Survive" by Cake
4. "Dirty Thief" by Diamond Nights
5. "Hieroglyphics" by The Jealous Girlfriends
6. "Hustle Rose" by Metric
7. "People Are So Fickle" by Kevin Devine
8. "Never Ending Math Equation" by Modest Mouse
9. "Till the End of the Day" by The Kinks
10. "Smile" by Lily Allen
11. "Closest (Look Out) by matt pond PA
12. "Blankest Year" by Nada Surf
13. "Shady Lane" by Pavement
14. "Hey" by The Pixies
15. "Such Great Heights" by Postal Service
16. "Goodbye" by The Postmarks

Bamboo Shoots on Conan O'Brien for MTVU Contest

It seems like the typical music industry story. Last summer I met a guy at a show through mutual friends, and I ended up checking out his band. I liked what I heard and kept in touch, helping him out here and there. It's a cycle that's familiar yet unpredictable. In this musical climate of downsized labels and booming digital and publishing worlds, who can accurately predict what's going to be popular and what isn't?

Fast forward to last week -- I got the debut full length CD from the aforementioned guy's band, Bamboo Shoots, a dance rock band led by Avir Mitra. They performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien as the winners of the MTVU's Best Music on Campus contest. I really loved Bamboo Shoots ever since I heard their single, "Chances and Reasons." Even though it's a dance-rock number, there is something very earthy and real about Bamboo Shoots -- instead of the usual, cold electronic vibe you get from a lot of dance-rock bands. They describe themselves as "South Asian/Indian influenced rock music fortified with beats and samples," and perhaps that's what adds to their unique perspective.

The band's six-song debut produced and recorded by Britt Myers (Essex Green, Mates of State, Dressy Bessy) is a wonderful representation of the band's potential to capture the spirit of bands like !!! and twist it into something that is distinctly their own. The first track, "Hey Girl," does just that. The song has all the elements of spinning at a club, but none of the annoying qualities of being too cutesy or repetitive. Their song, "Wrong All Along," features assertive rock guitars, fun hand claps and catchy vocals from Mitra... it all makes me want to bust a move in my cubicle.

I'm looking forward to seeing where the future takes Bamboo Shoots. I love that even though the music industry seems to be slowly falling apart and heading in dark directions, there is still room to shine a light on up-and-coming bands like Bamboo Shoots.

** Visit the official band website.

** Listen to the band on Haystack.

** Watch the band's performance of "Hey Girl" on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on YouTube:

Songwriter Spotlight: Holly Miranda and Josh Abbott of The Jealous Girlfriends

So The Jealous Girlfriends are a band I've been hearing about for a couple years now, but never had a chance to check out until just the other weekend -- at a house party of all places. But don't get the wrong idea. The band is on the rise, playing bigger shows in New York at Gramercy Theatre with Razorlight (a sold-out affair, I might add) and Knitting Factory with The Cinematics and The Changes. Led by the soulful, sometimes ethereal vocals of Holly Miranda and the playful, more robust vocals of Josh Abbott, the Jealous Girlfriends skillfully layer shoegaze atmospherics with added blips of experimental noise in some songs and pop sparkles in others.

It's hard to believe the band is yet unsigned, but they are... though I suspect not for very long. Their self-titled, self-released debut album shimmers with longing, sways into happier territory, then swoops down again to engulf you in their hazy tunes. I had a chance to talk to Holly about her songwriting skills and wishes...

Favorite place to write music: My grandaddy's farm in Tennessee.

Latest inspiration: The new Celebration record.

What's the most personal song on your new album?   
"Carry me." It's about breaking up with your life, taking a look at the baggage you've obtained over the years and deciding what about yourself is expendable and what you really need.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be?   
Katrina Ford because she has the most amazing voice I've ever heard. 

If you could re-do the soundtrack to any film, what would it be and why?   
Groundhog Day. I would replace the Sonny and Cher that plays every morning from his alarm clock radio with the "na-nas" in our song, "The Pink Wig To My Salieri." I think that would be funny/annoying. 

** Visit the official band website.

** Listen to songs on MySpace.

** Purchase the Jealous Girlfriends' self-titled debut on CDBaby.com.

** Watch the music video for "How Now" on YouTube below:

Mogwai Scores with a Soccer Documentary

Mogwai joins the list of spacey indie rock bands (i.e. Explosions in the Sky with Friday Night Lights, Friends of Dean Martinez with Fast Food Nation) who are scoring films. It might surprise you to hear that they scored Zidane, a documentary on a French soccer (or football, as the Brits say) hero. The film is directed by  Scottish film director and Turner Prize winner Douglas Gordon.

Mogwai guitarist Stuart Braithwaite, further explains the band's participation in a press release, “It was only when they showed us the film where they had used some of our music that we understood.  It doesn't look like you are watching a game on Sky TV. It’s something really cinematic and beautiful. It worked with the music, and it was interesting for us because even though our music has been used a lot for things, this is the first time we have specifically done something for a project.”

I've always thought their music was really cinematic (especially that song, "I Know You Are But What Am I" from Mr Beast) so it's nice to see that these kind of gigs are going to deserving composers.

** Free Download: Mogwai - "Black Spider"

** Get more information on the Mogwai-Zidane project.

** Visit the official film site for Zidane.

** Visit Mogwai's official website.

Concert Review: Bjork - 05/5/07 @ United Palace (New York, NY)

I went to see Bjork at United Palace the other day. This is the second time I've been at this uptown New York City church, and I can see it's slowly becoming the uptown indie rock club of New York (another case in point, Arcade Fire is playing there this week. Any venue who can bring hipsters above 14th Street must be doing the right thing!).

I have only seen Bjork live once before, and because it was the Sugarcubes reunion show, I don't really think it counts. Seeing the Sugarcubes is like seeing a straight-up rock show, except the lead singer happens to be an adorable, bare-footed Icelandic treasure. Seeing Bjork live is like seeing a mystic, epic Broadway musical... starring an adorable bare-footed Icelandic treasure. She wore a multi-colored kimono-like frock with different colors painted on her forehead (think Memoirs of a Geisha). There were flags hoisted high and a full choir full of what my guy friend described as "honeys in color," adding to the majesty of it all.

After a beautifully crafted instrumental build up, Bjork's voice gently drifted through the curtains on stage, singing "Cover Me," and in turn the crowd roared with enthusiasm. She sang a bunch of new songs from her latest album, Volta, and then launched dramatically into "Army of Me," a crowd favorite. I've never seen fans go as wild as they did for that one song, it was like we were all being stomped on by huge robots except instead of screaming in terror, we're crying with joy. It was nice to see Bjork vary between old favorites and new, inspiring numbers. One of my highlights was seeing her duet with Antony of Antony and the Johnsons on the "Dull Flame of Desire" -- simply gorgeous, teetering between the youthful singing of  Bjork and the operatic voice of Antony.

Bjork ended her show with an encore featuring a politically charged anthem from Volta called "Declare Independence," encouring the audience to "make their own flag" and be individuals.

** Visit Bjork's official website. 

** Stream the entire United Palace concert on NPR/WNYC.

** Watch Bjork sing "Declare Independence" at the 2007 Coachella Music Festival on YouTube below:

Songwriter Spotlight: Noah Chernin of Sam Champion

The New York-based band Sam Champion (not to be confused with the Big Apple's popular ABC weather man) have been a little quiet since releasing their debut full length, Slow Rewind, but don't expect that for long.

The boys have recently finished recording their next LP, tentatively titled Heavenly Bender, after one of their new songs.  "I think we liked the idea of the good/bad dichotomy," said frontman Noah Chernin. "I wrote that song with my friend Matt, and I'm pretty sure he arrived at that line."

The album, produced by the band with help from Kevin McMahon (Marcata Studios) and Jay "Fox" Braun (Melody Lanes, The Negatones), is now looking for a home. "As soon as we find the biggest major label who gives the most money and promises not to fold," Chernin joked.

Over the last few years, I have enjoyed seeing this band grow from Pavement comparisons to Neil Young comparisons, meaning they have matured tremendously as performers and as songwriters. I recently caught up with Noah Chernin to ask him a few spotlight questions and get a glimpse of what's going on in the world of Sam Champion.

Favorite place to write music: I've had really good luck lately just walking the streets in my neighborhood singing songs to myself and writing ideas down. I'll then go home and find the chords. It's a much more relaxed and free environment then sitting down at a desk with a pen and a guitar.

Latest inspiration: Marlon Brando in the movie Sayonara.

What's the most personal song on your new album?
Probably a song called "Commitments" which is the last song on our new record.  Lyrically it's my first stab at something "political," but mostly its personal politics, like how I should start doing more positive things.  Musically it's also our weirdest track. The one where we decided, ok, let's not have strumming guitars. And is that a sitar?!

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be and why?
Stevie Nicks, because she has already been a part of the greatest rock duet ever ("Stop Draggin' My Heart Around") and lightning can definitely strike twice!

If you could fall asleep to any song, what would it be and why?
I can and do fall asleep a lot of the time to Tom Waits' Closing Time album. Like a 45 minute lullaby.

The band has a couple exciting concert dates coming up, performing at New York City's Bowery Ballroom on May 15 and then at Bonnaroo on June 15.

** Visit the official Sam Champion band website.

** Listen to new songs on MySpace.

** Watch the music video for "TV Fever" on YouTube below:

Concert Review: Modest Mouse - 4/30/07 @ United Palace (New York, NY)

I had a strange revelation as I took the A train all the way up to 175th street in New York. I was going to see the Bowery Presents show with Modest Mouse at the United Palace, a church owned by a love-all preacher named Reverend Ike. The commute to the show was long, so I had plenty of time to just think and digest all things Modest Mouse.

Especially excited about Johnny Marr's participation in Modest Mouse, I have been listening to the new album, We Were Dead Before the Ships Even Sank,  out now on Epic Records, but I usually don't feel I have a rounded opinion of an album until I experience the songs live. Sure, the album hit #1 on the charts -- it was a well-deserved accomplishment that I think shook the world of indie rock harder than the day "Float On" became a commercial radio hit. I had my doubts, but the new CD has definitely grown on me over a few spins.

And after seeing the live show and the unbelievable combination of Isaac Brock and Johnny Marr, I am totally smitten with the new band. The music is sad, beautiful, slightly irritated and therefore sexy. Yes, I am declaring them no longer Modest, and instead Sexy Mouse. The set had me all hot and bothered, and I couldn't really explain why except to say that Marr has really taken the band to a new level, a level that flirts with danger and exposes a lusher, softer side. Where their music may have once been sparse, it is now fuller. Where it might have previously been minimalist, it is now more ornate. Some people may not like the change, but I am pretty into the push forward into new territory. I am looking forward to seeing how it continues to evolve.

** Visit the official Modest Mouse website.

** Watch the music video for their current single, "Dashboard," on YouTube below:

2007 Tribeca Film Festival/ASCAP Music Lounge Lineup

2007 marks the third year for the Tribeca Film Festival/ASCAP Music Lounge, whose lineup this year is like a series of cool little "secret" shows for music lovers in New York every year. The Music Lounge is open to festival badgeholders, press and invited industry professionals only, but if you somehow find yourself there, there is plenty of wonderful music to enjoy.

This year's shows, open daily from Tuesday, May 1 to Friday, May 4 at the Canal Room (285 West Broadway in New York City), includes special performances by Exene Cervenka and John Doe of the band X, Glen Hansard from The Frames, Jon Auer of The Posies, Cass McCombs, Rhett Miller, Martha Wainwright, Ben Lee, Donovan, Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger and the Candy Butchers' Mike Viola and many more.

Here's the complete lineup:

Tuesday, May 1
3:00 p.m. - Kenna
3:40 p.m. - Yerba Buena
4:20 p.m. - Rhett Miller
5:00 p.m. - Glen Hansard w/Marketa Irglova
5:40 p.m. - Jimmy Webb

Wednesday, May 2
3:00 p.m. - Alice Smith
3:40 p.m. - Martha Wainwright
4:20 p.m. - Mary Gauthier
5:00 p.m. - Exene Cervenka and John Doe of X
5:40 p.m. - Donovan

Thursday, May 3
3:00 p.m. - Cass McCombs
3:40 p.m. - Matt White
4:20 p.m. - Jon Auer
5:00 p.m. - Donovan

Friday, May 4
3:00 p.m. - Ben Lee
3:40 p.m. - The Slip
4:20 p.m. - Jon Auer
5:00 p.m. - Adam Schlesinger & Mike Viola
5:40 p.m. - John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls

For more information, please visit the Music Lounge microsite.