NOISE POP 2008 - TILLY AND THE WALL

At this point, it may be difficult to predict what bands I'll be going to see on the final day of Noise Pop, but I'm sure glad one of my options is Tilly and the Wall. Their sophomore release, Bottoms of Barrels, is much more... um... clappy?... in a pixies-meets-architecture-meets-the-pipettes way. I don't know.. I'm never good at those comparisons. But I do know is that if you have a CSS remix of one of your songs, you are a force to be reckoned with. In any case here are a couple of tracks for you to hear for yourself. The first and third tracks are off the new album... and the second track is from their first album, Wild Like Children.

Tilly and the Wall will play on Sunday March 2, during Noise Pop at The Rickshaw Stop. Opening will be Capgun Coup. In the time I've taken to write this post, I've already developed a liking to Capgun Coup's raw basement-style indie pop. Definitely maybe going to see this show.

Rickshaw Stop - March 2, 2008
Show @ 6:30 - $15, ALL Ages

NOISE POP - THE GUTTER TWINS

Much hype has been surrounding the collaboration of Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan called The Gutter Twins. I haven't heard a single measure of any of their songs from the upcoming release, "Saturnalia". In fact, I think the only people who have heard what they sound like are people that have seen them live as The Gutter Twins, and those number few. They haven't posted any of their songs online and creating a lot of mystery around it. So, of course, because I can't have it... I want it. I'll have to wait until March 1st when they play Bimbo's, which will supposedly be their CD release party too. Here's a press release with a little background:

SEATTLE, WA - Sub Pop veterans Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan return to the label in its 20th year under the moniker The Gutter Twins for the March 4th, 2008 worldwide release of Saturnalia, their highly anticipated first album. In addition, the band has announced a handful of very special US and European show dates to preview the complex and carefully crafted songs in advance of the official record release. Show dates and on sale information provided below.

Mark Lanegan rose to fame as singer for the much loved Seattle band Screaming Trees and Greg Dulli as the magnetic leader of the Afghan Whigs. Following the break up of both groups, Lanegan and Dulli went on to achieve significant notice on their own. Lanegan continued to release successful solo albums, as well as create vivid partnerships with the likes of Belle & Sebastian singer Isobel Campbell and Queens of the Stone Age. Dulli, meanwhile, innovatively fused indie, soul and electronic sounds in his post-Whigs ensemble the Twilight Singers, who released their first album, Twilight As Played By The Twilight Singers, in 2000; the most recent Twilight effort, 2006's Powder Burns, proved a crowning achievement, landing on many year-end best lists.

The Gutter Twins was born out of a rumor told by Lanegan to a journalist after the two artists began collaborating together in various ways in 2002. What started as a rumor grew into an honest and raw record, and while Saturnalia brings together the driving forces behind '90s favorites, the record does not rest on the sonic laurels of these singer's previous successes.

3/1/08 - Noise Pop - Bimbo's, $18, 18+

NOISE POP 2008 - BAND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Some people get excited about birthdays and holidays, others go nuts for fleet week or pride week. The time of year I get most excited about each year is Noise Pop. Six nights of music and a hundred or so bands playing at the best venues across San Francisco. They bring "nationally-known indie rock, electronic, punk and cutting edge musical artists teamed up with the best local bands, transforming the city into an almost week-long celebration of the finest that the underground and not-so-underground has to offer."

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 2

Since there will undoubtedly be some tough decisions to make, I'll be spending some time making my 'fantasy schedule' and I'll report back here with my thoughts. Here is the list of bands that have been announced. Check back often, as this list will multiply in size. I've provided a quick NOISE POP 2008 link on the side-bar for convenience.

A Place to Bury Strangers
ASG
Blitzen Trapper
British Sea Power
Capgun Coup
Cursive
Darker My Love
Fleet Foxes
Fu Manchu
Fuck Buttons
Gutter Twins
Holy Fuck
Jeffrey Lewis
The Magnetic Fields
Minipop
Monotonix
The Mountain Goats
Panther
Saviours
Tilly And The Wall

NOISE POP 2008 WEBSITE

Rodrigo Y Gabriela announce Warfield show!

Although it won't be as intimate as seeing them at the 930 club in DC, I will most definitely see this show. Two performers, Two guitars, four hands, no drums... one awesome show...

They will amaze you, and if you disagree, I will fight you:


Rodrigo Y Gabriela will play at the Warfield on Feb 9.
Pre-Sale tickets available now
If you're ambitious, you'd go see them at the Fillmore in Colorado too.

It's Christmas, It's Music, It's sung to 'Africa' by Toto?

Yes... This video is well worth spending 3 minutes watching... trust me.



Thanks to The Elaborate Hour for finding this.

Welcome Back!

After nearly 100 years in exile, Absinthe is now back in the United States and legal. Cheers.

This Is Not The Robo-Boogie... Or The Robot

When Will Pelle Carlberg Play in SF?

To my knowledge, Pelle Carlberg is still under the proverbial radar. I'm anxious to see his live performance. He's been touring for over a year all over the world but hasn't played in the US except for a handful of appearances on the East Coast. I haven't heard anything about visa issues, though it is entirely possible. C'mon Aaron Axelson, can't you pull some strings? These are your people.

My guess is that he has the elements of a singer-songwriter that would have mass appeal in the US... but if that happens, I could see myself getting really really sick of his songs in a big way. For now though, I find his songs appealing as long as I don't listen to them too often. Here's a video for you to check out. Also, look for a song called 'Clever Girls Like Clever Boys Much More Than Clever Boys Like Clever Girls". Great lyrics.

Bagel Radio Blog

I can't believe I hadn't visited the Bagel Radio Blog before... I've been to a bajillion Bagel Radio events and they're a great source for Bay Area music.. Read it. It's good.

Kosher Boys

Last one I post... I swear..