What to do Saturday Night, 1/31 in NJ/NY

Here are a few things to do on the last day of January:
• Powerman 5000, Methodical (CD Release Party), West Gate, and more @ The Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ 5pm
• Like Trains & Taxis, Communipaw, Hannabiell and Midnight Blue, The Love Trilogy, and a late night set by WUPA @ The George Street Playhouse 10pm
• Metallica, Machine Head, The Sword @ Prudential Center 8pm
• The Thermals @ The Bell House, Brooklyn, NY
• Nervous Cabaret, Beat Circus @ Union Pool, Brooklyn, NY
• Athena, Exit She calls, Around the World in 80 days, Italic, We are the Sun @ Court Tavern
• Seeking through Silence @ The Cup, Linden, NJ 10pm
• Ryan Cabrera @ The Bitter End, NYC

West Gate to perform with Powerman 5000

New Jersey's alternative rock 5-piece West Gate will be performing at The Starland Ballroom this Saturday with Powerman 5000. This is the band's biggest show and it's sure to be a great one. Doors are at 4:30pm, so make sure to come out at check out all the bands performing. Last year the band released its 4 song ep Selah. The songs are available at the band's myspace page.

West Gate also have two other shows coming. March 21 at Sonar Metalfest with Soilwork and Darkest Hour in Baltimore, MD and May 1, where the band returns to Jersey with Article A at Darress Theater in Boonton.

What's Going on Thursday, 1/29

Here are some shows to check out:

• Kings of Leon, The Whigs @ Madison Square Garden, New York, NY SOLD OUT!
• Amebix, Kylesa, Thought Crime, and Atakke @ Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
• Metallica, Machine Head, The Sword @ Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NHY
• Valencia, Houston Calls, Artist v. Poet @ The Crazy Donkey, Farmingdale, NY
• Ninjasonik, The New York Howl @ Vanishing Point, New York, NY
• Lost Revolution, Cecile Celeste @ Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ

The Champagne Charade looking for a drummer+New Song

The Champagne Charade, 2008. Photo by Charlie.





















New Jersey's rock act The Champagne Charade is searching for a drummer. Here's a statement from the band:

"Chris Crypts has decided to take a break from music and has departed The Champagne Charade. We appreciate his help and dedication over this past year, and we wish him the best. But where there is change there is growth - and we are starting the search with bright eyes!

If you or anyone you know thinks they would like to audition, please message us here on myspace or email thechampagnecharade@yahoo.com! We don't have many requirements, of course the more experience you have; the better - but we will give everyone a fair chance. Must be 18+ and ready & willing to tour!

Also our performances usually include some sort of 'costuming', you arent required to wear makeup but you might have to wear black pants and a cotton biker jacket...haha. (Its nothing serious, but if you refuse to wear anything but jnco's or something - dont write.) We all contribute equally to the success of this band, and if you arent super motivated to be successful then you might not make the cut."

UPDATE 1/31/09
"Testify" Acoustic with Saetia & Rob:

ShiraGirl’s new album on iTunes, cd listening party, Shows

Savvy hip hop/punk outfit ShiraGirl has made their new album, Scream! Spit! Sing! is available for preview on iTunes. The band is also hosting a CD listening party on Feb. 10 at Angels and Kings, 500 E. 11th St between Ave A and Ave B, NYC. Check out a new song, “Roll with tha crew” on the band's MySpace.

ShiraGirl recently wrapped up an east coast tour with Minnesota's Screaming Mechanical Brain. They'll be playing some local dates in the next few months.

Shira Girl Tour Dates:
2/10 @ Angels and Kings- CD Listening Party, FREE 9pm
2/20 @ Dock Street, Staten Island w/Voilet Vier, Queen V, and more
2/21 @ Greenfield Youth Center, Greenfield, MA
2/22 @ Elevens, Northhampton, MA
3/4 @ The Annex, NYC w/ 1997, Go Faster Gast, and We are the New Year
3/6 @ Connie’s Ric Rac, Philadelphia, PA

Opeth Spring Tour Dates announced, coming to Starland

Swedish prog-metalers Opeth will be embarking on a U.S tour in May with Enslaved.The band kicks off the tour at Jersey's Starland Ballroom on May 1st. Tickets are on-sale Friday, Feb. 6 at noon. You can purchase tickets then here. Hit "read more" for full tour dates.


Opeth & Enslaved 2009 Tour Dates:
May 01st Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
May 02nd Boston, MA - House of Blues Boston
May 03rd Montreal, QC - Le Medley
May 04th Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
May 05th Millvale, PA - Mr. Small's Plac
May 06th Chicago, IL - House of Blues
May 08th Omaha, NE - Sokol Auditorium
May 09th Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre
May 11th Boise, ID - Knitting Factory Concert House
May 12th Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
May 13th Chico, CA - Senator Theatre
May 14th San Francisco, CA - Regency Center @ The Grand
May 15th Pomona, CA - Glasshouse
May 16th Los Angeles, CA - The Avalon
May 17th Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
May 19th San Antonio, TX - Scout Bar
May 20th Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
May 21st Memphis, TN - New Daisy Theatre
May 22nd Knoxville, TN - Bijou Theatre
May 23rd Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
May 24th Pontiac, MI - Clutch Cargo's
May 26th New York, NY - Grand Ballroom @ The Manhattan
May 27th Washington DC - 9:30 Club

Cheeky & Bridge and Tunnel to play free show @ Generation Records, NYC 1/28+ Tour Dates

Cheeky & Bridge and Tunnel
Generation Records
210 Thomspon St
New York, NY
8pm Start, Free, bring a non-perishable food item for donation

Cheeky Tour Dates:
1/28 @ Generation Records, NYC w/ Bridge and Tunnel
1/31 @ Purchase College, Purchase, Ny w/ Loose Tooth, Pysyched to Die, Shellshag
2/7 @ Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ w/ Screaming Females, For Science, The Measure (SA), and more
3/26 @ Lost and Found, Brooklyn, NY w/ Lost Locker Combo, The Unlovables, and more
4/17-4/19 @ TBA in New Brunswick, NJ- 3 Day Weekend

Bridge and Tunnel Tour Dates:
1/28 @ Generation Records, NYC w/ Cheeky

w/ The Mouthbreather
3/2 @ TBA, Baltimore, MD
3/3 @ The Soapbox Laundro- Lounge
3/4 @ tba, Charlotte, North Carolina
3/5 @ Wonderroot, Atlanta, Georgia
3/6 @ TBA, St. Augustine, Florida
3/7 @ TBA, St. Augustine, Florida
3/8 @ The Hanger, Athens, Georgia
3/9 @ tba, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
3/10 @ The Czar, Richmond, Virginia

w/ Propagandhi and Paint it Black
3/13 @ Music hall of Williamsburg

Music As A Weapon Tour 4- 2009 Tour Dates (Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ)

Complete dates have been announced for the "Music As A Weapon 4 Tour" featuring Disturbed headlining with support from Killswitch Engage, Lacuna Coil and Chimaira. The tour will hit up the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ on April 22. More dates in the "read more."

Music As A Weapon Tour 4 Tour Dates:
March 20th Madison, WI - Alliant Energy Center
March 21st Waterloo, IA - McCelroy Arena
March 23rd Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center
March 25th Denver, CO - The Fillmore
March 28th Phoenix, AZ - Jobbing.com Arena
March 29th Albuquerque, NM - Tingley Auditorium
March 31st Dallas, TX - Nokia Theatre
April 01st Wichita, KS - Hartman Arena
April 03rd Bossier City, LA - Centurytel Center
April 04th Little Rock, AR - Riverfest Amphitheater
April 05th New Orleans, LA - Uno Lakefront Arena
April 07th Pensacola, FL - Pensacola Civic Center
April 08th Atlanta, GA - Gwinnett
April 10th Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
April 11th Orlando, FL - Amway Arena
April 13th Charlotte, NC - Bojangles Coliseum
April 14th Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
April 15th Lowell, MA - Tsongas Arena
April 17th State College, PA - Bryce Jordan Center
April 18th Portland, ME - Cumberland County Civic Center
April 20th Erie, PA - Erie Civic Center
April 21st Bridgeport, CT - Arena at Harbor Yard
April 22nd East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center
April 24th Fayetteville, NC - Crown Coliseum
April 25th Reading, PA - Sovereign Center
April 27th Glens Falls, NY - Glens Falls Civic Center
April 28th Pittsburgh, PA - Petersen Center
April 30th Battle Creek, MI - Kellogg Arena
May 02nd Detroit, MI - Cobo Arena
May 03rd Cleveland, OH - The Wolstein Center
May 05th Columbus,OH - Value City Arena
May 06th Peoria, IL - Peoria Civic Center
May 08th Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
May 09th Des Moines, IA - Balloon Classic Field
May 10th Green Bay, WI - Resch Center
May 12th Lacrosse, WI - Lacrosse Center
May 13th Evansville, IL - Roberts Stadium
May 15th Council Bluffs, IA - Mid America Center
May 16th Chicago, IL - Charter One Pavilion

What to Do Saturday, 1/23/09

Congrats to Star Beat's first winner, Bonita in Maple Shade, NJ for winning tickets to see Methodical, Powerman 5000, West Gate, and more at The Starland Ballroom on Jan. 31. We'll have more contests for you, so keep checking back.

Here are a few things you can do tonight:

New Jersey
Brian Fallon (of The Gaslight Anthem), Royal Sons, Minnesotas Calling, @ Court Tavern, New Brunswick, NJ

New York City

• Devotchka @ Webster Hall
• Au and Stars Like Fleas @ (le) poisson rouge
• The Abominable Iron Sloth, COMBAT, Apocalyptic Visions, blowupnihilist and Savage Skull @ ABC No Rio

Paulson post new song, "Chances"

New Jersey's dance rock sweethearts Paulson have posted a new song “Chances," filled with pop goodness and '80s dance influences. It comes off their new album, which is still untitled. This is a song the band has been playing live for a while, so it's nice to finally get a good recorded version.

For the more visually inclined folks, you can see a video of the song performed at Rutger's University in 2007. The band expects more demos up in the next few weeks and will be playing a few shows.

Paulson Tour Dates:
1/30 @ The Harmony Grange, Wilmington, DE
2/6 @ Green Street, Greensboro, NC w/ We’re All Broken
2/7 @ Danville, VA w/ We’re All Broken and Far Less

Screaming Females New Album Artwork Posted

Photo courtesy of Riot Act Media

This morning, Don Giovanni Records posted artwork for Screaming Females debut CD/LP Power Move due out April 14, 2009. The New Brunswick trio plan to spend their spring hitting the road to support the new album. Tour dates are beginning to surface on their Myspace, keep checking back for more!

Tour dates include the Don Giovanni Records Showcase in Hoboken on Feb. 7, Valentine's Party at the Cake Shop, shows with Throwing Muses, and a record release show in NYC on April 20. The band have been playing a bunch of new songs, so check out a tour date to hear what all the buzz is about.

Pregant to release 7'' EP Feb. 7+Tour Dates

Trio punk outfit Prenant’s debut 7" EP Wanna See My Gun? is scheduled for release February 7th on Don Giovanni Records. You can listen to the songs on the bands MySpace page. The 7" EP is up for preorder on the Don Giovanni Records site . Click here for a special offer to get both the Pregnant 7" and The Groucho Marxists new LP Manifesto! for $14.

Pregnant Tour Dates:
February 7 @ Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ. Don Giovanni Records Showcase w/ Screaming Females, The Steinways, Cheeky, and more
February 8 @ The Charleston, Brooklyn, NY w/ Disnihil, Army of Kashyyyk, and Pala
March 6 @ America, New Brunswick, NJ w/ Mass Hysteri, Killin It, Deep Sleep, and Pysched to Die

Methodical Ticket Giveaway, opening for Powerman 5000 in NJ 1/31+Tour Dates

New Jersey’s metal industrial outfit Methodical will perform with Powerman 5000 at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ on Saturday, January 31st and Star Beat Music wants you to go there, for free! Simply e-mail us with the subject as "Methodical Giveaway" and the following information for your chance to win:

Name:
Age:
E-Mail Address:
City/State:

The show is Methodical’s CD release show. Also playing are West Gate, All Shall Fade, Shadows of Dawn, Vor Dem Puls, Letallis, and Mikell’s Plott. The show is all ages, 21 to drink. Doors open at 4:30pm.

Winner will be notified by January 23rd.

Those outside of NJ, can check out the band’s other shows. Tour dates under “read more.”

Methodical Tour Dates:
1/10 @ Lippy’s, Marshalls Creek, PA (21+)
1/24 @ The Sherman Theatre, Stroudsburg, PA (All Ages)
1/31 @ The Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ (all Ages)
2/5 @ The Backstage Lounge, Gainesville, FL (18+)
2/6 @ TBA, Jacksonville, NJ
2/7 @ The Dungeon, Orlando, FL (All Ages)
2/8 @ TBA, New Port Richey, FL
2/15 @ The Sterling Hotel, Allentown, PA (w/ Diecast, All Ages)

The band’s new album will be released January 24 on Toxic Shock Records.

Star Beat’s Anticipated 2009 CD Releases

1. MewithoutYou- tba: One of my favorite bands ever. I’ve heard a few new songs live and they sound great. Totally anticipating this release. (April release?)
2. Kevin Devine- My Brother’s Blood: The new songs are fabulous. The title track is probably the best. These songs have a gradual build up, where its light then explodes into this raw, rock greatness that you really feel. (April release?)
3. The Sleeping- What It Takes: Haven’t heard any new songs, but should be interesting and good with new members and a keyboardist.
4. Screaming Females- Power Move: The new songs are groovy and still rockin’. Really looking forward to getting moved. (April release)
5. Kiss Kiss- The Meek Shall Inherit What’s Left: Incredible circus-punk band. The new songs are great, especially VIRUS. Can’t wait to hear what the rest of the album sounds like. (February release?)
6. Thursday- Common Existence- Good single featuring Tim of Rise Against. Curious how the rest will sound. (Feb. 27 release)
7. Matt & Kim- Grand: Should be fun! I’m expecting electro-pop goodness. (Jan. 20 release)
8. K’Naan- Troubadour: Positive hip hop with awesome beats. (Feb. 24)
9. Madina Lake- Attics to Eden: Good first record. Will their second live up to it? (April 24 release)
10. Paulson- tba: Disappointed with the new songs I’ve been hearing live, but curious how it sounds recorded and what the other songs sound like. (Spring release)

Message from New Brunswick's Like Trains and Taxis: Tour Dates

"Hey Everyone!

A week from today we’ll be embarking on our first month long tour in support of our debut EP, which is available now on iTunes, Amazon. com and CD baby.
Joining us on the road will be two amazing artists:

Jessica Tonder: www. myspace. com/jessicatonder
and
Diverse: www. chocolateindustries. com/diverse/index. php.

Tonder's intoxicating and versatile style has gained her a reputation among music blogs as "Atlanta's best female voice". Working alongside Grammy-nominated producer Derrick "Drop" Braxton (Lupe Fiasco's The Cool), she also recently released her own debut album, "The Robot and the Little Girl". Her soulful combination of influences ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to Radiohead achieves a sound that is as new as it is experimental and artistic.

Diverse calls himself a poet before a rapper and his soul, jazz, and hip hop influences have informed what the Chicago Tribune calls his "casually cerebral verbal flow". His full-length debut album, "One A.M." (Chocolate Industries) has generated buzz not only because of its all-star cast of producers, including Prefuse 73, Madlib, and RJD2 but also because it is proof that Diverse is "poised to become an icon of progress who still connects with the masses" (Rockpile Magazine).

The tour officially begins in Atlanta on January 19th and will end in Chicago on February 11th. In between we’ll be making lots of stops, including amazing shows with some special guests in Philadelphia, New Brunswick, and New York City, so be sure to take a look at our calender and find out when we’ll be in a city near you.

This Wednesday we’ll be kicking things off in Red Bank, NJ at the Downtown Cafe. It’ll be the last show we play before we leave for Georgia so if you’re in the area, come send us off. Joining us on the bill will be our good friend Tom Deis (Via Audio), who will be doing a rare, solo acoustic set.

Here are the details:

Like Trains & Taxis @ The Downtown Cafe
10 West Front Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
w/ Tom Deis
9pm
Free!!!

*Cheers*"

What to do on Friday

New Jersey
• Marc Rizzo (of Soulfly/ Cavelera Conspiracy) and Mercury Morning @ Mexicali Blues, Teaneck, NJ 9pm. $12
• Secret Country, The Poconos, James Intveld, The Sweet Sacrifice @ Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ 9 p.m. $8

New York
• Whack, Erik Petersen (of Mischief Brew) acoustic, Stza Acoustic (chocking victim), Joe Lupo, and more @ John Bosch, Brooklyn, N. All Ages. $6. 7pm RNC Arrestees benefit.
• World/Inferno Friendship Society @ Webster Hall, NY, NY. 8pm $20
• ShiraGirl @ The Studio at Webster Hall, NY, NY for the Trash! Party
• DJ Heavy Metal Happy Hour @ The Arrow, NY, NY- No Cover, Just Rock 6-9pm
• Screaming Females, Fire Monkey, and Eula @ Martini Red, 372 Van Duzer St, Staten Island, NY Doors 9pm, Show 10pm $5, 21+

We’re All Broken to release 6-song EP in April + Tour Dates

photo by Chris Kelly














Letter from We're All Broken:

“Hello friends. We have some very exciting news to kick off 2009. We will be putting out an EP with our great friends at Devildance Records. It will come out in mid April and will be released on 12" vinyl as well as CD. This EP will feature 6 songs and we couldn't be more excited. The songs are recorded, cover art is coming in, and everything is sounding and looking amazing. We will have more info on this towards the end of the month, so stay tuned… We're All Broken is turning it up for 2009. The news does not end there…

We will be hitting the road again starting in May. It has been a while since we have gone on tour, and we are looking forward to getting back out, meeting new people and sharing our new musical visions. We have been writing a whole batch of new songs and we are so excited to share, we cannot keep them under wraps for too much longer. For this reason, 2009 will also see the release of 2 additional EP's from our band. These will come out shortly following our April release, and will be available for downloadable purchase online, anywhere music is sold digitally.

To add more fuel to the fire, we will be updating our Myspace page with new video footage from recent shows, as well as new songs!!! 2009 will be the official release of anything and everything We're All Broken, and we are so fortunate to be able to say that these are the best songs we've ever written as a band. We can't wait to share all of this with all of you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting our band along our journey. 2009 will be an amazing ride.

We love all of you.

Frank, Joe, Casey, Jarett, and Joe”

We’re All Broken Tour Dates:

1/21 @ Lola’s Tattoo Shop Party at Lenora’s Bar and Grill, Hackensack, NJ
1/22 @ Southpaw, Brooklyn, NY
1/30 @ The Harmony Garage, Wilmington, DE w/ Paulson
1/31 @ Mill Hill, Trenton, NJ w/ Minnesota’s Calling, The Ruining + 1 TBA. 21+

NJ Band Graduates, Gaslight Anthem at Webster Hall on-sale Friday+Brian Fallon solo dates

We are the last of the jukebox Romeos…

(The Gaslight Anthem @ Area 4 Festival 2008)

“And if they end it all,
By the end of tonight,
If the big bomb drops down,
Over this quiet Edison sky.
We'll blow one last kiss,
To all the beautiful nights like this,
Under these central Jersey sky.”

Brian Fallon (singer of the Gaslight Anthem) will perform an intimate solo show at New Brunswick’s Court Tavern on January 24, a venue the band used to play before they started blowing up. Then his band headlines a European and North American tour.

It’s amazing when the bands in your town become popular. It’s kind of a rush when you can say, I saw that band at a basement show and now they’re huge. Or I was friends with the guitarist or I ate dinner with the band. Or I was at the band’s first show. I remember when My Chemical Romance was playing the Loop Lounge in Passaic, NJ and a handful to 50 kids would show up. They’ve now played the venue of all venues, Madison Square Garden. The band is practically from my hometown, Newark, but more appropriate they are from Kearney and Belleville, New Jersey.

For one Jersey kid who enjoys going to shows and recently got into the New Brunswick scene, it’s incredible to see The Gaslight Anthem making their mark. Last year the band released “The 59 Sound,” which is on plenty of top album release for 2008 lists, opened for Rise Against, Thrice, and Alkaline Trio, performed on Conan O’Brien, and opened for the Bouncing Souls, just to name some highlights.

Tickets for the Gaslight Anthem’s show at Webster Hall on March 27 go on-sale this Friday at noon. Heartless Bastards will open. Tickets available here.

In February the band heads to Europe, then in March they headline a North American tour with Heartless Bastards. Tour dates and ticket info available at their MySpace.

Brian Fallon Solo Tour Dates:
1/24 @ Court Tavern, New Brunswick 9pm $10
1/25 @ The Middle East, Cambridge, MA 8pm $10

Marc Rizzo Interview on WSOU, Thursday + NJ Show, Friday

New Jersey’s guitar virtuoso, Marc Rizzo will be interviewed on 89.5 FM WSOU this Thursday (1/8/09) at 3:30pm. Rizzo will discuss his show in NJ on Friday, upcoming Soulfly dates, and his other musical projects and happenings.

I will be interviewing him. If you have any questions, please send a reply in the comments.

Rizzo performs with Mercury Morning at Mexacali Live in Teaneck, NJ this Friday at 9pm. Tickets are $10 in advance here, $12 at the door. Mexacali Live is located at 1409 Queen Anne Rd, Teaneck, NJ. 201-833-0011 or Mexicalilive.com for more information.

Check out Rizzo’s projects:
Soulfly
Cavelera Conspiracy
Marc Rizzo solo
Inpsychobleedia

Exit She Calls played its first show on Saturday in NJ+ New Music & Shows

Exit She Calls @ Cornerstone Inn, Carlstadt, NJ 1/3/08

Jersey’s Exit She Calls (Kristia Moya- vocals/guitar, Ryan Bertone- drums, Jeff Lambert- guitar, and Carlos Rivero- bass) played its first gig at the Cornerstone Inn in Carlstadt, NJ for the Beast Attire’s 1-year anniversary show this past Saturday. The show was the second of three shows for the clothing company. They played with Hands on the Stereo, Floral Terrace, Arlington Blvd, Less Than Zero, and a slew of other bands.

A dose of sweet, catchy and alternative rock, with a female singer, Exit She Calls is North Jersey’s hope for a great, young pop/rock scene. Following after youngsters A Lifelike Story and more seasoned acts, The Champagne Charade and Seeking Through Silence, the scene is looking good, not just for pop/alternative/rock bands, but female fronted ones to. Grab a taste of the bands sound at their MySpace, where they have three fresh recordings for you, “I Am,” “EncountHER,” and “Nothing But A Routine.”

The band is playing New Jersey and New York shows in the next few months. Show Dates below.

1/17 @ Emerson High School, Emerson, NJ w/ In Full Bloom, Roadside Romance, and more
1/24 @ El Basement, West New York, NJ w/ Astrophel and Stella, Exit She Calls, Pathos, As Rome Burned, Osterii, Crucial Dudes, Saturn Unleashed, Jellybean Fiasco, Morning...
2/14 @ Post 282 Harrison, NJ w/ many bands
3/1 @ The Classroom - Battle of The Bands, Middletown, NY w/ Burn The Bishop, Shots Were Fired, Exit She Calls, Forever Begins At The Grave, and more
5/9 @ NJIT, Newark, NJ w/ The Victory, The Title, Last Minet, and more

The Importance of the Live Show

Iwrestledabearonce @ Bowery Poetry Club, NYC, 10/24/08






















The Economist's new spinoff magazine, More Intelligent Life, has a lengthy article about the newfound reemergence of touring as a crucial part of a band's career. The article notes:

Live music has come a long way since the late 1970s, when the Plastics were in a Prague prison and The Clash and the Sex Pistols were pouring out bilious songs about riots, clampdowns and anarchy in Britain. Over my concert-going life, the archetypal gig has gone from a scruffy, beer-stained orgy of sweat and spit to a well-oiled 21st-century machine, where bottled water is so pricey that you can hardly afford to sweat, and the tickets cost a bomb. In fact , a bit more—because bombs don't carry booking fees.

The rest of the article is available here.

Vivian Girls/Screaming Females/Mirrors & Wires played Court Tavern, NJ 1/4/09, Tour Dates

photos by thepiratehat



















The show was supposed to happen at the Loft, but ended up being at the Court Tavern, which was a better choice, even though the minors couldn’t get in, because the sound was better and I could see the bands. It was an exciting night with friends and one of mine was witnessing his second show ever.

Mirrors and Wires, from New Brunswick played first. They were a four piece instrumental horror punk rock band. What was interesting about this band was they had a theremin player. According to Wikipedia, it’s “an early electronic musical instrument controlled without contact from the player.” From what I saw it looked like an instrument that created sound without touching the instrument by making a motion in the air near the instrument. It was interesting. Pretty groovy.

Screaming Females, the trio garage punk rock n roll extraordinaires played a healthy dose of groovy tunes that entertained me and my friend, along with a room full of people. It was nice to see the band in a club setting, as opposed to in a house, where the sound is often off, the vocals are low and unclear, and when it’s packed hard to see the band. I felt like just the front row was rocking out. The band played so many new songs and ones I didn’t recognize, except was previous shows. However, it wasn’t hard getting into the songs. The last song, “Reggae” was a really good song. I’m excited for the new album, "Power Move." I grabbed the setlist at the end.



I picked up the band’s 2008 live cd-r and also a tape with lead singer Marissa’s solo music. I also got a pin.

None of my friends, except Steve were excited for Vivian Girls. It was kinda funny. However, Vivian Girls played their best performance at this show of the three times I’ve seen them. While they didn’t have the most energetic live set or have something in their set to actually captivate, they played well and entertained with some funny comments. “Tell the World” was their single and they played it so well. I rocked out.

Mirrors and Wires has one upcoming show in their hometown, while Screaming Females and Vivian Girls will be touring with big names, Throwing Muses and M. Ward. Tour dates below.












































Mirrors and Wires Tour Dates:
1/ 18 @ Death Valley, New Brunswick, NJ w/ Bagger Vance, Color Change, and Silent Way

Screaming Females Tour Dates:

NY/NJ/PA:
1/ 16 @ The Parlor, New Brunswick, NJ w/ The Sass Dragons and Slaw
1/23 @ Don Pedro’s, Brooklyn, NY w/ Shellshag, Cheeky, Emergency Party, Bonezone
2/7 @ Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ (SF Headlining) Don Giovanni Showcase w/ For Science (last show), The Measure [SA], Cheeky, Groucho Marxists, Pregnant, and The Steinways
2/19 @ Don Pedro’s, Brooklyn, NY
2/20 @ Haverford Free Library, Haverford, PA
2/27 @ TBA, New Brunswick, NJ w/ Liquid Limbs

Tour with Throwing Muses and 50FOOTWAVE
3/10 @ World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
3/12 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
3/14 @ Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge, MA

Vivian Girls Tour Dates:

1/11 @ Kidrockers at the Living Room (for kids), NY, NY
1/14 @ Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ w/ Titus Andronicus & Spider Bags
1/20 @ Danbro Warehouse, Brooklyn, NY w/ Fucked Up, Pissed Jeans, and more

2/6 @ 4AD Muziekclub, Diksmuide, Belgium w/ Crystal Antlers
2/7 @ RoTown, Rottedam, Netherlands
2/8 @ Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2/9 @ Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
2/10 @ Triniaires, Metz, France
2/11 @ La Laiterie, Strasbourg, France
2/12 @ Woodstock Boogie Bar, Limoges, France
2/13 @ Point Ephemere, Paris, France
2/14 @ Proud Galleries, London, UK
2/15 @ Carling Academy Islington, London, UK with Black Lips

Tour with M. Ward:
2/19 @ The Apollo Theatre, NY, NY
2/20 @ Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA
2/21 @ Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Washington, DC

Rewind: Best/Worst Shows of 2008

I’ll have it be known I went to 80 shows plus SXSW, CMJ, and Bamboozle. Wow, what a crazy year for show-going for me.

Top 20 Shows of 2008 (in no particular order)
1. Valient Thorr, Early Man, Monotonix, Golden Error @ Bowery Ballroom 7/25 (Overall, awesome, crazy show. All the bands were great. Monotonix put on one of the sickest, floor, rock n roll bands I’ve ever seen. Meet some cool people.)
2. Ill Nino, Otep, Walls of Jericho @ Starland Ballroom 11/2 (I crowd surfed twice, moshed, I had so much fun. Great bands)
3. The Breeders & Matt and Kim @ McCarren 7/13 (The breeders and Matt and kim with cassie, nuff said)
4. Cavalera Conspiracy/ The Dillinger Escape Plan 7/19 (One of the best heavy metal shows I’ve seen. The openers blew, but cavalera and Dillinger owned)
5. Jesse Lacey, Kevin Devine, Brian Bonz @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 11/25 (I didn’t think this show was going to be as amazing as it was. Got turned onto Brand New’s music. Kevin Devine’s set was fabulous. Neutral Milk Hotel, Guns n Roses, Springsteen, Modest Mouse covers and more. What a lovely night)
6. World/ Inferno Friendship Society @ Bowery Ballroom (pretty grand)
7. Franz Nicolay, Brook Pridemore, Whack, Strange Things Done in the Midnight Sun, Emilyn Brodsky @ Maxwell’s 1/13 (fun show! I danced like mad during Whack)
8. Murder by Death, Kiss Kiss, O’Death @ Bowery Ballroom 4/4 (MBD were spot on, I had so much fun and enjoyed the openers to)
9. Issac Hayes @ Prospect Park 6/12 (epic set, rip hayes!)
10. Bomb the Music Industry!, Lemuria, The Ergs!, Bridge And Tunnel, Cheeky @ Knitting Factory 6/24 (really great show, BTMI were off but everyone else was fantastic)
11. Cold War Kids, Sam Champion, Elvis Perkins in Dearland @ Prospect Park 6/27 (really good show. The sound was phenomenal, the vibe was great, and I was with a good friend)
12. Best Friends Forever, Screaming Females, Puttin’ on the Ritz, Acht(en) @ The Tank 8/19 (Overall, great show. Scremales blew my mind, it was my first time seeing them.)
13. Nine Inch Nails @ Izod Center 8/27 (Amazing set. I had so much fun.)
14. Screaming Females, The Pussy Pirates, Slaw, Invincible Gods @ MeatTown USA 9/16 (Really good show. Fun. My first basement show)
15. Monotonix, The Mae Shi, Best Fwends, etc @ Knitting Factory 10/24 (Very weird show, but fun and interesting. Monotonix stole the show. What an insane band)
16. Maria Taylor, Johnathan Rice, and Nik Freitas @ Knitting Factory 6/18/08 (very lovely sets. Maria played "replay" and her new songs were great)
17. As Tall As Lions, Leah Siegel, and The Circus @ Maxwell’s 7/8/09 (lovely)
18. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltson, Ha Ha Tonka, Wakey! Wakey! @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 7/16/08 (very nice show)
19. Everclear, Jenny Owens Young, Cracker, and more @ Union County Music Fest, Cranford, NJ 9/5/08 (fun! young played a nelly cover)
20. Murder By Death, J Roddy Walston and the Buisness, and William Elliot Whitman @ Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ 11/11/08 (rock n roll greatness)

Worst (these were more disappointing shows. I expected much more)
1. Hot Water Music, Thursday, Paint it Black @ Terminal 5 (the sound was not that great, the vibe felt off)
2. mewithoutYou/ Maps and Atlases @ Maxwells 7/18 (I love mewithoutYou, but they played a short, rushed set and they were off a bit musically)
3. Math the Band @ Knitting Factory 8/12 (it weird, a bit fun, but I felt out of place)
4. Why? @ Bowery Ballroom (I like Why?, but I wasn’t into them live. Why? did I go to this show)
5. Bayside, Valencia, The Matches, The Status @ Irving Plaza 11/14 (the openers were okay, but nothing that impressed me. Bayside is one of the my favorites, but I don’t like the new songs and I was alone at the show. The vibe felt off and I couldn’t get into too much)

Rewind: Best Albums of 2008

Top 10 Full-Length Albums:

1. Murder by Death- “Red of Tooth and Claw”
2. Mates of State- “The Re-Arranger”-
3. Wolf Parade- “At Mount Zoomer”
4. An Horse- “Rearrange Beds”
5. Jaguar Love- “Take me to the Sea”
6. Nine Inch Nails- “The Slip”
7. The Ting Tings- “We Started Nothing”
8. Alkaline Trio- “Agony and Irony”
9. Nana Grizol, "Love It Love It"
10. Tilly and the Wall, "O"

Honorable Mentions:

City and Colour- “Bring Me Your Love”
Slipknot- “All Hope Is Gone”
Have Heart- “Songs to Scream at the Sun”
Ra Ra Riot- “The Rhumb Line”
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down- “We Brave Bee Strings and All”

Honorable EPs:

The Champagne Charade-,"Glitter City"
The Measure (SA), "Songs about People...and Fruit"
Brian Bonz- 2008 Tour EP

What are yours? Thoughts?

2008's Best Live Performances

Here are some videos from shows I've went to in 2008. These are among the best performances I saw. Enjoy!

Isaac Hayes "Shaft" @ Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY 6/12/08
So happy to have seen this legend before he passed away


Matt & Kim with the Rude Mechanical Orchestra- Crazy in Love (Beyonce cover) @ McCarren Pool, Brooklyn, NY 7/13/08
Crazy, fun cover by Brooklyn dynamic duo and a 20+ orchestra


Screaming Females, “Boyfriend” @ The Tank, NYC 8/19/08
A fucking jaw dropping, ear-gasmic, mesmerizing performance by one of New Brunswick’s best.


Click read more for Kevin Devine, Monotonix and Dillinger Escape Plan Videos


Kevin Devine “Longer That I’m Out Here” @ Music Hall 11/25/08


My Brother’s Blood


Monotonix @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC Pt. 1
Summers and autumns, Body Language

One of the best rock n’ roll acts


Part 2:


The Dillinger Escape Plan @ Irving Plaza, NYC 7/19/08 Montage
Panasonic Youth, 43% Burnt, Lurch


Part 2.
Sunshine the Werewolf, Milk Lizard,

Happy Jet Black New Year!!

Dear Readers,

Today I launched a new MySpace page for my promotional endeavors. I also changed the about me section. Star Beat will focus on New Jersey music, but still update you on bands from across the globe. What sparked this direction was seeing basements show in New Brunswick and realizing how much independent, DIY acts are out there in NJ that are worthy of exposure. Also, being from New Jersey I feel that the state deserves more coverage. My friends tell me they don't know what's going on in Jersey. So many of them flock to NYC for everything music. I must admit I rarely go to shows in NJ because of lack of transportation, mostly. I always hear about what's going on in NYC and being in Newark, the city is a PATH train away. But I want to uncover the music scene is New Jersey, starting with the basement shows in New Brunswick to the clubs to the bigger venues and even church shows, like the hardcore ones that are going on in Edison at the Stelton Church. There will be more media i.e. photos and video content I hope to include in this blog. Also, must shout out BrooklynVegan for inspiring me to do a blog like this. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy your stay and bookmark this site because there is plenty in store this year.

All the best,
Star, Star Beat Music

Enjoy one of New Brunswick's best. Thursday started out playing basement shows and in March they headline The Taste of Chaos Tour 2009, where they will perform at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ.

"Jet Black New Year" at Hellfest.



"As we kiss hard on the lips and swear,
"this year will be better than the last"

Jet black, the ink that spells your name
Jet black, the blood that's in your veins
Jet black, we say, "how long can we take this chance not to celebrate?"

There's music playing
though we dance to the beat of our own black hearts
Draw diagrams of suicide on each other's wrists
then trace them with razorblades"