Hoboken's staple venue Maxwell's to close in July

NJ.com has reported that Maxwell's is closing come the end of July. I've had the pleasure of seeing some wonderful acts there like Screaming Females, Ted Leo, Kevin Devine, Manchester Orchestra, mewithoutYou, Bern & the Brights, As Tall As Lions, An Horse, Melissa Ferrick, Old Wives, Folly and Los Campesinos.  The little 200-capacity hole in the wall, is a memorable place, that will be dearly missed among many show goers near and far. 

There's plenty of shows to get to before it closes. Just check the website at http://maxwellsnj.com/

Of particular note we have: 

Sun. 6/23 Tiny Giant Summer Bummer: Morning/Reese Van Riper/Pour The Pirate Sherry/France 7 p.m. $8

Thurs. 6/27 Those Mockingbirds/A Balance Between/Ace Reporter/Fairmont/Tom Barrett 8 p.m. $10

7/12 The Everymen/Life Eaters/Black Wine $10

Boy Things - Equations 7'' Out Now

Happy release day to Boy Things and Bedside Manner Collective for the Equations 7''. The EP is available for stream and it's sure to get you boppin'. For fans of Los Campesinos, Gang of Four, Tegan and Sara, and Tigers Jaw. Get into this indie, dance pop band!

We have copies in our webstore for $5. Additionally, we have a $10 postage paid package that includes Boy Things 7'' and Melissa & Paul's "Live Hard" cassette tape. We're running low on the first press of Live Hard, so act now. You can check out the store here.

Copies are also available at Vinyl Lounge in Nyack, NY.

Finally, you can request "Equations" on 89.5 FM WSOU's Campus Buzz on Sundays from 8-11pm. Listen on the radio or at www.wsou.net 973-761-9768 (WSOU).

Upcoming Shows:
7/5 @ Maxwell's in Hoboken with Asphalt Green, Vows, Ale Potosnak (ALL AGES)  

7/6 @ Blairstown Theater with The Flops and Julian Fulton & The Zombie Gospel (ALL AGES)

7/7 @ Stanhope House with Vows, Don't Upset the Bear, Dead Mellotron (from Baltimore) (18+)

Permanent Wave's Guide to Northside Festival 2012

Brooklyn's fourth annual Northside Festival starts today, and we've got your guide to the Permanent Wave bands and some of the other amazing lady musicians who will be playing at venues in Williamsburg and Greenpoint! Here are our show picks:
Thursday, June 14

• Kanine Records & Terrorbird Media present: Class Actress, Eternal Summers, Bleeding Rainbow, Beach Day, Zambri, Air Waves @ Knitting Factory
• The Secret History w/ The Barettas, Graveyard Lovers, Your 33 Black Angels @ Trash Bar
• NYCTaper presents: EULA w/ Pontiak, White Hills, Rhyton @ 285 Kent       
• PopGun presents: Niki & the Dove w/ Selebrities, Beacon @ Glasslands
• Muchmore's Grand Opening Launch Party: She Keeps Bees w/ Ancient Sky, Dust Engineers, Future of What @ Muchmore's (2 Havemeyer St.)     

Friday, June 15

• The Whatever Blog presents: Crazy Pills, Alyson Greenfield, LUFF, Gold Streets, The Planes @ Legion
• Monarch presents: Teletextile w/ Wishes and Thieves, Heloise & the Savoir Faire, Dynasty Electric, Something in Spanish @ Matchless
• BrooklynVegan presents: Frankie Rose w/ Caveman @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Saturday, June 16

• The Battering Room presents: Magnetic Island w/ Gold Streets, That Fleeting World, Passenger Peru @ Matchless (afternoon show)
• The Whatever Blog presents: WOJCIK w/ Starlight Girls, The Planes, Clouder, Bootblacks, Freshkills @ The Spare Room at The Gutter
• HillyTown presents: Sunset Hearts, Flying Pace, Brenda, Weird Children, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, Troubled Sleep @ Grand Victory
• Panache Booking presents:
 Grass Widow w/ Turbo Fruits, The Black Belles, Gary War, Gap Dream, Snack Machine @ Knitting Factory
• Laura Stevenson & the Cans w/ The Olivia Tremor Control @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg
• Windish presents: Asobi Seksu w/ Field Mouse, Exitmusic, Ape School @ Brooklyn Bowl
• Stereogum & Cameo Gallery present: Twin Sister w/ Guards, Physical Therapy, Caged Animals, Phonetag @ Cameo Gallery
• Kid Sister @ Sugarland
• Kitty Pryde @ Knitting Factory (late show)

Sunday, June 17

• Cake Shop presents: Leda w/ Air Waves, Hard Nips, Grooms @ Union Pool
• Paper Garden Records presents: North Highlands w/ Starlight Girls, Team Genius, Il Albanico, Whale Belly @ Spike Hill

Bern & the Brights stream new song "Irish Boys"

Bern & the Brights have shared their new song "Irish Boys" on their website. Take a listen here: http://www.bernandthebrights.com We have a few copies of their first 7'' Starchild available at our newly launched store www.starbeatmusic.storenvy.com


Upcoming Shows:

6/15 | 9PM | Tierney's Tavern w/Defending Champions/Kiwi/Old Wives | Montclair, NJ

6/19 | 8PM | Bowery Electric w/Plastiq Passion/Ruby on the Vine | NYC

6/22 | 11PM | Rockwood Music Hall | NYC

What to do on Saturday (Rally for Women's Health, Tom Tom Magazine Party, & more)

This Saturday seems women themed. Between the Rally for Women's Health at Foley Square and a number of shows featuring women artists in the Lower east Side, Williamsburg and other areas of NYC, there's hopefully something you're interested. Check out one of these events and support!

1pm: Rally for Women's Health @ Foley Square, Between Lafayette St and Centre St, New York, NY. Speakers and Musical Guests include: Gloria Steinem, Kathleen Hanna, Kathleen Turner, Cecile Richards, Nellie McKay, Rude Mechanical Orchestra, solo set from The Mountain Goats, Amanda Marcotte, and elected officials.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=189460984407552

8pm Hank & Cupcakes, Belikos, Nico's Gun, Slow Motion Centerfold @ Cameo Gallery, 93 N. 6th St, Brooklyn, NY $10 21+

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168444076535890

9pm The Roulettes, Care Bears on Fire, Nan and the One Nite Stands, The Fancy @ Sake Shop, 152 Ludlow Street, New York, NY $8 21+

http://cake-shop.com/show-calendar/

9pm: Living Days, Austra, Corub @ Glasslands Gallery, 289 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY. $8 adv $10 dos

http://www.glasslands.blogspot.com/

10pm Mitten, Boom Chick, Mindtroll, Manett @ Hank's Saloon, 43 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY FREE 10pm 21+ 

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179421048765882

11pm Tom Tom Magazine Presents: MNDR, Make Out, Val-Inc, DJ Designer Imposter @ Ace Hotel NYC Liberty Hall, 20 W. 28th Street, New York, NY Free 21+ 

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183954851643576

11:15pm My Pet Dragon @ Rockwood Music Hall , 196 Allen Street, New York, NY FREE 21+ 

http://rockwoodmusichall.com/

Anything else? 

Hard Nips release 10'', upcoming Brooklyn shows + free download

DOWNLOAD: Hard Nips- Release It

When I write about a new band, I like to make sure it's worth it. Lately not too many bands have impressed me, but a quartet by the name of HARD NIPS have. 

Hard Nips is an all-girl Japanese rock 'n roll band with a fun, highly spirited live show. The band has a 4-song 10'' EP out on Mixpak Records that totally rocks. Their sound has a riffy guitar groove with catchy beats that make for a cool listen. 

The band is playing with the glamous Living Days at a new bowling alley (think more intimate than Brooklyn Bowl), called The Gutter. How rad? They also play behind Williamsburg's tasty tater tot Lovin' Cups music venue, Cameo Gallery! Grab a free download of their first song above!

Hard Nips EP:


1. Release It
2. Sun Stroke
3. Picture
4. Alligator 

Hard Nips Live: 

2/11 @ The Gutter, Brooklyn, NY w/ Living Days [info]
2/15 @ Cameo Gallery, Brooklyn, NY w/ Chica Vas and Euro Band [info]

Living Days @ Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn w/Mux Mool (tonight)

Living Days perform tonight at Glasslands Gallery in Williamsburg for their EP release show of Make Out Room Pt. 1. The band sound like A Ha meets The Human League meets The Gossip. How hot, right? They'll get you dancing soon enough. They'll perform with electro beatmaking producer Mux Mool and eletro-pop kid Expensive Looks plus Warm Ghost. Tickets are only $7 here.

Also, check out our review of the band's show over the summer: Live Review: Living Days @ Brooklyn Industries, Union Square 7-29-10

The Matt Kurz One playing Brooklyn w/ BTMI & Cheap Girls, plus in NJ

Have you ever seen someone playing 5 instruments at once? Well, Athens, GA's Matt Kurz One is a one man band that shows you that you don't need a full band sometimes. His music has soul. He plays a  great brand of folk-garage rock. For those unfamiliar, he's on Jeff Rosenstock of Bomb the Music Industry's Quote Unquote Records. He'll be playing one of two shows with the band. First, he'll be at Europa in Greenpoint with B.T.M.I, Laura Stevenson and the Cans, Cheap Girls, Carpenter, and Chotto Ghetto. Tickets are only $8 here. Later he'll be at The Shop in Williamsburg. On Oct. 24 he'll be at Mill House Basement in Trenton, NJ.

Check out a video of him in action below.

Byrds of Paradise announce new LP, playing with Los Campesinos

Brooklyn's Byrds of Paradise is releasing their first full-length album January 2011 on Don Giovanni Records. The band's releases to date have included three 7-inch records each on a different label. "Rowena" on Wild World Records, "Omega Man" on Don Giovanni, and "Barefoot Paradise" on UK label Sleep All Day Records.

At once filthy, dreamy, druggily intoxicating and soberingly intense, Brooklyn-based Byrds of Paradise churn out slop pop tunes in garage/psych/punk clothing that are as sweetly sticky as they are layered, noisy and driven.

Upcoming Shows:

10/15 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Los Campensinos
10/22 @ The Warehouse, CT w/ Circle Pit
11/4 @ Bruar Falls, Brooklyn w/ Shark?
11/5 @ Worcester, MA w/ Sweet Bulbs
11/6 @ Boston, MA w/ Sweet Bulbs

Three-day Rock 'n Roll Birthday Blowout @ Trash Bar in Brooklyn

Producer, Drug Front Records owner, and all around cool guy Dean Rispler is hosting a 3-Day Rock-n-Roll Birthday Blowout! Celebrating 40 years of despair, disappointment and the utterly ridiculous.

October 14th - 16th
Trash Bar
256 Grand St. btw Havemeyer and Roebling
in beautifully gentrified Williamsburg
$10 per night. Doors open at 8pm with free PBR and well drinks 8pm-9pm with admission. 21+.

Thursday, October 14th
dälek w/DJ Motiv (first NYC show in over a year!)
Born Loose (feat. Larry fr. The Candy Snatchers)
The Brought Low
The Naked Heroes
MiniBoone
The Walk Ons
The Staggs
Owen McCarthy fr. Submarine Bells (solo set)

Friday, October 15th
The Candy Snatchers (only NYC area reunion show!)
Two Man Advantage
Big Bobby & The Nightcaps
Beer & Cable
The Heart Punchers
Concrete Cross
Foster Care
Runny

Saturday, October 16th
Dash Rip Rock (26th Anniversary Show!)
The Bamboo Kids
Heap
Mighty Fine
The Mess Around
Edison Rocket Train

Pregnant release LP, upcoming shows

Brooklyn punk trio Pregnant have released its debut LP for free download on Burn Books. Remember they put out a 7'' on Don Giovanni and played a few of their shows. Definitely check them out for some garage-punk jams that will get you moving. Listen to "Real Talk," "Help," or "You Give It To Me" for examples. These are songs you get crazy to at shows. A physical copy is only $14, including shipping and handling. Grab it here: www.burnbooks.org

10/1 @ Dead Herring
141 S. 5th Street b/w Bedford & Driggs
Brooklyn, NY
9pm. All Ages. $cheap

Pregnant- http://www.myspace.com/pregnantinbarnio
Home Blitz - http://www.myspace.com/homeblitz
Wild Thing - http://capturedtracks.com/
Fostercare- http://www.myspace.com/fostercarekooks
Humanbeing lawnmower- http://www.avispivak.com/frame_shop.htm

10/2 @ The Pyramids
32D S. 1st Street
Brooklyn, NY
8pm. All ages. $7.

Showpaper Benefit Show

Pregnant - www.myspace.com/pregnantinbarnio
Byrds of Paradise - www.myspace.com/byrdsofparadisenyc
Sleepies - www.myspace.com/herecomethesleepies
Aye Nako - www.myspace.com/ubervamps
Mr. Dream - www.myspace.com/mrdreamnyc

Show Picks of the Week 9/13- 9/19: Record Release Edition

This week we have shows by The New Collisions, Screaming Females, Jukebox the Ghost, Waking Lights, and The Saddest Landscape, plus a Blonde Redhead listening party and Superchunk in-store performance.


Monday, 9/13: The New Collisions, Pie Boys Flat, Analog Fire, Pablo Sebastian (of Malbec) @ Mercury Lounge-NYC 7pm $8 21+ (available at door)
There's a cool, eclectic four band line-up at Mercury tonight. The show is headlined by Astoria's reggae/rockers Pie Boys Flat. Openers include electro group Analog Fire and dance act Pablo Sebastian. But it's Cambridge, MA's The New Collisions who who are touring to support their forthcoming album, The Optimist out Oct. 5. The band play pop/rock. Recommended for fans of Blondie, R.E.M, The Start.

Tuesday, 9/14: Blonde Redhead "Penny Sparkle" listening party @ Le Poisson Rogue-NYC Free. 7pm. 21+ (info)

Blonde Redhead's new album Penny Sparkle will be played in full at this listening party. This is a first come, fully standing, gallery event.

Wednesday 9/15: Screaming Females "CASTLE TALK" record release, Shellshag, Big Eyes @ Knitting Factory-Brooklyn, NY, 9pm $10 (tickets)

Screaming Females is fantastic live. They make you dance, sing, and pump your fist to their gnarly groovy punk rock 'n roll sound. I can't say enough good things about them. They'll be celebrating the release of their fourth album, Castle Talk, playing along with duo lo-fi punkers Shellshag and garage-punk rock 'n rollers Big Eyes (featuring Kate Eldridge of Cheeky and Mark Bronzino of Seasick/Kicking Spit).

Thursday, 9/16: Jukebox the Ghost "Everything Under the Sun" tour, Via Audio, Drink Up Buttercup @ Music Hall of Williamsburg $13 8pm 18+ (tickets)

Jukebox the Ghost is touring to support its newest pop friendly keyboard driven album Everything Under the Sun, with fellow hometown Philly band Drink Up Buttercup and Brooklyn indie pop band Via Audio. I predict a fun, feel good, and dancing time.

Friday 9/17: Waking Lights "The Rabbit Hole" digital release, Sean Walsh & the National Reserve, The Exotic Aquatic @ Maxwell's-Hoboken, NJ 9pm $10 (tickets)

Waking Lights is celebrating the digital release of The Rabbit Hole EP. The 7-piece Brooklyn and North Jersey band combine violin, cello, and keyboard with the traditional guitar, bass, and drums to create an indie-rock mix of soulful and folk rock songs that loosens you up, gets you groovin', and catches your attention. Also performing is Brooklyn folk-rock band Sean Walsh and the National Reserve.

Saturday 9/18: The Saddest Landscape "You Will Not Survive" LP release, Pianos Become the Teeth, My Heart to Joy, We Were Skeletons, The NEw & Very Welcome, acres @ Party Xpo-Brooklyn, NY 3pm $8 All Ages (info)

The Saddest Landscape is releasing its new, long awaited album You Will Not Survive. The screamo band's distinctive style is passionate and driving in the least traditional way. They'll be joined by underground contemporaries Connecticut's My Heart to Joy and Mayland's Pianos Become The Teeth, plus some local NY and NJ bands.

Sunday, 9/19: Superchunk "Majesty Shredding" in-store @ Other Music-New York, NY 1pm. Free. All Ages. 

Superchunk will perform an acoustic set featuring songs from Majesty Shredding in between sold out shows at Bowery Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg. This will be a intimate performance at record store by a legendary indie-rock band You can listen to the full album at NPR.

Brick & Mortar opening for Jimmy World Eat on Sept. 24

Directed and produced by Dan Feeny. Shot by Dan Feeny and Brandon Wolf. "20lb" performed and written by Brick+Mortar off the ep "Seven Years in the Mystic Room".

Tom's River, New Jersey's reggae-rock funk duo Brick and Mortar is opening for Jimmy Eat World at The Starland Ballroom on Sept. 24th. Tickets for this awesome pairing are available here.

Waking Lights Record Release Show in Hoboken 9/17 with Sean Walsh

Waking Lights is celebrating the digital release of The Rabbit Hole EP on Friday, Sept.17th at Maxwell's in Hoboken. The EP was released on vinyl last November. But this release will include additional tracks plus two exlusive videos. Also performing is Brooklyn folk-rock band Sean Walsh and the National Reserve. Tickets are available here or contact the band directly at Info@WakingLights.com for discounted rates. Doors at 9pm. Show time 9:30pm. Everyone who comes gets a free digital copy of the album. 

The 7-piece Brooklyn and North Jersey band combine violin, cello, and keyboard with the traditional guitar, bass, and drums to create an indie-rock mix of soulful and folk rock songs that loosens you up, gets you groovin', and catches your attention. 

The Naked Heroes release "Foxy Moxy" video, opening for Hacienda

Rock 'n rollers The Naked Heroes have a new video for "Foxy Moxy" directed by Milner Ayala. You can see it below.



Also, check out the video for "Sheila" here.

Additionally, the band opens for San Antonio's Hacienda, who recently opened for Grace Potter, on Aug. 21st at Mercury Lounge. It's an early one, so get there at 7:30pm to catch both bands.

The Neutron Drivers playing Maxwell's w/ The Electric Mess 8/28

Jersey's City The Neutron Drivers has an upcoming show with Eye of the Dawn, The Doughboys, and the Electric Mess at Maxwell's in Hoboken on Saturday, Aug. 28th. 8:30pm. $8. All Ages. Check out the band for some great garage/punk rock.

Members of The Starting Line, The Movielife, and Gay Blades perform in NYC this Friday

No One You Know Productions will present Kenny Vasoli (The Starting Line/Person L), Vinnie Caruana (The Movielife), James Dean Wells (The Gay Blades), Bombers, and My Arcadia. @ Bowery Electric, near the old CBGB's (now a store), this Friday, August 6th. Doors 7pm. Advance tickets are available here. 

April Smith & the Picture Show playing at The Bell House in Brooklyn 7/22

DOWNLOAD: April Smith & the Picture Show- Movie Loves A Screen

April Smith and the Picture Show is a dazzling cabaret band from Brooklyn with plenty of pop sensibility. The whole aurora of the band is a sophisticated, yet fun one. The band's songs are poppy, slow, and piano and violen driven. Fans of The Dresden Dolls, Ingrid Michaelson, and Eisley. There's a poise in Smith's vocals and lyrics. The steady beats keep you wrapped up.

 

The band performs on July 22nd with Jenny Owen Youngs, The Woes, and Daniel Wayne at beautiful Bell House, 149 7th Street, Brooklyn, NY. 7:30pm. $10 in advance, $12 the day of show. 18+. Tickets are available here. So get your suits on and get dashing to this picture show!

Rocks Off Concert Cruise Calendar

Rocks Off Concert Cruises has dozens of shows lined-up this summer. Punk, rock, ska, pop, and more. I really don't know what's more awesome than rock 'n roll on a boat on a beautiful summer day. That's hoping the weather is nice that particular night, but even so, it's warm and being outside brings a nice feeling. Ok, I'll stop being mushy. Here's a few shows of note:

Upcoming Concerts:

7/15 Electric Six, Baby Jewelry 
7/17 Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social, The Dirty Pearls
7/19 NachosNY.com Presents: GUAC ROCK North Highlands, The Beets, Dry Feet
7/20 Drug Front Records Presents: MiniBoone, The Naked Heroes, The Mess Around
7/29 The Music Slut Presents: Javelin, Keepaway, I Love Monsters

8/2 Black Lips, Natural Child, K Holes
8/4 Black Taxi, That Handsome Devil, Decibel
8/5 Schism- Tribute to Tool, For Whom the Bell Joels
8/11 Cro-Mags
8/22 H20
9/11 The Slackers

Rest of the show listed here.

Boat takes off at E. 23rd St. & FDR Drive.

Weatherbox NY/NJ Shows this Week

Photo Credit: Nick Kova

Rock band Weatherbox from San Diego is playing so east coast shows beginning today. They'll appear at Cake Shop on July 6, Party Expo on July 7, and The Meatlocker on July 8. Details below. 

July 6 @ Cake Shop, 152 Ludlow Street, New York, NY w/ The Shining Twins and Baby Fangs (Members of The Willows) $7, 21+, 8pm

July 7 @ Party Expo, 929 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY w/ The Front Bottoms, and Delicate Steve. $7, All Ages, 8pm

July 8 @ The Meatlocker, 8 Park Street, Monclair, NJ w/ Washington Square Park, The Front Bottoms, Gypsy Wig. $5, All Ages, 7pm