Top 3 Siren Music Festival Highlights

Siren Fest 2010 was my first time at the free music event. It was conveniently located two blocks away from my job. However, I was working that day, so I wasn't able to see that many bands perform. I did hear some of Surfer Blood and The Night Marchers from work. I saw Screaming Females, Ted Leo, and some of Matt & Kim. Here are 3 highlights:

1. Screaming Females entire set. Anxiously gathering my stuff from my locker two blocks away at the New York Aquarium, I hear Screaming Females perform. I got my supervisor to adjust my lunch break to 2pm, just so I could see Screamales. Sure, I've seen this band about a dozen times but what's one more? Each time I've seen this band live they've delivered a different set. Few bands can impress me the way they do. The band went into "Starving Dog," one of my favorites. I was still at work. I was headbanging, two stepping - trying to pull myself away quickly. It was hot and sticky out. But I did what my heart compelled me to do. I ran--two long blocks including the run out of the aquarium, almost nonstop to see a band I've seen numerous times, as if this was the only chance I'd ever get to see them. Running, as though, for dear life. As if I needed to desperately see them. But it was just love. Yeah they say love makes you do crazy things. I could hear co-workers say, "She's running?" with surprise, shock, and awe. By the time I arrived, sweaty, somewhat panting, I moved as far, but as comfortably toward the front as I could. That wasn't too far up, but compared to the space I did a nice job. I was hanging to the left of the stage by the RXP banners with plenty of dancing space. This ruled.

The band ripped through a super tight, fast, loud, and groovy songs including "Bell," "Starving Dog," "Lights Out," and a new one or two. I couldn't help but move around and two-step. The sound was great. I was impressed. There seemed to be a bunch of impromptu guitar soloing and Marissa's screams were great. I ended up dancing with two girls, who seemed to have been inspired by my lead in dancing along to the band. We were all dancing together. I was dancing around, having a merry time without a care in the world. Screaming Females played an amazing "Lights Out" and closed with "Boyfriend," a fucking great song that was probably only my third time hearing live. As they say, I went flipping off. 

It's hard to wonder why so many bands think their shows won't turn out well. Bands are bigger then they think. I always have faith in bands. The crowd was pretty big when the band played. Screaming Females deserved this show. I know they won over many fans. Each time I see Screaming Females I wonder if they can top their last show and each time, they fucking do.

2. Ted Leo's set. I haven't heard Ted Leo play live since I first saw them at Maxwell's in 2008. The song s came across heavier than I remembered. "Where Have All The Rude Boys Gone" was finely played. It was also my first chance hearing the new material live. Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females also sung a new song with Ted Leo.

3. Seeing a dude climb up the fence to sit atop during Matt & Kim's set. Folks around me didn't know if this guy was going to jump or what. But since we were all in the back it was tough to see even with the two big projects on stage. This guy took it upon himself to make sure he could both sit and see. Photograph proof is below.

Holiday Shows: BTMI!, Monty Love, Ted Leo, Steel Train, and Thursday

The winter season brings Christmas trees, presents, and snow. It also brings the delightful Christmas songs and carols. This winter season while you're enjoying hot cocoa, consider going to some special holiday shows and concerts. This month is filled with plenty across the Garden State and the Big Apple. So allow me highlight some for you.

1. Quote Unquote Records presents their 2nd Annual "Holiday Rock Charity Event" featuring Bomb The Music Industry!, Laura Stevenson and The Cans, Tin Armor, The Sidekicks, and Stolen Parts on Dec. 15 at Death By Audio. Folks are encouraged to bring clothes for the Teens at Covenant house and toys for the kids at safe Horizon. The show is at 49 S. 2nd St., Williamsburg, NY. The show is $6-10 sliding scale all give to the above charities. http://www.myspace.com/bombthemusicindustry
2. The 8th Annual Monty Love Xmas Spectacular on Dec. 19 at Dock Street in Staten Island. It’s be 3 years since the S.I. punk band has graced the stage of Dock St and now they're coming back for one night only. Quantice Never Crashed, Les Vinyl and Racing Exit 13 will open. The show is all ages and $10. But bring a flier (somewhere on the web) and get in for $6. http://www.myspace.com/montylove
3. Ted Leo performs an intimate solo show with Tourmaline, Washington Sq Park, and The Exotic Aquatic on Dec. 26 at the Meatlocker in Montclair. More info here.
4. Steel Train have three line-up holiday shows for your pleasure. Two are Dec. 29 and 30 at Maxwell's in Hoboken. More info is available here. They also have another one at Brooklyn Bowl on Jan. 2.
5. Thursday return to Jersey on Dec. 30 at the The Starland Ballroom with Glassjaw, Dillinger Escape Plan, United Nations, and The Casting Out. More info here. The show is sold out, but the Aquarian has your chance to win tickets here.

Ted Leo to perform intimate solo show in NJ on Dec. 26 w/ Tourmaline, Exotic Aquatic

Three of New Jersey's up-and-coming local bands will open for Ted Leo at the Meatlocker in Montclair on Dec. 26. The show is a solo one for the Bloomfield native who recently played a sold out show at Bowery Ballroom with his band, The Pharmacists. He also signed with Matador Records who will release his new album, The Brutalist Bricks on March 9, 2010.

The evening is special holiday show featuring Washington Square Park, Tourmaline, and The Exotic Aquatic. Washington Square Park is a gritty, pop punk band from Essex County. "These Lasts Months" is a catchy, cute song that you can hear of their myspace. Tourmaline is a rock 'n roll band with a keyboardist and honest, sweet lyrics. Check out "The Swindle," the title track for their latest record featuring Richard Lloyd of Television. Finally, The Exotic Aquatic is a mostly acoustic based folk rock band reminiscent of Attica! Attica!, Paul Baribeau., and Nana Grizol. For this show Anthony Villacari from Cash Cash will be playing drums.

The Meatlocker is located at 8 Park Street in Montclair, NJ. There are no advance tickets, so arrive early if you want to get in. The cover is $10 and all ages. Doors at 7pm.

Ted Leo Speaks Out About Perceptions of NJ

This morning Ted Leo posted a series of tweets on his Twitter account regarding New Jersey. Here’s what he had to say:

Sick of: people from bland suburban New Jersey speaking for it as if that was the whole state and thereby confirming the rest of the world's ill-informed opinions of it.

Case in point: recent Idolator article on Misfits saying NJ's history begins in 1950s strip malls. Really?

So the 1796 church on the corner or the 1832 house I grew up in and the actual somewhat urban downtowns I frequented don't exist?

Screw you & your own self-importance & ego overcompensating for your actual insecurities. Grow a pair & look a little deeper at yr environs! ALSO, self-obsessed ego maniacs, strip mall chain store culture is AMERICA, nit just NJ. Get out of your bubble & travel a bit and be equal parts depressed and RELIEVED - none of us are all that special.

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists @ Maxwell's, review and tour dates

Bloomfield, New Jersey's Ted Leo and the Pharmacists performed at Maxwell's in Hoboken with Variety Shac, to a sold out crowd. Variety Shac, a four piece variety show featuring music and comedy was entertaining. Each women had their own comical intrigue that had me chuckling for their half hour show.

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists would grace the stage at 10:10 pm. where they played a solid hour and half set. Filled with new songs, cuts off all their releases, and a cover, the outfit simply rocked. Their brand of indie/ punk rock was pulled off amazingly, making me shake my head and dance around, right up front.

"Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone," and "The High Party" were some of my favorite selections from the bands "Hearts of Oak." They group played a ton of songs, that I don't recall at the moment. If feels nice to know that I saw Ted Leo and the Pharmacists at a 200-capacity venue before they play a 20, 000 capacity venue at NYC's Madison Square Garden opening for Pearl Jam next week. It really doesn't get much better than that and this four piece certainly deserve it.

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - 2008 Tour Dates:
Jun 19 - Susquehanna Bank Center Camden, New Jersey *
Jun 20 - Susquehanna Bank Center Camden, New Jersey *
Jun 21 - Gallery 5 Richmond, Virginia
Jun 22 - Verizon Center Washington, Washington DC *
Jun 24 - Madison Square Garden New York, New York *
Jun 25 - Madison Square Garden New York, New York *
Jun 26 - Cunneen Hackett Theatre Poughkeepsie, New York
Jun 27 - New England Dodge Music Center Hartford, Connecticut *
Jun 28 - Tweeter Center Mansfield Massachusetts *
Jun 30 - Tweeter Center Mansfield, Massachusetts *
Jul 17 - Castle Clinton, Battery Park New York
(Information on this free performance available here.)
*With Pearl Jam