The Naked Heroes : Demon The Whiskey Down Teaser

Rock 'n' roll duo couple The Naked Heroes are releasing a new album, Demon The Whiskey Down,  this fall. If the below video teaser is any indication, then the new album will be pretty rippin'.

The Nico Blues- Folk Song Number Two

Directed by: Adam Abada


A sparkly silver $100 Brownsville guitar is the star of the Nico Blues new music video, "Folk Song Number Two." The guitar lays still on the lower right corner of the screen throughout most of the video. It's guitarist Reed's first guitar, but it's shared by all the members in the video. In addition to being played, it's also used as a skateboard and a surf board. The way the guitar is portrayed in the video shows how much of a love the band has for it, but I think there's a deeper meaning behind it. And the closing lines say it all: And I will not dispute/ Just long as I'm following you. And follow they guitar they do. Or is it following them?

The other aspect of the video appropriately shows parts of New Jersey and New York City where the band has played live, which highlights where the band members are from. The footage is collected from live performances shot at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ, Legion in Brooklyn, Zen Studios in Wayne, NJ, and Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ in March and April of this year. 

Musically the band delivers a folk song with a '90 and indie rock (as in D.I.Y. style) feel. The song itself was recorded in a basement in Wayne and pays tribute to where the band has played and where they started. The song is from their album, Blame The Boredom, Blame the Basements. Enjoy. 

Mindtroll: not your traditional punk band

For Day 1 of our Women's History Month homage to artists and bands, I present you Mindtroll. I recently saw this 4-piece at Hank's Saloon in their hometown of Brooklyn. So here we have it. This band features 3 girls, and 1 guy. Open up your ears and enter Mindtroll. 

Mindtroll. More like mindfuck. Mindtroll is a band you can't easily categorize. However, one might call them "art punk." Mindtroll is like a musical protest with four people shouting about ice cream, jazz, being human, and suspicious packages. Oh yes, they go there.

The music is easily comparable to Bikini Kill with its spoken word revolutionary vocals and raw style; but, far more innovative with its use of accordion, saxophone, and megaphone beeps. In 2011, music even punk rock has become stale and boring. Mindtroll is a refreshingly fun band to come across. They also consist of a band who plays drums standing up, not sitting. This is only the second time I've ever seen this among any drummer period. Ellen of Mindtroll is only the second encounter of a drummer playing this way. The first encounter was Cupcakes from the duo pop group Hank & Cupcakes. It's probably more comfortable and fun, playing this way too. Also, hello, accordion player. How cool. They also rely a lot on their bass player to keep the groove. Their style is not traditional punk. And this is what I like about Mindtroll. They stand out and I don't think for the sake of standing out. But rather they just play whatever they are compelled to. And that, my fellow readers, is part of what punk is. Also, the short songs, partly political and social tone of the lyrics, and somewhat fast drum style.

Somehow they make their music sound both humorous and serious. This is seen through the song "Ex-Girlfriend's Never Gonna Get Her Bass Back." Vocals shift between bassist Zane, megaphone beeper and spoken word shouter Niina, and accordionist Eve. Their music also sounds both angry yet pretty light-hearted. "It is hard to be a human, when you have to learn so many things." Preach, Mindtroll! You hit the nail on the head. Their songs are loud and wholesomely hit and I think that's hard to come by with so many bands these days. If you're intrigued, download their EP for free here and check out a live video for "Suspicious Package" below. My ears are pleased when it listens to new music, so maybe yours will be too.

WOJCIK

WOJCIK is a 2-piece from Brooklyn with a keen, garage rock sound. Their EP The [VOY-chek] is available for free here. Their site aptly describes Geoff Lewit and Hailey Wojcik music as mixing "fuzzy, Midwestern Gothic, garage sound with memorable pop hooks and biting lyrics, which tell stories of relationships gone awry." Tomorrow they play at Don Pedro's, 90 Manhattan Ave, between Boerum and McKibben in Brooklyn! 9pm. $5.

Radio Silence NYC respond to bullying with music video "Renegade"

Today I was told about this young band Radio Silence NYC. Above is their video for their song "Renegade," which is a response to bullying. It follows two girls around with live band footage taken at Brooklyn's all ages space Death By Audio. The poppy track with some rockin' riffs hits home in the wake all the hateful bullying in the country regarding LGBTQ youth. The band sings "hatred is the enemy." These teens are speaking out and noticing that hatred needs to stop. They've teamed up with cause organization Do Something to spread their important message. More info on violence and bullying can be found here. 

“We wrote the song over the summer calling out the hate we see daily.  As we were thinking of a concept for the video, these stories started surfacing and we felt like we had to get our message out there. This is real and people need to understand that,” says Zach, lead singer.

Video: Junior Battles - Basements

Junior Battles have posted a song for "Basements" from their self-titled 7'' release earlier this year. The band will be touring with O'Pioneers for two weeks. The first stop is in Brooklyn on Oct. 20 with Fake Problems, followed by Trenton, and then they head over to Gainesville for The Fest. Dates below.

Video: Ignacio "Miles Away"

New York based artist Ignacio has released a new video for "Miles Away,"which finds him walking through NYC streets, subways, and parks. His music is somewhat hard to describe. There's something warm and smooth about his voice. He plays a nice brand of modern rock that is upbeat and sophisticated.He currently has a 5-song EP out.

He performs at Bowery Electric on Oct. 29 with Push, Hypodrive, and Julius C. 18+. 7pm. $5 here.

for fans of The Cars, The Strokes, Oasis, and Squeeze

Teen Guitarist sings about oil spill on One Eyed Rhyno's "The Bird"

When a musician takes a moment to recognize a devastating event in our country and write about it through song, it's truly wonderful. 16-year old James Hunter does just that, along with his sister Elaine (18) and friend Andrew Daniel (17) on One Eyed Rhyno's song "The Bird."

Their single, “The Bird,” addresses the devastating and deadly conditions that impact wildlife after an oil spill. James, originally wrote the song when he was 10 years old after learning about the Exxon Valdez spill. Because of the current situation in the Gulf, he decided to record the song and release it to raise awareness for restoring the area’s devastated ecosystem.

The result is a blues-rock song with a powerful video.

RVIVR in Brooklyn 9/16 & 9/17

Olympia, Washington's, RVIVR featuring members of Latterman, Shorebirds, Hooky, and Glue, will play two shows in Brooklyn this week, one at the bar called Lulu's with Bridge & Tunnel and the other at a loft with Little Lungs. RVIVR play wonderful, heartfelt, pop-punk with dual male and female vocals. You can listen to their new album and download it for free here. These are some incredibly moving and passionate songs. So check them out. They are a prime example of good D.I.Y, pop-punk!

Thursday 9/16 @ Lulu's Bar, 113 Franklin St

Bridge & Tunnel
Rvivr
Marvin Berry & the New Sound
Aye Nako! (formerly Fleabag) 

Starts at 9pm SHARP. Free. 21+

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Friday 9/17 @ 538 Johnson Ave, Apt 201
Rvivr
Little Lungs
The Measure (SA)
The Fish (1st Show!)

Starts at 9 pm SHARP. $5. All Ages

Screaming Females album out 9/14, "I Don't Mind It" video + NYC show

Screaming Females release their fourth album, Castle Talk, on Sept. 14th on Don Giovanni Records. The album features grungy, groovy, punky, played out guitar laden songs with infectious bass lines. Notable tracks include "Fall Asleep," "Sheep," and "Ghost Solo." You can pre-order the album here.

The band hit Brooklyn for their record release show on Sept. 15 with Shellshag and Big Eyes. Tickets are just ten bucks. Get them here. Check out the band's latest artsy video above.

Live Review: Warpaint @ The Whitney Museum of American Art

You might not imagine what Warpaint sound like by simply looking at them. Most bands that make you dance have a keyboardist. Not Warpaint. They're different. They use the traditional guitar, bass, and drums to effectively make your body move. They have more of a jammy-dance feel. But their music spills elements of post-punk, magical melody, dream pop, psychedelic, and rock. They play beautiful, delicate, and may I say pretty sexy music.

The drummer keeps a steady beat and the almost noodly guitar is magical. They remind me of Brooklyn instrumental band, Each Other's Mothers. It was hard to see the band being amongst hundreds of others. Though I was only a few feet behind the band I couldn't see over the crowd. There were several amazing views of the band though. The folks who were in the front, the folks who were outside looking at the band through the glass and those on the second floor looking down. Though the band was playing a museum the vibe felt just right. They performed on the floor, a rather intimate affair, and there really wasn't anything around them make you think it was a museum.

Many of the Warpaint's songs are ones you can get lost into. "Beetles" is the prime example. The seven minute jam showed off some great guitar and the band's ability to flawlessly shift to a lighter sound. The lyrics are sensual:

Let's get naked and rip down the wall that makes me crazy/ tell me how/ Someone hold my hand and give me lessons 'cos I wanna

It was nice to see an all female fronted group playing this type of music. Something different in the indie world where bands are either to loud or too soft. I think Warpaint is just right. They don't overdo it. The band closed with "Billie Holiday,"  half of a cover, many of the lines are taken from Smokey Robinson's 1964 song "My Guy," (a hit for Mary Wells, also performed by The Supremes). The song is a much slower version of the original. I was nearly in tears it was so beautiful. Couples could be seen holding each other and locking hands. It was easy to close your eyes and just fall in love with the song. What a way to close off a set.

See the video footage below for proof. 

Live Review: Screaming Females, Nude Beach, Big Soda @ Death By Audio

It's amazing to think that Screaming Females has toured with big name acts, got legit booking agents and publicists, and is coming upon their fourth album and still play D.I.Y shows, sell their CD and vinyl both  for $10, and after a dozen or so times of seeing the band, they're still able to bring a new show every time. This is something special. This is a band that stays true to their ethic and that's no bullshit. The band's consistency and rock'n'roll magic has made many talk. Well, ok, maybe reasons of Marissa's height and dress that too many other writers seem to dwell on. But it's not about looks with this band.  This band is about the music. This band is fucking punk rock.

The band played a packed Death by Audio, just the second date of the band's North American and European tour. Folks there were genuinely enthused to see the band. The trio opened with a new song called “Sheep” that got some bodies moving. The catchy “Bell” followed and the rowdy crowd started to dance. How can you not dance to a Screaming Females jam? The new songs sounded better live than I remember from hearing them at Bowery Ballroom back in February. A surprise was hearing “The Real Mothers,” an older song that I don't think I've ever heard live. The band closed the set with the bass starting “Baby Jesus.” Man, King Mike's bass lines rock! Marissa also improvised on guitar parts. The crowd wanted more. They started the encore with a new song, which Marissa said the crowd might not like and find boring. The crowd still jammed out.

Finally, the band went into possibly their most well-known song, “Boyfriend” and the crowd went off. I love the screams in this songs and I couldn't help but get into the mosh pit, scream my heart out, and raise my fist. This was a killer, gnarly version of the song. They played this one out so much. Riff after riff. It was unrelentless. About halfway through the song, Marissa screams: "when you sit on the fence I will burn in hell," holding the scream "hell," like crazy. She takes off her guitar, as if stripping herself to reveal something even more powerful-her voice, over bass and drums. She grabs the mic, walks back, and screams her fucking heart out, repeating the same line. Singing with all the might I think I've ever heard her sing. She throwds her guitar and a beer bottle lightly down, then turns the knob on her guitar, so it sequels. She does this everytime for the song. Jarrett and King Mike still playing. She picks up the guitar places it up against the amp, then goes to her guitar pedal. Knelt down. Face down. She picks up her guitar slowly. Puts it on and plays an extended version of the song. I couldn't help but smile. She looked so serious on stage, yet comfortable and open.

I was having fun and for once I could have fun with everyone else. That's what feels so good about a Screaming Females show. You can be yourself and no one gives a shit. They're all there for the reason you are: to dance, let loose, and listen to good rock. Behind the band was artwork painted by Marissa on the wall.

Nude Beach played some catchy punk rock. Big Soda played some poppy rock that featured members of Little Lungs and ex-Cheeky.

Screaming Females are back on Sept. 15 to play their record release show at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn with Shellshag and Big Eyes.

See below for setlist and videos. 

Jack Skuller- Love is a Drum (video)

DOWNLOAD: Jack Skuller- Love is a Drum 

Leave it 14-year old Weehawken, New Jerseyan, Jack Skuller to talk about love. The teen offers some advice: If you play out of tune, she's gonna walk out on you. This is from his rockabilly tune "Love is a Drum," which has some sweet guitar licks. The song was produced by Daniel Rey, who worked with The Ramones and also features Nada Surf's Ira Elliot on drums. The catchy song ends with the line "love hurts." He's already played at Maxwell's twice and word has it he'll perform at the CMJ Music Marathon in October. Keep an eye out. Who knows if this kid will be the Elvis of Jersey. 

The single is available as a limited edition 7'' vinyl and as a digial download on Hoboken based label Bar/None Records. 

Live Review: Murder City Devils @ Williamsburg Waterfront 7-18-10 (photos & video)

Murder City Devils wasn't a band I grew up on. I was an adolescent during their birth in 1996. Frankly I only heard their name after hearing about their Nokia Theater, Times Square appearance in February of this year I only heard the two songs on MySpace, thought it sounded good. But it wasn't until I saw them live this past Sunday at JellyNYC's free pool part along the East River at the new location, Williamsburg Waterfront, that I could really feel their influence and impact. 

I was almost in tears upon hearing "Broken Glass,"-a song about Iggy Pop and their final song of the early evening. Apparently it was an extended version or different version that sounded like a sort of tribute to Pop with the second part being about discovering a record that gave singer Spencer Moody a "thread of hope." The organ-esque tones of the keyboard sounded creepy, but set the tone of the music. It was completely emotional: "Iggy, baby. I like the sound of you." The bass kicking in when the keys stopped. Toward the end of the song, he looked like he was about to lose it, picking up the mic stand and walking back and forward..Murder City Devils sounded like a garage-punk band meets Alice in Chains meets mewithoutYou with a keyboard! I  became a fan. Minus a few times when the mix sounded a little off and the sound a bit rough the one hour set I caught was great.

I was impressed with Moody's shout-talk styled vocals and the crowd response. JEFF the Brotherhood, Silverghost, and Obits also played. What did you think?

--By Star Child

See the video, read the lyrics, and more photos below.

Dan Reed to bring acoustic stylings to NJ, NYC (Maxwell's date + more)

Dan Reed has a following that grows with his history. Born in Portland, he moved to South Dakota, where a Japanese exchange student taught him a skill that would keep his heart beating through the years ahead. Dan and his guitar headed back to Portland, where his story (and his fan base) would only grow thicker.

You don’t simply listen to his music--you listen to his history. Dan once interviewed the Dalai Lama for SPIN Magazine, who is now his number one friend on MySpace. He wrote a screenplay, which he later acted in. He journeyed through India, and now he’s coming to our version of the East--New York and New Jersey. He’ll be playing at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ on July 25th, and The Bitter End in New York City on July 28th, and The Record Collector in Bordentown, NJ on July 30th. 

--By Zandra Ruiz

Video: Hank & Cupcakes- She's Lost Control (Joy Division cover)

Hank & Cupcakes have released a video for thier cover of Joy Division's "She's Lost Control." It was directed and produced by Casey Randerson and shot in New Paltz, NY.

Last Days of Empire to release 'The Veronica Project' on June 8th

Last Days of Empire, a North Jersey ambient alt-rock 6-piece, is releasing its next album called The Veronica Project on June 8th. The band has a show on June 12 with Wooden Sky, Delft, and Brock Murdoch at The Court Tavern. Then on July 8 they have a special unplugged set at Crossroads. See the promo video for album below.

Van Ghost (from Chicago) playing free NYC show

Van Ghost, a 6-piece Americana rock band from Chicago, is performing at a free show at the new Stage II at The Rockwood Music Hall, 194 Allen Street, New York, NY on Friday, June 4. The show starts at 8pm. Opening is Spooky Ghost at 8pm. Van Ghost at 9:30pm.

They've played with Derek Trucks Band, Company of Thieves, and the Drive-By Truckers. Now they perform an NYC show. See a live video of band's song "On My Way Home," below.

Blackout! Party f/ Black Taxi @ Music Hall of Williamsburg May 14 +Music Video

FUCT, New York's adult comedy and party troupe is bringing The Blackout! Party to Music Hall of Williamburg on Friday, May 14th. The night will feature sketches, live music, burlesque, performance art,  games, and more, with some audience participation. This rock n' roll comedy circus will feature performances from Brooklyn's own glam/blues rockers Black Taxi, Austin's post-punksters The Frontier Brothers, and indie-punk act Black Suit Youth. Also, performing is Lady Circus. This is expected to be one wild night, so get ready to get down and party the night away. Tickets are only $10 in advance here or $13 day of show. Doors at 10:30pm.18+.

Hank and Cupcakes ("Pleasure Town" Music Video, Free NYC Show + EP Release May 12)

The delightful NYC dance duo, Hank and Cupcakes have released their first music video for the song "Pleasure Town" (see above). It was directed and shot by Matt Bockelman at Coney Island. They also have two upcoming shows. One is a free show at The Studio at Webster Hall on April 21 with Saadi, Arms and Legs, and Unsolved Mysteries. The second is their EP Release Party at (Le) Poisson Rogue on May 12. The show is only $6. Tickets are available here.

The band recently wrapped up gigs in London and Israel. They'll be back in the Big Apple to bring you a sexy, high energy, bass and drum  live performance that will make you dance. Get into it!