25 Days of Christmas: Day 2

One of my favorite releases this year is from the queer, punk band LITTLE VICTORY. They released an awesome 7'' vinyl with four danceable songs that really loosen me up - much like Bodega Girl's music does. Lead singer Zan sounds like Greg Graffin of Bad Religion, and the sound is a sexy, hyper, danceable '80s influenced punk song that hits in all the right places.

Here is a video of for their song "Tigers."


Check out their sweet tunes at littlevictory.bandcamp.com

Waxahatchee (Katie of P.S. Eliot) signs to Don Giovanni, new LP out 1/10/12

Waxahatchee, Katie Crutchfield of P.S. Eliot's lo-fi acoustic project (and the name of a a creek in Shelby, Alabama where the name originates from) is releasing her new album on CD and vinyl through Don Giovanni Records. Crutchfield, a now Brooklyn transplate by-way of Birmingham, Alabama has been involved in many bands including P.S. Eliot and Bad Banana but this might very well be her most stripped down project. The album, American Weekend will be out Jan. 10. Below is a video for "Grass Stain." What do you think of the song?

Directed and shot by Ryan Russell 

60s inspired queer rock band Hunx & His Punx release video, announce tour dates

Hunx and His Punx
Get More:
Hunx and His Punx, MTV Hive

Hunx and His Punx might be the first ever "girl group" fronted by a flamboyant gay male whose dream in life is to sound like a girl. They have created a unique new sound they refer to as "Young Oldies", a mixture of 50s teenage rock n roll, 60s girl groups and bubblegum pop.

How awesome does that sound? They are like Ramones meets The Supremes or The Shirelles. So good. They just released a video of one of my favorite tracks called "Lovers Lane." Seth Bogart and Shannon Shaw's are right on in this track.

Tour dates below.

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. 

Titus Andronicus- No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future (video)

Coming to you from Newark, NJ is the new Titus Andronicus video. "No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future" is lyrically about accepting those parts of yourself you may not like, those parts that make you YOU, and finally coming to the conclusion that it's ok to be a loser--it's something to embrace. You don't have to be the most successful person to be happy--but what us Jersey kids know from history class is the state motto: "liberty and prosperity." We're free to do what we please. Fuck what anyone else thinks. Being 23-years old, my generation gets A LOT of shit for leading a supposedly directionless life, living off our parents, piling up student loans, and avoiding adulthood. To that I personally laugh. Right now I have so much freedom and that feels amazing--I'm a suite waitress, a writer for a non-profit, a volunteer, a show goer. Life is swell--I'm still emotional as shit, socially awkward at times, and different than my peers and the people I hang around, a loner sometimes, an outsider--those feelings are hard to deny; but then you have --prosperity--happiness and health, pretty much. I have both liberty and prosperity. Yay!

The video shows Titus Andronicus in 5 different New Jersey cities. I attended the last one in Jersey City. It was quite a wait but it worth it. You can read about how that went here. I may not personally spend that much time in Jersey but I wouldn't want to leave Newark--I have too many dues to pay right now.  I live in Newark, NJ and I'm proud of that. We have an excellent urban debate program where a team from University High School and American History took 1st and 5th place respectively in a national tournament earlier this month. We have Science High School competing in the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge to have President Obama speak at their graduation. We have grants coming in for our parks, schools, and fire departments. We were chosen by Panasonic to be the new headquarters for their national company. We have the Prudential Center leading the way for sports and entertainment. I can go on for a while, but those are some of the bigger things going on. I'm proud to be a Newarker, for sure. "No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future" is visually a homage to New Jersey and I'm happy to have been a part of it with my friend Amy Klein, guitarist and violinist of Titus Andronicus, pal Patrick, and a whole rooftop of Titus Andronicus enthusiasts, vigorously singing, "You will always be a loser."

CONTEST: I'm in the video. Let me know at exactly what time(s) you spot me and I'll send you a prize. E-mail me at the address here with the subject "Titus Video Contest." 

Directed by Tom Scharpling

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.

Nicole Atkins album out Feb. 8th, playing Bowery Ballroom on Feb. 9th w/ Gay Blades

Nicole Atkins has a new record called Mondo Amore out on Feb. 8th. Check out her stark new video "Vultures."



Nicole Atkins & The Black Sea in NYC record release show
Wed., Feb. 9th @ Bowery Ballroom (6 Delancey St.)
8 pm / 18+
also performing: The Gay Blades & Mon Khmer
Tickets: http://boweryballroom.com/event/5644

The Nico Blues post music video, free LP

The Nico Blues hail from Wayne, New Jersey and NYC. They offer up some pretty cool '90s rock and just released a video for their song "Living Proof." You can also pick up their album, Blame the Boredom, Blame the Basements, for free here: http://www.thenicoblues.com/

The Nico Blues "Living Proof" from The Nico Blues on Vimeo.

MEN (f/ Le Tigre's JD Samson) to release debut album Feb. 2011, music video

MEN is a queer political-dance pop band from Brooklyn comprised of Le Tigre's JD Samson, Michael O’Neill (Ladybug Transistor, Princess) and Ginger Brooks Takahashi (LTTR, The Ballet). Together they deliver an irresistible sound. They'll release their debut album, Talk About Body on IAMSOUND Feb. 1, 2011. This is music you let loose to. Music that makes you feel comfortable in your own skin. Kudos to MEN for discussing important issues and having a good beat at the same, too. Excited for this release.

Speaking to issues such as wartime economies, sexual compromise, and the demand for liberties, the band released their first EP, Limited Edition Demo to widespread acclaim, with the New York Times calling it “full of dreamy post-disco.”  They were lauded for their inventive, high energy live show, which saw them open tours for The Gossip and Peaches in America, in addition to doing their own headlining runs in the U.S. and overseas.  Combining politics with dance parties, art with activism, MEN shows have always reached a fever pitch, treating each show as an art project, sometimes asking local artists to paint a backdrop while they perform, or by using DIY cardboard-and-tippex props, including cut-out fists and banners printed with slogans like “SILENCE=DEATH” and “WHO AM I TO FEEL SO FREE”.

Tracklisting below. 

April Smith & The Great Picture Show

April Smith and the Great Picture Show have two New Jersey shows coming up. Dec. 10 at Maxwell's in Hoboken with Elizabeth and the Catapult and The Canon Logic and Dec. 11 at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park with Scott Liss & the Sixty-Six, and surprise special guests. Above is a video for "Terrible Things."

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+

 ---

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

Spotlight: Heavy Cream

I first heard of Nashville's Heavy Cream at last year's CMJ music marathon at the Charleston where the ladies would play the Infinity Cat Records showcase alongside JEFF: the Brotherhood, Sisters, and many more. The band are really hustling around playing NYC. With 5 area dates, including a show in New Jersey, this band is all about playing.  The band's garage-rock, full of fun songs is happening. Their new album, Danny, just dropped, and the band's ready to play those songs out. Here's where you can catch them: 

9/1 @ Union Pool, Brooklyn, NY with Boogie Boarder, Sweet Bulbs. $, 21+. 9pm

9/2 @ Cake Shop, New York, NY with Unnatural Helpers. $8. 21+. 8pm.

9/4 @ Meatlocker, Montclair, NJ with Tourmaline, The Jean Jackets, The Front Bottoms. 8pm. $5. All Ages.Presented by TheNJUnderground.Com

9/6 @ The Rock Shop, Brooklyn, NY with Sting, dinowalrus, Elks and shingals. 4:30pm. $10. All Ages Labor Day BBQ 

9/7 @ Death By Audio, Brooklyn, NY with Hunters, Grooms, Liquor Store.

Tour dates below.

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.

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. 

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.