Adds: 1 DAMIEN JURADO And Now That I'm In Your Shadow Secretly Canadian 2 PATTERN IS MOVEMENT Canonic Hometapes 3 DOSH The Lost Take Anticon 4 PIT ER PAT Pyramids Thrill Jockey 5 DAN SARTAIN Join Dan Sartain Swami
Charts: 1 BEACH HOUSE Beach House Carpark 2 GRIZZLY BEAR Yellow House Warp 3 COMPILATION Chrome Children Stones Throw 4 PERNICE BROTHERS Live A Little Ashmont 5 TV ON THE RADIO Return To Cookie Mountain Interscope 6 CHANGES Today Is Tonight AAM 7 JUNIOR BOYS So This Is Goodbye Domino 8 AKRON/FAMILY Meek Warrior Young God 9 SPARKLEHORSE Dreamt For Light Years In The Belly Of A Mountain Astralwerks 10 BONNIE PRINCE BILLY The Letting Go Drag City 11 PORTASTATIC Be Still Please Merge 12 CHAD VANGAALEN Skelliconnection Sub Pop 13 LOW LOWS Fire On The Bright Sky Warm 14 MY MORNING JACKET Okonokos: Double Live Album ATO 15 OVER THE ATLANTIC Junica Carpark 16 MASTODON Blood Mountain Warner Bros. 17 YO LA TENGO I'm Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass Matador 18 ALBUM LEAF Into The Blue Again Sub Pop 19 IN CIVILIAN CLOTHING We Made A Killing, We Made A Mess Right Place 20 MOUNTAIN GOATS Get Lonely 4AD 21 RICHARD BUCKNER Meadow Merge 22 CHIN UP CHIN UP This Harness Can't Ride Anything Suicide Squeeze 23 FOUR TET Remixes Domino 24 R.E.M. And I Feel Fine... The Best Of The I.R.S. Years 1982-1987 Capitol 25 TORTOISE A Lazarus Taxon Thrill Jockey 26 SANDRO PERRI Plays Polmo Polpo 27 DR. DOG Takers And Leavers [EP] Park The Van 28 PERE UBU Why I Hate Women Smog Veil 29 LEMONHEADS The Lemonheads Vagrant 30 VIVA VOCE Get Yr Blood Sucked Out Barsuk
Of course, you can always head upstairs at the Cavern for Wanz' Lost Generation DJ night, featuring a concentration on kraut, electro, psyche, post punk, and anything else you might want to hear that doesn't suck or appeal to people that like good ol' fashioned blah blah blah. Maybe thats the central problem with Dallas right there and we just haven't been able to figure it out. Too many people that like good ol' fashioned blah blah blah. Maybe we can all pretend that rockabilly and crybaby bands don't exist for one night.
And I might catch some shit for this, but fuck it. Thats the main reason why writing this blog is fun. Anyway, think I've become something of a fan of Athens' The Whigs, who are playing tonight in the Tea Room. What do they do thats so special? Well, nothing really, except write very good pop rock songs that are recorded just the right way and don't sound like wimpy bullshit. They sould like a lot of 80's and early 90's "college" rock favorites, and seem to have nothing to do with neu-wave, post-post punk or any other buzz terms you've heard in the past few years. I think fans of Guided By Voices, The Replacements, Superchunk and even Dinosaur Jr. might dig these guys. See for yourselves. They're good old fashioned blah blah blah thats actually good, if not old fashioned.
In anticipation of the Black Angels show this Wednedsay at the Gypsy Tea Room, we asked guitarist Christian Bland some questions about his band, life in Austin, Anton Newcomb, The Strange Boys and Texas Psychedelic rock. What I find most interesting about many of his responses is the way he talks about musical influences and drawing from the past. Critics of the band often dismiss them as a throw back act, but the self awareness with which they approach their 60's influences makes the whole thing a bit more complicated than their detractors would like it to be. It also helps that they write great psychedelic rock songs that often don't really sound like the 1960's at all. Here are our questions:
It seems that a lot of people in the media refer to you as a "revival" band, claiming that you look backward to 60's psychedelic rock not only for musical inspiration but for looks, attitude and quite a bit more. Do these kinds of statements bother you? Do you think there is anything wrong, per se, with a band that looks to the past openly and often?
We draw our inspiration from the Creative Revolution that occured in the 1960's. In our opinion, theres been no other time in history where music was so central and involved in social and political change. We hope to continue the tradition of Psychedelic music that was born here in 1966 with the the 13th Floor Elevators. I think its our duty to keep the spirit alive by paying homage to our forefathers, but by also pushing it into new territory. Our second album will put the revivalist talk to rest, but overall, we're proud to represent the 60's sound in a modern context.
Another thing the music press loves discussing in relation to your band is drug use. Do drugs play a role in either the band's social life or in the actual creative process? If not, do you think they could or should?
I think that drugs have been made a scapegoat. Anything that is used in excess will cause harm. Eat too much brocolli, and you might get cancer. When drugs are used properly they can open new doorways. When they are used unintelligently they will cause harm.. I think society has made taking drugs seem evil. As a kid we were made to take our DARE classes. Its good to learn about what drug abuse can lead to, but what about learning how drugs might facilitate the creative process? By no means do we condone taking any drugs (unless theres enough for everyone).
What is it with Texas and psychedelic rock? I read an interview with Secret Machines recently in which they claimed that the hot, muggy Texas weather is the perfect breeding ground for spaced out stoner rock. I'm not sure if I think its entirely true, but Texas sure seems to have its fair share of psychedelic rock bands, and I think its been pretty constant since the mid 60s. Any thoughts on why that is? Does it have something to do with escapism perhaps?
Well, like i said earlier. The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators were born in 1966 in Austin, TX. Psychedelic music was started in Austin, so its only right that the tradition be kept alive. (Another late 60's band from Houston to check out is The Red Crayola. Get the first album, "Parable of Arabel Land'. ) I think all our songs are about some form of Escapism. Thats a central theme to our music. The conservative environemnt that hovers over our State can create a feeling of distrust, and a desire to leave altogether. We make music to cope with this.
Do you enjoy living in Austin? Do you find it conducive to creativity, or do you find that it merely has that reputation? It seems that Austin is just as much about Starbucks and yuppies as it is about anything else these days, and I wonder how the artistic community has responded to Austin's growth over the past decade. Could you tell us about some of the good and bad things happening in Austin music and art these days?
The reason Austin has a reputation as being a creative environment is because its true. Austin isnt like the rest of Texas. However, we purposely stay away from the yuppie/starbucks side of Austin. Thats fake living. We live in the 'Real' section of town, on the east side, with the real people. Many artisits are migrating to East Austin because its cheaper to live here. Soon the city will see this, and taxes will go up over here (as they already are). The goal of the city planners is to make Austin a center for the Capitalist Republicans. Poor folks aren't desired. As for the music scene here, no Austin band has really blown us away. The only other Texas band we really like is The Strange Boys. They draw from all the right influences.
I've noticed that you guys seem to have some sort of relationship with Anton Newcomb. Could you tell us how you met, what you think of him as a person, and what you think of BJM as a band?
Antion Newcombe is a genius. He's the modern day BobDylan/John Lennon/ Syd Barrett wrapped into one. We met Anton during the 2004 SXSW. BJM is the perfect example of a band that draws inspiration from the Creative Revolution in the 1960's, but has brought it into a modern day context. Our favorite story about him is when we got to play with him this past SXSW. The rest of his band was stranded in Phoenix and they were suppsed to play the festival. Instead, we took the BJM slot and learned a Jonestown song right before we went on. Anton played with us as his backing band for about 15 minutes. Hes an awesome person, Dont let the movie DIG! fool you.
Could you tell us a bit about your songwriting process? How does the band go about writing songs, and what are some of the things that inspire you musically and lyrically?
A lot of the time i'll come in with a new riff and we'll build around it. Alex writes most of the lyrics, but he and I collaborate just as often. Sometimes we just start to jam in practice and then all of a sudden a song is born. I think the thing that inspires us most is seeking the Truth and telling people about it.
It seems that you guys are quite good at building and manipulating moods through repetition and simple, minimal song structures much like electronic dance music often does. Do you see any relationship between the music you make and some forms of dance music?
Yeah for sure. We're all about the minimalist, repetitve drone. We make music to groove to. Our music is Hypno-drone. Check out the Silver Apples & Psychic Ills; masters of drone n roll.
You guys have a pretty good relationship with one of Dallas' better bands, the Strange Boys. Could you tell us how you met, what you think of their music, and what your impressions are of Dallas' musical community?
The Strange Boys are our favorite band in Texas. Theres no one else that gets it like they do. We met them at a show at the Avenue Arts Venue in Dallas. Ryan was in the front row with an old tape recorder capturing the show. I thought that was cool, because i would have been doing the same thing. They all draw from the right inspirations (plus anyone who knows 'The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll' by heart is a friend of mine) and I think/hope they are the future of the Dallas music scene. I dont really know many other Dallas bands. They stand out above the rest.
Black Francis | Kentucky Prophet (Gypsy Tea Room) Ok, so Frank Black. Yeah I know, Pixies Pixies blah blah. I like the Pixies as much as the next person, and probably more. But for some reason, I just haven't cared about a Frank Black solo record since Teenager of the Year, and I'm not sure that I'll start celebrating his post-Pixies work any time soon. Don't know why, but most of his solo stuff just doesn't do it for me. However, I do think there have been some highlights here and there over the past 10 years, and I'm going to see him tonight because I know he puts on a good live show. I don't think he's done anything truly groundbreaking in a long time, but damn it, I love his voice and I just like him. So there you go. And Kentucky Prophet... oh christ. Absolute trainwreck. Avoid this band at all costs.
You can also hit up Jazz night at the Amsterdam bar as well.
1. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife 2. The Polyphonic Spree - Wait 3. Beach House - Beach House 4. Ghostland Observatory - Paparazzi Lightning 5. Sparklehorse - Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain 6. The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America 7. Red Monroe - Red Monroe 8. Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory - Tree Colored See 9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones 10. Grizzly Bear - Yellow House 11. Akron/Family - Meek Warrior 12. Yo La Tengo - I am not afraid of you and I will beat your ass 13. Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther 14. My Morning Jacket - Okonokos 15. Ben Kweller - Ben Kweller 16. Subtle - For Hero For Fool 17. OOIOO - Taiga 18. The Hidden Cameras - Awoo 19. Whitest Boy Alive - Dreams 20. Xiu Xiu - The Air Force
Here is a link to the full video of this past Friday's gubernatorial debate. Just watch a couple of minutes, and you'll figure out why you should vote for Chris Bell.
Remember, its Texas-OU weekend kids... so you're really going to want to avoid Greenville and Deep Ellum if you can. I'd tell you to avoid the West End too, but if you're the kind of person that would actually go there, you deserve to suffer.
FRIDAY The Yeah Yeah Yeah's show with Ex Models at Gypsy is sold out, so unless you're going to hit up their Good Records instore today at 530 or you already have tickets to the Gypsy show, you simply aren't gonna see them. What to do?
I would suggest heading down to Minc (near the corner of Perry and Exposition in Expo Park) to catch DJ Naturewith DJ Stephen R opening. Nature was just named Best Local DJ by the Observer, and Chrishas been talking this show up today as well. Translation: you'll hear a guaranteed great DJ set packed with hits and shit you've never heard, and about half the people that you've ever seen at anything cool in Dallas will be there. A part of the other half will be at the Yeah Yeah Yeahs show I'm sure, but with no cover at Minc, I'm guessing it will be the after show spot of choice.
SATURDAY Of course, the Rock Lottery will be happening at Dan's Silverleaf. The cost is ten bucks for the show itself, which starts at 10pm, and 15 for the show and the drawing, which happens at 10am and includes a free breakfast. The proceeds go to the Save Fry Streetproject, which is certainly a worth cause. The performers that you'll see are hit and miss to be sure, but there are enough highlights (members of Undoing of David Wright, Shiny Around the Edges, The Great Tyrant, Fra Pandolf, Spitfire Tumbleweeds and Faux Fox) to make it a pretty decent night. Even if you don't like every artist playing, I'm guessing it could be fun.
Next, Ghostland Observatoryis playing Club Dada with Cartright and Tame...Tame and Quiet. I'm not completely sold on GO to be sure. They kind of remind me of the same old same old 80's inspired dance rock stuff that we've all heard so much of in recent years (think VHS or Beta in particular). However, the six or seven tracks I've heard from them are quite good for what they are, and based on all the good things I've heard about their live performances, I'm guessing this will be a solid show... the fact that two great bands are opening also helps quite a bit. I'd give it a shot.
I'll also mention that the Hold Steadyis playing at Hailey's with Sean NaNaand Zykos. I'll state right up front: I'm not the biggest Hold Steady fan, and in fact, I really couldn't stand their last album. I haven't heard the new one so I can't really say anything about it, but I know we've probably got some Hold Steady fans here, and I thought I'd mention it. I'm a person of the people after all.
