Notes From Underground

annie: pb&j isn't just a sandwich anymore..

After reading my 2 posts, you are going to think that I focus on food a lot (yup, I do) and that I only go to shows at the Mercury Lounge.  Well I do go elsewhere, but since I have been too lazy to post for a while, I will have to let that go for now.  But in all seriousness, last night I went to the best show that I have seen in quite a long while, and that show was Peter Bjorn and John at the Mercury Lounge.  That statement might seem a bit melodramatic, but you can double check this post with some more 'professional' blogger opinions (www.stereogum.com; www.fluxblog.com.  You get the point.).

PB&J are a Swedish indie pop group hailing from Sweden.  And yes, as you may have guessed, the band is made up of 3 guys named Peter, Bjorn and John.  The 2 records of theirs that I have (Falling Out and Writer's Block [which is in stores next week in the US]), are a mishmash of big hooks, dreamy guitars, synth, an occasional bongo and a little bit of whistling.  "Young Folks," one of the tracks on the new record, features Victoria of the new defunct Concretes.  You can tell the band draws from artists of different eras, especially from '60s pop bands and '80s new-wavers, but they have created music that really stands out from the rest of their peers.

The show was scheduled to start at 10:30pm, and I arrived promptly at 10:20.  After watching Drew Barrymore arrive with a tall, handsome man that was not Fab of the Strokes, I shoved my way through the crowded bar at Merc only to realize that Born Ruffians, the band in direct support of PB&J, were still on stage.  I caught their last song of the night, which didn't impress me too much.  I was already annoyed that I was going to be out late for a Monday night.  That feeling faded as soon as Peter Bjorn and John hit the stage.  They have such an energy and stage presence that it feels like there are way more than just the 3 of them on stage.  A backing track does assist them a bit, but didn't seem to affect anyone's enjoyment of the show.   The show really brought all of the recorded material to life for me, which I don't find to be the case with many shows that I see these days.  I have never heard a Mercury Lounge crowd sing along with a band as loudly as last night (and that's saying a lot, as I go to a lot of “emo” shows.)  Peter, the lead vocalist on most of the songs, has amazing stage presence.  Victoria was there to do her part in "Young Folks" (she was also on Conan which they taped that afternoon), as well as someone on the bongos.  Peter pointed out that he was the 'best bongo player in Sweden,' and to the ladies, that he was single.    My only 2 complaints were the 'acoustic' version they did of their song "Amsterdam," which is one of my favorites as it is on the record, and that the jam session in the encore went just a few minutes too long for my taste.  But all in all, you could tell that the guys were having a great time on stage, and that in turn made the audience have an even better time watching.

Last night was PB&J's first real gig in NYC.  Well, sort of.  They did play a secret show the night before at Union Hall in Brooklyn, but really who's counting.  Their episode of Conan aired yesterday as well.  I'm sure you can find the performance somewhere on youtube.  Tonight is a sold-out night at the Bowery Ballroom, which is happening as I type this.  Next stop is LA for 2 shows and then they leave our fair country for Australia and Japan.  I really hope they'll be back soon.

Check 'em: www.peterbjornandjohn.com or www.myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn.

Marya: Angry Patriots Fans + A Rock Show

So, this is my first entry on the Notes From The Underground blog, and I wasn't really sure what I should write about.  I could do the typical show review, or maybe a "best of '06" countdown, but thats already been done.  And honestly, who likes repetition?  No one.

I thought I would be original and give a rundown of a show I played with my band Slow Century in Boston, Massachusetts.  It took place on the 21st of this month, the day of the big Patriots vs. Colts playoff game.  So, the previous week was spent by the band and I trying to con our friends into giving up their fandom to listen to some rock music.  They weren't having it.  At this point we get to Sunday and we're pretty depressed.  It doesn't look like anyone is going to show up. 

We load in a 6:30pm, just in time to catch the kickoff displayed on big screen tvs by the bar.  A few friends came with us early, so they could watch the game and catch the show at the same time.  The first band went on at 9pm, at which point the Patriots were in the lead.  Spirits were high, and every Boston dude in a Pats shirt started his quest of drinking more than the guy next to him at the bar to prove that he's more of a man.  By the time the first band ended their set, though, the game had turned and the Pats were losing.  The happy drunk moment was gone, and was replaced with anger and a need to drink even more.  I've never seen so many fumbled beers in my life.  Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy drunks.   

Then the second band starts their set.  No one paid any attention to them, which was a shame since they were a great band (they're called Hello Darling, look them up).  Shortly into their third song, the game ends.  The Patriots had lost.  They weren't going to the Superbowl.  More spilled beer, crying 40 year old men, and some sweet indie rock.  Great combo, right?

So, we finally hit the stage at 11pm.  Some friends finally show up.  By this time the crying has stopped, and is replaced with the need to get laid to make up for their loss.  I realize at this point the place is packed with guys, and maybe about 6 girls including myself.  And I'm pretty sure all of the other girls were there with boyfriends.  Basically, that left me open for the attack.  And it didn't help that about halfway through our set, my brother (and bassist) decided it would be funny to tell the audience that along with our demos we were giving kisses for five dollars.  Thanks a lot, bro. 

Our set ended.  I ran to the back room to avoid the drunken men.  But then came time to move out our equipment, so I had to brave the crowd.  Here is a list of why I hate drunken, older men:

1.  I get called "girly"

2. "Kisses for five dollars, eh?"

3.  Slurred pickup lines...no, wait...I actually find those entertaining.

I won't really elaborate more, but it's definitely time to leave when someone who is as old as your father almost hurls on your shoes. 

The moral of this story is: If you are female and play in a rock band, do not play a show to drunk, depressed Pats fans and NEVER utter the words "giving" and "kisses" while on stage.  Your night will be a lot better if you follow those rules.   

Conrad: Sloan at the Bowery Ballroom

Photo of Sloan, Bowery Ballroom, 01.18.07, by Kathryn on flickr.

First, a confession.

I'm a sucker for catchy pop/rock. When I was six years old, the Beach Boys were my favorite band, and they remain dear to my heart. I'm into melody, songcraft... whatever you want to call it.

So of course many of my favorite bands are good old fashioned tunesmiths; artists that know their way around a hook. Readers, Sloan is such a band.

If you're into Sloan, you'll know that the Halifax-bred, Toronto-based quartet have been creating relentlessly catchy, somewhat 70s-indebted guitar pop/rock since the early 90s. [In fact, I first got into them as a kid in Ontario.] What fans may or may not know is that this month Sloan released their strongest CD since 1998's classic Navy Blues. The new album, Never Hear the End Of It, is a 30 song strong collection of melodic major-chord rockers, tear-stained ballads and skewed indie pop that represents Sloan's Exile On Main Street moment. And by Exile On Main Street, I mean the 18 song 1972 Rolling Stones classic that threw everything into a proverbial kitchen sink, with spectacular aural results.

The album kicks off with Flying High Again, a one minute long statement of purpose that flows neatly into lead single Who Taught You To Live Like That. The rest of the album satisfyingly touches all of the familiar Sloan bases, showcasing monster tunes that are linked to each other by a thread of shorter songs and, frankly, ditties.

How do you support a new release? Correct! With a tour. On January 18, Sloan arrived at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC to play a celebratory set in support of Never Hear The End Of It. Kicking off with a bevy of tunes from their latest release, the band won over the audience with unfamiliar material before heading into a string of Sloan classics like The Lines You Amend and The Other Man.

Sloan are notable for playing frenzied, lengthy shows that don't skimp on hits. Their concerts on fun - one can't help but notice how much the band loves performing. Though all four members (Patrick Pentland on guitar, Chris Murphy on bass, Jay Ferguson on guitar, Andrew Scott on drums) write and sing, it is Chris Murphy who is the de facto frontman, high kicking and teeth flashing all over the stage. Another cool facet? They switch instruments throughout the show. Guitarist Ferguson was the only member of the band to not get behind the drums at some point throughout the performance.

May I also point out that their fans (guys AND chicks) are pretty hot? Sloan shows are nice for scoping. Now you have no excuse - see Sloan at any cost.

Visit Sloan's website.

Sloan at the Bowery Ballroom, NYC on January 18, 2007, setlist:

Flying High Again
Who Taught You To Live Like That?
Will I Belong?
Ill Placed Trust
The Other Man
The Lines You Amend
Fading Into Obscurity
Golden Eyes
Love Is All Around
Living With The Masses
HFXNSHC
Blackout
All Used Up
C'mon C'mon
Everybody Wants You
I Understand
You Know What It's About
Someone I Can Be True WIth
Money City Maniacs
I Can't Sleep
I Know You
Something's Wrong
I've Gotta Try
Everything You've Done Wrong
Can You Figure It Out?
Penpals
The Good In Everyone
Another Way I Could Do It

ENCORE:
Anyone Who's Anyone
Chester The Molester
If It Feels Good, Do It

John: The Hold Steady - Northsix

The members of The Hold Steady live in Prospect Heights Brooklyn (though, as one might gather from their lyrics four of the five members have lived in Minneapolis) so it was a bit of a hometown show last night at Northsix in Williamsburg. Boys and Girls in America was one of my favorite records of 2006 so I was excited to see the band play those songs live.

The evening did not begin well. The opening band Looker took the stage at 10pm (doors were at 8) and plowed through a forgettable half hour set that somehow seemed much longer. Enough said.

The Hold Steady took the stage a little after 11pm opening with "Positive Jam" the first track from the debut record Almost Killed Me followed quickly by the opening number from their new record "Stuck Between Stations". The band seemed in high spirits- reminiscing with the crowd about their first show ever (at Northsix) back in January of ‘03. The sold out crowd was reciprocated the positive feeling. I can honestly say I had never been to show in Williamsburg with more clapping and exuberant singing along.

The set was high energy, and featured most of the new album. Singer Craig Finn introduced "Hot Soft Light" with a story about his favorite television show: Cops. Speaking of hot, it was very hot in Northsix; leading Finn to share a favorite saying of his friend's father. He described the venue as hot “as a French whore house." Apparently this phrase can be used to describe almost anything; try it, I think it could really catch on. "Chips Ahoy!" and "Massive Night" had the crowd signing along in full force. “Southtown Girls” and “You Can Make Him Like You” were also excellent. There was also a lot of love for the older material including "Cattle and the Creeping Things" and "How A Resurrection Really Feels". One thing that struck me about the performance was how much fun the band seemed to be having. It certainly translated to the audience who seemed to be having an equally good time.

The band’s encore included “First Night”, “Same Kooks” and the finale “Killer Parties” during which the band grabbed just about as many folks as would fit and pulled them up on the stage. Certainly a fun evening; check these guys out when they come to your town.

Matt:Best of 06

Figured a good way to start posting was to reflect on the year that we just exited and compose a list of some of the cds and shows I got into in 06.

Albums: 

Keane - Under The Iron Sea
Placebo - Meds
The Kooks - Inside In, Inside Out
Lilly Allen - Alright Still (this came out in January, but come on, we all had it.
Hard Fi - Stars of CCTV
Editors - The Bakc Room*
Razorlight - Razorlight
IV Thieves-If We Can't Escape My Pretty
Muse - Black Holes And Revelations
Mew - And The Glass Handed Kites*

*Released in 05 but obtained and enjoyed in 2006

Shows -

Keane - Bowery Ballroom
Editors - Webster Hall
Charlatans - Webster Hall
Muse-Hammerstein Ballroom
The Who - Madison Square Garden
Rob Dickinson - Irving Plaza

Retro: they are old, but still stand up

Simple Minds  'New Gold Dream'
Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen
Catherine Wheel - Chrome