A full Tegan Sara concert from earlier today in Sydney.

A few recent shows that came with recent records.

Django Django at Music Hall of Williamsburg.
A blast. An absolute blast. They were fantastic live. The songs sounding like the record but with new more raw feel to it. The guys were high energy and funny. Only draw back was they only have one album of songs to play from. This is surely a show to make sure you catch when they are near you. If you haven't heard them, its like the Beach Boys are playing in a dance rock occasionally electronic sounding band.

 

Dirty Projectors at Carnegie Hall.
This was a Carnegie Hall show (believe it or not my first time there) presented by Wordless Music. There weren't many amps and it was a very adult show. You know, sitting in seats, handed a Play Bill, all that. Any way, while the band and male vocals were amazing, it was really the female vocals that steal the show. This is not a show someone wanting to rock, this is one for the actual fans of musicianship and the appreciators of a different type of song.

 

Deftones at Terminal 5.
I'll start by saying the sound in this place was finally louder than I had gotten used to them kicking out. Clearer too. Any way, we were able to score VIPs from a friend of mine at CAA, so that made things a little nicer. Any way, the energy was there in full effect. There aren't many metal bands I like, let alone would take time to go see live. On top of it, the new record Koi No Yokan is certainly worth giving a listen.

At The Drive-In Live At Coachella

Here is video from At The Drive-In's 40 minute set at Coachella from this past weekend.

enjoy.

5 Songs I Am Into Right Now (Deftones Edition)

To celebrate a great show I saw this weekend...

7 Words


Birthmark


Change (In The House of Flies)


Knife Party


Passenger

Shows this past week...

Just saw QOTSA preform their self titled album from start to finish. The show was 4/1 at the Riv in Chicago. Great show but we got there late and missed "Regular John" and "Avon," which makes me ill to think about. After they played the album, they played a few favorites. Any way the show was great and I found this on YouTube. Thanks to Rickker for posting.

Also, check out Hopleaf for preRiv beers and eats. The beers and food were on point.

Little Sister


Next up, Black Angels at Bowery Ballroom.

Shows This Past Week

Datarock

Highline Ballroom

http://www.myspace.com/datarock

This was a really fun show as you would likely assume. A wonderful blend of cheesiness and dancing... and neither one of them stopped from the time it began until it ended. If you aren't aware their sounds a dance rock/electronic that takes a plenty of leads from the 80s including a shout out to Revenge of the Nerds in the song "Computer Camp Love." Solid references for a group of Scandinavian guys. The show included all dancing all the time including having members of the band doing the worm on stage, dancing among the crowd. It was lively and fun but I think it was mostly due to the small room. I don't know how it would have translated in a large room. The sounds aren't big enough as in a Justice or MSTRKRFT way. It was a lot of fun, if they are in a small venue in your town you may want to give'em a shot.

Non Music Related High Point

A show that has fun with itself is always fun. Its a treat when the bands (and fans!) don't take themselves too seriously... especially in New York.

The Lovely Feathers

Bowery Ballroom

http://www.myspace.com/thelovelyfeathers

I have seen this band a few times (including the opening for Metric the first time I saw them). When I walked into the Bowery Ballroom, my friends I was meeting were all sitting around one of the downstairs bar room tables with the band. They are here promoting a new record called Fantasy of the Lot. These Montreal indie rockers have changed lineups a few times since I saw them the first time, but their front man remains the most important piece as well as the showman of the bunch. They band borrows guitar riffs from the Clash at times and has a keyboardist that is not afraid to ad some highly feminine vocals. He is good at it though. I didn't stick around for the bands after them but these guys were great. I would also say don't miss them when they come to your town.

Non Music Related High Point

As I mentioned before, my friends were sitting at a table with the band before the show. They asked them what songs they wanted to hear and were saying "yes" or "no" to each request. Then when they played the song that everyone agreed on, he actually said "this is for my boys from Hoboken." I see hundreds of bands year, not once have I gotten a request to their friend in the East Village.

Shows This Past Month/Good Music Videos

The Dead Weather

Terminal 5

http://www.thedeadweather.com/

The talent in this band is immeasurable. Jack White on drums. Jack Lawrence on bass. Dean Fertita on guitar. Alison Mosshart on vocals. Amazing.

The record is very good, one of the stronger records of the year, but the live show was way better. Mosshart turned out to be one of the best live performers I have ever seen. My favorite song on the record "Will There Be Enough Water?" also turned out the be the best song at the show. Occasionally White would walk around on the stage and the room would go crazy, especially when he picked up a guitar and sang a quick song with Fertita on organs. This is a must see band that hopefully is not just a one off.

Non Music Related High Point

I went alone and happened to run into an old family friend from when I was a young kid. It was nice being in a room as big as Terminal 5 and not having to stand alone.

Also, they don't have much of a MySpace page so here is their new video... its pretty nuts.

The Dead Weather- Treat Me Like Your Mother

Shows This Past Week

Metric/Sebastien Grainger
Terminal 5
http://www.myspace.com/metricband
http://www.myspace.com/sebastiengrainger

Its not often that a show bill is exciting enough that you feel the need to get there as early as possible. When one of your all time favorites is headlining and one your new favorites is opening, you have to do just that. Both bands were great. This was actually Metric’s best show I have seen in a few years. Emily and the gang were on, and I mean very on. The performance was great and they were working with the crowd keeping everyone engaged the whole time. The NYC crowd was slow to warm up to Sebastien Grainger but seemed to get into it as the night went on. He finished with his dance track with was probably smart. The only problem with finishing they way he did, was a drunk girl in front of us managed to get so drunk before they finished that she placed a pile of thick red liquid on the floor that resembled a Jamba Juice smoothie. It is very impressive when people throw up before the headlining band even starts. The crowd seemed to make a circle around the honk pile so they didn't step in it butby the time Metric came out to do there thing, people seemed to not care anymore and dozens of people were standing in it...yum.

Non Music Related High Point
The DJ between sets was on point! Playing stuff MSTRKRFT to The Horrors to Silversun Pickups

A Place To Bury Strangers/Secret Machines
Santos Party House
http://www.myspace.com/aplacetoburystragers
http://www.myspace.com/secretmachines

I have seen A Place To Bury Strangers before. This was the smallest room I had seen them in. It was loud. It was really loud. It was really fucking loud. I still really dug it though. It was cool seeing a band that plays such big sounds in as intimate setting as Santos Party House. If you have never seend A Place To Bury Strangers before, it kind of resembles a fight with sound and flashing lights. It is very high energy (considering the guys don't move and neither does most of the crowd). Secret Machines were the headliners but I couldn’t stay as long as I would have liked to. I have seen them before and they are always a good show.

Non Music Related High Point
An old friend of mine is now a member of the Secret Machines so it was good hang with him for a little bit before they went on.

Shows This Past Week (slash past 4 months)

I know I haven't done this in forever but I will get back to is soon. Since it has been so long and there are so many, I am going to keep these very brief.

Rock Boat Niner
Floating music festival on a Carnival Cruise ship. Acts included Sister Hazel, Hanson, David Ryan Harris, Pat McGee, Ernie Halter, Tyronne Wells, Curtis Peoples, Michael Tolcher, Gaelic Storm, Cowboy Mouth, Blackberry Smoke, Green River Ordinance, Tonic, Stephen Kellog & the Sixers, Zac Brown Band, The Kin, Aslyn, Wideawake and Graham Colton.

Mean Creek/These United States
Knitting Factory
http://www.myspace.com/meancreek-- Think of Joy Division were to add a shoegaze element and were more contemporary.
http://www.myspace.com/theseunited-- Think Wilco + the first Kings of Leon (circa Youth & Young Manhood)

Sebastien Grainger & the Mountains/Twin Tigers
Mercury Lounge
http://www.myspace.com/sebastiengrainger-- Take DFA1979 give a more pop related indie sound almost like the Strokes with balls...
http://www.myspace.com/thetwintigers-- two words. Sonic Youth

The Gay Blades/Scott Weiland
Irving Plaza
Not even going to tell you where to hear Scott Weiland's solo stuff... it was god awful.
http://www.myspace.com/gayblades-- total show stealers. Again, pop music with twist of hard rock and indie... def worth checking out live.

Metallica
Prudential Center
www.myspace.com/metallica-- Metal legends played one of the best shows I have ever seen in my life... I had no voice for days from singing. Truly memorable.

Rosewood Thieves
Piano's
http://www.myspace.com/therosewoodthieves-- Rebelde Radio favorites need little intro to their folk rock sounds.

Cold War Kids
Mercury Lounge
www.myspace.com/coldwarkids-- going to see them tonight at a bigger venue but this was a very special show... it was really small and they played mostly Loyalty to Loyalty plus the "hits."

Sam Roberts Band
Bowery Ballroom
www.myspace.com/samrobertsband-- Canada's best straight forward rock band proves at yet another show why they live show is way better than the records.

MRNORTH
Ulysses
www.myspace.com/mrnorthmusic-- some of my best friends in the business playing a fun high energy show.

Shows This Past Week

NOFX

Irving Plaza

http://www.myspace.com/nofx

This was my second time seeing these guys in the past few years. As you may guess when you go to their shows, its half a punk show, half a comedy act (and a little bit of an anti-Bush/anti-Republican rally). The show was great though it was little light on White Trash Two Heebs and A Bean, my personal favorite by the SF punk outlet. Fat Mike is a showman in his own regard... in the lets get drunk and look like jerks sorta way. But that is why everyone is there. Their opening act was The Dillinger 4 who were up to the challenge of comedy punk as well. Their lead man told the crowd, "we don't like when you cheer after songs. If you want us to know you like it, just chant NOFX after each song."

Non-Music Related High Point.

The bouncers at Irving Plaza told me how to spot fake tickets even if the print on it is flawless.

JJ Grey & Mofro

Highline Ballroom

http://www.myspace.com/mofroband

In 24 hours I couldn't think of two different shows. The Jacksonville, FL "front porch soul" and Country Ghetto is second to none. If you like the blues, soul, the use of organs, slide guitars, a horn section and/or harmonicas, look no further. The banter between songs both southern and whiskey infused was surprisingly welcome. This is a band who's shows that I will never miss and its been that way for about 3 years now. The best song in my opinion that they played the down tempo version of Circles, of course Lochloosa is always a fan favorite. The horn section moves in unison, the drummer smiles the whole time and JJ Grey gives the whole band their time to shine.

Non- Music Related High Point:

Went to the show with a friend who I hadn't spent time with in a long while and no one appreciates the band as much as she does.

Shows This Week/Check'em Out

Pete & J
Nokia Theater
http://www.myspace.com/peteandj

This is a band that I have been talking to for a little bit and I have seen countless times. They are a cross of Hall and Oates and 70s folk. Though the band is named after the two front men, there are 4 guys in the band. They are really great guys and they put on a great show. This past week I saw them open for Rusted Root. It took the fans a second to warm up to Pete and J since they were there to see a jam band and they got two singers instead, but once they got into it, it was fantastic. They are doing some northeast dates for a while and they play a ton in New York City, so if you ever have a chance, their show is highly recommended.

Check out a video from them on Philly's NBC 10.




Non Music Related High Point.

I have been trying to get my girlfriend to come to one of their shows for weeks and we finally got it done!

Shows This Past Week

My Bloody Valentine

Roseland Ballroom

http://www.myspace.com/mybloodyvalentine

The single best word to describe this show is LOUD. It was definitely louder than the Mission of Burma show at Irving Plaza and that says something. Roseland Ballroom is noticeably larger than Irving Plaza. This show was so loud, that there was a sign on the merch booth written on a piece of cardboard (like a lunatic with a "The End Is Near" sign) that said, "MBV recommends you wear earplugs." That was a first for me. They were handing them out but I decided to bring my own pair based on what I had heard. I went a few songs without them and I couldn't do it. Even with the plugs in, they sounded amazing. It would have been easy for them to totally bleed all the distortion together to the point where it sounded like white noise but they didn't. Of course the highlight for me was "Only Shallow." To be honest, as excited as I was, I really only know a handful of their songs in a way to differentiate them from the rest. They never really stopped for longer than 3 seconds between songs. They just kept playing and playing. Then Kevin Shields said, "thanks for coming." Those were they only words of the night.

That was also when the shit hit the fan! They then went on into the loudest part of the night. A literal 15 minute distortion fest that sound like nothing but jet engines. It was so loud i had to see what it sounded like. I took out my earplugs and lasted maybe 10 seconds. They finished the sounds of engines with a 10 second melodic riff and walked of the stage. It was amazing.

Non Music Related High Point.

I had never experienced anything that loud and it had become apparent by looking around (so i know I wasn't the only weirdo there), you could feel your inner organs and bones vibrating to the music. It was intense!

Shows This Past Week

GZA

Irving Plaza

http://www.myspace.com/gza

We went to see my favorite member of the Wu Tang Clan perform his classic album Liquid Swords. I am usually not a huge fan of hip hop shows as it usually doesn't translate live. However, Irving Plaza is a pretty decent venue for it. Again, it wasn't the best show I have ever been too, but they handled the sound well. The show wasn't sold out, but it was pretty packed and we had to watch from the upstairs. Had the show not been in celebration of Liquid Swords, I am not sure we would have been there. It was a great time though, as he performed an album that we all loved and are able to get down with. I just wish hip hop still sounded like this. RZA Masta Killa, and Raekwon were there as well, which was a nice bonus.

Non Music Related High Point.

Being able to be a teenager with 10 of my closest friends for an hour an a half. It was more of an event than a show.

Shows This Week

Iggy & The Stooges.
Terminal 5
http://www.myspace.com/iggyandthestooges

This was the third show from the Michigan rockers I have seen in the past, oh, 18 months or so. They have yet to disappoint. Once again, I was among the younger people in the whole place. Once again, I was impressed with the sound at Terminal 5. Its not often that you get your face melted by a guy 60 years old. Its not often that you see a guy over 60 hump more inanimate objects than my college roommate. The show was great nonetheless. I heard every single song I wanted to hear, including I Wanna Be Your Dog twice. It was a great night and I had more plans after that.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.
As always, the high point of a Stooges show is Iggy's energy and of course inviting 200 plus people on stage isn't so bad either.


Metric.
Highline Ballroom
http://www.myspace.com/metricband

Oh, Canada! Its not often that you see two of your favorite bands in one night. Right after the Stooges show, I headed downtown to see Emily and the guys. I love Emily Haines. If you have met me before you already know that. The show started at about 1 am. They came out and rocked a small little crowd which I had never seen them do before. The playlist was perfect and they sounded great. And really the weekend was just beginning because I would be seeing them the next day at All Points West.


The opening act was a band called Black Angels from Austin, TX. They were like a psychedelic throw back that I recommend checking out.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.
Emily Haines rubbed my head after the set from the stage.


All Points West.
Jersey City, NJ

This was a festival that included Metric, Chromeo, Kings of Leon and Radiohead. We didn't stay for Radiohead as we learned from the week prior.

For Metric please see above.

Kings of Leon had a great show and again played every song that we could have wanted to hear. I have to admit though, I am ready for some new songs from Team Followill. I also have to admit that I hope when they do come with the new songs, they are more similar to the Youth & Young Mandhood and Aha Shake Heartbreak. I am just a big fan of the whiskey soaked country, blues of the first two records. The set was great though and Caleb's vocie sounded distinct as ever. Like them or not, they seem to put on a better show almost every time I see them. Again, a band that I don't like to miss when they come to town.

We missed Chromeo because we were drinking and well we left during Radiohead.

I do have a couple complaints about the show though. They are both beer related. The five beers for person thing was lame. When you got a bracelet, you weren't allowed to have more beers than one for each of the numbered tabs on your wrist. One got ripped off each time you bought a beer. Then when you did get a beer, you couldnt leave a fenced in area. That means you couldn't see the stage. Bullshit!

Random Non-Music Related High Point.
This is more than just a high point. I have been saying for years that New York needs a good rock festival of their own. Good job here guys. Oh, nothing against you Siren and CMJ.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.
Central Park Summer Stage
http://www.myspace.com/sharonjonesandthedapkings

This was a great show that kind of fell in our laps on a Sunday afternoon. My girlfriend and I were enjoying lunch at (several) drinks at the Boat Bassin Cafe when we found out about the free show. We headed over pretty much just in time and caught Ms. Jones and her army of friends. The show was fun as they always are. I have noticed she is way more fun in smaller settings and this was a great size for her. As always she got peopel to join her on stage and talked to the people in the front. She talked about her outfits, her shoes, everything. The playlist was good not great (only becuase they didn't play All Over Again). If you are a soul or old school R&B fan, this is a show worth checking out.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.

It was free and outside on a Summer Sunday!

Shows This Past Week (or month)

Lou Reed.
Highline Ballroom
http://www.myspace.com/loureedfanpage

This show was a lifetime memory. I had never seen Lou Reed before and have been a big fan since I was a kid. My dad taught me about Lou Reed and Velvet Underground at a very young age. He told me about them, I believe when I was in middle school when people started throwing around the term “alternative music.” This didn’t just end here. I went to Syracuse University (Lou’s Alma Mater). The last time I was supposed to see him, there was a tiny snow storm that cancelled the show. New Yorkers bug out from little nothing snow storms. Any way, this show was at Highline Ballroom in the Meat Packing District. The crowd wasn’t so cool… one stupid bitch pushed my dad for having a good time and dancing a little.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.
No question… I got to see Lou Reed with my dad.

Tegan & Sara.
Terminal 5
http://www.myspace.com/teganandsara

I was shocked how good this show was. Between the quality of the performance and the sound of room at Terminal 5, this was a fantastic show. Not only great songs written by two very talented women, but their chemistry between and during songs can’t be beat. Of course it helps that they are sisters, but they were cracking me up. Usually, I don’t like talking between songs and just want them to play but this was an exception. I liked the jokes. I liked the whole Vh1 Storytellers vibe to the show. It was really cool seeing Tegan’s prankster like personality and Sara’s more cute and appreciative side. Very fun, a show I will definitely go see again.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.
Before the show, I went to an Irish pub for some food and a couple pints. It wasn’t a sports bar, but it was a place full of regulars watching the Mets on the tvs. It was hilarious watching them looking around thinking, “whats with all the girls with Mohawks and muscle shirts?”

Mike Ness.
Irving Plaza
http://www.myspace.com/mikeness

I am a music nerd. I like all of my favorite bands side projects. This one is one of my favorites. He doesn’t get so far away from the Social Distortion formula… at all. He adds a little country flavor to it and I love it. While there were plenty of Sick Boys walking around (I dressed in my finest Sick Boy attire myself), a lot of the people there traded in their work shirts and chains for cowboy hats and plaid shirts. It was a really cool half punk half hootenanny vibe. Mike played his album of originals, some Hank Williams covers, some Johnny Cash covers and Ball and Chain. While it wasn’t exactly a Social Distortion show, I will take it as an appetizer until the come back.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.
I went to this show alone, but ran into one of my favorite bartenders from my favorite bar… she and I have the exact same taste in music. The country punk vibe was cool too and the girls dressed as punk rock pinup girls is always ok by me.

The Wombats.
Gramercy Theater
http://www.myspace.com/thewombatsuk

As you know I have a special place in my heart for this band. I consider myself one of their American finders. I have known them for about 18 months now. They put on another great show and its amazing watching them get bigger and bigger every time I go see them. They also seem to be just as quirky and just as fun loving as ever. For more see April 4th report.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.
Their manager took really great care of me and my friend at this show… thanks Simon.

Mission of Burma.
Bowery Ballroom
http://www.myspace.com/missionofburma

Loud… it was loud. Almost too loud. This was a very significant show. In this show, they warmed up with a random potpourri of songs and then played Signals, Calls and Marches from start to finish. I was impressed with how well the vocals sounded the instruments were a little bit hard to really hear since it was as loud as it was. This is another band that I have been wanting to see for a long time. They didn’t disappoint at all. The crowd was very into it and that of course just made everything better. I am not sure I am a big enough fan to watch a regular show, but since I love every song on the album they played they made it a great show. In other words this was a show made specifically for me. Thanks guys.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.
The mix of people. Punks. Metal heads. Indie kids. All drinking Brooklyn Lager and enjoying a great show together.

Coldplay.
Madison Square Garden
http://www.myspace.com/coldplay

I know what you are thinking. Really? Yes, really. My girlfriend is a big fan, and I won tickets to the free show so we went. I am not afraid to admit I was impressed. It was much better than I thought it would be. I also am shocked how many songs I knew. Not necessarily to the point that I was jumping and singing and going nuts but it did make it fun. I am not quite sure why, but for some reason I didn’t think Chris Martin’s voice was going to be able to fill The Garden. It wasn’t a problem at all his voice is much bigger live than it is on the records.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.
The show was free! They made a few mistakes tuning, starting at different times, lyrics mistakes. The dress rehearsal vibe was kind of cool. It made one of the world’s biggest bands seem human. On the bands mistakes, at one point Chris Martin sang, “I can’t believe we are embarrassing ourselves at MSG atleast all of the fans are here for free!” He also came out and apologized to everyone for the high ticket price which got a large cheer.

Pearl Jam.
Madison Square Garden
http://www.myspace.com/tenclub

I have seen Pearl Jam three times, this being the most recent, obviously. This was probably the best show I have seen of theirs allow to me to explain by telling you about all three.

Show one was at Izod Center at the Meadowlands. It was far. It was raining. There was a line for the bus. There bus was stuck in traffic. We get to the show. They run out of beer early. Pearl Jam plays maybe 4 songs I knew in the entire set. The next night apparently they played a huge playlist. Lame.

Show two was at Lollapalooza 2007. It was amazing. Clear night. They played everything that a festival wanted to hear. Everyone knew every song. They did a version of Another Brick In The Wall about British Petroleum dumping in Lake Michigan. “Hey BP, leave out Lake alone.” Of course a political singer from Chicago is going to have to bring that up.

That brings us to show three. An amazing mix of the two. I know Pearl Jam shows aren’t supposed to be greatest hits playlists. This was far from a greatest hits playlist… I would say as a medium Pearl Jam fan I knew a lot of songs certainly not all. However, the crowd knew every song. It was by far the loudest crowd I have ever been to a show with. They every song incredibly loud and the Knicks and Rangers have never gotten a cheer at the Garden the way they did after each song. It was incredible to be a part of.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.
Two songs in, Eddie Vedder announced, “we spoke to the people here at tonight and they told us we don’t have to worry about curfew, so we may play for a while is that ok with you guys?”

Shows This Past Week

The Wombats.

http://www.myspace.com/thewombatsuk

These guys are great. They make the Arctic Monkey's tunes seem hookless and whimless (is that a word). All of their songs are so full of whit and tell a story of what I could only imagine it must be like to be a young twenty something who likes to party in the UK... but without really getting invited to the cool party or hang with the hot girls or really party at all. Just kinda find your own fun where there is a bar. The first time I found these guys was at SXSW 2006 when I came across them one afternoon by total accident. I have pretty much been a fan since. How can you not love a line like, "lets dance to Joy Division and celebrate the irony."?

They will be back in New York at the beginning of June at the Blender Theater and I think you should check it out.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.

I got to the Annex about 2 hours before show time and there was already a long line. My girlfriend didn't have a ticket. Then when we finally got tot he front of the line to give tickets (that we didn't have), I found out that Simon the band's manager gave me a +1... thanks buddy!

ps. this post is a month late... sorry!

Shows This Past Week

So this past week, I saw two great ones. Couldn't be more different but great.

The Black Crowes.

http://www.theblackcrowes.com/

No introduction needed, these guys are the kings of Southern Rock & Soul. This show was a little weird at first. Since the Irving Plaza has changed its name to Filmore East at Irving Plaza (you know my feelings on this) they have forgotten their capacity. They over sell everything. It was too crowded and about 1000 degrees in there. The first set we actually were watching from outside the doors in the corridor to the left of the stage near the merch and LifeBeat tables.

The first set they played all songs off their new album Warpaint. For a group of songs I didn't know it was still awesome. Their songwriting and performance were great. They then came out for a second set and did a few crowd favorites, the best being "Sting Me."

Random Non-Music Related High Point.

During the set break, all the smokers ran outside to hack a butt before the second set. When they all ran, we were able to move to a prime spot near the stage in the main room... Long Live Joe Camel!

Justice.

http://www.myspace.com/etjusticepourtous

This French DJ duo, is pretty much the first time there has ever been a techno/house DJ that I can truly say I am an out right fan of. Their record Cross, gets normal play on my headphones, and I haven't been into this type of music since 99/2000 when the world seemed to all be on Ecstasy.

This was the most fun I think I have ever had at a concert all alone. I just danced for an hour and a half. They had 18 Marshalls stacked on stage along with the Theater at Madison Square Garden's house PA. It was loud and sweaty. It seemed impossible not to have fun and get caught in the energy. If you ever have the chance to see Justice and you feel like dancing... DO NOT MISS THEM. The picture shown is actually from my cellphone.

Random Non-Music Related High Point.

Easiest call ever. Between the set and the encore having the thousands of people there chanting the words to Justice's first hit with Simian. "Weare your friends, you'll never be alone again!"

Shows This Past Week

I have decided that I am going to write about all shows that i got to for fun as opposed to shows I go to in interest of signing. This past weekend, John Sellers who wrote the book "Perfect From Now On" released on paper back. One of the things he did was add a section to the book of every big show he saw for a year. I am going to attempt doing the same thing (eventually)from now on I will just add each week.

Dax Riggs (Mercury Lounge)

http://www.myspace.com/daxriggs
Bluesy, metalesque. Possibly the hardest singer songwriter I have seen in a while. Dax sings with a suprisingly great range and plays the guitar. There is nothing overly complicated about his playing, but his dynamic voice makes up for it. He is joined by a drummer on the most minimal kit i have ever seen, no symbals. This was fantastic show that I recommend seeing if he is ever in your area.