TONIGHT: FILM SCHOOL/CLOUD ROOM/BIRDMONSTER

TONIGHT: NOISE POP CONTINUES

Film School
The Cloud Room
Birdmonster
Send For Help

At Slim's:
333 11th Street
San Francisco, California

Showtime: 8:00 PM (Doors: 7:30 PM)
Ticket price: $12
Tickets available on-line at: Virtuous.com, Tickets.com
All Ages

(Photo thanks to Julie Andrews)

NOISE POP: SAN FRANCISCO

Damn, one of my favorite things about San Francisco that I miss is the NOISE POP FESTIVAL that started this week. Kevin Arnold and crew each year do an amazing job of making the town it's own music mecca for indie rock.

Here are some of the shows that I wouldn't miss:

Thursday, March 30

Rogue Wave, Aqueduct, Octopus Project, Scrabbel
BIMBO'S, 7PM (doors), $15

The Onion A.V. Club Presents
The National, Mark Eitzel, Talkdemonic, Division Day
THE INDEPENDENT, 7:30 (doors), $14

Friday, March 31

Film School, Cloud Room, Birdmonster, Send For Help
SLIM'S, 7:30PM (doors), $12

Spin Presents
Two Gallants, Silversun Pickups, Street to Nowhere, Cold War Kids
BIMBO'S, 7PM (doors), $15

The Onion A.V. Club Presents:
We Are Scientists, Foreign Born, The Grates, The Blood Arm
THE INDEPENDENT, 8:30 (doors), $14 - SOLD OUT

Saturday, April 1

Miller presents Noise Pop Happy Hour - Hosted by SomaFM's Indie Pop Rocks
THEE PARKSIDE, 5-8pm

Wolfmother, Parchman Farm, Danava, Dear Kerosene (io)
BOTTOM OF THE HILL, 8PM (doors), $10 - SOLD OUT

Also, they have some great panels lined up for young bands, check all of these out if you can:


Saturday April 1st 1 - 6 pm, The Makeout Room, Admission $12 or Noise Pop Badge.

Panel #1: Getting Booked in San Francisco and Nationwide
Matt Hickey - High Road Touring (Bloc Party, Luna, Mission of Burma, Sleater-Kinney)
Christian Bernhardt - Kork Agency (Enon, Ariel Pink, Black Dice, Xiu Xiu, Voxtrot)
Todd Cote - Leafy Green (Devendra Banhart, The King of France,)
Michelle Panache - Panache Booking (DMBQ, Green Milk from the Planet Orange)
Deb Zeller - Talent Buyer, The Make Out Room, and guru behind Playing in Fog

Panel #2: Start The Presses - Getting Your Music Reviewed
Jaan Uhelszski - San Francisco Chronicle, Founder of Creem
Kimberly Chun - Senior Arts and Entertainment Editor, San Francisco Bay Guardian
Brian Brophy - Managing Editor, Mesh SF
Lisa Hix - Managing Editor, Flavorpill SF
Kjersti Egerdahl, West Coast Performer Magazine

Sunday April 2nd 1 - 6 pm, The Makeout Room, Admission $12 or Noise Pop Badge

Music For America @ Indie Night School

Panel #3: Alternative Ways to Get your Band Noticed
Dan Droller, Music For America
Dave Kostiner, Davis, Shapiro, Lewit, Montone & Hayes
Jamie Stewart, Xiu Xiu
Windy Chien, iTunesproducer, former owner of Aquarius Records
Matt Graves, Real Networks
JT Griffth, Director, Film & Music, Nettwerk Music Group

Panel #4: Building a Brand Out of Your Band - How to make a living through music with more than music sales and concerts.
Nate Query, Decemberists
Hari Berrier, Zeitgeist Artist Management
Jonathan Wood, GoodStorm Inc
Adam Gothelf, AG Music Merchandising Co.
Carol Grey, Manager of Artist Relations at Cinderblock

NOISE POP - http://www.noisepop.com/2006/

ART BRUT LANDS US DEAL: DOWNTOWN RECORDS

New upstart US label, DOWNTOWN RECORDS, has provided the home for Britain's ART BRUT to release their record, Bang, Bang Rock and Roll, in America. You may remember ART BRUT from appearances on FUTURE SOUNDS 14 & FS21, but this import on the mighty FIERCE PANDA RECORDS was that labels most successful US import to date in a long and storied career of releases. Now, DOWNTOWN (headed by former Virgin guy- Josh Deutch), which is also putting out the highly anticipated GNARLS BARKLEY record on May 2, and Bang, Bang Rock and Roll with bonus tracks on May 23rd. This new label that lives under the ATLANTIC RECORDS roof also has signed THE EAGLES OF DEATH METAL and have more surprises up their sleeves I'm told.

DOWNTOWN RECORDS - http://www.downtownrecordings.com/
ART BRUT - http://www.artbrut.org.uk/

BIRDMONSTER - NO MIDNIGHT

This weekend I got an amazing gift package in my mailbox from the mighty BIRDMONSTER from San Francisco. I've been eagerly awaiting what their completed full length would sound like, especially after having fallen for the early demo songs they had finished. I'm still spinning it over and over again, their new CD called "No Midnight". A produced version of "All The Holes In The Wall" (Future Sounds 23) appears along with 12 other tracks that have the kind of urgency that's missing in 98% of bands out there today. Early favorites are "Balcony" and "Cause You Can", but this is a collection of songs where each one will grab you and become your new romance, until you burn it out and move on to the next song. "No Midnight" is going to be self-released, because they CAN, on April 11th.

Here's a quick sample, download "Balcony" HERE.
BIRDMONSTER - http://birdmonster.com/main.html

TONIGHT: LEMON SUN & SCISSORS FOR LEFTY IN LA

LEMON SUN - http://lemonsun.org/
SCISSORS FOR LEFTY - http://www.scissorsforlefty.com/

NEKO CASE: FOX CONFESSOR BRINGS THE FLOOD (ANTI)

I'm not going to lie to you, I LOVE NEKO CASE.
It seems everytime she opens that mouth of hers - either solo or with THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS, out pours something wonderful, and I finally picked up my copy of her latest CD, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood (Anti). It's gorgeous - BUY IT, no hesitation. Neko has that booming voice that has the classic country richness of PATSY CLINE - and in a world of Gretchen Wilsons and Carrie Underwoods, that's pretty amazing.

Neko also should get credit for the full sounding production on this record, which she did down in Tucson, Arizona with help from the GIANT SAND/CALEXICO posse. The track, 'STAR WITNESS' I have been playing on repeat for days.

DOWNLOAD 'STAR WITNESS' HERE.

Other highlights; "John Saw That Number", "That Teenage Feeling", and "Hold On, Hold On", but actually, they are all incredible.

NEKO CASE - http://www.nekocase.com/

INTERPOL TO INTERSCOPE?

Sounds like the boys from INTERPOL have left their home at Matador for the big time of Interscope Records. This one has been in the works for awhile, with lots of offers from everywhere I'm sure, finally made the call. Interscope also recently added TV ON THE RADIO to the roster, doing a great job of cherry picking the cream of the indie crop.

PHILLY POLICE RECOVER STOLEN FILM SCHOOL VAN

This afternoon in Northern Philadelphia, police found the van stolen from the Comfort Inn in Philly. It's pretty dented, ignition damaged, and beat up a bit, but we're picking it up and will continue the tour. HUGE THANKS to everyone that has goten in touch with us and offered support, gear, services, and just moral support - it means more than you know!

Special thanks to the Philadelphia news outlets - we feel like their help made the recovery of the van possible.

Big thanks to Gibson Guitars, Music Cares, Ludwig Drums, Austinist.com, Electro Harmonix , Joel at SpinArt, The National, Big Hassle, Bottom Of The Hill, Playing in Fog, Pitchfork, Billboard and everyone else that stepped up in a big way!

LL

THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL..........

Last night after their show at The Fire in Philly, Film School parked their brand new van at the parking lot of a Comfort Inn in Philly. The lot was fenced, brightly lit, locked, and had a 24 hour attendant.

This morning around 8am, someone got to the van, sawed through the club on the steering wheel, broke in and drove the van THROUGH the closed fence and off into the streets of Philly. There was a witness, police were called while the theft was in progress, and they're apparently on the case.

Film School practically sold their soul to get this van, which they got 2 days before the tour began. Their van insurance doesn't cover theft. Their personal insurance was being sorted around the start of the tour and while hopefully some items will be covered, the bulk of the contents will have to be replaced without the help of insurance.

This isn't the story of a band being silly and randomly leaving their van on the street. This is a band that took precautions, and still got screwed.

The next show is absolutely cancelled (tonight in DC at the Black Cat) and it's likely that 3/9 in Providence and 3/10 in Wellesley will not happen, but we're hoping for the best. The band will likely be able to borrow and rent equipment for their upcoming NYC shows, and will use backline for SXSW, but once back in San Francisco, will try to regroup.

We've sent a list of equipment to police and pawn shops so folks in Philly can hopefully watch out for the stolen items, but a benefit show will likely be arranged once they get back to their hometown of San Francisco.

If you know anyone in Philadelphia that can help, here is what is missing:

AMPS:
Fender Deville guitar amp
1970’s Fender Twin Reverb silverface, master volume
1970’s Ampeg SVT Bass amplifier head
Ampeg SVT 410HLF cabinet

GUITARS:
1993 Gibson SG guitar black
1973 Fender Telecaster Deluxe w/humbuckers white w/marble pickguard
1976 Fender Precision Bass Serial #629010 no finish/natural

EFFECTS PEDALS:
2 Line 6 Delay DL-4 pedals
Electro-Harmonix Memory Man Deluxe pedal
MXR Distortion pedal
Cry Baby Wah-wah pedal
2 Boss GE-7 Equalizer pedal
1 Boss TU-2 tuner pedal
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff fuzz pedal
Boss TU-12 tuner
Pro-Co Rat distortion pedal
SansAmp Bass DI box
Core One Pedal board
Pedal Pad pedal board

KEYBOARD:
Kurzweil K2VX keyboard w/sampling option
Boss SP-303 sampler w/power adapter
ART powermix 4 minimixer
Yamaha sustain pedal

CABLES
3’ dual 1/4” cable
10’ dual 1/4” cable
3’ right angle/straight 1/4” cable
10’ right angle/straight 1/4” cable
25’ 1/4” cable

DRUMS:
1966 Ludwig blue sparkle 13”, 16”, 22”
1964 Ludwig supralite snare 14”
14” Zildjan A series hi-hats
20” Zildjan A series crash
24” Paiste 2002 Dark ride
1 SKB 22” bass drum case
1 SKB 16” floor tom case
1 SKB 14” snare drum case
1 SKB 13” tom case
22” SKB cymbal case
2 Pearl stronglight stands
1 Pearl hi-hat stand
1 Pearl Bass drum pedal

OTHER:
1 30gb iPod
2 Motu 828 audio interface
2 MXL condenser mics
ZIP100 SCSI drive w/power adapter
aluminum gear case
Sony TRV-900 video camera
13 mini-DV video tapes
DLO transpod iPod charger/FM transmitter
Belkin 6-port firewire hub
3 firewire cables
dual microphone holder/stand
Weller 25-watt soldering iron
Volti meter
Bag of various XLR - 1/4” adapters
Leatherman tool
Custom earplugs
Various electrical tools ie. pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers
Gorilla allen wrench multi-tool

TONIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO: LA ROCCA

Bay Area people, what are you doing tonight? Here's a FREE show that you shouldn't miss: LA ROCCA + THE STANDARD + POOR BAILEY @ MEZZANINE.

The other day I went off on that gem of an LA label, DANGERBIRD RECORDS, and one of the bands that they should be glowing about is the Irish band, LA ROCCA. I've included one of their songs "This Life" on FUTURE SOUNDS 17, but at the end of last week I received the full length and think this could be a band that is special. This collaboration with bad-ass producer Tony Hoffer is balanced and deep and filled with actual songwriting. I have yet to see them live, so get down there and scout it out for me. Singer Bjorn Baillie may become that songwriter that sticks around for years.

I don't know these other two bands, THE STANDARD & POOR BAILEY, but Travis up there at MEZZANINE has great ears and tries to give back to the music scene with free shows like this often. I know The Standard are from Portland and that Poor Bailey are from SF and won the Live 105 Not So Silent Night Contest for local bands.

DETAILS:
TONIGHT MARCH 7
9PM DOORS
THE STANDARD
LA ROCCA
POOR BAILEY
MEZZANINE is at 444 Jessie Street @ Mint

LA ROCCA - http://www.larocca.ie

JADE TREE SIGNS SNOWDEN

Congratulations go out to the Atlanta, GA by way of New York City band, SNOWDEN, who have just signed with JADE TREE. You may remember SNOWDEN from FUTURE SOUNDS 13 and their track "Kill The Power", which will be included on their release, 'Anti-Anti' due out sometime by end of summer.

Here's a chance to listen to it again, before Jade Tree pulls it down - DOWNLOAD 'Kill The Power' HERE.

SNOWDEN - http://www.snowden.info/

BIRDMONSTER ATTACKS LA (TONIGHT)

The mighty BIRDMONSTER will be swooping down from the north tonight for an appearance at THE ECHO in Echo Park. The band is making their way to SXSW and this is their first stop outta the Bay Area on that trip. For a great read, check out their band blog, one of the better band journals out there at http://birdmonster.blogspot.com/.

Details for tonight:
THE ECHO - address: 1822 sunset blvd.
8:30pm / free / 21+
with DIVISION DAY

BIRDMONSTER - http://www.birdmonster.com/

FILM SCHOOL PLAYS SHOUT PARTY IN NYC TONIGHT

TONIGHT in Manhattan - FILM SCHOOL plays THE SHOUT PARTY!
They go on at midnight, so start your week off a little tired.

VENUE: BAR 13
35 EAST 13TH STREET
NEW YORK, NY
NO COVER

SHOUT PARTY - http://www.shoutnyc.org/
BAR 13 - http://www.bar13.com

Here's a pretty cool piece done on the band on Friday on MSNBC...


Gazing at brand new shoes
• Undersea melodies from Film School
This San Francisco quintet breeds reverb-drenched melodies that rewards patience with a surprising emotional lift. By Gregory A. Perez MSNBC contributor
Updated: 6:14 p.m. ET March 3, 2006

I have to admit, Film School’s self-titled debut didn’t grab me at first. I think I was in a phase of needing instant gratification, a quick hook, a catchy turn-of-phrase. Something. If you’re one to plow through a new record for 30-second bites to determine if you “get it,” this one takes a bit of sinking in. But it’s well worth it.

“I find that most of the albums I really like, the ones that I keep going back to, took me a bit of time to ‘get,’” said Krayg Burton, Film School’s founder and leader. “I don't think our music is difficult to get per say, but it's probably not as immediate as more traditional pop. We tend to focus more on melodies than hooks. I feel like strong melodies can be much more expressive and lasting when done right.”

Formed by Burton around 2001, this San Francisco quintet breeds reverb-drenched melodies that rewards patience with a surprising emotional lift. After a few listens, and after seeing their hypnotic live performance, Film School will, in fact, win you over. It’s a record that gets you to sit back, listen very closely and get very mesmerized by their ambitious vision.
Story continues below ↓ advertisement

Most compelling about the band’s approach is how they mix that simmer-to-a-boil dynamic with a bombastic rock attack starting with the formidable rhythm section of Justin Labo and Donny Newenhouse and fleshed out by a maelstrom of guitar and Jason Ruck’s electronic ambience.

Songs like “Harmed” and “Pitfalls” kick out a jaunty pop vibe right up front, buoyed by Labo’s expressive bass, while others like "On and On" take you on a swirling journey of vivid deep-sea depth.

Crunchy rock elements mixed with Burton’s laconic vocals keep the music from falling into pure shoegazer la-la land putting Film School in a very nice place in terms of consistency and emotional balance. Not happy, not sad, not too hot, not too cold. Just right.

“We don't set up boundaries or predefine a way a song should move. But I do think we're suspicious and get bored easily,” said Burton. “If a song is starting to sound familiar and safe, I find myself trying to break it in hopes that it will recover into a better song. Sometimes it works, sometimes the song goes into the trash.”

“Many times it seems like we write in a reactive way,” adds guitarist Nyles Lannon. “If we have just finished a slower song, we turn around and work on something upbeat. We are always trying to stretch our sound.”

While the record is sonically dense, “Film School” still manages to ride on the crest of devastating melodies. Take “He’s a Deep Deep Lake,” an rousing anthem that’s as heavy and majestic as they come, like Built To Spill’s “Time Trap” only with a subterranean palette. It’s the best song to play on repeat the next time you’re watching a National Geographic deep-sea travelogue at 2 a.m. You’ll go places.

Atop these layers and layers of sounds, it’s amazing how Film School can keep their songs from getting buried beneath the weight of the production.

“It's definitely fun to tinker with songs, see how much you plug in there before it gets muddy and unnecessary,” said Burton. “I don't think we intentionally try to layer, I think it's just what sounds right. Not sure there's one way to tell when a song is done. Some seem to finish themselves almost immediately. Some I don't think will ever be finished and still drive me a little crazy when I hear them on the record.”

Aside from the obvious and oft-repeated comparisons to Pink Floyd, Kevin Shields and The Cure, Film School’s subtle playfulness and dynamics add a new dimension to the late-‘90s alternative drone formula. With the way their debut is stretching out creatively, they’re forging their own reputation.

“We’re definitely get sick of the comparisons. But I think it's also a natural way for people to understand something they're hearing for the first time,” said Burton. “I do the same sort of thing. But I’m hoping that after a few listens people will start to hear what's original in our music.”

“The music just is what it is,” adds Lannon. “After a while you just say ‘screw it’ and stop paying attention.”

For more information on Film School, visit: http://www.filmschoolmusic.com/.
Article found at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11658259/

FILM SCHOOL ADDS SHOW IN DETROIT TONIGHT

Opting rather to PLAY than to PAY, the band decided to hook up a gig in bassist JUSTIN LABO'S hometown of Detroit tonight instead of take the night off before Hoboken, NJ and MAXWELL'S.

INFO FOR TONIGHT'S SHOW:
Film School w/ Stay Gracie, Joe Phillips, Rain Is Wet
March, 3 2006 at Lager House
1254 Michigan Ave.(Corktown), Detroit, MI 48201
Cost: $5

Their Schubas show last night in Chicago was a smoker, and here's what BIGTAKEOVER had to say about their Minneapolis show 2 nights back:

Film School/Chicago tonight and onward to SXSW

400 Bar last night in Mpls.

Great sound blowing in from San Francisco...they nailed the contents of
their new s/t album and seem to have a good time up on that stage. Their
album is one of my favorites of the year thusfar and the live show sounds
even better. They also have some good self-deprecating humor that they
throw into the mix and seem like a very down to earth group of fellows.
Echoes of the Cure, BJM, MBV and The Clean can be heard in their songs.

This was one of those underattended shows that you hope doesn't deter a
band from returning to your town. Our local radio station the Current
finally played them for the first time the night before the concert.

They hit Schubas in Chicago tonight and head eastward, joining up with the
Cloud Room.
- Collin Axell

DESTROYER - DESTROYER'S RUBIES

I've been a long time fan (FS10) of Dan Bejar's DESTROYER, so I can't believe the new one sat on my desk for so long before I started spinning his latest release, DESTROYER'S RUBIES (Merge Records). Most people know Dan more because of his 'other band'- THE NEW PORNOGRPAHERS. Do yourself the favor, BUY IT. Dan has this magic to his lyrics, a vibe to his voice that makes me feel like how Dean from LUNA/GALAXIE 500 made me feel - kinda like reading some romantic period novel full of color and lust and unthinkable heartbreak. This isn't a record for everyone, but it should be. The America that loves GWB - NASCAR - Country music- and all that will never embrace such a songwriter. The cover art for Destroyer's Rubies almost says it all for me.
This record opens with 'Rubies', which clocks in at 9:25 but feels more like 4, full of every twisted lyric imaginable. This record keeps digging deeper with each cut - highlights are 'Painter in Your Pocket', 'Your Blood' and '3000 Flowers'. Just listen to 'European Oils', and when that blazing guitar line kicks in, you'll be closing your eyes, feelin' the jam.

Download 'Painter In Your Pocket' HERE (courtesy of INSOUND). MP3

Destroyer is
* Daniel Bejar - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitars, Tambourine, Monster Riffs on European Oils and 3000 Flowers
* Ted Bois - Piano, Wurlitzer, Organ
* Nicolas Bragg - Lead Guitar, Lead Acoustic on Painter in Your Pocket
* Tim Loewen - Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar at very end of European Oils, Back-Up Vocals on Looters' Follies.
* Scott Morgan - Drums, Baritone Sax
* Fisher Rose - Vibraphone, Trumpet

THEY KICK OFF THEIR US TOUR ON MARCH 22ND
03.22.2006 * Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar
03.23.2006 * Chicago , IL @ Abbey Pub
03.24.2006 * Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
03.25.2006 * Toronto, @ Lee's Palace
03.26.2006 * Montreal, QC @ El Salon
03.27.2006 * Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Underground
03.28.2006 * New York, NY @ Avalon Nightclub
03.29.2006 * Washington, DC @ Black Cat
03.30.2006 * Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
03.31.2006 * Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
04.01.2006 * Louisville, KY @ Uncle Pleasant's
04.12.2006 * Vancouver, @ Richard's on Richards
04.14.2006 * Victoria, BC @ Lucky Bar
05.05.2006 * Seattle, WA @ Crocodile Cafe
05.06.2006 * Portland , OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
05.08.2006 * San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord
05.21.2006 * Camber Sands, @ All Tomorrow's Parties