MISTER LOVELESS WEST COAST TOUR DATES

I'm intrigued by the San Francisco act, MISTER LOVELESS, and have yapped about them before, but I just read that they'll be hitting the road for West coast show dates here at the start of August. Dark and freaky, their first CD, My Share Of Losing, was an office favorite.
Here's "Scatterplot" from their debut LP. (mp3)

AUGUST TOUR DATES
8.03.07 Mr. T's Bowl w/ The Monolators (Los Angeles, California)
8.04.07 Sol Art Gallery (Santa Ana, California)
8.05.07 Matt's House!!! (Los Angeles, California)
8.07.07 Detroit Bar (Costa Mesa, California)
8.08.07 Club Moscow @ Boardners (Hollywood, California)
8.10.07 XOXO Bar (Reno, Nevada)
8.12.07 Slabtown (Portland, Oregon)

MISTER LOVELESS
WEB SITE
MYSPACE

NEW SOUNDS: JUICEBOXXX

Tonight I was floored by a batch of music that was hand-delivered to me (you'll be hearing me gush soon enough) and I finally saw the video (below)from Milwaukee's JUICEBOXXX. You should have heard the rumblings about this 19 year old kid from of all places, Wisconsin. He's been out there hitting the streets with SPANK ROCK and is about to tour with BONDE DO ROLE this September. Star quality? Got it. Songs? Got them. If the Juiceboxx doesn't explode all over everyone and make a big mess, then something is wrong with our sterile music landscape. I miss my club DJ days, because this track (video below) and 'Epic Ranger' would completely devastate the crowd. In case the video doesn't load, here's the URL:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BAHjDim8EZw

JUICEBOXX
WEB SITE
MYSPACE

ESSEX/CHELMSFORD ENGLAND MUSIC SCENE

I was recently handed a CD at a club by a guy from Essex/Chelmsford, England, and I was brought back to the days of buying cool mix tapes from around the world and discovering scenes in places you've never been. Shakey, from SHAKSTER RECORDS gave me this solid collection of unknown bands from his town, and the output is pretty interesting, so I thought I'd share. Their tagline is "If your not ROCK N ROLL your not getting in! "
First up, THE WHITE GOSPEL, a three piece that has a touch of THE JAM, but with an organ and this groovy northern soul vibe to it. 'Casino' is my favorite track. Next, TOUCHE BABY. Singer Danni has this sultry, rock babe sound to her. Give 'Born Numb' a listen. Most of their other stuff is pretty rough demo sounding, but some promise in here.

The other band that stood out on the mix was THE STUNTS. A four-piece claiming they are "more explosive than Hiroshima" - think THIN LIZZY with Ozzy riffs in there, just look at the picture of frontman James Brown below > pretty rock n roll indeed......

SOUL JAZZ RECORDS GOES DIGITAL

All the crate diggers out there know all about the treasure chest that is SOUL JAZZ RECORDS, and now the good news is that you can get all their music in digital format!! I have this dream of someday walking into their London offices and buying the entire catalog, but now I can pick them off one at a time online. Nothing beats having the vinyl, but it's great to have access to all the incredible music, it's like the Smithsonian Institute of reggae, funk, and rock that is and will always be on the fringe. Their site and DUSTY GROOVE in Chicago has single-handedly kept many club DJ's out in front with all the tunes that slipped by the mainstream. Watch out though, it's like falling into a black hole that you may not come out from for awhile.

SOUL JAZZ RECORDS

DUST GROOVE

NEW SOUNDS: GLASVEGAS

I'm in the final stages of FUTURE SOUNDS 29, so I'm trying to slim down the 40 finalists I have for this issue down to the 15. What it means is that I've been listening to some pretty fantastic stuff, and a whole lot of garbage. This act from Glasgow, Scotland have raised my eyebrows a bit, called GLASVEGAS. A friend of mine says they are the best band in Scotland that no ones knows about, YET. I particularly like "It's My Own Cheeting Heart That Makes Me Cry" and "Daddy's Gone". I already hear these songs on the right soundtrack somewhere - music sup's, heads up.

GLASVEGAS
WEB SITE
MYSPACE

NEW SOUNDS: MAPS & MIRACLE FORTRESS

I won't deny it, I've always been a huge shoegazer fan, it's why I love working with FILM SCHOOL so much. Coming back from a show, late night, swirling sounds, fuzzy feelings, you get the idea. The sound keeps evolving each year and the new versions of the genre keep flowering interesting and gorgeous takes on this sonic category. I'm hoping people are aware of the great music that the Northampton band, MAPS, are making. Their latest, We Can Create (Mute), has been nominated for the Mercury Prize, and its well deserved. Tracks like 'Elouise' and 'You Don't Know Her Name' are stunning. (Thanks to Each Note Secure and Sound Bites for the tracks).

Another artist that has really grabbed me is MIRACLE FORTRESS from Montreal. They are on Secret City and their song, 'Have You Seen In Your Dreams' off the Five Roses cd kills me. (Thanks to Hero Hill). Worth checking out and I hope to see them live this year.

So when you throw in the likes of bands like THE TWILIGHT SAD, ASOBI SEKSU, and GREAT NORTHERN, there are many great shoegazin' bands pushing forward the sound.

Funny enough, I just read that THE GUARDIAN ran a similar story today.....

LESS JACK MORE JILL PARTY TONIGHT - VOXHAUL BROADCAST + IGLU & HARTLY

Tonight at that funky out of the way venue, AIRLINER, it's the LESS JACK MORE JILL Party that will feature sets from a band I'm beside myself over, VOXHAUL BROADCAST. I can't say enough about this band, there will be plenty happening for this act in the coming year. The party band, IGLU & HARTLY play as well, and hell, there's even some TankFarm giveaways in the mix tonight. We had Iglu & Hartly play our TF Fashion show party for Fashion Week and they turned the hipsters into a dance party. Check out "Violent & Young". Their brand of music isn't normally my thing, but these guys live it and won me over by their first song. Make the trip out to the Airliner if you haven't been there before, it's the most unique venue in the city, and the girls that are DJing are full of surprises.

Here are some pictures from that night.....

VOXHAUL BROADCAST RIPS THEIR SET

TANKFARM FUTURE SOUNDS 28 IN THE MIX

KUDU PLAYS TONIGHT IN NEW YORK

If you haven't seen KUDU yet and you live in New York, I simply don't know what to tell you. If you want to actually see something different from the same old - 4 slacker guys in ironic t-shirts, and you want to glimpse something from another universe altogether, show up at the HIRO BALLROOM tonight. KUDU are from somewhere past Neptune, past Pluto, think FUNKADELIC mixed with ESG.

HEY! WE MADE BILLBOARD!

My Mom is going to be so proud!

ROXY COTTONTAIL + COOL KIDS IN LA TONIGHT

TONIGHT IN LA: TOKYO POLICE CLUB + DAPPLED CITIES

TONIGHT: 3 great bands at THE TROUBADOUR: I'm a big fan of TPC, and former Future Sounds band, DAPPLED CITIES FLY support. San Francisco's MINIPOP make it all that much sweeter. It's sold out, so hopefully you got your tickets early.

10:15 pm	Tokyo Police Club
9:15 pm	Dappled Cities Fly
8:30 pm	Minipop

NEW SOUNDS: THE READING UK SCENE

A set of great ears has been sending me tips on bands from READING (UK) recently, and with each one, I'm more and more impressed by what's happening in that town. Some good bands bubbling up over there and it won't be long before everyone knows about it.

First up, is the six piece known as HELLO WEMBLEY. If you're a fan of ART BRUT, or THE LIBERTINES, you'll like what they're throwin' down. Punky, trashy, a real garbage can of rock. Check out 'Great Britain' or 'Rock N Roll Spoon' on their Myspace page. I'm told they are like THE SEX PISTOLS fronting THE HAPPY MONDAYS. Unsigned.

A band that should've been on FS28 (label restrictions), KICKS, seem to have that perfect UK formula. Listen to 'Pounding Hard', part U2 and part KILLERS. All the earmarks on this one say a hit is on the way. Unsigned at the moment, but I've heard they are close on a big deal.

Ok, I've been posting OK TOKYO quite a bit lately, but they're worth it, and nice guys to boot.
Radio 1, Glastonbury, lots of buzz. Unsigned.

Another act that arrived this week is THE ENIGMA PROJECT. 18 year old kids, think Biffy/Muse/Coopers/Nirvana. My favorite track is "Kings & Queens" off their Scenes Of The 21st Century EP. Unsigned.

I've been reading quite a bit about PETE & THE PIRATES as well from over there. Quirky, bouncy, filled with wit and silliness. Stolen Recordings.

And it doesn't stop there, if you like these at all, there are plenty more - check out:

REBUS
PURE REASON REVOLUTION
SIXNATIONSTATE
HEARTWEAR PROCESS

TOKYO POLICE CLUB SIGN TO SADDLE CREEK

Congratulations go out to a band we love around FUTURE SOUNDS - TOKYO POLICE CLUB. Up until this point, the band and their management have done everything on their own and have done just fine in tough times. How many unsigned bands do you know that have had the kind of year that TPC have had, and now they've made another smart move in joining forces with SADDLE CREEK.

JIMMY LOVE & NON STOP BHANGRA PLAY STERN GROVE

I feel like a proud papa, but my brother, DJ JIMMY LOVE, is playing the STERN GROVE FESTIVAL this afternoon in San Francisco. Stern Grove is a gorgeous city park in SF that each weekend of the summer offers a free concert to the city, and it usually brings in some really huge names in all types of music. Jimmy and his troupe, NON STOP BHANGRA, are featured this weekend along with "Breathing Under Water," a unique melding of South Asian music traditions with modern grooves. "Breathing Under Water" showcases, Anoushka Shankar, Karsh Kale, and my bro.

TONIGHT IN LA: MAGIC BULLETS @ THE ECHO

MAGIC BULLETS hit LA - TONIGHT!

BANDS GALORE!! THIS WEEKEND MUSIC WILL BE EVERYWHERE

IN LOS ANGELES - THE SOFTLIGHTES @ THE ECHO

IN NEW YORK - THE SIREN FESTIVAL

IN SAN FRANCISCO - RESCUE ME @ EDINBURGH CASTLE

RESCUE ME
MYSPACE

And finally, the best monthly party in the Bay Area: NON STOP BHANGRA @ THE RICKSHAW

The XLR8R Office Top Ten Album Picks: FILM SCHOOL 'HIDEOUT'

XLR8R MAGAZINE'S TOP 10 ALBUMS

Film School Hideout Beggars
Someone’s been listening to The Jesus and Mary Chain. Film School must have had a goth-shoegaze epiphany, because from beginning to end, Hideout is layered, dark pop bliss. It’s quite reassuring to know that a genre that’s been exploited to the bone can still come out this sick.

2 DUST & BLOOD SHOW THIS WEEKEND

The BLOODLINE has another busy weekend in Arizona, playing TONIGHT at THE PHIX and on Saturday night at CELLBLOCK in Mesa.

DUST & BLOOD
WEB SITE
MYSPACE

TONIGHT IN LA: SHOUT OUT LOUDS @ THE EL REY

I've loved the Swedish band, SHOUT OUT LOUDS for years and years, even before they signed up with Capitol over here in the US. When Capitol did their big house cleaning a few months back, many great bands were dropped, the SOL's were one of them. The good news is that they are now in much greener pastures at Merge Records, and have a new album set to drop this fall. They are in town tonight at the El Rey - Doors @ 8pm | $15.00. If you've heard the first single, "Tonight I Have To Leave It" in all it's CURE-tastic glory, it should give you an indication on how strong the new record will be.

SHOUT OUT LOUDS
WEB SITE
MYSPACE

SPOON + THE DELTA SPIRIT + VAMPIRE WEEKEND = TRIPLE THREAT

Wow, what an evening of great live music last night. Started out at the ASCAP PARTY at the Troubadour and walked into the set of a band I've been dying to see live, VAMPIRE WEEKEND. They packed the place from the opening of the doors and on top of it all, they delivered. It's great in LA when you see a crowd dancing, and the call and response nature of Vampire Weekend really lends itself nicely to the live audience. If this band played Bonnaroo, they'd have been a festival highlight. Straddling that fine line between jam band and indie band, they pull it off because you feel the sincerity. Sounding at times like Graceland-era PAUL SIMON, they seem poised to be this year's SPINTO BAND. Hot damn if I don't get to see them again tonight when they play the SILVERLAKE LOUNGE with a band that can crush it, EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS.

Next up was GRAND OLE PARTY, a three piece with a female vocalist on vocals and drums. She comes off a little like THE GOSSIP, very bluesy and she really gets swept away in the moment, which I will always tip my cap to. Once they figure out how to add a little diversity to their sound, and have a few tracks that aren't marches, they have real potential.

Finally, a band I've thoroughly enjoyed on recording and finally saw live, THE DELTA SPIRIT. A revelation for sure, and my vote for taking over as the new version of THE BAND. Huge vibe, big energy, they are truly captivating live. If you like what you hear online, go see this band live. You'll be a new follower, as I now will become.

Jumping off towards set end, and driving to the other end of the Earth - we LA people consider deep Downtown, the LITTLE RADIO "secret" show for SPOON was wall to wall. As consistent a band as there is out there, Britt and the boys did what they always seem to do, deliver a tight show that mixed new tracks from Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, with all your Spoon fav's. The army that is LITTLE RADIO know how to put on a party, and I was jealous that I wasn't up behind stage with the legion of dancing girls that actually had space enough to move to 'I Turn My Camera On' and the rest.

Ears still ringing....why is it I always leave the house without my earplugs?

TONIGHT IN LA: SPOON

I love the secret show that isn't a secret! Little Radio does it again with SPOON!
The bonus here is the nicest guy in music: JOHN VANDERSLICE.

NEW SOUNDS: EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

This week's new releases has one in particular that I'm really excited about: EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS - Ameritown. The CD is on Suretone Records and I think it's one of those rare (these days) occasions when you get a complete body of work instead of a collection of singles and filler. I've been enjoying the advance copy on my computer for weeks and have yet to even pick my favorite track - and that's generally the sign of a great album. I shuffle between 'The Box' to 'Stutter' to 'Single Sedative' to, well, you get the point. They rock in that old school RADIOHEAD kinda way, without being a knock off, yet they can get spacey and experimental in all the right ways. An Los Angeles band that isn't caught up in fashion, their CD release party is on Tuesday night at SILVERLAKE LOUNGE.

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
WEB SITE
MYSPACE

NEW SOUNDS: THE CLASS OF 1984

Last year I had the opportunity to speak at a music convention in the beautiful city of Cork, Ireland, and there I got to really get into it with some young and very talented artists and bands and talk about the industry and getting off on the right foot from the start. It's been great to stay in touch with some of them since and watch their development. This one in particular, THE CLASS OF 1984, has been quietly plotting and planning and taking all the right steps and are now starting to make some serious waves. The trio has plans to move to London next month and grab the bull by the horns, and with their arrival comes some heat. They are now on the radar of the NME (go vote for them below) and have the UK majors calling, all off their rough demos. They took the approach of the legendary JIMMY SMITH, and what could be called 'the chicken shack' approach. That is, lock yourself away in the shack behind your house and learn your instrument and master it before coming out. The boys have left the shack and are headed to the capitol of UK music, London.

VOTE HERE

THE CLASS OF 1984
WEB SITE
MYSPACE

TONIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO: LOVELIKEFIRE

You should already know how I feel about this band, and I'm pumped to hear that they just finished mixing a new EP of seven songs called "An Ocean Of Air" for release later this year. Can't wait to hear it Ann.

LOVELIKEFIRE
WEB SITE
MYSPACE

TONIGHT @ THE ECHO: LEMON SUN - CLUB UNDERGROUND

CLUB UNDERGROUND: Featuring the best in UK Indie/Pop, Electro and more.

TONIGHT: LEMON SUN (10:15pm)

Free admission, plenty of free parking and $3 dollar drinks until 10:30

Underground
@ The ECHO
1822 SUNSET BLVD.
ECHO PARK (LA)
[Between Alvarado and Echo Park Blvd]

Every Friday
Doors around 9-ish
9PM-2AM
18+
FREE before 10:30
$5 if 21+, $7 under 21

THE EDGE 103.9 FM LOCAL FREQUENCY LIVE: DUST & BLOOD

Fri 07.13.07
THE EDGE 103.9 FM PRESENTS: Local Frequency Live

Join DJ Gadger for Local Frequency Live at Anderson's Fifth Estate on 5th Ave North of Indian School Rd. in old town Scottsdale, from 10p-Midnight. The lineup for tonight is The Asphalt, Redfield, The Attitude, Pinner, and DUST & BLOOD.

TONIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO: MAGIC BULLETS

BLITZEN TRAPPER SIGN TO SUB POP

I thought the music industry was dying?? Somethings in the water, as another signing just popped up - BLITZEN TRAPPER has signed to Sub Pop. They are on the road with DAVID VANDERVELDE and coming through LA tomorrow night (Spaceland). Go out and congratulate them in person.

CHESTER FRENCH SIGNS TO INTERSCOPE - JAMIE T TOURS US

Damn! That was fast! Just barely blogged about CHESTER FRENCH and they've already got a major label record deal. The Harvard boys just signed with Interscope label, Star Track (founded by THE NEPTUNES' Pharell Williams & Chad Hugo) and will drop their first record in early 2008. Their song, "She Loves Everybody" was played on ENTOURAGE and things got done. Congrats!

I wanted to put three songs by JAMIE T on the last FUTURE SOUNDS compilation, but had to settle for one. "If You Got The Money" is a song I play daily, but his release 'Panic Prevention' runs deep. He's already a big deal in the UK, where his Virgin Records release is selling, but now he turns his attention to the US and has just announced tour dates.

JAMIE T NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
Tuesday, July 17 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool
Saturday, September 8 - Montreal, Quebec - Osheaga Festival
Sunday, September 9 - Toronto, Ontario – V Festival
Wednesday, September 12 – Boston, MA – Great Scott
Thursday, September 13 – New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
Saturday, September 15 – Philadelphia, PA – North Star
Tuesday, September 18 – Chicago, IL – Schubas
Wednesday, September 19 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
Saturday, September 22 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile Café
Sunday, September 23 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
Tuesday, September 25 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
Wednesday, September 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour

NEW SOUNDS: BELLAVISTA

The traffic in LA isn't an exaggeration, it's a reality we all deal with every day for choosing to live here. I get out to the FARM often in the OC and most times I moan and get aggro on my drive each way. Tonight on my way back into Hollywood, I popped in the newly-released CD by San Francisco's BELLAVISTA and the drive seemed to vanish, the traffic became irrelevant. On first listen, it wasn't the kind of disc that is begging for radio play or any kind of instant gratification, but rather a musical appreciation that comes with vintage SPACEMEN 3 (think 'Transparent Radiation'). It's self-titled and was dropped by TAKE ROOT RECORDS, a fresh indie with their hearts and ears in the right place.
So after really digging into tracks like 'River Of Lust' and 'Mystic Son' and really the whole thing, I get home and dig for more info, as this voice I'm hearing sounds so familiar it's killing me. I reminds me of another Bay area band that I once loved, VUE. I still own the vinyl version of 'Baby's Are For Petting' and often drop 'Look Out For Traffic' in sets and on playlists. I often wonder - What the hell happened to the band that was on RCA? I remember that they got pushed hard but not in the right ways, and ended up getting backed-out on in what always turns into a label not getting that big, immediate radio buzz and then deciding to cut loses and back off. Careers are ended that way, and thankfully, this didn't happen. Evolution....BELLAVISTA.

Well, what I find in their band bio is that they are indeed, the surviving members of VUE, and I delight in the fact that they are again making music and even better working with a label that understands and appreciates their creativity, their vibe, their vision. In an odd way I feel like I got back in touch with an old friend.

BELLAVISTA
WEB SITE
MYSPACE

THE FRAIL (FS28) are now getting spins on LIVE 105 in San Francisco.


Yet another San Francisco band, OVERVIEW (FS27), just got a nice press hit over on ABSOLUTEPUNK.NET. Check it out here.


Finally, BANG CAMARO (FS26) the Boston band that brought you 'Push Push (Lady Lightning)' are now showing up all over MTV. Check out the video of a day in the life of this -sometimes 25 piece band, HERE.