TONIGHT IN LOS ANGELES: VOXTROT + FEROCIOUS FEW @ ECHOPLEX

Tonight's Echoplex performance by Austin's VOXTROT is bittersweet. Sad because it's their “Goodbye, Cruel World” farewell tour. Happy because they are a great band of stellar people and they are playing Los Angeles tonight with recent Rumble Tour road dogs - THE FEROCIOUS FEW, WE BARBARIANS and THE BLACK.
It seems like yesterday, or February of 2006, that we fell for the track, "The Start Of Something", added it to Future Sounds 23, and the song really did being the start of something for the band. I compared them to The Smiths, Belle & Sebastian and The Housemartins at the time, but they quickly forged their own identity. Get out tonight and say goodbye.

8:30pm / $13 advance, $15 day of show / 18+

THE ARUBA HOSTS THE RUMBLE LAS VEGAS TONIGHT

This evening in Las Vegas at the Thunderbird Lounge in the Aruba Hotel it's THE RUMBLE: LAS VEGAS. We wind up the first leg of the Rumble run of shows (the 6th party in 7 nights) starting at 8:30pm tonight, so pull your mothers off the craps tables and over to see this FREE show that will work off the buffet you leveled.

Our traveling wilburys THE FEROCIOUS FEW and San Diego's LITTLE DEADMAN shake off the rust from last night's gig at Bar Pink in San Diego and join up with local favorite THE CLYDESDALE and DJ REX DART. Las Vegas City Life just did this nice feature on TFF that provides some insight into their 'busking lifestyle' - read it here. Our friends at Neon Reverb tipped us on LV's The Clydesdale so we're intrigued to catch it ourselves. “(The Clydesdale) Sounds like the soundtrack to a western directed by Quentin Tarantino” - Rolling Stone Magazine

The Rumble Las Vegas is brought to you by Future Sounds, Neon Reverb, KUNV and Las Vegas CityLife.

The Aruba Hotel is located at 1215 Las Vegas Boulevard South

BAR PINK HOSTS THE RUMBLE SAN DIEGO TONIGHT!

In what's turned into one of our most exciting Rumble parties month in and month out, THE RUMBLE: SAN DIEGO @ Bar Pink loads up for a Saturday night filled with local talent and the wild bunch known as THE FEROCIOUS FEW.

North Park's THE KABBS headline tonight's party and are the perfect night cap to what the other two - dirty whiskey drinking/sounding bands will set up. They specialize in seedy garage rock that is right at home in a dark, dive bar. Give a listen to "Golden & Blue" (mp3)

Supporting from San Francisco it's the band on a mission from The Mission - THE FEROCIOUS FEW. Frontman Francisco Fernandez is a mix of early Bob Dylan and late Howlin' Wolf, and actually drives a hearse while writing over a dozen songs a month, most coming in under 2 minutes and all relating to tragedy, drinking, drug takin', heartbreak and near criminal behavior. Their debut release, "Juices", on Birdman Records, is appropriately titled and witnessing TFF live might make you messy.

Openers - LITTLE DEADMAN - have truly been one of our favorite new discoveries thanks to Zack/Sezio and our good buddies over at Single Screen Records, a label that can't seem to pick a bad band if they try. Their track, "Shooting Seagulls" has already been placed on a half-dozen friend playlists around the office since the mp3's hit our inbox. We fell for them hard and fast and have convinced them to continue the Rumble run onto Las Vegas tomorrow to the Aruba Hotel.

DJ Cory Casey will be on the decks all night and there will be TRUMER PILS beer specials all night long!

The price is also right for these current hard times - FREE!

The Rumble San Diego is brought to you by a collective of indie minded partners that support developing acts and consists of Future Sounds, Indigenous Promotions, M-Theory Records, SDdialed In, Trumer Pils and SD CityBeat.

BAR PINK is located at 3839 30th Street

THE RUMBLE ROLLS INTO LOS ANGELES TONIGHT @ 3 CLUBS

TONIGHT @ 3 Clubs in Hollywood it's the May version of THE RUMBLE: LOS ANGELES with three more acts performing that should be on your radar.

Headlining the show will be the LA based act - MISSISSIPPI MAN - we recently got turned onto them and their song "Hell's Oven" has us hooked. Check them out and download this song - "Ricochet" (thanks Rollo & Grady)

Here's what our partners had to say about them..

"American infused... earnest folk-pop" - Buzzbands LA

"The band's live sound references the past while simultaneously looking to the future" - SPIN Earth

Playing all of the RUMBLE parties along the West Coast this week (6 shows in 7 nights) is San Francisco's THE FEROCIOUS FEW, as they have released "Juices", their Birdman Records debut, and a culmination of their songwriting craft that they have worked on religiously on every street corner in San Francisco and Oakland. Known for their guerrilla sidewalk shows outside concerts and street fairs, that generally end in near arrests, the FF are a blues explosion that's part Black Keys, part Robert Johnson at the Crossroads.

Opening up the evening someone we've also started stalking recently - LA's DIRT DRESS. Thursday's party is going to be a whiskey-infused mess after these three acts drop their delta blues meets 2010 rock n roll on all of us. Dirt Dress caught our attention after we received their EP on cassette, Perdido en la Suciedad (Papermade), and we love their Velvet Underground meets The Modern Lovers vibe. Here's a look at DD and what's to come tonight...

The party is always FREE and we'll have 5$ Svedka vodka drinks all night long.

The Rumble: Los Angeles is brought to you by Future Sounds, BMI, RM64, Buzzbands.LA, The Planetary Group and Spin Earth.

3 Clubs is located on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd and Vine - look for the 'Cocktails' sign

CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO @ THE RUMBLE SAN FRANCISCO - CAFE DU NORD

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo tonight with Francisco Fernandez and THE FEROCIOUS FEW as this month's RUMBLE: SAN FRANCISCO celebrates the release of "Juices" on Birdman Records!

Headlining the Rumble party this month at Cafe Du Nord are the dynamic duo of THE FEROCIOUS FEW, who just dropped their debut LP on Birdman and are playing the West Coast leg of THE RUMBLE this week - 6 parties in 7 nights. The San Francisco show, being their home turf, will also double as their CD release party, so the boys should be in rare form.

Supporting them are a band we've been trying to get to play our party for ages, THE SERMON. Frontman Mike Gabriel comes off like a Southern Baptist preacher - preachin' the blues! They have just finished up a new album which has help from such heavyweights as Penelope Houston of THE AVENGERS and Mr Incredible- KELLY STOLTZ.

Coming up from Los Angeles but a band with a sound that will be right at home with these growlers is MISSISSIPPI MAN . We recently got turned onto them and their song "Hell's Oven" has us hooked.

Resident DJ - BAGEL TED of Bagel Radio will do what he does best - spin great records all night in between the bands, and we have TRUMER PILS beer specials all night long for this Cinco De Mayo version of THE RUMBLE: SAN FRANCISCO.

The party is FREE if you RSVP at at SONICLIVING (if not, it's $5)
http://sonicliving.com/rumble29

As always, this event is brought to you by Future Sounds, The Owl Mag, Bagel Radio, Noise Pop Festival, The Bay Bridged, SF Bay Guardian, Stranded In Stereo, Trumer Pils and Spin Earth.

Cafe Du Nord is located at 2174 Market Street

THE RUMBLE: PORTLAND TONIGHT @ HOLOCENE

THE RUMBLE: PORTLAND returns to Holocene TONIGHT with an incredible line up of Portland bands + a traveling act that make this FREE party something you can't miss.

First up is 1776, a band we got turned onto by our partners at CRAVEDOG, and then after listening we understand why this band was recently signed to the Dandy Warhols' label, Beat The World Records, because this band has the songs, and tonight we'll see their live chops.

The band playing through all The Rumbles is the SF based duo, THE FEROCIOUS FEW. Since first meeting frontman Francisco Fernandez (that's a lot of F's) at a Rumble SF party by the DJ booth, and FF talking the most smack I had ever heard, we've been fast friends ever since. They've graced the Rumble SF and Rumble LA in past years and played our first Hollywood BrewFest last fall. They are supporting the instant classic - 'Juices' - and it's memorable that they are all official and on a label after all these years selling thousands of CD's on the street corners out of their guitar case.

Portland Mercury darlings, MONARQUES round out the night, as this seven piece are set to bring their sunny, 1950’s inspired indie pop. We're pumped that they are playing the party this month indeed.
"Portland's Monarques churn out sunny bubblegum pop that would feel equally at home in a '50s sock hop as it would in a cramped basement show in 2010. What's most impressive is that Oh Captain, My Captain's Josh Spacek pulled the whole project together in just a matter of months." - Portland Mercury

We'll also be having TRUMER PILS beer specials all night long!

As always, the party is FREE, and is brought to you by Future Sounds, Pampelmoose, Music Millennium, Cravedog, XO Publicity, Trumer Pils and Spin Earth.

This is indie supporting indie, so come out and join all of us and these incredible up-and-coming bands.

Holocene is located at 1001 SE Morrison Street

TONIGHT - THE RUMBLE: SEATTLE @ HAVANA SOCIAL CLUB

The first week of May promises to be FEROCIOUS musically - as San Francisco's dynamic duo known as THE FEROCIOUS FEW hit the road, starting TONIGHT, and play the West Coast leg of THE RUMBLE.

This evening @ Havana Social Club, THE RUMBLE: SEATTLE showcases a band that we got tipped off about from SOUND ON THE SOUND - THE HEAD & THE HEART. I think "Sounds Like Hallelujah" has appeared on every personal mix I've made since this discovery. This band could be the US version of MUMFORD & SONS, and we'll get to see for ourselves this evening in the intimate space of the Havana Social Club.

San Francisco's THE FEROCIOUS FEW have released "Juices", their Birdman Records debut, and a culmination of their songwriting craft that they have worked on religiously on every street corner in San Francisco and Oakland. Known for their guerrilla sidewalk shows outside concerts and street fairs, that generally end in near arrests, the FF are a blues explosion that's part Black Keys, part Robert Johnson at the Crossroads.

There will be beer specials all night long from TRUMER PILS.

As always, The Rumble Seattle is FREE and is brought to you by the indie-minded collective of Future Sounds, The Stranger, Line Out, Easy Street Records, The Wig, Trumer Pils and Spin Earth. We're also thrilled to have a new partner joining the fold - Seattle blogger SOUND ON THE SOUND. We've been reading this blog for years and they've helped with great tips on bands we'd never have known about, and now they'll be helping us pick bands. This is indie supporting indie!

The Havana Social Club is located at 1010 East Pike Street

SF’S THE FEROCIOUS FEW HEADLINING THE RUMBLE TOUR IN MAY IN SUPPORT OF JUICES

The first week of May is upon us and THE RUMBLE is back with week of shows guaranteed to stretch Cinco de Mayo throughout the entire week. As usual the party’s always free!

THE FEROCIOUS FEW will be joining us this month on the entire THE RUMBLE WEST COAST TOUR in support of their staggering debut release Juices (Birdman). The brainchild of SF troubadour Francisco Fernandez and Daniel Aguilar, this blues rock duo are a return to the hallmarks of classic Americana, with visceral, raw lyrics accompanied by frenzied guitars and bashing drums. After a sweltering set in Austin at the Bay Area Takeover Party this March, THE FEROCIOUS FEW have been racking up the accolades, with the New York Times blog labeling the pair as one of their SXSW Standouts.

We’ve been lucky enough to see them live (back in November they tore up the small Blue Palms Stage at the Hollywood Brew Fest), so we can attest that their show is a serious force of zealous energy that is really indescribable. With Blurt Magazine calling Juices “the best debut album of 2010 only 4 months in,” this act is set for big things. The single “Porcelain Doll” is piece of riotous soul rock. While, THE FEROCIOUS FEW are known for their impromptu performances on the street corner of 16th and Mission, but if the buzz radiating off Juices is any indication they will soon be shucking the pavement for larger venues very soon; so the chance to see them in these intimate settings won’t last long.

Starting the week off in Washington on Monday May 3rd, THE RUMBLE SEATTLE kicks off the tour at Havana Social Club. Seattle collective THE HEAD AND THE HEART are set to open the night with their harmony laden indie folk. Call them the American version of Mumford & Sons (a bonafide staple at FS HQ). Their track, “Sounds Like Hallelujah” is an epic beautifully orchestrated ballad, heavy on the violins and Josiah Johnson’s soaring vocals.

Then Tuesday May 4th we’ll head down to our Portland home, Holocene, where two local acts will share the bill with THE FEROCIOUS FEW. First up is 1776, a quartet that look as if they were plucked off the cover of Rolling Stone in the 60’s with perfectly shaggy mops of hair and vintage to match. Recently signed to Beat The World Records (The Dandy Warhols label), 1776 are young (most of them underage) and earnest classic rockers in the vein of MC5.

Portland Mercury darlings, MONARQUES round out the night, as this seven piece are set to bring their sunny, 1950’s inspired indie pop. The creation of Oh Captain, My Captain's Josh Spacek, MONARQUES’ dreamy confections are reminiscent of early Morning Benders with the added bonus of female backing vocals.

Wednesday May 5th, Francisco and co will head down to their home turf for THE RUMBLE SF at Café du Nord for the Juices album release party and probably one of the best Cinco de Mayo celebrations going on in the city that night. Tequila plus Trumer Pils equals the ultimate party.

Joining us for dates in SF and LA, are MISSISSIPPI MAN, a band we’ve loved since they released The Snake Oil Salesman EP last spring. This LA based quintet are making legit folk pop, full of blues infused harmonies with David Knight and Luke Messimer’s vocals recalling an early Neil Young. Touted as one of the Best Bands of 2009 by our friends at The Deli LA, we couldn’t be more excited to have MISSISSIPPI MAN on the bill for these two nights.

Bay Area favorites, THE SERMON will also be on hand for the fiesta. Serious dark dirty garage with blistering guitars and tinges of 60’s soul, plus a healthy dose of The Stooges; it’s no wonder The Owl Mag have been loving THE SERMON. If their live show is anything like we’ve been hearing, their set is bound to be pretty amazing. As always, resident DJ BAGeL Ted will be spinning tunes all night. RSVP at Sonic Living.

Thursday May 6th The RUMBLE LA will head back home to 3 Clubs, where another local act and Aquarium Drunkard fav, DIRT DRESS will open the night. Classic garage rock at it’s best (loud and thunderous); this three piece earned a spot at Waved Out this past March with bloggers saying, “Dirt Dress shows us what punk rock might have been, almost was, and, apparently, still can be.” With buzz like this, you’ll have to come check out DIRT DRESS.

As usual we head down south for THE RUMBLE SAN DIEGO on Saturdays to our North Park dwelling, Bar Pink on May 8th with a killer line up of SD bands joining THE FEROCIOUS FEW. First up is our newest obsession, LITTLE DEADMAN, a local act signed to our friends over at Single Screen Records (Beaters, Heavy Hawaii). LITTLE DEADMAN evoke early Strokes with a hint of Yesayer. Just check out their track “Shooting Seagulls” and you’ll hear why we can’t get enough of them.

THE KABBS are dirty Southern tinged garage rock by way of North Park, with the help of Brian Clinebell’s vocals. A perfect melding of psychedelic and blues influences, “Golden and Blue” is a must listen. It’s no wonder local SD press, like CityBeat are calling their sound, “catchy garage-pop without the lo-fi hipster pretense.” Local DJ Cory Casey will be on the decks all night!

The parties are FREE and are brought to you in each city by the collective of Rumble partners that come together to support indie music. Stay tuned for information on The Rumble: Las Vegas, The Rumble: Austin and The Rumble: New York coming soon......

NOISE POP 2010 REVIEW: CAFE DU NORD SHOWCASE

Photo courtesy of Kimberly Chunn

This past Friday night the Noise Pop Festival presented an epic night of music befitting the musical roots of San Francisco. Featuring THE FEROCIOUS FEW, SONNY & THE SUNSETS, THE GROWLERS and THE MUMLERS - a virtual dream Future Sounds of Bay Area bands; this lineup took the packed crowd at Café Du Nord back some forty odd years to time that all that mattered was the music. The only indication of modern times was the faint glow of cell phone screen illuminating the dark walls of the club.

First up were The Ferocious Few, a two piece led by troubadour Francisco Fernandez. More accustomed to serenading passersby on the streets of SF; Fernandez looked right at home playing aggressive acoustic cuts off their soon to be released full-length, Juices (Birdman). Accompanied by Daniel Aguilar on drums, The Ferocious Few steadily kicked off the night with sincerity and heart. I first caught The Ferocious Few when they tore up the small stage in the Blue Palms room at the Hollywood Brew Fest back in November and was glad to see that they still played with such fervor.

Clad in Beach Boy’s esque Hawaiian shirts, Sonny & the Sunsets took the stage and captured the crowd their simple and sweet guitar plucked tunes. Led by Sonny Smith, this four piece was minus singer/guitarist Thalia Harbour, her absence forcing a more stripped down performance, but the nonetheless emotive and entertaining. Their 10 song set was packed with light jangley gems, including my current obsession, the heartfelt “Too Young to Burn.” Sonny and company are a welcome change from the lo-fi grunge pop filling the scene right now, as their songs packed the perfect amount of punch, yet still retained the genuine sweetness of 50’s/60’s pop.

The Growlers channeled their own Almost Famous, as their traveling entourage included 60’s styled groupies with floppy hats, thigh skimming dresses and face paint. Their alcohol induced bravado lent itself to a soaring jam session that looked as if it was ripped from the pages of Rolling Stone, when they used to write about music and be headquartered in San Francisco. Noticeably absent for the first song, lead singer Brooks Nielsen stumbled on stage, sorrowfully announcing, “I fucking passed out,” paving the way for a raucous set featuring soon to be classic tracks like “Barnacle Beat,” Soul of Coral” and “Something Someone Jr.” Nielsen’s vocals combined with bassist Scott Montoya’s skillful playing showcased The Growlers patented brand of psychedelic surf rock and most definitely added to this night of throwbacks. All fur hats, dancing band-aids (Penny Lane!) and impromptu make-out sessions on stage, this Long Beach staple by way of Costa Mesa made me proud to be from the OC.

Culminating this night of vintage influenced sounds, San Jose natives, The Mumlers brought down the house with a soul wrenching live performance that won’t soon be forgotten, Will Sprott’s vocals harkens back to era of bourbon soaked jazz and blues clubs, thus the vintage speakeasy vibe of Café Du Nord (also the new home of the SF Rumble) was very fitting. A beautiful collision of clarinets, keys and horns, The Mumlers delivered a mind blowing set full of cuts off albums Thickets & Stitches and Don't Throw Me Away. A sea of couples emphatically danced to “Shake That Medication,” which sounded even better live. Personal fav’s included “Coffin Factory” and “Raise the Blinds.” The Mumlers are the kind of band that always keep you wanting more, as their legitimate musicianship, soulful lyrics and tenderness recall a time when music was meant to make you feel. The Mumlers live performance is heartbreak hotel personified, and I mean heartbreak in the best way possible.

Posted by Veronica Pulcini

TONIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO: LILOFEE & FEROCIOUS FEW @ THE INDEPENDENT

Playing tonight for the HOLIDAY INDIE MART party at The Independent, two SF heavyweights team - LILOFEE and THE FEROCIOUS FEW w/DJs Sarahdactyl & Mother Barry. The event features a market place for local artists and designers to sell their goods and it's just in time for your holiday shopping needs. For more information, go here http://www.indie-mart.com/

the holiday indie mart.
saturday december 5th, 5-1opm
the independent
628 divisadero street @ grove
$2 donation

HOLLYWOOD BREWFEST THIS SATURDAY - UNLIMITED TASTINGS + LIVE MUSIC

This Saturday night in Hollywood, we're presenting a beer festival at the gorgeous MUSIC BOX @ FONDA where for the $45 ticket price, you can drink unlimited tastings of over 35 breweries while watching bands on two stages and dancing to DJ's on the rooftop.

You've been to some beer festivals, you know what I'm talking about, the kind where people have their hat backwards, in some field with white tents, and if they happen to have music playing, it isn't the kind you wanna hear. We're looking to flip that experience, deliver cool sounds that represent Los Angeles and beyond, while you taste amazing beers like MAGIC HAT or cask beers in the Blue Palms Brewhouse. Breaking it down over 8 hours, the unlimited beer tastings makes this a cheap night out drinking, with bands as a bonus.

Here's the line up on the musical front:

MAIN STAGE
GREAT NORTHERN 10:15 PM - 11:00 PM
DUM DUM GIRLS 9:00 PM - 9:45 PM
THE DEADLY SYNDROME 7:45 PM - 8:30 PM
NICO STAI 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM
CASTLEDOOR 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
THE TENDER BOX 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
THE DIAMOND LIGHT 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

BLUE PALMS STAGE
FEROCIOUS FEW 9:00 PM - 9:30 PM
BLACKMARKET 8:00 PM - 8:30 PM
SAMUEL STEWART 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM
THE FIRKINS 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM

ROOFTOP DJ's
TRAVIS of BUDDYHEAD - 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM
DJ VanVille - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
KEITH 2.0 (Club Moscow) - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
DJ S.I.S - 3:00 to 5:00 PM

To purchase tickets in advance, visit http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2670414.

For more information visit the Hollywood Brewfest web site at http://www.hollywoodbrewfest.com/.

NEW DATE - BANDS CONFIRMED FOR HOLLYWOOD BREWFEST - NOVEMBER 14

The first ever HOLLYWOOD BREWFEST @ The Music Box @ Fonda is now on November 14th. Prepare yourselves for an entire day of music, food and most importantly, BEER.

With over 35 breweries showing up we're going to put them everywhere, on the Fonda rooftop, in a beer garden outside, and on every level on the venue itself and in the Blue Palms Brewhouse.

The line up has been confirmed and GREAT NORTHERN are headlining, with DUM DUM GIRLS and THE DEADLY SYNDROME coming on before them, as well as NICO STAI, CASTLEDOOR, THE TENDER BOX, THE DIAMOND LIGHT, THE FEROCIOUS FEW, BLACKMARKET, SAM STEWART and a host of other great beer bands.

Watch this space or the HBF Twitter account for more information as it happens!

BUY TICKETS HERE

TONIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO: THE FINAL SHOW EVER FOR THE BLACKS

Sad times indeed. Our bi-coastal friends, THE BLACKS, have decided that they'll wrap up their illustrious career with a farewell show at Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco tonight. The Tambourine madness has stopped, and silence.....

We've had many previous live's with members of The Blacks dating back aways, and I'm sure members will continue to rock, because that's what they do. When they dropped their debut EP, Nom De Guerre, we loved it and added "Elegant Walk" to our Future Sounds 30 compilation. Now they leave us with a parting gift, Tiger Songs, which drops digitally on July 21st on Tricycle Records.

They decided to go out in style, adding THE FEROCIOUS FEW, a band with a recent record deal, and a band that has nothing but the heavens ahead of them, as well as THE RED VERSE, labelmates from Tricycle.

We'll miss you freaks.

SXSW 2009 RECAP

Peelander-Z @ Hot Freaks - Day 2 (Photo by Ryan Suffern)

How can you go to a place where you get a serious sun burn and come home with a cold? It's the non-stop nature of SXSW, the choose your own adventure aspect of it where everyone comes home burnt out with a farmer's tan and a dozen stories.

I was thinking about doing a day-by-day recap but it's now all blurring together like the steady stream of electro-indie bands coming out these days. Instead, here were some of the highlights.

BEST BAND THAT I SAW FOR THE FIRST TIME: SHILPA RAY & HER HAPPY HOOKERS

The lovely Shilpa Ray could be our generation's JANIS JOPLIN. Big words? Perhaps, but that raspy growl, that sweet inspiration, her contagious enthusiasm for music gives her a fighting chance. I compared her to ROSEMARY CLOONEY ("Come On-a My House") but let's be clear that Shilpa Ray is NO retro act. It's relevant, it's dark and dirty, and it's completely refreshing. I know, the photo is horrible, it's me after a couple of Jager shots with my Blackberry camera.

Photo by Ryan Suffern

BEST LIVE SET OF MUSIC: THE BROTHERS MOVEMENT@ SOHO LOUNGE

I caught them a couple of times in Austin, but Saturday night's show for the Irish Music showcase was special. From song one the boys punched us in the mouths until the final song, a real mother-fucker of a jam, closed out as loud as THE WHO. Here's what the IRISH TIMES had to say about it.

BEST PARTY: HOT FREAKS

Both days of HOT FREAKS at The Mohawk and Club De Ville were amazing. Think about it, THE DELTA SPIRIT, THE HOLD STEADY, CAMERA OBSCURA, SEBASTIEN GRAINGER, OBITS, THE WRENS, THE ROSEBUDS, PORT O'BRIEN, LEMONADE, SHILPA RAY, GIRLS, HARLEM, JEREMY JAY, and on and on and on, together with Torchie Tacos on the deck and you have some amazing music.

Here's what CHROMEWAVES had to say about it > http://www.chromewaves.net/2009/03/camera-obscura-the-grates-and-peelander-z-and-more-at-sxsw/

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

LOCH LOMOND's heavenly voices at the Brooklyn Vegan party on Wednesday night. FRANCIS & THE LIGHTS turns into PRINCE with a bit of JIM CARREY at the Levi's Fader Fort. THE ETTES drummer is a super star playing the Noise Pop/Take Root Records party, why aren't they a household name yet?? THE TEMPER TRAP displaying "Sweet Disposition" outside near The Continental Club, then stumbling into THE FEROCIOUS FEW playing on the sidewalk around the corner in front of the HOTEL SAN JOSE. EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS going late late night on Saturday at PureVolume.

Again, everyone's personal SXSW is their own adventure, but I'm always surprised people go all the way to Austin to see Metallica, or Echo & The Bunnymen, Kanye West or Ben Harper. Really? Don't they all come to your town over and over again? Haven't you seen them before? The festival was built on the idea of having a place where fans and industry could go to discover new artists, and it really has gotten away from that. Why do some bands get 3 official SXSW showcases, and others don't get in? Play all the parties you like, but allow for the little guy to get their shot more often. Something needs to give. You saw a lot less 'free' this year, as sponsors and everyone gets hit by the economy, but more parties than ever before. The unofficial party circuit keeps expanding so far east now that you are almost in Lubbock. I love SXSW, but by Saturday night when the bridge-and-tunnel crowd comes in and things become Mardi Gras on 6th Street, it's time to get out.

FUTURE SOUNDS BEST OF 2008 - THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN 2009

I actually have a really hard time with 'Best Of' lists each year because it's sometimes hard to put in perspective which bands, songs, albums, etc meant the most to you - which ones you played ALL the songs more than others with just one or two tracks - which ones marked a special moment that year or struck some personal connection. In a world where the iPod and iTunes has changed the way we encounter and devour music, so many have great individual songs, or just good songs, but it takes a real focused effort to turn out 10-13 cuts anymore that are comprehensive and interesting.

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2008

Benji Hughes – A Love Extreme – New West Records
Birds & Batteries – I’ll Never Sleep Again – Self-released
The Botticellis – Old Home Movies – Antenna Farm Records
Christopher Denny – Age Old Hunger – 2:59 Records
The Ettes – Look At Life Again Soon – Take Root Records
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes – Sub Pop
King Tuff – Was Dead – The Colonel Records
The Muslims (Aka The Soft Packs) – The Muslims – 1928 Recordings
The Weight – Are Men – The Colonel Records
White Denim – Explosion – Transmission


TOP TRACKS OF 2008

Adele – Hometown Glory
Alberta Cross – Old Man Chicago
Belaire – You Really Got Me Going
Benji Hughes – The Mummy
Benji Hughes – Tight Tee Shirt
Bon Iver – Skinny Love
Born Ruffians – Hummingbird
The Cave Singers – Seeds Of Night
Christopher Denny - Time
The Dodos – Fools
The Felice Brothers – Frankie’s Gun
Fleet Foxes – Oliver James
Girls – Lust For Life
Glasvegas – Geraldine
Graveyard – Lost In Confusion
The Heavy – Colleen
Hockey – Too Fake
Human Highway – The Sound
I Blame Coco – I Blame Coco
Ida Maria – Oh My God
Jamie Lidell – Figured Me Out
The Kills – Cheap & Cheerful
Little Comets – Joanna
Loch Lomond – Carl Sagan
M.I.A. – Paper Planes
Magic Wands – Black Magic
Meaghan Smith – I Know
MGMT – Time To Pretend
Mystery Jets – Two Doors Down
Passion Pit – Sleepyhead
Port O’Brien – I Woke Up Today
Radiohead – House Of Cards
Santogold – Lights Out
Stricken City – Tak o Tak
{{{Sunset}}} – Diamond Studded Caskets
The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition
Tenlons Fort – Forever Is A Long Time
Vertigo Smyth – Comfort Me
Violens – Violent Sensation Descends
Wisely – Through Any Window
The Yelling – Blood On The Steps


10 ARTISTS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2009

AVI BUFFALO

THE BROTHERS MOVEMENT

THE BUILDERS & THE BUTCHERS

DJANGO JAMES & THE MIDNIGHT SQUIRES

THE FEROCIOUS FEW

FITZ

HOCKEY

LILOFEE

VIOLENS

WET PAINT

THE YELLING

TONIGHT IN LOS ANGELES: THE RUMBLE LA @ 3 OF CLUBS

After the ASCAP party, stay close in Hollywood and into a real drinking joint, the 3 Of Clubs for THE RUMBLE: LOS ANGELES. Oasis, smoasis, come on, if you haven't already seen them act relevant at least once over the years, give some new guys a chance. The report from last night's RUMBLE SF was that THE FEROCIOUS FEW murdered their set, one of the best performances at a Rumble SF to date. On at 10pm is THE GROWLERS, a band I'm anxiously awaiting because I've heard so much about their live set and have yet to see it for myself. MiCHAEL do what they do, hold it down and get people moving on the decks. Free if you RSVP, $5 if not.

Here's a picture of the FF at last night's Rumble SF, courtesy of Julie.

TONIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO: THE RUMBLE @ HARLOT

THE FEROCIOUS FEW are going to beat your asses tonight with a live set of music up in SF at THE RUMBLE: SAN FRANCISCO @ Harlot. Golden Gram of ROGUE WAVE will be our guest DJ, mixing it up with BAGeL Ted. Drinks specials, Vestalife giveaways, dancing......

FREE if you RSVP > http://sonicliving.com/theowlmag/therumble
$5 if not

THE RUMBLE: LOS ANGELES LINE UP ANNOUNCED FOR DECEMBER

December's THE RUMBLE: LOS ANGELES is coming up on Thursday of this week and we're pushing the start time back a bit due to some holiday parties. FUTURE SOUNDS and THE OWL are both thrilled to have just added THE GROWLERS, the closest thing to THE DOORS LA has put forth in some time. Playing back-to-back Rumble parties (SF & LA) will be THE FEROCIOUS FEW from San Francisco. As always, our resident DJ's, MiCHAEL, are on the decks and will be celebrating the USC victory over Notre Dame.

Free if you RSVP with our partners at Sonicliving HERE
If not, it's $5, so don't ask me for a guest list spot as the free option is yours.

Here's a preview of The Growlers live...

THE RUMBLE: SAN FRANCISCO LINE UP ANNOUNCED FOR DECEMBER

Looks like another excellent night of indie rock at THE RUMBLE: SAN FRANCISCO next Wednesday as we've confirmed a live performance by THE FEROCIOUS FEW. On the turntables will be resident DJ, BAGEL TED (BAGEL RADIO) and a guest DJ spot from GOLDEN GRAM of ROGUE WAVE. We have our usual free drinks for the first hour and giveaways, and it's only $5 at the door or FREE if you can RSVP here > http://sonicliving.com/theowlmag/therumble

NEW SOUNDS: THE FEROCIOUS FEW

Last week at The Rumble: SF @ Harlot, I was at the DJ booth with Mario Muse (who was killing it on the decks) and there was this kid there that started up a conversation with me. I was immediately struck by the amount of smack that he was talking for someone his age, and how full he was of himself. It was almost like Spencer on 'The Hills', someone you are in shear awe of because of how bold they are without fear, and something you can't stop watching or listening to because of that very fact. He mentioned he had a band, mentioned they were the greatest band in the world, and then told me they sounded like what MOTORHEAD would sound like it they stabbed BOB DYLAN in the throat. After hearing more and more about how they play guerrilla shows all over San Francisco, how the cops bust them on the sidewalks, and again, how legendary he was going to be, I simply HAD to have the music. After we landed back in LA and were cruising home from the airport, the whole FS team had also had run in's with this very same person that night, and upon hearing I had a copy of the CD, we all had to play it. The sound of his voice was honestly the very last sound I would have expected from that kid, who seemed almost hipster, but sounds more like something on Fat Possom Records. It's bluesy and raw and nasty and delightful, so he did in fact walk the walk after talking the talk. The band is called THE FEROCIOUS FEW and it's a two-piece, and I think we will be hearing more from them soon enough.