Yeasayer @ Club Congress 4/14/10

First off, let me say how impressive Club Congress is in that they showcase the most random acts to this town. They might not always have their proverbial 'shit' together, but whoever does their booking is doing a superb job so hats off to them. This was a 21+ show, which for my younger friends I feel for you. I know what it feels like to not be admitted to a show you are dying to see merely because you are not a certain age. With that said, shows at Congress are much smoother and enjoyable when it is not all ages. Entry is smoother, there is no fish net to see through and the back patio is always open. Plus the staff is not nearly on edge as much worrying about underage drinking happening.

Warpaint opened. From what I heard off the internet, they seemed to be a good sounding but relatively quiet kind of band. Decent pop. I can't comment at all about their performance due to the fact that I did not walk in until Yeasayer was finishing their sound check. But the consensus I gathered was nothing but positive, so there you go. To make it up to you, warpaint, I'll be sure to see you at Bonaroo.

Yeasayer, as you can see from the above picture, had an array of strange lights. If you have heard them, one can deduct that as to be expected. They has screens behind them that flashed a crazy array of colors constantly changing to the beat of the music. Their set consisted of a decent mix of their first album to their new record, which kept the sold out crowd more than happy throughout the night. The crowd was squashed, people were bitching about the huimidity, and no one seemed to be in the spot they wanted. Once the music finally started, the band kept us waiting a good fifteen minutes after the sound check, all problems fell away. The audience embraced their misery for sake of seeing this energetic band perform their plethora of obscure dance-themed songs. It can be safely said that after the first few songs were played, there was not a steady soul in the venue. The staff commented that they could not recall the last time their venue was ever sold out. Sweaty, spiritual, crazy, bright, crowded, and thus fun. It was an experience to say the least and this is a band to watch for sure.

If you do not believe me by this point, how good this band is. Watch these, or if you do know just watch them cause they...are well words can not really describe.

#87.1 - YEASAYER - No need to worry / Redcave
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#87.2 - YEASAYER - 2080
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Spring has SPRUNG

I have not been more excited for summer since I was in high school. So many great spring releases are almost upon us. You might be thinking, "But, dear sir, there are so many! Which should I be shitting my pants in excitement over?" Put yourself at ease, my treasured reader. Too - sawn is here to help. To Sift through the shit, which I know more than most is quite challenging to do, I'll put forth a calendar of upcoming releases to watch out for. I'll even put the dates next to it so you know when to save your money for them. To make you wet your pants even more, I'll put some album trailer videos I have managed to come across.

April 13th MGMT "Congratulations"

April 20th The Apples in Stereo "Travelers of Space and Time"

May 4th The New Pornographers "Together"

Broken Social Scene "Forgiveness Rock Record"

Minus The Bear "Omni"

May 11th THE DEAD WEATHER "SEA OF COWARDS"

May 18th LCD Soundsystem "This is Happening"

RX Bandits//The Builders and The Butchers @ Club Congress 3/10/10

Allow me to start this off by saying that Club Congress is an absolute beauty of a venue. It has to be the epitome of any band's wet dream of a venue. The stage is facing the bar, which is only fifty feet or so away. The stage is backed with red velvet curtains and lined with bars of light that illuminate iron-work designs that beckon to the era of the 1920's. With that said, this place is run sloppy. Instead of using the Denton-area common 'wristband' system, they set up a fish net around the bar with a bouncer and a piece of paper that put it simply: "21 & up only." Of course, if you have a drink in your hand you can't go in the 'minor' area, which is the only way to get close to the stage. I eventually became accustomed to it, but I still did not like viewing the show through a net. I won't get on rant about what bullshit it is that you can't smoke inside ANY bar in the Tucson area, but I will complain about the fact that the doors to their patio were locked up for the night.

I did not make it time for Zechs Marquise. Even though, I was excited to hear what they were about; Mostly due to the fact that the band name comes from one of my favorite Japanese cartoons of all time, Gundam Wing.

But I did make it in just as TBATB were setting up. I was not at all surprised to find out that most people I spoke with around me had no idea who this band was. With only one record, the band did manage to turn some heads and win over the crowd. Two stand up drummers was a refreshing change of pace that excited the room. An acoustic folk band that can capture a room like what happened that night is something to take notice of for sure. "Vampire Lake" brought that house down more than anyone could have expected with only the exception of the group themselves. After Ray Rude and the gang made a venue full of fans that night, an encore was called out for. They took that call, having played their entire released catalog. With little debate they "played something new." that will hopefully be featured on a future EP/LP.

RX Bandits headlined. RX Bandits has a strong local following, to say the least. Women cried, stereotypical dude-bros tried to start a mosh pit, but we all danced. They played for over an hour, selecting tracks from every album. Including, "Falling Down the Mountain" from The Resignation record, "Apparition" from ....and the Battle Begun, and several others. The energy in the room was staggering to say the least, RX Bandits definitely comes across like a band to see live then tell your grandchildren about. The best part though? Knowing that their energy is pure, a group that plays purely for the entertainment of others as much as themselves. A group of music nerds that intricately compose beautiful rhythms that are expertly and talent-fully executed in a live setting without compromising on performance intensity. In the end, the crowd called for an encore. But it truly did seem as if they would start a riot on Congress if they did not get to hear more music. Faking reluctance, the Bandits teased the crowd for five minutes before wailing through a lengthier version of "Decrescendo." Ironically enough, that song closed the night and the crowd was spent.

Truly was a night at Club Congress to write home about, if you weren't there you should regret it.

NX35

NX35, the second annual music conferette in Denton has managed to pull off a truly impressive lineup this year. That is really saying a lot, especially since this is only the second year. Including RTB2, Telegraph Canyon, Spooky Folk, This Old House, Lonesome Heroes; Somehow The Flaming Lips agreed to play as well. But a set time, I'm sure, is still being worked out.

I believe that the fact that the Flaming Lips will be performing is a reason in and of itself for any music lover to make attendance to this self proclaimed 'conferette'. Conferette, the fact that it is not a real word tickles me and holds to the nature/style of this Denton musical gathering. The NX35 people have also ingeniously scheduled it right before SXSW so as not to compete with Texan Festival-goers. So with that, short of not having a penny to your name, there is no real excuse not to attend. Rest assured, I will be in the crowd, doing my best to acquire as much coverage as possible, and utilizing what little connections I wield to get on location pictures. Hell, if the journalism Gods smile upon me I may even grab an interview or two.

So far, only evening schedules have been posted which do not yet include my friends The Wellington Lights or my Heroes The Flaming Lips. Visit NX35.com for a full lineup list, tickets, and other wonderful information about this event.

P.S. I can't say I'm one of those penniless people. But I am all the way in Arizona and have yet to get paid from my new IT job. If anyone feels charitable enough to help me acquiring a weekend wristband, I will pay you back with interest. I am merely stressed that this thing will sell out before I have the funds to get a pass.

PP.S.

Black Angels is a modern Blues/Rock group that is rocking my world right now. I sincerely recommend that you watch this if you don't believe me when I say they will do the same to you.

1. She is strong but also a fool.

2. They either work or they are fired

3. Let us consider the origin and progression of engineering

4. Failure is due to either a lack of preparation or the inability to master the subject

5. Not only was he kind, he also knew when to help people in trouble.

1. Knowing you're Doing the right thing is the best solution

2.

3. The package arrived late because he didn't mail it soon enough

4. Sally's integrity was greater than her opponents

5. I read a book that said subsidies should be eliminated

70/100=15/22

New Rock Superband

Its late and I am tired. But before I let my consciousness fall into bliss, I feel obliged nay compelled to tell all about this band. Them Crooked Vultures is the name of the group. Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Probot) is on the drums, which, makes any band amazing just by itself. However, I do recognize that as a drummer I do have a bias. That is not all she wrote. The keys and bass in this band is played by none other than John Paul fucking Jones (Led Zeppelin). Vocals? Guitar? Josh Homme (Eagles of Death Metal, Queens of the Stone Age).

This band's style is exactly what you would think it would sound like just by reading that alone. Its like Led Zeppelin and Eagles of Death Metal had sex then produced a baby. Then that said love child grew up unaware of its parents but instead got drunk a lot from living in this sad world. That was until the day of destiny which it heard Dave Grohl on drums for the first time. That child returned from flesh to its rightful form of sound and infused itself with the drum/cymbal beats. That fusion can only be described visually as two exhales of smoke coming from opposite directions meeting. They are instantly lost in each other but seem like they should have been together all along.

Dave Grohl met Josh Homme when he accepted the offer to record drums for a Queens of the Stoneage album, "Songs for the Deaf" which released back in 2002. John Paul Jones recorded several instruments for the Foo Fighters 2 disc release, "In Your Honor" (a tribute album to his close friend, Kurt) back in 2005. Shortly after that album dropped Dave commented in an interview with Mojo Magazine, "The next project that I'm trying to initiate involves me on drums, Josh Homme on guitar, and John Paul Jones playing bass. That’s the next album. That wouldn’t suck." No members of the described project commented on his declaration. In fact, until Dave's birthday in early 2009, Josh Homme had not yet met John Paul Jones. At the event, which was held at a Medieval Times, Dave arranged for the two to sit next to each other*. The three soon sat down and scheduled to record from February through July of 2009. The album dropped last November and the band just finished the North American Leg of their international tour while being put on countless "top albums of 2009" lists.

It is my humble opinion that this band/project is one for the history books. They are a sick fusion of folk/rock/prog. I urge any rock...nay...music lover to buy this album immediately.

Now, now I go to sleep...