I’ve included the video for “Rock the Casbah” just for the simple fact that it was filmed here in Austin. If I’m not mistaken the pool scene took place in what is now the Radisson pool by Town Lake/Lady Bird Johnson Lake.

As we all patiently await the release of The Black Angels highly anticipated 3rd full length recording Phosphene Dream, the band prepares to unleash some of the newly recorded material for a national television audience on Wednesday night. Tune to the Letterman show Wednesday to see Austin’s finest in psych light up the night. Maybe “Telephone”, or “Bad Vibrations”, or will they throw us a curve ball? Turn on, tune in, and drop out.

Jawbox is one of those bands that I have always been clearly aware of their existence and the fondness that many of my friends harbored for this D.C. post punk band that found the heart of it’s success in the early 90′s. The D.C. scene a proud breeding ground for many a D.I.Y. band in the 80′s and 90′s. A proud label for many fans that led to the unfortunate backlash when Jawbox left the indie label Dischord for the major Atlantic to record the 1994 release For Your Own Special Sweetheart. Now that we’ve all grown up a bit, and sold a bit of our souls to some corporate entity, the band re-releases it’s heartbeat album For Your Own Special Sweetheart on DeSoto records in the fall of 2009. It’s remastered and sounding as sweet as ever.

You can purchase the remastered release @ DeSoto or @ iTunes

MP3> Jawbox ‘Savory’

The only live performance in celebration of this release will be on the Jimmy Fallon show, Tuesday Dec 8th. Set your DVR, TiVo, whatever, or just tune in like we used to do in the old days.

Via Wiki:

The Mighty Boosh is a British comedy troupe featuring comedians Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. Developed from three stage shows and a six episode radio series, it has since spawned a total of twenty television episodes for BBC Three and two live tours of the UK, as well as two live shows in the United States.

I first came across an episode of The Mighty Boosh late one night while tirelessly searching for something of any interest on television. I didn’t have any idea what I was watching, it just seemed curiously interesting, pretty funny, but really off the wall. The name seemed to stick in my head, as I found myself adding every episode that I could find on Netflix to my queue. What I discovered was one of the most hilarious and outrageous comedies that I have come across in awhile, and to top it off, it’s revolves around music.

The two main characters are Vince Noir (Julian Barratt) and Howard Moon (Noel Fielding). Noir is the skinny pants wearing (drainpipes) euro hipster obsessed with his hair and all music electronic. A big fan of Gary Numan, and once claims to have been living in the forest with Bryan Ferry. Moon on the other hand is the more traditional music fan, lover of Jazz, particularly scat, and has dreadful fashion sense. Throw in a drug dealing shaman, a gorilla,  and a myriad of colorful characters, many of whom are played by Barratt and Fielding, guest appearances by the likes of Gary Numan, Razorlight, Roger Daltrey, and you have The Mighty Boosh. It’s borderline genius at times and mostly completely insane and ridiculous. And I love it.

Videos

I recommend starting with the first season and watching each season in order, as there is some character development and introduction, and each season takes place in a different location. First season takes place in a zoo, second in an upstairs flat, and third in a thrift shop owned by the drug dealing shaman Naboo the Enigma.

Post-punk icons, Sonic Youth are still at and haven’t slowed down much since they first hit the scene, quite a few years ago. The band has a new record coming out June 9th, on a new label for them, Matador Records, titled Eternal. What’s gonna be different with the new recording, other than the label? Hopefully not too much, as Sonic Youth are perfectly fine doing what they have been doing for years. Making glorious sonic noise, and doing better than many others that have tried to follow in their footsteps.

Download the first available track and check out two video clips from Later With Jools Holland for 3 songs off of the upcoming release. “What We Know”, “Sacred Trickster”, and “Antenna”.

The band is playing this years ACL Festival, much to my delight, and the tickets are going fast if you haven’t heard. More tour dates after the jump.

MP3> Sonic Youth ‘Sacred Trickster’

Sonic Youth Tour Dates

Sat-Jun-27 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
Sun-Jun-28 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
Mon-Jun-29 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre
Tue-Jun-30 Toronto, ONT Massey Hall
Thu-Jul-02 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
Fri-Jul-03 New York, NY United Palace
Mon-Jul-06 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Tue-Jul-07 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Wed-Jul-08 Richmond, VA The National
Fri-Jul-10 Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre
Sat-Jul-11 Nashville, TN War Memorial
Sun-Jul-12 Birmingham, AL Sloss Furnace
Mon-Jul-13 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
Wed-Jul-15 Dallas, TX House of Blues
Thu-Jul-16 Tulsa, OK Cain’s Ballroom
Fri-Jul-17 St. Louis, MO Live on the Levee (FREE)
Sat-Jul-18 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theatre
Mon-Jul-20 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall
Tue-Jul-21 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Thu-Jul-23 Boise, ID Knitting Factory
Sat-Jul-25 Seattle, WA Capitol Hill Block Party
Tue-Jul-28 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre
Thu-Jul-30 Salt Lake City, UT Twilight Concert Series (FREE)
Fri-Jul-31 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
Sun-Aug-02 Oakland, CA Fox Theatre
Sun-Oct-04 Austin, TX Austin City Limits

Entrance Supports 6/27, 6/29-7/3, 7/7-7/13
White/Light Support 6/28
Endless Boogie Support 7/6
Awesome Color Support 7/15-7/24, 7/28-8/2

Tour dates after the video.

THE DECEMBERISTS ON TOUR
May 19 – Hollywood Palladium – Los Angeles, CA
May 20 – Fox Theatre – Oakland, CA
May 21 – McDonald Theater – Eugene, OR
May 24 – Wilma Theatre – Missoula, MT
May 26 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
May 27 – Uptown Theater – Kansas City, MO
May 29 – Riverside Theater – Milwaukee, WI
May 31 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO
June 1 – Lifestyle Communities Pavilion – Columbus, OH
June 3 – Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
June 4 – Memorial Auditorium – Raleigh, NC
June 5 – The National – Richmond, VA
June 6 – Tower Theatre – Upper Darby, PA
June 9 – Bank of America Pavillion – Boston, MA
June 10 – Radio City Music Hall – New York, NY
June 11-14 – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival – Manchester, TN
July 18 – Edgefield – Troutdale, OR w/ Andrew Bird
July 19 – Edgefield – Troutdale, OR w/ Andrew Bird

Dead Confederate make their television debut on Conan tonight. Tune in or set your Tivo to see this band that is making music that brings back the rock. I’ll post video as soon as it comes available, you can bet your britches.

Check your local listings for times and channels. For those in Austin with Time Warner Cable…you are shit out of luck.

Watch:

Listen:

MP3> Fleet Foxes ‘White Winter Hymnal’

UPDATE: Looks like the video has been removed. Sorry. Or maybe not?

MP3> Grizzly Bear on Letterman ‘Two Weeks’

• Jun 25, 2008 – Calgary, AB – Central United Church for the Sled Island Festival
• Jul 31, 2008 - Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge*
• Aug 01, 2008 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
• Aug 02, 2008 – Louisville, KY – 930 Listening Room*
• Aug 03, 2008 – Noblesville, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center w/ Radiohead
• Aug 04, 2008 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center w/ Radiohead
• Aug 06, 2008 – Montréal, QC – Parc Jean Drapeau w/ Radiohead
• Aug 07, 2008 – Northampton, MA – Calvin Theater w/ The New Pornographers
• Aug 08, 2008 – Jersey City, NJ – All Points West Music & Arts Festival
• Aug 11, 2008 – Washington, DC – Sixth & I Historic Synagogue*
• Aug 12, 2008 – Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center w/ Radiohead
• Aug 13, 2008 – Mansfield, MA – Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts w/ Radiohead
• Aug 14 – Boston, MA – Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
• Aug 15 – Toronto, ON -Molson Amphitheatre

It’s hard to believe that The Vines’ single “Get Free” (come on you know you thought it was catchy) was released in 2002, which lead to this now infamous Letterman performance/breakdown. Apparently they’re on album number 4 already, which drops July 22nd. The band has put the entire album, entitled Melodia, up for early previewing on their myspace. It’s nothing of a stretch for the band musically, but there are a few stand out tracks on the album and one possible iPod commercial (“He’s a Rocker”).

Stream: www.myspace.com/thevines

MP3> The Vines ‘He’s A Rocker’

Conan introduces fan to the band:

The band rocks:

credit: Daniel Sprague

Colour Revolt make their television debut tonight on Fuel TV’s “Daily Habit” show. The band will be performing “Naked and Red” and “Ageless Everytime” from their recent release Plunder Beg and Curse. The show airs 9p.m ET.

The band also continues to expand their tour with several festival dates added, including Bonnaroo, The Download Festival, Monolith, and Austin City Limits. I highly recommend taking in the live show if presented the opportunity.

MP3> Colour Revolt ‘Ageless Everytime’

Colour Revolt Tour

Jun 10 2008 Jack Rabbit’s @ Jacksonville, Florida
Jun 11 2008 40 Watt @ Athens, Georgia
Jun 12 2008 Vinyl @ Atlanta, Georgia
Jun 13 2008 Bonnaroo @ Manchester, Tennessee
Jul 14 2008 Hummingbird @ Macon, Georgia
Jul 15 2008 Music Farm @ Charleston, South Carolina
Jul 16 2008 New Brookland Tavern @ Columbia, South Carolina
Jul 17 2008 Milestone Club @ Charlotte, North Carolina
Jul 18 2008 Grimey’s (In-store)@ Nashville, Tennessee
Jul 18 2008 The End (w/ Javelins) @ Nashville, Tennessee
Jul 23 2008 House Cafe (w/ Javelins) @ DeKalb, Illinois
Jul 24 2008 The High Dive (w/ Javelins) @ Champaign, Illinois
Jul 25 2008 Mac’s Bar (w/ Javelins)@ Lansing, Michigan
Jul 26 2008 The Lounge @ London, Ontario
Jul 29 2008 Sala Rossa @ Montreal, Quebec
Aug 2 2008 Download Festival @ Susquehanna Bank Center-Camden, NJ
Sep 13 2008 Monolith Festival @ Red Rocks – Morrison, Colorado
Sep 28 2008 Austin City Limits Festival @ Austin, Texas

We like these guys

photo : valerie@fremin.net

My Morning Jacket have announced plans to appear on the May 10th taping of Saturday Night Live. You can expect the band to preview tracks from the upcoming release Evil Urges due out on June 10th. I’ve been told that the upcoming release is quite a bit different than previous, from those who have heard the recording. More beat driven and not so much anchored in the guitar riffs.

The band has also announced a string of European tour dates, with some U.S. Festival dates already announced.

April 27: Indio, Calif. (Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival)
June 12-15: Manchester, Tenn. (Bonnaroo Festival)

June 16: Toronto (Kool Haus)
June 17: Montreal (Le National)
June 20: New York (Radio City Music Hall)
June 25: Sheffield, England (Leadmill)
June 26: Bristol, England (Academy)
June 27: Manchester, England (Academy)
June 29: Glastonbury, England (Glastonbury Festival)
July 1: Hamburg (Gruenspan)
July 2: Koln, Germany (Gebaude)
July 4: Werchter, Belgium (Werchter Festival)
July 6: Kent, England (the Hop Farm)
July 8: Amsterdam (Melkweg)
July 9: Paris (La Trabendo)
July 11: Nottingham, England (Rescue Rooms)
July 13: Glasgow (T in the Park Festival)
July 15: London (the Forum)
July 19: Benicassim, Spain (Benicassim Festival)
July 26: Whistler, B.C. (Pemberton Festival)
Aug. 16: Louisville (Waterfront Park)

CURRENT PARTNERS WITH PORTISHEAD FOR
EXCLUSIVE BROADCAST PERFORMANCE ON APRIL 11

“Portishead In Portishead” Performance Advances Current’s Mission Of Collaborating With Influential Artists To Provide Unique Original Music Content

Following the recent success of Current’s partnership with Radiohead, the network has teamed up with another innovative U.K. act, Portishead, to produce two specials featuring the band. Beginning on April 8, 2008, Current will premiere a rare, un-hosted, never-before-seen interview with Portishead on Current.com at midnight EST/ 9pm PST. Then on April 11, 2008 Current will air a pre-taped performance of the band titled “Portishead In Portishead” at 10pm EST/ 7pm PST.

“Current is the perfect fit for what we are into,” said Portishead. “We love spreading the word without depending on the corporate machine. Portishead is a fan of Current’s innovative vision and style, which is why we are going with the network for this special performance.”

Current’s exclusive “Portishead In Portishead” broadcast will feature the band performing eight tracks from its long-awaited album, “Third.” Current is scheduled to air the 40-minute, commercial-free special in the US and UK eleven hours after its initial webcast on Portishead’s official website on April 11. The network will continue to air the performance until the US release (Mercury) of “Third’” on April 29. The album will hit stores the day before in the U.K. on Island Records. Additional details and viewing are available at: www.current.com/portishead <http://www.current.com/portishead> .

Webcast/Broadcast Times:
Current TV* (see below for distribution channels):

• April 11, 2008 at 10pm EST / 7pm PST and 1am EST / 10pm PST
• April 12, 2008 at 11am EST / 8am PST and 3am EST / 12am PST
• April 13, 2008 at 3pm EST / 12pm PST and 11pm EST / 8pm PST
• April 14, 2008 at 8pm EST / 5pm PST
• April 15, 2008 at 3am EST / 12am PST
• April 16, 2008 at 6pm EST / 3pm PST
• April 17, 2008 at 12pm EST / 9am PST
• April 18, 2008 at 12am EST / 9pm PST

Current.com/Portishead:

• April 8, 2008 at midnight EST/ 9am PST (band interview)
• April 11, 2008 at 10pm EST / 7pm PST (band performance)

“Current is thrilled to serve as Portishead’s premier broadcast partner for this special performance,” said David Neuman, President of Programming for Current. “This partnership reinforces Current’s mission to spotlight extraordinary artists and their music.”

As the destination for anything and everything music-related, Current TV provides a variety of original and innovative music programming that utilizes everything from in-depth artist interviews, music blogs, and cell phone camera images and videos to audience-generated concert films, music festival coverage and more to gives its viewers the chance to hear the latest music news, catch up with established artists and discover emerging ones from around the world. Viewers have the choice of tuning into any of the following music programs on Current: “Fix Extended Play,” “Current Fix,” “The Daily Fix,” “All Eyes,”
“Current Playlist,” and “Current Events.”

About Current
Launched August 1, 2005, Current, the world’s peer-to-peer news and information network, recently honored with an Emmy® Award for its interactive television service, is the first fully integrated 27/7 online and television network that helps users determine the news and information that is relevant to them. Current connects young adults with what’s going on in their world through its unique blend of citizen journalism and viewer participation, offering programming and content that’s authentic, often surprising and consistently compelling. Current pioneered the television industry’s leading model of interactive viewer created content (VC2) that comprises roughly one-third of Current’s on-air broadcast. The network has also advanced advertising models via Viewer Created Ad Messages (VCAMS).

Current is now seen in the U.S. and U.K. in more than 51 million households through distribution partners Comcast (Channel 107 nationwide), Time Warner (nationwide), DirecTV (channel 366 nationwide), Dish Network (channel 196 nationwide), BSkyB (channel 193) and Virgin Media Cable (channel 155). For more information, please visit the website: www.current.com <http://www.current.com/> .

photo : valerie@fremin.net

The live concert series Beautiful Noise, which takes place in Toronto, Canada will be hosting Austin’s own The Black Angels for one of many tapings taking place at Berkeley Church from March 31st to April 7th. The tapings are going to be aired on Rave HD (USA) and Sun TV (Canada) and will feature performances by My Morning Jacket, The Donnas, Islands, Stars, Yo La Tengo, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and many more. The Black Angels have the newest recorded material set for release sometime in May, titled Directions to See A Ghost. Chances are they will be previewing material from this recording on the show.

For those in the Toronto area, tickets are not available to these shows, but you may RSVP in hopes of being selected to attend. You can find all of the important information to do so as well as the taping schedule here: Beautiful Noise Concert Series

Check out Rave TV.

For a pre-release download of Directions to See A Ghost visit: The Black Angels Pre-release. Get the album one month before it officially drops.

From the upcoming release Directions to See A Ghost

MP3> The Black Angels ‘You On The Run’

Via Chicago, Wilco makes it’s debut on this weeks Saturday Night Live. Arguably one of the greatest bands of my generation, and in the history of rock-n-roll. That’s my opinion of course, and I’m sure that a few of my associates might beg to differ, but then again, I’ve watch them develop since the very beginning, since the days that they graced the stage of Liberty Lunch. Oh how I miss thee Liberty Lunch.

Wilco on

Airing live March 1st @ 11 p.m. ET

MP3> Wilco ‘How to Fight The Loneliness’

This is not the first time I’ve seen the boys on scooters. They must be in some sort of scooter gang.

MP3> The Blakes ‘Don’t Bother Me’

The highly anticipated, and frequently jammed by me, self titled release from Chambersburg, PA’s, The Shackeltons, hits legal today! Seems like we’ve been waiting for an eternity for this one, and I say we because whether you know it or not, you have been waiting.

SEATTLE, WA – The highly anticipated selt-titled release, The Shackeltons, hit record stores nationwide today. The post-punk/indie quintet from Chambersburg, PA has received more than a little attention about this album. After being called “the best debut you’re likely to hear this year” by Aversion.com and “freakish and thrilling” by Rolling Stone, other sources began to take notice.

In the February issue of Spin Magazine, author Josh Modell writes: “A half-dozen times on their debut, the Shackeltons sound completely convincing, and that’s about six more times than most bands ever manage,” giving them a 4/5 star rating.

After a few weeks at radio, The Shackeltons reached #25 (and still climbing) on the CMJ Top 200 charts. With many stations nationwide adding this album, songs from The Shackeltons can be heard nationwide.

Label partner John Richards, who also hosts the morning show on KEXP, said “The Shackeltons debut reminds me of the first time I heard The Pixies. Its raw energy and pure independence from anything else going on music wise today. It makes you have to pay attention. Live, there is no one more exciting than this band. Period. This is why you start a record label!”

The Shackeltons was co-produced by Sam Jones, who is responsible for the Wilco documentary I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, and Tom Biller, who has worked with artists such as The Silversun Pickups, Kanye West, and Fiona Apple.

Even better though, the band will be here for SXSW 2008, which is quickly approaching, and you might catch them at a little party that myself and a few other folks are putting together. I promise I’ll have details soon.

MP3> Tremble

Something else of interest to some today is the Current TV premiere of “All Eyes On My Morning Jacket”.  Once again, let me enlighten you as to what this premiere is about.

Tune in to Current TV to catch a glimpse of “My Morning Jacket’s” special performance with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra at last year’s Lollapalooza through the eyes of their fans during a one-of-a-kind “All Eyes On.”  Current’sdcollaborative program enlisted the help of the band and their fans to shoot footage of “My Morning Jacket’s” festival performance usng video cameras, digital cameras and cell phones.
Tonight, January 29, 2008 premiering on “All Eyes On” at 10 p.m. PST / EST

That’s 9 p.m. here in Austin on Time Warner Cable channel 341.

photo : michael maly

The long awaited and anticipated studio recorded follow-up to Z, not only has a release date, but a working title. Evil Urges hits the streets legal June 10th on ATO Records, and I for one, have been waiting for this for a long, long, long time. Will the MMJ thrill ride continue? Catch the band on a smattering of dates that includes a stop here for SXSW 2008, where they will be sharing the Austin Music Hall stage with Yo La Tengo and The Whigs.

Current TV will also be bringing you some live MMJ footage that was shot @ last year’s Lollapalooza, where the band played with the Chicago Youth Symphony for their set. The Current TV performance will be part of the “All Eyes On” series.

“All Eyes On” is Current TV’s creative collaboration with artists, bands and fans that utilizes raw footage from cell phones and digital cameras to capture a shared, musical moment in time. The series premiered last year with “All Eyes On The Shins,” which used every video submitted by hundreds of fans to generate the first-ever audience-created concert film of its kind.

When:    Tuesday, January 29, 2008 premiering on “All Eyes On” at
10 p.m. PST / EST

MP3> I Will Sing You Songs (Live)

MMJ on the road

03-10 Houston, TX – Verizon Wireless Theatre *
03-13 Austin, TX – Austin Music Hall (SXSW) *
03-15 Austin, TX – St. David’s Church (Jim James solo) (SXSW)
04-27 Indio, CA – Coachella
06-20 New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall (“An Evening With My Morning Jacket”)

* with Yo La Tengo