The First Annual Coney Island Beach Tournament was such a blast. Perfect weather, good games, good people, and even good pizza. And my team got to the finals. Can’t wait for next year’s.
Some pictures I took.
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin | Chin Up Chin Up
I was eager to catch Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin as I missed them when they opened up for Birdmonster last year. These young lads from Missouri came out with a well crafted album, Broom that is very catchy and good to sing along to. They started off the set with Oregon Girl which I think is the best tune and got the crowd, majority of which where young girls, into the mood. I enjoyed them but midway through I got bored and sleepy until the 2 guitarists collided when they tried to jump over each other. It was quite funny and surprised they kept playing as they hit the stage hard. Their next and last song was a let down when the lead singer’s guitar decided to expire during the song. Overall a dissapointing set with a few good (and funny) moments.
Up next was Chicago’s Chin Up Chin Up and was excited to see them again. Their 2005 CMJ performance was one of the more memorable shows. The Chicago sound has basically sucked in the late 90’s but these guys have been doing some really interesting things and continue to push the sound with their new album This Harness Can’t Ride Anything. This album comes after the tragic death of their bassist Chris Saathof by a drunk driver outside the Empty Bottle. Their live set and new tunes were energetic and fun. Although not a super show, it was great to see these guys continuing their sonic journey.
Pictures from the show.
Links:
Cat Power @ Moma
This night even started out bad by waiting in line for about an hour in the rain and cold just to get into Moma’s sleepwalkers event. Having a show at a museum with no stage is a bad idea. No one could hear the opening reading but then these 2 performers/artists came out yelping out auction bidding in a frantic and unstopping pace. It was surreal having that occur in a museum and thought it was thought provoking.
Despite being a few rows back from her and next to the speaker, Cat Power’s performance was muffled by all the chatter going on inside. It was one the worst audiences I’ve ever experienced. She seemed very happy taking the stage but she left after a few songs, no doubt because no one could hear her. At least the lights hanging from the ceiling provided an interesting backdrop for her.
SupaComp will rock you
SupaComp 2006 is finally done. Another jam packed disk full of the past year’s highlights. Lots of great music came out in 2006 which made editing really tough. Although musically diverse, there is a consistent
theme throughout the comp. Here’s some other interesting data points.
The first time John Vanderslice has not made a comp.
Repeat bands that have been on previous comps: 30
1 musician appears 3 times
Bands from New York: 20
Female bands: 23
3-piece bands: 7
Mmmmmmmm
Apple reinvents the phone.
Silversun Pickups (and Gordon) in Spin
Gordon in the January 2007 issue of Spin Magazine! Taken during CMJ at the Silversun Pickups show at Piano’s.