WE'VE MOVED!!!

We've moved to our new home at Babystew.com.

We'll continue to keep this blog for a while so that everyone can find their way. And, if for some reason we have problems with WordPress, we may end up just coming back.

But in the meantime, please be sure to update your bookmarks and RSS feeds!

New Wussy, "Gone Missing"!!!

Head over to Wussy's MySpace page to hear their brand new track, "Gone Missing".

The song is from the band's forthcoming 3rd LP, entitled Happiness Bleeds, which comes out in March on Cincinnati's Shake It Records.

And if you're in Ohio, be sure to catch one of the band's two CD release shows: the first is at the Northside Tavern in Cincinnati on Friday, March 13th; and the second is at Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland on Saturday, March 14th.

Any chance of a SXSW trip a few days later?

DC Show Update

As always, my picks in bold. Updates throughout the week, if any, in italics.

---

Sat., 3/7: Kimya Dawson (mainstage)

Thu., 3/19: Pree, Birdlips (backstage)

Sun., 3/29: Medications (ex-Faraquet, Beauty Pill), Edie Sedgwick, Played Tomorrow (backstage) (on sale now)

Sat., 4/11: Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos, Cloud Cult, Ice Palace (backstage)

Wed., 4/15: The Woggles, The Hall Monitors (backstage)

Sun., 4/19: Lucero, Titus Andronicus (mainstage)

Wed., 4/29:  Electric Six, Living Things (mainstage)

Tue., 5/5:  Junior Boys, Max Tundra (mainstage)

Tue., 5/12: The Damned, The Bellrays, Electric Frankenstein (mainstage)

Unless otherwise noted, Black Cat tickets go on sale on Friday (2/13) at 5pm Eastern via Ticketmaster.

---

Wed., 3/4: Lucinda Williams, Buick 6 (second night)
Mon., 3/9: Bettye LaVette
Sat., 3/14: Blowoff DJ set w/ Bob Mould & Richard Morel
Sun., 3/15: Estelle
Thu., 3/26: The Bad Plus

Sun., 3/29:  Gomez, Josh Ritter
Mon., 3/30: Brendon Small of Dethklok w/ School of Rock
Tue., 3/31: Balkan Beat Box

Sun., 4/5:  Chris Cornell (on sale 2/13 at 10am)
Tue., 4/14: Ladytron, The Faint
Fri., 4/17: Lily Allen, Natalie Portman's Shaved Head
Sun., 5/24: The National
Mon., 5/25: The National
Wed., 5/27: Opeth, Enslaved

Unless otherwise noted, 9:30 Club tickets go on sale Thursday (2/12) at 10am Eastern via Tickets.com

---

Thu., 3/12: Good Old War

Sat., 3/21: Telograph

Tue., 4/14: Misery Index, Landmine Marathon, Drugs of Faith

Thu., 4/16: The Life and Times, Deleted Scenes

Sun., 5/10: Mice Parade

Tue., 5/19: Her Space Holiday

Unless otherwise noted, Rock and Roll Hotel tickets go on sale Friday (2/13) at 10am Eastern via Ticket Alternative.

---

Sat., 2/28: Jukebox the Ghost (on sale Fri. 2/13 at noon)

Tue., 4/21: The Jet Age, Mittenfields, The Wax Standard, The Interiors

DC9 tickets are sold at the door and sometimes here.

---

TBD.

Unless otherwise noted, Velvet Lounge tickets are sold at the door only.

---

2/24:  Pomegranates, Tereu Tereu (TT just added)

Unless otherwise noted, Iota tickets are sold at the door only.

---

TBD.

State Theatre tickets are sold here.

---

TBD.

Red and the Black tickets are normally sold at the door only.

---

More National Tour Dates

So the National are playing a few other places other than DC at the end of May. As of right now they're doing about a week of dates on the East coast, but the lack of a NYC date (and some other rumblings that I've heard) makes me suspect that more dates will be forthcoming.

Does that mean the new album is done?

National Tour Dates
21 MAY: TORONTO - KOOL HAUS
22 MAY: MONTREAL - METROPOLIS
23 MAY: BOSTON - HOUSE OF BLUES
24 MAY: WASHINGTON DC - 9:30 CLUB
25 MAY: WASHINGTON DC - 9:30 CLUB
27 MAY: ATLANTA GA - VARIETY PLAYHOUSE
28 MAY: RALEIGH NC - LINCOLN THEATER
29 MAY: PHILADELPHIA PA - ELECTRIC FACTORY

New School of Seven Bells Video, "Half Asleep"

Fantastic song.

THE NATIONAL PLAYING 2 NIGHTS @ 9:30 CLUB!

So yeah, I just about went nuts from happiness when I noticed this...

The National
9:30 Club
2 nights! Sun., 5/24 and Mon. 5/25

On sale tomorrow at 10am.

I have no idea if I'll be living in DC at this point, but I'm buying tickets anyway. Probably for both nights. Cannot wait.

Adler's Appetite Coming to JAXX!

I can't tell you how upset I am that this show is the same night as both The Feelies and Clem Snide.

I sooooo want to go to this.


Adler's Appetite
JAXX
Sat., 3/14 @ 10:15pm

From the JAXX website:

ADLER'S APPETITE's current lineup is Sheldon Tarsha on vocals, Alex Grossi (HOOKERS 'N' BLOW, ex-QUIET RIOT) on guitar, Michael Thomas (FASTER PUSSYCAT) on guitar, and Chip Z'nuff (ENUFF Z'NUFF) on bass.

ADLER'S APPETITE, the band led by former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler, will embark on a full U.S. tour for the first time ever this winter/spring. The group will perform the iconic GN'R album "Appetite For Destruction" in its entirety along with other classics and some surprises.

And in case you'd forgotten:

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

Comet Gain Playing MHOW

Just noticed in this week's Bowery Presents email that Comet Gain is playing Music Hall of Williamsburg on April 12th. I haven't found any other dates yet, though hopefully they'll swing through DC. I just (finally) started getting into the band, and I'd love to see them live.

New Thermals, "Now We Can See" !!!!

The Thermals, "Now We Can See"

Now We Can See is out in April on Kill Rock Stars.

Thanks to Productshop (who apparently is back in business full time) for the head's up!

Catching Up With LiveDaily

So until I discovered the Little Ones' new in-studio set, I had completely forgotten that LiveDaily existed. That's too bad, because they've been hosting a bunch of great sessions over the last few months.

I figured I'd post a few of them here to remind myself, and any of you, to be sure to check them out.

Yeah, well, for some reason LiveDaily's videos all start playing automatically, so trying to post several at the same time causes serious problems. So instead of posting videos, I'll just give you links to the bands' full sets.

School of Seven Bells
Calexico
Rogue Wave
Frightened Rabbit

New Little Ones Studio Sessions

Just noticed that The Little Ones have a couple of brand new live sets available for download.

The first, over at Daytrotter, is a 4-song audio set consisting of "Gregory's Chant", "Ordinary Song", "Tangerine Visions" and "Morning Tide".

The second, over at LiveDaily, is a 3-song video set consisting of "Morning Tide", "All Your Modern Boxes" and "Rise and Shine".

Here's LiveDaily's video of "Morning Tide": Removed because I got tired of the video automatically starting every time I came to the site.

The band is also headed out on a month-long tour with Brett Dennen. Sadly, they're not hitting DC this time out.

Little Ones Tour Dates
2/11 Phoenix, AZ - Modified Arts *
2/13 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive *
2/16 Lincoln, NE - Box Awesome *
2/17 Davenport, IA - The Redstone Room *
2/18 Ann Arbor, MI - Bling Pig
2/19 Traverse City, MI - City Opera House
2/20 Columbus, OH - The Basement
2/21 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
2/23 Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre
2/24 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom
2/26 Chicago, IL - Park West
2/27 Indianapolis, IN - Music Mill
2/28 Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre
3/2 Louisville, KY - Headliners
3/3 St. Louis, MO - Duck Room
3/4 Lawrence, KS - Bottleneck
3/5 Des Moines, IA - People's Court

* = just The Little Ones w/o Brett Dennen

Eugene Mirman Coming to DC!

Just noticed this... Eugene Mirman is coming to DC as part of his book tour for his new The Will to Whatevs. He'll be coming to the Barnes and Noble on M Street in Georgetown on Thursday, February 26.

Full Book Tour Schedule
2/13, 7pm: The Book Cellar Chicago IL
2/14, 7pm: Book People Austin TX
2/19, 7pm: University Bookstore Seattle WA
2/20, 7pm: Booksmith San Francisco CA
2/25, 7pm: Booksmith Brookline MA
2/26, 7pm: Barnes and Noble Washington D.C. DC

Meet Surf City

As happens far more often than I can possibly count, I just heard a fantastic song on WOXY.com from a band I'd never heard of -- Surf City.

I don't know much about the band other than that they're from New Zealand and have a self-titled 6 song EP which I'm downloading from eMusic as I write this.

If you're a fan of The Clean, The Jesus and Mary Chain, or even The Strokes' first EP, I have a feeling you'll like these guys.

Decemberists Tour Dates

Here they are... no DC show, so that makes my decision easy.

Presales all start TODAY at the times listed. Again, no indication of EST or PST, so to be safe you should assume EST for now. Oh, and many of the shows go on sale in like 3 minutes.

Go here.

5/19/2009 Hollywood Palladium Los Angeles,CA 2/9/2009 3:00:00 PM
5/20/2009 Fox Theatre Oakland,CA 2/9/2009 3:00:00 PM
5/21/2009 McDonald Theatre Eugene,OR 2/9/2009 3:00:00 PM
5/24/2009 Wilma Theatre Missoula,MT 2/9/2009 2:00:00 PM
5/26/2009 Fillmore Auditorium Denver,CO 2/9/2009 2:00:00 PM
5/27/2009 Uptown Theatre Kansas City,MO 2/9/2009 1:00:00 PM
5/29/2009 Riverside Theater Milwaukee,WI 2/9/2009 1:00:00 PM
5/31/2009 The Pageant Saint Louis,MO 2/9/2009 1:00:00 PM
6/1/2009 Lifestyle Communities Pavilion Columbus,OH 2/9/2009 12:00:00 PM
6/3/2009 Tabernacle Atlanta,GA 2/9/2009 12:00:00 PM
6/4/2009 Memorial Auditorium RALEIGH,NC 2/9/2009 12:00:00 PM
6/5/2009 National Richmond,VA 2/9/2009 12:00:00 PM
6/10/2009 Radio City Music Hall New York,NY 2/9/2009 12:00:00 PM

The Wrens Are Playing The Bowery

Thanks to Chris for pointing this out...

The Wrens are scheduled to play Bowery Ballroom in NYC on Friday, March 13th with Titus Andronicus, Bell, and We Were Promised Jetpacks.

As of now, this is the only Wrens date that I see scheduled, although their website suggests that a SXSW appearance may be in the works as well.

And all of this is prelude to the new album that the band started recording a couple of weeks ago.

So here's hoping that 2009 is a good one for both the Wrens and their very, very patient fans.

This Week In DC

Here are the shows in DC this week that interest me.

Monday
Black Cat: The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Depreciation Guild, The Sugarplums

Tuesday
Birchmere: Gary Louris and Mark Olson

Wednesday
Black Cat: Lambchop, Garland of Hours
The Red and the Black: Rooftop Vigilantes, Ho Chi Minh Quartet Offensive

Thursday
The Red and the Black: The Charm Offensive. Finding Fiction, The B-Film Extras, Finver Four

Decemberists Tour Pre-Sale Tomorrow at Noon!

Just notice a tweet from Colin Meloy announcing that there will be a pre-sale for tickets for the Decemberists' upcoming tour starting tomorrow, Monday, February 9th at 12pm (I assume Eastern, but maybe Pacific).

I haven't actually seen any dates for the tour yet, aside from their scheduled appearance at Bonnaroo and their upcoming headlining gig at the NPR Music showcase at SXSW (i.e., NPR's annual opening night show at Stubbs', which was headlined by R.E.M. last year).

Whether I get tickets is going to be a game-time decision. I have no idea whatsoever whether I'll be living in New York or DC this Spring, and, more importantly, there's zero chance that I'd buy tickets for a show at either DAR Constitution Hall in DC or Roseland Ballroom in NYC (two venues that might make sense for the band in terms of size).

I'll try to update this post in the morning when official info comes out.

Sunday Videos

It's been forever since I've done a video post.  Not sure why.  I always have fun with 'em, and they're easy to do.  Gotta make sure I make them a regular thing again.

Anyway, here are some videos from some of the great, new(ish) bands that I've been listening to lately.

The Rural Alberta Advantage - "In the Summertime"


The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "Everything With You"


The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight"


pow wow! - (still only you)


Sean Walsh and The National Reserve - "You Know" (live)

The Rural Alberta Advantage & These United States @ Union Hall, Brooklyn [2/6/09]

More discussion tomorrow, but RAA are awesome.

Oh, one other thing I didn't want to forget to mention -- Nils of RAA told me last night that the band is playing 3 sets down at SXSW this year, including the eMusic showcase and the Hot Freaks party.  Can't wait!

The Rural Alberta Advantage




These United States

Recent Shows

So I just realized I had pictures from a number of recent-ish shows that I never posted here. Kinda late for me to go back and write up some commentary on them - or perhaps I'm just too lazy - so here's a few photos instead.

Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! @ Sixth and I Synagogue [2/3/08]



Title Tracks @ Black Cat [1/7/09]



The Jet Age @ Comet Ping Pong [12/13/08]


The Kyle Sowashes @ Comet Ping Pong [12/13/08]

RIP, DC's Gypsy Eyes Records

Just saw over at DCist that DC's Gypsy Eyes Records has shut down. The label was home to artists such as Vandaveer, Brandon Butler and The Apes, among others.

Sucks.

More Jim Newell Goodness

Source. I've italicized my favorite bits.

Rejected! Georgetown Apple Store Still Too Fancy
Tech company proposes fourth store design
By JIM NEWELL

Apple Inc., which is essentially the only healthy company remaining in the world (although who knows, it could implode tomorrow!), has been trying to install one of its boutique stores in rich Georgetown since buying a prime bit of real estate in 2007. Little did it know that Georgetown is run by wealthy old fogies with colonial-era senses of vulgarity.

Apple will submit its fourth design proposal for the new store on Georgetown's Wisconsin Avenue main thoroughfare today. The problem with the first three? Too contemporary, of course, what with the glass and the metal and the futuristic looking stuff that has the devastating effect of attracting customers.

(UPDATE: The architectural review board has rejected Apple's plans for a fourth time, saying the 35-foot-wide plane of glass and door is still inconsistent with the detailing and bay windows on neighboring properties, according to the Washington Post.)

The panel that has rejected the previous three is called, appropriately, the "Old Georgetown Board," most likely a group of actual English Tories who despise such things as the Tea Act, pavement, and the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

Thomas Luebke, secretary of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the agency that oversees the Old Georgetown Board, said the panel's mission is to "preserve and protect the character and buildings" in Georgetown, which was established as a historic district in 1950.

In other words, if any proposed "shoppe" has, say, electricity -- or more accurately, if it looks like it has electricity -- it is probably the work of witchcraft.

Another major problem the Old Georgetown Board has had with various proposals is the windows, considered to be "a little on the large side," with one insider claiming that "the members thought the expansive glass storefront would create a 'large void in the rhythm' of the neighboring entrances."

Well who knows what is wrong with Apple; these people seem very easy to work with and specific in outlining their problems.

New (?) Fightened Rabbit Video, "Snake"

So this is confusing. Frightened Rabbit put out their debut LP, entitled Sing the Greys, in 2006. That album was re-released in 2007. They then released their followup album, The Midnight Organ Fight, in 2008. This album garnered excellent reviews and ended up on many "Best of 2008" lists.

And here we are in 2009, and apparently the band has released a brand new video for a song from... Sing the Greys? Weird. I'll take it, though.



(Thanks to Brooklyn Vegan for the heads up.)

DC Show Update

As always, my picks in bold. Updates throughout the week, if any, in italics.

---

Thu., 4/9:  Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3

Sat., 6/6: Denali

Black Cat tickets go on sale on Friday (2/6) at 5pm Eastern via Ticketmaster.

---

Fri., 3/6: Ani DiFranco

Sat., 3/7: Ani DiFranco

Fri., 3/13: Modest Mouse, Kinky

Sat., 3/21: Butch Walker

Tue., 3/24: Raphael Saddiq

Wed., 3/25: Booka Shade

Thu., 4/23: Travis

Thu., 4/30: The Kills, The Horrors, Magic Wands

Unless otherwise noted, all 9:30 Club tickets go on sale Thursday (2/5) at 10am Eastern time via Tickets.com

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Fri., 4/17:  Justin Jones & The Driving Rain, Mother

Sat., 4/18:  Justin Jones & The Driving Rain

Sat., 4/25:  Bowerbirds, Bell

Tue., 5/13:  Her Space Holiday (on sale 2/13)

Unless otherwise noted, all tickets for Rock and Roll Hotel shows go on sale Friday (2/6) at 10am via Ticket Alternative.

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Tue., 4/14:  The Appleseed Cast, The Republic Tigers
Wed., 4/22:  Tesco Vee and the Meatmen, American Speedway

Unless otherwise noted, all tickets for DC9 shows are sold at the door only.

---

TBD.

Unless otherwise noted, tickets for all Velvet Lounge shows are sold at the door only.

---

Unless otherwise noted, tickets for all Iota shows are sold at the door only.

---

TBD.

Tickets for State Theatre shows are sold here.

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Thu., 2/12:  Finding Fiction, The Charm Offensive, others

Sat., 3/28:  The Jaguar Club

Sat., 4/18:  Southeast Engine

Mon., 4/20:  The Foundry Field Recording

Tickets for Red and the Black shows are normally sold at the door only.

---

Why The Hell Not

Jim Newell Rocks, Whoever He Is

Great article on the local DC NBC affiliate news site:

D.C. Council Considers Ban On 'Blunts'
Council member suggests elimination of 1 marijuana-smoking device will eliminate marijuana
By JIM NEWELL

Washington's youths will no longer be able to smoke marijuana in their blunts, forcing them to purchase such safe products as cigarettes.

The D.C. City Council simply does not care for these "youths," on the street, smoking their marijuanas.

Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander wants to ban the sale of cheap, small cigars, usually filled with flavored tobacco, that you always see at 7-Elevens and gas stations. They are called "blunts." And according to Alexander, the tobacco within this is all taken out and filled with "cannabis." The youths smoke these monster sticks to get high, which makes them go crazy, grab their automatic weapons, and kill all humans and animals within a 500-yard radius.

All of America's children are doing this.

(Because of the Internet.)

According to the Washington Post, "Alexander said 'it's no secret' that the honey, apple and cherry-flavored cigars are bought and then stuffed with marijuana, often by young people." Indeed, this is not a secret. Another non-secret is that sometimes apples themselves are converted into marijauna-smoking devices. As of the writing of this article, apples remain legal.

The Washington Times, however, offers Alexander's full -- and much more severe -- quote:

"It's no secret that these products are used for the sole purpose of smoking marijuana," said Miss Alexander, Ward 7 Democrat, who proposed the legislation. "If we are serious about fighting drugs in our communities, we must sponsor this measure."

And with this one bill under consideration, the council could very well get rid of Washington's entire marijuana supply, forever.

Awesome.

Man, I Wish I'd Thought of This

This is awesome.

Stream M. Ward's New Album, "Hold Time"

I'm sure this isn't new, but I just noticed it -- M Ward's new album, Hold Time, is streaming in its entirely (for a limited time) over at the Merge Records website.

The album comes out on February 17th, and will be followed by a bit of touring leading up to Coachella. Full dates, including the already sold-out DC show at the Sixth & I Synagogue, are available here.

New Boston Spaceships Song, "Big O Gets An Earful"

Boston Spaceships, "Big O Gets An Earful"

First song from the band's second LP, The Planets Are Blasted, due out on February 27th. Pre-order it here.

Tim and Eric Season 4 Starts Sunday

I hope to have some pics from last night's T&E show at the 6th and I St. Synagogue later. Needless to say, though, it was great.

The new season of shows starts this Sunday night on Comedy Central.

Figgs News

Lots of news in the world of The Figgs - i.e., America's best rock and roll band that you're not listening to.

First up is a brand new solo album by guitarist/vocalist Mike Gent. The album, which is Mike's 3rd solo dis, is simply entitled Mike Gent, and comes out on February 17th. You can pre-order it here.

Mike Gent Track List

1. Leave My Capo Alone
2. (Romantic Needs Led To) False Alarms
3. Paper Knives
4. He's In The Bag
5. Haste & Wrath
6. Buried Me Alive
7. Alice the Goon
8. Little Yellow Eyes
9. Feeling Sound Yet
10. Stations Fading

And speaking of new albums, the band apparently has material for three new albums ready to go. According to their website, they'll be releasing an album sometime this summer, followed by a double album sometime in 2010.

Oh, and they also have a massive (for them) tour scheduled over the next month, starting Thursday night in Chicago. With no DC or NYC shows scheduled, I may have to try to get to Philly.

The Band Who Fight Themselves Tour
02/05: Chicago, IL - Shubas
02/06: Milwaukee, WI - Ground Zero
02/06: Milwaukee, WI - Linnemans
02/07: Madison, WI - Highnoon Saloon
02/08: Green Bay, WI - Eagles Club
02/08: Green Bay, WI - Oneida Casino
02/09: Green Bay, WI - Oneida Casino
02/09: Appleton, WI - The BFG
02/10: Green Bay, WI - Oneida Casino
03/06: Philadelphia, PA - The Blinkin Lincoln
03/07: Bordentown, NJ - The Record Collector (early show)
03/07: Long Branch, NJ - The Brighton Bar (late show)

Bonnaroo Lineup Announced

Not bad, but honestly not all that great either. Coachella kills it this year.

Bruce​ Sprin​gstee​n and the E Stree​t Band
Phish​ (2 Shows​)​
Beast​ie Boys
Nine Inch Nails​
David​ Byrne​
Wilco​
Al Green​
Snoop​ Dogg
Elvis​ Coste​llo Solo
Eryka​h Badu
Paul Oaken​fold
Ben Harpe​r and Relen​tless​7
The Mars Volta​
TV on the Radio​
Yeah Yeah Yeahs​
Gov’t​ Mule
Andre​w Bird
Merle​ Hagga​rd
MGMT
moe.
The Decem​beris​ts
Girl Talk
Bon Iver
Béla Fleck​ & Touma​ni Diaba​te
Rodri​go y Gabri​ela
Galac​tic
The Del McCou​ry Band
of Montr​eal
Allen​ Touss​aint
Cohee​d and Cambr​ia
Booke​r T & the DBTs
David​ Grism​an Quint​et
Lucin​da Willi​ams
Anima​l Colle​ctive​
Gomez​
Neko Case
Down
Jenny​ Lewis​
Santo​gold
Rober​t Earl Keen
Citiz​en Cope
Femi Kuti and the Posit​ive Force​
The Ting Tings​
Robyn​ Hitch​cock & The Venus​ 3
Grace​ Potte​r and the Noctu​rnals​
Kaki King
Grizz​ly Bear
King Sunny​ Adé
Okker​vil River​
St. Vince​nt
Zac Brown​ Band
Rapha​el Saadi​q
Ted Leo and the Pharm​acist​s
Cryst​al Castl​es
Tift Merri​tt
Brett​ Denne​n
Mike Farri​s and the Rosel​and Rhyth​m Revue​
Touba​b Krewe​
Peopl​e Under​ the Stair​s
Aleja​ndro Escov​edo
Vieux​ Farka​ Touré​
Elvis​ Perki​ns In Dearl​and
Cherr​yholm​es
Yeasa​yer
Todd Snide​r
Chair​lift
Portu​gal.​ The Man.
The Steel​Drive​rs
Midni​te
The Knux
The Low Anthe​m
Delta​ Spiri​t
A.A. Bondy​
The Lovel​l Siste​rs
Alber​ta Cross​

I Must Buy This Book

Buy it here.