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Girls 3/5/12

Girls with Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Launchpad (Albuquerque, NM) – Monday, March 5, 2012

21 March 2012

Some of the sonic details the band so effectively rescued from their studio recordings are nameless, and some spring from the great register of fair use rock ‘n’ roll gestures.

New Multitudes with Bobby Bare Jr - The Paradise (Boston) - Friday, March 16, 2012

19 March 2012

On the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s birth, his words still provide inspiration a new generation of musicians.

Veda Rays' Jim Stark and Jimmy Jenkins @ Union Pool

The Veda Rays – Union Pool (Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY) – Wednesday, March 7, 2012

14 March 2012

Though this was a short, 35-minute opening set, it was a good opportunity to catch this fantastic new Brooklyn foursome before they embarked on a two-week SXSW tour.

Tommy Stinson - World Cafe Live (Philadelphia) - Friday, March 9, 2012

10 March 2012

Stinson projects a rock star aura that looks, breaths, feels and sounds just like the The Rolling Stones, The Faces and others of that ilk.

BELLS≥ with Travels and HIRS - Pi Lam (Philadelphia) - Saturday, March 3, 2012

10 March 2012

Although I’ve lived close to it for almost 6 years, this was my first visit to the venerable University of Pennsylvania frat house and venue.

Walter Lure at Brighton Bar

The Waldos – The Brighton Bar (Long Branch, NJ) – Saturday, March 3, 2012

8 March 2012

Judging by the lively crowd at the venerated, long-lasting punk club, it seemed like every old school rock ‘n’ roller within spitting distance showed up in eager anticipation of seeing Lure in action. Once again, the band did not disappoint.

Gemma Ray at Rockwood Music Hall

Gemma Ray with This Frontier Needs Heroes – Rockwood Music Hall (New York, NY) – Wednesday, February 29, 2012

4 March 2012

For this gratifying set, Ray brought along organist Rory More and drummer Andrew Zammit, who provided just the right shading and color for her distinctive songs.

Steve Wynn and Linda Pitmon at Bowery Electric

Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3 – Bowery Electric (New York, NY) – Friday, February 24, 2012

1 March 2012

While not quite as start-to-finish blasting as December’s show, this more well rounded overview still rocked like nobody’s business.

Scud Mountain Boys at Maxwell's

Scud Mountain Boys – Maxwell’s (Hoboken, NJ) – Friday, February 17, 2012

23 February 2012

It was a shock that these reunion shows even happened at all, given that Pernice hadn’t spoken with his old bandmates in 14 years. Judging by this sublime show, it was as if no time had passed at all.

Laura Gibson 2/16/12

Laura Gibson with Breathe Owl Breathe – Low Spirits (Albuquerque, NM) – Thursday, February 16, 2012

20 February 2012

The latest (if not greatest) of the Portland Lauras to capture my attention with a type of folk music that offers Oregon as one of America’s last uncharted places.

Honeychurch at Rockwood Music Hall

Honeychurch with The Explorers Club and The Color Bars – Maxwell’s (Hoboken, NJ) – Monday, February 13, 2012; Rockwood Music Hall (New York, NY) – Wednesday, February 15, 2012

18 February 2012

It was a pleasure to finally see them on stage again, in support of their beautiful new third LP, Will You Be There With Me.

Dum Dum Girls – Maxwell’s (Hoboken, NJ) – Saturday, February 11, 2012

15 February 2012

The band had a more ferocious edge and a newfound punkish roar that, while percolating below the surface before, came out more forcefully tonight.

Vivian Girls - Cassie Ramone at Gansevoort Plaza

Vivian Girls – Gansevoort Plaza, Kate Spade Pop-Up Shop Promo Show (New York, NY) – Friday, February 10, 2012

13 February 2012

Hey, if Vivian Girls are willing to risk a minor bout of pneumonia to play a few songs for free on a Friday night, I’m up for it!

Gigantour – Aragon Ballroom (Chicago, IL) – February 10, 2012

13 February 2012

I won’t even attempt to follow that with some sad, blurry cell phone pics taken from the balcony. I will, however, regale you with some words.

Veronica Falls – Music Hall of Williamsburg (Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY) – Thursday, February 9, 2012

12 February 2012

So how did they fare, making the sudden jump to this much larger, 550-capacity venue in so short a time? I’m happy to say, much better than most young bands.

Sharon Van Etten with Shearwater - Johnny Brenda's (Philadelphia) - Friday, February 10, 2012

11 February 2012

Anyway, she more than lived up to the accolades with an hour long set that was focused almost exclusively on material from Tramp.

Lemonheads 2/4/12

The Lemonheads with Meredith Sheldon and Lousy Robot - Launchpad (Albuquerque, NM) - Saturday, February 4, 2012

9 February 2012

It’s the kind of album our species is programmed to make in abundance but that rarely ends up very good, as energetic and melodic, short yet transcendent in its repeatability as It’s A Shame About Ray … And it’s now being toured across America!

Mirah – Glasslands Gallery (Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY) – Monday, February 6, 2012

8 February 2012

The normally chatty Brooklyn crowd, seemingly filled with Mirah diehards, was held spellbound – at times you could almost hear a pin drop.

Thurston Moore ticket stub, January 29, 2012, First Unitarian Church Burlington, VT

Thurston Moore - First Unitarian Church (Burlington, VT) - Sunday, January 29, 2012

30 January 2012

He played a six-string and a twelve-string, both acoustic, and was joined by a second acoustic guitar, drums, violin, and most surprisingly, a harp.

Mark Burgess and ChameleonsVox with Black Swan Lane and The Curtain Society - TT The Bears (Cambridge) - Tuesday, November 22, 2011

10 January 2012

Half of The Chameleons is better than the full complement of most bands.

Sad Lovers and Giants - Purple Turtle (London) - December 11, 2011

18 December 2011

A rare sighting of a unique English band…

Glen Matlock and Chris Spedding

King Mob – 229 The Venue (London, UK) – Thursday, November 17, 2011

15 December 2011

Thirty-five years on, when many bands are struggling to pull a crowd, it was great to see a good turn out for the gig with fans traveling from as far as the Netherlands to see Glen Matlock’s latest venture.

The Joy Formidable, 11.17.11 at Higher Ground VT

The Joy Formidable - Higher Ground (S. Burlington, VT) - Thursday, November 17, 2011

27 November 2011

Now I know why they named their album The Big Roar- because that’s what they sounded like, a three-person post-punk whirling dervish of a band.

Judas Priest with Thin Lizzy - Tsongas Arena (Lowell, MA) - Sunday, November 20, 2011

25 November 2011

For a final victory lap, it was all there. Judas Priest is dead, long live Priest.

Bedroom Problems @ Paley Library 11/16/11

Turning Violet Violet with Bedroom Problems - Paley Library (Philadelphia) - Wednesday, November 16, 2011

20 November 2011

Honestly, it was my first time seeing them and I thought they were great from the first few notes.

John Wesley Harding and The King Charles Trio with The Minus Five - World Cafe Live (Philadelphia) - November 15, 2011

19 November 2011

Instead of a “normal” show with a headliner and an opener, this was something altogether quite different.

Office of Future Plans with The Young and Bells - Kung Fu Necktie (Philadelphia) - Sunday, November 13, 2011

19 November 2011

Bells were the surprise of the night and honestly stole the show for me.

Foo Fighters with Social Distortion and The Joy Formidable - TD Garden, Boston - Wednesday, November 16, 2011

19 November 2011

Foo Fighters wrap up their North American tour with a strong supporting cast and rock the sold-out TD Garden audience.

The Sonics with The Young - Maxwell's (Hoboken) - Saturday, November 12, 2011

13 November 2011

Thankfully, this performance more than justified the $30 ticket price.

Frank Turner- Bowery Ballroom - November 3, 2011

4 November 2011

Frank Turner- Folk-Punk rock!

Wild Flag @ Union Transfer 10/19/11

Wild Flag with Eleanor Friedberger - Union Transfer (Philadelphia) - Wednesday, October 19, 2011

27 October 2011

So how did Wild Flag fit into this context? Quite splendidly.

NMN live 2

Too Much Is Not Enough: NoMeansNo, West Cultural Centre, October, 15th 2011

27 October 2011

Victoria jazz-punks NoMeansNo prove, once again, that time has not sapped their energy but only strengthened their resolve.

Tommy Keene with Doug Gillard and Sally Crewe and the Sudden Moves - Church (Boston), Sunday, September 11, 2011

26 October 2011

Power pop doesn’t have to be all buffed out and shiny; there was plenty of grit and sweat in tonight’s doses.

ALL with Naked Raygun - TLA (Philadelphia) - September 24, 2011

14 October 2011

ALL, on the other hand, were amazing.

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists with Dry Feet - Johnny Brenda's (Philadelphia) - Saturday, September 24, 2011

4 October 2011

Of the many times I’ve seen Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, I’d never had the chance to see them in such a great-sounding and intimate room.

Sharon Van Etten with Marissa Nadler and Hezekiah Jones - World Cafe Live (Philadelphia) - Friday, September 23, 2011

4 October 2011

This more stripped-down iteration fit in perfectly with the gentle, quiet vibe of this seated show

Greg Macpherson, West End Cultural Centre, Saturday Septmber 17th, 2011

18 September 2011

Winnipeg’s most intense Singer/song-writer Greg Macpherson tries to goes QU

Vivian Girls with Widowspeak and Ninjessa - Johnny Brenda's (Philadelphia) - Tuesday, September 6, 2011

9 September 2011

Improved songwriting, musicianship and stage presence contributed to what was by far the best Vivian Girls live set I’ve ever seen.

Thurston Moore with Meg Baird - First Unitarian Church (Philadelphia) - Tuesday, August 30, 2011

3 September 2011

Thurston’s set in the beautiful but very poorly ventilated church sanctuary drew heavily upon his recently released solo Lp Demolished Thoughts.

Marginal Man with Strike Anywhere and Damnation A.D. - Black Cat (Washington, DC) - Saturday, August 20, 2011

23 August 2011

Singer Steve Polcari acted as if almost a quarter of a century hadn’t passed, jumping around all over the stage and showing off the energy of a frontman half of his age.

Joey Molland in Chicago

Joey Molland of Badfinger - Chicago, IL - Saturday, August 6, 2011

14 August 2011

Guitarist and songwriter Joey Molland of ‘70s power-pop giants Badfinger was special guest at the Fest for Beatles Fans in Chicago. In addition to an interview with local Breakfast with the Beatles DJ Terri Hemmert, Molland joined the festival’s house band Liverpool for a concert. The set included Badfinger classics “Baby Blue,” “Day After Day,” and “No Matter What.”

Yung Wu with Wild Carnation - Maxwells (Hoboken) - Saturday, August 13, 2011

14 August 2011

Still, this had the feel of a band playing to a bunch of friends and family and that’s basically what it was. It was an afternoon show to boot, so that made it even more family-friendly.

Sonic Youth with Wild Flag and Kurt Vile - Williamsburg Waterfront (Brooklyn) - Friday, August 12, 2011

14 August 2011

Opening with Bad Moon Rising‘s “Brave Men Run (in My Family)”, the first five tracks were a flurry of ’80s highlights.

Jeff Mangum concert ticket, August 8, 2011, Burlington, VT

Jeff Mangum - First Unitarian Church (Burlington, VT) - Monday, August 8, 2011

9 August 2011

What better venue to see the man play than a church?

Jessica 6 — Red Palace (Washington, D.C.) — Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Jessica 6 — Red Palace (Washington, D.C.) — Wednesday, July 27, 2011

9 August 2011

Backed by erstwhile DFA darlings Andrew Raposo and Morgan Wiley, Nomi Ruiz’s dancefloor essays had even the most jaded wallflowers twisting and turning, feeling and burning away every ironic calorie.

the Rosebuds

The Rosebuds with Other Lives – 7th Street Entry (Minneapolis, MN) – Tuesday, July 19, 2011

8 August 2011

We always hope that a band will have the inherent gravity needed to overcome the fracturing of its individual parts, but not all bands are as committed as The Rosebuds.