by Andrew Sacher

California X

I just caught California X down in Austin for SXSW, and their set was one of the most memorable shows I saw -- much more intense than the already-good record. So it's exciting to know that they'll be back on the Northeast live circuit this spring. They have a few April shows scheduled, including one in NYC which happens on April 26 at Death by Audio. Cali X play third in a lineup of four, which is headlined by DOM and includes openers Moss of Aura (aka Gerrit Welmers of Future Islands) and Spires. Admission is $8 at the door.

All dates are listed, along with a video of Cali X at SXSW, below...

Continue reading "California X playing shows (one with DOM and Moss of Aura)"

photos by Amanda Hatfield; words by Andrew Sacher

White Lung / Nu Sensae @ Holy Mountain, 3/13/2013

The Enabler/Don Giovanni/Suicide Squeeze/Sacred Bones SXSW showcase went down at Holy Mountain last night (3/13) in Austin with a bunch of great bands like White Lung, Waxahatchee, Nu Sensae, California X, and more.

I'm a fan of California X's self-titled album, which came out recently on Don Giovanni, but much like Torres did earlier that day, these guys really blew me away live on a level I didn't get from the record. They tend to get grouped into the "bands that sound like Dinosaur Jr." category, but after seeing them for my first time last night, I really think they come off as force of their own. They rock out, swing their long hair around, and deliver a solid mix of riffage, punchy tunes, and sludge-drenched heaviness, that only sounds hinted-at on their album. Someone get these guys in the studio with Steve Albini.

Easily one of the most anticipated artists at this year's SXSW is Waxahatchee, whose new album, Cerulean Salt, just hit shelves and is driving a lot of people wild. And her live show lives up too. She played full band and stuck to the more rock-oriented songs and rock versions of softer tunes, and at least in the front of the room, the crowd was completely zoned in. "I loved Waxahatchee!" I excitedly said to someone at the show. "Yeah, everyone does," was her response. It's true.

The show ended with two Vancouver punk bands (who also happen to be good friends), Nu Sensae and White Lung. Nu Sensae played a pretty short set on the backyard stage and their great mix of noise rock, punk, and no wave was spot on last night. Then White Lung took the stage indoors and really tore things up. Singer Mish Way is a powerhouse on stage and her band are no slackers either (watching that guitarist shred is about as intense as Mish's shouts). The crowd was super into them too, starting mini moshpits and fist-raised shoutalongs, especially during tracks like "Thick Lip" and "Glue."

You can catch White Lung at our free SXSW day party on Saturday (3/16) at 3:45 PM on The Jr. stage.

Continue reading "White Lung, Nu Sensae, Waxahatchee and more played SXSW (pics); White Lung play BV day party on Saturday"

by Bill Pearis

San Francisco's Permanent Collection released their debut album, Newly Wed Nearly Dead, last August on Loglady Records. Frontman Jason Hendardy, who runs the label with Lauren loPrete, used to be in Young Prisms and there's more than a little shoegaze in PC's sound but is definitely poppier than Hendardy's old band. You can stream the whole thing below.

Permanent Collection are visiting NYC at the moment, playing Shea Stadium tonight (3/8) with Darlings, Field Mouse, and Honeydrum (info here, that's a good show!); and the previously-mentioned Cake Shop show on Saturday (3/9) with Italy's His Clancyness, Spires and former Get Him Eat Him frontman Matt LeMay.

Meanwhile, Cake Shop and Loglady will be in Austin next week for SXSW, co-presenting a showcase that happens Friday (3/15) at Trailerspace Records. Permanent Collection are playing, as are Part Time, California X, TV Ghost, Grandma's Boyfriend, Waxahatchee, and Dead Angle (ex-Tartans). It's a free show, all ages. More info here, and all Permanent Collection dates are listed, along with the Loglady/Cake Shop flyer, below.

Continue reading "San Francisco's Permanent Collection are on tour, including two NYC shows ++ Cake Shop/Loglady showcase during SXSW"

Screaming Females in LA in 2012 (more by Wei Shi)

The Don Giovanni Records Brooklyn showcases begin TONIGHT (2/7) with the previously mentioned Death by Audio show, which features California X, Nuclear Santa Claust, Brick Mower, House Boat, and Plastic Cross. Admission for tonight's show is $8 at the door. Then, the Don Giovanni fun continues with two consecutive nights at Music Hall of Williamsburg which feature Laura Stevenson and the Cans, Jeffrey Lewis, Lemuria, Waxahatachee, and Hilly Eye on Friday (2/8) and Screaming Females, Black Wine, Stormshadow, Home Blitz, and Shellshag on Saturday (2/9). Tickets for Friday, Saturday, and a 2-day pass are still available.

In related news, Screaming Females are releasing a cassette of home recordings this weekend (2/10) and you can stream the whole thing ahead of its release at Pitchfork. It features the track "Green Vapors," which was done with DG labelmates Shellshag.

Laura Stevenson is also releasing a new album, Wheel, on April 23 via Don Giovanni. You can stream the lead track, "Runner," at the bottom of this post.

Meanwhile, if you miss the showcases this week (or just want more), three of the bands playing -- Black Wine, Hilly Eye, and Nuclear Santa Claust -- are teaming up again for a NYC show at Cake Shop on March 23 with Lauren of The Measure. Admission for that one is $8 at the door.

If you're going to the DbA showcase tonight, be sure to catch California X, who have a new guitarist, Zack Brower and tonight is his first show with the band.

And in even more related news, Miranda Taylor of Black Wine just interviewed Caroline Rue, Hole's first drummer, who played on their 1991 debut, Pretty on the Inside. Here's an excerpt...

The evolution of Hole's sound is, in my opinion, extreme. What do you think contributed to the sound/style changes over the years?

Well, first off, Courtney and I were the least skilled musicians and needed time to catch up with Jill and Eric. We hung out, listened to records, and they turned me on to the Pixies, which I had only seen the MTV video for "Here Comes Your Man." We became better players, so we were starting to refine our tool to do what we were intending.

Laura Stevenson song stream below...

Continue reading "Don Giovanni fest begins, Screaming Females streaming new tape, and other related news"

by Andrew Sacher

California X at Tommy's Tavern in 2012 (more by Fred Pessaro // BBG)

As mentioned Amherst, MA rockers California X are releasing their impressive self-titled debut next week (1/15) via Don Giovanni. The album takes cues from hometown legends Dinosaur Jr. and packs an endlessly great punch of sludge guitars and earworm pop punk melodies. If you haven't got a chance to hear it yet, you can stream the entire thing over at SPIN, and two album tracks, "Pond Rot" and "Spider X," are below.

As mentioned, Cali X are playing a NYC show this Friday (1/11) which was previously at a TBA venue but we now know it will be at Acheron (57 Waterbury St) with No Sir I Wont, Bortgang, Nuclear Spring, and Yjajali. Tickets for Friday's show are on sale now.

Cali X will also be back in the NYC area for night 1 of the Don Giovanni Brooklyn showcases, which takes place at Death by Audio on February 7 with Nuclear Santa Claust, Brick Mower, House Boat, and Plastic Cross. Admission for that one is $8 at the door. That showcase will be followed by two nights at Music Hall of Williamsburg with Screaming Females, Laura Stevenson, Waxahatchee, Hilly Eye, Lemuria, Stormshadow, and more (tickets for night 1, night 2, or both).

An updated list of dates and song streams below...

Continue reading "California X streaming new album; venue & openers revealed for their NYC show this Friday (updated dates)"

by Andrew Sacher

DOWNLOAD: Nuclear Santa Claust - "Since I Woke Up (Berlin Wall)" (MP3)

Nuclear Santa Claust (via)

As mentioned, the annual Don Giovanni Records Brooklyn showcase is going down at Music Hall of Williamsburg on February 8 and 9 with Laura Stevenson and the Cans, Jeffrey Lewis, Lemuria, Waxahatachee, and Hilly Eye on 2/8 and Screaming Females, Black Wine, Stormshadow, Home Blitz, and Shellshag on 2/9. Tickets are still available for night 1, night 2, or both nights.

Don Giovanni have also added a third night that Thursday (2/7) at Death by Audio with Nuclear Santa Claust, California X (who have a new record out soon), Brick Mower, House Boat, and Plastic Cross. Admission is $8 at the door and the show flyer is below.

The DBA showcase is also doubling as a record release show for Brooklyn trio Nuclear Santa Claust, who will have their new record, Order of the New Age, out via Don Giovanni for that show. The album follows their 2011 self titled EP, and like on that EP, you can tell that NSC's two vocalists have picked up a few vocal tips from Joey Ramone, but they've amped it up to edgier levels more akin to the hardcore bands that formed in the Ramones' wake.

Nuclear Santa Claust aren't a backwards thinking tribute to the punk of yesteryear though. On Order of the New Age, they've been able to harness their older influences and use them to create bashing punk that pushes forward, rarely looking back. We've got a download of the album's first single, "Since I Woke Up (Berlin Wall)," which you can grab above, or you can stream it below, where you'll also find the album's cover art and tracklist.

Continue reading "Don Giovanni adds 3rd night to showcase; Nuclear Santa Claust releasing an LP (download a track)"

by Fred Pessaro // BBG

California X at Tommy's Tavern, June 2012 (more by Fred Pessaro // BBG)

California X hits the sweet spot between booming, riffy punk rock and bubblegum-pop. Their live show is no slouch either, as I remarked earlier this year when the band shared the stage with Nude Beach and White Lung:

...the big stand out to me was California X. The Massachusetts band worships at the altar of Dinosaur Jr and Husker Du, creating some sugar-y pop melodies buried beneath layers and layers of crunch. This is definitely a heavy band live too; one hell of a first showing in NYC.

California X's self-titled debut is due via Don Giovanni on January 15. Stream "Pond Rot" from that LP below, definitely worth a listen.

Streams and a list of tour dates are below.

Continue reading "California X readies debut LP, playing shows (dates, streams)"

by Andrew Sacher

Screaming Females in LA in October (more by Wei Shi)

New Brunswick label Don Giovanni are throwing their annual Brooklyn showcases in 2013 at Music Hall of Williamsburg on February 8 and 9, and this year they're doubling as the label's tenth anniversary shows. Both nights have typically great lineups, with the 2/8 show featuring Laura Stevenson and the Cans, Jeffrey Lewis, Lemuria, Waxahatachee, and Hilly Eye, and the 2/9 show featuring Screaming Females (I hope this means Marissa is getting better!), Black Wine, Stormshadow (who the label refers to as "original, political, tight musicians" who "made fantastic art" but "broke up and no one outside of New Brunswick knew who the band was," and they'll be reuniting for this show as well as reissuing their album, Set On Destroy, via Don Giovanni this winter), Home Blitz and Shellshag. Tickets for both nights and a 2-day pass option go on sale Friday (12/14) at noon and AmEx presale for the individual nights begins Wednesday (12/12) at noon. The flyer for the showcases is below.

California X at Tommys Tavern in June (more by Fred Pessarro // BBG)

One band that we're a little bummed to see not on this lineup is Amherst's grungy California X, who have a great self titled LP coming out via Don Giovanni on January 15. I know we're still in year-end-list of 2012 mode, but this is already one of my most anticipated records of 2013. You can stream the single, "Pond Rot," below.

Song stream and show flyer are below.

Continue reading "Don Giovanni showcases announced (Screaming Females, Hilly Eye, more); new California X album on the way"

Cross-section rendering of what ABC No Rio's new space will look like

ABC No Rio has been slowly moving toward replacing it's current building with a new one, and now comes word that the collective will go green as revealed in recent renderings (like the one above). A little more info from the folks behind it:

The existing building is distressed and in disrepair. In 2007, our architect and engineer determined that existing conditions would make responsible repair and renovation difficult, and not significantly less costly than new construction. Through new construction we will build dramatically improved facilities for our cultural, community and educational activities. We will:

-double the size of our gallery and performance space
-provide more efficient insulation and soundproofing
-create spaces specifically designed for our programs and events
-install an elevator and make the building wheelchair accessible
-install new energy- and water-efficient building-wide systems
-increase our capacity for alternative energy use

There are a few interesting shows coming up on the calendar for the space, including July 28th with California X (who recently played Tommy's Tavern) with Cop Hugger, Early Flight Home; and Punch with Living Eyes, Born Wrong and Goosebumps on August 4th.

photos by Fred Pessaro // BBG

White Lung at Tommy's Tavern, 6/29/2012

Vancouver's White Lung, who were here back in April, passed through NYC again last night for a show at Tommy's Tavern (6/28), snagging support from local power-pop favorites Nude Beach, plus California X, Casanovas in Heat, The Narcs and Utah Jazz. Nude Beach play again tonight, supporting The Young and Census at 285 Kent with Zach Cale & The Rain Band for what will surely be an extremely sweaty show. More pictures from Tommy's Tavern are below.

I've had a few encounters White Lung and Nude Beach recently (great and great), so the big stand out to me was California X. The Massachusetts band worships at the altar of Dinosaur Jr and Husker Du (which I wish more bands did, truthfully), creating some sugar-y pop melodies buried beneath layers and layers of crunch. This is definitely a heavy band live too; one hell of a first showing in NYC. Stream their killer new 7" below.

Continue reading "White Lung played Tommys Tavern w/ Nude Beach, California X and more (pics)"

Nude Beach hit Glasslands tonight (6/6) supporting The Babies, but the show is far from their only local show scheduled in the area. In fact, Nude Beach has no less than nine other local shows scheduled in support of their stellar II LP which is getting a re-release via Other Music Recording Co. on August 14th.

After heading out for dates in DC, Richmond and Philly this weekend, Nude Beach will head back to NYC to play two Northside Festival showcases: The Other Music showcase at Union Pool on 6/14 with Ex-Cops, The Everymen a mystery headliner (see flyer below), and Public Assembly on 6/16 for the Academy Records Annex showcase with Golden Clouds, and Nymph. No advance tickets for either show... so buy at the door or use your trusty Northside badge.

But that Union Pool date isn't their only show at the venue, the band will also return to play August 16th with Golden Clouds & Swearin' as part of a record release show for the OM pressing. It's their last in a particularly fertile month of dates that will also see them play Tommy's Tavern on 6/28 with White Lung, Casanovas in Heat, California X; the previously discussed The Young show at 285 Kent on June 29 with Census, Zach Cale; July 23rd at 285 Kent with Milk Music (!);  an Other Music In-Store on August 13th, a TBA show on August 6th with Ohio's Delay; and Death by Audio on August 29th with Naomi Punk. Whew! Getting tired just thinking about all that gear they'll have lug around.

And yes, you did read right. Both Milk Music and White Lung (who just recorded a new 7") are on their way back to NYC, with the former playing dates surrounding their Pitchfork appearance and the latter swinging through for a show at Tommy's Tavern. Limited info is available for dates on either, but the known MM tour dates are below.

A listing of all tour dates, the flyer for the Other Music Northside show, and a stream of a few songs from II are below.

Continue reading "Nude Beach re-releasing 'II' via Other Music, playing 10 NYC shows in next 2 months w/ Milk Music & White Lung (dates)"