Ted Leo @ Pier 54 (more by Chris La Putt)

Check out Ted's message below...

Continue reading "Ted Leo signs to Matador, JEFF the Brotherhood & Stupid Party opening the Bowery Ballroom show "

sadness...

Matador Records co-owner Gerard Cosloy was the owner and resident of a nearly 100-year-old home on Lindell Avenue [in Austin] that burned to the ground early this morning.

Cosloy and another person escaped a fire this morning at the home near the intersection of South Congress Avenue and West Live Oak Street, said Austin fire Captain Andy Reardon.

Fire officials received the call about 3 a.m., Reardon said, and crews arrived to find the entire house on fire. Police had to alert the people inside the home that it was on fire, Reardon said. The 3,888-square-foot home, which is estimated to be a total loss, was evacuated safely.

The two-story house was built in 1911, and is located in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood.

Officials said the fire did about $500,000 worth of damage. The cause is still under investigation, officials said.

Cosloy sounded shaken but calm this morning. "There are a lot of people who have a lot less than I do who deal with a lot worse, but this is pretty bad," he said.

Cosloy worked out of his home." [Austin Statesman]

photos by Tim Griffin

DOWNLOAD: Box Elders - Hole in My Head (MP3)

Box Elders, the "garage punk trio" from Omaha, Nebraska (home of Saddle Creek), stole the show Saturday night at Market Hotel (1/10). I didn't catch Blood Romance. I liked Medications. Tyvek and Crystal Stilts were great, but Box Elders left a lasting impression and had the whole, sold-out, Brooklyn room going crazy.

First of all, the bassist/vocalist Clayton McIntyre, wasn't wearing any underwear. I know this from those standing close enough to get the occasional, accidental glimpse under his loin cloth (just thought I would get that out of the way). The guitarist/vocalist, Jeremiah, is Clayton's brother. Dave Goldberg is the drummer and his skills were part of the reason this band stuck out. Dave Goldberg simultaneously playing a keyboard/organ that was run through a Leslie speaker was another. Great songs can go on their list of achievements too.

It's been documented that Matador's Gerard Cosley is a fan of this band. I am now further documenting that Gerard was in attendance at Market Hotel on Saturday night. (Fun Fact: Pavement have a song called Box Elder. Pavement, who will eventually reunite probably, are signed to Matador.)

Bill Pearis was thinking of The Clean after listening to "Hole in My Head", and before seeing Box Elders live. Now he, who was also at the show, says "they're more bratty punk meets Nuggets-era garage rock". In that same vein, I think they would fit in on the Warped Tour, in Little Steven's record collection, and at the Pitchfork Festival. Most of all I think they were fun.

More pictures and tour dates below...

Continue reading "Box Elders (the band) @ Market Hotel, Brooklyn, NY - pics "