Tift Merritt in Madison Square Park 2012 (more by Chris La Putt)

The free 2012 Oval Lawn Series launches in NYC's Madison Square Park (between 5th and Madison Ave and 23rd and 26th St.) tonight (6/20) at 7PM with James Maddock and His Band and will continue every Wednesday through Aug. 8.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of free shows in Madison Square Park (where the Big Apple BBQ also happens). The full schedule with showtimes is listed below...

Continue reading "Madison Square Park 2012 free show schedule (starts tonight)"

photos by Erik Erikson

"While Bad Brains sound has shifted from hardcore and punk to dub and reggae, they still mix it up for the audience coming to see them. Opening with a pounding set of their signature aggressive sound, the music of guitarist Dr. Know and bassist Darrel Jennifer along with drummer Earl Hudson was tight and very intact. Yet, one of the more interesting experience's to everyone was watching singer H.R., dressed in a valor jump suit with a dress shirt and tie underneath and knit hat, H.R., who has battled drug addiction and years of abuse to his body doing this profession simply looked burnt out. Slurring many of his words and mumbling in between songs, at points Jennifer would look at him and laugh, yet while his annunciation skills were not as top as the band's sound, it was still an overall experience watching him perform."
-[Officially a Yuppie]

Bad Brains played the second of their two night stay in NYC at Music Hall of Williamsburg with GZA on 4/18, just one night after the band played Irving Plaza with H2O. The NYC shows were part of a short run of dates for the band who also played Philly with GZA and who will be at Bonnaroo this year. Pictures from the Brooklyn show adorn this post.

Meanwhile, HR will be presen at a Benefit for Lucinda's Children, a two-night show to help out Lucinda Gallagher in the wake of her passing late last year.

Last December our close community of friends, musicians, and music lovers lost one of its own when Lucinda Gallagher took her own life, leaving behind two amazing children. These young teenagers, now in the care of Lucinda's dear friend, both have their mother's rock and roll spirit. Like her, they are bright and soulful and have a deep appreciation for music as gifted budding musicians.

In order to raise funds for these children a two-night concert spectacular will be held at The Bowery Electric on April 29th and 30th... [and] in addition to the live show, an auction and raffle will be held which will include items donated by Mary Louise Parker, Fender, Bob Gruen, Danny Clinch, The Morrison Hotel Gallery & many more. 100% of the proceeds from the auction and concerts will be placed in a trust for Lucinda's kids.

The first night of the benefit will feature performances from Marah, Jesse Malin, Jimmy Gnecco & Dave Milone, Jim Boggia, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Petter Ericson Stakee & "very special guests" (tickets for 4/29), while the second night boasts appearances from Tommy Stinson (of The Replacements & Guns n Roses), HR (of Bad Brains) , Alan Vega (of Suicide), James Maddock, Aaron Lee Tasjan and more (tickets for 4/30).

GZA returns to Music Hall of Williamsburg in June.

Pictures from the Bad Brains show are below.

Continue reading "Bad Brains played shows with GZA (pics); HR playing a Benefit for Lucinda's Kids w/ Alan Vega, Tommy Stinson & more"

photos by Tim Griffin

"Wheeler has been hired to write the "Shrek" spinoff "Puss in Boots" for DreamWorks Animation, a stand-alone feature foray for the feline assassin/swordsman voiced by Antonio Banderas in the two most recent "Shrek" films. The "Shrek" franchise has ballooned into a multibillion-dollar property, with three feature films grossing more than $2 billion worldwide in theaters, tens of millions of DVDs sold and merchandising in every toy store. A fourth feature film, "Shrek Goes Fourth," is due in theaters May 21, 2010." [The Hollywood Reporter]

"Puss in Boots" the movie actually has nothing to do with Puss n Boots the band who played Rockwood Music Hall on Saturday night (5/9). More pictures from that show below...

Continue reading "Puss n Boots @ Rockwood Music Hall in NYC - pics "