this is the actual show flyer, and a screenshot of Little Shalimar's Facebook...

My first guess, based on multiple clues above, is The Phenomenal Handclap Band, though then I don't get what the secret is all about. Who do you think is playing with Little Shalimar and Tit n Twat at Union Pool tonight (7/12)?

UPDATE: Antibalas, who also plays Fort Greene Park today, makes much more sense (thanks Andrew)

photos by Ryan Muir

"Honus Honus and Nick Thorburn shared vocal duties, creating a unique blend of sounds. The juxtaposition of their very different vocals is totally to their advantage. That is the same type of thing that makes Wolf Parade work so well. The songs had a lot of energy and bite on stage, and hopefully the energy doesn't get lost on the album. They seemed to be loose and having fun on stage, sipping Makers Mark and joking with the crowd. Cera played a great bass, even if his back was turned away from the crowd most of time. He seemed to shy away from the attention, which one can understand. Even with his celebrity status he was an integral component of the band that fit in well." [WAWSTSF]

Speaking of Scott Pilgrim, Michael Cera was in fact playing bass last night for Mister Heavenly at Bowery Ballroom. More pictures from the show, including of the setlist, below...

Continue reading "Mister Heavenly played Bowery Balllroom (Michael Cera included) -- pics & setlist"

photos by Graeme Flegenheimer

Nick Thorburn & Michael Cera @ Lincoln Hall in Chicago

"Mister Heavenly, the newly formed band of Honus Honus, Joe Plummer, Nick Thorburn, and Michael Cera, took part in Tommorow Never Knows at Lincoln Hall [in Chicago on Friday night]... Mister Heavenly played around an hour, digging up songs nobody has ever heard, playing a few covers, including "Bad Man" by the Oblivians. For it being one of their first shows, it was really tight. A lot of these songs are really strong. The sound was great. The energy was there. They had fun, and it showed. A strong set for a young band of seasoned artists, with Michael Cera tipping up on one leg in his red hat. slapping a pick-less bass. They joked about cheese, told a few beginning to stories about snipers, got shit thrown at them." [Gonzo Chicago]

As mentioned, both Mister Heavenly's label (Sub Pop) and the venue they're playing in NYC tonight/Sunday (Bowery Ballroom) told me that Michael Cera would most likely not be there. Now that I know he played with them Friday night at Lincoln Hall in Chicago, I'm having trouble believing he won't be at the NYC show too. And considering Michael's name is not in any of the press materials or in the band's promo pictures, it just seems like some kind of big cover-up to downplay the biggest celebrity in the band which also contains members of Modest Mouse, Man Man and Islands. We'll find out soon enough (update: Bowery has since changed their story).

Tickets are still available for tonight's show. Sun Airway and Little Shalimar open and the show starts around 9pm, so Mister Heavenly will probably go on around 11pm. That gives you enough time to download (or stream) the two songs they're giving away (learn them before the show). Those songs and more pictures from Chicago below...

Continue reading "Mister Heavenly played Chicago (Michael Cera included), giving away 2 songs (MP3s, pics & a NYC show tonight)"