Mastodon fans (more by Greg Cristman)

Bon Iver was nominated for four high profile Grammys (though not "Album of the Year" which is what Arcade Fire won). Adele & Katy Perry nominated for a zillion, and other nominees include The Black Keys, Foster the Peepee, Cee Lo, Duck Sauce, Robyn, Cut Copy, Skrillex, Deadmau5, Coldplay, Radiohead, Mumford & Son, Mastodon, Wilco, Death Cab For Cutie, My Morning Jacket, Jay-Z, Kanye West, The Civil Wars, Emmylou Harris, Levon Helm, Fleet Foxes, Gillian Welch, Steve Earle, Patton Oswalt, Louis CK, Weird Al, Danger Mouse, Memory Tapes, TV On the Radio, A Tribe Called Quest, etc...

Tom Morello @ Newport Folk Fest 2009 (more by Jim Brueckner)

Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello has announced plans to perform at the Occupy Wall Street protest at noon [today] in Manhattan. Morello, who has previously performed at the Occupy Los Angeles rally, will play a solo set as the Nightwatchman.

"The Nightwatchman will Occupy Wall Street [today] at noon, adding one more voice to the growing chorus of millions demanding economic justice at home and around the globe," Morello tells Rolling Stone. "And I'll be playing some songs. Likely in the rain."

Morello will be the third major act to perform at the protest. Neutral Milk Hotel's Jeff Mangum and rapper Talib Kweli have recently played impromptu sets at the protest site. Earlier this week, Kanye West visited the scene, but did not perform. [Rolling Stone]

Today (10/13) is also the first day of NY Comic Con & Anime Fest over at the Javits Center. Tom Morello performs in the convention center tonight with Z-Trip as part of the con's kickoff concert.

We get why the Rage Against the Machine guitarist would show up at Occupy Wall St, but why Comic Con? Well, Comixcorner.com says:

Tom Morello's graphic novel Orchid, which tells the tale of a 16-year-old street prostitute in a dystopian future, will be released in twelve issues through Dark Horse Comics will be on sale October 12th. Orchid features a variant cover by the well-known and influential street artist Shepard Fairey, with interior art by Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic).

"Orchid is part Suicide Girl, part Joan of Arc, who becomes the Spartacus of Whores in a story that merges the epic scope of Lord of the Rings with the politics of street terrorism." - Tom Morello

Headlined by DJ Z-Trip, the concert is free to all VIP's and 4-Day ticket holders BUT seating is first come, first served and will be extremely limited due to size of the auditorium and popularity of the event. Ultimate Access, Special Access and Anime Access VIP ticket holders will be guaranteed to get into the show first; then, 4-Day ticket holders will be let in until the auditorium is full. The concert is open to all 4-Day ticket holders on a first come, first served basis and we cannot guarantee that all 4-Day ticket holders that want to attend the show will be able to get in.

"I'm stoked and honored to be playing alongside Tom Morello at the New York Comic Con. He's one of my favorite guitarists of all time, and I've always admired the level of consciousness he brings to the table. This show is gonna be great. Can't wait to read his new comic too." - DJ Z-Trip

Tom Morello is appearing courtesy of Dark Horse Comics, New York Comic Con and Midtown Comics - who will be selling Orchid #1 exclusively at the Kick-Off Concert.

Other guests at Comic Con include Jon Glaser, David Cross, Chris Elliot, Carrie Brownstein (who is in tour with Wild Flag), Jon Benjamin, Janeane Garofalo, Judah Friedlander, Kevin Smith, Patton Oswalt, Fred Armisen, Mark Hamill, and many more. (Fred and Carrie will be promoting Portlandia)

photos by David Andrako

Like those who chose to spend their Friday night at an outdoor Long Island amphitheater watching Weezer & Flaming Lips, and those caught in the long line outside House of Vans, the people who decided on the free They Might Be Giants music & comedy show at Williamsburg Waterfront got wet. Visual proof continues (more about this show later), below...

Continue reading "comedy, rain & music @ Williamsburg Waterfront in pics (They Might Be Giants, Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal & more)"

People at Williamsburg Waterfront last year (more by Benjamin Lozovsky)

This summer's Williamsburg Waterfront concert season begins this weekend with a free show on Saturday (6/11) (5:30pm doors). For what it's worth, that show is Coheed and Cambria, Adrian Belew Power Trio and Tigers Jaw, but it is free. It's also one of three currently announced free shows (there will be five free shows total, one of which will be classical music). The other two announced free events are Eugene Mirman and Pretty Good Friends (Patton Oswalt will be one of those friends!) and special musical guests They Might Be Giants on July 29, and a children's show with Moey's Music Party and Story Pirates (who recently hosted a benefit) on June 19 at noon.

Ticketed shows include Death From Above 1979, Death Cab for Cutie, Sonic Youth, Bright Eyes, Thievery Corporation (with Dam-Funk & Master Blazter and Raphael Saadiq opening), TV on the Radio, Fleet Foxes and more. Check out the full lineup with openers listed below...

Continue reading "Williamsburg Waterfront opens this weekend, here is the full updated summer schedule"

by Klaus Kinski

Just shy of his 42nd birthday, comedic legend Patton Oswalt has done more with his time on earth than most people could ever dream of. He has conquered the art of stand-up, he has lent his acting talents to television and film, he has voiced a number of animated characters both mainstream and cult, he has had his own television specials, and he has had his comedy made a permanent record with several CD and DVD releases. He was even steps away from starring in a Broadway play, but twatress extraordinaire Megan Mullally, who tried to have Patton fired for his lack of stage experience, quit the play and the production folded entirely. This is a man who didn't get to where he is today because of luck. And certainly not because of good looks. This man got to where he is through relentless hard-motherf*cking-work and tenacity.

And just when I thought Patton'd cover'd everything, he goes ahead and enters the world of literature with his epic tome Zombie Spaceship Wasteland: A Book by Patton Oswalt (release date January 4th, 2011). Like Columbine, this is one of the few books in recent memory that I simply could not put down. Besides being funny as hell, having been raised in similar environs as Patton the book was eerily relatable. There is absolutely no pretense in his style; it is straight up Patton Oswalt talking right to your brain through the written word. It is smart, direct, hilarious, profound, often times touching writing from beginning to end.

HEADS UP! Before scrambling over to Amazon or wherever to get your copy, there are a few more exciting ways to obtain this book. First, I have a few copies to give away! Follow the contest instructions below and maybe you'll get lucky. A second option would be to buy a ticket to a Patton Oswalt Book Event at Warsaw on January 8th at 5 pm. The Warsaw event is presented by Word Bookstore. Attending the Warsaw event is kind of a no brainer, people. The event costs $25, which gets you admission to the event and a copy of the book, which Patton will sign. The retail price of the book is $24.00. So for a dollar above cover price, and no tax, you get the book, see Patton, and get an autograph. Don't be stoopid!

There is no doubt the Warsaw book event will sell out, but have no fear. As previously mentioned, Patton will be back in town January 7th and 8th for FOUR SHOWS at Caroline's in Times Square. I know BV comedy fans aren't thrilled with Caroline's ticket prices, drink requirements, and clientele, and the promise of new material might not be enough to take the plunge. Luckily, your man Klaus has you covered. Well, a few of you. I have two pairs of tickets to giveaway! See contest instructions below! Tour dates, including other NYC in-store book events below too...

Continue reading "win Patton Oswalt's new book, see him live in Brooklyn, in Manhattan & other places (win tix too) "

Todd Barry @ Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010 (more by Tim Griffin)

Want to laugh Tuesday night? Head over to Lolita Bar at Broome and Allen for another edition of "Tell Your Friends!". This week's special guests include HANNIBAL BURESS (who performs a free show every Sunday at Knitting Factory) (and who recently opened for Aziz Ansari at Beacon Theater), LIAM McENEANEY, ANDY DE LA TOUR, and a "MYSTERY GUEST" who "is doing a big big show later in the week, and can't be advertised for this. He appears all over television and films, though, and this may be your last chance to see him in a basement before he's too famous for our show. - A MUST SEE!" Hmm.

Speaking of a big big show later in the week, Nick Kroll's two tapings at Music Hall of Williamsburg take place this Thursday, 11/18.

Nick also did a show at UCB tonight/Monday right before Whiplash (with special guest Mike Birbiglia). How was that? Whiplash takes place every Monday.

MGMT's Andrew VanWyngarden will be a guest at the live broadcast of WFMU's comedy/variety show "Seven Second Delay" at UCB Theatre on Wednesday (11/17). $5.00 tickets are still on sale, though note that he won't be performing. They'll be interviewing him, but they promise they have a couple of surprises planned. Other guests appearing on the same show: former New York Times Ombudsman Dan Okrent, and author / gambling expert / former bookie Beth Raymer.

That WFMU thing is early - like 6pm. Stick around after for an edition of Joe Mande and Noah Garfinkel's Totally J/K with special guests Hari Kondabalu (Comedy Central Presents), Greg Johnson (Sirius/XM Radio) "& more!" Then stay even longer, cause Joe Mande is also part of the show right after that too. Anthony Atamanuik, John Flynn & Ed Gavagan also perform in "The Nights of Our Lives"

Much like Pee Wee Herman, Colin Quinn has a new show on Broadway (which is directed by Jerry Seinfeld) (the Colin show) (Jerry didn't direct the Pee Wee show). We are giving away tickets to see Pee Wee. The Apiary has a pair up for grabs to see Colin.

What about Eugene Mirman you ask? Well, in addition to stuff we've mentioned in the past and his somewhat regularly scheduled Sunday night shows at Union Hall, you can catch him along with John Roderick (as Santa Claus), A.C. Newman, John Hodgman, Gary Shteyngart, and Ollabelle on December 17th at City Winery for the next edition of John Wesley Harding's Cabinet of Wonders. Tickets are on sale.

You will also find Eugene Mirman at the Bell House on December 12th for "Pretty Good Friends (formerly Tearing the Veil of Maya) End of the Year Holiday Blowout" with Kristen Schaal, Jon Glaser and "more to be announced." Tickets are on sale.

Speaking of Kristen Schaal, was she at Littlefield last night/tonight/Monday night for "Hot Tub with Kurt"? It's unclear from the listings whether Kurt Braunohler is doing "Hot Tub" without her every Monday night through 11/29. Upcoming listed guests include Wyatt Cenac, Laura Krafft, Dan Friel, Jon Friedman, Liam McEneaney, and Chris Rozzi.

Patton Oswalt has four shows coming up at Caroline's - two on January 7th and two on January 8th. Tickets are on sale.

Last but not least, after postponing the original date, honorary Juggalo Gallagher will appear at Gramercy Theatre on April 8th. Tickets are on sale.

Continue reading "Andrew VanWyngarden, secret guests, John Roderick as Santa, Dan Friel, AC Newman & other upcoming comedy shows"

photos by Chris Graham

"At the sold-out Sasquatch, bands holding down the headliner spots haven't necessarily turned out to be the biggest draws. Sure, My Morning Jacket played to a mostly packed house on Saturday, and Massive Attack was overwhelmingly solid on Sunday despite a not-so-full amphitheater floor, but the band drawing the most populous, most stoked, most deserved gathering was unquestionably Vampire Weekend." [SPIN]

Pictures of Vampire Weekend, My Morning Jacket, and the rest of Day One of this year's Sasquatch Festival (which just went down over Memorial Day Weekend), below...

Continue reading "Sasquatch 2010 Day 1 in pics (My Morning Jacket, Hold Steady, Broken Social Scene, Vampire Weekend, Miike Snow & more) "

Patton Oswalt & Conan O'Brien

"The late-night nightmare is almost over. Conan O'Brien is leaving NBC and receiving a payout--and he'll be free to appear on another network before his contract expires, Kim Masters reports.

The NBC-Leno-Conan war is close to ending, according to a knowledgeable source. According to the outlines of a settlement, Conan O'Brien will leave NBC and the network will make an as-yet unspecified payment. The comedian will be free to appear elsewhere on television well before his contract expires, despite earlier threats from NBC that it would prevent him from working anywhere else.

There is still opportunity for the negotiation to fall apart, but clearly, at this point it is in NBC's interest to put an end to this dismal episode." [The Daily Beast] (via Gawker)

Patton Oswalt, Aziz Ansari, and Ricky Gervais all recently appeared on Conan. Videos below...

Continue reading "Patton Oswalt & Ricky Gervais appeared on Conan O'Brien who reportedly is really leaving NBC "

"Producers of a Broadway revival of Terrance McNally's "Lips Together, Teeth Apart," announced that Megan Mullally and Patton Oswalt would take the leading roles when the former Off-Broadway hit from 1991 returns to New York City's bigger stages in April 2010. It's set for a limited engagement to run through June." [the comic's comic]

Beast @ CMJ 2009 (more by Chris La Putt)

Lady Gaga was nominated five times. Considering her rocket to fame over the last year, many were expecting more for her. But at least the contests are going to be really interesting: Beyoncé, [Taylor] Swift and Lady Gaga are going head to head in three of the most important categories: album, record and song of the year. Will one of them sweep, or will the lady vote be split?

One of the usual complaints about the Grammys is that it over-rewards older, established, familiar acts at the expense of newer, fresher ones. MGMT, the Brooklyn synth-rock duo, was nominated for best new artist, a big coup although not unexpected. But some of the shoulda-been names that have been circulated and Tweeted: Grizzly Bear, another acclaimed Brooklyn group; Regina Spektor, a young New York songwriter who started in the underground and has found some mainstream popularity; Diane Birch, a young soul-style singer, just the revivalist type the Grammys usually adore; and the Decemberists, an alt-folk-rock band from Portland, Ore., that released an ambitious concept album this year. [NY Times]

Neko Case, Imogen Heap, Phoenix, Silversun Pickups, David Byrne, Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs are some of the other familiar names in the list of Grammy nominees this year. As Ben Sisario in the NY Times alludes, the nominations are a complete joke and predictable... but fun to look at anyway. Nobody expects Animal Collective to get picked, despite their soon-to-be status of being one of the highly rated artists of the year (and decade maybe).

One surprise (for me anyway) came this year in the video category. Montreal's Beast were nominated for "Mr. Hurricane". That video with a list of some of the other nominees, below...

Continue reading "Beast's 'Mr. Hurricane' video & other 2009 Grammy nominees "

Fuck Buttons @ Fun Fun Fun Fest

tonight in NYC
* Elysian Fields @ Joe's Pub
* Guster @ Beacon Theatre
* Across Tundras @ Union Pool
* Zero 7, Body Language @ Terminal 5
* Kid Sister, Flosstradamus @ Webster Hall
* Forro in the Dark, Pistolera @ Highline Ballroom
* Eyedea & Abilities, Themselves @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn
* Fuck Buttons, Growing, Eric Copeland (of Black Dice) @ Market Hotel
* Chin Chin, Miss Fairchild, Brooklyn Girls Soundsystem, The Not For Nothings @ Southpaw

Get $3.00 worth of free MP3s from Amazon then check out the over-500 MP3 albums they're selling for $5.00 each.

The Elysian Fields show at Joe's Pub tonight is a new record release party.

Jean Grae plays Joe's Pub on Saturday

Patton Oswalt riffing on the holiday classic "Christmas Shoes" is posted below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Friday? (Black Friday) "

by Klaus Kinski

'Big Fan' - April 1, 2009 (AFI Dallas)

It slowly dawned on me after mentioning Patton Oswalt's participation in the upcoming New York Comedy Festival that I was neglecting a small pile of other bits of Patton Oswalt related news. To begin with, Patton is about to embark on a tour that will have him zig-zagging all over the country for the next few months. The entire schedule is below, but what you may not know is that he'll be at COMIX on August 16th. And it's only FIVE BUCKS. Yowza! He's part of a stellar line-up. Buy. Tickets. Now.

On August 25, Patton has a new live album and DVD coming out on Warner Brothers Records (no more Sub Pop?). It is entitled My Weakness is Strong! and features an hour of new material. The CD is pretty straightforward and contains the full hour long performance. The DVD, however, contains the full hour long performance as well as bonus features including some short films and more! Watch the trailer below.

I mentioned Patton's starring role in the film Big Fan a while back. Be advised that it is opening at the Angelika Film Center on August 28th. But if you're feeling antsy, you can catch the film followed by a Q&A with writer/director Robert Siegel and actor Kevin Corrigan at the 6:30pm screening on August 26th at Planet Hollywood (1540 Broadway, NYC). There's also an 8:30pm screening that night, sans Q&A.

All dates and tickets and videos below...

Continue reading "a Patton Oswalt CD, DVD, movie, $5 show, tour dates & more"

by Klaus Kinski

Patton Oswalt, Johnny Depp, & Tim Burton @ Comic Con - july 23, 2009 (Anime Nut)

"Some of the 3-D effects aren't going to look absolutely perfect," said Patton Oswalt, the comedian and voice actor who moderated a presentation of Disney's forthcoming "A Christmas Carol," "Alice in Wonderland" and "Tron: Legacy." Mr. Oswalt asked attendees not to blog about effects being "quite subpar." [NY Times]

The New York Comedy Festival isn't until November 4 - 8, but with the line-up just announced, Carnegie Hall tix available now, and ticket presales (and some on sales) starting on August 12, the time to mention it is NOW. This is the 6th installment of the festival and unlike NYC music festivals such as CMJ or Northside (festivals where you can wander the city for days on end catching hundreds of bands), the focus here is on having a few large-scale shows over the course of a few evenings. NYC is a place where you can catch cheap or free comedy with big name talent almost every evening, but sometimes it's nice to venture out of the back rooms, basements, and comedy clubs and see one or two of your faves at a fancy pants venue. The full schedule is below, but for me some of the better highlights include:

• 11/4 - Stand Up For Heroes - a special benefit presented by NYCF and the Bob Woodruff Foundation at Town Hall
• 11/5 - Ricky Gervais - Carnegie Hall - ON SALE NOW
• 11/5 - Mike Birbiglia - Town Hall - Presale 8/12, On Sale 8/17
• 11/6 - Tracy Morgan - Carnegie Hall - ON SALE NOW
• 11/7 - Patton Oswalt - Town Hall - Presale 8/12, On Sale 8/17

Full schedule (Andy Samberg included) and ticket info below...

Continue reading "New York Comedy Festival - 2009 dates, lineup & ticket info "

by Klaus Kinski (of Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon)

Two films I've been dying to see quickly made their way in and out of our fair city this past June. Being an idiot that cannot seem to prioritize anything, I missed them both. The films I speak of are Big Fan starring Patton Oswalt and Visioneers starring Zach Galifianakis. You may recall from previous articles that Zach and Patton are among my favorite comedians of all time; thus the eagerness to see these films and the anguish at missing them. Big Fan is the directorial debut of Robert Siegel, the man wrote The Wrestler, a film that featured comedian Todd Barry (another favorite). In Big Fan, Patton plays the role of Paul.

Paul is a 35-year-old toll booth operator from Staten Island who lives and dies by his New York Giants. When he has a chance encounter with Giants linebacker Quantrell Bishop, however, things go horribly wrong and a brutal beating at the hands of his idol tests Paul's allegiance to the team. Comedian Patton Oswalt delivers a heartbreaking, layered performance in this pitch-black comedy that reveals the disturbing side of obsessive fandom.

Thankfully, word is out that Big Fan will begin showing in theaters in New York and Philadelphia August 28th, Los Angeles, D.C, Dallas and Houston theatres September 11th and then expanding! In the meantime, visit the official website for trailers and whatnot. And definitely check out Patton's diaries from when Big Fan played at Sundance back in January. Trailer below.

Having seen the trailer last year, I feel like Visioneers has been on my radar for a really long time. It definitely looks to be a somber, Orwellian, supremely dark comedy. The film, directed by Jared Drake, stars Galifianakis as George Washington Winsterhammerman.

George lives a comfortable yet completely uneventful life, and when he starts having dreams in which he's the first President of the United States, his doctor informs him that they could be signs of impending explosion. Later, as the dreams become more frequent and his co-workers continue to detonate, George is prompted to reevaluate his mundane existence.

It looks like that June 3 screening at the 92Y Tribeca may have been my only opportunity to see it theatrically; it comes out on DVD July 21st (using Zach's role in The Hangover to reach a broader audience) and there only seems to be independently organized screening parties scattered across the US. Trailer below.

Zach did a split 7" with Ted Leo a while back, available only via Chunklet.com and only available if you purchased another item from the Chunklet store. Now you no longer need to buy a second item in order to purchase the record. This extremely limited edition 7" is only $5 and is available on four different types of wax. Get 'em while they're hot!.

In Other News........

Continue reading "comedy news: Patton Oswalt, David Cross, Zach Galifianakis, Ricky Gervais, M Showalter, ATP & more (by Klaus Kinski)"

DOWNLOAD: Motel Motel - Coffee (MP3)

Todd Barry in the Wrestler

today in NYC
* DANCE
* Les Paul @ Iridium
* Ferraby Lionheart @ Pianos
* Jimmy Eat World @ Terminal 5
* Whiplash @ UCB w/ Patton Oswalt
* It is It comedy @ Pianos w/ Todd Barry

Aziz Ansari was born today in 1983.

And a belated happy birthday to Yoko Ono who was born February 18, 1933.

If Pianos sticks to set times, you could potentially start the night with the free 8PM It is It comedy show . The lineup is Todd Barry (of The Wrestler), Chelsea Peretti, Kevin Williams, and Rob Cantrell. Then you could stick around for most of Ferraby Lionheart's set. It's his last residency show. Then you could jump in a cab and get to the UCB Theatre on 26th St. and see Leo Allen's free weekly Whiplash show. One of this week's guests is Patton Oswalt who just got done playing multiple nights at Caroline's.

As Todd told San Francisco Comedy Blog, he plays Mickey Rourke's boss at his day job. Mickey lost the Best Actor Oscar to Sean Penn at last night's Academy Awards which closed with a recorded cover of Bob Dylan by Beck. Mickey did win the Independent Spirit Award though.

Kate Winslet won best actress for The Reader. Nico Muhly composed the soundtrack to that movie.

M.I.A. did not win an Oscar.

Vicodin earrings.

Cheap Ballet tickets.

Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday.

They're giving away 2 VIP tickets to the REM tribute at Carnegie Hall to the the person who uploads the best video of themselves covering R.E.M. to YouTube.

Motel Motel were added to the upcoming Phosphorescent show.

Paul Weller won a Brit Award. U2, who are streaming their new album at MySpace, performed at the ceremony. Video below..

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

Morgan Murphy the pregnant Hanukkah fairy (more by Tim Griffin)

The lineup for tonight's Whiplash show at the NYC UCB Theatre is great as usual. Leo Allen hosts Paul F. Tompkins, John Mulaney, Andrea Rosen, Jesse Popp, and LA's Morgan Murphy. If anyone knows of any other shows Morgan is playing while she's in town, please leave details in the comments.

Also coming up at UCB: The Benson Interruption on Wednesday 2/18, and A-Side / B-Side with Kurt and Kristin on Thursday.

Patton Oswalt plays six shows at Caroline's this month. Tickets are on sale at Ticketweb.

Zach Galifianakis has a few shows coming up of note. On February 19th he'll join Bobby Tisdale, Pete Holmes, Shane Mauss and Andrea Rosen for a short set at 92YTribeca. Then on March 5th he's doing a full, $40, show at NYU. On May 24th he's playing the new comedy/dance tent at the Sasquatch Music Festval in Gorge, Washington.

The venue attached to Sound Fix Records in Williamsburg is closing soon. Upcoming comedy shows there include Entertaining the Bartender w/ Jena Friedman on Tuesday 2/17, Totally J/K w/ Joe and Noah (Paul F. Tompkins, Michelle Collins, Ted Alexandro, and Paul Oddo) on Wednesday 2/18, and Big Terriffic w/ Max, Gabe and Jenny on Thursday 2/19.

Eugene Mirman recently celebrated the release of his book at the Bell House in Brooklyn. His upcoming shows include two dates with John Wesley Harding at Le Poisson Rouge.

Dave Hill appears at Village Underground on February 24th.

Commercials have started to air for Parks and Recreations, by the people who brought you the Office, coming Thursdays to NBC and starring Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, and Aziz Ansari. That commercial, and more videos, below...

Continue reading "Morgan Murphy @ Whiplash tonight, Parks and Recreation, Patton, Zach Galifianakis dates & other comedy news"

by Klaus Kinski

Max & Gabe D & friend @ MoMA - Jan 6, 2009 (by Fred Benenson) (via)

I don't get to see nearly as much comedy as I used to, but the scene is as vibrant as ever. If the mood strikes and I find myself wanting to get my yuck-on there is absolutely no shortage of one-off shows and recurring weekly shows. The Tribeca branch of the 92nd St Y has been booking some insane comedy shows recently. I caught Zach Galifianakis there a few weeks ago and was mightily impressed by the performance space and the insane, reasonably priced beer list at the bar. Sound Fix in Williamsburg has free comedy every Wednesday and Thursday. Joe Mande and Noah Garfinkle host Totally J/K every Wednesday at 9:30pm, while Max Silvestri, Gabe Liedman and Jenny Slate host Big Terriffic at 8:00pm on Thursdays. These shows fill the void left by the demise of Rififi and its staples Invite Them Up and The Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show by attracting big names like Zach Galifianakis, Sarah Silverman, Janeane Garofalo, Todd Barry, Eugene Mirman, and zillions more. Speaking of Greg Johnson, he's got a free show every Sunday at Pianos. And speaking of Invite Them Up, former host Bobby Tisdale now has a semi-regular, RSVP only show happening in Greenpoint called Wards of Merkin. It's usually $10 and there's usually free booze and top shelf comedians. And don't forget that the UCB Theater and The Pit have calendars bursting with options as does Comix's underground lair Ochi's. And that's just barely scratching the surface of the goings ons. Below are some shows currently on my radar...

Continue reading "NYC comedy @ 92Y, SoundFix, Comix, Pianos, UCB, places"

Til Tuesday (Aimee Mann then)

Aimee Mann (now)

Twisted Sister

What do Aimee Mann and Twisted Sister have in common? They were both popular in the eighties (though maybe Twisted Sister are the only ones still living in it) and are still at it today, they both put out Christmas albums in 2006, they both played Christmas shows in 2007 (Aimee also played one in 2006), and they both are playing Christmas shows in 2008 - both of which are at Nokia Theatre in NYC in December. Twisted Sister plays two nights (tickets are on sale), and Aimee Mann plays one (she had two nights, but one was already cancelled) (tickets are also on sale).

In case the title confused you Aimee & Dee are not sharing the same bill (just the same BV post, again).

Twisted Sister is advertising two openers: ZO2 and The Dirty Pearls. Aimee Mann is saying that "This years special guests include: Nellie McKay, Grant-Lee Phillips, Morgan Murphy, Patton Oswalt and Paul F. Tompkins.", but her tour is eleven dates long and it's unclear who will be appearing at each show along the way, BUT Nokia Theatre IS listing all of those guests EXCEPT Patton. All tour dates and a whole bunch of related videos, below...

Continue reading "Aimee Mann & Twisted Sister - 2008 Christmas Tour Dates, Nellie McKay, Patton Oswalt, videos w/ Lita Ford & stuff"

"Indeed, I will be liveblogging the election coverage for four hours. Four fucking hours of me scanning through all the election coverage -- the three majors, MSNBC, FOX, CNN and, God help me, PBS. Why not drop by at INDECISION 2008? Would it kill you?* (*If it would literally kill you, please don't)" [Patton Oswalt]

Patton Oswalt on your computer. Diplo (live deejaying) on your (Current) TV.

For more election-related ideas on how to spend this evening, check out our own full list (and don't forget to look in the comments for even more).

Ben Stiller, Beastie Boys, Diplo, Santogold and others appear in the official Get Out and Vote video below...

Continue reading "Patton Oswalt & Diplo doing live election stuff tonight"

photos by Zach Dilgard, words by Black Bubblegum

Zach & BB are up at Kutscher's this weekend for the first-ever NY All Tomorrow's Parties festival...

Patton Oswalt

"I feel like David Lynch would walk into this place and say 'This is perfect! Production designer, you're fired.'"

Leave it to Patton Oswalt to say exactly what I was thinking.

"I half expect to walk by a room and see a guy getting blown by somebody in a bear suit."

Kutscher's Country Club is an odd "resort"... a decaying, frozen-in-time artifact from the 60s with shag-carpeted walls, pale pink wall paper, musty smell, and brown water showers to prove it. But let's get real, no one came to Kutscher's for the surroundings.... It was for the sights, sounds, and overall vibe and in that respect, the location for the New York version of All Tommorrow's Parties delivers in spades.

Tortoise

Due to more traffic traffic than I anticipated, I ended up missing both Bardo Pond and Meat Puppets, sliding into Kutscher's slightly before Tortoise hit the main stage, the Stardust Room, on Friday (Sept 19, 2008).

The Stardust Room is circular, comparable in size to NYC's Nokia Theater and also tiered, presumably for dinner-shows. It's painted black and covered in stars and while it may have passed for "class" in the age of the beehive, in 2008, Stardust feels more like a rejected set from Star Trek. Where it counts though, the sound, I was definitely impressed, and from all viewpoints.

words to be continued. more assorted photos from Friday below....

Continue reading "ATP NY part 1 - BB & ZD arrive, Patton Oswalt jokes - pics"

Patton Oswalt @ the Sub Pop Festival (more by Shawn Brackbill)

We are pleased to announce further artists for the ATP New York event. The final batch of tickets and accommodation is now available through www.atpfestival.com

The latest acts to be confirmed are...

Patton Oswalt who will be both performing and curating an evening of other comedians on Friday September 19th.

Curated by My Bloody Valentine - Brian Jonestown Massacre and Robin Guthrie plus more acts to be announced.

Curated by ATP - Lightning Bolt

We are also pleased to announce that the Criterion Collection will be working in conjunction with ATP to host the cinema at the event.

(Also, look out for the games room where you'll find Steve Albini at the card table...)

Continued below...

Continue reading "ATP NY addes Lightning Bolt, Patton Oswalt, BJM & more"

words by Klaus Kinski, photos by Shawn Brackbill

Right off the bat, I want to bring something to your attention that's been making it's way around the internet recently. Back in June, comedian Patton Oswalt delivered a graduation speech at his old high school. Anyone familiar with Patton's comedy, his blogs, and his interests in life will realize rather quickly that, in addition to being one of the funniest people alive, Patton is a sharp, thoughtful individual. Anyhow, read the damn speech.

Another one of my favorite comedians is putting out an album. LA-based comedian Doug Benson will unleash his debut CD DOUG BENSON: PROFESSIONAL HUMOREDIAN on July 15th via AST Records.

Whether you know him from VH1's "Best Week Ever," NBC's "Last Comic Standing" or his documentary "Super High Me," chances are Doug Benson has made you laugh before. Now he will make you laugh again, repeatedly, with his first full-length solo comedy album, "Doug Benson: Professional Humoredian." Recorded live at the world-famous Hollywood Improv, "Professional Humoredian" catches Doug at his loosest, silliest and most hilarious. Playing to a rowdy sold-out house on 4/20, Doug tears through his set with wild abandon, delivering material on such wide-ranging topics as movies, politics, relationships, anti-drug campaigns and the miracle of modern science known as McGriddles. A perennial favorite among comedy aficionados, Doug placed sixth on Season Five of "Last Comic Standing" and was named "Stoner of the Year" by High Times Magazine in 2006. Patton Oswalt calls him "prolific ... a resin-scented miracle." One listen and you'll understand why Doug has won such acclaim: witty, charming, relentless and irrepressible, Doug Benson is a Professional Humoredian.

This CD is only 10 bucks and will be worth every penny. If you aren't familiar with Doug, I HIGHLY suggest attending The Doug Benson Interruption on August 7th at 9:30pm at the UCB Theater. The Interruption is for me the funnest, loosest comedy event on the planet. These shows ALWAYS sell out and feature line-ups so majestic and stupefying that many comedy fans fall to their knees and weep. Maybe you'll be able to buy the CD at the show.

As I write this, tickets are still available for all three Ricky Gervais shows happening at the WaMu Theater at MSG on July 14, 15, and 16. And I couldn't be more excited that Todd Barry will be the opener for the 15th and 16th shows. Todd had no problem winning over the sold out crowds at the Flight of the Conchords shows at Town Hall in May so I look forward to his domination of WaMu.

Speaking of Todd Barry, he and several other comedians were part of Sub Pop's 20th Anniversary Festival. The comedy portion of the Festival took place on Friday, July 11th The Moore Theatre and featured David Cross, Patton Oswalt, Kristen Schaal, and Eugene Mirman. I so with I was there. That's where the pictures in this post came from.

More pictures, news, vidoes and upcoming shows, below...

Continue reading "Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon & comedy pics from SP20"

by Klaus Kinski

"Playboy & Program Signed by Patton Oswalt" (that's what it says)

If any of you have been wondering when the Comedians of Comedy will hit NYC again, I have the answer. NEVER! It was announced today (well, late last night) that Zach, Patton, Maria, and Brian (and special guests) will do their last show as a team on July 26th at the beautiful Spreckels Theater in San Diego CA. Tickets are on sale now. CoC shows were, for me, the funnest experiences of my comedy-going life. The core group is simply amazing and the friends they'd bring to the stage at each show was always awe inspiring. Obviously, the gang will probably make stops to NYC as individuals at some point in the future, but I sure am going to miss the sheer magnitude of what CoC delivered to fans across the country at each and every show. The entire farewell letter is below.

Also, I caught All Tomorrow's Parties Comedy Curator Patton Oswalt's 8:30pm show at Caroline's this past Saturday (Juen 28, 2008) and he, with the help of openers John Mulaney and Julian McCullough absolutely tore the roof off the place. Patton kicked the extremely diverse crowd's ass with huge pile of new material. It was so great. I wonder if it's only a matter of time before he has a solo show at a place like Town Hall. He should.

Continue reading "Patton Oswalt played Caroline's, Comedians of Comedy RIP"

by Klaus Kinski

Patton Oswalt and Brian Posehn

On Friday May 9, 2008 the NYC UCB Theater has an incredible night of comedy lined up, but two shows in particular are absolutely worth seeing.

Continue reading "upcoming Patton Oswalt shows & Mike Birbiglia too"

Continue reading "young Patton Oswalt, David Cross & Louis CK (videos)"