words & photos by Benjamin Lozovsky

ZZ Top

While many designers tagged trendier (see younger) performers to appear at their Fashion Week soirees, many of which happened the day before for Fashion's Night Out, John Varvatos and show curator/drummer Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver, Guns N' Roses) stayed true to the spirit of the Bowery store located where CBGB once stood, picking a lineup that would make Wayne and Garth tremble with a lack of self worth (Mike Meyers sitting on the side of the stage with a giddy grin would seem to confirm that).

Alejandro Escovedo performed first on Saturday night (9/11), churning out garage crunch with no less than 4 guitarists blazing on the Varvatos store's small stage. Ian Hunter (lead singer of Mott the Hopple) followed and was joined by Escovedo for a performance of glam cornerstone anthem "All The Young Dudes."

To break up the boys club, former Runaways singer Cherie Currie, one of rock's more underappreciated female frontwomen, came on next. Currie performed "Cherry Bomb," the Runaways' ode to young female rebellion, with a still palpable sense of angst, proving at the same time you're never too old to stop flaunting sex appeal (and to fit into leather corsets).

The Darling Stilettos

Taking a cue from the icon that preceded them, the night's youngest performers, The Darling Stilettos (think rock's answer to the Pussycat Dolls), danced and felt each other up in all the right places while screaming classic rock covers (and one original tune) like over-sexualized banshees.

There were new groups from established rockers as well. New York icon Jessie Malin performed with his latest musical collective The St. Marks Social, and recently formed rock super group Black Country Communion, consisting of former Deep Purple frontman/bassist Glenn Hughes, blues guitar god Joe Bonamassa, and prodigal son Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner) gave a sneak preview of some of the heavy tracks from their upcoming self-titled debut.

After a brief pause, Los Angeles superstar cover band Camp Freddy settled in as the house band for the remainder of the show, welcoming on stage a revolving door of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alumni as the evening catapulted upward in intensity. Some played covers, like ZZ Top (who were in town to play two nights at Beacon Theatre) evoking the spirit of Hendrix with "Foxy Lady" and Perry Farrell aggressively launching into the audience during "Sympathy for the Devil." Others did their own songs, like MC5's outspoken guitarist Wayne Kramer urging the crowd on during "Kick Out the Jams" with help from Handsome Dick Manitoba, or Alice Cooper being diabolically stylish while performing "I'm 18" and "School's Out."

By the time Farrell ended the night with Jane's Addiction's "Mountain Song," the Varvatos store crowd had finally reached the feverish level of turbulence one would expect for such a night. In fact the performers throughout the night consistently displayed more energy than the predominantly younger audience. For an event full of aging rockers, it really just felt like a riotous gathering of all the young dudes.

The crowd was full of familiar faces as well. Chris Brown, Jimmy Kimmel, Rachael Ray, and Matt Pinfield were among those getting their picture taken on the red carpet and mingling with the fashioned-out crowd. Iggy Pop (who played Don Hill's the night before) and Robert Plant (who played Bowery Ballroom the next day) were nowhere in sight though. More pictures and some videos from the whole night below...

Continue reading "ZZ Top, Perry Farrell, Alice Cooper & many more played John Varvatos' 10th Anniversary @ the Bowery store (pics & video) "

by Andrew Frisicano

DOWNLOAD: Harlem Shakes - Strictly Game (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Sean Bones - Easy Street (MP3)

Harlem Shakes @ Highline Ballroom (more by Ryan Muir)

The lineup at Pianos tonight (5/6) at has had some changes since we last wrote about it.

Harlem Shakes are still playing a free early show with The Cringe and Sean Bones, but Japandroids, who were originally scheduled to play the show's late set, had to reschedule all of their dates because of illness. They'll be in town instead on July 10th and 11th. Heavenly States canceled as well. Instead, we have the Octagon, Electric Owls, and Stars Like Nesseth for the post-Shakes late show (10pm start).

The Shakes have been busy since the release of Technicolor Health on Gigantic Music in March. I caught their show at the Starr Space on Thursday, April 23rd, where the band closed the night. The late Harlem Shakes set was persuasive enough to convince most of the crowd to stick around and sacrifice a totally alert work/school day. Accordingly, the front of the room was packed with people dancing to the band's new album songs, which they played as A Christmas Story rolled on the projector. The hardwood surface of the Starr Space were less than ideal acoustically (the PA speakers mounted behind the crowd didn't help either), but no one seemed to notice -- most were more interested in the party anthem choruses of songs like "Strictly Game" and "Sunlight."

At the end of May, the band heads out on tour with Passion Pit and Cale Parks across North America. After that, the Harlem Shakes will headline a July 1st show at the Bowery Ballroom. Tickets are still on sale.

Max & Willow (Sean Bones & Norah Jones in Wah Do Dem)

Also playing the free show tonight (7pm, you better hurry) is Sean Bones, "solo project of Sean Sullivan aka the guitarist of Sam Champion." He's set to release his debut LP (a reggae album), Rings, July 21st on Frenchkiss Records. Coming up, Bones will also play the Delancey on May 20th, open for the 1990s at the Mercury Lounge on May 28th, and perform at the Frenchkiss Records Northside Fest showcase at Bruar Falls on June 12th.

Sean Bones stars with Norah Jones in the indie flick Wah Do Dem, premiering at the LA Film Festival in June. Jones also sings on "Turn Them," the closing track on Bones' new disc.

You might recognize the other band on tonight's bill, The Cringe, as the group that features Rachael Ray's husband, guitarist/singer John Cusimano. The group has performed at Ray's pre-SXSW Santos show and SXSW BBQ in March of this year, her 2008 SXSW party, and other Ray-sponsored gigs. She's also hosting tonight at Pianos (Watch Entertainment = her production company) (flyer posted again below).

Two new clips from the Harlem Shakes' record release party at MHOW on March 26th, and the Sean Bones record track list and and IFC interview, and the trailer for Wah Do Dem, below...

Continue reading "Sean Bones - new record & movie, Norah Jones & tonight w/ (Rachael Ray and) The Harlem Shakes (new live videos) "

photos by Tim Griffin

""Oh, this is beautiful!" said singer David Johansen, who emerged before a wall-to-wall crowd in a snug black blazer and skin-tight jeans, with a silky leopard print scarf draped around his neck, and who, along with guitarist Syl Sylvain, is one of the band's two surviving original members. (Guitarist Johnny Thunders died a mysterious, drug-related death in 1991, and bassist Arthur "Killer" Kane passed away from leukemia just weeks after the British singer Morrissey reunited the Dolls for a concert in London in June 2004.)

"This is beyond my wildest dreams," the rail-thin Mr. Johansen continued a few songs later. "Did you hear that shit? That was good. Let's dance to this next one!"

To the disappointment of some in the audience, almost all the songs played during the roughly 45-minute set were new, save a half-blazing, half reggae-esque version of the iconic Dolls' anthem "Trash" during the encore. But the performance was, after all, a record release party for the band's new disc, 'Cause I Sez So, as well as the launch of Mr. Varvatos' new rock 'n' roll show on Sirius Radio, which was broadcast live. [The New York Observer]

Crowd members included John Varvatos (obviously), Carrie Dee English, Richard "Handsome Dick" Manitoba (who also has a show on Sirius-XM and will be performing at the upcoming Joey Ramone birthday bash), Racheal Ray (who is the host of her husband's show at Pianos tonight), Justin Tranter from Semi Precious Weapons (who opened for Lady Gaga at Terminal 5 on Saturday night), and rock photographers Leee Black Childers, Bob Gruen, and Tim Griffin. More of Tim's pictures from last night's show (5/5), below...

Continue reading "NY Dolls @ the John Varvatos Store (ex-CBGB) in NYC - pics "

Phosphorescent @ The Bell House (more by Fresh Bread)

tonight in NYC
* DANCE
* Doug Benson Interruption @ UCB
* Naughty by Nature @ Southpaw
* Big Terriffic With Max, Gabe & Jenny @ Cameo
* Clem Snide, Xylos, Heligoats @ Bowery Ballroom
* Ingrid Olava, Mark Steiner Band, Randi Russo @ Cake Shop
* Chuck Klosterman & Girls Girls Girls @ Highline Ballroom

SXSW started out right. I arrived in Austin late last night, but not too late to make it to a free Decemberists show (an IFC party) that I found out about via text message on my SuperShuttle ride from the airport to the hotel (Gomez played the same show before I got there). The Decemberists played a mix of old and new songs. Tonight at Stubb's is when they'll be playing their new album from start to finish for the first time (in NYC it will be at Radio City Music Hall).

The streets of Austin were filled with drunken St. Patrick's Day/spring break/SXSW partiers. There was lots of green everywhere which reminded me that I forgot to say Happy St. Patrick's Day yesterday! I did post the Pogues pictures though (which reminds me - the Decemberists also played a Pogues cover for in honor of the holiday).

Flights to and from SXSW are always fun because your bags are guaranteed to be sharing the overhead compartment with various instruments, and there is always at least one obvious band speaking a not-English language on the plane, and there's always at least a few familiar faces. Bruno Wizard of the Homosexuals (playing 6 shows at SXSW) was the most recognizable one this time. Bill Pearis is on a flight to Austin (with Rachael Ray) (who has her own party) as I type this.

Today in Austin is our BrooklynVegan day party at Emo's (It's on the smaller/inside/Jr/whatever-they-call-it stage. Fat Possum's party is on the main stage - both free) (BV flyer below), and then our official SXSW showcase at night (which includes the only non-NYC/CA performance of Phoshphorescent's new Willie Nelson tribute album from start to finish).

Video of Phos performing "Too Sick To Pray" at an Ohio show earlier this month, below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Wednesday?"

Semi Precious Weapons & Rachael Ray @ Santos in NYC (Nicky Digital) (thx Krista)

As posted earlier today, Franz Nicolay & Major General will be opening for the Pogues at Roseland Ballroom on March 13th, but that is just one of many shows the Hold Steady's moustached member has coming up. Another one is tonight, March 5th...

3/5 FRANZ NICOLAY @ Small Beast Salon
Guest-hosting & curating.
THIS WEEK: 8:15-8:45 Franz Nicolay
8:55-9:25 Yoni Gordon
9:30-10:05 Serena Jost
10:15-11 Jennifer O'Connor
@ The Delancey - 168 Delancey, NYC

Franz is doing the same thing at the Delancey with a different bill on March 12th too, and he's doing a reading at Bar Matchless on March 14th. He'll have a busy few days which almost immediately then turns into a Hold Steady trip to SXSW that starts with a pitstop in Portland for a March 16th show at the Crystal Ballroom.

At SXSW, Franz is playing one solo/Major General show, and The Hold Steady are playing two. The first HS show is Friday March 20th at Mohawk. That's a public, official SXSW appearance. The second is the next day at Maggie May's for the Tom Jones-and-Semi-Precious Weapons-loving Rachael Ray. And they're not the only ones playing her party. As previously mentioned, The Airborne Toxic Event will be there, and so will New York Dolls, Ra Ra Riot and The Thermals. You can see the whole lineup and more details on the Dunkin Donuts spokesperson's website. The picture above was taken at Rachael's NYC show at Santos last week. See more like it at Nicky Digital's site.

NY Dolls also have an official SXSW show, and Sylvain Sylvain is sitting on a SXSW panel called "The Sound and the Fury". This all in addition to a new record coming out...

After working together on the New York Dolls' influential debut in 1973, the group reunited this winter with producer Todd Rundgren to record their fourth studio album, Cause I Sez So, set for a May 5 release on Atco Records.

Recorded at Utopia Sound Studio in Kauai, Hawaii, the album features 11 original compositions and a new version of "Trash," which was on their 1973 debut album. "It was amazing working with Todd again, and I think we were able to evoke the special sound of our first album and drag it by the hair into the present," says frontman Johansen.

Prior to the album's release, the New York Dolls-David Johansen (vocals); Sylvain Sylvain (guitar); Steve Conte (guitar); Brian Delaney (drums); and Sami Yaffa (bass)-will appear at the South By Southwest (SXSW) music conference and festival in Austin, TX. [as outlined above]

No upcoming Dolls dates in NY, bit Ra Ra Riot are at NYU TONIGHT (3/5), The Hold Steady are at Irving Plaza on March 30th, and The Thermals are playing Bowery Ballroom twice in May.

The NY Times went to RR's SXSW show last year. Video below...

Continue reading "Franz Nicolay, Rachael Ray, NY Dolls, Thermals, NYC, SXSW "

photos by Chris La Putt

"It took a while for Jones to get warmed up and he closed the show with a run through many of his tried and true hits. On surefire crowd-pleasers like "She's A Lady," "It's Not Unusual" and "What's New, Pussycat," Jones was in all his Vegas-style glory. The recital of many of the songs seemed a little too well-rehearsed but retained enough looseness to remain fun. Jones ' hair and beard are streaked with a little more gray than in recent years and his set length may be whittled to under ninety minutes but Jones knows how to finished strong. Prior to closing the night with hip-shaking covers of "Venus" and his Art Of Noise inflected version of Prince's "Kiss," he found a time capsule and broke out some vintage dance moves on "Leave Your Hat On." When you see a 67-year-old singer earn his thrown panties instead of getting them tossed his way solely on his reputation, you've seen something inspiring." [Earvolotion]

I think that paragraph sums up the key points. Throw in the full on crotch grab that slightly traumatized me, and Rachael Ray dancing up a story in the balcony, and you've got everything you need to know about Tuesday night's show at Terminal 5 (2/24). I think many in attendance would have been happier if the show was seated, like his next NYC one at the Beacon Theater will be. More pictures below...

Continue reading "Tom Jones @ Terminal 5, NYC - pics"

Tapes n Tapes @ Bumbershoot 2008 (more by Chris Graham)

Wizardry @ Europa (more by Tim Griffin)

today in NYC
* DANCE
* Sharon Van Etten @ Zebulon
* Fountains of Wayne @ Joe's Pub
* Thievery Corporation @ Terminal 5
* Witch, Earthless & Children @ MHOW
* Wizardry & La Otracina @ Union Pool
* The Lonely Island @ Virgin Megastore
* Ben Kweller & The Watson Twins @ Town Hall
* Vaz, The Sundelles, Browns & The Darlings @ Glasslands
* Wild Yaks & Artanker Convoy (Cinema 16) @ the Bell House
* Sleepwalk with Me w/ Matthew Broderick @ Bleeker Theater
* Tapes 'n Tapes, Wild Light & The Subjects @ Bowery Ballroom
* Icy Demons, Lemonade, Ape School & Phantogram @ Mercury Lounge
* Tokyo Police Club, Born Ruffians & the Harlem Shakes @ Webster Hall
* Des Roar, Gringo Star, J Roddy Waltson & the Business, The Dead Sparrows @ Pianos
* Gods and Monsters, Girls In Trouble, Soft Circle, Christy & Emily @ Public Assembly
* Rachael Ray presents Semi Precious Weapons, The Cringe, The Orion Experience @ Santos

Racheal Ray was loving Tom Jones at Terminal 5 last night. Full coverage coming soon.

The Black Lips's new video for "Short Fuse" below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Wednesday?"

"One year after she set the blogosphere on its collective ear by invading the indier-than-thou confines of South by Southwest with her own party -- and then shocking everyone when that party actually turned out to be pretty good -- Rachael Ray is at again, with plans for another SXSW soiree.

While details are still limited, a source close to the event told MTV News that Ray is looking to throw an "expanded" party at this year's South By, tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, March 21. Last year's party was held at Austin, Texas' Beauty Bar, but no location has been determined for this year's event.

The source said that "10 to 12" bands could be booked for Ray's SXSW party (last year's bill featured the Raveonettes, Holy Fuck and the Cringe, the band fronted by her husband, Jon Cusimano), and while not all the acts have been confirmed, we hear that a couple of fairly huge names -- the Hold Steady and the Airborne Toxic Event -- have already committed to play.

The source also added that another "big name" will be added in the coming days.

Ray will work out all the kinks at a SXSW pre-party, scheduled for February 25 at Andrew WK's NYC spot Santo's Party House. Semi-Precious Weapons, the Orion Experience and the Cringe top the bill." [MTV]

Tickets for the Santos show are on sale.

Last year it wasn't only Rachael that "set the blogosphere on its collective ear". It was Perez Hilton's entrance into SXSW too. His party ended up having Robyn, N.E.R.D., Riskay and others. Then he did a CMJ party too which Semi Precious Weapons also played (along with Sharon Jones and Lady Gaga).

Continue reading "Rachael Ray coming to Santos Party House, returning to SXSW ("Hold Steady & Airborne Toxic Event rumored")"

photos by Ryan Muir & Leia Jospe

HF @ Emo's Annex (BV day party) - Mar 13, 2008 (Ryan Muir)

I heard that everywhere Holy Fuck played (during SXSW) was packed with people. My own party at the 600-capacity Emo's Annex on Thursday afternoon (March 13) was no exception. Holy Fuck were scheduled to play at 5:20. By 5:00 (around the time Phosphorescent was leaving the stage), we were completely 'sold out' and a line started to form down the street. I was honestly a little suprised (as surprised as I was when the opposite happened to Shearwater when they played their 1am set after Martha Wainwright at my official showcase the night before).

HF @ Emo's Annex (BV day party) - Mar 13, 2008 (Leia Jospe)

Anyway, the place was filled and HF proceeded to play a fantastic, dancetastic set that pretty much everyone I talked to was in turn talking about - especially the part where they loop that film through that thing and it makes that noise....(see above). I heard they also *killed it* at Rachael Ray's, and Matt YANP said "they're darn near perfect" after catching their Wednesday set at a Gorilla vs Bear day party.

Eduardo once compared them to Battles in the comments. I think that's a good one. They both have a similar mostly-instrumental-electronic sound and are both good, but Battles were able to headline Webster Hall already and Holy Fuck are just reaching the point where they're touring as the opener for one of their label-mates (Super Furry Animals) and co-headlining Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn (with A Place To Bury Strangers on March 22). I think that's because Battles had a really catchy hit song (relatively speaking) and a little more help, but if the buzz at SXSW is any indication, Holy Fuck will definitely be right there with them in no time - the more old fashioned way. Oh yeah, tickets for Saturday's show are still NOT YET SOLD OUT. All dates and more SXSW photos below......

Continue reading "Holy Fuck played SXSW (pics) ++ 2008 Tour Dates (Saturday)"

Continue reading "Holy Fuck - 'Lovely Allen' (new video), SXSW soon"

more like What The Fuck

We are excited to announce Watch Entertainment's "FEEDBACK Showcase...a feast of hot bands and tasty foods, hosted by America's favorite cook and indie music lover, Rachael Ray.

We invite you to join us at this merging of great food and even better music, which will take place on Saturday March 15 from 12pm - 6pm at The Beauty Bar, 617 East Seventh Street in Austin, TX.

Inside
DJ Efren"Pedro"Ramirez from Napaleon Dynamite

Outside
12pm Autovaughn
1 The Ravonettes
2 The Cringe
3 Scissors For lefty
4 The Stills
5 Holy Fuck

RSVP to feedbackrsvp@kingworld.com.

Holy Fuck are also playing the BrooklynVegan day party @ Emo's Annex & Lounge on Thursday March 13th (11am-6pm). More tour dates below...

Continue reading "Holy F*ck playing for Rachael Ray (& BrooklynVegan) @ SXSW"

Perez Hilton and Rachael Ray will each have a presence at SXSW this year (and so will at least 350 bands) (and BrooklynVegan too).