photos by Jason House

Great Gaylord @ the Bell House

After a raucous, sold-out first night of Norton's 25th Anniversary celebration at the Bell House, the party continued at the Brooklyn venue on Friday (11/11) where once again the night was opened by The Nor-Tones ("Norton's all-employee band includes members of the Little Killers, Daddy Long Legs, Stalkers, Girls At Dawn and LiveFastDie playing the hits of the Norton catalog.")

Night two also featured a set by mysterious cover band the Condo Fucks (aka Yo La Tengo) with Great Gaylord ("the Greatest Lousy Singer of all time"?). For the Condo Fucks it was their second NYC show in a short amount of time, though their first one at Mercury Lounge was sans Gaylord. Yo La Tengo will play eight more sold out shows over Hanukkah at Maxwell's (where Sunday's Norton show headliner The Sonics played on Saturday).

Also on the Friday night bill, some of which fell under the "R&B/Soul revue" umbrella, was Jackie and the Cedrics, a new lineup of Greg Cartwright's band Reigning Sound (featuring members of The Jay Vons), Mark Sultan (aka BBQ whose old partner King Khan played the night before), Lonnie Youngblood and the Bloodhounds with special guest Mick Collins (of the Gories and the Dirtbombs) on guitar, The Mighty Hannibal, Andre Williams (who also stopped by the night before), and Happy Organ man Dave "Baby" Cortez on keys.

More pictures and videos from most of Friday's bash, below...

Continue reading "Norton Records party @ the Bell House - night 2 pics & video (Condo Fucks, Reigning Sound, Mark Sultan, Mighty Hannibal & more)"

Detroit Cobras on a boat in 2010 (more by Andrew St. Clair)

As mentioned in What's Going on Thursday?, the Detroit Cobras played Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ last night (8/11) with The Booze. They'll do it again in Brooklyn tonight (8/12) at The Bell House with The Baxx Sisi's and Des Roar. Tickets are still available.

Frequent tour-mates and sometimes member sharers, Reigning Sound, have shows coming up too. We mentioned that they play the Norton Records Anniversary shows at The Bell House in November, though the night they play, night 2, with Jackie and the Cedrics, is now sold out. Luckily both of those bands will appear at pre-fest show on November 9 at Maxwell's Tickets are on sale.

Night 4 of the fest, when The Sonics headline, is also sold out, though tickets are still available for nights 1 and 3, and for the show The Sonics play at Maxwell's on November 12.

Detroit Cobras video for "Cha Cha Twist" below...

Continue reading "Detroit Cobras are here, Reigning Sound are coming"

"The Sonics? Wow!" - Anonymous | May 15, 2009 9:52 AM

Classic NYC garage rock label Norton Records will celebrate their 25th Anniversary over the course of four nights at The Bell House (Nov 10-13). The shows feature some pretty incredible artists, including most notably The Sonics, whose 1965 garage rock classic Here Are The Sonics is regarded by some as the first punk rock album. Norton Records reissued the album in 1999. The Sonics headline the last night (11/13) of the run. Tickets are on sale now for all four nights.

Tickets are also on sale for a daytime Sonics show happening November 12th at Maxwell's. You can hit this show and still not miss the show later that night at the Bell House. Sunday during the day is the Brooklyn Record Riot at Warsaw.

The Sonics need no introduction, but those not familiar should consider that Kurt Cobain said in a Nardwuar interview that "They got the most amazing drum sound I've ever heard. Still to this day, it's still my favorite drum sound. It sounds like he's hitting harder than anyone I've ever known." The White Stripes call them the "epitome of '60s punk," "harder than The Kinks," and say that "life becomes better after buying a Sonics record." Newer band Japandroids love them too, and say, "When you listen to it, even at low volumes, it sounds like it's blasting. And I like how you can feel they would melt your face if you saw them live." Don't sleep on catching them live. Last time they were in NYC was 2007. Who saw them at Warsaw? How was it? Check out videos from a December 2010 KEXP appearance below.

Fellow '60s garage rock vets ? and the Mysterians, best known for their 1966 single "96 Tears," headline the night before them. Other noteworthy bands include The Real Kids, led by John Felice of the The Modern Lovers, and The Randy Fuller Four. Randy Fuller was part of his brother's group The Bobby Fuller Four in the 1960s, who recorded the first successful version of the single "I Fought the Law," popularly covered by The Clash. Folllowing Bobby's untimely death in 1966 at age 23, Randy took over the group, which he renamed The Randy Fuller Four.

Reigning Sound, Mark Sultan (BBQ), The Condo Fucks, A-Bones, Flamin Groovies.... there are so many people on these bills, it's too much to list. Full lineup and some videos, below...

Continue reading "Norton Records anniversary shows happening at the Bell House, two Sonics shows too!"

by BBG

Killing Joke at Irving Plaza (more by Greg Cristman)

Chaos in Tejas 2011 (June 2-5) has expanded its lineup yet again, adding Killing Joke (their first show in Austin in close to 15 years), Off With Their Heads, Mammoth Grinder, Career Suicide, Chinese Telephones, Title Fight, The Mind Spiders, and Underground Railroad to Candyland to its already stellar lineup that includes names like Youth of Today, Converge, Autopsy, and so many more. Full revised lineup is below.

Chaos in Tejas 2011 will also feature a set by Reigning Sound who will play The Bell House SATURDAY (2/18) and Maxwell's during the day TOMORROW (as part of a WFMU benefit - pledge here if you're not going).

Tickets are still available for The Bell House show - though reportedly not many. You can also try your hand at winning a pair! Contest details are below.

Full Chaos in Tejas lineup and some video is below too...

Continue reading "Chaos in Tejas adds Killing Joke & more (updated lineup), Reigning Sound in NYC now (win tix)"

Greg of Reigning Sound

Though tickets are still available to the previously mentioned Reigning Sound show at The Bell House on Feb 18th, the band has added another for those of you who prefer your garage riffs in the, um, daytime:

The Cherry Blossom Clinic is excited to host its first ever live show at Maxwell's in Hoboken NJ on Feb 19, Sat 3-6pm! Terre T will be doing her show from Maxwell's, spinning her favorite records and hosting a special live performance by the amazing, ruling Reigning Sound! This is a benefit for WFMU, so Maxwell's, Reigning Sound and hopefully YOU will be contributing to a good cause: the continuation of WFMU Freeform radio! The suggested donation is only $10 and you get to be part of of Terre's live remote show and see a great, rare daytime performance of the ever awesome Reigning Sound!! Maxwell's is located at 1039 Washington in Hoboken, NJ.

In related news, Parting Gifts which features Greg of Reigning Sound/Oblivians recently added some new dates though none in NYC. Those dates, all Reigning Sound dates, and some video is below.

Continue reading "Reigning Sound add afternoon WFMU show & other dates"

by BBG

Tragedy fan at Chaos in Tejas 2008 (photo by joecurry666)

After an initial lineup was announced earlier this year, Chaos in Tejas is back for more with another set of bands confirmed for the June 2nd - 5th Austin festival. Get to booking your ticket if you're interested in seeing Kriegshog (from Japan, their last show ever), a Youth of Today reunion (Ray Cappo, Porcell, Ken Olden + a drummer who isn't Sammy), Low Threat Profile, Omar Souleyman, Hooded Menace, Lower Dens, Double Negative, FYP, Oneohtrix Point Never, Veins (their only show ever), Universal Order of Armageddon, and many many others. Oh, and by the way, the previously discussed Autopsy appearance will be their only US show of the year. Full list of bands playing the multi-venue party is below.

In related news, Low Threat Profile (members of Lack Of Interest/Infest/No Comment) released their debut LP via Deep Six Records before the new year. Pick it up at your favorite distro/webstore, like Tankcrimes or Phantom City.

Universal Order of Armageddon play NYC TWICE soon; on 1/21 at Cake Shop with Trophy Wife (and more TBA) and 1/22 at Death By Audio with The Body, Orphan, and (according to Youth Attack) Salvation. Take note, the lineups have changed since we first posted, and differ from what Kill Rock Stars has posted (click the link for Baltimore and Philly date info too).

Current Chaos in Tejas lineup (more announcements are due soon), below...

Continue reading "Chaos in Tejas 2011 lineup expands (Kriegshog & Youth of Today included), Universal Order of Armageddon coming soon"

Greg Oblivian on stage with the Oblivians at Knit (more by Andrew Frisicano)

"OK, let's get back to the music! We've been hoping that Greg Cartwright might join us at Hanukkah for years now, whether with the Oblivians or Reigning Sound or solo -- the guy wears many hats. Turns out that all we needed to do to coax him north was share a record with him and his newest band, the Parting Gifts (which reminds me -- did I ever tell you that my mom was a contestant on Concentration?). Direct from recording a session for WFMU's Cherry Blossom Clinic, apparently the first time all six of them had ever played together, they sounded great -- who's writing better minor-chord songs than Greg Cartwright? No one. Add a couple of Coco Hames's more country-oriented numbers and their side of our split single, and night 2 was off to a roaring start." [Ira of Yo La Tengo]

If you missed them, unfortunately there are no dates laid out for The Parting Gifts in the near term, but Reigning Sound is playing the Bell House in Brooklyn on Feb 18th. Tickets are on sale for what appears to be their only scheduled show at the moment

Reigning Sound can be heard on that Nolan Strong tribute compilation called Daddy Rockin' Strong: A Tribute to Nolan Strong & the Diablos that also features contributions from Mark Sultan, Dirtbombs, A-Bones (whose member played with Yo La Tengo this week), Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby (who both also played with Yo La Tengo this week), Gentleman Jesse & His Men, and others. Pick up a copy.

The Ettes played NYC two days before The Parting Gifts hit Maxwell's, supporting The Greenhornes at Bowery Ballroom on 11/30. The band currently has one upcoming show: January 16 at Pour House Music Hall in Raleigh, NC.

The Parting Gifts videos from Maxwell's and other recent vids of The Ettes and Reigning Sound are below...

Continue reading "The Parting Gifts played shows, Reigning Sound playing one"

by BBG

Autopsy at MDF (by Justina Villanueva)

One of the worst things about Maryland DeathFest this year was that it fell on the same weekend as Chaos in Tejas in Austin. Thankfully, you won't have to make a choice next year as Chaos in Tejas 2011 will take place on 6/2 - 6/5 (MDF is in May). What's more, the Austin festival has announced its first round of as-many-as-100 bands including Autopsy (their second US show in 20 years), D-Clone (Japan, U.S. exclusive), Extortion (Australia), Isterismo (Japan, U.S. exclusive), Miasmal (Sweden), Ceremony, Xibalba (Mexico), The Slowmotions (Japan, U.S. exclusive), Perdition, Crazy Spirit, Vile Gash, Origin of [m] (Japan), Bone Sickness, Innumerable Forms, Reigning Sound, and Unbroken. That's an impressive cross-section of metal/crust/punk/hardcore so far, with a slate of indie and hip hop artists to be announced across the festival's seven venues. Stay tuned for updates.

Meanwhile a few of the Chaos in Tejas bands have been announced for Maryland Deathfest 2010 too, which has been finalized with the addition of Tragedy to the lineup. Full MDF lineup is below and tickets are on sale.

Current Chaos in Tejas and the full MDF lineups and some video is below too...

Continue reading "Chaos in Tejas (June 2-5) announce intial 2011 lineup, Maryland Deathfest (May 26-29) announces their final "

DOWNLOAD: Mark Sultan - The Wind (Nolan Strong cover) (MP3)

Mark Sultan at Bowery Ballroom in 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

With King Khan and BBQ apparently going their separate ways, BBQ (aka Mark Sultan) has scheduled a one-man-band tour of his own.

King Khan and BBQ were originally scheduled to play shows this month, including one at the Bell House, but those were all cancelled and an October King Khan and the Shrines tour quickly showed up instead.

Now Mark 'BBQ' Sultan, who released his new LP $ via Last Gang Records (Metric's label) earlier this year, has an October tour of his own including an October 16th early show at Mercury Lounge in NYC. Tickets for that show are on sale now. The tour ends with Mark opening a bunch of dates for Deer Tick.

Mark also has a track on a new Nolan Strong tribute album. Nolan was a 50's R&B singer, and his fans (other artists who contributed songs to the album) include Lenny Kaye, Reigning Sound, Gentleman Jesse, A-Bones, and the Dirtbombs. Order the album at The Wind Records. Grab Mark's track for free above.

Full comp tracklist, Mark's new NSFW video for "Status", and all tour dates below...

Continue reading "Mark 'BBQ' Sultan plans a tour (dates), makes NSFW video, contributes to Nolan Strong tribute comp (MP3)"

photo: Andy Junk

"Why did The Spits beat out Reigning Sound for my favorite album of '09, even though [Reigning Sound's] Love and Curses makes me want to move back to the South and drive around in my grandfather's powder blue Cadillac with the curb feelers and a chain link through the hood so crackheads don't steal the battery? Because I hadn't heard The Spits before this past summer, and I love that thrill of discovery. Also, The Spits are a juggernaut live, while Greg Cartwright spends two hours tuning his guitar in between each two-minute song, killing his band's live momentum." [CT Terry @ Razorcake]

Frontman Greg Cartwright (ex-The Compulsive Gamblers & The Oblivians) and co. have a few scattered dates around the south in April before coming north for the gigs that include a June 19th show at Southpaw with the Anabolics (tickets on sale) and June 20th show at Maxwell's (tickets here). All dates with videos of the band's powerful live show (above tuning comments aside) from some recent-ish gigs, below...

Continue reading "Reigning Sound - 2010 Tour Dates"

It was my first time seeing Reigning Sound live, and it was certainly worth the drive to Detroit. The city's garage-rock faction was well represented. I'm told that was Detroit Cobras guitarist Mary Ramirez front-and-center for most of the night, singing and dancing like a superfan. Head Reigning Sound honcho Greg Cartwright, a legend in garage-rock circles for his work in the '90s with the Oblivians, was appreciative, taking several opportunities to thank everyone for coming out on a Monday night and calling Detroit "my home away from home."

Highlights of the evening for me included rousing versions of "Stop and Think it Over" by Cartwright's other former band, Compulsive Gamblers, and "You're so Strange," the final track off of Albums of the Aughts honoree "Time Bomb High School." [mlive]

From there the band heads north to finish up their tour with dates in Buffalo and Toronto. That means they definitely won't be sticking around long enough to cross paths with fellow Oblivian Jack Obvlivian who plays his own show at Southpaw on Sunday (11/22). Tickets for that are on sale too. All dates below...

Continue reading "Reigning Sound are here (Maxwell's tonight, Southpaw Friday), but not long enough to catch Jack Oblivian (Sunday)"

It's been five years since Greg Cartwright's Reigning Sound dropped their last full-length studio album, Too Much Guitar. Not that Cartwright has been resting on his laurels. The Reigning Sound backed Shangri-La Mary Weiss on her critically acclaimed comeback album, Dangerous Game, which was produced and largely written by Cartwright. The band performed with Weiss on tour, including an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Cartwright also produced, penned songs for, and played in The Detroit Cobras for a spell. All the while, the Reigning Sound toured the US on and off and released a couple of live albums, yet never managed to get into the studio to record. All the while, Cartwright stockpiled loads of new tunes.

Finally, late last year, the band entered Ardent Studios in Memphis and laid down a bunch of songs. Some months later, they went into Echo Mountain Studios in North Carolina and recorded a bunch more. In the end, the band had more than enough for two albums, and carefully whittled it down to the cream of the musical crop.

Love and Curses (title comes from Memphis TV horror host Sivad) is a return to the sound and style of the Reigning Sound's incredible Time Bomb High School. The band once again features a full-time keyboardist, Dave Amels, and has jettisoned the lo-fi approach used on Too Much Guitar in favor of a bigger, warmer studio sound. As with Time Bomb High School, Love and Curses strikes a balance between soulful rockers and beautiful ballads. The results are a rock 'n' roll album as near to perfection as any one is likely to hear this year. [Midhaven Mailorder]

And the group is finally getting around to touring behind these new releases. They play Goner Fest in Memphis this weekend (9/24-9/26), then hit the road in November. They'll be at Maxwell's on November 19th and Southpaw on Nov. 20th. Tickets to both Maxwell's and Southpaw are on sale.

A teaser for the new record, with album art and tracklist, and all tour dates are below..

Continue reading "Reigning Sound - new albums out & Tour Dates announced!"

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: Rodriguez - Sugar Man (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Rodriguez - Heikki's Suburbia Bus Tour (MP3)

Born in Mexico but raised in Detroit, Sixto Rodriguez released two soulful folk-rock albums (musically not unlike Shuggie Otis or even Bill Withers) in the early '70s, filled with gritty tales of inner-city life, that barely created a ripple in the United States but became sizable hits in Australia and South Africa of all places. (He toured Australia with Midnight Oil in the early '80s.)

His cult status began to grow in America, finally, at the start of this decade, and last year Seattle label Light in the Attic did the first official reissues of Rodguigez's 1970 debut, Cold Fact. The reissue of 1971's Coming From Reality, just hit stores last week. There's an MP3 from each at the top of this post, and for more info, I highly recommend Fred Mills' article on the man over on Blurt. There's also a new Rodriguez Daytrotter session which is well worth downloading.

Rodriguez is currently on what is his biggest American tour in ages, with a stop at Bowery Ballroom this Friday (5/15) with The War On Drugs. His backing band for the East Coast dates are from Asheville, NC, and includes Obvlivians/Reigning Sound guitarist Greg Cartwright, as well as a horn section. West Coast backing duties will be handled by San Francisco's The Fresh & Onlys who played with Rodriguez last year, including a performance at Amoeba Records which there's video of below, along with tour dates...

Continue reading "Rodriguez is back - MP3's & 2009 Tour Dates"