photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin, words by BBG

Without the mega-firepower of the Metalliance lineup with Saint Vitus, Crowbar, Kylesa (who play NYC on 10/22), Red Fang (who support Mastodon), Howl (who plays the Metal Suckfest) and The Atlas Moth (who recently played NYC) backing them, Helmet headlined a different kind of show at Bowery Ballroom on Tuesday (10/11), with support from Skeleton Key. This time the focus was NOT on their classic LP Meantime but quite the opposite; Helmet pretty much avoided the LP entirely save for a performance of "Give It". Full set-list is below along with more pictures from the show.

In semi-related news, the Metal Suckfest has completed its lineup for the the two-day festival (and pre-game with Mayhem), adding appearances from All Pigs Must Die, This is Hell, 3, and Last Chance to Reason. Tickets are still available.

For Bowery Ballroom, this Helmet show came right after a two-night run by the Lemonheads and before the Rosebuds headlined the stage.

More Helmet pictures and all tour dates are below.

Continue reading "Helmet played Bowery Ballroom w/ Skeleton Key (pics, setlist), Metal Suckfest completes lineup (tix)"

photos by Justina Villanueva

""I had not seen the Jesus Lizard since Lollapalooza 1995 - the last year I choose to think of as being remotely true to what that festival was about. As hard as it is to believe that was 14 years ago, it is even harder to understand how frontman David Yow & Co. have managed to bring back this band - essentially dormant since 1999 - with this much ferocity. Yow may be 14 years older and a bit worse for wear, but the man caterwauls with an intensity that most 20 year old pretty boys will never match. The Irving crowd - a good portion of whom, at this 16+ show, were not even born when this band began in 1987 - remained in a frenzy throughout the set, turning the Irving floor into a thrashing sea of bodies, flying beers and more than a few sets of broken eyeglasses. While Yow stage-dove, mic in hand, the band delivered their tightly wound hardcore like the experts they are. Covering a range of the band's catalog and with two encores, the 23-song set gave audience members a lot to scream about."
[acidjack @ NYCTaper where you can download a recording of the show]

Continue reading "the Jesus Lizard @ Irving Plaza - night 1 pics & live recording"

Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin - Nov 7, 2009 (by Chad Wadsworth)

There have been plenty of chances to catch The Jesus Lizard since they reunited. They've played Europe and a bunch of festivals. They played the Pitchfork Festival, Fun Fun Fun Fun Fest, and even ATP NY just a short drive north of the city. They even played in NYC on Halloween at a Vice party. They have not however yet played a completely public show as a reunited band in NYC. That is until tonight, 11/16, at Irving Plaza with Skeleton Key (and tomorrow at the same venue with Noveller). Tickets are still available for both shows (though only a "handful" left for tonight at the door).

If you stand close to the stage, be ready to catch David Yow. He is known to jump the second they hit the stage. Above picture from Day One of Fun Fun Fun Fest. Video and all dates below...

Continue reading "Jesus Lizard are here! See David Yow jump (at Irving Plaza Monday & Tuesday night) (and other tour dates) "

The Jesus Lizard plays at 11:45pm at ATP tonight (9/11). They play Irving Plaza in NYC on November 16th with recently added openers Skeleton Key and Noveller. They play Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin on Saturday November 7th... at 8:35pm which means you need to decide between them, Ratatat, The Pharcyde and Destroyer. On Sunday, November 8th, people need to choose between Danzig and Of Montreal. Full FFFFest schedule below...

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest set times ++ Jesus Lizard NYC openers announced (and the ATP NY show is TONIGHT) "