by BBG

In the live interview that took place before Hellride East (aka J.Mascis and Murph of Dinosaur Jr, and the guest of honor for the evening Mike Watt) hit the stage, Watt told rock critic Byron Coley about his intense love for John Coltrane ("I thought he was a punk") and how The Stooges changed his life. It was the latter that formed the basis for Hellride East's set at Le Poisson Rouge last night (5/2), as part of a release party for Mike Watt's new book On & Off Bass.

Featuring opening sets from throwback punk rockers Dead Trend and Brooklyn post-punkers Appomattox, the Hellride East set was comprised of 100% Stooges covers along with a shockingly large number of guest appearances. Names like Thurston Moore, Sharon Van Etten, Kurt Vile, Steve Shelley, and a gang of other guests sauntered on stage to help tear through Stooges classics like "TV Eye", "Loose" (with Thurston), "Dirt" (with Sharon), "Not Right", "Down on the Street", "1970", set closer "Fun House" and many more. Though the band was clearly loose and out to have a good time, it was a night of wonderful surprises and, like Iggy would say, a "Real Cool Time".

If you were there last night, you might already have a copy of the book (and signed). If not, you can still order yours. Mike Watt recently completed a tour with his old band fIREHOSE which hit Coachella.

Pictures and the setlist from Le Poisson Rouge, a video from the interview session, and the audio from an interview Mike did on WNYC Soundcheck earlier in the day, below...

Continue reading "Mike Watt played Stooges songs w/ J Mascis & many guests @ LPR (to celebrate his book) -- pics, video, setlist"

photos by David Andrako

The Mountain Goats stopped by NYC's Greene Space on Wednesday (earlier in the day than his third in a row Bowery Ballroom show) for a live WNYC "Soundcheck" radio appearance along with Suzanne Vega. Each artist performed three songs, Suzanne's were from her new play, and John's were from his new album "All Eternals Deck." Listen to the whole show, check out the setlist, and see more pictures from it, below.

Oh, and speaking of the Greene Space, "Battle of the Boroughs", the Bronx edition, goes down at the venue tonight (4/1).

Continue reading "Mountain Goats & Suzanne Vega played a few songs @ Greene Space (pics & WNYC stream)"

Iron & Wine were just revealed as the mystery band playing The Greene Space (44 Charlton at Varick) in NYC as part of NPR's "First Listen" series, TONIGHT (1/5). Not only that, but Sam Beam and band will be playing the new Iron & Wine album, "Kiss Each Other Clean," in its entirety. It's out January 25. Tickets for the show are on sale UPDATE: Sold out. UPDATE 2: On sale again (keep trying). If you don't get one in time, or you can't be there, you can also watch the webcast hosted by John Schaefer of Soundcheck.

Iron & Wine support the new album on a proper tour starting later this month with shows in LA and at Radio City Music Hall in NYC.