by Andrew Sacher

DOWNLOAD: The Get Up Kids - Pararelevant (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Get Up Kids - Regent's Court (MP3)

Reunited since 2008, The Get Up Kids have recorded their first studio album since 2004's Guilt Show. The album called There Are Rules is set to be released on January 25, 2011 via Quality Hill Records. I had the chance to hear the new album, and I think it's not just a reunion album, but a step forward for the band. It seems like Matt Pryor must have gotten his softer, more melodic side out of his system in The New Amsterdams, because There Are Rules is some of The Get Up Kids' hardest hitting stuff since the classic Something to Write Home About (an album Drowned in Sound gave a 9 when it was reissued, and that Pitchfork gave a 2 when it came out). You can listen to two of the new songs above.

The band have announced new dates for their US tour in support of the new album in early 2011 with openers Miniature Tigers and Brian Bonz. The tour hits New York on March 2 at Webster Hall and March 3 at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Presale tickets will be available on Friday at noon. Tickets go on sale to the general public on December 16. These new dates were added to the end of the first leg of the tour with openers Steel Train and River City Extension, who will not appear at any of the New York dates.

Matt Pryor will also be in New York this weekend as part of the Where's The Band tour with Dustin Kensrue (Thrice), Chris Conley (Saves the Day), and Anthony Raneri (Bayside) (editor's note: yikes!). The four frontmen are each doing solo acoustic performances at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Saturday (12/11) and Highline Ballroom on Sunday (12/12).

Miniature Tigers also returns to New York one more time before The Get Up Kids' shows to conclude their tour with Freelance Whales on December 15 at Webster Hall.

All tour dates and tracklist below...

Continue reading "The Get Up Kids releasing new album touring (MP3 & dates) "

The Sadies

"The Sadies are already well known as 'musician's musicians'--famous for playing with well-known musicians, namely, Neko Case, Jenny Lewis and punk-monolith John Doe. Now, the band has announced that they will be joined onstage during their July 23 show at the Bowery Ballroom by an absolute legend--one whose distinct organ playing helped define one of the world's most treasured bands--Garth Hudson of The Band."

It's been special guest week at Bowery Ballroom. Amanda Palmer made a surprise appearance on stage with Steel Train last night, and David Byrne joined Crowded House on stage the night before that. Amanda joined Steel Train on "Behavior" and also performed Radiohead's Creep. Videos below

Garth and Maud Hudson and Chicken Snake are the openers at tonight's Sadies show. Tickets are still available and probably will be at the door. All Sadies dates below...

Continue reading "Amanda Palmer played w/ Steel Train @ Bowery Ballroom last night, Garth Hudson plays w/ The Sadies (dates) "

Wow...Public Image Ltd, The Specials, Grizzly Bear, Passion Pit, Echo and the Bunnymen, Grace Jones, Fever Ray, Devo, Hot Chip, Phoenix, Orbital, Spoon, Sly and the Family Stone, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sunny Day Real Estate, Yo La Tengo, Mew, Camera Obscura, Gil Scott-Heron, The xx, John Waters, Dillinger Escape Plan, Deer Tick, Gary Numan... Full Coachella 2010 lineup below....

Continue reading "2010 Coachella line up announced (Faith No More, Pavement, Muse, Gorillaz, Thom Yorke, Jay-Z, LCD Soundystem, ???)"

SXSWeek 2010: March 12-21
Interactive: March 12-16
Film: March 12-20
Music: March 17-21

The intial lineup of bands playing the music portion, below...

Continue reading "SXSW 2010 - dates & initial band lineup "

photos by Tim Griffin and Chris La Putt

"After a soggy Friday and sunny Saturday, the thunderstorms returned for the third and last day of All Points West, this time resulting in major delays and canceled sets for the festival held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. But after the rain cleared and mercifully stayed away, organizers hustled to get the schedule back on track, culminating in a dazzler of a headlining set by British rockers Coldplay.

Sunday's line-up, scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. in the comedy tent and 2 p.m. on the music stages, was pushed back several hours due to severe storms that hit the area midday. Fans who arrived early were turned away at the gates, and it wasn't until just before 4 p.m. that ticket holders were invited to line up at the festival entrance for an even longer wait for admission. Comedians Todd Barry, Christian Finnegan and Janeane Garofalo, originally slated for 45-minute sets at the Queen of the Valley tent, were rushed through with 10 minutes each to make way for the musical acts that followed them. "I might do a tour of entirely rained-out festivals," said Barry, "it's big money for not a lot of work at all."

Some sets were canceled altogether--indie rockers Steel Train and New Jersey punk band the Gaslight Anthem, scheduled to take the main Blue Comet stage in the afternoon, were scrapped to allow later bands to perform at their scheduled times." [Billboard]

As you may have heard, Coldplay's Sunday night set included covers of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Beastie Boys' "Fight For Your Right". Jay-Z covered "No Sleep Till Brooklyn on Friday.

MGMT played against Coldplay on Sunday, and Echo and The Bunnymen instead opened for Coldplay on the main stage (with Courtney Love watching in the wings). Akron/Family, Silversun Pickups, Mogwai, Lykke Li, Elbow, the Black Keys, and others also played sets on the shortened, very wet day. More pictures, and the two Coldplay cover videos, and some setlists, below....

Continue reading "All Points West 2009 - Day 3 Pictures (Coldplay, mud, MGMT)"

Janeane Garofalo @ All Points West comedy tent - Aug 2, 2009, 4:50 pm (raek)

Following last year's inaugural event, festival producers began work immediately on resolving concerns expressed by fans in attendance. They have worked closely with their partners at NJ Transit to improve light-rail service and capacity. As an added value for 2009, festival goers who choose to travel to the site utilizing the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line can ride for free throughout the weekend with their ALL POINTS WEST festival ticket. Additionally, based on the popularity of the ferry as a mode of transportation from lower Manhattan to Liberty State Park, the frequency and size of the ferryboats will increase at a reduced price for festival attendees.... The producers have also worked with their partners at Liberty State Park to improve the fan experience in the beer gardens. This year's areas will be larger, have shorter lines, and feature shade tents, views of the stages and food concessions...

The second annual ALL POINTS WEST MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL returns to Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey Friday, July 31, Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2. Like last year, bands will play on three stages, except "the Queen of the Valley stage has been changed to a Coachella-like tent creating an environment that will showcase comedy, DJs, electronic acts and bands."

More details on the items above will be posted at the apwfestival.com. The entire lineup (it's good!) and ticket info, below...

Continue reading "All Point West - 2009 festival dates & lineup (Tool, My Bloody Valentine, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beastie Boys, Coldplay)"