Slash is playing Hammerstein Ballroom on September 18 with Myles Kennedy and Foxy Shazam. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

With all the '90s nostalgia that goes on, here's a bit that we might have been okay with not coming back. The Summerland tour with Everclear, Sugar Ray, Lit, Gin Blossoms, and Marcy Playground hits NYC for a show at Roseland Ballroom tonight (7/18). Tickets for tonight's show are available. The tour also hits Bethal Woods Center for the Arts on Friday (7/20) in Bethel, NY and PNC Bank Arts Center on Saturday (7/21) in Holmdel, NJ.

Speaking of '90s nostalgia that should have stayed put in the '90s, The Offspring are playing Terminal 5 on September 19. Tickets for that show go on AmEx presale today at noon, with a general sale starting Friday (7/20) at noon. In other news, did you hear that new Green Day song?

The Morning Benders, who changed their name (and err, their sound too...) to POP ETC are playing NYC shows on Sunday (7/22) at Bowery Hotel with Angela McCluskey, Sean Rowe, and special guests, and August 2 at Santos with Haim. They will also perform live on East Village Radio on Friday (7/20) at 4 PM. RSVP for the Bowery Hotel show is open and tickets are on sale for the Santos show.

Day 1 and Day 4 of the Revelation Records 25th Anniversary are sold out but 4-Day passes are still available.

Tickets for the Sharon Van Etten show at Town Hall go on AmEx presale today at noon.

Tickets for the Flying Lotus show at Terminal 5 go on AmEx presale today at noon.

Tickets for the Dan Deacon shows at Bowery Ballroom and MHOW go on AmEx presale today at noon.

Tickets for They MIght Be Giants' 3-night New Year's run go on AmEx presale today at noon.

Tickets for the Other Lives and Indians shows at Bowery Ballroom and MHOW go on AmEx presale today at noon.

Tickets for the Two Gallants shows at Bowery Ballroom and MHOW go on AmEx presale today at noon.

Tickets for the Jaill and Fergus & Geronimo show at Mercury Lounge go on AmEx presale today at noon.

Tickets for the Devotchka shows at Bowery Ballroom and MHOW go on AmEx presale today at noon.

The Killers (early '00s nostalgia?) play Webster Hall on July 23 after Firefly Music Festival. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (7/20) at noon. They also play a "private" NYC show one day later (7/24) for a taping of 'Live from the Artist's Den.' You can enter for a chance to go. What do you think of their new song?

photos by Andrew St. Clair, words by Rachel Kowal

Andrea joins the Morning Benders on Stage

I was somewhat surprised to learn that The Morning Benders were playing Webster Hall, but the large space was densely packed by 8:00 for the early string of shows.

Having missed Cults during CMJ, I was thankful for a second chance. At its core, Cults is the project of Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin, but for their show, the duo had expanded. Fitting for their name, it looked as if Oblivion and Follin had chosen the additional four musicians based on their Manson family-esque appearance. All but one wore their dark hair long and a bit tussled.

"Hi. We're Cultssss," said Follin, dramatically drawing out the 's.' Like many young bands, Cults seems to lack a singular focus in their music, but their live show is the better for it. Over the course of their brief 25-minute set, they covered everything from slow, sexy songs to peppy, poppy dance numbers like the "Go Outside," which is perhaps their biggest hit to date.

Sure, Cults' set was a bit sloppy at times, but their music has all the right ingredients. They just need to let the dough settle for a bit so the yeast can do its thing.

Up next was Twin Sister. In addition to singer Andrea Estella's arresting appearance (Is that a parka? A wig? Or did she just tease her hair into a giant platinum mass?), it's easy to get lost in the band's mellow melodies and hushed vocals. The members of Twin Sister seemed to be in a perpetual state of bliss that had a calming effect on their music. Typically, stand out tracks are a band's more upbeat songs, but in the case of Twin Sister, it doesn't get much better than the smooth, slowly building "I Want a House" or the hazy jam "Lady Daydream."

The Morning Benders were met by a loud den of high-pitched cheers as they walked on stage. With singer Chris Chu's boyish good looks and the bands buoyant melodies, it should come as no surprise that their most ravenous fans are female. Throughout the evening, Chu spouted praises and niceties, which his eager fan base gladly absorbed. He could nonchalantly whisper "I love you" into the mic and at least 50 girls would turn to their boyfriends and dump them on the spot.

The band has apparently had a busy year. Chu estimated that Thursday night's show marked their 146th since March. Somehow, despite the heavy touring, the band didn't seem to be sick of the songs from their popular sophomore release, Big Echo, and nearly all of their set was lifted from the album. Of course, they did manage to work in a few other songs, like a Fleetwood Mac cover ("Dreams"), which featured guest vocals from Twin Sister's Andrea Estella.

Early in the show, Chu made a passing comment to get people dancing, but given the modest results, he repeated the sentiment before launching into the short, peppy song "Waiting For a War." "I gave you a chance to dance a couple of times, but you didn't really deliver [...] you guys could really go wild and express yourself. Feel free."

Then, as if all they were waiting for was permission, people started bopping along. Though the movement was a bit timid at first, as I watched from my perch in the balcony, I began to see subtle undulations on the floor as the crowd loosened up and seemed to move as one.

For "Excuses," the last song of their initial set, Chu put down his guitar, picked up a shaker, and walked to the edge of the stage, grabbing the hands of fans as he went. "Let's do this. Let's create a memory together, guys [...] let's get everyone singing." Sure enough, the house lights came on and nearly everyone sang along to the "dum du-dum's" of the chorus, including the other three members of the band. As the vocals continued on loop at the end of the song, Chu leaned over and started fiddling with pedals, and for a minute or so, the sunny melodies were shrouded in eerie overtones and discordant noise before he stripped it all away again, leaving the unadulterated group vocals to repeat a few more times before the screams and cheers from the audience became too overwhelming to hear the fade out.

Even if The Morning Benders don't appeal to you, it's hard to deny the gem of a song that is "Excuses" - so simple yet unbelievably catchy. Then you have the lyrics - not sexy enough to be dangerous or intimidating, but not completely innocent either. Take the first couple of lines: "You tried to taste me / And I taped my tongue to the southern tip of your body." (Whoa. Did I just blush typing that?)

As he walked off stage, Chris Chu uttered one last promise. "We'll be back soon with a new album." Then as if giving us a sneak peak, the band returned for one last song, a new one entitled "Virgins."

More pictures from the tour-ending show and the headliner's setlist, below...

Continue reading "The Morning Benders, Twin Sister & Cults @ Webster Hall ---- (pics & setlist) "

photos by Josh Darr

"Berkeley, California-bred four-piece band The Morning Benders are the Muhammad Ali of pop-rock: their summery melodies float on leader Christopher Chu's airy vocals like butterflies, but their lyrics sting like bees that've crawled under your sleeve when you weren't looking."
[Eye Weekly]

Earlier on that tour they happened upon Chicago's Lincoln Hall on October 31st, and as you can see in the above picture taken at that show, they were ready for the occasion. More pictures like it, below.

Also below: a stream of the Golden Filter's brand new remix of hit Morning Benders track "Excuses" which you can also download via a widget at the band's website.

Continue reading "The Morning Benders are back (win tix), remixed by Golden Filter (MP3), dressed up for Halloween (pics) "

photos by Andrew St. Clair

The Morning Benders

"With tonight's show, [The Black Keys] started off with the two of them, then added a few backing musicians for the new tunes. The new stuff lit a match for the night because when it's just the two of them in a venue of thousands of people, you tend to want something with a little more energy and activity.

I didn't plan on going to either gig tonight, but extra tickets were given to me. Ding dong, I'll take them. I was late getting there and arrived when Morning Benders announced their standard, "We have two songs left." Thus, I was stuck in the back. Let me tell you, I've been spoiled with my small shows, photo passes and being upfront, because standing in the back sucks. Especially at SummerStage because Rumsey Playfield slopes down to allow for drainage. DRAAAAAAAAAINAGE, ELI!" [Music Snobbery]

For the Black Keys it was their first show of the night. They played Terminal 5 later last night. All three NYC shows sold out well in advance. It's only a matter of time before they join the ranks of Phoenix and Arcade Fire as MSG headliners (they opened for Pearl Jam at the big venue in May).

More pictures from last night below...

Continue reading "The Morning Benders & Black Keys played Central Park Summerstage again (night 2 pics) "

photos by Jessica Amaya

"The last rays of sunlight were creeping up the Sycamore trees as Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of the Black Keys loped onto Central Park's Summerstage Tuesday evening. As they kicked off their set I was instantly reminded as to why I hold the Black Keys in high esteem - simply put, they rock.

With Auerbach on his amped up Gibson and Carney sitting high above the crowd, they commanded the crowd's affection as they tore through a string of older songs, including "Thickfreakness", "The Breaks" and, "Busted" (one of the first songs they ever wrote), before inviting a bass and keyboard player onstage for some of their new material off Brothers. Highlights from their new material included "Everlasting Light" and their cut, "Chop & Change", from the new Eclipse soundtrack. (Say what you will about the Twilight series, but the song is damn good)."
[The Docta's Notes]

And hopefully the Black Keys are resting right now because Summerstage is only their first of two shows this evening. After that, they head over to Terminal 5 to headline night three of the SPIN/Zync shindigs (I heard they go on around midnight after opening sets by The Whigs and Lee Fields).

And while the Black Keys were playing Summerstage Tuesday night, the Flaming Lips were playing Night Two of the SPIN/Zync things at Terminal 5. The Flaming Lips played their own show at Summerstage one night earlier. Night Four of SPIN/Zync is the National who were playing Prospect Park last night.

More pictures from the Rumsey Playfield (Central Park) show, below...

Continue reading "The Black Keys & Morning Benders played Central Park Summerstage (night 1 pics) "

ACL 2008 (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

October 8-10, 2010 | Zilker Park, Austin, TX

"The Austin City Limits Music Festival began as a modest, two-day event and now, as it enters it's 9th year, has become a perennial American music experience. Taking place at the heart of Austin, Texas in the legendary Zilker Park, ACL Festival has grown to 3 days, 8 stages and over 130 bands."

Continue reading "Austin City Limits announces 2010 festival lineup (Eagles, Muse, Phish, Strokes, MIA, LCD, Spoon, Gayngs, more) "

photos by Bao Nguyen

Twin Sister

Tickets to the June 26th BrooklynVegan Memory Tapes / Twin Sister / Dom / ZAZA show at Music Hall of Williamsburg go on sale Saturday at noon (not today at noon as originally advertised). The four bands are four of many that were just announced as part of this year's Northside Festival.

You don't have to wait until June to see Twin Sister though. As previously mentioned, they'll be at Rooftop Films Opening Night on May 14th and a release show for their Color Your Life EP at Glasslands on May 28th. I also since noticed that the band is booked to play the "Art Directors Club Annual Awards After-Party" at ADC Gallery, 106 West 29th Street on Wednesday, May 19th. That show will set you back a mere $125.

Wednesday night Twin Sister shared a bill with fellow twin band Twin Shadow (twins are the new caves?). NYC Taper taped Twin Sister. Go over there to get the free MP3s (or FLAC).

Both twin bands were the openers for the Morning Benders who were playing (to Jason Schwartzman at) their third sold out NYC show in a short amount of time. The first was also at Mercury Lounge. The second was the BV show at Music Hall with Holiday Shores and The Luyas.

More pictures from Wednesday night below...

Continue reading "Twin Sister played Mercury Lounge w/ Twin Shadow & Morning Benders (pics, audio), more shows coming (one expensive)"

photos by Dominick Mastrangelo, words by Andrew Frisicano

At their Brooklyn Vegan-presented show on Saturday night (4/24), The Morning Benders didn't bring out any special guests a la their widely circulated video for "Excuses" (which features support from a studio-full Bay Area musicians). Instead, the band made do with the sold-out Music Hall of Williamsburg crowd, who boosted that song's wordless harmonies with encouragement from frontman Chris Chu as he suavely serenaded the women in the front row and then hopped off stage. He hopped back on before the extended, set-closing hit song was over. There was no encore.

The Morning Benders' Big Echo has only ten songs, but from that they culled a set with ups and down that started with a whisper and closed with ebullient highs of "Excuses". They also went back to their 2008 record Talking Through Tin Cans for the song "Damnit Anna", and played a non-album track live for the very first time. It was a B side to a limited 7" that was for sale at the show. They said they played it to mix up the set for those who came to multiple NYC shows on the tour.

Holiday Shores warmed up the crowd with splashy beach pop. The band was bolstered members of Twin Sister, who they had played with the night before, and who were filling in for Holiday Shores members that couldn't make the trip to NYC this time. Their drummer and bass player were totally locked in and riveting to watch. That made the other things happening on stage - an extra ride cymbal being pulverized, a Rhodes solo, vocals - all the more interesting. They split afterward to do a late set at Bruar Falls' one-year-anniversary party, which was happening a few blocks away.

Before that, Montreal's the Luyas played gently shattered art pop with a French horn, keys and a harplike electric guitar. They created atmospheres of tension with those tools and more - at one point, their drummer rattled chains on his floor tom for extra eerie effect. It was one of several NYC shows that week for the band (one of which was at a loft, and the last of which was at Glasslands on Sunday night).

The Morning Benders, now based out of New York, have one more sold-out NYC show on Wednesday at Mercury Lounge, before they tour with Broken Bells in May and June. That includes a June 5th show at Irving Plaza. Tickets are sold out. Their shows after that include a pair of shows at Central Park SummerStage with the Black Keys in July. Tickets to one of those are still available.

More pictures from the MHOW show, with the Morning Benders' setlist and their newish video for "Promises" and all tour dates are below...

Continue reading "The Morning Benders, Holiday Shores & The Luyas played Music Hall of Williamsburg - pics"

by Bill Pearis

Holiday Shores @ Pianos in 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

For a while it didn't look like Saturday's (4/24) Bruar Falls First Anniversary show was going to be much of a party. The 1990s are stuck in the UK thanks to that pesky volcano, and German Measles canceled due to a death in the family.

To say they've recovered is a bit of an understatement. Check out the new line-up: Holiday Shores, Micachu & the Shapes, Beach Fossils, plus house band Moonmen on the Moon, Man. There's also DJs Peggy Wang (of Pains at Being Pure at Heart) and Shirley Braha (of NY Noise), plus balloons and a 1AM open bar. It should be mentioned that the show is FREE.

Holiday Shores will be running over to Bruar following their opening set at the Morning Benders show Brooklyn Vegan is presenting at Music Hall of Williamsburg (we added them a while ago, but didn't rush to announce it because the show was already sold out), that now also includes our Montreal friends The Luyas (who we added yesterday!). Meanwhile Micachu have been stuck in the U.S. also thanks to the volcano, and have been playing around NYC to keep themselves busy. Maybe you saw them last night at Mercury Lounge. And Beach Fossils are one of the areas best new bands, and put on a fun live show -- they were great last Friday at Bruar Falls, even with a substitute drummer.

Bruar Falls has become one of my favorite places to see a show (living two blocks from it doesn't hurt) and there's always a nice community vibe there. It's been a great addition to the Williamsburg music scene. Between the bands, the free booze, the balloons and the very affordable entrance fee, this should be a hot ticket even on a very busy Saturday night. You might want to get there early.

Speaking of Saturday, The Music Hall Show on Saturday with Morning Benders, Holiday Shores and The Luyas is sold out, but if you really want to go we're giving away a pair of tickets. Just send an email to BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM with "Morning Benders" as the subject. We'll pick a winner at random and be in touch with the lucky person tomorrow.

In other news, the 1990s show at The Bell House that was supposed to be tonight has been rescheduled for next Friday, April 30 (the whole show, not just the 1990s). Crystal Stilts, The Oranges Band (who just opened for the Hold Steady at Music Hall) and The Forgery Series (featuring Sohrab of Obits) will open. No word on whether the 1990s will play a makeup date for Bruar as well, but we'll keep you informed.

Check out a Holiday Shores video below...

Continue reading "Holiday Shores play 2 NYC shows Saturday (1 w/ Micachu @ Bruar Falls) ++ 1990s & Crystal Stilts reschedule & stuff"

"The 2010 Lollapalooza line-up is official: Soundgarden, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, The Strokes, and Phoenix will headline, joined by Social Distortion, MGMT, Jimmy Cliff, Hot Chip, and The Black Keys. With 130 bands on this year's bill, its sure to be a weekend long feast for the ears.

It's a monumental year for Lollapalooza, filled with homecomings, reunions, and first-times. Soundgarden, 1992 and 1996 Lollapalooza alumni, return to the Lollapalooza stage for their first performance since 1997. Green Day will rock Grant Park sixteen years after their first Lollapalooza appearance. While Lady Gaga will headline the festival only three short years after playing the BMI stage at Lollapalooza 2007.

Arcade Fire returns to Grant Park, having played the reincarnated Lollapalooza in 2005. This is the first Lollapalooza for The Strokes - and also their first show in four years. And making their Lollapalooza debut: Phoenix." - Lollapalooza

Continue reading "Lollapalooza actually announces 2010 lineup "

by Andrew Frisicano

DOWNLOAD: The Morning Benders - Promises (MP3)

The Morning Benders tied up their succinct CD release show at the Cameo Monday night (3/8) with "Excuses," the album's ambitiously arranged, counterpoint-heavy opener. The shimmery violins and chorus of backup singers (see the video below) were nowhere to be found - instead the five-piece carried the cruise-ship sway themselves, with singer Chris Chu and the band looping up a cappella vocals until its climactic crest. Their live set and their Big Echo T-shirts were both worthy adverts for the new disc, which expands on their concert sound with the studio touch of Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor (and Chu, who coproduced). "Promises," above, is a particularly expert unfurling of that in-studio tool kit. A sun-ready sound practically begging for the Seaports or Waterfronts of the summer.

The Cameo show was the last in a run of NYC gig for the band. Their continuing tour includes SXSW (where they'll be at the BrooklynVegan day party at Emo's on Wednesday March 17th, for one) and a return to NYC for a shows at Mercury Lounge in April.

More pictures from the Cameo (and their video for "Promises") are below...

Continue reading "the Morning Benders played Cameo (pics) + 'Promises' video "

As previously mentioned, we've lost our minds and are doing seven shows in Austin during SXSW this year. The first of those parties kicks off at Emo's at noon on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 (doors @ 11:30am) on two 100% FREE stages:

Outside/Main Stage
12:00 YellowFever
12:45 The Rural Alberta Advantage
01:30 The Morning Benders
02:15 Japandroids
03:00 Titus Andronicus
03:45 The Black Angels
04:30 GZA
05:15 Fucked Up

DJs: Finger on the Pulse

Inside/Metal Stage (Emo's Jr)
12:00 - Kill The Client
12:35 - The Atlas Moth
01:20 - Javelina
02:05 - Dark Castle
02:50 - Salome
03:35 - Landmine Marathon
04:20 - Withered
05:05 - Torche

FREE DRINKS COURTESY OF: Magic Hat & Firefly Vodka & Vitamin Water (while supplies last)
FREE VEGAN BREAKFAST TACOS COURTESY OF: Mr. Natural
(starting @ noon. while supplies last)
MORE FREE FOOD COURTESY OF: Daily Juice (catering from 2-5)
MORE FREE FOOD COURTESY OF: Raw Revolution Bars
MORE FREE FOOD COURTESY OF: Hail Merry

Thanks Zach Jaeger for the sweet flyer.

The Morning Benders, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Austin's own YellowFever, AND GZA are all being announced for the first time in this post. Those following along already knew about Fucked Up, The Black Angels, Titus Andronicus, and Japandroids.

It should be a wild first day in Austin and needless to say, we're very excited for this one. And did we mention this was all free? No RSVP. No Badges. Just stop by. Get there early if you want a free vegan breakfast taco. Stay around if you want even more catering by Daily Juice. Drink for free from our 10 kegs of Magic Hat beer and the many bottles of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka that we'll be pouring. Then after the show, if you're still hungry (and standing), get dinner quickly and head over to the official BrooklynVegan SXSW showcase at Club DeVille right down the block (Dawes go on at 8, Serena Maneesh finish things off at 1am). Then get some rest because you've got 19 more bands to catch on Thursday afternoon at Spider House.

And for those in NYC, don't forget that we're also hosting a free Morning Benders show, TONIGHT (3/8).

We also just announced the full lineup of our Saturday day party at Red 7 which is happening at the same time as our Saturday day party at Galaxy Room.

GZA's "Liquid Swords" video below...

Continue reading "BrooklynVegan presents a day party @ Emo's (Fucked Up, GZA, Black Angels, Torche, TRAA, Withered & much more) "

Willamette Week's Musicfest NW announces this year's festival line-up which will be held at various venues around the Portland, OR metropolitan area on September 16, 17, 18 & 19. On the heels of the most successful MFNW to date, MFNW 2009 launches with nothing but the hope of a bigger and better festival. MFNW's ultimate aim is to provide Portland with a unique and special musical experience that features all types of acts including nationally renowned artists while still honoring and supporting the special musical scene of the Northwest.

The lineup so far, including the newly-reunited Sunny Day Real Estate, is below...

Continue reading "Musicfest NW in Portland, OR (Sept 16-19) - lineup"

Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival is taking place this year August 28th-30th at Golden Gate Park. Tickets for the fest go on Visa presale Wednesday, April 15th at 1pm ET, and general sale Sunday, April 19th at 1pm ET.

Like last year, the San Francisco fest shares a headliner with NJ's All Points West. In 2008, it was Radiohead. In 2009, it's the Beastie Boys.

Also on the schedule for the fest is the Dead Weather, Jack White's new band. Dead Weather plays its first show tonight (April 14th) at the Bowery Ballroom.

M.I.A., Ween, TVOTR, Mastodon, Os Mutantes, Extra Golden, Tom Jones, and many others are also playing. Full Outside Lands line-up and poster below....

Continue reading "Outside Lands 2009 festival lineup, Dead Weather tonight"

Dawn Landes @ Joe's Pub - Feb 4, 2009 (more by Toby Tenenbaum)

The Submarines are on tour with The Morning Benders. The California bands play Mercury Lounge tonight (2/10) with Dawn Landes (sold out) and The Bell House Wedneday (2/11) (also with Dawn Landes) (tickets on sale)

Dawn Landes recently played in Doveman's band when he performed Footloose.

All tour dates below...

Continue reading "The Submarines & the Morning Benders - 2009 Tour Dates (2 NYC shows with Dawn Landes this week)"

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

I'm always fighting with people about The Kooks. I don't like them, but a lot of other people seem to (especially photographers). Bao likes them. Kyle (who took the pictures this time) likes them. Chris Graham wanted to see them at Sasquatch, and apparently two nights worth of approximately-3000-capacity Terminal 5 people wanted to see them this week in NYC too. Last night they played Terminal 5 with The Morning Benders (June 10, 2008). Tonight both bands do the same. More pics from last night below....

Continue reading "The Kooks & Morning Benders @ Terminal 5, NYC - pics"