dear mugs fans past, present, and future,
we've got one more. one last show to celebrate almost 10 years of making music together in new york as well as the release of our new record. here are the details:

the mugs @ the bell house
final show and album release
w/ 3rd Party and Escarioka
friday, 7/23
8pm doors

we'll be playing pretty much our entire catalog, so if you come out and don't hear a song you want to hear one last time, come on out and scream it. thanks for your support and for celebrating this band from brooklyn.

sincerely,
the mugs

words & photos by Benjamin Lozovsky

Field Music

The members of Field Music really wanted to play a gig in the US; so much in fact, that they had a one-off show at The Bell House Saturday (1/30), flying in early that morning and returning to England shortly after their performance. It was more than enough time to make their mark.

The date came after the band canceled performances in New York City and Chicago late in 2009 due to illness, and this occasion was far from ideal circumstances as well. But even with jetlag, horse throats and only a handful of rehearsals together as a new line up under their belts, Field Music played with inspiration and intrepid musical awareness.

Founding member Peter Brewis wasn't sure after the show whether the band sounded fully meshed yet, but as he and brother David calmly swapped out handling guitars and drums throughout then night, they demonstrated their confidence as leaders of a rapidly congealing group. New bassist Ian Black and multi-instrumentalist Kev Dosdale followed the Brewis' assured approach as the group tackled many new numbers from the band's revelatory, soon-to-be-released new album, Field Music (Measure). Powerful songs like "All You Ever Need To Say," and "Clear Water" added darkness and grit to the intelligence and grace that categorized their previous output. "I think we were listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin," said Peter, speaking of the recording of Field Music (Measure).

The Zeppelin flavor was most evident in the sparse but loudly punctuated drumming that frames many of their new creations. But other harder-edged influences abounded, sitting well with the more artsy inspiration they take from bands like Television and Steely Dan. Basically they've added some balls to their brainy youthfulness.

Speaking of youth, openers The Mugs and The Spinto Band were also at their most juvenile this night, to the enjoyment of the crowd. They both cater in a bouncy kind of indie hodge-podge, and there was a lot of bouncing by the two bands during their respective sets. The Mugs brought out a bullhorn for one number, and The Spinto Band brandished kazoos and clanged lots of cowbell. There were good ideas brought forth by both, and each of the two groups played with enough heart to somewhat mitigate their poorly defined musical identities and moments of lackluster songwriting.

It's not easy to balance the adolescent hopefulness of such spirited music with the ability to act well above your age. Field Music seems to have just the right measure of both.

Field Music return in March while on tour with The Clientele. More pictures from the Bell House with Field Music's setlist, below...

Continue reading "Field Music, Spinto Band & The Mugs @ the Bell House - pics "

"...So much else is new and wonderful for us! We have a new record label, Kill Rock Stars. Not only has Kill Rock Stars released some of Portland's (and the Northwest's) best punk and indie records to date (Elliott Smith, Sleater-Kinney, The Gossip), but the label has recently relocated to Portland, and is quickly filling it's roster with even more great Portland bands (Shaky Hands, Panther, Horse Feathers). The Thermals are thrilled to now be a part of this family as well. We were thrilled to be part of the Sub Pop family for six years, but we felt it was time to move on. We turned down a second contract from Sub Pop, lest you think we were dropped! You don't drop us, we drop you. Not you, personally. We love you! Seriously, you're the best.

We have a new drummer as well. Westin Glass, formerly of Seattle's Say Hi, joins us (Kathy Foster and Hutch Harris) to complete the third (or so) live line-up of The Thermals. In addition to (again!) touring the UK with The Cribs this February, and playing multiple shows at SXSW in March, we will be touring the U.S. for two months, following the release of Now We Can See on April 7th. We'll be doing festivals in Europe and the U.S. all summer long, followed by a full European tour in the fall... - The Thermals

Speaking ot the Bell House, tickets are also still on sale for the Great Lake Swimmers show happening there on January 9th, plus The Mugs are playing there on January 17th and The Forms are playing there on January 18th.

All Thermals dates below...

Continue reading "The Thermals - 2009 Tour Dates (Brooklyn, Europe, SXSW)"

Newman & Mirman joined forces @ the Bell House last night

The Bell House in the Gowanus-near-Park-Slope section of Brooklyn will host its first-ever public show tonight (Sept 18). It's free, and Lilys, Matt Pond PA, Takka Takka, Robbers on High Street and possibly some special guests are all on the bill. Last night the new venue hosted friends, family and press to test out the sound system with full sets by The Mugs and Tim Fite, and shother performances by Alina Simone, Sharon Van Etten, Mia Riddle, comedian Eugene Mirman, New Pornographer Carl ("AC") Newman, members of Takka Takka (Conrad), members of the National (Bryan), and members of Nada Surf.

Tickets are now on sale for more upcoming shows at the Bell House including Liam Finn/The Veils, The Rosebuds/Ladybug Transistor/Crystal Stilts, AC Newman, the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival and Department of Eagles.

The pictures in this post (from last night) are courtesy of 'Week in Indie' Bill Pearis. More below...

Continue reading "Bell House opens tonight (full lineup) ++ more tix on sale"

The Mugs

"we're excited about the upcoming show (8/23 with the lovely sparrows) and the upcoming release of our new ep ("ravel day ep" on 8/26)." [The Mugs]

What else?

Do not fear. Do not be confused. Brooklyn's beloved Mugs (one G) are not the band with the similar name on the Fox TV show "The Next Great American Band". The Muggs (two G's) are from Detroit, Michigan.

The Mugs

The Muggs

I actually haven't seen the show yet, but last night someone asked me if I knew the Mugs were on it. Is it good?

Brooklyn's very own The Mugs have a new album out called 'Here Tomorrow', and the DIY band is streaming that very album at their own website, and to celebrate they'll be partying it up tonight (8/25) at Union Hall in Park Slope w/ The Diggs and Condo. If you live in Chicago, check them out on September 28th with Small Sins.

DOWNLOAD: The Mugs - Frank (MP3)

Dave Hill & John Hodgman @ UCB, NYC - June 21, 2007 (CRED)

It was almost a year ago that I said "Union Hall | a new Brooklyn music venue in Park Slope", and so it's time to celebrate:

"Union Hall presents our 1st anniversary week!"
July 09: MATTHEW CAWS (of Nada Surf) + THE RAVEN MAYHEM + guest MC Sara Schaefer
July 10: JONATHAN COULTON + special guests + MC Dave Hill
July 11: SECRET SCIENCE CLUB with Nobel prize winning neuroscientist ERIC KANDEL
July 12: TIM FITE + THE MUGS + guest MC Reggie Watts
July 14: 8pm: ENON + special guests

Nada Surf @ Brooklyn Ale House - June 3, 2007 (CRED) (post-Domino)

Related facts

• Matthew Caws was recently spotted at the White Stripes show, and was last seen at Union Hall on stage with John Vanderslice.
• MC Sara Schaefer hosts a (weekly?) game of "Name that Tune" at Union Hall - the next one is June 24th.
• Jonathan Coulton and Dave Hill were last seen on stage together LAST NIGHT! Dave Hill will be on stage again with his band Children of the Unicorn at Mercury Lounge tonight!
• Dave Hill once MC'd a show that The Mugs played at.
• Reggie Watts is hosting ROFL at Joe's Pub TONIGHT
• Gabby Glaser of Luscious Jackson is playing Union Hall on June 28th.
• Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals is playing Union Hall on September 22nd.

Michael Showalter @ Sasquatch - May 29, 2007 (CRED) (Develop Don't Destroy!)

Michael Showalter, co-host of the weekly "Tearing the Veil of Maya" comedy show at Union Hall, star of the State, Stella and other stuff - is recording a CD - to be released on JDub records. He'll do it @ Union Hall Thursday July 26th at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Tickets go on sale today at noon.

Tim Fite is going on tour. Dates below...

Continue reading "UNION HALL's anniversary, MICHAEL SHOWALTER JDub CD recording, TIM FITE Tour Dates, etc"