photos by Tim Griffin, words By Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Iran - "Buddy" (MP3)

Iran @ CMJ 2008

Iran (WITH Kyp Malone) will play a show at Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn, TONIGHT (12/18). Also on the bill: Fakers and Lone Wolf and Cub (Ryan Sawyer of Tall Firs and Stars Like Fleas - not the metal band). Presumably, Iran will, uh, run... through tracks from their upcoming record Dissolver, due on Feb 3, 2009 via Narnack.

Back to CMJ for a second....before 2 Live Crew played, a Kyp-less-and-still-named-after-a-'rogue-nation', Iran, played a renamed-The Soft Pack-less (they cancelled) and Lee "Scratch" Perry-less (he cancelled) Narnack Showcase this year, at Santos Party House, with the Sundelles, Vaz and Restavrant. Check out the overdue pics from that show above and below, and note - that's Doug Anson that sat in for Kyp. That probably won't happen again though, as we're told that Kyp plans on playing many more shows with the band, including as part of a 2009 tour out of NYC.

In related news, Kyp Malone's other band TV On The Radio, is garnering accolades-a-plenty including album of the year from The Onion AV Club, and from everyone's favorite weirdo Eric Wareheim of Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. The Onion AV Club also cornered Santos Party House co-owner Andrew WK about his favorite record of the year.... Lee "Scratch" Perry's Repentance. Hmm... didn't he have something to do with that record?

In more related-to-Glasslands-tonight news, Tall Firs have teamed up with Awesome Color to play the Knitting Factory on Dec 19th (tickets here). Ryan Sawyer's other band, Stars Like Fleas, are recording a new record and have scheduled a show at Le Poisson Rouge on January 24th with Au (tickets here).

A whole bunch of pictures from the Narnack CMJ showcase, and tonight's Glasslands flyer, below...

Continue reading "Iran shows with (tonight) and without (pics) Kyp Malone, TVOTR is #1?, Awesome Color, Tall Firs, Narnack & stuff "

Phosphorescent @ EMo's Annex - SXSW 2006 (MORE)

4 stages @ Emo's:

1. Emo's Outside (also known as Emo's main room) - 1000 capacity, covered outdoor stage
2. Emo's Inside (also known as Emo's Jr.) - 300 capacity, indoor stage (Emo's outside and inside are connected by a courtyard.)
3. Emo's Annex - 600 capacity, covered outdoor stage
4. Emo's Lounge - 250 capacity, indoor stage

Pitchfork's day party is Friday at Emo's - main & jr. Flyer for that below.....

Continue reading "Emo's in Austin has 4 stages (during SXSW), Pitchfork party"

by Klaus Kinski

So, David Cross (see what he liked in 2007) has a part in the recently released CGI/live action family movie Alvin and the Chipmunks. It didn't take long before message boards and blogs were alight with Cross fans (and people who think money grows on trees) crying 'sell out!'. Of course, this silly backlash on its own certainly didn't merit a defensive move by Cross. However, a few weeks ago, Patton Oswalt (see what he liked in 2007) published a characteristically funny and insightful myspace blog. Like most of his blogs, it was a good read and nothing within it struck me as particularly provocative, but to Cross this blog contained a stinger:

Oddly enough, both Brian Posehn and I were offered the part of Ian, the agent. We both threw the script across the room in disgust. David Cross caught it.

These three sentences, coupled with a pre-existing backlash, provoked a whopping 5-part response from Cross which sets out to not only counter Patton, but to also address the petty whining of legions of disappointed Cross fans. For me, no explanation was needed; a person needs work. And to be honest, I found his 5 part response to be a mega-invaluable resource for learning what Cross has been up to these days.

But wait.... Patton ain't done. Via the Onion AV Club, Patton unleashed a counter-letter in response to David's treatise. That same day, Steve Hyden at the Onion had some strong, yet not altogether off-base, words on the subject. With message boards and commenters in full throttle, it looks like the argument is far from over. Who doesn't like cyclical arguments and flogging dead horses?

-Klaus

Sufjan Stevens w/ fans outside Southpaw, Brooklyn - Dec 17, 2007 (CRED)

Celebration @ Onion Holiday Party, NYC - Dec 18, 2007 (CRED)

Ben Keith, Pegi & Neil Young, & Ralph Molina @ United Palace - Dec 18, 2007 (CRED)

* Jaymay is playing Union Hall
* Public Enemy is playing Irving Plaza
* Bjorkestra & Sun Ra Arkestra @ Paul Robeson Theater ("Surprise show")
* Mark Ronson, Aaron Lacrate & Rakim are DJing Love
* Neil Young plays his 6th & final NYC show @ United Palace
* David Cross, Dave Hill, Janeane Garofalo & others @ Blender
* The Setting Suns (Interpol/Swervedriver) play Mercury Lounge
* Rufus Wainright, Teddy Thompson & friends raise money @ Highline Ballroom
* Dewey Cox & band (Walk Hard) are playing a promotional party @ Knitting Factory
* Watch the first 10 minutes of Walk Hard online
* Lily Allen is pregnant

What else?

DOWNLOAD: Frightened Rabbit - It's Christmas So We'll Stop (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Evangelicals - The Last Christmas On Earth (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Cheyenne - All My Friends Are Snowmen (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Polyphonic Spree - Carol of the Bells (MP3)

both tonight
* NY Mag Not Your Office Holiday Party
* The Onion Holiday Rampage

ALSO UPCOMING: CBS/NYC presents a showcase at UCBT w/ God's Pottery,Chelsea Peretti, Jordan Carlos & more.

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Is "Jew-fro" anti-semitic if said in a way that sounds like an insult by a faux-psychopath trying to be clever in a Christmas-themed album-promo video? Do The Apes hate blogs & tight pants? I can't totally decide....

Continue reading "The Onion, Celebration, NY Mag, WAS, UCB & The Apes - Tour Dates, holiday parties & MP3s"

The Onion Holiday Rampage will be taking place at Crash Mansion on December 18, 2007 and it is a whopper. This evening of wonder will be hosted by the great Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler and feature the comedy of John Oliver and Jim Gaffigan as well as the music of Northern State and Celebration. Tickets for this 21+ show are $15.00 and can be purchased at ticketweb. Proceeds from the show will go to benefit 826 NYC.

Last year's party was a bit of a fiasco. Let's hope a public onsale through ticketweb will make things a bit smoother. -Klaus

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In related news, Celebration play their headlining show at Bowery Ballroom TONIGHT (Nov 28, 2007). Holy Fuck & Effi Breast open. I have two pairs of tickets to give away. Details on how to win, the Onion flyer, and more tour dates, below....

Continue reading "Onion Holiday party, Celebration & a ticket contest"

Cheeseburger & Jon Glaser @ Union Hall, NYC - Oct 31, 2007 (CRED)

Jon Benjamin & David Cross @ Union Hall, NYC - Oct 31, 2007 (CRED)

* Crown Point Festival
* Duran Duran on Broadway
* Sia is @ Highline Ballroom
* Sea Wolf & Tiny Vipers are @ Mercury Lounge
* Stars Like Fleas are @ Death By Audio
* Grand National & Thomas Dybdahl play Gramercy Theatre
* Blue Cheer & Awesome Color play Knitting Factory
* Neighbors Helping Neighbors benefit @ Union Hall
* Matt Pond PA is at Music Hall of Williamsburg

What else?

The Onion does Pitchfork.