photos by Gabi Porter

WhoMadeWho

Denmark's crazy costume-wearing WhoMadeWho, the UK's Fujiya & Miyagi (who also played a CMJ show at Webster Hall with Crystal Castles), and Chicago's Walter Meego (who just got done playing some shows with Ra Ra Riot) helped represent the 'dance' portion of CMJ Wednesday night at Mercury Lounge (10/22). Tobacco was also on the bill. Sebastien Grainger played that night at the same venue too.

Showtrotta will have more to say about this show later. In the meantime, more pictures below...

Continue reading "WhoMadeWho, Fujiya & Miyagi, and Walter Meego @ Mercury Lounge (CMJ), NYC - pics"

Photos by Chris La Putt

Ra Ra Riot and Walter Meego played their first of two NYC shows together last night (10/16). It was at Bowery Ballroom Tonight's (10/17) is at Music Hall of Williamsburg. More pictures from last night including one of RRR's setlist, below...

Continue reading "Ra Ra Riot & Walter Meego @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC - pics"

by Black Bubblegum

Bluetip

The recently reformed Bluetip (featuring members of the mighty Swiz) have lined up a handful of dates including one at Mercury Lounge on August 24th. Tickets are on sale. Let's hop in the time machine, courtesy of the world's most accurate encyclopedia:

Bluetip was a rock band from Washington, D.C. It was formed in 1995 by ex-members of Swiz, and released four albums, an EP, and a number of singles before splitting up in January 2002.

Bluetip's music is a fairly accessible brand of 'post-hardcore' punk rock, but without the bleak introspection of many of their Dischord labelmates.

Following the demise of Bluetip, Jason Farrell and Joe Gorelick went on to form Retisonic, who are also on hand for the show. Retisonic was captured by Punkcast a few years ago. The Netherlands (the band, not the country) and The Surrounding Areas, a band constructed Frankenstein-style from pieces of Texas Is The Reason, Walking Concert, and Jets To Brazil, will jumpstart the evening.

Ex-Swiz-er Nathan Larson recently reunited with his band Shudder To Think at Baltimore's Virgin Festival.

Walking Concert figurehead Walter Schriefels has reformed Rival Schools.

Ra Ra Riot @ 2008 Siren Fest (more by Bao Nguyen)

Tickets are on sale for an October 17th Ra Ra Riot / Walter Meego show at Music Hall of Williamsburg. All tour dates below...

Continue reading "Ra Ra Riot & Walter Meego - 2008 Tour Dates "

Why RSVP? So we know you're there for the BrooklynVegan party. That said, we can still only fit as many people in that will fit in 205 (205 Chrystie St), so get there early if you want to catch Thunderheist and Walter Meego.

DOWNLOAD: Walter Meego - Through A Keyhole (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Walter Meego - Romantic (tilliander Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Walter Meego - Romantic (tilliander Remix) (MP3)

I (david bruno) first became aware of Chicago's Walter Meego (band, not dude) a few summers back when their infectious "Romantic" track was making the rounds across the interworld. Their quirky, electronic pop feels not dissimilair to Hot Chip, but starting with more of a rock angle. Music.for-Robots Mark said, "They're really doing some interesting stuff, blending the dark electronic with the Chicago post rock. It's the type of sound that makes so much sense in today's current scene, but rarely executed this well."

I reached out to them and brought them to do a DJ set here in New York. Since then, they've played live here many times and released singles for "Romantic" and "Hollywood," got a Switch and Sinden remix, toured the country with VHS or Beta, and gone through some line-up changes. All the while, they've recorded a full length album and got signed to Almost Gold Recordings (home to Peter Bjorn & John and Calvin Harris). Their album is due out early next year, but the boys are romping through CMJ this week (including a set last night opening for UNKLE at Webster Hall). Saturday night (Oct 20) they're playing our DANCE party on Saturday night. Their full schedule is below. Get to 205 early on Saturday night to catch Walter Meego and Thunderheist!

Speaking of Walter Meego's line-up changes: one of the founding members of the band, Jarrett Spiegel left to delve into his own electronic production. Still based in Chicago, Jarrett together with San rancisco-based Salva, record as Popstatic. Jarrett is in town this week to DJ TODAY (OCT 19) at the Brooklyn Vegan day party at R Bar and at DANCE at 205 on Saturday night. For more on Popstatic, check out this previous feature on my site.

Tour Dates below...

Continue reading "Walter Meego & Popstatic - MP3s, CMJ, BV parties"

DOWNLOAD: VHS or Beta - Can't Believe a Single Word (MP3) (via)

VHS or Beta and Walter Meego have two upcoming NYC shows. One is at Bowery Ballroom on Wednesday (Aug 29), and the other is the next day at Studio B in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn one is free if you RSVP. The Manhattan one is not free, but if you email BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (subject: VHS), and tell me you want to go, I do have a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky random winner.

VHS or Beta's (bad?) new album Bring On The Comets is out today on Astralwerks. You can stream it in its entirety @ AOL. All tour dates below....

Continue reading "VHS OR BETA free shows, tour dates, new album & stream"