words & photos by Benjamin Lozovsky

ZZ Top

While many designers tagged trendier (see younger) performers to appear at their Fashion Week soirees, many of which happened the day before for Fashion's Night Out, John Varvatos and show curator/drummer Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver, Guns N' Roses) stayed true to the spirit of the Bowery store located where CBGB once stood, picking a lineup that would make Wayne and Garth tremble with a lack of self worth (Mike Meyers sitting on the side of the stage with a giddy grin would seem to confirm that).

Alejandro Escovedo performed first on Saturday night (9/11), churning out garage crunch with no less than 4 guitarists blazing on the Varvatos store's small stage. Ian Hunter (lead singer of Mott the Hopple) followed and was joined by Escovedo for a performance of glam cornerstone anthem "All The Young Dudes."

To break up the boys club, former Runaways singer Cherie Currie, one of rock's more underappreciated female frontwomen, came on next. Currie performed "Cherry Bomb," the Runaways' ode to young female rebellion, with a still palpable sense of angst, proving at the same time you're never too old to stop flaunting sex appeal (and to fit into leather corsets).

The Darling Stilettos

Taking a cue from the icon that preceded them, the night's youngest performers, The Darling Stilettos (think rock's answer to the Pussycat Dolls), danced and felt each other up in all the right places while screaming classic rock covers (and one original tune) like over-sexualized banshees.

There were new groups from established rockers as well. New York icon Jessie Malin performed with his latest musical collective The St. Marks Social, and recently formed rock super group Black Country Communion, consisting of former Deep Purple frontman/bassist Glenn Hughes, blues guitar god Joe Bonamassa, and prodigal son Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner) gave a sneak preview of some of the heavy tracks from their upcoming self-titled debut.

After a brief pause, Los Angeles superstar cover band Camp Freddy settled in as the house band for the remainder of the show, welcoming on stage a revolving door of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alumni as the evening catapulted upward in intensity. Some played covers, like ZZ Top (who were in town to play two nights at Beacon Theatre) evoking the spirit of Hendrix with "Foxy Lady" and Perry Farrell aggressively launching into the audience during "Sympathy for the Devil." Others did their own songs, like MC5's outspoken guitarist Wayne Kramer urging the crowd on during "Kick Out the Jams" with help from Handsome Dick Manitoba, or Alice Cooper being diabolically stylish while performing "I'm 18" and "School's Out."

By the time Farrell ended the night with Jane's Addiction's "Mountain Song," the Varvatos store crowd had finally reached the feverish level of turbulence one would expect for such a night. In fact the performers throughout the night consistently displayed more energy than the predominantly younger audience. For an event full of aging rockers, it really just felt like a riotous gathering of all the young dudes.

The crowd was full of familiar faces as well. Chris Brown, Jimmy Kimmel, Rachael Ray, and Matt Pinfield were among those getting their picture taken on the red carpet and mingling with the fashioned-out crowd. Iggy Pop (who played Don Hill's the night before) and Robert Plant (who played Bowery Ballroom the next day) were nowhere in sight though. More pictures and some videos from the whole night below...

Continue reading "ZZ Top, Perry Farrell, Alice Cooper & many more played John Varvatos' 10th Anniversary @ the Bowery store (pics & video) "

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club played the Fashion Week party at Don Hill's on Thursday. Iggy Pop and The Stooges played there Friday, and according to the above Tweet by Eli Mizrahi, Courtney Love is playing there tonight.

Eli's Tweet also reminds us that tonight is the John Varvatos's 10th Anniversary party in the store previously known as CBGB. There will be a concert from: 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. Supposedly confirmed performers include Alejandro Escovedo, Alice Cooper, Wayne Kramer, Ian Hunter, ZZ Top, Black Country Communion, Camp Freddy, Cherie Currie, Darling Stillettos, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social, and Perry Farrell . Rumored performers include Iggy Pop and (thanks John) Robert Plant (who plays Bowery Ballroom Sunday).

Who else is playing fashion week parties tonight?

Black Lips @ Brooklyn Bowl in March (more by Gabi Porter)

Rock Off have updated their summer schedule of NYC Boat Cruise shows, which, like always, has focus on punk & garage (though there are other genres too). It includes Jello Biafra on May 29th, Electric Six on July 15th, Murphy's Law's annual Jimmy birthday show on August 12th, The Bouncing Souls on September 13th, and an August 2nd show with the Black Lips (who are in town much sooner a free but full RSVP-only show at Knitting Factory on April 29th with Pierced Arrows).

Other gigs includes Dam-Funk on April 24th (TONIGHT), Budos Band on June 11th, three NY Night Train parties, and The A-Bones on June 23rd. Tickets for most of the shows are on sale. No ticket info for Bouncing Souls yet. Black Lips go on sale Friday, April 30th.

Punk and punk-like boat shows are listed below...

Continue reading "Bouncing Souls, Black Lips, Jello Biafra & other boat shows "

photos by Tim Griffin

For all I know, lo these many hours later, the Jail Guitar Doors are still rocking onstage at the Ghost Room, one musician/activist after another taking the stage in apparently endless succession. At the shank's end of Friday night, the loose-knit collective of folkies, rockers and rappers showed no sign whatsoever of relenting as last call inexorably approached.

After taking the stage almost an hour late, ringleaders Billy Bragg and ex-MC-5 guitarist Wayne Kramer set up housekeeping on the tiny corner stage and began ushering one guest star after another in from the outdoor beer garden.

It was a case of hey, look, there's Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters! There's Mike Mills from R.E.M. rocking CSNY's "Ohio!" There's Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello shredding guitar with funk-rappers Street Sweeper Social Club! There's Billy Bragg wryly declaiming the origins of Jail Guitar Doors to Wayne Kramer, standing at his side: "I said I named it after a song by the Clash," said Bragg. And Wayne said, 'Yeah, I'm in it.' I said, what? He said, 'What's the first line?' and I realized it was 'Let me tell you about Wayne and his deals with cocaine.' I felt about this big."

Bragg went on to explain that JDG (which Kramer aptly described as "the loudest charity on earth") was formed in England as a collective of musicians who put the redemptive power of music into action by making instruments and outreach programs available to jail inmates. An ex-con himself, Kramer became an ally with Bragg and helped get the ball rolling on this side of the pond. Their SXSW gig, they said, marked the American debut of Jail Guitar Doors.

Just that morning, said Bragg (a lifelong political activist for a host of social justice causes), the group had played at the Travis County Jail. "This is the after-party," he said. [Austin 360]

The above-described Jail Guitar Doors show was one of a few Billy Bragg played in Austin this SXSW. Another show (which is pictured in this post) was Monday night (3/15), before SXSW Music even started. It was at the "British Music Embassy" (@ Latitude 30, 512 San Jacinto). The "Strummerville / Jail Guitar Doors Presents" show also featured sets by Chris Shiflett, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Beans On Toast, Smokey Angle Shades, Nat Jenkins, Supernovas, and The Good The Bad (who were fresh off the plane from NY). More pictures from that show below...

Continue reading "Billy Bragg played SXSW (pics), played w/ Wayne Kramer, Tom Morello & other special guests for Jail Guitar Doors"

photos by Arcadia Media

"King of the Dogs," the lead single from Iggy Pop's forthcoming album Préliminaires, was released digitally on May 5 through all digital retailers including Amazon, iTunes and Rhapsody. Rolling Stone included the song on their "Hot List" calling it "Magnifique," and adding that "on this Big Easy-style single from his French-novel-inspired new disc, Ig gets his Tom Waits on." The track is also currently being featured on Stereogum.

"King of the Dogs" was inspired by New Orleans style jazz, with an arrangement featuring trumpet, trombone and clarinet. "At one point, I just got sick of listening to idiot thugs with guitars banging out crappy music," says Iggy. "I've started listening to a lot of New Orleans-era, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton type of jazz."

Préliminaires, which will be released in the U.S. on EMI Music's Astralwerks label on June 2, was produced by Hal Cragin and inspired by French author Michel Houellebecq's 2005 novel The Possibility of an Island. Iggy will also be performing at the fifth annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert honoring Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer Anthony Kiedis, which takes place at club Nokia in Los Angeles on May 8.

Iggy last performed on Friday at the Road Recovery benefit at Nokia Theatre in NYC. Lots of pictures and videos from that event, below...

Continue reading "Iggy Pop's new single streaming + more pics & video from Road Recovery 2009 (Street Sweeper, Perry Farrell, more)"

Iggy Pop supports Michigan State University's decision to ban animal circuses from campus in 2009 and hopes the school will make the ban permanent.

"As students who are concerned about animal welfare have told you, performing animals are deprived of everything that is natural to them, including the ability to roam, forage and form families and friendships," Pop said in a letter to the MSU Board of Trustees. It was written on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA says the board of trustees decided not to allow the Royal Hanneford Circus (or any others with animal performers) on campus in 2009, for the first time in 16 years. But what about 2010?

"The circus industry is big, wealthy and powerful, and I'm sure that its leaders are encouraging you to reverse your decision," Pop said in his letter.

"I implore you to continue to keep the interests of your students and the welfare of animals at the forefront of your thoughts and stand firm on your policy." [Detroit Free Press]

Neko Case takes a similar stance on zoos.

Iggy, who has a new near-jazz record on the way, is confirmed to appear at the previously-mentioned Road Recovery Benefit happening at Nokia Theatre in NYC on May 1st...

An evening of high-energy rock and roll that's going to be "just loose enough musically that anything might happen," jokes Wayne Kramer... Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/ Audioslave / The Nightwatchman), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Don Was, Billy Bragg, Iggy Pop, Boots Riley, Gilby Clarke, Carl Restivo, Eric Gardner, Bun E. Carlos, Handsome Dick Manitoba performing songs together and individually from their respective catalogs, as well as collaborating on MC5 songs and anything else that strikes their fancy

Also joining the show will be Joan As Police Woman, Ours, Miggs, and Road Recovery's Performance Workshop Program "House Band" Crazy James
Emcee: Matt Pinfield (Sirius Radio and RXP 101.9FM DJ)

Tickets are on sale.

Joan as Policewoman opened for Neko Case at the same venue on Tuesday.

Kick Out the Jams (video) below...

Continue reading "Iggy Pop playing Road Recovery show, speaks up on circuses"

Peter Bjorn & John, W Hotel crowd (more by Tim Griffin)

Ben Harper & Relentless7 are playing Webser Hall on May 5th, and Music Hall of Williamsburg three days after that. Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for both shows.

Ben Lee and Low vs. Diamond are playing Bowery Ballroom on May 22nd. Tickets are on sale (@ noon).

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the two Jonathan Richman shows coming up at Bowery Ballroom.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for Metric's show at Terminal 5.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the two Passion Pit shows coming up at Bowery Ballroom.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Indigo Girls show at Central Park Summerstage. Matt Nathanson is opening.

Perry Farrell, Jerry Cantrell, and Wayne Kramer are doing another Road to Recovery benefit at Nokia Theatre on May 1st. Tickets are on sale (@ noon).

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for all five Art Brut shows coming up at Mercury Lounge.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for both Meat Puppets shows coming up at Mercury Lounge.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Shins show happening at Terminal 5, and for the one happening at Wellmont Theater.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Camera Obscura show happening at Webster Hall.

Tickets went on sale yesterday for Santigold's show at Terminal 5.

Tickets went on sale Wednesday for Animal Collective's show in Brooklyn.

Tickets are on sale for the Tortoise show happening at the Bell House.

Tickets are still on sale for tonight's Obits show at The Bell House.

Tom Morello, Zach de la Rocha & Flobots MC Jamie Laurie, a.k.a. Jonny 5

Joined by like-minded anti-war rockers State Radio, The Coup, Flobots, Jello Biafra and Wayne Kramer from the MC5, Rage Against the Machine headlined an impassioned midday concert at the Denver Coliseum featuring the band's hits, political speeches and calls for nonviolence.

More than anything, the concert was a respectful nod to Iraq Veterans Against the War, which, along with Tent State, mounted the show to call attention to their agenda: Encouraging a hasty end to the war, providing veterans with comprehensive healthcare, and rebuilding Iraq.

After the headliners capped off a loud, amped up performance with the fan favorite "Killin in the name," Rage guitarist Tom Morello called on the roughly 8,000 concertgoers to join him and other entertainers in a march for peace to the Pepsi Center.

"We're going right now," he said. "We'll meet you outside." [Denver Post]

Wayne Kramer & Rage Against the Machine @ Denver Coliseum (cause=time)

DENVER COLISEUM -- The Iraqi Veterans Against the War took the stage and read an open letter to Barack Obama demanding he solidify his commitment against the war as the crowd chanted "U.S.A! U.S.A!"

Then Rage Against the Machine came onstage, gave the vets a military salute and burst into the explosive set that has made their live shows legendary. Kicking off with "Guerrilla Radio," the band blasted through crowd-pleasers like "Bulls On Parade."

Wayne Kramer of the MC5 soon joined them for the anthem "Kick Out the Jams." Before they started, Kramer reminded everyone why they were here.

"Forty years ago we went to Chicago to protest an illegal war we were lied into. Today we're in Denver to protest an illegal war we were lied into," he told the crowd. [Rocky Mountain News]

The show was free. Next up: Rage Against the Machine at the RNC

last night (April 17, 2008) in NYC....

More than a few special guests (and I don't mean the protesters) showed up to the opening party/benefit inside the John Varvatos store (aka CBGB) on the Bowery last night (April 17, 2008). All photos by Randy Haecker, and there's more where they came from at his Flickr.

A lot of these guys were in town to play a different benefit show the night before.

Tickets to the 'Road Recovery Benefit W/ Slash, Jerry Cantrell, Tom Morello, & Perry Farrell" have been reduced to $25 on Ticketmater.

Own the guitar Slash is signing, and other things. All the for the same charity.

This is a supergroup performance by Slash, Jerry Cantrell, Tom Morello, and Wayne Kramer. Featuring performances by The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello, acoustic), Denis Leary & The Crown Royals featuring the Rehab Horns, Joseph Arthur, Crazy James, and other guests.

The show is April 17th @ Nokia Theatre. It benefits Road Recovery ("music without drugs"). Tickets are on sale. A lot of these same people played a surprise show together at SXSW in 2007. Video below....

Continue reading "Slash, Jerry Cantrell, Tom Morello, Perry Farrell, Denis Leary & Wayne Kramer are playing a benefit show in NYC"