Smoke DZA

today in NYC
* Mingus Mondays @ Jazz Standard
* ZZ Top @ NYCB Theatre at Westbury
* Rocco DeLuca @ Rockwood Music Hall
* Dickey Betts, Kristy Lee @ City Winery
* Male Bonding, Love Inks @ Mercury Lounge
* Safe, Gem Club, Evi Antonio @ Cameo Gallery
* Smoke DZA, Asap Rocky, Bun B, Va$htie @ SOB's
* Mick Barr, Kevin Hufnagel, Andrew Hock @ Zebulon
* Shaina Taub, The Superpower Horns @ Rockwood Music Hall
* Extra Arms, Panic Manor, Diehard, Sexy Neighbors @ The Rock Shop
* Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies), The Jay Baird Band @ Mercury Lounge
* Robbers On High Street, The Candles, Hurricane Bells @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Dustin Wong, Teen Dreams, Nelly Kate, Shams, Nonhorse @ Death By Audio
* Remember: the Music of Michael Jackson featuring Duwende @ Highline Ballroom
* We Are Augustines, Princeton, Guards, Cerebral Ballzy (Daytrotter Barnstormer) @ The Living Room
* The As-Is Ensemble, Tony Scherr Trio with Anton Fier and Rob Jost, Robbie Fulks @ The Living Room
* Teddy Kumpel Loopestra, Holidays In London, Elaine K, Lesley Roley, Ippazzi @ Rockwood Music Hall

The Stone is closed tonight.

ZZ Top were supposed to play Westbury on Sunday. It was postponed until tonight.

Their Saturday show at Brooklyn Bowl was cancelled, but the Daytrotter tour hits the Living Room in NYC tonight with Cerebral Ballzy who didn't get a chance to play the Afro Punk Fest on Sunday.

Breakfast at Sulimay's reviews Bon Iver. Video below...

The Rural Alberta Advantage's recently released video for "Muscle Relaxants", below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday? (Michael Jackson's birthday)"

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?

The Apollo Theater's Spring benefit is taking place at The Apollo on June 14th. "The benefit includes special appearances by ANGELA BASSETT, DANNY GLOVER and CHRIS TUCKER and performances by SHARON JONES, ESTELLE, LESLIE UGGAMS, DONNIE MCCLURKIN, MARSHA AMBROSIUS of Floetry and Amateur Night winner CLARK KING. Music Director for the evening is RAY CHEW." Tickets range from $100 to $250 to way more.

N.E.R.D. are playing a free show at Brooklyn Bowl on June 16th. RSVP is Necessary.

Lee Scratch Perry returns to Highline Ballroom on August 17th. Tickets are on sale.

ZZ Top are playing the Beacon Theatre on September 12th. Tickets are currently on Internet Presale (password = HETOP). General sale starts Saturday at 10am.

Bruce Springsteen & Tom Morello @ MSG (BMoreSweet)

U2 closed the second night of the MSG Rock & Roll Hall of Fame shows on October 30th. At the first (10/29), it was Bruce Springsteen & Billy Joel (before one big group sing on Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher")...

After "Badlands" much of the drained audience began leaving and then rushed back to their seats when Billy Joel sat down at the piano and launched into "You May Be Right," "Only The Good Die Young" and "New York State Of Mind." (The pair were uniting the kindred spirits of New Jersey and Long Island, Springsteen explained.) "Higher and Higher" wrapped up the night. The official set list had the show ending at 11:36:55 (yes, they thought they had it down to the exact second), but the final notes rang out at 1:31 a.m. Six straight hours of music, and that was just the first of two nights. [Rolling Stone]

Bruce was actually there both nights (one of many possibly "filling in" for Eric Clapton, who canceled last minute on the second). Those in attendence on the 30th got to see U2, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith sing together on "Because the Night." (And U2 + Mick Jagger (another unannounced guest) + Fergie + Will.i.am sing "Gimme Shelter"...). Ray Davies, Lou Reed, and Ozzy Osbourne all performed with Metallica. Many played with Stevie Wonder. Full setlists below.

HBO will be airing four hours of highlights on Thanksgiving weekend.
(November 29th at 8PM ET).

Bruce's current tour wraps up November 22nd in Buffalo. He was at Giants Stadium earlier this fall, playing the last concerts ever there. U2 also played the venue for two nights in September, and will be back in Jersey in 2010 as part of their just-announced tour.

Set lists for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shows are below...

Continue reading "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame hosted 2 very long shows @ MSG (setlists), will air on HBO Thanksgiving weekend"

Tickets for ZZ Top's September 18th show at NYC's Beacon Theatre are now on presale (password "METRO"). General sale starts tomorrow (August 20th) at 9am.

The group recently had to replan its fall dates after tourmate Aerosmith was forced to cancel.

The two live ZZ Top videos you want to see are below...

Continue reading "ZZ Top Beacon Theater tickets & Presale"

It is with great regret that AEROSMITH are canceling the remainder of their summer tour, it was announced today [Aug. 17th].

Due to injuries STEVEN TYLER sustained last week when he fell from the stage during a concert in Sturgis, SD, doctors have advised the lead singer to take the time to properly recuperate from the accident that resulted in a broken shoulder and stitches to his head. In his current condition, TYLER is unable to tour and the band wants to give him time to get healthy.

Ticket refunds for the rest of the tour dates with special guests ZZ Top will be available at point of purchase.

TYLER fell from the stage during the August 5 show that was part of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Western South Dakota. The mishap occurred while he was dancing during the band's "Love in an Elevator." TYLER was subsequently airlifted to a hospital and then returned to Boston to consult with his own doctors.

A video of Tyler's spill is re-posted below.

Meanwhile, Aerosmith tourmates ZZ Top have been adding and rescheduling dates to make up for many of the cancellations. In lieu of their Setpember 14th MSG show with Aerosmith, ZZ Top will be playing on September 18th at NYC's Beacon Theatre. There's no ticket details yet. The dates on their tour that have been confirmed are posted below...

Continue reading "Aerosmith cancel tour, ZZ Top reschedule new one (Beacon) "

Leftover Crack fan in Texas (more)

Leftover Crack, Star Fucking Hipsters, Trash Talk, and The Casualties are playing Irving Plaza on July 3rd. Assuming Irving Plaza doesn't get shut down (unlikely) (or even if it does), this punk show is sure to be a good time. Tickets are on sale.

Less of a good time will probably be had at the punk show happening at Madison Square Garden on July 27th. Tickets for Green Day's big NYC show are on sale (@ 10am). They are also playing a few shows at much smaller venues, and Saturday Night Live this weekend.

The opposite of a good time will probably be had at the same big venue on October 5th. The Ting Tings are playing MSG with Pink. Tickets are on presale (@ 10am). PASSWORD = LEAPFROG

Probably fun, but still kind of lame? Aerosmith and ZZ Top play MSG on September 14th. Tickets are on AmEx and Internet presale now, and go on general sale Monday, May 18th, at 10am. It's the same day Kings of Leon play Nassau Coliseum.

Back to good times... Ween are playing the Stone Pony's Summerstage in Asbury Park on July 18th. Tickets go on sale Saturday at noon. Gene Ween is playing Brooklyn on May 21st.

Same venue, same summer (move over Blondie, Pat Benatar and The Donnas): The Pretenders, Cat Power and Juliette (and the Licks) Lewis are playing the Stone Pony's Summerstage on August 9th. Tickets are currently on Ticket Rush presale (password = live), and they go on general sale Saturday at noon. The same three ladies (bands) have an August 22nd Colorado show scheduled, so let's home for a full tour with NYC date too.

Peter Frampton plays Stone Pony Summerstage on August 30th. Tickets are currently on Ticket Rush presale (password = live), and go on general sale Saturday at noon.

And don't forget Kylie Minogue tickets go on sale Saturday at 10am.

Ani Difranco, RZA & Steve Albini @ 2005 New Yorker Festival (CRED)

The eighth annual New Yorker Festival happens in NYC from October 5-7, 2007. Though not completely announced yet, this year's lineup will include all of those you see in the title, and more....

Continue reading "Diplo, Fiona Apple, Sigur Ros, David Byrne, Roseanne Cash, Yo La Tengo & more for the 2007 New Yorker Festival"

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Police are investigating reports a 15-year-old was sexually assaulted Tuesday at Saratoga Performing Arts Center during a Dave Matthews Band concert, marking the second time in two years that security during the popular band's visit has been questioned.

The concert promoter, Live Nation, and SPAC, which is inside Saratoga Spa State Park, are working with authorities to figure out what happened at the concert att by more than 25,000. [timesunion]

And speaking of Dave Matthews, here's the latest news on Farm Aid:

On Sunday, September 9 at Randall’s Island in New York City, Gregg Allman will perform a special acoustic set with Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews, Farm Aid announced today. The unique musical collaboration will add to the stellar lineup at Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival, the organization’s first New York concert event.

Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Gregg Allman, The Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows, Matisyahu, Guster, The Derek Trucks Band, Warren Haynes, Supersuckers, The Ditty Bops and Montgomery Gentry are scheduled to perform at Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival. Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds and The Allman Brothers Band are scheduled to play full festival sets.

Tickets are on sale. And speaking of beards, Shooter Jennings is playing Bowery Ballroom, and ZZ Top just added a 2nd show at NYC's Beacon Theatre in September. All tour dates below....

Continue reading "Man assaults girl @ Dave Matthews concert, Farm Aid updates, Shooter Jennings & ZZ Top Tour Dates"