all damage done by musical weaponry.

Between tweets, orbiting the blog-o-sphere, and seeping in tuneage, I sometimes forget what it’s all about – experiencing music as an audience member. That is of course as a fan, but also just forking over a 10-spot and witnessing an artist perform his/her craft. So how better to be lead to the sharing of information but through the opportunity to witness, in the non-digital world, the fleshy thingness of a “globalista” such as Filastine performing in my city (Seattle) on April 11th at Chop Suey. Actually hailing from my current place of residence originally, and now living in Barcelona, Filastine’s second full-length “Dirty Bomb” was released on February 23rd via the DJ/Rupture-run Soot Records.

Sonically unable to be pigeon-holed, “Dirty Bomb” is in many ways a manifesto. Its indiscriminate , urgent, and raw sensibility is rooted deeply in a global attentiveness to the many sounds bursting from urban communities world-wide. These plethora of particularities translate into production that includes, dubstep, balkan brass, hip-hop and even bollywood. While the album strives to draw connections, and achieving such accessibility on many songs, the ideological structure of the album isn’t interested in fluidity and digestion. Filastine’s voice is loud and clear here, listen, but listen closely. As the album description says, this album is a “gritty soundclash of urban rhythm”(s), with the key word here being “clash”; and for a generation of listeners that cite The Beatles as quickly as they do Mannie Fresh, the musical tensions that are created in “Dirty Bomb” are invaluable.

So here for your aural (and “legal”) pleasure is my favorite tune from the record, “Singularities.” The song, indeed a paradoxical one, brilliantly tows the contentious line between arrhythmic and rhythmic percussion as well as melodious fluidity. Plus, it’s just plain and simply a dance-hall banger; the build-up is visceral, triumphant, and ultimately inspires one to move. Another “Dirty Bomb” tune can also be heard “in the mix” here in the 1st installment of the live mix series “Trash In Bassment.” The tune is called “Hungry Ghosts” featuring Wire MC (from Australia) & ECD (from Japan), and may or may not be available for download at the aforementioned link.

“Dirty Bomb” is available here, and there, on Soot Records. Filastine is on tour now, and in Seattle on April 11th at Chop Suey. Let’s go Seattle!

Filastine – Singularities

Stereolab
Wonder Ballroom, Portland OR – Oct 18, 2008
18 x 24 – Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black – 100# cover stock – screen printed
signed and numbered limited edition of 110

My Morning Jacket
Edgefield, Troutdale OR – Sept 27, 2008
18 x 24 – Orange and dark red – 100# black cover stock – screen printed
signed and numbered limited edition of 165

Spiritualized
Neumo’s, Seattle WA – Sept 14, 2008
18 x 24 – Two hits of semi transparent white and red – screen printed
100# black cover stock – signed and numbered limited edition of 115

Glasvegas
The Leopard, Doncaster UK – July 8, 2008
15 x 24 – Light blue and red – 100# black cover stock – screen printed
signed and numbered limited edition of 180

Dan, Dan, the poster man . . .

No one really calls him that, (I think?) I just made it up now, needed a clever intro, yeah, I know, i’m reaching. Anyway, one of my favorite poster artists, Dan Stiles, just made some of his recent work available online at www.danstiles.com

I’ve been a fan for years, and as i’m writing this, i’m looking at some of his works of art hanging on my wall. His art is in high demand, and he’s created custom, limited edition posters and other clever merch and collectibles for just about every band/musician you can imagine, for well over a decade.

And once it’s gone, that’s all folks! Resellers have been know to snatch up his poster art in bulk, sit on the goods, and once they sell out on Stiles’ official site, release them, and resell his work for up to $500.00 a poster. (Maybe more, but that’s what i’ve come across in my latest searches.)

So, i’ve wised up, I go straight to the source as soon as Stiles’ puts new work on his site, I pick a few favorites, and get them while they last at an amazingly great price. (Practically a steal in my opinion!) Cause like I said, once they’re gone, the probability that i’ll have to break my piggy bank to get my hands on one is high, I could very easily go broke fast. However, the flipside is that all good art appreciates in value, such is the case with Stiles’ work, so my little addiction is actually an awesome investment!

Alas, here are the latest, there are plenty more waiting for you on his official site, where you’ll have the opportunity to have a really hard time making a decision on which posters you want to nab.

You can also peep one of his Sigur Ros posters that accompanies the great “Mish Mix” – 100 Favorite Tracks of 2008, Selected by Top Music Industry Tastemakers. (And unfortunately, this poster sold out a while ago.)

Juan Maclean, can somebody get Jerry midi arms?

Juan, you so crazy!

Juan Maclean Tour Diary

SPANK ROCK & GUERILLA UNION PRESENT . .
“BIG BOX ARSENAL & CULTURE CLUB” EXPERIENCE
Bringing the party element to the Rock the Bells Festival

Spank Rock & Guerilla Union, have partnered up to bring the “Big Box Arsenal & Culture Club” experience to The Rock the Bells Festival. The stage will set a precedent, featuring acts that have been cited as experimental, genre bending artists, paving the way for the future of a new musical landscape. Ushering in the next generation of talent, hosts, Roxy Cottontail and Pase Rock.

“Big Box Arsenal & Culture Club” stage will feature performances by: Spank Rock, Amanda Blank, Devlin & Darko, the legendary Afrika Bambaataa, The Cool Kids, Kidz in the Hall, Kid Sister, B.O.B., Tyga, The Pack, Plastic Little, Ninjasonik and Blaqstarr. The stage will be featured on the following dates: 7/26 Boston, MA, 7/27 Washington, DC, 8/3 New York, NY, 8/9 Los Angeles, CA, 8/16 San Francisco, CA, 8/23 Denver, CO and 9/6 George, WA.

“The Big Box concept symbolizes an arsenal of powerful performers who break boundaries, set trends and do what the fuck they want. I feel like Afrika Bambaataa is the blue print, and we are the future. Teaming up with Rock the Bells is the first step in showing the world a new definition of young America.” – Spank Rock

Guerilla Union’s ROCK THE BELLS 2008 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SERIES POWERED BY SANDISK has established itself as a world-class hip-hop platform by hosting legendary performances by Rage Against the Machine, NAS, A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy, Lauryn Hill, Black Star (Talib Kweli and Mos Def), Hieroglyphics, Living Legends, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, Cypress Hill and Jurassic 5 as well as reuniting Wu-Tang Clan for their last performance with ODB in 2004.

Pase Rock feat Spank Rock & Amanda Blank – Lindsay Lohan’s Revenge – Rock Steady Drew – In the Cut Mix

WIN SPANK ROCK’S PACKAGE!

Guerilla Union, Spank Rock, and Trash Menagerie are giving away SPANK ROCK’s PACKAGE to 2 lucky winners and a friend in each city the festival hits – New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, & Seattle. Spank’s package includes – 2 tickets to the Festival, 2 VIP access passes to meet the artists, and a LOAD of Spank Rock merch & music, signed and delivered by the man himself.

To enter, send an email to SPANKROCK@TRASHMENAGERIE.COM
In the SUBJECT line of your email, list the CITY you want to enter to win, in the BODY, your NAME. One entry per person, per city – New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle.

Winners in each city will be notified the day before the show via email. Tickets and passes will be available or pick up at will call the day of the show – and then watch the mail for the merch to arrive!

More info:
www.guerillaunion.com
www.spankrock.net
www.trashmenagerie.com

Stay tuned to Trash Menagerie as we follow the tour, exclusive footage, artist interviews, music, behind the scenes antics, and a few surprises along the way!

Ultra 8201 just made my day . . . I am so excited, I am so excited! (and perhaps living under a rock?!?!?)

I LOVE me some Presets, I wonder if their ears are ringing, because I was listening to their earlier releases, “Beams” & “Girl and the Sea” this afternoon and talking to my girl Lynnel about when they were finally going to release their new LP - “APOCALYPSO“. This news is wicked awesome.

The Presets were my first introduction to Modular, which lead to being turned on to Cut Copy, and all the rest. I very vividly remember playing “Girl and the Sea” to death the month I made the decision to leave Chicago and move to New York. It was a bittersweet time, and that EP, and particularly, the title track “Girl and the Sea” were the soundtrack of my life back then. I think I shed a tear or 2 on a few occasions. Luckily, “Girl and the Sea” was followed by “Kitty in the Middle”, and that track is all “sexy time”, so I didn’t stay emo for long. But, its cool, because whenever I hear these songs, it totally takes me back. *Sigh*, music is pretty amazing like that, the way it triggers memories, thoughts, feelings, experiences. Gotta love it!

Girl and the Sea – The Presets – Cut Copy Remix

I have been lucky to see them live several times, when they opened for The Rapture, and they’re even BETTER live, then when recorded and “studiofied”, which is a rarity for most acts. I don’t know which show to go to in NY? Maybe both?

The Presets Tour Dates

03-21 Manchester, England – The Warehouse Project
03-22 Middlesbrough, England – Empire
03-23 Liverpool, England – Chibuku @ Barfly
03-29 Sydney, Australia – V Festival
03-30 Gold Coast, Australia – V Festival
04-05 Melbourne, Australia – V Festival
04-06 Perth, Australia – V Festival
04-26 Maitland, Australia – Groovin the Moo
05-03 Townsville, Australia – Groovin the Moo
05-20 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre *
05-21 San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine *
05-22 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge *
05-23 Seattle, WA – Nectar Lounge *
05-24 Vancouver, British Columbia – Plaza Club *
05-26 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge *
05-27 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge *
05-29 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club *
05-30 Chicago, IL – Abbey Pub *
05-31 Toronto, Ontario – Anti *
06-01 Montreal, Quebec – Cabaret Music Hall *
06-02 Boston, MA – Paradise *
06-04 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg *
06-05 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom *
06-06 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s *
06-07 Washington, DC – Rock and Roll Hotel

*with Walter Meego (I have their new album in my possession, but haven’t had time to listen to it yet, dammit!)

The Presets
The Presets Myspace

This blazing Kap Bambino track, “Hunger Texas” – is making BBQ sexy. This one goes out to all our friends at SXSW in Austin this week. I’m taking the liberty of making it everyone’s official theme song. I hope the music is as good as the damn meat. THE MEAT, that’s all ya’ll talk about!

Kap Bambino – Hunger Texas

Duffy, sexy, sultry, delivering the blues, she’s kind of like blond, sober, version of Amy Winehouse. I wonder how long she’ll be able to keep that up. Getting wasted always makes for good new writing material.

Duffy – Tomorrow

Duffy – Mercy – Dunproofin’s Thankful Mix

The Breeders have been on hiatus since 2002. Its a little known fact the the band was started by Kim Deal of The Pixies. The Breeders are full of all kinds of history, research, them, interesting stuff. Well its amazing that they are back with a new album, “Mountain Battles”. The Breeders , in my opinion, they rock even harder than they did back in 90’s, loving the entire album – Bang On is right.

The Breeders – Bang On

The Breeders – No Way

When are The Kills coming back to New York? They need to let me take them out for a night, New York is still all that, maybe they’re just not going to the right places. If they are looking for “Midnight Boom”, I know where to find it.

The Kills – What New York Used to Be

The Kills – Cheap and Cheerful

When The Black Keys opened for Radiohead on their last US tour, I missed their performance, because I was “getting ready”. Still kicking myself for that one, definitely some stupid girl s&*%. But in my defense, no one told me what time their set was starting, they just told me to get over to “the spot” for “the pre-game”. Speaking of games, make sure you spend some significant time on The Black Keys website, killing nerds, Atari style.

The Black Keys – Strange Times

The Blows, great name for a band, cute, from Spain, named their album Upskirts, and sing songs about going to a Disco, seems like they’ve got a lot going for them right now.

The Blows – Disco

The Charlatans also known as The Charlatans UK (why this is, i don’t know.) I started listened to them when I was a wee little teenager. Their last album, Simpatico was released in 2006, they are proof that solid bands stand the test of time. Cheers to that, and to many more.

The Charlatans – Mis-takes

The Mae Shi - L.A. punk, making their way through SXSW with a buzz. They wrote a song, “Boys In the Attic” – and i’m going to have to dedicate it to my boys, Molly Shannon, Molly Shannon.

The Mae Shi – Boys In the Attic

MSMS are a secret gem hidden away in Seattle. They recorded their entire first album in their attic. Keep your eyes and ears on this band – I have this “feeling” about them.

Molly Shannon, Molly Shannon – Émilie du Châtelet

This is just silly! What’s next? Read on . . .

Radiohead – Anyone Can Play Guitar

From Paidcontent.org
By Joseph Weisenthal – Wed 12 Mar 2008 12:59 PM PST

As if you needed any more evidence that Guitar Hero had made it big: Guitar company Gibson has accused the game’s maker, Activision (NSDQ: ATVI), of violating a 1999 patent for “technology for simulating a musical performance.” Activision disclosed in a court filing, as part of an attempt to get the patent made invalid, that Gibson made its view known in a January letter, according to Reuters. Gibson wants to enjoin Activision from selling the game, says Bloomberg… but it’s a safe guess that the problem could go away for the right price. An odd aspect of this is that the two companies have partnered in the past on IP issues—trademark Gibson guitars have been featured in the game itself (see here), though that’s obviously separate from a patent issue.

– Here’s the exact description of the relevant patent. You can judge for yourself how close it is to Guitar Hero (try to read it through the eyes of an East Texas juror): “A musician can simulate participation in a concert by playing a musical instrument and wearing a head-mounted 3D display that includes stereo speakers. Audio and video portions of a musical concert are pre-recorded, along with a separate sound track corresponding to the musical . . .

FULL ARTICLE

Last night I was listening to The French Kicks 2002 release “One Time Bells”, and today, I received an email informing me a new album is on the way. I live for this kind of irony, and its quite funny, as it seems to be happening a lot as of late?!?!

French Kicks are set to release “Swimming”, the band’s second album on Vagrant Records, the release will be available exclusively on iTunes April 1st, and in stores May 20th.

Produced and mixed entirely by the band, the album features standout tracks “Abandon”, “Said So What” and “Over The World”.

The French Kicks – Abandon

“Abandon” is quite emotive, filled with beautiful, haunting melodies, & excellent guitar riffs. Clearly the band’s approach to producing “Swimming” has proved to work well for them. Their concept on making a more personal, thoughtful, “in the moment”, album shines through. The overall songwriting, and sound quality has naturally evolved. The album mix is clear, crisp – brighter, than previous releases, yet they strike a perfect balance, as they maintain the gritty raw feel of a live performance in the recording.

“On this record, we hoped to capture the joy of friends playing together in a relaxed way. We used a lot of first and second takes and tried to preserve a sense of immediacy and discovery that comes from putting things down before you really have a chance to think too hard. It’s bolder, and at the same time more intimate, than anything we’ve done” – guitarist/vocalist – Josh Wise

“Swimming is by far the closest we’ve come to getting the sound we wanted.” - vocalist Nick Stumpf

The French Kicks will be launching a US tour on April 1st with the first of three shows at Mercury Lounge in New York City.

Frenchkicks.com
French Kicks Myspace

FRENCH KICKS US TOUR DATES