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VHS or Beta at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (11/08/12)

Tour Dates 11/09: Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theatre (Admission: $8) 11/11: Denver, CO, Bluebird Theatre 11/14: Austin, TX, Red 7 11/15: Dallas, TX, Kessler 11/29: Boston, MA, Middle East Downstairs 11/30: New York, NY, Mercury Lounge Read More VHS or Beta Fancy seeing VHS or Beta for FREE? The Onion's AV Club and Killian's Irish Red are co-sponsoring these free VHS or Beta shows! The unfortunate thing is because it's Killian's/drinking sponsored, you have to be over the legal drinking age of 21. ...

VHS or Beta played a free show last night at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis. The event was sponsored by the A.V. Club and Killian's Irish Red.

BOCA PROSPERO

Opening up for VHS or Beta was Boca Prospero, a band that I believe is currently based out of Minneapolis/St Paul, but they are listed as from Wisconsin. They were a five-piece band that played indiepop tunes like "Animals" from their recently released EP Animal Suite:



As for VHS or Beta, the thing you should know about them is that singer/guitarist Craig Pfunder sounds just like Robert Smith. He's not trying to emulate Smith, he just sings like Smith.

I've been meaning to check out the band for a while now, especially because their debut and sophomore record was on my favorite Astralwerks Record.

Unlike some bands that "moved on", I'm glad to see VHS or Beta still do "old" songs for their fans, including opening up with "Burn it All Down" from Bring on the Comets.

Of course, they played a lot of new songs from their latest album Diamonds & Death (out now via Krian Music Group/ Chromosome Records.) I didn't know the new material, but I remember "I Found A Reason" was played early on.

For the price of free, it's definitely worth it to check out the band on this AV Club/Killian tour.

RSVP at avclub.com/ruckustour to guarantee entry.

VHS or Beta at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (11/08/12)

vu () ♥ www.vhsorbeta.com ♥ bocaprospero.bandcamp.com

Free: VHS or Beta (11/08) and Daredevil Christopher Wright (11/16)

Tour Dates 11/08: Minneapolis, MN, 7th Street Entry 11/11: Denver, CO, Bluebird Theatre 11/14: Austin, TX, Red 7 11/15: Dallas, TX, Kessler 11/29: Boston, MA, Middle East Downstairs 11/30: New York, NY, Mercury Lounge Read More VHS or Beta VHS or Beta had a diverse range of song types and sounds. Some were poppy, some were dancey, some were sort of more ambient. Partially electronic.…

VHS OR BETA
vhsorbeta.com

Fancy seeing VHS or Beta for FREE? The Onion's AV Club and Killian's Irish Red are co-sponsoring these free VHS or Beta shows! The unfortunate thing is because it's Killian's/drinking sponsored, you have to be over the legal drinking age of 21.

You can RVSP to ensure tickets at avclub.com/ruckustour, and if it hasn't sold out, they will also accept walkups. Personally, if you're going to attend, why not just quickly fill in some information to guarantee a ticket? Do it.

VHS Or Beta's latest album is a remix album called Diamonds & Dub which features remixed tracks from their 2011 album Diamonds & Death. Although the album are remixes from other people, the duo has been known to remix other people's music. Check out their Tegan and Sara's remix for "Alligator":



I know we covered 40 shows in Rocktober, but I'm going into winter hibernation very soon. My last show will be Matt & Kim on November 7th… but I may change my mind to end it with the VHS or Beta show.

VHS or Beta's Minneapolis show is November 8th at 7th Street Entry.

Sally saw VHS or Beta in Sydney, Australia, in 2008 and she was so impressed she "purchase some tunes by these guys."

Read More Daredevil Christopher Wright The Daredevil Christopher Wright was excited to play brand new materials from their forthcoming album, The Nature of Things at The Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis …

THE DAREDEVIL CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT
thedaredevilchristopherwright.com

I saw The Daredevil Christopher Wright this summer. I mentioned in my review that I thought some of their songs had a little religious overtone to them, so I'm actually not surprise that they are playing a free show at the Hennepin Church by Loring Park on November 16th.

More details from hennepinchurch.org:

FREE! November 16th.

Black Audience (7pm)

The Daredevil Christopher Wright (8pm)

Chastity Brown (9pm)

This event has been put together by the Hospitality Committee and funded by a grant from the Hennepin Church Foundation.

Trivia: I mentioned that their album artwork looked like Chino Latino a while back, and surprise, surprise: the cover to The Nature of Things was indeed inspired by Chino Latino.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M

VHS or Beta + Yves Klein Blue @ The Factory Theatre

Yveskleinblue1 Yveskleinblue2

 

VHS or Beta - Night On Fire

VHS or Beta

A sunny Friday night, quite a modest crowd at the Factory Theatre in downtown Marrickville (not far from my house, so I was happy). I had not actually been in there before and I must say that it's a pretty awesome place to see a band. Tacky (but not sticky) carpet and a great sound.... and the best bit... the beer wasn't astronomically priced!

First band up (and I admit we only caught the last 3 songs of) was Brisbane band, Yves Klein Blue. I was actually quite blown away by these guys. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but just by looking at them I surely didn't expect what I got. The singer had a sound that if i was to close my eyes, at some points sounded slightly Pete Doherty-esque, but that's probably highly insulting to most normal people, so I won't say that.

As I said, I only heard the last 3 songs, but in those songs was a wealth of musical diversity. I don't think I could label these guys into any sort of genre. All I know is that as well as being very dance-able, they were also fitting to sit back and relax.

Also, I have to say it. If my nanna were there she'd have a heart attack and try to put headbands on certain band members with hair in their faces (as she did to me when I was about 8 years old trying to grow out a tragic 80's fringe).

 

Vob1 Vob4 VHS or Beta

  Earlier that day I was doing a little research into VHS or Beta. I read that they were "French house and dance punk" and let me tell you, I was slightly scared. Silly Sally, there was no need for this fear! They were really great. I'm not sure what the deal was with the guy with the camera on stage wedged into the one of the band members armpit for most of the show.

Similar to Yves Klein Blue, VHS or Beta had a diverse range of song types and sounds. Some were poppy, some were dancey, some were sort of more ambient. Partially electronic, but with most of the music being played live by the guys themselves.
 

 

VHS or Beta - You Got Me

All up, these guys from Kentucky, USA, have broadened my horizons somewhat. You may even catch me moseying down the street to purchase some tunes by these guys.

 

I'm sure you're probably more up to speed with the world, but if not, have a peek at what these guys are about at the following places:

VHS or Beta - Official Website
VHS or Beta - MySpace Page

 

Yves Klein Blue - India @ The Tote, Melbourne

and not forgetting:

 

Yves Klein Blue - Official Website
Yves Klein Blue - MySpace Page

There you go! Sally
Photos by Dave