W♥M (Archive)

The Vandelles @ Crash Mansion, NYC 11/16

(Note:  I had intended for this review to be posted much earlier than today’s date.  You can blame the Pilgrims.)

 

shred it, boy!

Brooklyn indie rockers The Vandelles played to a diverse crowd Friday night

 at New York’s Crash Mansion.  The basement venue (that curiously resembles some sort of hunting lodge-lounge-frat pad hybrid) was a melting pot of students, yuppies in cognito, and obligatory long-faced fashionistas.  Few seemed hell-bent on “rockin’” and more interested in the open vodka bar, but the band was persistently energized, pulling out all the tricks (i.e. stage gymnastics, mood lighting, lots of sweating). 

The Vandelles - Swell to Heaven The Vandelles - Die for it Cowboy

For those purists that preach “real rock belongs in the dank underbelly of tasteful society” and “rock musicians are the harmonious canker sores in the mouth of the beau monde,” I say…maybe.  Maybe not.  Maybe the kids these days want their rock ‘n roll in prettier packages.  The Vandelles are certainly more attractive, collectively, than, say, Iggy Pop, but their music retains a feverish unease that would pull a smile from their predecessors.  With a sound that blends the blurry diction of shoe-gaze with a stylish brand of modern No Wave, the band plays smart rock that sort of defies hipster creed, while simultaneously remaining hip. 

 

While their surf influence has drawn comparisons to fellow art house rockers The Raveonettes, listen closely and you may catch a whisper of Sonic Youth’s blasé turbulence (although singer Jason Schwartz’s timbre is a few hard knocks and whiskey shots from Kim Gordon’s sexy snarl).  To give you an idea of The Vandelles’ noise mash-up, the band cites inspiration from a diverse collection of artists, including The Jesus and Mary Jane, The Beach Boys, and communal soap huckster Phil Specter (even their name channels the spirit of 60s girl groups a la The Shangri-Las).

 

The Vandelles’ five-song EP is available now.  To listen to tracks from the album or for information about upcoming shows, you can visit the group's Myspace page at www.myspace.com/thevandelles.

-Lara

Bands from Chicago, Illinois

I've been meaning to do this for a while, grouping four or five bands from one city. Today I'm going to concentrate on bands from Chicago, Illinois.

Each of these music group are very, very different from each other... which really say something about the culture of this city!

Tour 12/06/07 Lilly’s Chicago, IL 01/12/08 Krush Skatepark Tinley Park, IL 01/18/08 The Metro Chicago, IL Discography [2007] The Heavy 7" [2007] Yea Big and Kid Static Band Members ♥ Yea Big ♥ Kid Static Links www.myspace.com/yeabigkidstatic http://www.myspac... The Heavy 7" (out now on Metal Postcard) Yea Big presents HLLLYEA (Limited edition mashup of Kid...

Yea Big + Kid Static - Static Leads The Coup

Yea Big + Kid Static

The first group from Chicago are the superhero hip-hop rappers called Yea Big + Kid Static. It seems both Yea Big and Kid Static were already established artists prior to joining forces.

"Static Leads The Coup" is my favorite song off their debut album, which was released last month (October 23rd). The artwork, concept (comic book, Star Wars, etc) and rapping style kind of reminds me a lot of Deltron - so if you enjoy that, this album should be right up your alley.

Just a note, Yea Big is huge into mashups, so he really brings his ear and sounds in mixing the album.

So, if you live in Chicago, check it out, they're playing a few gigs, including the Metro (I've been there before!).

Tour 11/30/07 JBTV Performance/Interview 12/01/07 Lewis University - Romeoville 12/28/07 Uncommon Ground - Chicago, IL Discography [2005] The Rise and Fall of the Villains of Verona (EP) [2006] Scene 1 - I Only Play for Celebrities (EP) [2007] With a Twist of Lime (EP) Band Members ♥ Rachel Verona ♥ Eric Hehr ♥ Phil DeSantis ♥ Adam James ♥ Drew Potenza Links www.villainsofverona.com http://www.villai... villains of verona

The Villains of Verona - The Only

The Villains of Verona

The Villains of Verona are a indie pop band from Chicago. Their debut album is coming out, it's called The Oh Bonanza LP. I wasn't given an exact release date, but according to their press release, the album's final mixed is completed as of August of this year (mixed at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin). The album was done with producer Jon Alvin at the IV Lab Studios.

Of the batch of unmastered songs that I've got, there are a few songs with a boy singer. This is unusual because the Villains only have one vocalist, Rachel.

The song that stood out for me from The Oh Bonanza LP is "The Only". For even more songs, check out their myspace and also they're set to play new songs for JBTV tomorrow. If you live in the area, be sure to check JBTV on Wednesday at 11pm.

Band Members ♥ Desi Blondell ♥ Kenward Cooper Links www.thisepisode.com http://www.thisep... This Episode is an artistic vision, a coming together of 2 personalities sharing ideas and writi...

This Episode - The Movies

This Episode

This Episode has one EP, Warm Up My Defenses but according to their blog, they're working on their album, called Spider Tree.

I suspect they got their name from watching too much television. So it's safe to assume that they also probably watch a lot of movies - as in their song, "The Movies".

The main vocals is by Desi in this song, and it tells about how she wants to be in the movies. It's a pretty catch song.

Also, if you like that 80s new wave-type sound, check out their song "Move On" - you can download it from their website. If you like what you hear, you can add them as a friend on vox.

Band Members ♥ Tim Ferguson ♥ Todd Lazar ♥ Tom Valenzano ♥ Dav Kling ♥ Matt Walters ♥ Pamela Richardson Links myspace.com/redplasticbuddha http://www.myspac... Tim Ferguson - vocals, bass guitar; Todd Lazar - lead guitar; Tom Valenzano - guitar, backing voc...

The Red Plastic Buddha - Rollercoaster

The Red Plastic Buddha

Our last Chicago band is called The Red Plastic Buddha. They kind of remind me of a 60/70s psychedlic rock band.

They contacted me recently and asked me to take a look at their video for Forget me Not, which sparked my interest enough to search and downloaded some of their songs off their record label's website Spade Kitty.

Of the ones I've downloaded, I liked "Rollercoaster" the best. Listen to that guitar and there's no doubt that you start hearing Pink Floyd jamming with Buddha, reaching nirvana....

If you enjoy these roundup, let me know - and also send in your city suggestions.  Of course, I will return to do another roundup of Chicago bands later.... but I think my next city spotlight will be on my own Minneapolis, Minnesota. I can't believe how many bands are from around here!

 11/29/2007 21:11:43  vu my♥posts www.weheartmusic.com

Hawthorne Heights - Saying Sorry

Rob wrote: Nov 29, 2007 11:28 PM PM [this is good] if you like Chicago bands. check out Hawthorne Heights. and sadly to say the guitarist just died! unreal! at the age of 26 i believe? but way to young. sucks!! Armchairs Dale wrote: Nov 30, 2007 12:21 PM PM Wilco! Smashing Pumpkins! Or if we're sticking to the little-known guys, there's Chin Up Chin Up, Headlights (well, they're from Champaign...) and Andrew Bird!

Southside Stalkers

Southside Stalkers - That You're Strange

South Side Stalkers

Attention Swedishpop lovers! This is Southside Stalkers from Stockholm. They have a debut album called The Sound of Speed, released May 2007.

I don't really know much about them, other than that they're essentially: Sparrow & Indy, both stage names. When they play live, they're joined on stage by Peter, Martin, Karl-Johan (Kojac) and Linus. I should also mention that Sparrow is in another band, Doctors & Dealers.

Since you can already download "Five" and "Deliverance" from their record label (both excellent songs), I've decided to choose "That You're Strange".

This song works very well as a boy-girl song (similar to their "Ukelele Love Song" song about a boy & a girl of how they met each other at a 7-11) and contain a really great sing-along "yoo-oooouu" part.

Other really good song worth listening to are: "Texas Sunshine", which is sung to the tune of a country-western style, and "Wholesome A** F******". As that last song title suggests, it's a song about butt love, but it's done quite straight & serious. I don't even know if that last sentence made any sense. It's a very sweet song.

According to their blog, they've already recorded some tracks for their second album.  You can download "Not Able" on their myspace, which is from their forth-coming second album.

 11/28/2007 18:34:46  vu my♥posts myspace.com/southsidestalkers

W♥M Updates (November)

The Last Beat of my Heart DeVotchKa Links Interview with Adina http://weheartmus... [this is good] In the face of adversity and unforeseen tragedy this young woman has continued to ... Adina Adina Adina: Hello, My Name is Paper Doll http://adinaadina... For my Media II class last semester. The assignment was to make an electronic book, but also to p... Joe Jackson to release bonus DVD with new album http://weheartmus... The new album "RAIN" Includes CD and bonus DVD UK Release Date: January 28, 2008 US Release Dat... DeVotchKa Signs with Anti- http://weheartmus... (Los Angeles) The critically acclaimed, exceptionally talented and expansively creative Denver q... Catch “MOBY MONDAYS” in December On Current TV's "The Daily Fix" http://weheartmus... Tune into Current TV's "The Daily Fix" this December to catch the first of two episodes featuring...

Hey, I just found out that Adina started a blog: Adina Adina Adina.

In one of her entry, she uploaded the interiors of her accordion book, and also an explanation:

For my Media II class last semester. The assignment was to make an electronic book, but also to present it in some form. I chose to do an accordion book, when you ribbon is untied, the box pops open to reveal the accordion pages.

I also wanted to reminder you about press.weheartmusic.com. Here are some new press releases I've just added.

The first one is that Joe Jackson is releasing a new album, Rain, with a DVD:

Joe Jackson, first studio album in four years, “Rain”, released in Europe on January 28th (January 29th in North America), will now be released by Rykodisc as a two-disc set, including a bonus DVD directed and produced by Julie Gardner, the recording engineer who recorded Joe’s last two studio albums. With a running time of over 40 minutes, the DVD will feature recent live performance footage, behind-the-scenes footage and a rare television interview.

Michael previously mentioned DeVotchKa on W♥M. Apparently DeVotchKa signed with Anti-:

Grammy-nominated DeVotchKa, well known for their scoring of the 2006 Oscar-winning film Little Miss Sunshine, capture a grand sense of the dramatic flavor of the U.S southwest and impart it onto both their gallant, artistic take on Eastern European folk music and the most emotive part of the indie rock scene. Images of the serious intensity of a troika being danced in a smoky bar on a Siberian plain and the soaring sweetness of a mariachi serenading a Mexican wedding party are conjured by the band’s lively performances and singer Nick Urata’s evocative voice.

Moby is appearing on The Current TV.

Tune into Current TV's "The Daily Fix" this December to catch the first of two episodes featuring singer/songwriter Moby. Serving as a guest host alongside Douglas Caballero, "The Daily Fix's" resident host, Moby talks about creating the musical score of the recently released film Southland Tales. Directed by Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko), this apocalyptic film features Justin Timberlake, Mandy Moore, The Rock and Sarah Michelle Gellar. The second installment of Moby's co-hosting gig on "The Daily Fix" will feature an interview with the up-and-coming Swedish house band, "The Knife."

And that ends the easiest entry I've ever done. I wanted to end with some potential W♥M Business Cards. I know one of them is way too dark (I'll have to lighten it later), but let me know which one you like best. I'm planning on getting them printed for for anyone that might want them.

whm-card1 copy	whm-card-clouds copy
whm-card-square	whm-card-noise

 11/27/2007 22:50:26  vu my♥posts adinaadinaadina.blogspot.com

Clare Bowditch & the Feeding Set

Tour 11/25/07 Queenscliff Music Fest - Queenscliff 11/27/07 Live At The Chapel Prahran, Victoria 12/03/07 Knitting Factory - Hollywood, CA 12/14/07 Fest of The Sun - Port Macquarie 12/18/07 Corner Hotel - Richmond, Victoria 12/30/07 Falls Fest - Lorne, Victoria 12/31/07 Falls Fest - Marion Bay, Tasmania Album Discography [1999] Sweetly Sedated Album (by Red Raku) [2000] Rodaleisis May Album (by Red Raku) [2004] Autumn Bone Album [2005] What was Left [2007] The Moon Looked On Band Members ♥ Clare Bowditch ♥ Marty Brown ♥ Libby Chow ♥ Warren Bloomer ♥ Tim Harvey Sounds Like Cat Power, Beth Orton, Feist, Antony & The Johnsons, Bat For Lashes, Joanna Newsom, Mirah

Clare Bowditch - Monday Comes

Clare Bowditch

Patriotism isn't supposed to cloud your musical judgement, so I promise I'd love Clare Bowditch and her band The Feeding Set just as much if they were Scandinavian rather than Australian. No, really.

Clare won the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Award) for Best Female Artist 2006, and most people went 'who?' A Melburnian, she produces sweet, vaguely punky folk-rock with elements of indie and country, and has just released her third album, The Moon Looked On. She's been the supporting act for Cat Power and Elvis Costello, but her sound is pretty diverse- sweet vocals on a lush soundscape, like a quieter and less outrageous Feist. Australia has a crop of this sort of artist at the moment- Jen Cloher and Holly Throsby are others- but Clare is becoming the most popularly known.

Alongside guitar and piano, The Moon Looked On incorporates a few Indian and Thai elements into the mix, along with the entire Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, a French horn, a male choir, 17 gongs and god knows what else. It stays clear of self-indulgence through the mercy of clear, distinct song-writing. The first single, 'When the Lights Went Down' (you can hear it on Myspace), shows off her sound- rollicking, rich folk-indie. 'Monday Comes', from her 2005 EP Autumn Bone, is slower and sweeter. I'd highly recommend The Moon Looked On if you can get your hands on it. Interestingly, it comes with a second CD called 'Campfire', which is Clare solo with a guitar, stripped of all the French horns and audio layering.

 11/26/2007 22:42:05  jennifer my♥posts myspace.com clarebowditch

News: Quiet Riot's Kevin DuBrow Found Dead

Quiet Riot - Cum On Feel The Noize Quiet Riot News: Quiet Riot's Kevin DuBrow Found Dead http://www.mtv.co... Quiet Riot singer Kevin DuBrow died Sunday, drummer Frankie Banali confirmed in a post on his Web...

Cristina sent me this link.

I know that you will not be able to help yourself posting this. I'm too periodic.

It's too good to pass up, right?

Quiet Riot's singer, Kevin DuBrow is found dead in his Las Vegas home. Although his death, at this time, is uncertain, I instantly thought of drug use. He celebrate his birthday last month and friends and family reported that he was in excellent good health.

Excerpt from the article:

"I ask this to all of you not only for myself but for other friends and family," [Quiet Riot bassist] Kelly Garni wrote, in a message posted to a Web site honoring the memory of Quiet Riot founding member Randy Rhoads. "I ask that no one here offer any speculation or opinions, theories or other things that could be construed as negative or, and I'm sorry for this, even sympathetic, right at this immediate time. I am already, within hours of this, having to deal with untrue rumors and speculation and that only adds fuel to that. There is a tendency for the subject of Kevin to incite flames on every board, and now is not the time for that. I will explain to everyone here the facts and the truth in the next 24 to 48 hours as I realize this will affect us all. So please, until then, be patient. All details and other pertinent info will be passed on to you here when it becomes available to me."

So, obviously, like most people, I know them through "Cum On Feel The Noize". I didn't know it was a Slade cover until Oasis covered the song on their single Don't Look Back in Anger.

Quiet Riot's version appeared on their best-selling and most popular album Metal Health, released in 1983. It was the only album to enter the Billboard Chart at #1 in the pop albums list. The album went on to sell over six million copies.

 11/26/2007 20:21:02  vu my♥posts www.frankie-banali.com

Manic Street Preaches - Nat West, Barclays, Midlands, Lloyds

By popular request... ok one person mentioned it in a comment to the MoneySavingExpert post, but what the hell... The Manics' Nat West - Barclays - Midlands - Lloyds. I don't know if you have them in the states, but they were four large banks around when the song was written. I think Midlands possibly got took over by HSBC... at least there's not many branches around anymore... oh why the hell am I writing this...

Manic Street Preachers - Nat West - Barclays - Midlands - Lloyds

Manic Street Preachers - Motorcycle Emptiness

You also get some Motorcycle Emptiness too, as before hearing this my only experience of the Manics was If You Tolerate This and, with a choice between that and Sleeper's Sale Of The Century, well... Sleeper were on TFI Friday and everything(!) Anyway, I know better now, not that I listen to Motorcycle Emptiness much anyway, it's too sad. Well, that and the bloke in the dorm next to me at Uni was playing it, and that's just not cool. Go find Born To End on YouTube if you're that impressed.

- Christopher

The Rolling Stones - Necrophilia (Unreleased)

 

The Rolling Stones - Andrew's Blues

The Rolling Stones

Here's an odd album: 1972's Necrophilia by The Rolling Stones. This album was never officially released, but the original proof cover art and very rare acetate were produced.

Originally intended as a follow-up release after the very successful Hot Rocks 1964-1971 compilation (it was the Stones' best-selling record at the time). Necrophilia was compiled by bassist Bill Wyman who picked out some very rare Stones song. Since most of the songs were not written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Allen Klein (the Stones' ex-manager) stepped in and demanded more Jagger/Richards song, purely for monetary reasons.

So Necrophilia was scrapped and what emerged was More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies).

Obviously when bootlegs discovered the acetate and they started making and selling the vinyl, eventually releasing it on compact disc in 2002. One of the companies that released Necrophilia is called A Vinyl Gang Products. They mostly delt with live recordings, you can find out more about AVGP on rollingstonesnet.

The rare song that I'm going to use is "Andrew's Blues".

Here's some information about the song: it was written around February 1964 and credited to "Nanker Phelge" (a fictional name).

The name would guarantee the entire band to share the writing royalties. It came from a suggestion from guitarist, Brian Jones, who named it after a revolting face "nanker" and Jimmy Phelge's surname.

I believe the song is about Andrew Loog Oldham, who was the Stones' publicist at the time.  If you listen to the song, they even make reference to themselves from Andrew's point of view:

The Rolling Stones are a great f***ing group!

Read more bootlegs on W♥M.

 11/26/2007 00:02:59  vu my♥posts www.rollingstones.com

Last American Buffalo

Tour 11/26/07 Indie 103.1 Check One Two (@ Viper Room) Band Members ♥ Kevin Compton ♥ Brian Sadler ♥ Jesse Taylor ♥ Jesse Carmichael Influences The Beatles, Jon Brion, Johnny Cash, Belle and Sebastian, Oasis, Beck, Bob Marley, Ryan Adams, Coldplay, The Doors, Elliot Smith, The Flaming Lips, Scissors for Lefty, Arcade Fire, Interpol, Neil Young, The Who, Midlake, The Dandy Warhols, The Stills, Wilco, The Rolling Stones, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Yardbirds, David Bowie, Vincent Gallo, The Band, Rufus Wainwright, The Decemberists, The Killers, Radiohead, Chopin, Beethoven, Bach, Hendrix Sounds Like Catherine Wheel, The Killers, Spoon,

Last American Buffalo - Pistol

Last American Buffalo

Marquis For The Debutante is the debut album from Last American Buffalo, a band from Los Angeles, California. They're described as sounding as part of Catherine Wheel (I will have to write about them later - they were one of my first concert experience!) and The Killers.

Although the description suggests "rock", I think they sound more a little closer to alt-country.

They're playing tomorrow night at the Viper Room in Hollywood, California - so if you want to be on the guest list, they ask that you send them a message. More details listed here.

Since I'm collector, I did like the packaging of Marquis CD. The case looks like a mock-up of an old 70s record. It's slightly larger than a typical CD jewel case, and it folds in two to reveal lyrics. I'm not sure if this is just a limited press run, but it only cost $10.

There were some suggested tracks ("Breaking Up Mine", "Dance Classes for a Madame", and "Watch It Fall"), but as usual, for some reason, I was more drawn to songs like "Pistol" & "Privateer" (although all the songs are worth checking out on Virb).

I like the part in "Pistol", where it goes: "It's a line you'll come to hate/Don't Worry about that" (there is a shift in these two lines that I think sounds like a really good country-pop song). The acoustic guitar is played by Andy Carpenter.

I also liked "Privateer" because it features some excellent usage of banjo and melodica (I originally thought it was a plain old harmonica).

I was actually glad to see that they're one of the few bands that's trying to pimp their users to virb, rather than myspace (although they do have an account there as well).

 11/25/2007 14:42:54  vu my♥posts www.lastamericanbuffalo.com

I Fought The Lloyds Bank Charges

Money makes the world go round or so they say. But here in the UK the banks and their bankers aren't having the greatest time at the moment. With the British government loaning approximately £900 per citizen to the Northern Rock building society there has never been a better time to try to reclaim some of those illegal bank charges back from your bank.

Until recently the British banks have been hiding behind the notion of 'free' banking. Us Brits don't have to pay for our current accounts...or do we? Enter Martin Lewis, The Money Savings Expert. He pointed out that when we open our bank accounts we are entering into a legally binding contract. So far so good. If we miss a payment or exceed our overdraft, we are charged an excessive penalty fee. 'Wait' said Lewis.

Consumer law states that any charges credit card providers levy on their customers must be proportional to the actual costs they incur. And the simple question is, ‘does it really cost £35 to send an automated letter when someone’s gone 1p over their limit?’

They’re not supposed to fine you; yet over the years that’s exactly what they’ve done whenever people have missed credit card repayment dates or bust through their credit limit. And it’s for this reason that you should be able to get back the last six years’ worth of cash.

Well this campaign has been gaining ground over the years with a lot of successful reclaims against the banks. Now somebody called Oystar has gone and re-written the Sonny Curtis classic 'I fought the law' into 'I fought the Lloyds Bank Charges'. While this isn't destined to make it into your all-time greatest songs playlist, it is still a moderately good attempt at a protest song.

'I Fought The Lloyds Bank Charges

For more information about reclaiming your bank charges then check out the Money Saving Expert's website. If you feel so inclined then you can also order the track for a very reasonable 50p. No excessive charges as far as this song is concerned. The official release date is 7th January 2008.

Apologies to the vast majority of W♥M fans who aren't British.

EDIT by Christopher: MoneySavingExpert.com rocks!!! They just saved me like £80 on a new internet provider, and I don't have to wait ten hours for a single track to upload to WHM anymore :o) Martin's cool aswell.

�November 25, 2007 13:28 � Ryan my♥posts Moneysavingexpert.com

Kev Oystar wrote: Nov 25, 2007 1:13 PM

Hello
Thanks for putting up a blog and video of our song. We sold over 5000 copies of the single in our first 12 hours after the MoneySavingExpert.com press release so we're really excited about the track's prospects in entering the charts in a high position (top ten at least!) and raising awareness of the campaign against unfair bank charges in the UK and the wider international community. I would certainly agree with Christopher's comment that Martin Lewis has been inspirational with his coordination of the national campaign. We met him when the video was being shot and he's a lovely bloke to cap it all!

Thanks once again for all your support.

Kev Oystar (the horse in the video!)