The White Stripes live @ Icky Thump Records

10:02pm CST Wed 6/20/07: Sorry about the late notice, check it out, it's streaming live right now here.

Updates:

10:31pm CST: White Stripes are finally on. Opening track: "Icky Thump". Wow.

10:49pm CST: Setlist so far:

1. Icky Thump
2. When I Hear My Name
3. Dirty Leaves On Dirty Ground
4. ? New Song
5. Hotel Yorba
6. ? New Song

10:55pm CST: I'm giving up on following the setlist... I'll enjoy the show instead.

10:57pm CST: I do love this one... Jolene

11:00pm CST: John The Revelator

11:11pm CST: Jack is a genius (I think I've mentioned that before). Man, this rocks. You can still tune in.

11:15pm CST: White Stripes main set done. Encores coming up...

11:16pm CST: I actually really like watching the show on my PC. The bathroom is really close...

11:17pm CST: Encore #1: Black Math

11:26pm CST: After a brilliant second encore here comes "Seven Nation Army"... jesus.

11:31pm CST: They're playing their last tune "Boll Weevil". I have goosebumps.

11:34pm CST: Gig over.

Bloody hell, I guess I was live-blogging the event... Sorry, sometimes I get too excited.

The new White Stripes Album Icky Thump is amazing. It rocks. Hard. Go pick it up when you have a chance. Fuck the review by CityPages/Village Voice...

More Updates:

In case you missed the performance... You can probably find some of it on the Icky Thump YouTube Channel.

Meg is awesome.

Did you see The White Stripes on Conan? It was A+. Unfortunately NBC is taking down YouTube vids left and right, so I give you the same 2 tunes from Jools Holland (just as great):

The White Stripes - Icky Thump (live Jools Holland)




The White Stripes - Effect and Cause (live Jools Holland)



OK, Conan was cooler:

The White Stripes - Effect and Cause (live Conan O'Brien):



The White Stripes Website | MySpace

Albert Hammond, Jr. live @ Station 4, 6/7/07

You may know Albert as the guitar player for The Strokes. How did he fare as a solo performer? Absolutely brilliant; fantastic live. I think I liked his gig last Thursday at Station 4 in St. Paul more than the last Strokes show. From hearing the band rehearse above the venue before the concert, to hanging out with Albert after the show, I had a great time. Did you know Steve, the guitarist/singer from Longwave plays guitar in Albert's live band? You do now, and yes, he rocks...

Albert Hammond, Jr. enjoying a "Pabst tall-boy":


Albert Hammond, Jr.:


Albert Hammond, Jr.:


Steve rockin' the ukulele:


Albert Hammond, Jr. and the band rockin' out:


Albert Hammond, Jr. hanging out in his pajamas after the show:


Albert Hammond, Jr. Setlist:


Dead Trees (opening band):


More Albert/Dead Trees: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

A couple of pretty cool vids from the show:

Albert Hammond, Jr. - "Everyone Gets A Star" live @ Station 4:



Albert Hammond, Jr. - "In Transit" live @ Station 4:



More coverage over on Brody's blog. He had a good time as well...

Albert Hammond, Jr. MySpace

Pics: Voxtrot | Sound Team | Au Revoir Simone live @ Triple Rock Social Club 6/5/07

Sound Team:






More Sound Team: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

Voxtrot:










More Voxtrot: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

I missed Au Revoir Simone. They joined Voxtrot on stage later in the evening, though (see picture above)...

Brody and Vu have the reviews.

Voxtrot Website | MySpace
Sound Team Website | MySpace
Au Revoir Simone Website | MySpace

Have a great Thursday. Don't forget, Albert Hammond, Jr. is @ Station 4 tonight. Don't miss it...

New Video/Single: Arctic Monkeys - "Fluorescent Adolescent"

Here's the brand-new Arctic Monkeys video for "Fluorescent Adolescent", the 2nd single to be released from their brilliant sophomore album Favourite Worst Nightmare.

Arctic Monkyes - "Fluorescent Adolescent":


YouTube version here. Domino version here.

"The lyrical narration is supported by a striking video directed by Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd/Nathan Barley) , starring Stephen ‘Scummy Man’ Graham (Snatch/Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels) and a rather scary bunch of clowns."

Have I mentioned before I really don't like clowns? I do really love the tune, though.

Arctic Monkeys - "Fluorescent Adolescent" live @ First Avenue 5/7/07:



Audio:

mp3: Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent (YSI)



The official single drops July 9 via Domino.

CD & 10" Tracklisting
1. Fluorescent Adolescent
2. The Bakery
3. Plastic Tramp
4. Too Much To Ask

7” Vinyl Tracklisting
A. Fluorescent Adolescent
B. The Bakery

Bonus Audio:

Arctic Monkeys live acoustic on The Current 5/7/07:

mp3: Arctic Monkeys - The Bakery (YSI)



mp3: Arctic Monkeys - Only Ones Who Know (YSI)



mp3: Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent (YSI)



From the CD-Single Brianstorm:

mp3: Arctic Monkeys - If You Found This It's Probably Too Late (YSI)



From the Japanese Import Favourite Worst Nightmare:

mp3: Arctic Monkeys - Da Frame 2R (YSI)



mp3: Arctic Monkeys - Matador (YSI)



Arctic Monkeys Website | MySpace | The Riot Van | Domino

Previously:

• Arctic Monkeys / Be Your Own Pet live @ First Avenue 5/7/07
• Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor live @ First Avenue 5/7/07
• Arctic Monkeys - Live Acoustic on The Current 5/7/07
• Arctic Monkeys - The View From The Afternoon live @ First Avenue 5/7/07
• Arctic Monkeys @ First Avenue 5/7/07: City Pages A-List Pick
• Watch: Arctic Monkeys - live @ Coachella 4/27/07
• Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm / Old Yellow Bricks live on Jimmy Kimmel 4/26/07
• Everything is Brilliant in Sheffield: Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
• [ more ]

Happy 2nd Birthday!

...to my blog. Yes, I started this shit 2 years ago, today. To celebrate, three random songs I've listened to a lot over the years...

David Bowie - Rock 'n' Roll Suicide (live - Japan 1972):


Travis - All I Want To Do Is Rock (live - Glasgow 2001):


Oasis - Slide Away (live - Chicago 1994):


(You thought I'd post "Rock 'n' Roll Star", didn't you?)

Falco - Rock Me Amadeus (live - Salzburg 1986)


RIP Falco (1957 - 1998).

In case you haven't noticed, I'm currently on "blog vacation". Regular posting to resume next week...

Thanks for reading, you #@$% rock!

Cheers,
~ Steve

Kings of Leon Cancel, Snowden headline live @ First Avenue 5/18/07

More Snowden photos: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

I was pretty bummed Kings of Leon had to cancel their gig due to illness (singer Caleb lost his voice) at the last second Friday night. It's all good though, they've rescheduled for August 3rd and even added another show on August 4th. Pop Life has more info.

Luckily, opening band Snowden saved the day by playing a stunning free show. You could tell these newly-turned-headliners really gave 100% to impress the fans who had remained at the gig. They rock. And how can you not like Bassist Corinne?! Brody has the full review and more photos.

Here are a couple of videos I filmed from the show.

Snowden - "Cinnamon Girl" (Neil Young Cover) live @ First Ave 5/18/07:



Snowden - "Counterfeit Rules" live @ First Ave 5/18/07:



If you still need that live Kings of Leon fix, head over to Spinner: Kings of Leon Party Like It's 1976.

Snowden Website / MySpace
Kings of Leon Website / MySpace

Previously:
Snowden / Malajube live @ Triple Rock Social Club 2/24/07

Arctic Monkeys / Be Your Own Pet live @ First Avenue 5/7/07

(Arctic Monkeys)
Lots more great pics: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow



(Be Your Own Pet)
More pics: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

Third time I've seen the boys. By far their best show. What do you get when you mix a band-member's birthday (Matt - drummer) with a bunch of pissed (drunk) Rugby Fans from England? An awesome gig. Yeah, I loved every second of it...@$%^ brilliant show. But you knew I was going to say that... Actually, I was super anxious/nervous about the gig. Yes, that will happen when you really love a band...

Rather than me babbling about the gig:

Here's the setlist:



And the videos I taped:

Arctic Monkeys - "The View From The Afternoon"


A note on the video above. It features a stage dive by a legendary Rugby Player 45 seconds in. His name is Tom Costello. Yes, I got numerous emails and comments from the team. Go Old Laurentian RFC! Unfortunately, Tom landed pretty hard on the "dancefloor" ;)

Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor"


Arctic Monkeys - "You Probably Couldn't See..."


Arctic Monkeys - "Fluorescent Adolescent"


More videos from the show:

> Arctic Monkeys - Teddy Picker
> Arctic Monkeys - This House Is A Circus
> Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
> Arctic Monkeys - Fake Tales of San Francisco

halfcockedgirl's vids are awesome. She's moving out to California for the summer. We'll miss ya'...

And yes, I hung out with the band (of course). Now that I have my pic with Alex, life is complete:



Matt (birthday boy) signing autographs on top of a limo:


OK, that's all I'm telling... Check out the photos for more detail.

I'm actually surprised most of my photos and videos turned out pretty decent. I was a complete hooligan at the show... Closing tune "A Certain Romance" gave me goosebumps and I was jumping around like a mad-man. Guess where? Yes, on the dancefloor:



Previously:
> Arctic Monkeys - LA 6/3/06
> Arctic Monkeys - Chicago 3/18/06

P.S. Notice they didn't play "Mardy Bum"? Yeah, cum' on, the Rugby Players would've gone absolutely fookin' crazy for this one:

!!! (Chk Chk Chk) live @ Fine Line Music Cafe 5/9/07

More !!! pics: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

Brilliant. This one was a non-stop dance party. CityPages explains.

Mando Diao live @ 400 Bar 5/8/07

Lots more great pics: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

Mando Diao tore the roof off the 400 Bar last week. Seriously. We had a big thunderstorm that night and it started dripping water all over the place... CityPages has more. So does Brody & HWTS.

What can I say about these guys... They were so loud the floor was shaking. Awesome. Read what the NYT thought about them recently. Hanging with the band after was priceless... Such cool guys. Happy Birthday Bjorn!

The setlist:



Instead of my babbling, check out videos from the show (thx halfcockedgirl).

Mando Diao - "God Knows":


Mando Diao - "Ochrasy":


I saw a bit of openers Pop Levi. Didn't like them a whole lot. Unfortunately, I missed other opening band The Films. I really like their stuff, they rock, go here for more. Here's a video from the show:

The Films (live):


This photo with the band is classic:



Mando Diao Website / MySpace
Pop Levi Website / MySpace
The Films Website / Myspace

England Swings VI - The Alarmists - "Ever Fallen In Love?"

More pics from "England Swings VI":
Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

The Alarmists covering The Buzzcocks:
England Swings VI - The Alarmists - "Ever Fallen In Love?"


I talked about this before. Looking at the setlists from other bands I wish I would've seen some of these performances. I'll make up for it with links to the bands and YouTube:

• Mercurial Rage: Oasis – Acquiesce
• In Pictures: Radiohead – Paranoid Android
• The Screens: Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen
• Colonial Vipers Attack: Travis – Blue Flashing Light (watch Turn)
  
• Colonial Vipers Attack: The Verve – Come On (watch Bittersweet Symphony)
  
• The Wag: The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger
• Landing Gear: Libertines – Up The Bracket
• So It Goes: Pulp – Disco 2000
• So It Goes: Blur – Girls & Boys

My apologies to Colonial Vipers Attack. Couldn't find either tune on YouTube. You guys rock.

Now Streaming: The Cribs - Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever

The new album by my "other favorite band" from Leeds is now streaming on NME. "Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever" is officially out in the UK May 21, 2007. Alex Kopranos from Franz Ferdinand produced this one. What do we all think?

From what I watched live via the webcast from Coachella and via the new album stream, I think "I like"...

I wonder who suggested Alex should produce the new Cribs album?



Just kidding. Since they took down the uncensored version of "Men's Needs" let's watch this:

The Cribs - "The Wrong Way To Be" (totally insane live version):



... And I thought only I get that crazy at shows ;) Can't wait to see these guys live here soon.

YouTube: The Cribs - Men's Needs (regular version)
mp3: The Cribs - Men's Needs (YSI)


The Cribs Website / MySpace

The Ponys live @ First Avenue 7th Street Entry 5/4/07

A few more pics: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

These guys were in the 7th Street Entry the same night Electric Six played the main room. I only saw The Ponys' final encore, but that was enough. Totally blew me away. I bought their latest CD "Turn The Lights Out" right there with my last $9.00. Yes, I even had to bargain... I've been listening to the album non-stop since then. I love it, do check it out.

mp3: The Ponys - Poser Psychotic
mp3: The Ponys - Double Vision
More mp3s here.

YouTube: The Ponys - Double Vision (live)
YouTube: The Ponys - Sad Eyes (live)

Chicago's The Ponys also played on The Current 5/4/07. Stream the in-studio performance here. Download the mp3s and more info here.

The Ponys Website / MySpace

England Swings VI - The Alarmists - Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / End live @ Triple Rock 5/11/07

(The Alarmists)


(The Alarmists)

The good news: I went to "England Swings VI" @ Triple Rock Social Club last Friday 5/11/07, and had a great time . The bad news: except for The Alarmists I pretty much missed all of the bands. I had too much fun at a work happy hour before the event, and later I got side-tracked hanging out with friends at the show. Sorry peeps, that's the way it goes sometimes, me bad. Grrrr, I really wanted to see Colonial Vipers Attack, Landing Gear, and So It Goes. They played some amazing stuff (see linked setlist). Next time my friends!

I did manage to capture this video. Pretty sweet...

The Alarmists covering The Beatles - Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / End live @ Triple Rock 5/11/07:



Even better video of the whole "Abbey Road Suite" here.

More coverage of the event: David/HWTS has some great photos, setlists and commentary, and the full review.

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor live @ First Avenue 5/7/07

So, yeah, I break my blogger promises all the time. I didn't get to most of the live music updates I wanted to. They'll be up soon, though, when I get to them. Having a somewhat normal life for a change is kinda' cool too ;)

Enough babbling. I'll give you another vid from Monday's show. I'm actually surprised I held the camera that steady for the tune. I was going "ape-shit", whoops, I mean "monkey-shit" during this song (and most of the show). Enjoy.

Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" live @ First Avenue 5/7/07:



In other AMs news:

The vids from Jools Holland show are up on YouTube. Pretty great stuff.

Brianstorm:


Teddy Picker:


505:


Arctic Monkeys coverage will come to an end soon, I promise. Then again, that's probably yet another empty "blogger promise" for you ;)

Electric Six live @ First Avenue 5/4/07

More E6: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

Electric Six seems to play here every 6 months lately. The band is always entertaining live. I'd say the show was good, but not great. Thanks to Mr. CultureBully for hooking me up with tix at the last minute...

Electric Six - Gay Bar (live @ First Avenue 5/4/07):


I've seen them live now 3 times and they've never played this tune. WTF???

Electric Six - Radio Ga Ga


And yeah, the original is still best.

Queen - Radio Ga Ga


Freddie RIP.

Electric Six Website / MySpace

Arctic Monkeys - Live Acoustic on The Current 5/7/07

Jesus @#$% Christ. I didn't hear this 'till yesterday. So awesome.

They played:

1) The Bakery
2) Only Ones Who Know
3) Fluorescent Adolescent

Stream it/download mp3s here.

Arctic Monkeys - Teddy Picker (live @ First Avenue 5/7/07):


Also, on YouTube, from the First Ave Gig:

- I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
- This House Is A Circus
- Fake Tales Of San Francisco

Check out more of halfcockedgirl's vids. She's awesome.

Look who I found hangin' out... part trois / !!! (Chk Chk Chk) / PB&J / Billy Joel

I think I have a theme going this week:





Yeah, that's me hangin' with vocalists Shannon Funchess and Nic Offer from !!! (Chk Chk Chk). These guys were amazing last night @ Fine Line Music Cafe. Imagine 8 band-members putting on a non-stop dance party. Insane. Don't believe me? Stereogum would agree...

OK, a couple more quickie pics from the show:

Mr. DJ Soviet Panda. He opened the show since Flosstradamus canceled. He was actually pretty good:



!!!:




!!! Setlist (paper on the right):


I'm worn out. Enough live music for a little while... Seriously, it's not easy holding down a day job and doing this full time. However, after work today, I'll try to summarize the following gigs I've seen in the past few days:

• Electric Six / The Ponys 5/4/07 @ First Avenue
  
• Arctic Monkeys / Be You Own Pet 5/7/07 @ First Avenue
  
• Mando Diao 5/8/07 @ 400 Bar
  
• !!! 5/9/07 @ Fine Line Music Cafe
  

We're talking 1000 pictures and 20 videos + that I took... so wish me luck ;)

In other news:

> Brody went to Peter, Bjorn & John last night. Look for his review and pictures here. He's also got a nice Mando Diao recap.

> Some dear friends of mine went to Billy Joel last night. I'm not a huge fan, but I like some of his tunes. Strib review. Pioneer Press Review. Setlist.

Update: Greg over at Perfect Porridge has some great photos and a review as well...

Here's my favorite tune by Billy.

Billy Joel - Honesty (1978):


mp3: Billy Joel - Honesty (YSI)

Billy Joel and !!! in the same post. Classic. I think I need to go to bed. Have a great Thursday!!!

P.S. To show I'm still "cool" (ha!), this is pretty new.

!!! - Must Be The Moon:

Arctic Monkeys - The View From The Afternoon live @ First Avenue 5/7/07

OK, I'll give a sneak peek of the wrap-up of the big Arctic Monkeys gig Monday night in Minneapolis. Here's a video I shot of "The View From The Afternoon". It features a classic stage dive by one "portly" British Rugby player at the 00:45 mark. Check it out, it's classic:



Wow, the gig was absolutely fucking brilliant. Until I get my stuff up (trust me, it's worth the wait), check out Brody's pics and Erik's review.

Update: Due to popular demand the video is up on YouTube. Also, you can download the original video here (85MB). Go Old Laurentian RFC!

Look who I found hangin' out... part deuxxxx

My friend Amy and I hangin' with Mando Diao last night... Brilliant. More to come...

Look who I found hangin' out...

Lots more to come...

Arctic Monkeys @ First Avenue 5/7/07: City Pages A-List Pick

Brianna did a great job writing this for City Pages:

The Arctic Monkeys' Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not was the fastest-selling debut album in British history, making them a wet dream for fans and haters alike. But despite the fact that they demanded the latter group, in song no less, to "bring on the backlash," the diss crowd has been surprisingly quiet. The Monkeys' follow-up album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, will no doubt prolong the silence: It's a tight, exhilarating powerhouse of fierce guitar riffs and savage, rapid-fire drums that climax into an unrelenting and highly danceable frenzy. Wordsmith Alex Turner's articulate hip-hop/Shakespeare influenced lyrical tumbles ("Now the shaggers perform/And the daggers are drawn") are carefully crafted narratives. Exploding with innocent sexuality (the lads are 21 and under) and darker imagery, the new songs expand beyond "The Weekend" of their debut. This will be the band's first visit to Minneapolis—Chicago is the closest they've been—and in June they will headline the legendary Glastonbury festival in front of more than 100,000 mud-caked fanatics. So come pogo while you can in the comfort of our cozy rock club. With Be Your Own Pet. 18+. $20/$25 at the door. 8:00 p.m.

More info/tickets: First Avenue

mp3: Arctic Monkeys - Take It Or Leave It (Strokes Cover - live) (YSI)



Arctic Monkeys Website / MySpace / The Riot Van
Be Your Own Pet Website / MySpace

I'll see you at the show Monday. Have a great weekend!

Air / Kate Havnevik live @ First Avenue 5/2/07

(Air live @ Coachella. Photo courtesy of Aaron Weinstein)


(Kate Havnevik live. Photo courtesy of Klaus)

God, I was pretty mad at myself on Wednesday night... I had brought my camera to the gig, but for some strange reason, without a memory card. So, sorry, no real live shots or videos from the event. Luckily, City Pages has a review and photos. They thought it was a sausage fest... Hmmm, I don't remember that part. I was surrounded but lots of girls on the side of the stage. Then again, I really wasn't people-watching...

As for the show. I got there midway through Kate Havnevik's set. The Norwegian born singer looked cute in the purple dress and her vocals were beautiful. Her music/sound reminded me a bit of Bjork and/or Imogen Heap. Quite enjoyable. I expect to hear a lot more from her in the future.

mp3: Kate Havnevik - New Day
Video WM: Kate Havnevik - Chronicle
Video QT: Kate Havnevik - Chronicle

France's Air put on a solid show (quite mellow by my standards, though). I really liked the tunes from "Talkie Walkie" and "Moon Safari". The new stuff sounded good as well. Encores "Sexy Boy" and a jammed-out version of "La Femme D'Argent" rocked.

For a more on the show check out Erik's review and CityPages Culture To Go.

I also ran into Chuck from Minnesota Stories and Blogumentary. Very cool and nice guy. I saw him filming during Air with his new phone/camera. Hopefully he'll post a video of the show soon as well.

For a photo of Air's setlist see my previous post.

Air - La Femme D'Argent (live):


Air Website / MySpace
Kate Havnevik Website / MySpace

Amy Winehouse / Patrick Wolf live @ Varsity Theater 5/2/07

(Photo courtesy of Stacy Sandstrom)

No, I didn't go to the show. Some other fine folks did, though. Here are their recaps:

• BritishRockIsAlwaysTop. Brody has some great pics of Amy and Patrick.
• The Ross Who Knew Too Much. Ross was underwhelmed.
• Pop Life. Jon was impressed how she crammed 13 tunes into 45 minutes.
• I assume HowWasTheShow will have a review up soon as well. In the meanwhile check out the rest of Stacy's fine photos.

Here's a cool YouTube live video from the show (couldn't find any of Amy's set).

Patrick Wolf - Everything Happens to Me/Accident & Emergency:


I'll throw in a couple of cool tunes:

mp3: Arctic Monkeys - You Know I'm No Good (Amy Winehouse cover - live) (YSI)



mp3: Ghostface Killah & Amy Winehouse - You Know I'm No Good (YSI)



Amy Winehouse Website / MySpace
Patrick Wolf Website / MySpace

Air - Setlist - live @ First Avenue 5/2/07

Full wrap-up to come in a little while...

I can't believe they didn't play this one tonight: