You can check out any time you like, but you won’t want to leave!
Let’s just get this straight right from the beginning. Yes, you can rent a room at the Rock and Roll Hotel. No, it is not really a hotel. Still confused? We’ll explain.
While you can’t get a bed for the night, Rock and Roll Hotel does offer 2 themed party suites & 3 recording suites for rent. You can get a taste of what’s available by browsing the list of room names, which range from “The Led Zeppelin Suite” to “The My Bloody Valentine Suite.”
The goal here is to capture the feeling of glamour and luxury celebrated in famous hotels like The Savoy in London or The Chelsea in New York City. The vibe is just right for the burgeoning H Street Corridor surrounding the venue. This neighborhood has gone through major renovations in recent years, and is quickly being recognized as the premiere arts and entertainment district in DC.
In addition to the rental suites, Rock and Roll Hotel operates as a full service rock club, hosting a top-notch selection of rising rock acts. Upcoming concert highlights include psychedlic legends The Silver Apples on September 1st, Sonic Youth founder Thurston Moore on September 29th, and two nights with indie darlings Clap Your Hands Say Yeah in November, among countless others. All shows in the Main Hall are open to ALL AGES!
DC residents that use the Metro to get around will find transportation to Rock and Roll Hotel is now easier than ever! If you are heading down on a Friday or Saturday night, just call up Atlas Courtsey Shuttle for FREE service from Union Station to H Street. The shuttle is available from 10:00PM to 2:30AM each week. Please call (202) 906-0697 for pick up!
Final Fantasy Tues. November 6, 2007 Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, GA
Final Fantasy is, for all intents and purposes, Owen Pallett. This skilled Canadian violist is a charismatic and dazzling performer. During live shows, he uses a foot pedal-controlled sampler to record and loop back his violin, creating layer upon layer of texture and melody. He is also known to win over fans with his sharp wit and humor, displayed equally in his lyrics as his between song banter. Arcade Fire fans might remember Final Fantasy as the opening performer during their Funeral tour. After his opening solo set, Pallett would join Arcade Fire on stage as second violin. Lesser known, however, is that Pallett was also responsible for co-writing the string arrangements on both Funeral and Neon Bible.
Pallett's experience as a composer doesn't end with indie rock. While in college, Pallett composed two operas, and then went out to score several films. Appropriately enough, given his video game inspired-moniker, he's also written music for the PC game Traffic Department 2192.
UK fans might recognize his song "Adventure.exe" as it was used in a number of Orange commercials. If you're turned off by an artist "selling out" in this way, wait until you hear the whole story. As it turns out, Pallett did not intend to sell his song for this purpose at all, but there was some miscommunication with his record label and its use with authorized. Pallett chose to donate all income from the commercial to the charitable organization Doctors Without Borders.
In 2006, Pallet released his acclaimed sophomore record "He Poos Clouds." Despite the tongue in cheek title, the record was awarded the inaugural Polaris Music Prize.
In response to criticism regarding the apparent offensiveness of the record title, Pallett has announced that his next album, due to release in 2008, will be genteelly titled "Heartland."
Thurston Moore Sat September 29, 2007 Rock and Roll Hotel Washington, D.C.
We didn't think you'd believe us, so here is the official release from Ecstatic Peace!:
"September 2007 and the summer shall wane and the leaves will glow their death state and school bells will peal forth dream desires and wild wishes and oh yeh:
ECSTATIC PEACE releases thurston "trees outside the academy”
It’s Thurston’s first solo outing since 1995’s Psychic Hearts. Of course, Thurston’s been releasing records here, there and everywhere mostly in the context of rowdy and rambunctious noise/improv escapades but this new one is killer diller SONGS! Unlike Psychic Hearts’ skeletal trio rock, this new jammer, 12 years post, has a far fuller bouquet of sonic depth and proves this Sonic dude to have a very real songwriting life outside of the legendary Sonic Youth (of which he is a founding figure, duh).
This newborn disc is 12 songs long. Thurston recorded primarily on acoustic guitar and bass, laying down the core of the tunes with drummer compatriot Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelly and violinist Samara Lubelski, a noted player from MV/EE and The Golden Road, Hall of Fame and other awesome gatherings as well as solo artiste.
Thurston grabbed John Agnello to record and mix the sucker after having a helluva good time with the bro from working on Sonic Youth’s 2006 killer Rather Ripped. They decided to work in Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis’ Bisquiteen studio (the top floor in J’s Amherst house actually) where Dino did their Beyond album. This worked out very nicely as it allowed Thurston to yell down the stairs every time he needed a shredding guitar solo and J would trundle up, plug in and BURN. Other guests on “trees outside...” are Christina Carter, she of Charalambides, and she of the most beatific, beautific voice on land, sea and air.
One track called Honest James has Thurston and Christina singing duet against a single acoustic guitar and it is a naked groove. The otherworldly Canadian musician Andrew Macgregor aka “Gown” plays some spectacularly understated and incredible guitar and Sunburned Hand of The Man’s John Moloney takes over the drum stool to absolutely flail on the pit snarling Wonderful Witches. And then there’s the 20 seconds or so of primal noise wave courtesy of American noise underground genius Leslie Keffer on Off Work.
Most of the tunes are lyric driven but there are a couple of majestic instrumentals like Trees Outside The Academy, which brings the album to a musical and breathless close. There’s also some weird cassette tape that Thurston found at his mom’s of him at 13 years old in the early 70s making some kind of sound-theatre. It’s kinda nuts, and it’s the last “hidden” track. Tracks like Frozen Gtr, The Shape Is In A Trance, Silver>Blue, Never Day and Fri/end (a theme song to the hippest TV show yet to be broadcast) will lead you in to a sparkling and heavy new world of Thurston’s heart, mind and soul.
Thurston Moore, for those of you just visiting planet Earth, has been playing music and liberating whatever ossifying standards rock n’ roll becomes threatened by since the late 70s when he walked the downtown jungle of punk/post-punk/no wave NYC and started the band Sonic Youth. Ever since he and the band have consistently stayed true to the authenticity and creativity of radical rock n roll idealism. From the experience of a life touring, writing, having a magical daughter with his amazing wife and partner Kim Gordon, Thurston has poured a heady brew into whatever speakers this new CD flows from. Take a sip, and pass it around. "
David Bazan Now on Tour! Sept. 14, 2007 in Little Rock, AR Nov. 10, 2007 in Atlanta, GA
David Bazan is most widely known as the creative force behind indie success Pedro the Lion. However, he is also the lead singer of Headphones (his electronic side project, we all need one of those, right?), and has been releasing records as a solo artist since 2006. He has collaborated with a huge number of artists, often joining opening bands on stage or filling in tours here and there. He even brought Ben Gibbard (Death Ccab for Cutie) and Johnathan Rice on board for his solo tour in 2006.
On his solo debut EP “Fewer Moving Partys,” however; David Bazan takes full creative control. He recorded and produced the tracks alone, writing all the songs and performing all of the instruments. The release prompted Paste Magazine to rank Bazan number 85 in their list of “Top 100 Living Songwriters.”
Of course, an artist like Bazan can never work alone forever. There are already plans in the works for his new band, David Bazan’s Black Cloud. Rumor has it that Black Cloud will release its debut early next year. We also stumbled upon Bazan’s moving cover of Radiohead’s “Let Down” on the Stereogum tribute OKX, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Ok Computer’s release. You can’t download the track any more, but you can still stream it, along with the rest of the record,here !
The Ataris On Tour Now! Sept. 19, 2007 in Little Rock Sept. 28, 2007 in Washington, D.C.
The Ataris' big break came in 1997 when Kris Roe passed his demo to a roadie for the band The Vandals. At the time, Kris was just looking for a drummer, but he ended up with a record deal. A few weeks after the fateful encounter, Kris got a call from The Vandal's own label, Kung Fu Records, and The Ataris were off.
Although the band enjoyed a dedicated underground following for many years, it wasn't until 2003 that The Ataris achieved widespread success. The polished tracks on So Long, Astoria came out radio ready, and mainstream audiences raved overThe Ataris cover of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer."
Since then, the band has come full circle, leaving Columbia Records to start their own label, Isola Recordings. In February of this year they released the follow-up to So Long, Astoria entitled Welcome the Night. The record debuted at 85 on Billboard has sold over 10,000 copies so far.
We are just trying to save you from embarrassment here. Octopus Project has already sold out several nationwide tours, so we'd hate for you to be left in the dust with this one. Don't be the last to buy a ticket (or miss the chance completely!) and definitely don't be the last to hear this new band!
Just to give you an idea of their critical acclaim, Octopus Project was heralded as as one of Rolling Stone's five stand-out artists at SXSW by Senior Editor David Frick. The band also swept the Austin Music Awards winning: Best Experimental Band, Best Indie Band, Best Instrumental Band, Best Miscellaneous Instrument (Yvonne Lambert on Theremin), in addition to top ten placement in eight other categories!
Octopus Project is an instrumental band that exceeds at balancing electronic wizardry with ghostly, atmospheric acoustics. Haunting Theremin looms over analog beeps and bloops, ferocious electric guitar, and every other instrument within reach. Octopus Project have no limits in what they create. Even after the song is recorded, they go through lengths manipulating and distorting, through tapes and computers alike, to create a record that is felt just as much as it is heard.
On their latest record, Hello, Avalanche, Octopus Project sought to achieve "the perfect blend between high-end studio trickery and lo-fi home experimentation." To do this they enlisted the help of producer Ryan Hadlock (Blonde Redhead, The Gossip) and engineer Erik Wofford (Voxtrot, Explosions In The Sky). The record will be out in stores October 9th, but we've included a track here for you to preview! Take special note of Lambert's phenomenal Theremin skills!
This tour is extra special for Octopus Project as it will be their first as a four-piece! The band recently welcomed the addition of guitarist Ryan Figg who will certainly push the band to the next level.
Octopus Project will be be touring for a solid three months, starting off in support of Stereo Total, then Aesop Rock, followed by six weeks on their own headlining tour.
Although they claim to be “influenced by countries with siestas,” Rogue Wave hasn’t had much time for napping this year!
Rogue Wave was asked to contribute their song “Sidelines” to the Spider-Man 3 soundtrack which includes other bands such as The Killers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Wolfmother. Then, the band finished their latest full-length album, Asleep at Heaven’s Gate which will be released September 18th. As if they weren’t busy enough, they grabbed the opening slot with Feist on her summer tour and plan on beginning their own headlining tour this October. That makes me want to take a siesta just thinking about it. I’m so glad Rogue Wave doesn’t require sleep or rest, because I can’t wait to get my hands on their new album and then go sing along at the Earl in Atlanta in November!
With diverse influences such as REM, The Beatles, and tennis players (see their myspace page for that dirty explanation), Rogue Wave creates their own unique blend that’s unexpectedly refreshing and at the same time indisputably familiar. “Publish my Love,” the first track from the 2005 album Descended Like Vultures starts out with an authoritative guitar riff that is menacing while undeniably infectious. The verse then switches from My Bloody Valentine-like musical intensity to, quite simply, one man singing his heart out.
I do not recommend buying Rogue Wave’s new album nor do I recommend going to the show. I DEMAND IT! Rogue Wave never disappoints!!!
New Album: Asleep at Heaven’s Gate out September 18th on Brushfire Records
Fri September 21, 2007 Rock and Roll Hotel Washington, D.C.
UK's The Aliens seem to be invading music magazines across the globe, grabbing slots on prestigious compilations and garnering glowing reviews across the board.
It feels like this band has literally come out of nowhere, but its origins are less mysterious than they seem. The Aliens is actually comprised of Gordon Anderson, Robin Jones, and John Maclean who are all former members of The Beta Band. So, between their big moment in the movie High Fidelity and opening for Radiohead, these are seasoned musicians to say the least.
The Aliens' debut release "Astronomy for Dogs," is filled with glorious, modern pop. This is what The Beatles would of sounded like if they formed in 2000 and reached their psychedelic apex now in 2007, the whole of electronica at their disposal. The Aliens back narrative, melodic lyrics with layers and layers of keyboards, guitars, and sparkling keyboards.
It's not too late to make this your summer record!
Saves the Day October 14, 2007 Rock and Roll Hotel Washington. D.C.
October 22, 2007 The Loft Atlanta, GA
After 10 years together and nearly as many lineup changes, Saves the Day has announced the forthcoming release of its new record, “‘Under The Boards.” Early listens suggest a dancier, pop direction for a band that has gone from hardcore to punk pop and beyond in the past. There are a couple tracks posted on Myspace, but the full-length will be on Vagrant Records October 30th.
Hey, did anyone in Atlanta run into Saves the Day singer Chris Conley at Perimeter Mall back in May? Apparently he popped in the Apple Store to show the kids how to record a podcast. Pretty sweet! It also looks like he took his new technology skills to heart, as the band created, and continue to maintain, their very own Web site. You'd think Vagrant would of helped them out, but the amateur web skills are kind of endearing. Don't you think so? Gotta love that "DIY" spirit!
Speaking of acronyms, Saves the Day sure have an unfortunate one. It took me way too long to figure out why the band was promoting "STD videos" on their myspace...but that's just me.
To celebrate the new record, Saves the Day are embarking on an acoustic tour. See the flyer below!
Due to inclement weather, the Saliva show scheduled on August 19th in Defiance, Ohio had to be moved from the Kmart Parking Lot to a smaller, indoors venue.
Because only a limited number of people were able to attend, the show is being rescheduled.
Anyone that did not get into the original show will be able to attend the rescheduled date using their unused ticket.
The Shinedown concert originally scheduled to take place at the Lani Kai Beach Resort on September 3rd has been moved. It will now take place at the Harborside Event Center in Fort Meyers, Florida.
Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs October 21, 2007 The EARL Atlanta, GA
We had a chat with the delightful Holly Golightly as she relaxed at home in England with her dogs. This is the first time Holly has enjoyed home life for quite a while, as she has been on the road all over the world for months now. She only has four weeks before she picks up again, this time heading over to US with Holly Golightly and The Brokeoffs.
If the name Holly Golightly doesn’t ring a bell right away (besides her namesake, Audrey Hepburn's character in "Breakfast at Tiffany’s"), think White Stripes. Her cameo on the track “It’s True That We Love One Another” was her first big break in the States, even though she had been in the biz for at least 10 years prior. Jack White is one of Holly’s many noted fans, as she gained some notoriety performing with British garage punk group Thee Headcoatees.
With The Brokeoffs she is honing in on her more organic side, with whiskey soaked ballads and moody folk blues. By the way, although the same suggests a larger ensemble, "The Brokeoffs" in this manifestation consists solely of band mate and collaborator Lawyer Dave.
Golightly was so charming and funny that we couldn’t resist putting the interview up in its entirety as a podcast. You can find it on our podcast player on the right side of the page or follow the link below. Just in case you can’t get to some speakers, we’ve transcribed a some of the highlights:
Holly on packing for an extensive international tour: "I’m employing a different strategy this time because what happens is I bring over more than I need and then buy twice as much as I could ever manage to carry. So this time I am bringing a massive case with hardly anything in it."
Holly on working with Lawyer Dave: TALive: What’s he like in the studio or on tour. There’s quite a few references to drinking in your bio and the songs. Is it a party every night? Holly Golightly: "Haha, yeah, a party in our minds every night! We like a lot of the same stuff including stuff that we like to drink, I suppose. I don’t know what other people do when they come up with these collaborations. We had talked about doing this for years, and didn’t really have any idea what it would be like, but we thought it would be quite fun to do. When it came to writing the songs, we did it all in a very short space of time. The album was written and recorded and mixed in four days. So we had limited subject matter at the time!"
TALive: How do you collaborate together? Do you handle the lyrics and he writes music or is it a shared responsibility? HG: "I’m a bit more picky than he is probably when it comes to lyrics. Then on the other hand, he is much more picky when it comes to the backing tracks than I am because I am not of the same technical ability that he is playing guitar. So we have to strike a happy middle ground where I can play without ruining it!" Holly on British Americana: "The stuff I listen to is probably not like the stuff I made at all, so I can’t really say I’m particularly influenced by any one so-called Americana artist or another because I don’t know any of them. I don’t know who the other people are that do this stuff. But, I am sure they are drawn to the same thing that both Dave and myself are... It’s a very familiar format. There is structure to it and it makes things simple from the get go. It isn’t going to be complicated music and how you sort of dress it up and make it individual all depends on what you bring to it. I think probably what I bring to it is being more British. As much as it is probably considered in that genre of Americana, I think it’s very British in a lot of ways."
Holly on taking album title, “You Can’t Buy a Gun When You’re Crying” from a Lord Carrett punch line: "There was a little acrimony; I have to say. I think he felt like something has been stolen from him in some way. Unfortunately in the land of making records and writings songs, everything is stolen, I’m afraid. And I mean, I took it totally out of context. It wasn’t the punch line to any joke. I think it is a lure, and it is also a very funny punch line when you hear the joke. It actually was the only joke he told that made me laugh."
"Don’t get me wrong. It’s all in very good humor. But there was this misunderstanding whereby he thought one thing and I said. “You know what, I’m a punk rocker and where I come from you can get whatever you want for free!”
"...who gives a shit? It’s just a joke that no one is going to hear on a record that no one is going to fucking buy! So what difference does it make?"
(ED Note: The joke goes, "I learned a lot from my second marriage... I learned they won't sell you a hand gun if you're crying..."- http://www.lordoflaughs.com/)
Holly on record collecting: "I think my biggest tip would be not to start...because it is an illness."
Holly on Amy Winehouse: “I think it’s a real shame about her because I really like her. It’s on a much more personal level, I want her to be together! She’s influenced by really good stuff, she likes really good stuff, and she projects that really well. I think she is amazing! But, there is sort of an ugly side to it because she’s suddenly become dramatically successful and she’s having too many of the wrong drugs.”
"She’s ever so young. I didn’t realize how young she was until I read an interview by her, and then I was a bit disappointed, really. Because I wanted her to say something interesting and she just talks about drugs and drinking.”
It's sad to say this as a blog writer, but seriously, words are totally overrated. I mean, how many bands can there be with like, "names" with, you know, "letters." It's boring, frankly.
That's why we are excited that not one but two of our favorite symbol-happy artists are on tour! The down side of this is that yes, searching for symbols online is a chore. So along with the band info we've got some hints on what to search for to track these artists down on the web.
+/- September 27, 2007 Rock and Roll Hotel Washington, D.C.
+/- was formed by members of '90s Merge Records alternative band Versus. James Baluyut and Patrick Ramos provide traditional instrumentation such as vocal, guitars, and drum, while third non-Versus member Chris Deaner mans the drum machine, sampler, and other surprises (from clarinet to banjo!)
If you see the name of the band and really want to label to +/- "math rock," you wouldn't be too far off. Like bands in that experimental genre, +/- love to use non-traditional time signatures and rhythms. But +/- are even more far-reaching in their experimentation, and they're not afraid of taking on a samba or using looping guitars and drums.
+/- recently announced a handful of tour dates in the Northeast with Japan's Moools. These are the first +/- shows in the States since their extensive European tour earlier this year.
In addition to touring back at home, +/- are also looking forward to the release of their debut DVD! Appropriately titled "+/- Self-Titled Debut Digital Video Disc," the DVD will feature 12 videos by various directors plus as of yet unspecified bonus material. It's all wrapped up beautifully in a Mark Robinson designed package. No word if the band will have the DVDs on hand at the upcoming shows, but you can definitely grab a copy at your local record store or online at Teenbeat.
Google search tip: This band also goes by "plus/minus" so try writing out the words! Their official site is written as: http://www.plusmin.us
!!! October 3, 2007 Revolution Music Room Little Rock, AR
Believe it or not, !!! actually have a story behind their name besides just trying to confuse people. The name was in fact inspired by the '80s comedy flick "The Gods Must Be Crazy" where The Bushmen's clicking language is represented with exclamation marks in the subtitles.
To understand !!!'s sound, you have to know where the band comes from. !!! was founded by members of Black Liquorice and Popesmashers after the two bands went on tour together. If you are familiar with these early sounds, you'll be able to hear the funky dance rhythms of Black Liquorice and punk rock delivery of Popsmashers in !!!.
This is dance music with an attitude. Full of intense energy, pounding basslines, and layers and layers of electronics.
Google search tip: The band's name is typically pronounced "chk chk chk," although they say any mono-syllabic sound could work. Anyway, "chk chk chk" is most common and you can usually find this band online by searching for that phrase. Man, "!!!" doesn't even work as a label on blogger. That is so hip.
We can't possibly type as fast as Little Rock is adding new events this week! Check out these exciting and diverse performers! We've got everything from jam bands, hip hop to hard rock. We'll take a closer look at all of them later this week, but for now grab your tickets while you can.
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones Revolution Music Room September 15, 2007 Find tickets!
The Ataris September 19, 2007 Juanita's Find tickets!
Afroman September 22, 2007 Revolution Music Room Find tickets!
Drowning Pool October 9, 2007 Juanita's Find tickets!
By the way, all of these artists are featured in the weekly Ticket Alternative newsletter. Sign up to receive updates in your city! No SPAM, promise. Unless there is a band called "SPAM" and it's coming to your town...then, maybe.
Saliva Sat. September 29, 2007 Bill Baker Amphitheater Harrison, AR
There are just a couple days left to get tickets for the Saliva show in Defiance, OH that we mentioned before. Follow that link for info about the band and an MP3 for your enjoyment.
If you are a fan in Arkansas, good news! Saliva has just announced a date at the Bill Baker Amphitheater in Harrison, AR. Tickets on sale today!
Matt Pond PA Fri October 26, 2007 The Loft Atlanta, GA
June saw the release of Matt Pond PA's EP entiteld "Several Arrows Later." Fans are now looking forward to the fall when the band will release the next full length, "If You Want Blood." The record will officially be released on September 25 with lots and lots of tour dates to follow.
MJQ Concourse Atlanta, GA Although MJQ is literally underground, it's not going to stay a secret for long with the big-name DJs coming into town! We already told you about mash-up master Girl Talk'sappearance in September, but check out these two recent additions! September 17th: Diplo Born Wesley Pent, Diplo is once of the most prolific producers and DJs out there. His remix credits are a mile long and include such heavy-hitters as Gwen Stefani, Kangy West, Bloc Party, Beck, and even The freakin' Beatles (check out the Diplo B'more Edit of Twist and Shout). Together with DJ Low Budget, Diplo runs Philadelphia-based club and music collective Hollertronix.
As an artist, Dilo's influences are far-reaching and diverse. Having grown up in Mississippi, he is known to drawn on a number of Southern influences including "crunk" and "Miami bass." He is also known incorporate a number of world beats, especially baile funk which discovered while traveling through Brazil.
For those of you like the juicy gossip, Diplo has also been romantically connect to British rapper M.I.A.
November 20 - Aesop Rock Aesop Rock is one of the most highly acclaimed independent hip hop artists today. He is signed to El-P's Definite Jux label (commonly referred to as Def Jux). Aesop Rock is known for his highly personal narrative and masterful rhymes. Like a real poet, Aesop Rock skillfully employs the use of metaphors and imagery to tell his story.
Sporting a new hair metal style logo and some matching leather outfits, The Donnas are going back on the road. After splitting with Atlantic Records, fans weren't sure where The Donnas would end up...but their new record "BITCHIN" is all done and ready to go! It'll be in stores this September on their own Purple Feather label. It's been nearly three years since the girl's latest release, and the new material sounds like they have continued to grow as artists. On Bitchin' they maintain their punk rock edge, but roaring guitars fill the songs like an arena rock back from '80s.
Oh, and speaking of growing up, don't call any of them "Donna." The girls dropped their stage names with their 2004 release "Gold Medal."
Shout Out Louds Wed Oct 31, 2007 (Halloween!) The Loft Atlanta, GA Find Tickets!
Just announced: Tickets for Shout Out Louds in Atlanta go on sale this Friday, August 17th at Noon!
Here's some interesting factoids about this Swedish band. They've toured all over the world with bands like Kings of Leon, The Strokes, The Dears, and Secret Machine. Their bassist Ted Malmros is also highly regarded as a director, after winning a Grammi (that's Swedish for Grammy...really) for directing Peter Bjorn and John's video for "Young Folks."
The Inaugural Circle Track Nationals September 21-22, 2007 O'Reilly Raceway Park Indianapolis, IN Find Tickets!
The Inaugural Circle Track Nationals is a top tier short track race that will bring together the best local short track racers form across the country. With over $80,000 in purse money and about 150-200 participating cars, promoters hope this will become “the crown jewel of short track racing for all major division.”
The long-term goal for this competition is to grab the attention of casual race fans that might not be familiar with racing at this level. By providing substantial incentives for short track racers, promoters hope local tracks will endeavor to create more opportunities for short track racers to complete on a weekly basis.
Race fans already know that late model racing is some of the most competitive short racing there is. You may have heard of other similar events such as The Snowball Derby in Pensacola, FL or The All American 400 in Nashville.
It’s about time they have a race like this in the racing capital of the world!Tickets are available for both the qualifying race at $13 and for the main event at $18. If you want to attend both days and save, there is a 2-day pass for just $30.
With its Joy Division-style vocals, dark melodies, and new wave rhythms, you would never expect that She Wants Revenge has its origins in hip-hop.
But in fact, the founding duo of Justin Warfield and Adam “Adam 12” Bravin were both hip-hop DJs in Los Angeles long before venturing into the rock world. As the son of a Jewish-American mother and an African-American father, Warfield’s original project was an attempt to pull together ‘60s bohemia with hip-hop. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for SWR fans, his debut release in 1993 “My Field Trip to Planet 9” never made it out from the underground (see picture to the right).
It wasn’t until ten years later when the idea of She Wants Revenge came to fruition. Along with collaborator Bravin, the duo reached back to the dark and sensual world of ‘80s new wave. They couldn’t have timed it better. Riding the wave started by Interpol and followed by contemporaries The Bravery, She Wants Revenge was a perfect fit for the resurgence of post-punk. The Bravery, oddly enough, started off as a ska band…so maybe 2003 was the right time for bands to find a new direction.
Apparently She Wants Revenge had found the right sound to resurrect. Thanks to a great deal of play on Sirius Satellite Radio and exposure on KCRW in West Coast, She Wants Revenge got the attention they needed to score a record deal with Geffen. Their self-titled release followed in 2006. Their first single, “Tear You Apart,” made it into the top 5 on the alternative radio charts. Warfield’s haunting vocals and suggestive stories resonated across genres, moving indie kids, Goths, and clubbers on to the dance floor.
For lovers of the loud, the intense, and the emotional there is Vinos. It doesn’t take more than a quick glance at the upcoming tour dates to get a feel for the type of music that is often showcased here. Just next week we have such delightfully gruesome bands as: “Suicide Silence,” “Bloodlined Calligraphy,” and “Through the Eyes of the Dead.” Yikes!
And what better way to watch “As Blood Runs Black” storm the stage than while chowing down on a piping hot calzone?! Ok yeah, that doesn’t sound appetizing at all. Nonetheless, Vino’s does have some great eats, and it pays to get down there early. Stop in before the show for one of their specialty pizzas or enjoy their fine selection of lagers and ales. If you get there before 6:00pm on a Saturday, house brews are only a $1.75 each! Check out their Web site for other nightly specials.
Speaking of the site, they have a fun little feature on there that allows you to send out Vinos e-postcards to friends. Why not send a note to let everyone know tickets are still available for “As Cities Burn” on www.ticketalternative.com/?
Although we don’t have all the details yet, Vino’s does have a very special show planned for September. Little Rock’s original brewpub will be celebrating it’s 17th Anniversary with a day full of surprises!
Why re-write perfection? You can’t beat The Long Blondes’ self-proclaimed titles: Kate on “lips,” Dorian with the “licks,” Screech banging the “sticks,” Reenie’s “hips,” and Emma’s got “high kicks.” Basically, it’s your quintessential five-piece lineup and, no, not a blonde amongst them.
The girls and boys of this UK group readily name fellow Sheffield bands Pulp and Human League as major influences. It’s certainly not a stretch when you hear lyrics that echo Jarvis Cocker’s campy tales of sorted mischief backed by new wave tinged disco.
In 2006 Long Blondes followed in the footsteps of Franz Ferdinand and Kaiser Chiefs when they were award awarded the NME Philip Hall Radar Award. Not long after, they scored a deal with the major indie label Rough Trade which culminated with a Top 30 single and a hit record: “Someone to Drive You Home.”
With their single “Once and Never Again” getting a fair amount of airplay across the pond, especially on satellite radio and indie shows, Long Blondes
Rock and Roll Hotel
