Music Video Mondays

Let's end '07 with one of the weirdest and creepiest videos I've seen in a long time. Enjoy the psychedelic sounds of Black Moth Super Rainbow with "Sun Lips"....

HFTB Year End Wrap

Just thought I'd do some end of the year maintenance around here. In 2008 I saw a total of 58 shows - which is more music then I've seen then any other year. Despite the fact I was hoping to hit the 60 show mark here's what I saw....

2007-01-18 - The Hold Steady - Northsix - Brooklyn, NY

2007-01-19 - Gary Higgins - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY

2007-01-20 - The American Beauty Project - World Financial Center - New York, NY

2007-01-26 - M. Ward - Town Hall - New York, NY

2007-02-05 - Cat Power - Hiro Ballroom - New York, NY

2007-02-07 - Trey Anastasio - 92nd St. Y - New York, NY

2007-02-23 - Matt Mays & El Torpedo / Will Hoge - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY

2007-03-01 - JJ Grey & Mofro / Virginia Coalition - Irving Plaza - New York, NY

2007-03-03 - Bright Eyes - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY

2007-03-08 - Ratdog - Beacon Theater - New York, NY

2007-03-09 - Ben Kweller / Gomez - New York, NY

2007-03-17 - Levon Helm Band w. Dr. John, Allen Toussiant, Warren Haynes, Garth Hudson / Ollabelle - Beacon Theater - New York, NY

2007-03-24 - Tea Leaf Green / U-Melt - Irving Plaza - New York, NY

2007-03-28 - "Evil Teen 10th Anniversary Party" w. Warren Haynes and Friends - Irving Plaza - New York, NY

2007-04-04 - Page McConnell - Grammercy Theater - New York, NY

2007-04-05 - Dr. Dog / O' Death - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY

2007-04-10 - Ola Podrida / Ursula Points - The Annex - New York, NY

2007-04-16 - Ollabelle - Banjo Jim's - New York, NY

2007-04-18 - Son Volt - Fillmore New York @ Irving Plaza - New York, NY

2007-04-19 - Benevento/Russo Duo - Knitting Factory - New York, NY

2007-04-20 - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Green Apple Music Festival - Vanderbilt Avenue, Grand Central Station - New York, NY

2007-04-24 - Fountains of Wayne - Webster Hall - New York, NY

2007-05-05 - moe. - Highline Ballroom - New York, NY

2007-05-09 - Magic Numbers - Hiro Ballroom - New York, NY

2007-05-15 - Arctic Monkeys - Hammerstein Ballroom - New York, NY

2007-05-16 - Laura Veirs - Blender Theater @ Gramercy - New York, NY

2007-05-18 - Tapes 'N Tapes - Fillmore New York @ Irving Plaza - New York, NY

2007-05-31 - Bright Eyes (w. special guest Steve Earle) / Gillian Welch - Town Hall - New York, NY

2007-06-04 - Page McConnell - Fillmore New York @ Irving Plaza - New York, NY

2007-06-05 - Kings of Leon - Roseland Ballroom - New York, NY

2007-06-14-17 - Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival - Manchester, TN

2007-06-25 - Wilco - Hammerstein Ballroom - New York, NY

2007-06-30 - Sam Roberts Band / Malajube - Prospect Park Band Shell - Brooklyn, NY

2007-07-04 - New Pornographers / Midlake - Battery Park - River To River Festival - New York, NY

2007-07-10 - Ratdog / Keller Williams - Central Park Summerstage - New York, NY

2007-07-24 - White Stripes - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY

2007-08-04 - Tea Leaf Green - Mexicali Blues Cafe - Teaneck, NJ

2007-08-08 - Beastie Boys - Central Park Summerstage - New York, NY

2007-08-09 - The Hold Steady - Prospect Park Band Shell - Brooklyn, NY

2007-08-24 - Camera Obscura - South Street Seaport - New York, NY

2007-09-08 - Tea Leaf Green - Blender Theater @ Gramercy - New York, NY

2007-09-09 - Farm Aid - Derek Trucks Band, Warren Haynes, Counting Crowes, Allman Brothers Band, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Willie Nelson - Randall's Island - New York, NY

2007-09-23 - Rilo Kiley - Webster Hall - New York, NY

2007-10-06 - Arcade Fire / LCD Soundsystem - Randall's Island - New York, NY

2007-10-18 - Vampire Weekend - Other Music - New York, NY

2007-10-20 - Umphrey's McGee - Nokia Theater - New York, NY

2007-10-24 - New Pornographers - Webster Hall - New York, NY

2007-10-31 - Phil Lesh & Friends - Nokia Theater - New York, NY

2007-11-03 - Josh Rouse - Blender Theater @ Gramercy - New York, NY

2007-11-05 - Phil Lesh & Friends w. Ryan Adams - Nokia Theater - New York, NY

2007-11-07 - The Black Angels - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY

2007-11-09 - Dr. Dog / Delta Spirit - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY

2007-11-10 - American Babies - Ace of Clubs - New York, NY

2007-11-19 - Bright Eyes - Radio City Music Hall - New York, NY

2007-11-21 - The Hold Steady / Art Brut - Terminal 5 - New York, NY

2007-12-07 - Yo La Tengo / Todd Barry / Endless Boogie - Maxwell's - Hoboken, NJ

2007-12-11 - Fountains of Wayne - Stuyvesant Town Holiday Tree Lighting - Stuyvesant Oval Park - New York, NY

2007-12-27 - The Word - Terminal 5 - New York, NY

Number of Shows: 58

Bloggy Goodness

End of the year is kind of slow, but let's check in and see what some other people have going on....

Catch up on the 12 Days of Mixmas over at You Ain't No Picasso with a numbers inspired mix by Josh Grier from Tapes 'n Tapes - check his and more here.

Gimme Tinnitus offers up their End 'O The Year Dump featuring a hodgepodge of MP3s and YouTube videos - head here.

Looking for something to spin at your New Year's party well you may want to grab All Things Go Instrumental Vol. II curated by folks at All Things Go and features the likes of Daft Punk, RJD2 and Justice - go and download it here.

Manic Street Preachers are Quick Before It Melts Led Zeppelin - find out why here.

Looking for another Year End List? How about Top 10 Covers as according to Let's Sexy Fighting - see who made the cut here.

Finally The Weight created their first ever mostly music-inspired crossword puzzle - give it a shot here.

And as always head on over to Hidden Track for their daily distractions and check in with Uncensored Interview while you're at it too.

I Love Tuesdays

Picked up a few things over the course of the last week or so, here's what I got...

1990s - Cookies

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank

The Parson Red Heads - King Giraffe

Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells A Story

The Virgins - The Virgins EP

Music Video Mondays

There is only one choice for today - here's Run DMC with "Christmas In Hollis"....

50 Moments Quiz

Looking for something to kill some time over the next few days? You might want to take a shot at Live Nation's 50 Moments That Revolutionized Music quiz - it's loaded with great Google map shots of historic music-centric places from around the globe - head here.

And not to brag, but 48 out of 50 right!

Happy Holidays From Phil

Looking for that last minute gift for the Deadhead in your family well fear not as Santa Phil has come through by offering up free soundboards of seven of his ten night stand at the Nokia Theater - unfortunately the November 5th show isn't a part of this set, but that one was a monster and worth tracking down just for the second set with Ryan Adams.

You can find them at a couple of sites - so head here, here or here and start downloading, and head here for some great pre-made CD covers.

Sticks & Stones May Brake Your Bones, But Will Also Get You On Stage With moe.

Sticks & Stones the latest studio offering from indie-jam-rockers moe. (hey they call themselves that, not me) hits stores next month, but here's the cool thing if you pre-order the album you'll get a chance to sing with the band on-stage. Here's the details...

In celebration of their release of Sticks and Stones, moe. is offering something very exciting exclusively to those who pre-order the album through the moe. store: a chance to sing with the band on stage! That's right, pre-order the CD beginning December 17th and you will also receive a special limited edition laminate which entitles you to come on stage with moe. and be part of the chorus to one of their new songs, "Raise a Glass", during the encore. This unique and rare opportunity will only happen during moe.'s tour from January 17th until May 15th.

You are allowed to do this more than once during the tour, but first-timers will get preference. This laminate is not a ticket, just your pass to sing with moe. on stage. And if you can't make a show, this laminate will still make a great item for your music collection!

Sticks and Stones cannot be shipped until January 20th, but moe.'s hard-working crew will have a list of all the fans who have ordered through the pre-sale at the shows so rest assured, even if you haven't received your pre-sale CD in the mail, they will get you up on stage. Additional information and rules will be included with your laminate and are posted below.

So does this mean they'll be playing that song every night as the encore for the length of the tour?? moe. finishes out the year with two shows in New York for New Years, tickets are still available for their Radio City show - get them here.

Oh and sorry for that way long post title, was trying to be clever.

Bloggy Goodness

Let's see what some other people have going on....

Passion Of The Weiss offers up a list his Ten Best Local Albums of 2007 - which is where I discovered The Parson Red Heads - see what made the cut here.

Heather of I Am Fuel, Your Are Friends fame put together quite the diverse 20 track Christmas mix featuring the likes of The Kinks, The Old 97's and George Harrison - head here to download.

Berkley Place offers up a nice twist on Best Albums lists by offering up Josh Ritter's latest (which charted at #4 there) through live versions of the album tracks - give it a listen here.

The music of Sam Baker is a new find for Radio Cure who thinks he's one of those "first listen" artists - find out why here.

Grocery Store Feet thinks that Pop, Pop is one of Rickie Lee Jones' most overlooked albums - check out why here.

Looking to listen to some new tunes before the year is out? Well Central Village has got you covered with a list of his 40 Best Songs - see what's on the list here.

Finally Best Of lists seem unavoidable right now to get your fix Large Hearted Boy has complied a master list that should keep you busy till next December - head here.

And as always head on over to Hidden Track for their daily distractions and check in with Uncensored Interview while you're at it too.

Live Phish Celebrates Five Years

Boy time flies - has it really been five years since Phish launched it's Live Phish series? It really doesn't seem that long ago since they were at the forefront of the download movement offering up shows basically instantaneously - well within 48 hours - straight to your computer. What would I have given for this service when I was back in college buying box after box of Maxell XL-IIs to send out? But I digress, that's a story for another time.

Well to celebrate this milestone you're going to want to tune into Live Phish Radio at today at 1 PM - EST as Kevin Shapiro will offer up a "From The Archives" show for your listening pleasure.

I Love Tuesdays..Top Ten

I've been waiting to figure out when to drop my Ten 10 list of '07 (like the blog-o-sphere really need another one of these) and well today seemed as good a time as any. So here we go, with links to videos too....

#10 - Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend EP / Mansard Rood (Single)

"Mansard Roof" (Music Video)

#9 - Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday

"All Night Without Love" (Music Video)

#8 - New Pornographers - Challengers

"Challengers" (Music Video)

#7 - Amy Winehouse - Back To Black

Back To Black (Music Video)

#6 - Bright Eyes - Cassadaga

"Four Winds" (Music Video)

#5 - Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin

"Is There A Ghost" (Music Video)

#4 - The Felice Brothers - The Adventures Of The Felice Brothers, Vol. 1

"Frankie's Gun" (Live Performance)

#3 - Okkervil River - The Stage Names

"Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe" (Music Video)

#2 - Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

"What Light" (Music Video)

#1 - Dr. Dog - We All Belong

"The Girl" (Music Video)

Music Video Mondays

The heaps on praise that have been thrown upon The National all this year has been hard to avoid. This is a band a band that played 13 shows in NYC this year - moving from Bowery Ballroom to the cavernous Terminal 5, with stops along the way opening for Arcade Fire. It's quite impressive for a band that plays moody, bruting, dark rock. Here they are with "Mistaken For Stranger".....

The Royal Albert Hall Project

Following in the tradition of the American Beauty Project - that brought together a diverse group of musicians to celebrate the Dead's American Beauty and Workingman's Dead album comes the announcement of The Royal Albert Hall Project which will honor Bob Dylan's much revered 1966 concert.

Here's some info, including the list of performers....

A very special tribute to the music of Bob Dylan, honoring Dylan’s storied 1966 concert—long the Dylan bootleggers’ favorite, and released legit by Sony on CD in 1998. Critic Dave Marsh reviewed it in Creem magazine, writing “It is the most supremely elegant piece of rock ‘n’ roll music I’ve ever heard” The recording includes Dylan’s now-legendary confrontation with a heckler calling out “Judas” from the audience. This concert features distinctive roster of singer-songwriters, bands and instrumentalists perform their own arrangements of the Dylan classics, in sequence from the original show.

All new interpretations of Dylan classics performed by Laura Cantrell, Stevie Jackson (Belle & Sebastian), Marshall Crenshaw, Oakley Hall, Nicole Atkins & Lenny Kaye, Jason Isbell, Jim Lauderdale, Toshi Reagon, Kelly Joe Phelps, Freeman, Harry Manx & Kevin Breit, The Last Town Chorus/Megan Hickey, Jesse Harris, Richard Julian & Jim Campilongo, Chocolate Genius Inc. and others.


The free show kicks off the New York Guitar Festival on January 12th at the World Financial Center Winter Garden at 8 PM.

Bloggy Goodness

Here's what some other people have going on....

The folks over at Pitchfork have named their 50 Best Music Videos of 2007 - check out who made the cut here.

It's day 13 at Bag Of Songs for their Christmas Song Of Day feature, today's pick Rilo Kiley's "Xmas Cake" - give it a listen here and check out the other 12 so far too.

The Screen Door wants you to listen to and go see Will Hoge - find out why here.

Feeling a bit nostalgic for a certain band from Vermont? Fear not their is new blog to serve all your needs by collecting the nets best videos - aptly named Phish Videos: Moments In A Box.

NYC Taper offers up night three of Yo La Tengo's eight night Hannukah run at Maxwell's - which included a sit-in from Jim James - head here to download.

And finally Zeon's Music Blog offers up some covers of Joni Mitchell's "River" by the likes of Travis, Tori Amos and Madeleine Peyroux - head here.

As always head on over to Hidden Track for their daily distractions and check in with Uncensored Interview while you're at it as well.

I Love Tuesdays...More Free Downloads

'Tis the season for free downloads apparently, here's a couple more on the heels of yesterday's recommendations....

Cassettes Won't Listen - One Alternative EP

Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers - Happy Holidays - 2007: Summer Concerts with The Noisemakers

The Cassettes Won't Listen download features all alt.rock covers songs from the mid-'90s - featuring the likes of Liz Phair and Sebadoh. While the Hornsby one is pretty self-explanatory. So enjoy!

Bonnaroo To Sort Of Get The Led Out

Well we have our first official confirmation for '08 as WSMV in Nashville broke the news that Robert Plant and Alison Krauss will grace the Manchester grounds - so much for hipster music blogs.

The unlikely duo put out the critically acclaimed Raising Sand album earlier this year - which you should definitely pick up. You can also tune in to WXPN on Monday, December 24th for the re-broadcast of their appearance on the World Cafe - or just head here and stream it from their archives now.


So no Led Zep, but this is a start.

Thanks to Hidden Track for the heads up on this and for more on all this Bonnaroo be sure to head over to my Bonnaroo blog.

The Complete Wilco - Update

Here's a little bit more info on Wilco's 5 night residency at the Riviera....

"Over these 5 nights the band will endeavor to perform every song in their now extensive ouvre (or is that canon)? This includes all the studio recordings and their contributions to the Mermaid Avenue records. Plus, who knows what else? To further clarify, the plan is NOT to do the material sequentially or chronologically. Rather, they're just going to attempt to cover it all over the 5 shows. It'll be a real blast, we're certain."

Pre-sale begins tomorrow - December 12th - head here.

I Love Tuesdays

The end of the year is usually pretty thin with new releases and especially those for indie-music fans. So with that in mind I figured I'd point you in the way of two great free downloads that you should grab...

Foxboro Hot Tubs - Stop Drop And Roll!!!

Okkervil River - Golden Opportunities: Mix Tape

All signs point to the Foxboro Hot Tubs being a spoofy side-project of '60s infused garage rock from Green Day. While the Okkervil River download is mix of cover tunes (plus one original Christmas song) recorded live on the road over the last year.

Read about the releases here and here.

The Complete Wilco

Very cool news coming out from the Wilco camp as they announced the following about their hometown five-show run at the Riviera Theater....

“Over the five nights, we will attempt the ‘complete Wilco’ and try to clear out the dusty corners of the catalog that we haven’t attended to in a while.”

Jeff has mentioned in several interviews that now that this incarnation of the band has been together for awhile now, that he wanted to go back play some of the older material that his "new" band mates hadn't learned yet.

Now if they can only add a New York date or two to their Spring run - hint, hint.

In other Wilco news Sky Blue Sky was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Album - going up against the likes of Bruce Springsteen and the Foo Fighters. This marks the fourth time the band has been nominated and the fourth different category to boot.

Music Video Mondays

For some reason this video from The Go! Team really reminded me of the intro for the zany 1970s Saturday morning staple The Banana Splits - check it out for yourself, here's "Doing It Right".....

Lost & Found

I guess stumbling onto "lost" Woody Guthrie material shouldn't come as too much of a surprise considering the amount of it that has surfaced over the years, leading to a number of releases - including the fantastic Mermaid Avenue albums. What has alluded Guthrie fans though has been any actual live recordings of the famed folk singer in action - that is until now. Check out this great story about how Live Wire: Woody Guthrie in Performance 1949 came to be - head here.

Bloggy Goodness

Here's what some other people have going on....

Rolling Stone recently unveiled Breaking their new music blog to help introduce you to some up and coming bands - head here to check it out.

Looking for some live holiday music to spin over the next few weeks? Well you're in luck The Late Greats went digging for some - here's what they found.

Fresh Bread has some fantastic pictures from last week's Grace Potter show at the Highline - check them out here and here.

In the latest installment of Quit Your Day Job - Stereogum nominates Laura Veirs - find out why here.

Speaking of the Ms. Veirs, CYSTSFTSS thinks if you dig her you'll probably like Sarah Blasko - find out why here.

And finally if holiday songs aren't your thing Speed of Dark has just plain 'ol December songs - give them a listen here.

As always head on over to Hidden Track for their daily distractions and check in with Uncensored Interview while you're at it too.

Elevator Music For Headbangers Returns

After roughly a three year hiatus the vastly underrated instru-metal-jazz-rockers the Om Trio announced through their MySpace page that they will make it's return to the stage in February. The band will offer up a three night run in their former home base of San Francisco opening two nights at the historic Fillmore for their friends Umphrey's McGee and playing the show after party at the Boom Boom Room on the third night.

Here's a couple of shows to check out to get you ready for February (via Archive.org).....

2004-04-09 - Om Trio - Martyrs' - Chicago, IL (w. Jake Cinniger)

2003-05-29 - Om Trio - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA

Welcome back guys, here's hoping for more shows down the road!!!

Langerado Schedule Revealed...Well Sort Of

If you're heading down to Langerado, or even just entertaining the notion you can now check out the day that your favorite bands are playing. Here's the lowdown....

Friday March 7th

Beastie Boys - 311 - The Roots - G. Love & Special Sauce - Umphrey's McGee - Built to Spill - Mickey Hart Band - The Wailers - Ozomatli - !!! - Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Indigenous - Sam Bush - The Walkmen - Vampire Weekend - Brett Dennen - The Spam Allstars - matt pond PA - Bassnectar - American Babies - Earl Greyhound - the Dynamites - The Heavy Pets - Backyard Tire Fire - School of Rock All-Stars

Saturday March 8th

R.E.M. - Matisyahu - Thievery Corporation - Ben Folds - Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood - The Disco Biscuits - Robert Randolph & the Family Band - Citizen Cope - Antibalas - Ghostland Observatory - Arrested Development - Benevento Russo Duo - State Radio - Dr. Dog - the New Mastersounds - the Bad Plus - the Avett Brothers - Railroad Earth - Yard Dogs Road Show - Blitzen Trapper - Pelican - Dan Deacon - RAQ - Pnuma Trio - the Wood Brothers - Trevor Hall - American Bang


Sunday March 9th

Phil Lesh & Friends - Ani DiFranco - Gov't Mule - Keller Williams - funky Meters - The National - of Montreal - Minus the Bear - Martin Sexton - Grace Potter & the Nocturnals - Blind Melon - Ryan Shaw - Felice Brothers - Shout Out Louds - Josh Ritter - the Lee Boys - Will Hoge - Steel Train - Pete Francis - Balkan Beat Box - Jonah Smith

Thursday March 6th (no Single-Day tickets available)

Les Claypool - Dark Star Orchestra - Perpetual Groove - the New Deal - Busdriver - Phix - Golem - That 1 Guy - Awesome New Republic - the Postmarks

Ticket are on-sale now, while single-day tickets go on-sale tomorrow starting at noon EST.

Indie Rock TV Theme Songs?

So what do Jeff Tweedy and Christina Applegate have in common? Well apparently a lot more then you'd think. Check out this great post over at The Good, The Bad And The Unknown about Tweedy's foray into the world of sitcom theme songs - head here.

Thanks to Heather of I'm Fuel, You Are Friends for pointing it out!

I Love Tuesdays

Clearly I've been on a big Felice Brother kick over the last week, as evident in this week's purchases....

The Felice Brothers - Tonight At The Arizona

Also grabbed the "free" Wilco EP - head here for instructions on how to get it.

Denied.

As quickly as rumors get started they also get squashed just as easily. So before the hellfire from Bonnaroo fans could light up message boards saying how Superfly is ruining the festival with booking Metallica and they'll never attend it again, etc. Q Prime Management - who represent the hard-rockers - flat out denied the report that the band will be in Manchester next June. Read about it here.

Bonnarumor

Just like baseball's Hot Stove I guess it's never too early to get the Bonnaroo line-up rumor mill going. Here's the first big rumor to emerge and it's quite a dandy (via Digital Media Wire).....

An anonymous reader tipped Bob Lefsetz, author of The Lefsetz Letter, yesterday about an interesting development in the live music world: “Zeppelin just confirmed for Bonnaroo. They can't officially announce until after the London gig so pass it on! Also Metallica is confirmed on the bill too!”

Anyone who has experienced the unique event that is Bonnaroo (or its younger sibling Vegoose) knows the four-day Manchester, Tennessee show’s trademark is its eclectic mix of bands. Considered “the largest hippy festival in the world,” as Andrew Stockdale, lead singer of Wolfmother said onstage last June, the festival organizers always manage to add plenty of non-hippy artists. In 2007 there was also the addition of a “classic” billing, the reemergence of The Police.

If the anonymous reader is right about Zeppelin and Metallica, Bonnaroo 2008 has a leg up on alternatives like Coachella before ’07 is even finished.

Make of it what you will. Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have repeatedly stated that their one-off performance will be just that and their will be no full-blown world tour. Last year around this time the big rumor was Pearl Jam was headlining and then it was The Police - which actually turned out to be true.

As for the Metallica part - your guess is as good as mine. I think it would stir a lot of controversy among the Bonnaroo faithful, but so did the booking of Tool.

Head on over to Rock Daily for more on this story - here.

Music Video Mondays

Since I love this album so much (boy I've been throwing the love around a lot lately huh?), let's go with Band Of Horses and the pillow stealing mayhem of "Is There A Ghost"....

Frankie's Gun

I honestly can't stop listening to The Felice Brother's album Adventure's Of The Felice Brothers, Vol. 1 - it's pretty much the only thing that's gotten played on my iPod this week. While I love the entire album (and it's sure to be in my Top Ten this year), the album opener "Frankie's Gun" is absolutely infectious and thought I'd share this live version. Enjoy....



While The Band and Dylan comparisons may get on their nerves - well at least according to this article - that song could have been a long, lost track from The Basement Tapes.

The Felice Brothers open for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band next Friday night at Highline Ballroom - get tickets here. Unfortunately I'm already heading out to Hoboken for Yo La Tengo, or else I'd be there, but be sure to grab you're copy of Adventures Of.... - since it's only available at their shows.

The Tower Of Baeble

Just stumbled onto this site today - Baeble Music - wondering how I didn't know about it before since it looks like its been online for awhile now. They've got a ton of great live concerts that you can watch right on their site from the likes of Ben Kweller to Northern State to Blonde Rehead.

There is even something for the jam fans too, here's The Duo from last year at the Bowery Ballroom....



Along with great concerts they've also got album reviews, music videos, a blog, and also something called The Green Room where they do full length features on bands. Check out this one they did about Art Brut....

Free Apples Cost A Lot

I guess giving out all those free apples at the Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza (I still hate that name), costs more then you'd think. Check out the details of the Live Nation's New York holiday party that's been floating around for the last couple of days (via Idolator & Brooklyn Vegan)....

It's that time of year again!! This year we will be having a combined celebration for the staff of Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza and Blender Theater at Gramercy. Here's the important info:

When: Friday, December 7, 2007 from 8PM-11PM

Where: Downstairs lounge at Gramercy (127 E. 23rd just in case you didn't know...)

What: Karaoke!! And other good times...

Drinks: BYOB- sorry guys, this is a no-budget party, not to mention you people drank a warehouse worth last year... Seriously, please bring a bottle of your favorite booze or wine or a six pack o beer (or your fave Snapple drink if you don't drink alcohol.)

Snacks: Some will be provided BUT if you feel like baking (Jesse Bellin), we all love treats!!

After Party: TBD (but you know there will be one!!)

I think that about covers it! Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Looking forward to having a cup 'o holiday cheer with all of you!!

So you thought you're holiday party was going to suck. They're hosting it at one of their own venues and can't even pony up to buy a few cases of PBR for their hardworking staff.

Bloggy Goodness

Ok back to our regularly scheduled program, here's what some other people have going on.....

Looking for that perfect holiday gift for your music loving friend, well head on over to Music Snobbery and Shake Your Fist for their '07 Holiday Gift Guides - check it out here and here.

Heater at I Am Fuel, You Are Friends is celebrating her second anniversary by offering up fantastic mix of songs featured on her blog over the last year - head here to download it.

Aquarium Drunkard loves Detlef Schrempf - the song by Band of Horses, not the former NBA player - find out why and give it a listen here.

Video Tuesday over at Nerd Litter features the likes of Jay-Z, Of Montreal and Boards of Canada - check them out here.

Paramore didn't play Central Village's two favorite songs at last night's show, but that didn't stop him from posting them for your listening pleasure - head here.

The Weight gives some thoughts on the newly released Nirvana Unplugged DVD - click here for more, and they dig The Felice Brothers too (who I posted about earlier this week).

And as always head on over to Hidden Track for their daily distractions and stop on over at Uncensored Interview while your at it too.

Upset Alert?

Quick detour from the world of music to talk a little about college basketball - smooth transition right? Unless you attended a school in the ACC, Big East, Pac-10, etc. playing national ranked teams is no big deal. Graduating from a school in a so-called mid-major conference it's not too often that your school gets to play teams in the Top 25 and rarely do you get a chance to do battle with the #1 team in the country, but tonight the upstart George Washington Colonials take on #1 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion. Ok this has ass-kicking written all over it, especially going in as 19 point underdogs. There is some good news though as ESPN put this game on their Upset Watch, check it out....

Wednesday: George Washington over No. 1 UCLA The Bruins flexed their muscles in beating a very good Michigan State team without preseason All-American point guard Darren Collison, guard Michael Roll and forward James Keefe. All except Keefe may return for the GW game. Could their possible return to the lineup cause a disruption in the rotation? How effective will Collison and Roll be in their first game of the season? Will they need time to get their game legs under them? Colonials coach Karl Hobbs has embraced the up-tempo style and recruited to fit the pressing, in-your-face defense. GW plays with great effort and often the defense can be its best offense by turning steals into easy baskets. Guard Maureece Rice, a 6-1, 224-pound power guard, returns after testing the NBA draft waters in the spring. Forward Rob Diggs and Virginia Tech transfer Wynton Witherspoon will provide the bulk of the scoring and rebounding. Kevin Love is the truth, but could this be a hiccup for the mighty Bruins?

We do have some history against number one teams beating UMASS twice over the course of two seasons when they sat atop the poll - the first time at GW (back when we had a logo that looked like this) and one of my Top Five sports moments I've been at.

For more on all things GW hoops related head here.

Go Colonials!

I Heard It ThroughThe Grapevine

While we here in the Northeast are a bit spoiled when it comes to the opportunity to see great music on a nightly basis, we have been neglected in the large-scale music festival department - we'll turn a blind-eye to the debacle that was Field Day and Bonnaroo Northeast.

Today Billboard is reporting that we will in fact be getting a music fest to call our very own set to take place next August 8th - 10th on a 500 acre site in Vineland, NJ which has been dubbed, wait for it.....the Vineland Music Festival. Ok, not the sexiest name going, but it will be produced by the folks at C3 Presents - the guys bring you ACL and Lollapalooza, so that's a definite plus. Band offers are already out, but nothing is confirmed as of yet- read about the whole thing here.

Best Band Ever

Could it be that two of my favorite singer/songwriters are teaming up form a band? Well according to a post over at Pitchfork it looks like Connor Oberst and M. Ward plan to record an album together next year - read all about it here, and let's keep our fingers crossed.

Here's the duo performing the gorgeous, yet spooky "Smoke Without Water" from the Bowery Ballroom show I was at earlier this year....



Go pick up the fantastic Four Winds EP - which that song appears on.

This news really makes me think of the "super-group" M. Ward gathered for his appearance on Conan - watch away here, I'll never get tired of listening that version of "Chinese Translation".

I Love Tuesdays

Nothing new to pick up, instead grabbed these.....

Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter

M. Ward - End Of Amnesia

Music Video Mondays - Part Deux

I was going to wait for next week to get this one up, but since I just picked up tickets to their gig at the Bowery figured why not. Here's Vampire Weekend with their debut music video "Mansard Roof"....



Really dig the vintage 16 millimeter film look of it, but it's probably not going to help with the tag of prep-rock that's been saddled on them though.

Music Video Mondays

Don't be surprised if over the course of the next months you see the name The Felice Brothers being thrown around a lot. These guys just finished up the holding down the opening slot on the East Coast leg of the Bright Eyes tour and at least at the Radio City show Connor invited one of them on-stage to play accordion for a song. They have a "tour only album" called Adventures of The Felice Brothers, Vol. 1 that I've been listening to non-stop for the last couple of days. It's a fantastic Americana album rooted in The Band, The Jayhawks, Bob Dylan, Los Lobos and even a bit of Tom Waits. Without further ado here they are with "Roll On Arte" off of Tonight At The Arizona.....

Reviews From The Blog

From time to time I get some albums sent my way (hint, hint to the powers that be out there), I figured I should probably get some music reviews up on this here blog. So with that in mind I recruited my eager music loving friend Dan The Man (who also posts things here) to help handle the task of cranking out some critiques. For the inaugural post - in what I hope to be a continuing series here - is his take on the latest from Vanessa Carlton - Heroes & Thieves (not your typical HFTB artist, but hey doesn't mean it's not worth giving a listen to)....




Vanessa Carlton has what Kelly Clarkson wants - a writer’s credit on all her songs and the so-called “artistic integrity” that comes along with it. What V.C. doesn’t have, however, is a pop anthem that would make for a killer theme song on The Hills (Natasha Beningfield has it locked down anyways).

At any rate her new album Hero’s and Thieves (and first for her new label The Inc. - don't worry she hasn't gone gangsta) has Carlton crooning with a singer-songwriter’s passion and sincerity that many of her fellow female pop singers struggle to understand. While it’s doubtful that any of these songs will burn up the charts and ride the royalties train like her hit single “A Thousand Miles” (currently underscoring Zales Diamonds commercials), tracks like “The One” with Stevie Nicks and “Come Undone” prove Carlton’s versatility as a vocalist and her maturity as a pianist. It's on the albums first single “Nolita Fairytale” that Carlton proves that she can still ride the pop radio air-waves with catchy loops and peppy lyrics and even tug on heartstrings of more than a few lovesick highschoolers.

Though judging by the spending habits of Carlton’s target demographic (with their bedazzled cell-phones and closets full of neglected Bratz dolls) musical virtue won’t move the kind of units that pay for the beach house in Malibu (The ‘Bu) - perhaps it's that distinction that will work out for VC in the long run. Carlton doesn’t fit the caricature of the stunningly hot starlet with a so-so voice and a completely submissive role in the creative process. She’s kind of cute in a ridiculous “independent” way, and when beauty fades for the rest of the pop singers, VC will still have her artistic talent. Like its creator, the album has staying power and both Carlton and her work can only get better with age.

I'm Not There Concert Stream

Those of us who didn't want to pony up the money for the I'm Not There concert that took place a couple of weeks back there is some good news. Thanks to the fine folks over at Wolfgang's Vault we can now experience it for ourselves and without the long breaks between acts - which seemed to slow down the show and lead to some unenthusiastic reviews. You're only going to be able to stream it for two weeks - so head here and start listening now.



The movie hits screens today - if you're in one of the lucky cities - and has been getting a ton of press. Here's a few articles to keep you busy for the rest of the day on into tomorrow....

Like a Complete Unknown: I'm Not There and the Changing Face of Bob Dylan on Film (The Village Voice)

Peter Travers Gives It 3 1/2 Stars (Rolling Stone)

This Is Not A Bob Dylan Movie (New York Times Magazine)

You Can Get Everything You Want

So as we all rush off to wherever we are going for Thanksgiving to eat ourselves into a food coma, wanted to once again tell you about the annual musical tradition we have at the HFTB household that being the listening of Arlo Guthrie's classic - and quite hilarious at times - 18-plus minute anti-establishment ode - "Alice's Restaurant Massacre".


You can watch this live performance that is cleverly inter-cut with scenes from the movie or if you're in the New York City area Q104.3 will be playing - as is the custom - at noon tomorrow. So put down that turkey leg and kick back and listen, you'll be glad you did.

RHCP vs. Showtime

Is there anyone out there that had a hard time discerning between Showtime's Californication and the RHCP album of the same name? Well Anthony Kiedis and his fellow Peppers seem to think otherwise as they filed a lawsuit against Showtime claiming "'Californication" to be the signature CD, video and song of the band's career. Kind of a bitchslap to "Under The Bridge" if you ask me. And wait isn't this also a band that had a huge hit with a Stevie Wonder song too? Read about it here, and for all those legal geeks out there read the motion here.

Sorry Anthony you guys were what twenty years into your multi-million album selling career before releasing Californication - find it hard to believe Showtime stole your identity.

This classic Simpsons quote just about sums it all up....

Lionel Hutz: This is the greatest case of false advertising I've seen since I sued the movie The Never Ending Story.

I Love Tuesdays

Here's the only purchase for the week....

Phish - Vegas '96

Music Video Mondays

Since most everyone is heading home in a few days for Thanksgiving, thought Ben Folds tongue-cheek ode to suburban living would be an appropriate choice. Here's Ben with "Rockin' The Suburbs"....

Listmania

As you know from reading this here blog I'm always a fan of music lists - I'm sure I've used that line way too many times to get into a post. So with that in mind here's the latest list that seems to be making it's way around the blogosphere for you to check out, dissect and debate - Blender's 100 Greatest Indie-Rock Albums Ever.

I'm not really sure I understand the inclusion of albums from the '60s and '70s after prefacing their list with saying indie-rock was born 25 years ago. Thoughts??

Bloggy Goodness

Here's what some other people have going on....

Bodies of Water are The Band of the Week over at Pop Tarts Suck Toasted - find out why here.

While you were out Trick Or Treating a few weeks back Music Snobbery took in a performance of the Lord of the Rings musical - read the review here.

CYSTSFTS doesn't think Rogue Wave's latest album Asleep At Heaven's Gate lives up to their previous offerings - read why here.

Didn't make it to the Madison Pop Fest? Fear not Muzzle of Bees has got the skinny on Saturday night's festivities - find out what went down here.

Out The Other is halfway through their 30 Albums In 30 Days retrospective - see what made the list so far here.

Finally MFR wants you to learn how to dance from The Pipettes - learn The Shocker, The Star, The Shoop Shoop and more here.

And as always head on over to Hidden Track for their daily distractions, and also check in with Uncensored Interview while you're at it too.

Queens Of The Stone Age Kicked Out Of Rehab

Perhaps in a sly nod to Johnny Cash playing San Quintin, the boys of Queens of the Stone Age arranged to play a show at in-patient rehab center in LA. - kind of nice of those guys, right? Well seems like the folks who run the facility didn't take to kindly to them when - with tongue firmly in cheek - they opened their scheduled six song set with their ode to self-destructive behavior "Feel Good Hit Of The Summer" and had the band forcibly removed. Read about it here.

Poor taste? Maybe. Makes for a hilarious story? Most definitely!

Langerado Line Up Revealed

After last weeks' fake out, the initial line-up for the 6th annual Langerado Music Festival has been announced and it's quite a doozy - especially when your headliners are REM, Beastie Boys and Phil Lesh & Friends - though I'm sure Phil is just on retainer for festivals at this point. Here's the full bill to drool over and disect......

R.E.M. • Beastie Boys • Phil Lesh & Friends • 311 • Matisyahu • Thievery Corporation • The Roots • Gov’t Mule • Ani DiFranco • Ben Folds • G. Love & Special Sauce • Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood • Built to Spill • The National • Les Claypool • Umphrey’s McGee • The Disco Biscuits • Mickey Hart Band • of Montreal • Robert Randolph & the Family Band • The Wailers • funky Meters • Citizen Cope • Antibalas • !!! • Dark Star Orchestra • Ozomatli • Sam Bush • Minus the Bear • Ghostland Observatory • Arrested Development • Blind Melon • Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars • The New Deal • Benevento Russo Duo • Perpetual Groove • Railroad Earth • Martin Sexton • The Avett Brothers • Grace Potter and the Nocturnals • The Walkmen • Dr. Dog • Indigenous • State Radio • Vampire Weekend • The Bad Plus • The Felice Brothers • Pelican • Yard Dogs Road Show • Brett Dennen • Earl Greyhound • The New Mastersounds • Dan Deacon • Josh Ritter • Pete Francis • Ryan Shaw • Blitzen Trapper • matt pond PA • The Dynamites feat. Charles Walker • Bassnectar • Balkan Beat Box • The Lee Boys • Shout Out Louds • Golem • The Wood Brothers • Busdriver • Raq • Will Hoge • Spam Allstars • Phix • American Babies • The Heavy Pets • Backyard Tire Fire • The Postmarks • Steel Train • Hoots and Hellmouth • Jonah Smith • Pnuma Trio • Awesome New Republic • That 1 Guy • Trevor Hall • American Bang • School of Rock All-Stars

A really nice mix of indie and jam, tickets go on-sale this Friday, November 16th at noon.

Self-Promotion

This is my first review for Glide in awhile, but check it out.....

Patton Oswalt - Werewolves & Lollipops

Music Video Mondays

So in honor of the big semi-Blind Faith reunion (which I did score tickets for today) thought I'd go with some '80s Steve Winwood - so here's "Higher Love".....



Man does that sound so dated and full of cheesy '80s production.

Giddy Up

The initial line-up for the 2nd annual Stagecoach Music Festival - you know that country music fest from the folks that bring you Coachella every year - has been revealed. Check it out....

The Judds, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Big & Rich, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, Dwight Yoakam, George Jones, Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Earl Scruggs and Ralph Stanley, Kellie Pickler, Shooter Jennings, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Dan Tyminski, Ian Tyson, Jack Ingram, the Isaacs, Bucky Covington, Riders In The Sky, Kentucky Headhunters, Michael Martin Murphey, Cherryholmes, J.D. Crowe, Wylie & The Wild West, Red Steagall, Luke Bryan, Halfway To Hazard, Billy Joe Shaver, Ryan Bingham, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Waddie Mitchell, Crystal Shawanda, Jypsi and the Greencards

Ok most of those names don't mean much to me, but apparently their big score is The Judds who will perform for the first time together since 2000. The event is taking place on May 3rd and 4th, tickets are on-sale now.

Not much in the way of downloads that I can find from last year's event, but here's one (via Dimeadozen).....

Sara Evans - 2007-05-05 - Empire Polo Field - Stagecoach - Indio, CA

Vampire Weekend Album Details

I've been trying to work in a post about Vampire Weekend for awhile now - especially after catching them at Other Music during CMJ. Well I've finally got some news to post about the much buzzed and blogged about band as details of their XL debut have been revealed. The self-titled album will hit streets on January 29th with the following track-listing (those familiar with the band will recognize a number of them).....

Mansard Roof
Oxford Comma
A-Punk
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
M79
Campus
Bryn
One (Blake's Got a New Face)
I Stand Corrected
Walcott
The Kids Don't Stand a Chance

Ok so odds are you haven't heard these guys yet, so give a listen to the infectious Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa and I know you'll be hooked.

For more music head over to their MySpace page.

Bloggy Goodness

So I think Thursdays will now officially be Bloggy Goodness day around here - gives a bit more structure to the week. So here's what some other people have going on....

First off a big welcome back to Justin and Live Music Blog, after a self-imposed hiatus LMB is back and will be cranking out some posts real soon - head here.

SuperDee was at the I'm Not There concert last night and offers up some thoughts, with some major (and justly) fluffing of My Morning Jacket - read it here. Stereogum was there too and has a ton of great pictures of the evenings festivities too - here.

Haven't heard of Dan Bejar's new project Hello, Blue Roses well The Yellow Stereo has the scoop - find out more about them here.

It's Grizzly Bear week over at Ear Farm - read a Q&A with lead singer Ed Droste here.

This week's edition of Soul Filled Wednesdays over at Analog Giants features Staten Island's much buzzed about Budos Band - if you like all things funky definitely give them a listen here.

And as always head on over to Hidden Track for their daily distractions and stop by Uncensored Interview as well.