My Local Top 3 (9/12/10-9/8/10)

Fall is sadly upon us and the hipster kids are exponentially growing in population. As we look ahead to this week, those hipster kids should be smiling because all three picks are indie rock studs. Indie rock is a real crapshoot live. A lot of these bands are getting so experimental in the studio that it is too difficult to translate live. Many others, however, put on a great bare-bones rock n' roll show that can't be beat. The proof is in the pudding though, don't take my word for it.

Monday 9/13
Wilbur Theatre, Boston, MA
Dirty Projectors
Owen Pallett

The Dirty Projectors really came alive last year with Bitte Orca. It was truly one of the most interesting studio releases I had listened to in a while. I haven't caught them live yet, but from what footage I've seen on the internet, they are pretty tight live as well. Dave Logstreth, the band's front man, is a very talented songwriter and one of today's most innovative guitarists.

Friday 9/17
House of Blues, Boston, MA
Broken Social Scene
The Sea and Cake

Two awesome bands that are great both live and in the studio. Broken Social Scene's latest album is as good as any they have released. I have always thought that they drew great similarity to Radiohead. That is a pretty trite thing to say at this point, but I think their creativity is groundbreaking in same sense of Radiohead's. The House of Blues is going to seem like a small venue to see this band in the not so distant future.




Saturday 9/18
Agganis Arena, Boston, MA
Pavement
Jenny Lewis

Pavement is one of the pioneer bands of indie rock. They somehow never saw the glory that the Smashing Pumpkins, Jane's Addiction, and other bands of the same genre saw in the early 90's, but 20 years later, they are regarded with an even greater importance. Stephen Malkmus is one of the greatest songwriters of modern rock and the band has influenced just about everyone. We've waited long enough for a reunion, so here's our chance.

Go see some live music this week,

Perry

Virgin Mobile FreeFest Lineup

Today entrepreneur mogul Richard Branson announced the lineup for this year's Virgin Mobile FreeFest to be held September 25th at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD. This year's lineup is outstanding and completely free! Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10 AM and they will definitely go quickly.

2010 Virgin Mobile FreeFest:
M.I.A
LCD Soundsystem
Pavement
T.I.
Ludacris
Joan Jett
Thievery Corporation
Matt & Kim
Jimmy Eat World
The Temper Trap
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes
Yeasayer
Chromeo
Sleigh Bells
Modeselektor
Neon Indian
Trombone Shorty
Rusko

virginmobilefestival.com

Pavement Reunion Gig Videos

Here is some YouTube love from Pavement's first live gig in over 10 years which took place last night at the Auckland Town Hall in New Zealand.

Here's a Montage of Highlights


"Grounded"


"Cut Your Hair"

Pavement Add US Fall 2010 Dates

Indie Rock pioneers Pavement announced more shows that will lead up to their multi-show run at New York's central park. One of these dates just happens to be a September 18th show at Agganis Arena at Boston University, the college which I attend and what one might argue is TCB's headquarters. This news is extremely exciting, but at the same time, takes away value once again from the four tickets that I have to what I thought would be their second show back and one of only a few reunion shows. Regardless, it is good to see this collective of musicians playing together live once again and we can now get our hopes up for a possible new studio album. For those who aren't well-versed in Pavement and want a good place to start, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain and Slanted and Enchanted are two of the greatest indie albums of all time and would make terrific additions to any rock-lover's iTunes library.

Pavement's Added US Dates:

September 9: Broomfield, CO 1st Bank Center
September 11: Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater
September 12: St. Paul, MN Roy Wilkins Auditorium
September 17: Philadelphia, PA Mann Center for the Performing Arts
September 18: Boston, MA Agganis Arena
September 26: Atlanta, GA The Tabernacle

matadorrecords.com/pavement

Dead Trees Tour w/ Rosewood Thieves

Following news about Pavement's reunion show (which has been confirmed, tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am), I was reminded to check up on former Boston band and current Portland band the Dead Trees. Drawing a thick influence from Stephen Malkmus, the Dead Trees have just returned home from an international tour with Little Joy in support of their latest release, King of Rosa. I remember seeing the Dead Trees back when they were called Furvis and since those days years ago, they have grown to be one of the best up and coming indie bands in the country. The songwriting of lead man Michael Cummings has become more and more sophisticated as time has passed and their move to Portland clearly has had a positive effect on their creativity which is easily noticed on their latest release. Drummer Noah Rubin continues to be a madman on the kit while Matt Borg has discovered new distortions and effects to further heighten his lead guitar playing. Bassist Todd Dahlhoff has been sharing time between the Trees and Fabrizio Moretti's (The Strokes) newest outfit Little Joy. Things are definitely coming together for the former Bostonians who will embark once again on a nationwide tour with New York's Rosewood Thieves. Catch them on tour and pick up King of Rosa or 2004's EP Fort Music. Also, check out the music video for Loretta, where the boys do their best impression of the opening credits to "The Adventures of Pete and Pete."

Dead Trees Fall Tour
9/23- Club Cafe- Pittsburgh, PA, w/Rosewood Thieves
9/24- Oldfield's On High- Columbus, OH, w/Rosewood Thieves
9/25- Cedar's Lounge- Youngstown, OH, w/Rosewood Thieves
9/26- Casa Cantina- Athens, OH
9/27- Radio Radio- Indianapolis, IN, w/Rosewood Thieves
9/28- The Firebird- St. Louis, MO
9/29- Vaudeville Mews- Des Moines, IA, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/1- Hi Dive- Denver, CO w/Rosewood Thieves
10/2- The Listening Room- Park City, UT
10/3- Terrapin Station- Boise, ID, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/4- The BLVD- Spokane, WA
10/6- El Corazon- Seattle, WA, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/7- Doug Fir Lounge- Portland, OR, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/8- Sam Bond's Garage- Eugene, WA, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/9- Bottom of the Hill- San Francisco, CA, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/10- Bootleg Theatre- Los Angeles, CA, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/11- Detroit Bar- Costa Mesa, CA, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/12- Modified Arts- Phoenix, AZ, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/16- Stubbs Jr.- Austin, TX, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/17- The Prophet Bar- Dallas, TX, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/19- The Drunken Unicorn- Atlanta, GA, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/20- Tasty World- Athens, GA, w/Rosewood Thieves
10/21- Local 506- Chapel Hill, NC, w/Rosewood Thieves



http://www.thedeadtrees.com/

Pavement Reunion in 2010 (?)

Ever since Pavement broke up in 1999, it seems as though it has become an annual tradition for a Pavement reunion buzz to initiate only to be shot down as just a rumor. Today, however, it has been confirmed by numerous sources such a Pitchfork, that a Pavement reunion show has been scheduled for September 21st, 2010. The show will be a benefit concert at the Central Park Summer Stage and while no more details have been released, it seems as though these plans are legitimate. One could only hope for a tour and perhaps an album to accompany this one show, but this is a step in the right direction.

For those not familiar with Pavement's music, they are thought of by many as pioneers of indie music. Their albums Slanted and Enchanted and Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain achieved little commercial success in the 90's but they have been considered two of the most important albums of the decade and have only grown in popularity since Pavement has disbanded. Since the breakup, lead singer Stephen Malkmus has kept himself busy with his solo band Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks while bassist Mark Ibold has been playing with Sonic Youth. Guitarist Scott Kannberg is preparing to release his first solo album under the name Spiral Stairs and Bob Nastanovich is playing drums for the Silver Jews. While this reunion isn't for another year, it is something to celebrate and look forward to.