“Knots“
Another UK band making lots of noise at SXSW this year was Pete and The Pirates. They sound kind of like a stripped down, raw version of Arcade Fire. Their first full length album, Little Death, was released last year followed up by the release of a couple of new tracks in January of this year. And if you ask my opinion, I think you’ll be seeing a lot more of this band.
Let’s Wrestle,“I Won’t Lie To You”:
It’s Brit Rock day at the OCMD! I’m feeling a little feisty today and this London-based three piece I saw recently at SXSW is just what I need. With influences ranging from Pavement to Black Flag, Buddy Holly and ELO, they like to keep it raw and spunky. So come on already – let’s fucking wrestle!
Vivian Girls at SXSW
Abe Vigoda, “Dead City/Waste Wilderness“:
The next two weekends present yet more evidence that The Ramones are shining down from rock and roll heaven, starting with Brooklyn-based Vivian Girls tonight with Abe Vigoda at The Independent in San Francisco. These three vixens are on a serious mission, playing no less than 17 shows at this year’s SXSW music fest in 5 days! We are not aware of any other group in the fest’s history to accomplish this amazing feat, and they are still at it. Their MySpace page has 43 shows listed in the next 51 days.
Their first record tackles 10 songs in about 22 minutes, and a new recording is on the way. Sweet harmonies drenched in reverb with simple, catchy drum, bass and guitar revealing spooky tales of relationships disguised in just enough fuzz. Don’t get me started on the milkshake tattoos! Guys will fall in love, gals may express jealousy but are sure to rush out and form a band. Be there!
Next week’s Ramones fix: Nobunny
[Guest post by Mike]
Starting in May, I’m going to be out of the country for most of the month doing some traveling with my family. Yay for me! In my absence, I’ve called upon my trusted music crew to help keep things humming here at the OCMD. Happily, they’ve obliged. Over the course of the next week, I’ll be introducing you to them – my boys, my inner circle, my trusted music sources. Each of them OCMD in their own, unique way. I trust their music taste implicitly and look forward to hearing their insights and opinions on the OCMD. I hope you will too! So without further ado, meet Mike….
Mike and his daughter, Kira, at Jazz Fest.
Name: Mike
Hometown: Berkeley, CA
OCMD Since: Age 11
Category: Concert Picks, Obscure Bands, What’s Next
Obsessions: Obscure bands (I just can’t love ’em as well once they are discovered), live music, vinyl hunting, cheap t-shirts, music festivals, college radio stations and their ticket giveaways, free parking, vacation, the great outdoors, matinees, social justice, children and iiiiiiron chef.
The OCMD Says: Meet Mike, my longest running music friend and even more OCMD than me. I’ve known Mike since he and my friend Karen started dating in med school and have been talking music ever since. Now that they’re married with kids, like me, our conversations have evolved from “What are you listening to these days?” to “How much Tylenol can I give a 2 year old?” and “Can you believe I’m getting flack for wanting to see three shows this week?!” All addicts need a support group.
Mike is the master of ‘What’s next’, finding that obscure, undiscovered band that makes even the most ardent music listener feel like a novice. He discovers new bands at house parties, I find them at Bottom of the Hill. His musical genres range from garage punk to alt country with a little world music in between. While I may not always understand what he’s on to, I always heed the advice. He was into Psychedelic Horseshit waaaay before Brooklyn Vegan.
The new video for “Future Primitive” off Papercuts new album You Can Have What You Want – one of my favorite albums! The band will be at Cafe du Nord in San Francisco this Friday, April 24 for a CD release party with The Finches and Cryptacize. Wow, so much good music this week!
Papercuts “Future Primitive”:
Cryptacize, “Peg” (one of my favorite covers!):
The Finches “Human Like a House”:
Friends over at Stranger Dance are hosting a great line up of local San Francisco music this Thursday at Cafe du Nord, featuring Geographer, Michael Zapruder and Harbours. Be sure to check it out!
“The science is clear. Virtually all climate experts agree that we must reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050. If we fail, the worst consequences of climate change threaten to increase the severity of health epidemics, disrupt harvest patterns, deplete water resources, and intensify poverty rates in the poorest regions of the world.
On this Earth Day we cannot let the current global economic recession slow us in the race against climate change.” Bill Clinton on Earth Day 2009.
The new track from Black Moth Super Rainbow, “Born on a Day the Sun Didn’t Rise”, seemed apocalyptically appropriate for this post today. It’s off their forthcoming album Eating Us due May 26. They’ll be playing Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco on May 28.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
One of the most insane live performances I’ve ever witnessed, King Khan and The Shrines are a sight to behold. Originally from Germany, King Khan – also known as Black Snake – is like a Hindu version of Little Richard and James Brown. His band of freaks rolls eight deep and lays down a crazy concoction of psychedelic R&B with a full horn section and Go Go Queen of the Underworld, Bamboorella.
This is the new video for “Land of the Freaks” off their latest album The Supreme Genius of King Khan and The Shrines. The band is on tour now and will hit San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall May 28. Be there! The freak show awaits.
Bradford Cox’s Atlas Sound has posted the Time Warp Virtual 7″ for free download. Got get it!
The new video for Jay Reatard‘s “DOA” from the Matador Singles ’08 compilation.
the OCMD 