Tag Archives: glasvegas

SXSW 2009 Friday Highlights

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Friday at SXSW kicked off in style with a great day party hosted by Insound at Club De Ville.  Obits opened the day with an impressively scorching set, followed by one of my favorite bands, The Handsome Furs, who’s energy and chemistry did not disappoint.  I had yet to see them live so was thrilled to get up close and personal with them at such a great venue. (Loved Alexei Perry’s leopard print jumpsuit too.)  American Analog Set followed but they were a bit too quiet to be appreciated with a crowd in the full throws of an all you can drink PBR pint party, so off I headed to the Spin private event at Stubbs.

At the Spin party, which was a blast, I caught The Black Lips – who lived up to their infamous stage performance reputation — Glasvegas and the seminal band of the 80s Echo and The Bunnymen.  Ian McCulloch’s voice was amazing and the band’s performance was one of my highlights of the festival for me. Between sets we were entertained by the likes of The Crystal Method and NASA.  A great show all around! Thanks Spin!

Without missing a beat, we headed to the TopSpin party to see White Denim crush it. If you don’t know this band already, you are missing out.  Exposion is my favorite album of 2008 and they are absolutely incredible live.  Whew, okay.  I’m a good nine bands in and we haven’t even gotten to the official SXSW schedule yet!

The evening kicked off with Alberta Cross.  Man, these guys are good.  Really, really good.  One of the SXSW sleepers, in my opinion.  Loney Dear was up next with a lackluster performance, but all was redeemed when we made it to Emo’s Jr. for King Kahn & The Shrines.  Holy crap!  I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like them. Absolutely and completely crazy live performers.  People were hanging from the rafters, taking off their pants, moshing and giving puja to the holy Hindu, King Kahn. I didn’t think the night could get any better until we ended up at the mother of all after parties to see Starf**ker.  My new favorite band.  I loooovve them!

Listen to Obits, “Pine On“:

Listen to Handsome Furs “I’m Confused”

Listen to The Black Lips, “O Katrina”

Listen to Echo & The Bunnymen, “Killing Moon” 

Listen to Glasvegas, “Geraldine”  

Listen to White Denim, “Shake Shake Shake” 

Listen to Alberta Cross, “The Thief and The Heartbreaker”

Listen to King Khan & The Shrines, “No Regrets”

Listen to Starf**ker, “Iaadeedaa”

 

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The Handsome Furs at Club De Ville
Glasvegas at Stubbs

Glasvegas at Stubbs

The Black Lips at Stubbs

The Black Lips at Stubbs

At the Spin party. Music, hipsters and free beer - oh my!

At the Spin party. Music, hipsters and free beer - oh my!

Echo & The Bunnymen at Stubbs

Echo & The Bunnymen at Stubbs

Alberta Cross at Rusty Spurs

Alberta Cross at Rusty Spurs

The Legendary King Kahn enjoying a well deserved drink after his performance at Emos Jr.

The Legendary King Kahn enjoying a well deserved drink after his performance at Emos Jr.

Starf**ker Rules!

Starf**ker Rules!

Me with The Black Lips frontman.

Hanging with The Black Lips frontman.

Glasvegas on David Letterman

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The hottest band in the UK right now, Glasvegas, took a break from their West Coast tour this week to perform ‘Geraldine‘ on The David Letterman show and promote the US release of their self-titled debut. If you didn’t catch them in San Francisco at 330 Ritch this week, they’ll be back at The Great American Music Hall on April 16th.  Tickets go on sale today!  

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

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2009 | Keep Calm and Carry On

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My friend Erin had this print of an old British poster in her house that struck me.  It’s a reproduction of an old slogan used to allay public fear during the outbreak of World War 2.  The original poster was held in reserve for use only in times of extreme crisis.   Although thousands were produced, only a handful ever saw the light of day. (For a reproduction of the poster, go to Keep Calm Gallery.)

Some 60 years later, I couldn’t help but think how fitting it was in this day and age where fear and uncertainty has reached epidemic proportions. It seems as though the world is on the edge of its seat, waiting for life as we know it to end sometime in 2009.  Just how bad will 2009 be?  The speculation is endless and the anticipation exhausting. It’s only January 1 and I’m already tired of it.  And like a bunch of rubberneckers at the scene of an accident, we seem compelled to slow down and look at the wreckage, clogging up everything behind us.  Too scared to do anything else. While I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions, I have decided to adopt this as my motto and modus operandi for 2009. I think we can all use a little more of that British ‘stiff upper lip’ right now.

So Happy New Year folks.  Let’s all just keep calm and carry on.  In honor of our wise British brethren, I’ve composed a mix of some of my favorite UK-based artists and songs.  Enjoy.  And let’s keep on rockin’ in the free world!

Keep Calm and Carry On Mixtape

  1. The Early Years, ‘High Times and Low Lives’
  2. Glasvegas, ‘Geraldine’
  3. Elbow, ‘Mirrorball’
  4. Radiohead, ‘House of Cards’
  5. School of Language, ‘Keep Your Water’
  6. The Duke Spirit, ‘Wooden Heart’
  7. Belle and Sebastian, ‘Stars of Track and Field’
  8. Jamie T, ‘Back in the Game’
  9. The Bees, ‘Better Days’
  10. Jim Noir, ‘Computer Song’
  11. Paul McCartney, ‘Oh Woman, Oh Why’

Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo

buy it at insound!

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Glasvegas Christmas EP

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Artist: Glasvegas
Album: A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss)
File Under: Brit Rock
Recommended if You Like: The Jesus and Mary Chain, Phil Spector, Oasis, U2
Featured Track: ‘Fuck You, It’s Over’

If you haven’t already heard of Glasvegas, you probably soon will.  They are one of the most buzzed about bands in the UK right now, receiving accolades from “best Scottish band in 20 years” to “The Greatest New Rock and Roll Band in the World” (NME).  Wow, no pressure or anything.

Their hugely anticipated self-titled EP went straight to number 2 on the UK charts this fall.  Their sound has hit such a nerve with fans that they’ve caused a sensation. Taking musical influences from Phil Spector and The Jesus and Mary Chain, their droning reverb-drenched music is tempered by the poetic, pop-like melodies of lead singer James Allen.

In fact, Phil Spector’s 1963 Christmas album made such a big impression on the band that they have recorded their own Christmas mini-album, A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss).  The 6–song holiday offering was recorded in Transylvania and features 5 new songs and a cover of the Christmas classic, “Silent Night“. You can buy a bundle of their debut album, Glasvegas, and the Christmas EP, A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss), on iTunes for $10.99.

EP Track List: 
Please Come Back Home 
Cruel Moon
Careful What You Wish For 
Fuck You, It’s Over 
A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss) 
Silent Night / Noapte de vis

In the meantime, enjoy this new track off their holiday EP, ‘Fuck You, It’s Over‘. Just in time for Christmas and soon to be a holiday classic, I’m sure.  And if you’re in San Francisco, Glasvegas is playing Popscene January 8, 2009 at 330 Ritch.  Tickets are sold out, however.

 

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