Land Of Talk Played The Independent - Pictures, Review

Last Thursday night we managed to stop by the Independent, and catch a set from a band who never cease to amaze us in every incarnation: Land Of Talk. With two solid openers, and a set that pulled from their latest (fantastic) record Cloak and Cipher, the band delivered a set that was fiercely representative of the tightly intricate rock combo that Lizzie Powell has managed to form around her songwriting.

First opener Suuns started out strong, but ultimately wound up putting a little too much emphasis on an empty drone vibe. We love a good droney rock band as much as the next guy, but by the second half of their set, the band seemed to have exhausted their capabilities to make the drone matter. Still, we wouldn't write them off just yet. They're pretty musically fearless, and definitely one to keep an eye on.

Besnard Lakes followed with a set of dark, psychedelic rock that we really dug. The band has a live presence that's unquestionably killer. Combine that with the fact that their songwriting is an inventive combination of Brian Wilson harmonies and heavy guitars, and you have yourself a damn enjoyable music experience.

When Land of Talk took to the stage we were seriously excited. The band's latest record is a bulletproof wave of awesome rock and roll, and really seems ideally suited for the live environment. Knowing full well just how solid Lizzie Powell is in a live environment, we were expecting a lot, and we were not disappointed.

It's worth noting that Lizzie's not the sole face of Land Of Talk - the rest of the band is a rock solid foundation. Its allows for the eccentricity and awesomeness of Powell's guitar playing to effortlessly ride above the rest of the instrumentation as the songs move effortlessly forward.

And really, it was effortless: The band is such a tightly integrated unit that they managed to create a monumentous wall of sound that was one of the finest things we've heard in a very long time. It felt almost impossible that they were actually generating all the noise being created on stage, and the realization that they were made it all that much more enjoyable. The set was further augmented by the (eventually comically) recurring backup vocals from Besnard Lakes frontman Jace Lasek.

In short, Land Of Talk is in the prime of when a band is "must see": touring for an awesome album, with a well coordinated group of band members, in medium size rooms. It's seriously the optimal time for checking them out, and we couldn't encourage you to do so more strongly. Lizzie Powell is serious about bringing you the rock and roll, and you'd damn well better be ready for it.

Land Of Talk are at Bowery Ballroom November 6th

Photos By Brian Fong

Many more photos at the HAD Archive

The XX Played The Independent - Pictures, Review

Last week, HAD managed to catch up with The XX at San Francisco's Independent, and we're glad we did. The band, who have been receiving an inordinate amount of internet hype over the last couple of months, managed to live up to expectations. Not only did they deliver on the awesomeness of their debut record, but they also managed to create a live vibe that was unquestionably well suited to their mellowed out sound.

The band will be headed eastward this week (including New York on Saturday), before heading back to Europe until spring. Catch them while you can!

The XX Winter 2009 US Dates
Dec 1 Bottom Lounge Chicago, Illinois
Dec 2 Phoenix Theater Toronto, Ontario
Dec 3 Le National Montreal, Quebec
Dec 4 Paradise Boston, Massachusetts
Dec 5 Webster Hall New York

mp3: The XX - VCR

Photos By Ujjwal Sarin, more at the HAD Archive

The Antlers Played The Independent - Pictures, Review

Last Friday, we stopped in at The Independent to check out a set from The Antlers. The band has been taking up a gradually expanding spot on our playlists in both San Francisco and New York, and we were curious to see what would come of their live show. Their record, Hospice, is a meticulously crafted masterwork that extensively uses some extremely subtle sonics. As such, we were really interested as to what the band might be able to pull of live. In short: quite a bit.

The show at The Independent is part of the "Sleepy Sun" tour (more dates below), and amidst the band's considerable hype from various sources, the crowd was clearly anxious and excited to hear what the band had to offer. As the set commenced, it became clear that the band's strengths live are the same as those on the record. The set's traversal of Hospice was an epic journey in beautiful melancholy that managed to rise its head above the gloom.

Lead singer Peter Silberman simply has a fantastically beautiful voice. When combined with the outstanding compositions from Hospice, the band somehow manages to make a record that for all intents and purposes should be miserable, completely lovely. And really, that's what it comes down to: The Antlers are making fantastic, brilliant, beautiful music. Yes, it's coated in a veneer of misery, but the reality is that if you haven't heard Hospice or caught the band live, it should go in your calendar. As in, now.

Photos by Ujjwal Sarin

mp3: The Antlers - Kettering

The Antlers, Fall 2009 Dates
Nov 6 THE DOOR w/ Minus The Bear Fort Worth, Texas
Nov 7 JAGZ w/ Minus The Bear Pharr, Texas
Nov 8 WHITE RABBIT w/ Minus The Bear San Antonio, Texas
Nov 10 WORKPLAY THEATER w/ Minus The Bear Birmingham, Alabama
Nov 11 FIRESTONE (Anti-Pop Fest) w/ Minus The Bear Orlando, Florida
Nov 12 40 WATT CLUB w/ Minus The Bear Athens, Georgia
Nov 16 BODEGA Nottingham
Nov 17 13TH NOTE Glasgow, Scotland
Nov 18 DEAF INSTITUTE Manchester
Nov 19 COCKPIT ROOM 3 Leeds
Nov 21 CROSSING BORDER FESTIVAL The Hague
Nov 22 CROSSING BORDER FESTIVAL Antwerp
Nov 24 NOUVEAU CASINO (Les Inrocks) Paris
Nov 25 BUSH HALL London
Nov 27 HOPE Brighton
Nov 28 LENNONS Southampton
Nov 29 LOUISIANA Bristol
Dec 1 CLWB IFOR BACH Cardiff, Wales
Dec 2 SALA APOLO Barcelona
Dec 3 SALA CARACOL Madrid
Dec 4 ACADEMY 2 Dublin
Dec 15 BOWERY BALLROOM w/ Uninhabitable Mansions & Sharon Van Etten! New York, New York

Contest: Holy Fuck Outside Lands Kickoff At The Independent

Well, here we are: it's the week of San Francisco's biggest (and youngest!) music festival, so we hope your damn well ready. Outside Lands kicks off on Friday, and is ready to bring you three days of music, with far more bands than you could possibly hope to see, and a crowd fit to compete with Coachella. Luckily things look fantastic (if not, as always, a bit chilly) weather-wise, so now all you have to do is wait. Right?

Wrong! Because guess what? In addition to the massivity that Outside Lands, Another Planet has lined up a series of "night shows" to further augment your musical uptake. Some of the artists at these shows include Conor Oberst, The Dodos, Holy Fuck, Akron/Family, ALO and The Dirtbombs. Not too shabby, eh?

The whole weekend is kicking off with Thursday night's Holy Fuck show at The Independent, and we're glad to say that we have two pairs of tickets to give away. All you need to do is email contests@hippiesaredead.com with the name of your favorite Holy Fuck song, and you'll be in the running. The contest ends tomorrow night at midnight, so get on it!

mp3: Holy Fuck - Jungles

White Rabbits Played The Independent - Pictures, Review

Saturday night at The Independent, White Rabbits delivered a searing set that undeniably confirmed that their killer performance on Letterman last month was far more than a fluke. The band, which consists of six members (including two drummers), is tight knit in a way that suggests not only hours of diligent practice, but also a finely honed rapport that held firm even when the songs reached out beyond the confines of their album versions.

However, which album that refers to had a significant effect on the performance. While we're huge fans of the band's new record, we have to say that the older material felt like a distinctive lull in the set. Granted, it was just as well put together, but it lacked a certain experimentalism and boundry testing that the new material delivered in spades. We were particularly taken with the ethereal version of "Midnight And I", and the riveting energy of "Percussion Gun" and "Rudie Fails".

When a band releases a second record that drastically overshadows their first (Think Wilco, Spoon, Elton John, David Bowie and Elvis Costello, to name a few), it can be difficult to digest the ensuing tour. After all, the band has reached a new level, but is still reaching into their back catalog to fill out the set and keep things balanced. This is exactly what White Rabbits did on Saturday, and they managed to keep their efforts afloat primarily because they are such a tight, energetic unit. Yet from what we could see It's Frightening has clearly established a new direction for the band, that only stands to expand in the coming years. Frankly, we couldn't be happier.

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

mp3: White Rabbits - Percussion Gun

Frightened Rabbit/Twilight Sad Scottish Supershow Coming To The Independent

Frightened Rabbit at Bottom Of The Hill, from the HAD Archive

If you've been keeping track of our whims here at HAD, you'll know that Frightened Rabbit's record Midnight Organ Fight made our best of 2008, while The Twilight Sad's Fourteen Autumns, Fifteen Winters was among our faves of 2007. That being said, we couldn't be more psyched for yesterday's announcenment: on September 18th the bands will be playing a double header of Scottish goodness at San Francisco's Independent.

The fact of the matter is that Scotland or otherwise, these are two of the most exciting bands out there at the moment, and to get to see them on the same night is simply mindblowing. What's more, we're kind of surprised to see the show at The Independent: we love the venue, but it seems like a small room for such a killer gig. That being said, we never turn down a chance to hear some awesome music in an amazing venue, so we'll see you there. (Thanks to HAD reader Rob for the tip!)

Tickets go on-sale this Sunday

mp3: Frightened Rabbit - Backwards Walk
mp3: The Twilight Sad - Reflection Of The Television

Contest: Tickets For Little Joy At The Independent

Well, we certainly hope you weren't on board just for some sort of Strokes fetish. Yes, despite the fact that Fab was called back to New York, Little Joy will continue on without him. As mentioned previously, the band will be delivering the awesomeness of their debut record at The Independent on June 3rd. Frankly, while we're sad to see Fab go, we have to admit we're pretty glad it will thin the crowd of all the fankids who weren't in it for the music. This is an awesome band, with some awesome tunes to deliver, celeb status be damned.

If you're of a similar mind, then we have quite a treat for you: in conjunction with The Independent and Another Planet Entertainment, we're giving away two pairs of tickets for the show. All you have to do to get entered in the drawing is answer one question for us, and send the answer to contests@hippiesaredead.com That question is: Rodrigo Amarante is in another band besides Little Joy - what is that band, and where are they from?

The contest will close at midnight on Sunday the 31st, so that we have time to get you all set for the show. Ready, set, go!

Foreign Born and BLK JKS Played The Independent: Pictures, Review

You may recall that last week we were hyped for the upcoming BLK JKS/Foreign Born show, and what's more had quite a high musical expectations for the event. Suffice it to say, we were not disappointed. Both bands of the co-headlining gig delivered killers sets that served to underscore and expand their sound - exactly the way it should be in a live setting. We walked out of the show feeling that each of these bands, with their diverse and direct sounds, is on the verge of something great.

Foreign Born was up first, and delivered a show that would easily have carried in a venue twice the size of The Independent. The lighting, the band's stage presence, and most of all the music: it was all so tightly knit that you got the distinct impression of a band that is just dying to deliver. There were no compromises, no slip ups: it was an expert rock show.

Front man Matt Popieluch managed to create a stage persona that was difficult to characterize, but completely magnetic to watch. We could attempt to characterize it by saying he was somewhere between Bowie, Dylan, and Beck. Needless to say, we enjoyed his performance and energy more than a little bit.

However, Popieluch was far from the band's only asset in the endeavor. Each member of the six piece unit contributed significantly and meaningfully to the intricately layered sound coming from the stage. The result was a performance that built significantly on their forthcoming record, and took it to the next level. In short, it was a riveting spectacle of polyrhythmic folk-pop-rock that left us wanting more. As in, now.

After Foreign Born delivered such a riveting set, it seemed like BLK JKS might have difficulty measuring up, but such was definitely not the case. The South African quartet delivered a blazing set of their own unique sound, and demonstrated quite clearly why the show was a co-headlining effort.

Perhaps the best way to describe BLK JKS live show is that everything is more present than on the record. While the record is delightfully experimental and filled with waves of sonic experimentation, the live show put much more emphasis on the dynamic of the band. In many ways the live show was a demonstration of the sonic foundation that had yielded the band's sound on tape.

The set also managed to demonstrate just how proficient BLK JKS are as musicians. The four had a clear rapport on stage, and the amount of visual and musical communication created a flow to the set that was intuitive and seamless. In short, it's obvious how the band can come up with such brilliant recordings: They have a musical rapport that transcends any song structure or standard writing guidelines. It's a change of pace that we welcome with open arms.

Like we said, this was a show that left us feeling as though both bands are on the verge of something big. Foreign Born has a full length on tap for release in June, and it's great, we assure you. BLK JKS currently have an EP out and about (yes, we bought the 12"), and are about to announce a forthcoming full length. There's no question that this is an exciting time in music, and these bands are doing some of the most exciting work out there. We can't recommend more strongly that you check them both out.

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

mp3: Foreign Born - Vacationing People
mp3: BLK JKS - Lakeside

This Friday At The Independent: BLK JKS And Foreign Born

It's tough enough seeing one incredibly solid band in a night, so getting to see two is a real treat. That's why we recommend you get yourself to the Independent on Friday night. Two bands, BLK JKS and Foreign Born, will be playing an evening of music that is certain to deliver. What's more, we're more than a little convinced that both are destined for even bigger things - this could be your best last chance to see them in such a small room.

BLK JKS hail from South Africa, and wear the influence on their sleeve. As such, it'd be easy to pigeonhole them as "world music" and leave it at that. The thing is, there's so much more going on with their music, that to do so would be silly. Their four track EP Mystery is addictive, and draws upon countless musical influences. To name drop a few, we hear everything from Liars, to David Bowie, to Robert Fripp, to Wilco, to TV On The Radio in their sound. It's all underpinned by distinctive African sounds, particularly in the backing vocals and guitar tone, and it is truly unique. We are loving it, to say the least. (Head here for an awesome feature on the band from The Fader)

Foreign Born offer up a sound that is perhaps a little more familiar to western ears, but nonetheless just as compelling. Their most recent LP Person To Person combines percussion driven rock with fantastic guitar hooks and melodies that stick in your head like none other. It's gaining them recognition as press copies get out there, and justifiably so. The record captures a mood and feel that is familiar, but at the same time original and refreshing. Put differently, one listen can quickly turn in to ten or so. The band originally started in San Francisco, but soon moved to LA (We know, we know. Boo. Hiss.). Regardless of your city loyalties, we can assure you that this is a show you'll want to catch.

Tickets are on sale now

mp3: BLK JKS - Lakeside
mp3: Foreign Born - Vacationing People

Dirty Projectors Playing Independent In July, Tickets On Sale Thursday

Picture from the HAD Archive

If you couldn't manage to get yourself a ticket to this weekend's TV On The Radio/Dirty Projectors show at the Fox Theater, or if you just love the Projectors as much as we do, then you'll be psyched to know that the band is planning a headlining tour after they get off the road with TVOTR.

While we haven't been able to discern all of the dates yet, we have gotten word that the San Francisco show will be at The Independent on July 7th. Combine that with the awesomeness of Bitte Orca being released on June 9th, and well, you've got a recipe for a summer of Dirty Projectors goodness.

Tickets go on sale Thursday at 10 AM. Psyched.

mp3: Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move

White Rabbits: Album Release, Independent In June

A while back, we mentioned that Britt Daniel had been working with Brooklyn-based band White Rabbits, and produced their forthcoming record It's Frightening. At the same time, we mentioned that the next Spoon album wasn't go to see the light of day until 2010. We have to admit, we were a bit bummed that we wouldn't be getting a taste of Daniel's distinctive sound for so long. Well, let us stand corrected: Daniel's sound will most definitely be seeing the light of day in 2009, it just won't be on his own record.

It's difficult to emphasize just how much It's Frightening employs Daniel's studio techniques. We honestly didn't even realize just how distinctive a studio sound Daniel had constructed, but once you hear this record you see just how many nooks and crannies Daniel has firmly established as his own. The guitar sounds, the syncopated drum machines, the in-between song studio banter, the piano sounds, the double tracked vocals, even the cover art (do a side by side with Gimme Fiction) - they all scream Spoon! Granted, all of these things sound like "typical" studio fare, but when you hear them in this context you realize that Daniel has firmly carved out his own way of doing things, and that it's a huge part of the sound he's established for his own band.

What happens when this sound is applied to another artist? At least in the case of White Rabbits, very good things. It's Frightening manages to employ so many of the aspects that we love about Daniel's other work, while at the same time managing to quite definitely carve out their own niche and deliver a killer record. From the first notes of "Percussion Gun", the band delivers a distinctive performance that heavily relies on the drums to move forward a set of ten instantly accessible tracks. In fact, every one of the tracks relies so heavily on percussion, we'd venture to say that rhythms truly define the record's persona and scope. It's fitting, then, that the cover is a long exposure photo of one of the band's two drummers.

On top of the completely solid percussives, White Rabbits also manage to deliver a compositional style that is unique and abstract, while at the same time remaining completely accessible. Many of the songs are built around instrumental repetition, but between the band's technique and Gregory Roberts' vocals, they manage to create melodies that are completely integral to the record's sound. The melodies serve to unify tunes and give them a surprising level of singability and pop feel despite their unconventional structures.

If that sounds at all familiar, it's probably because it's definitely one way you could define a Spoon record. At the end of the day, it's pretty impossible to dive into It's Frightening without recognizing the massive amount of influence Britt Daniel's production has had. You certainly wouldn't be faulted for hearing it in passing, and thinking you had just heard an excerpt from the new Spoon record. That being said, it's truly not a bad thing: Britt Daniel has long been in the business of making fantastic records, and if he can take that talent and bring it to other bands, we're certainly not going to be the ones to argue. The bottom line is that with It's Frightening, White Rabbits have written an awesome set of songs that completely stand up on their own. Having Britt Daniel fine tune them with solid studio craft is just the icing on the cake.

White Rabbits are also plotting a massive summer tour in support of It's Frightening. Crossing the entire country over the month of June, the band will be most likely somewhere near you during that time. For those of us in San Francisco, that means a stop at The Independent on June 20th. We have to say, we're psyched to get out there and see just how the band holds up live. From some recent accounts on the East Coast, they've been doing extremely well for themselves in a live environment. Like we said, psyched. Tickets are on sale now.

It's Frightening drops May 19th on TBD Records

mp3: White Rabbits - Percussion Gun

White Rabbits Summer 2009 Dates
5/21 - Bowery Ballroom - New York NY
5/30 - Grog Shop - Cleveland OH
5/31 - Do Division Fest - Chicago IL
6/01 - Southgate House, Newport KY
6/02 - Rock N Roll Hotel - Washington DC
6/04 - Middle East - Boston MA
6/05 - Johnny Brendas - Philadelphia PA
6/06 - Brillobox - Pittsburgh PA
6/07 - Summit - Columbus OH
6/09 - Mojos - Columbia MO
6/10 - Firebird - St Louis MO
6/11 - Bonnaroo - Manchester TN
6/14 - Emo’s - Austin TX
6/16 - Club Congress - Tuscon AZ
6/17 - Casbah - San Diego CA
6/18 - Troubadour - Los Angeles CA
6/19 - Cellar Door - Visalia CA
6/20 - Independent - San Francisco CA
6/22 - Crocodile Cafe - Seattle WA
6/23 - Doug Fir - Portland OR
6/24 - Neurolux - Boise ID
6/25 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake UT
6/26 - Bluebird - Denver CO
6/27 - Slowdown JR - Omaha NE
6/29 - 400 Bar - Minneapolis MN
6/30 - High Noon - Madison WI
7/01 - Empty Bottle - Chicago
7/02 - Pike Room - Pontiac MI
8/02 - All Points West - Liberty State Park NJ

Little Joy Coming To Independent In June

By all accounts Little Joy's show at Great American last December was an awesome fun filled evening, and ever since we've been bummed that we missed it. Given that, we were psyched to see that the band has lined up a show at The Independent on June 3rd.

Apparently the band's live show is even looser and more mellow than the record's already super-chill sound. From most recollections, they're just a band that very clearly loves playing music, and has a blast the entire time they're on stage. You can't really argue with that, now can you?

While it seems likely that this show would be associated with a summer tour, there's no mention of one on the band's myspace page. Pay no mind - we'll take what we can get.

Tickets are on sale now.

mp3: Little Joy - How To Hang A Warhol

Jay Reatard: New Record, Singles Club, Tour, Independent In June

Photo from the HAD Archive

In support of his upcoming record, Jay Reatard has laid out a spring tour. This includes a stop at the Independent on June 13th, with Thee Oh Sees supporting. Reatard's hard at work on the new record, and according to his myspace page "new album almost done!!!". Tickets go on sale this Sunday at 10 AM.

In other news, Jay has apparently resurrected his label, Shattered Records, and is preparing a singles club for 2009. The collection includes "three albums, two 7″s, a t-shirt, six digital singles, and much much more", all of it exclusive to the club. You can check out all the info here.

Finally, Reatard has also released a new song entitled "You're Gonna Lose" via his website. You can get access to the tune by joining his mailing list on his newly launched domain. The tune is an awesome almost-surf-rock piece, with classic Reatard vocals and melody. Definitely enough to get us psyched up for the new record.

Jay Reatard Spring/Summer 2009 Dates
Sat Apr 11 - Atlanta @ Lennys
Sat Apr 18 - Memphis @ Goner Records
Thu June 11 - San Diego @ Casbah
Fri June 12 - Los Angeles @ Echo
Sat June 13 - San Francisco @ Independent
Mon June 15 - Seattle @ Crocodile Cafe
Tue June 16 - Vancouver @ Biltmore
Wed June 17 - Portland @ Dante's
Fri June 26 - Chicago @ Bottom Lounge
Sat June 27 - Detroit @ Magic Stick
Sun June 28 - Cleveland @ Grog Shop
Mon June 29 - Toronto @ Mod Club
Tue June 30 - Montreal @ La Sala Rossa
Wed July 1 - New York City @ Stuyvesant Oval
Thu Mar 19 - Munich @ 59 to 1
Thu July 2 - Brooklyn @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Fri July 3 - Allston, MA @ Harper's Ferry
Sun July 5 - Washington DC @ Black Cat
Wed July 8 - Knoxville @ Pilot Light
Thu July 9 - Nashville @ The End
Fri July 10 - Memphis @ Hi-Tone Café

Wes And Eugene's Cabinet Of Wonders Came To The Independent - Pictures, Review

On Sunday night, Wes And Eugene's Cabinet of Wonders made a San Francisco stop at the Independent, and without a doubt, it was everything that was promised and more. Which is to say, it was a little of everything, and then some. It was a loose, enjoyable, but ultimately artistically sound, show that left you walking away with a real sense of joy in the act of performance. But more than that, it was truly a variety show, and gave us such a wide array of input, that we were left unquestionably wanting more. So what, then, was that content? Or, put differently, what did the Cabinet Of Wonders hold?

For starters: John Wesley Harding and Eugene Mirman. Harding turned up a number of separate times through the night, playing as an acoustic duo, with a full band, and backing other performers. As you might imagine, his tunes were incredibly solid, and his singer-songwriter cred served him incredibly well in the variety-show format. While Harding delivered across the board, we do have to say that the highlight for us was the full band set at the end of the show. It was fantastic to see Harding really rock out, and be able to engage in the full arrangements from the record.

For his part, Mirman unquestionably delivered with his own brand of stand up, and really won over the crowd. His reflections on class reunions, trips to israel, and the crowds at recent shows were all incredibly witty and insightful, not to mention downright hilarious. However, even more compelling was how Mirman acted a foil to the rest of the evening's more serious content. Having a solid dose of comedy interjected amongst some of the more earnest numbers served to actually give the rest of the program more weight and poignance.

Perhaps the highlight of the two's time on stage was a collaboration where they sang a duet (complete with gag backdrop) of Simon and Garfunkle's "Mrs. Robinson". Complete with lyrics sheet and harmonies, Harding and Mirman belted out a raucous version of the tune, which culminated in Mirman playing a behind-the-back solo (on a stylophone?). Needless to say, pure awesomeness.

Mirman and Harding, however, were certainly not the only acts on stage that night. Other highlights included and eerie reading by Stephen Elliot, an accordion version of "When Doves Cry" by Daniel Handler, and some great tunes from Victor Krummenacher and Chris Von Sneidern (whose band also served to back Harding). In short, the show was very much like attending a talent show put on by your friends, if you happened to have immensely talented friends who could put together some serious entertainment at the drop of a hat. And that, dear reader, is the definition of fun.

Wes and Eugene's Cabinet Of Wonders continues this weekend, starting tonight, with dates in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Madison.

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

Art Brut: New Record, Spring Tour, Independent In June

We have to admit: Art Brut's sophomore effort It's A Bit Complicated fell somewhat flat here at HAD. We were huge fans of Bang Bang Rock And Roll, but the second disc felt something like a rehash, and none of it really took hold. Things being what they are, it also left us sort of lukewarm for subsequent releases. Lukewarm, that is, until we started hearing the details of the new record.

Art Brut vs. Satan, which drops on April 20th, is by all accounts a pretty huge departure for the band. For one, it's produced by Pixies frontman Frank Black. For another, it was apparently recorded extremely quickly. The experience was apparently so revelatory to the band that they have pledged that all future records will be recorded this way. That's saying a lot.

If the lead off single, "Alcoholics Unanimous" (video above), is any indication, the band has adopted a slightly edgier sound for the new record. The guitars are crunchier, the riffs fatter, and the drums straight ahead. Long gone are the jangly guitars and poppiness of Emily Kane. Still, despite the change in sound the band's trump card is still in full effect: vocalist Eddie Argos. If there's anything that defines Art Brut's persona, both on record and live, it's Argos self loathing, half spoken, always tongue in cheek vocal delivery. It's almost so much a part of the band's sound that it almost seems like it's the only thing that matters. Such is not the case. Masterpieces like "Emily Kane" and "Rusted Guns of Milan" rely heavily on Argos, but they're also great songs, and the band delivers amazingly solid performances.

By contrast, "Alcoholics Unanimous" almost feels a bit more like an off-the-cuff delivery, which may very well be the case. While we might be inclined to raise an eyebrow based on the first single, it's also true that Bang Bang Rock And Roll was not without its rockers. We're far more excited to hear the record as a whole, and see which of his varying personas Black adopted when taking the reins. We won't be too quick to judge, and we're certainly planning on catching the band's legendary live show.

After some European dates, the band has plotted a US spring tour. It primarily focuses on hitting the large markets of New York, Chicago, and LA, with a multi-night stand in each. We here in SF are lucky enough to catch one of the off nights - the band will be at the Independent on June 15th. Having seen Art Brut a number of times before, we can assure you - these events are a circus. Argos is a great frontman, and he completely gives his all on stage. Plus, what better way to check out the new record than in the wild?

Art Brut Spring 2009 US Dates
Jun 1 Mercury Lounge New York, New York
Jun 2 Mercury Lounge New York, New York
Jun 3 Mercury Lounge New York, New York
Jun 4 Mercury Lounge New York, New York
Jun 5 Mercury Lounge New York, New York
Jun 6 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jun 8 Schubas Chicago, Illinois
Jun 9 Schubas Chicago, Illinois
Jun 10 Schubas Chicago, Illinois
Jun 11 Schubas Chicago, Illinois
Jun 12 Schubas Chicago, Illinois
Jun 13 Neumos Seattle, Washington
Jun 15 The Independent San Francisco, California
Jun 16 Spaceland Los Angeles, California
Jun 17 Spaceland Los Angeles, California
Jun 18 Spaceland Los Angeles, California
Jun 19 The Echo Los Angeles, California

Brian Jonestown Massacre Played The Independent - Pictures, Review

San Francisco must have some special blessing for being Brian Jonestown Massacre's city of origin. Despite the reels of film depicting Anton Newcombe as a tyrannical despot, and despite the numerous accounts of these events actually being true, it seems that every time the band is in town they simply deliver, and deliver in force.

Last time we saw them was about a year and a half ago. Despite a debacle involving a closed Bay Bridge, the band still managed to show up, play a massive, incredibly solid set, and hail the return of tambourineist extraordinaire Joel Gion. Well, this time around, things were no different: the band offered up an incredibly bulletproof and lengthy set, and Gion was still in attendance. Not only that, but we were in disbelief to witness the return of none other than Matt Hollywood!

Hollywood's departure from the band was a huge moment in the film Dig, and frankly was so dramatic that we were downright shocked to see him as the band took the stage. Nonetheless, it seems that bygones are truly bygones. Hollywood stuck to the stage throughout the show, singing on a huge number of tunes, and delivering a totally solid performance. We must say, having both Hollywood and Gion in the band really gives it a much more unified feel. Despite their high technical skill, the band's lineup was starting to seem something like a revolving door. It was nice to be able to watch the band and get the feel that they were truly a unit. Even more impressive was that Newcombe also seems to have buried the hatchet.

Besides giving Hollywood and Gion plenty of room, and introducing them personally, Newcombe's stage persona was toned down in general. Over the course of something like three hours (we forgot to check our watch), Newcombe kept himself firmly isolated to one side of the stage, often in the dark, and seemed intent to simply deliver a solid performance. Only at one point (to restart a song) did Newcombe seem to venture anywhere near the primadonna vibe that has so dogged him in the past. It was fantastic to see such a solid musician finally allowing himself to relax and play a fantastic set.

And the set was fantastic. From start to finish, it was an unrelenting exploration into the music that makes BJM such a renowned live act. The droney, layered guitars, the unabashedly Brit-aping vocals, and the catchiness of songs that in many ways seem like they really shouldn't be catchy: it's a marvel to behold.

Suffice it to say, it seems that BJM are finally managing to distance themselves from the self destructive behavior that made Dig such a tragedy. Even more spectacular is that as they do so, people are taking notice. Not only is the band opening for Primal Scream, but they're selling out venues on their own on the off days. There wasn't a ticket to be had at the Independent, and deservedly so - BJM is on the rebound. If they're coming round your way, we highly recommend you stop in. You won't be sorry.

mp3: Brian Jonestown Massacre - That Girl Suicide

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

John Wesley Harding: New Album, Variety Tour - Independent On Sunday

Here at HAD we were first exposed to John Wesley Harding on the soundtrack to High Fidelity. "I'm Wrong About Everything" is a self-effacing tune that was perfect for the film's insecure protagonist. That was around 2000, and we didn't catch up with JWH again until the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in 2003. There Harding delivered a killer acoustic set that was just about as much of a classic singer-songwriter/troubadour effort as one could hope to muster. Over the past twenty years, Harding has shown himself to consistently fill those shoes. With witty lyrics, solid melodies, and a penchant for straightforward songwriting, Harding consistently represents for a breed of songsmith that is equal parts storyteller and songwriter.

Thankfully, none of that has changed on Harding's most recent release, Who was Changed And Who Was Dead. On the record (Harding's first in five years), Harding is joined by the notorious Minus 5, and delivers a set of thirteen songs that explore the ins and outs of his life since the last record. This includes the birth of a son, a shot at (and subsequent withdrawl from) "the bigtime", and of course Harding's requisite commentary on relationships. All in all, the work is a dead-solid effort, and reenforces the region that Harding has established for himself between the worlds of folk and rock, with all his various personas in attendance.

If this photo is any indication of how
awesome Wes and Eugene's Cabinet Of Wonders is,
then do you really need any other reason?

To promote the record, Harding has taken an interesting direction. Along with comic Eugene Mirman, Harding has developed something of a traveling variety show, dubbed "Wes & Eugene's Cabinet Of Wonders". The show has been traveling the US, and is by all accounts a legitimate variety-style presentation. Each night features a host of different "acts", sometimes musicians, sometimes authors, along with Harding and Mirman presenting an off-the-cuff set of skits, songs, and general merriment. In short, if you're one that enjoys your words as much as you enjoy your songs, and has a general penchant for enjoying a good stage show, then this gig is just your bag.

In touring the US, we're psyched to see that Harding and Mirman decided to stop by San Francisco. This coming Sunday, April 5th, "Wes and Eugene's Cabinet of Wonders" will stop by the Independent. While there's no telling exactly will get delivered, we're guessing it'll be a pretty damn good time. And you really don't want to deny yourself a good time, now do you? We didn't think so.

Tickets are on-sale now.

Brian Jonestown Massacre At Independent Tomorrow Night, Tickets On-Sale Now

Picture from the HAD Archive

If you weren't prepared to shell out for a Fillmore show, or if St. Patrick's Day just won out on your priority list, well, you're in luck. Brian Jonestown Massacre, who are opening for Primal Scream at the Fillmore tonight, have added a date tomorrow night at the Independent. Tickets are on-sale now, and bound to go quickly. Get them while they're hot!

mp3: Brian Jonestown Massacre - Telegram

Noise Pop 2009: Ra Ra Riot Played Diesel And The Independent - Pictures, Review, Setlist

Let us start by saying this. We have heard many, many, extremely positive things about Ra Ra Riot's live set, and expectations can be a dangerous thing. Last night the band played two sets: one acoustic at Diesel, and one at The Independent to finish off the night. From what we had been told, we were expecting a set on the order of an artistic revelation, with a level of energy that would defy expectations. In reality, what we got was a band that has an extremely decent record, delivering an extremely decent performance of that record. There was little to criticize, but there was also very little that left us reeling.

The band's acoustic set started up the night, and it felt more than a little contrived. We might go so far as to say that any time we see a fretted acoustic bass, things start to feel a little contrived. The set was completely solid instrumentally, but just lacked the power and enthusiasm that had been delivered minutes before by Loch Lomond. That being said, we were more than willing to write this off - a band that's not used to playing acoustic can easily go bland under those circumstances, and Loch Lomond's set was also a lot to measure up to.

Unfortunately, when we got to the set at The Independent, it seemed to be more of the same. For a band that already has it's creative paintbrush firmly in the well of the Arcade Fire, it's a dangerous thing indeed to flirt with a mellow live show. However, Ra Ra Riot did exactly that - they delivered a show that existed precisely on the cusp of busting out and delivering a truly rocking show. Rather, they seemed far more concerned with delivering a stable, intricate set that held a firm grip on the arrangements of their record without adventure or pushing any boundries.

At the end of the day, we try to shy away from unnecessarily harsh criticism here at HAD - slinging mud's never any good for anyone. What's more, we're guessing there are more than a few people that will disagree with this review: the show was one of the first to sell out, and the crowd was going nuts all night long. That being said, we'll stand by our lament. We do actually like Ra Ra Riot's record, and we were hoping that the live environment would be a venue for them to push the record over the edge and really wear its bloody heart on its sleeve. Instead, it seemed to be a complacent delivery that had less to do with soul, and more to do with preaching to the choir.

Pita-Setlist here

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

Noise Pop 2009: Cut Off Your Hands Played The Independent - Pictures, Review

Writing a review on Cut Off Your Hands and not mentioning The Vines seems to almost border on the impossible, so we'll just get it off our chest. Both bands hail from the Australian continent (New Zealand and Australia, respectively), both bands draw heavily on 60's and punk rock influences, and both bands are fronted by singers who don't seem to have any perception that there is anything remotely like "appropriate" behavior for a rock band on stage.

That being said, Cut Off Your Hands are certainly not even remotely a ripoff. Their songs were adventurous, accessible, exciting, and full of life. The set was dappled with fantastic backing vocals, wonderful melodies, and driving rhythms that all combined to make for ridiculously immediate rock and roll. In short, this band delivers the entire package. And be quite certain, dear reader, that package most certainly includes rock and roll insanity.

Within 30 seconds of being on stage, Cut Off Your Hands front man Nick Johnston dove into the crowd, and was most certainly not caught. Rather, the crowd seemed to give way, and he headed resoundingly to the floor. Not one who was quick to learn a lesson apparently, Johnston would repeat this exercise two more times during the night to the same result. While the behavior was slightly unsettling, it is worth mentioning that with so many bands seeming routine on stage, it was unquestionably invigorating to see a band that was ready to deliver on all cylinders, regardless of the outcome.

And in the end, the outcome was, in fact, unforgettable. It's impossible to argue with the sheer amount of energy coming off stage, or the classic accessiblity of the melodies of the songs. At the same time, the band undoubtedly defined their own personality, and delivered a set that was distinctively theirs. Being from New Zealand, it seems that the band might not travel to the US as often as one might like. That being said, you can bet that next time they're in town that we'll be there. The band is touring the US now: Do. Not. Miss.

Many more pictures on the HAD Archive