Kings Of Leon and The Walkmen Played Bill Graham - Video

We were incredibly bummed to miss last week's Kings Of Leon/Walkmen double bill at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. We're huge fans of both bands, and we were more than a little frustrated to have a scheduling conflict for the gig. By all accounts the sold out show was a total blast, and delivered on both bands' enormous potential.

Since then, we've been snooping around the internets trying to find bits and pieces that sum it all up, and we've dug up some decent media for you to snack on. First, Music Induced Euphoria has a nice review of the gig, with pictures to go along with it. Second, youtube user "cafarm" apparently filmed just about every song of the night and posted them on their profile page. You can check out the video for "Milk" above, or click through for more vids.

Just goes to show you, even if you miss a show, the internet will be there to show you the love.

XOXO

Not So Silent Last Night: Spoon @ NSSN 2007

Some would say that it is silly to go to a radio holiday gig where you only have interest in two bands, and really are only going for one of those two. Those who say such things would not be us. We here at H.A.D. heard Spoon was playing NSSN 2007, and were determined to check it out. Modest Moust being on the bill didn't hurt either - they've got there fair share of respectable tunage. We managed to score a last minute ticket for $20, so you can't really argue with that. Plus, Spoon delivered, so we're happy campers.

The band was definitely in "rock" mode, and hammered through a set that consisted almost entirely of aggressive, rocking renditions of some of the band's better known songs. It was refreshing to hear some of the band's more "pop" material take on a more rock vibe. The opener "Fitted Shirt" (an H.A.D. favorite) was edgy and aggressive, and great for the big arena vibe.

Halfway through the set the band busted out "My Mathematical Mind", and let the guitars wail. The song is known for being Spoon's go-to "rock out" song, and this case was no exception. The band delivered a feedback drenched barage of noise that got the crowd rolling straight into the shaker-driven grooves of "Don't You Evah".

When the band finally busted into "The Underdog", it was clear that all the radio play has been paying off: the crowd was immediately on board for the latest hit. The rendition of the tune was fabulous, save for the synthesized horns: it seems like they should either drop them, or get a real trumpet. The crowd love of the "hit" was all that much more notable as the band closed the set with a killer version of "Quincy Punk Episode". At the close of the tune, Britt Daniel tossed his mic to the ground, and the band left the stage amidst a wall of sound.

The setlist was as follows:
Fitted Shirt
You Got Yr Cherry Bomb
The Way We Get By
My Mathematical Mind
Don't You Evah
I Summon You
The Underdog
Quincy Punk Episode

More photos at the H.A.D. flickr feed.

Not So Silent Night: It's Like The Treasure Island Festival, But Indoors!

Okay, okay, yes it's a snarky headline, but come on: the same two headliners as a local festival that occured less than 4 months ago? Someone needs to ramp up the creativity in the booking department over at Live 105. That being said, we here at H.A.D. love us some Spoonage to the max, and them Modest Mouse kids ain't half bad either. Despite feeling like corporate shills, we'll see you there.

Tickets still on sale over at ticketmaster...

Liars: New Album, Bill Graham in October

I have yet to make mention of the new Liars eponymous album that is coming out on Tuesday (It was supposed to be out last Tuesday, got pushed forward). It's exciting to have a new disc from a band that really seems to be at the forefront of breaking new ground with every record they release.

I first heard of Liars in the 2001 days of the "new-garage" onslaught from New York City: lead singer Angus Andrew was dating Yeah Yeah Yeahs front-woman Karen O, and mentions of the two bands usually went hand in hand. I have to admit that they didn't actually catch my interest that much at the time, and I let the second album slide by me upon its release.

That all changed, however, with last year's Drum's Not Dead. The album is a challenging sonic masterpiece, and its appeal was increased by the inclusion of a full-length film to accompany the album, as well as a 5.1 surround mix of the audio (a personal sound-fetish, but that's for another post). The sound is difficult to explain without hearing it, but it's at once dischordant and melodic, experimental and straightforward, aggressive yet subtle. Needless to say, a follow-up from such a dynamic disc is eagerly awaited. A few hype machine assisted listens in, and I'm still absorbing it. However, at first listen it seems to be a tad more straight-ahead rock than the last album. You can find almost all the tracks on the net at this point (it leaked in June), but I encourage you to pick up the disc and support the band.

In the other half of this news-bite, I'm wrestling with disappointment with the band's upcoming San Francisco appearance. The show is at Bill Graham Civic Center on Saturday October 20th, providing support for Interpol. I'm disappointed by this development for so many reasons. For one, the Bill Graham is probably my least favorite venue in the city: It's a vacuous, gigantic space with poor sound, and very little to offer concert goers besides $6 gummy bears. It's sad that this is Bill Graham's legacy.

On top of the venue, there's the tour support for Interpol. Granted, the bands came out of New York at the same time, and maybe it's just buddies doing one another a favor. Unfortunately, I think it reads more like Interpol countering their recent major label release with a dose of "indie cred" in the opener slot. I've seen Interpol a number of times, and while they're a solid live band, I'm disappointed that their icy (and to me, boring) set is going to cut into what could be a Liars headline gig at a smaller venue. Here's hoping that Liars will swing through town to take another shot at a smaller headlining gig. In the meantime, I'll probably try to jump on board at Bill Graham - if I can find a cheap ticket.

mp3: Liars - Plaster Casts Of Everything
Stream: Liars @ Myspace - Entire album

Arctic Monkeys to DJ @ Popscene

In the continuing trend of talented musicians proving they know how to play cds, Arctic Monkeys will be DJ'ing Popscene on September 27th. The DJ set is billed as an "afterparty" for their show earlier in the evening at the monolithic Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. So, if you like to watch British musicians play CDs in a room full of sweaty 18 year olds, this is your lucky day! I kid, I kid...everyone likes Popscene, right?

mp3: Arctic Monkeys - Flourescent Adolescent