Every year it seems like I go to one CMJ show, and this year it's the above triple-bill at Maxwell's tonight. Maximum R&B is expected. Oh by the way, speaking of Maxwell's, YLT will be back for their Eight Nights of Hanukkah extravaganza again starting Nov 29th. No word yet on opening acts, but tickets for each night at $20.
Good rock show. Surprisingly, it wasn't sold out - Bowery Ballroom was sold out in advance with almost exactly the same show (The Datsuns played in NYC but not Maxwell's) at a higher price on Thursday. Not complaining, as it gave people a bit of room to breathe. Only caught about the last 15 minutes of Rock & Roll Machine, a trio that's trying to do the White Stripes sound but not as well. I had heard Thee Shams on WFMU, but had missed how much they sound like The Greenhornes (who sound like The Searchers or The Zombies). In fact, they almost are The Greenehornes - band from Cincinnati, records for Telstar Records, oversized lead singer. They add a little bit of a jam/psychedelic kick to some of their songs, but overall they're just a good rambling blues rock band. It seemed like quite a few people left after Thee Shams, but the placed was almost full by the time The Dirtbombs went on at midnight. I was expecting Mick Collins to come out in a shiny silver suit with a flying V guitar (don't know why, that's just the impression I got from hearing them), but he just had a ripped t-shirt and dark sunglasses. This band has a heavy emphasis on deep sound - Mick on guitar, plus a female backup singer, two basses (one regular, one six-string fuzz) and two drummers. The Dirtbombs are from Detroit, so the MC5 are a clear influence with a heavier amount of traditional R&B. Nasty, loud stuff.
I met a friend who works for Capitol Records at a show last night, and he slid me an advance of The Music album and DVD of the video for "Take The Long Road". It really is quite good, in my opinion. Seems the record company intends to push that album hugely over here a la the push The Vines got/are getting. The band will be touring here nonstop starting immediately, and the album's not due out here 'til Feb 03! Obie-- That show must have smoked. CMJ booked so many shows this week that very few actually sold out. Must have been nice to have a little elbow room at Maxwells for that one. I don't know if you know Congorilla from the ESC, but he's tight with The Greenhornes & (recent NME cover stars) The Datsuns...in fact I think they crash at his place when they play the city. Good stuff both.
there are two versions of "Take the long road and walk it" .There is the new album version and the original version . I have to say that the original is miles better... The original video is also better... Seeing that video is the first time I heard them and I;ve been a fan ever since... It was a low budget black and white video filmed in an old warehouse.. you've probably seen the new colour video when the band is getting blown around by the wind... You'll have to get tickets for one of the USA gigs.. They're a good live act..
That's what's on the DVD...it's a bit corny, and the band is all skater-dude looking in track suits. If I had the sound down I would have thought the band was A or one of those kind of bands.
Maybe someday you can get your hands on a copy of the original video .Its alot better. I think you could get the original song on Kazaa.. Do a search for "take the long road" and you might find it.. its definitely better ,I cant understand why they remixed the song for the album. They've also done afew decent B-sides that might've made it onto the album.. tracks like... -Let love be the healer -Raindance .....
I just listened to the UK release of The Music's album at Virgin. Not bad at all. Sinner, do you know how different the US album will be from the UK album?
I suppose they will release the same version in the USA .If you want the UK version you can get it from amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...59492/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_3_1/026-2742941-2989246 get it shipped over instead of waiting for afew months... Or if you dont want to pay then download the tracks from kazaa.
Thanks. I'll see how much it is at Virgin and how much they charge for shipping at Amazon. Back to CMJ - the only shows I wanted to see (Sahara Hotnights, Calexico, Jurassic 5 at Hilton) were either sold out or couldn't get tickets to.
That's cool. I know of The Greenhornes because Job Beelock (Three Chord Monte) of 'FMU pushed them heavily last year when their debut was released, and it's mighty stuff. In the past year they've moved up from supporting others at Maxwell's to headlining the BB, so good for them.