L.A.

Another Prawn on the Barbie!

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ja prawn

Ja Prawn was born from the murky depths of the LA River in the early millennium, and has been relentlessly rocking Los Angeles’ diveyest dance clubs and underground caverns ever since.  Ja Prawn is a demigod sculpted of synth sludge, apocalyptic sci-fi soundtracks, and pawn shop lo-fi glory.  After honing their sound at Don Bolles’ nightclub "Ding-a-Ling" in Silverlake, CA, Ja Prawn has finally unleashed its spawn into the world. Their first album, "Everybody" is being released by vosotros.  It’s instantly danceable. Have them play your mum’s birthday.

NYC

Steel Train release new album in June, single out now

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Steel Train is a cool NJ based avant-pop band that has been around for awhile but for some reason hasn’t been detected by our music radars until now. We like their openly pop songwriting contaminated by schizophrenic arrangements – which skillfully and playfully quote and juxtapose all sorts of musical references. In "Turnpike Ghost" for example, the preview track from their 5th release out in June, the band’s post/punk approach (reminiscent of some sort of Animal Collective/Clash hybrid) meets David Bowie’s attitude and dramatic delivery, and Queen’s wacky epic changes and guitar solos. The band will release a 7" limited edition vinyl of this song with a b-side cover of BULLETPROOF (by La Roux) for this year’s installment of Record Store Day (April 17th.) Currently on tour, Steel Train will be back live in NJ on April 30 for the Hoodwink Festival.

Chicago

Shots EP

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The Vindits have a new ep called Shots, which they will be releasing on April 22nd at Beat Kitchen. This is the bands third ep and follows their 2009 ep Overactive Sundays. The bands plays dark and gritty rock music and is sure to entertain. The band will also be appearing on 89.5, Vocalo.org on April 16th from 2-3pm.

Philadelphia

Univox Wanna Rock at North Star Bar April 12

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The Philly four-piece Univox bring a refreshing interpretation of rock ‘n roll to their live performance. They can blister through songs with some serious ferocity often driven by the band’s sturdy backbone drummer Kent Boersma. When their music swells and you find yourself amidst joyous multi-layered harmonies, you can only grin because you know that you are experiencing something that is truly over the top in a good way. Univox will be joined tonight at the North Star by Thinking Machines, Br’er and an interesting new outfit from Chicago, Ornery Little Darlings. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9pm, $8, 21+ myspace.com/univoxmusic – H.M. Kauffman  

 

 

NYC

Wakey Wakey releases CD, headlines Bowery on May 20th

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We’ve been following Mike Grubb’s Wakey!Wakey! project develop over the years through the various phases (from his solo beginnings to the current full band orchestration) and we are happy to see the man is finally reaping the benefits of all his hard work. Wakey!Wakey! play a mixture of orchestral pop and alt rock that speaks to the heart. Driven by the piano, the band’s songs develop in many different directions, sometimes flirting with the emotional intensity a’ la Coldplay, other times building up a more playful, bouncy approach reminiscent of early Elton John or pre–Broadway Billy Joel. You can catch the band "e-live" (attention, we will copyright this term!) on Facebook every Monday at 8pm until May 17, and "real-live" at the Bowery on May 20th.

NYC

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart announce new single

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We receive and gladly publish a message from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, presenting the new single "Say No to Love", which will be released digitally in early June:

"Just a quick update form the land of Pains to let you know what we’ve been up to. 2009 was so amazing, and 2010 is shaping up to be even better. We had so much fun touring Japan, Australia and New Zealand in February and in June we’ll be touring the US to support our new single coming out on Slumberland Records, "Say No to Love." Joining us will be two of our favorite new bands, Surfer Blood and Hooray for Earth. After that, it’s back home to New York to start making our next record!
In many ways, "Say No to Love" is pretty Pains-by-numbers. It’s got 3 chords, a fuzz pedal and lots of feelings. But instead of recording in the basement like we did for our album and both EPs, we recorded in an actual studio (Stratosphere Sound in New York). We tried hard to make it sound, as Peggy would say, "life affirming" and we’re pretty excited about how it turned out. We hope you are too. Oh, and before I forget– sea foam green vinyl!!! Thanks!!! – Kip, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Philadelphia

Mikey Galactic CD Release Party at The Troc Balcony April 10

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Mikey Galactic first crashed onto the scene playing a major role in a crazy film called Bikini Bandits Save Christmas alongside Philly’s godfather of gangsta rap Schoolly D and Maynard James Keenan. Since then he disappeared and fell off the radar, but tonight’s show marks the comedy singers triumphant return and album release. And with randomly catchy tunes like “Oh My God” and “Explode”, it’s sure to be memorable. Also on the lineup will be the fantastically freaky Squidling Bros. Circus Sideshow who are ready to give a twisted preview of what their ready to bring to the Tiberino Museum during another amazing season of Carnivolution. The Troc Balcony, 1003 Arch St., 10pm, $12 adv/$14 door, 21+ myspace.com/mikeygalactic – Bill McThrill

 

Philadelphia

Scott Churchman Record Release Party at The Ox April 10

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Scott Churchman will be celebrating the release of his self-titled album on Single Girl, Married Girl Records tonight at The Ox w/Snow Caps, The New Heaven and The New Earth, and Ramona Cordova. You may know Churchman from his work with local bands Ape School and Folklore, whose members along with The Lilys, Whales and Cops, Kurt Vile and a handful of other musicians that he recruited to make this dark, haunting work which sounds like it channels the spirits that still lingered in the 16th century house where it was recorded. The Ox, (Just Ask myspace.com/theoxphiladelphia), 8pm, $5, All Ages myspace.com/scottchurchman – H.M. Kauffman

 

Philadelphia

Jotto Celebrate New Century Courting at M Room April 10

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Like many of the greats, Jotto formed during art school and managed to survive post-grad. Despite their quasi-cliché origin, this Brooklyn/Philly four-piece is anything but contrived. Setting to unveil their latest EP in a celebratory fashion, last March’s release of New Century Courting marks an end to countless months of recording that took place across the globe. Between Brooklyn and Tel-Aviv, Jotto’s sound remains intact, unpredictable and fresh. Lyrically fueled by their encounters with love, platonic and romantic, songs like “Little Coyotes” pay homage to city landscapes, booze and moonlight while the buzz and thump of “One Distraction” ushers a tribal backbeat into a shimmer of chants. New Century Courting is currently available for FREE download via their website. M Room. 15 W. Girard Ave, 9pm, $8, 21+ myspace.com/jottomusic – Dianca Potts

 

Philadelphia

‘tine – ‘tine The STDiva with a Ticket to Your Heart at JR’s April 10

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‘tine-‘tine (a.k.a. Christine Griffis) describes her music as having "atrocious sound quality and an accent to match." Her self-deprecating humor and sharp-witted tongue aimed directly at her ex-lovers are the driving force behind her short but sweet lo-fi hip-pop songs. She’s been making music since 2006 and already has two albums under her belt, so she’s spent plenty of time perfecting her craft of being as foul-mouthed as possible. Yes, it sounds like all her songs are made on GarageBand, and certainly that accent hints at a Jersey/NE Philly upbringing with the manners to match, but isn’t that the point? If you don’t get it, then screw ya! If you do get it, then join our STDiva tonight at JR’s where she’ll be sharing the bill with Filmstar, D&M, and Bornpilot. JR’s, 22nd and Passyunk Street, 8 pm, $5, 21+ myspace.com/radicalclavicles – Joe Poteracki