The Noise FM will be hosting their 4th Annual Noise For Toys Benefit Concert on December 13th at Township. The concert benefit Chicago’s Toys For Tots and feature Christmas themed performances from Blane Fonda, Bring Your Ray Gun and The Noise FM. The event will also feature an ugly sweater contest and lots of Christmas decorations.
Philadelphia
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Spend Thanksgiving Eve w/Teen Men, Needle Points & Purples at Boot & Saddle Nov. 26
As members of the noteworthy indie-pop group Spinto Band, singer Nick Krill and guitarist Joe Hobson had found a niche for creating catchy, original tunes that made a poetic statement. And the duo has taken that ability and crafted a sensory overload when they joined forces with photographer Catherine Maloney and filmmaker Albert Birney to start their new project Teen Men. The lavish quartet blend artistic alternative music and electronic ambient tones with a photographic and cinematic digital media filmscape to create a one of a kind live experience. Catching them at Boot & Saddle tonight will be the perfect way to spend your Thanksgiving Eve. Especially when they’ll be joined by psychedelic journeymen/woman Needle Points, who have also been known to deliver a mind altering live performance that’s complete with colorful costumes, dual percussionists, and the thrumming bass of Brian "Langor" Langan. The incendiary musical performance kicks off with a sure to be rockin’ set by Purples, featuring members of Philly indie-rock forefathers The Teeth. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Maciek Jasik) – Bill McThrill
L.A.
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Stream: Audacity, “Mind Your Own Business”
Fullterton,OC punn mainstays Audacity have just given an update to the Delta 5’s "Mind Your Own Business", giving the 1979 post-punk track more of a kick with a fierce guitar lead even if it retains the essence of the original. The track can be found on their latest 7", which is out on December 2nd on Suicide Squeeze Records.
NYC
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Album review: Monta At Odds – Robots of Munich
For those of you familiar with the music of Monta At Odds (a phrase that I’ll be using again later), you know that they have their own ideas of how best to use electronics and percussion and various other tools of the trade to create aural canvases that somehow combine both retro and futuristic influences. Some of their earlier work was described by someone—okay, it was me—as a soundtrack to a 1950s French film noir, only cooler. With their latest release, Robots of Munich on Haymaker Records, their focus has shifted to a cinematically-inspired imagining of a world a bit into the future in which machines are at the forefront—and some have fled to the Southern Hemisphere to pursue their longing to be more like one of us. More on that later.
Over the years, the band has made numerous appearances throughout Kansas City and Lawrence, and for a while it seemed as if you might see a new lineup at every other show. Monta has gone through several rosters but is now a muscular seven-piece, if memory serves from their appearance at KC Psychfest (P.S. I checked – memory does serve). Dedric and Delaney, the brothers Moore, remain the stalwarts of the group, with Delaney on keys, Dedric as bassist and bandleader, and both sharing songwriting and vocal duties (according to Dedric, he’s the McCartney of the brothers; Delaney is the Lennon).
Another of Dedric’s strengths is his ability to creatively package Monta music in such a way that when you purchase a physical copy, you’re getting something that’s as visually artistic as it is musically. From a CD stored in a very-past-its-prime floppy disc case to a clear vinyl album in a clear plastic jacket, the work of Monta At Odds is not hard to recognize. Robots will continue that tradition with a cover that is stylishly cut and protects a red vinyl album. The interior of the jacket will unfold to go into detail the connections between the music, a well-known sci-fi movie, and a well-known sci-fi novel. It’s a very ambitious undertaking to say the least. As Dedric said when asked about the origins of the album name, “(It) came from the movie Android which was sourced from the same book as Blade Runner. It was a news broadcast that the robots of Munich had been destroyed in their rebellion. It came out the same year as Blade Runner and crashed into oblivion immediately. That started the ball rolling with the concept of a handful of androids escaping and fleeing to South America (where all war criminals end up, right?). We then took inspiration from the theme of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? about where has our humanity gone and what actually makes us human.”
A pro-tip before you begin: it’s best to be in a dark place when listening to Monta At Odds. Not dark emotionally—actual darkness. Dimly lit. Illuminationally challenged. At a gig or while driving your car at night would be great. If listening through headphones is a viable option… take it.
For those of you familiar with the music of Monta At Odds (told you), you know that vocals are not of prime importance to the band’s output. Instrumentals are the more commonplace method of expression (six of the ten tracks on Robots are sans words), and when lyrics are enabled, their clarity can tend to be lost amid a swirl of waves and swooshes and reverb. This is by design, as the work of Tom Vek of the ultra-trippy Black Moth Super Rainbow is an obvious influence to the production used by Monta. The aim is to make the vocals sound more like an instrument than an individual, and “Salty Air Breezes” leads off the album with just such verbal distortion. The song tells of the story’s protagonist trying to blend in on Earth while searching for an escape to a place touted by a television commercial as a sunny, idyllic refuge. Yearning to leave behind the “beggars, bums, and nuns in the metro transit underground,” she puts “5000 revs on the poor fiat for hours on end” in an attempt to find safety and serenity.
The common theme of robot-wanting-to-be-human is expressed in the next track, “Android Dreams” (voiced by Monta alum and percussionist Mika Tanaya). The song itself is a paradox, as the lyrical desires to “be beautiful / feel love / share laughter / maybe feel pain” are expressed in a very staccato, sterile, mechanical fashion. Such is the dichotomy of the android’s life—if “android” and “life” aren’t themselves a dichotomy when used next to each other. These deep musings are to be contemplated as Robots continues its journey—and our heroine continues her search for existence that transcends zeros and ones.
Now, for those of you familiar with the music of Monta At Odds (see?), you know that their music likes to take its time and tell a story, letting development unfold in an unhurried manner … all of which is just fancy talk for “their music is mostly downtempo to midtempo in its pacing.” Which is all the more reason why I cannot stop myself from listening to “Relentless Pursuit” on repeat. This is 130 seconds of no-holds-barred rock, complete with some of the most incredible slide space guitar I’ve heard in a while. I was standing next to recordBar co-owner Steve Tulipana when I first heard this track at KC Psychfest, and it was pretty clear that it was his first time hearing it as well. When the tune got going, he and I turned to each other with eyes wide open in looks of mutual astonishment and approval. This was music designed to be the backdrop of an interstellar chase scene, as if those Dukes of Hazzard boys had taken the Millennium Falcon for a joy ride.
Robots of Munich is another leap forward for Monta At Odds and their electronic mission to expand minds. When I heard their set at KC Psychfest (and I think this year’s event at recordBar was the best one so far), I had a feeling the new album was going to be something worthy of more than a little consideration for mentions on some best of 2014 lists. After having heard the finished product, I stand by that statement.
I consider myself to be very familiar with the music of Monta At Odds … and I’m totally okay with that.
—Michael Byars
Monta At Odds will be celebrating the release of Robots of Munich at Mills Record Company this Black Friday, November 28. They will take the stage at 7:00 pm, followed by Trogolodyte. Facebook event page.
NYC
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Vandals Takeover: Punk rock prevails on Broadway
Just a stone’s throw from Westport, the space at 3740 Broadway is shaping its new identity. For years, Kenny’s News Room was a watering hole for journalists. It later became The News Room, a quintessential Midtown dive bar. In its later years, the establishment struggled to find its footing. New ownership transformed the spot into Black and Gold Tavern—an MU-themed bar—at the beginning of 2013. But like its predecessor, it failed to maintain a steady patronage and significance as a music venue. In March, the back room underwent a transformation, rebranding itself as the punk rock club Vandals.
“I like being able to provide a space for music, and I also like being able to pay local musicians for playing,” says Vandals’ manager Michelle Wyssmann. With that approach in mind, Vandals has grown into its own entity and has become a notable spot to catch a live show.
From the start, the venue set out to prove that it could thrive. A stage was built, an upgraded sound system purchased, and the grand opening party was stacked with a we-don’t-fuck-around lineup of The Big Iron, Drop A Grand, and Sneaky Creeps. Since then, Britt Adair has been booking local heavy hitters weekend after weekend, building bills that have made Vandals a haven for fans of distorted guitars and high-energy performances. DJs have taken up residency in the bar, helping bring in a regular crowd. The venue has also hosted the annual Center of the City Fest in April and its first Summer Kamp Fest in August, both of which boast more than 30 bands over 3 days.
Less than a year after taking the venue, Vandals has announced that the entire space will become theirs. Eager to don its new punk rock threads, Wyssmann notes that the bar area will feel more like a dive, and a wall of fame for bands will be constructed, but she reveals little else about the remodel. “I don’t want to give everything away, but know it will be very punk rock and that leopard print is my signature color,” she exclaims. The bar will be closing on Sunday, November 30, and reopening as Vandals on Tuesday, December 2 (Facebook event page).
With a lack of venues that cater to a punk rock crowd, Vandals has begun to fill a gap in the local community. “It’s really cool to see a lot of bands starting up again and sharing that history with the younger scene,” says Wyssmann, who recognizes the value of having a destination for musicians and fans to congregate. She’s also an artist who understands the need to foster music in the city. “I think it’s important [that musicians] have somewhere to go that cares about their future and wants to see them succeed.”
And in that same spirit of community support, reopening week will feature a slew of free shows, all leading up to the Vandals Takeover party on Saturday, December 6. Sex Offenders, Wick and the Tricks, Stiff Middle Fingers, Black on Black, and will play, while DJ Pat Brown will be spinning in the bar. A canned good can be exchanged for a raffle ticket; this will support the venue’s Punk Pantry. From 7 to 10 pm, various punk and horror vendors will be on hand to sell sweaters, scarves, home decor, and art.
—Michelle Bacon
Michelle is editor of The Deli KC and plays music with The Philistines, Dolls on Fire, and Drew Black & Dirty Electric.
Vandals will be closing on Sunday, November 30 and will reopen on Tuesday, December 2. Be sure to hit up one or all of their events next week. Why not? They’re all free. Facebook event page for the December 6 show.
Toronto
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LOWELL
Everything LOWELL! Lowell is a homegrown dynamic pop poet! She incorporates electric arrays of jungle beats, enchanting melodies and trend-setting lyrics that create her unforgettable vibrant persona. Completely hands-on in every aspect of her musical brand, standing out strong, Lowell’s videos are unique pieces of art that conceptualize her over all girl-pop power. Here’s her latest single ‘I Love You Money’, it’s a cheer pop rant anthem with firecracker beats and wolf howls! Don’t miss Lowell Dec 5 @ the Garrison, She is a super talent not to be missed!
Nashville
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Beef Oven at The East Room 11.26
A band has to be good when their name makes you giggle a tiny bit. Beef Oven is fairly new on the scene, having released their 6-track EP "Gimme the Blood" just this past June. Recorded by none other than Ben Spinks (of Supermelt fame), the EP grinds out some fuzzed-to-the-max jams with just the barest trace of blues and surf. Beef Oven is among the lineup for the second edition of 2 Jung 2 Dye’s Book Swap this Wednesday night (aka Thanksgiving Eve.) Phantom Farmer and Shoot the Mountain round out the bill; bring a book that you would like to share with a total stranger in hopes that it will bring the same joy into their life as it did your. Wednesday’s show starts at 8pm at The East Room. Dig our favorite track off "Gimme the Blood" to get in the spirit. -Terra James-Jura
New England
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Sports Coach Releases First EP
Most coaches probably spend their spend their spare time off the field rubbing their stupid bald heads like my old basketball coach; but not Sports Coach, coach of all sports, in his spare time he’s busy putting out music under the "athletic wear" genre of bandcamp. Once you get past the NFL soundbites at the beginning of every song you’ll find catchy little post punk tunes with an assist from lo fi. This ep only lasts a little bit over an average quarter but for Sports Coach it’s all about leading his team to victory. One day at a time.
-Hayden Karnitz
@hkarnutz
Chicago
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Honey an the 45’s
Honey an the 45’s are releasing their new album MAD on December 5th and celebrating with a show at Metro with Burnside Hooker, Midwest Hype, and Mike Flood & Co. Honey & The 45’s blends beautiful elements blues, jazz, rock and pop and are always entertaining.
Below is the title track from the new album that the band has graciously allowed me to share with you.
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Singing Sirens” (Album Version) – The Ghost In You
Animated simplicity, Billy Polard, a.k.a. The Ghost In You, created this video originally in 2011 for the demo version of “Signing Sirens,” using flipnote studio a program found on Nintendo DS. Now, the video contains/corresponds to the official recording included on the Wet Wood album. The message is so heartbreakingly clear that you could melt.
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Rather Die” (Feat. GIVV) – NAH
Found on NAH’s WOE (which will be released on vinyl January 6 via Ranch Records), this Brandon Kuzma-directed video for “Rather Die” featuring GIVV grabs with its instantaneous heart-thumping intensity, matched by the emcee’s strong authoritative delivery. With quick-transitional movements coupled with black and white imagery, the song pounces on you, meshing menace and power. Don’t be afraid to click repeat, and catch NAH in the flesh on Thursday, December 11 at Everybody Hits with Anwar Sadat.
San Francisco
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T Sisters Perform with Shook Twins at Leo’s in Oakland -12/12
Oakland based alt country band, T Sisters will be performing live at Leo’s Nightclub in Oakland on December 12th with Portland based band Shook Twins. If you’re in the East Bay and you’re into listening to some great Americana music, you should do your best to make it out. Mix up your music taste and your favorite music venue selection this holiday season!