The NYC rock scene has a noble history of artists flirting with noise, and Zs are one of the most interesting local acts to worship the less pleasant side of the sonic universe. Rather than noise rock, which brings to mind droney guitar-generated sounds and feedback a la’ Sonic Youth, Zs’ music features a dominant percussive quality, that places them in "industrial" territory, and a lack of structure found in experimental or jazz music. The band has just released the new album "New Slaves" under Social Registry with a show at the Knit last night. Their next show will be at Issue Project Room on June 26 – don’t forget the earplugs!

We continue our "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record sotre personnel and DJs). Many of the bands in this list will play The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest in Williamsburg in May (6 shows in 3 different venues between the 13 and the 15).

With their eerie vocals (in French), ginormus buzzy synths and gritty electronic beats, Xeno and Oaklander somehow manage to make music that mixes teutonic industrial atmospheres, alternative electro-goth from the 80s, and the refined aura of the Nouvelle Vague (the film movement, not the band). French/Norwegian Liz Wendelbo sings accented melodies adding a dream-pop feel to their sound as Sean McBride’s low vocals dramatically waver. The duo uses bright chords and catchy dance beats and glitzy synthesizer sounds to create a fantastic, rainbow-colored discotheque in listeners’ minds. While upbeat and dancey, there is also a spooky, wispy quality to their curious tunes. Don’t mis their show at the Knit, within the Eye and Ear Fest, on May 23. – Lauren Piper

There’s a lot to love about Jesse Malin. He’s got that bad-ass rock n’ roll gene that’s youthful and rebellious, and yet old-school enough to pass for classic rock genius. Songs like “Almost Grown,” and “Don’t Let Them Take You Down” are examples of Malin’s gritty, yet heartfelt ballads. In his still rather short musical carreer he’s shared stages with Lucinda Williams, The White Stripes, and even crafted a duet, “Broken Radio” with “The Boss” himself!
After three solo albums and seven years of touring, the indie songwriter came back to New York wondering what to do next. In 2009, Malin got together with Don DiLego, Randy Schrager, Matt Hogan and DJ Tommy USA and formed his new band, The St. Mark’s Social. In late April, Malin and the St. Mark’s Social have finished the band’s latest record, LOVE IT TO LIFE. Hot tracks include: the bluesy “Disco Ghetto”, the catchy “St. Mark’s Sunset”, and the exhilarating “Black Boombox”. Although his roots hail from the punk/hardcore era (as front man of Heart Attack), LOVE IT TO LIFE is proof that Malin has ascended the punk rock hierarchy to become indie pop punk king.
Jesse Malin and the St. Mark’s Social will be headlining Bowery Ballroom this Saturday, May 15th. Be sure to check it out! –Melissa Wong

Closing the month of April, Brooklyn-based Raccoon Fighter raided Cake Shop along with Spanish Prisoners, She Keeps Bees, and Shark?. Raccoon Fighter kept their performance fresh and played with an infectious bite, minus the rabies, trading musical chairs between lead vocalist, Sean Gavigan, and fellow coon, Zac Ciancaglini,on guitar and drums. Backed by the new addition to the pack, Gabe Wilhelm on bass, the trio unmasked a pleasantly seductive, slinky style of raw rock. The forceful downbeats and shuffling percussion in between, lax guitar strums, and anxious, bluesy vocals of notable tunes, “The Upbeat,” “Rollin’ Wheel,” “Pillow Surf,” and “Forgot to Rot” left their marks on Cake Shop, making Raccoon Fighter a group to track. -Meijin Bruttomesso

We continue our "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record sotre personnel and DJs). Many of the bands in this list will play The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest in Williamsburg in May (6 shows in 3 different venues between the 13 and the 15).

“We’re both rock guys at heart,” say StreetLab. Perhaps this is why they will perform with a new "rock" line-up at The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest on 05.15 at Glasslands (the band will be opening our electronic late party with Glass Ghost and Gordon Voidwell at 11.30 and then DJ later). The DJ-ing duo of Mark ‘Coz’ Lamorg and Ryan Leary have become dab hands at taking rock songs and giving them dance-ability. But with their debut full length CD they are pushing the envelope by stepping outside the creative limits of the remixing format: ‘Auto SPKR’ features 14 original songs of their aggressive electronic signature, including the single NYSound, that’s been available for streaming for awhile. Similarly to other projects with a background in the remixing field, Streetlab employs guest singers in most of their songs – you can preview a bunch of them on their myspace page here.

The indie hip hop scene, much like the indie-rock scene, is characterized by a remarkable diversity. Brooklyn rap group Junk Science has put a lot of time and work into distinguishing themselves from the pack. Each record they release is a collection of sonic experiments yielding consistently positive results. The music on their third release, A Miraculous Kind of Machine (ModernShark), truly sounds as if it has been spliced and stitched together in some dusty lab. DJ Snafu’s beats are an immediate draw; his creative sample usage and amazing knack for head-nod rhythm are reminiscent of an East-coast Madlib. Partner-in-Rhyme, Baje One, adds to the chemistry with diverse and playful lyricism, and I swear you can hear him smiling as he raps. With a name like Junk Science, you can tell these guys don’t take themselves too seriously. “Machine” shines in its levity and unassuming funkiness. They’ll be celebrating its release at The Knitting Factory on May 28th. – BrokeMC

On May 15, Shinobi Ninja will invade Mercury Lounge on a hometown mission. Shinobi Ninja’s debut single, "Brooklyn to Babylon," has generated hype with its unique accessory, a video game application, “Brooklyn to Babylon: Shinobi Ninja Attacks,” that is playable on iPods, iPhones, and iPads. The catching and clever format reflects a comparably distinct fusion genre of hip-hop, punk, grunge, and metal. A full length album is due out in July of this year but meanwhile, sneak through the Lower East Side and dance to SN’s festival of sounds. With a colorful mélange of musical roots and array of personalities that match the Brooklyn natives’ eye-catching wardrobe and vibrant onstage chemistry, Shinobi Ninja promises a wild party at the Lounge. Doors at 10:30; 21+; $10 Adv /$12 DOS. –Meijin Bruttomesso

Miracles of Modern Science have been gaining popularity over the past couple of years because of their aggressive approach to a normally mellow genre: orchestral pop. MOMS’ richness of double bass and cello, rare sound of mandolin, violin, drums, and baritone vocals, combine pizzicato and slides against a drum time signature imitating war march vigor. With upcoming scheduled appearances at the Deli’s Best of NYC Fest on May 15 and a scheduled residency at Cake Shop this summer, you too might be curious to hear this colorful orchestral pop-rock band – or as MOMS better describes, “ecstatic live shows [that] have been shaking hips with instruments grandma might have waltzed to.” – Gina Alioto

The Press fits into a few different spots: they’ve got this subtle and folky warmth, a kind of cohesive thrash, a straight-forward upbeat dance grove, an in-your-face weirdness. They can touch on Primus and Grizzly Bear and The Stones and Saves the Day all at once, or completely disparately. The Beatles touchstone they cite is odd considering the band’s somewhat conspicuous lack of vocal harmony (they do have moments); but it’s also fitting in some of the ambitious turns the band makes song-to-song. Also on those vocals: the half-sung snarl reminds one of (all people) Daryl Palumbo or the more aggressive side of Isaac Brock – that is, until they make one of those hard turns and a feather-soft croon whomps you in the face with all the power of slumber-party pillow fight – it’s a good-natured kind of pain. The Brooklyn quartet is worth checking out, if only for their impressive collection of influences. See The Press live at The Clash Bar in Clifton NJ on 05.07 – DWE

This Saturday, May 8th, fans of roots music as revisited by NYC (and NJ) hipsters can enjoy a lineup of ass-kickin’ country, punk, Americana, and good ol’ fashioned rock n’ roll. The Roadside Graves (in the picture – who just played with Andrew W.K.), GunFight!, Quiet Loudly, Yoni Gordon and the Goods, Movers and Shakers (Boston), Spirit Family Reunion and Wild Harem (on tour from Austin) will perform at Shea Stadium (warehouse venue) in Brooklyn. Duke Street Blog will be on hand to document the craziness for a new web series. Doors at 8! Don’t miss it!

Semi Precious Weapons (featured on the cover of the 16th issue of the Deli back in 2008) have been circling the globe on Lady Gaga’s “Monster Ball Tour” and ,in between, headlining their very own mini-tour. While this busy band might seem to have no chance to breathe, let alone record an album, the stunning four will release “You Love You” this June in time for more summer stints with Gaga. A blend of balladic and boisterous banter, SPW’s newest album bristles with their penchant for “filthy glamour” and outrageous magnetism. Sexually charged “I Could Die” bursts with shouts and driving riffs, “Put a Diamond in It" stomps, and a wild “Sticky with Champagne” bubbles with innuendo. A change of pace with canon-style “Leave Your Pretty to Me,” dramatic “Statues of Ourselves,” and romantic yet narcissistic “Look at Me” reveal the gentler side of these beautiful Brooklynites. Re-released revisions of the band’s anthems, “Semi Precious Weapons,” “Rock ‘n Roll Never Looked So Beautiful” and “Magnetic Baby” stand as staples in the band’s growing “Precious Empire.” –Meijin Bruttomesso

We stumbled upon this video by Darwin Deez and it became a perfect excuse to mention once again how much we like this guy (we already did in October 2009 when we "proclaimed" his album "Constellations" NYC CD of the Month). The man is currently touring the UK, but he’ll be back in NYC on June 22 with a show at Santos Party House – fans may want to look for those tickets now.