A Place To Bury Strangers - US TOUR

A Place To Bury Strangers Announce Tour with The Joy Formidable Premiere New Video for "So Far Away"
A Place To Bury Strangers have just premiered the new video for their song "So Far Away" with SPIN Magazine as well as announced their upcoming Spring tour with The Joy Formidable. The video for "So Far Away" was created by band member Oliver Ackermann using a collage of his own photos. Using the iPhone application Hipstamatic, Ackermann got the idea after importing some photos from his phone to his computer & watching them flash in quick succession across the screen: "The pictures are all take with Ina's 1969 Film with the iPhone application Hipstamatic. I did this because it is one of the most common ways photos are taken and shared at this moment in time. The photos were all taken since our van was stolen in Italy. Once I started importing photos and assembling them then I realized with a couple of the cool driving sequences that I shot I should shoot some things in an animation style. The story in the video is personal and reflective of our lives over the past year or so." Watch "So Far Away" A Place To Bury Strangers have also announced they will tour with The Joy Formidable across the US this Spring. The bands will start on the west coast with dates in San Francisco and LA before heading across the Midwest through to the East Coast & wrapping it up with dates in Montreal and Toronto. A full list with details is below. The dates will follow the release of their Onwards To The Wall EP, which is out on February 7 on Dead Oceans. The EP contains 5 brand new, face-melting tracks that explore the limits of loud.
	RECENT PRAISE FOR APTBS "A wall of sound does not even begin to describe the effect on the ears when the New York band A Place to Bury Strangers performs. From the pulsing floor, through your toes, and up your spinal column, everything in your body starts to tremble…a must-see. More than just a shock to the system, the trio’s music is completely solid." - NYTIMES T MAGAZINE "There's a '60s paisley pop structure to this, to which layers of doomy sonics and volume are added in typical APTBS style…Theirs is a sound you need to feel in your chest, even if you (wisely) wear earplugs." - BROOKLYN VEGAN "There's no coy nerdery here. A Place To Bury Strangers are as upfront and as lurid as they always are when they're simultaneously torpedoing one's notions of the melodic and the blaring." - RCRD LBL
TOUR DATES: 03/12/12 - San Francisco, CA - Independent* 03/13/12 - San Francisco, CA - Independent* 03/14/12 - Los Angeles, CA - The Music Box* 03/17/12 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre* 03/19/12 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe* 03/20/12 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre* 03/22/12 - Bloomington, IN - The Bluebird* 03/23/12 - Cincinnati, OH - 20th Century Theatre* 03/24/12 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade* 03/25/12 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel* 03/26/12 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club* 03/28/12 - New York, NY - Terminal 5* 03/29/12 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer* 03/30/12 - Boston, MA - Paradise* 03/31/12 - Montreal, QC - Cabaret Mile-End* 04/02/12 - Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace* * = w/The Joy Formidable

Slow Club US Tour

SLOW CLUB ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

PERFORMING AT SXSW 2012

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM PARADISE IN STORES NOW

Moshi Moshi records proudly announces UK duo Slow Club's 2012 North American spring tour. The dates kick off in Washington DC on February 14th and see the band traversing the continent from east to west (and north to Canada) and back as they finish their run with an appearance at SXSW 2012.

The band are completing their most extensive North American tour yet in support of their critically acclaimed sophomore album Paradise, which received nods from Under The Radar (8 of 10) who featured the band in their year end issue, The New York Times, Rolling Stone who labeled them a "Band To Watch", and Pitchfork who write that "the duo has evolved from being among the best of an indie pop field overcrowded with cutesy duos to carving out a distinct niche for itself that opens up further opportunities for creative growth."

Paradise at iTunes, Insound

Watch videos for the singles "Where I'm Waking" and "Two Cousins"

Slow Club - If We're Still Alive

www.slowclubband.com


Upcoming North American Tour Dates:

FEBRUARY
14 - Washington, DC - DC9
15 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
16 - Brooklyn, NY - The Bell House
17 - Boston, MA - TT The Bears
18 - Montreal, QC - Casa Del Popolo
19 - Toronto, ON - Rivoli
21 - Pontiac, MI - The Pike Room
22 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle

MARCH
06 - Vancouver, BC - Media Club
07 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern
08 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
10 - San Francisco, CA - Brick & Mortar Music Hall
11 - Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex
12 - San Diego, CA - Casbah

SXSW 2012 dates TBA

Le Butcherettes "Tiny Desk Concert"

Le Butcherettes record NPR Tiny Desk Concert, announce Coachella performances

Click image above to watch video

"Watch singer Teri Gender Bender transform from a soft-spoken musician into a rock 'n' roll beast." -- NPR

Beloved garage-punk trio Le Butcherettes are currently at work on a followup to last year's breakout debut, Sin Sin Sin. However, that hasn't kept Teri Gender Bender out of the public eye. The group's charismatic singer/guitarist/keyboardist recently recorded a captivating live acoustic set for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series. Watch the video HERE.

Le Butcherettes also announce today they will perform at this year's Coachella festival on both Sundays, April 15th and 22nd in Indio, CA. Omar Rodriguez Lopez -- who is also reprising his role as producer and bass player for the band's sophomore album -- will be playing bass for these shows.

Le Butcherettes' critically-praised debut album Sin Sin Sin is available to STREAM HERE. Check out MP3s for other album tracks, "Henry Don't Got Love" HERE and "New York" HERE.

Le Butcherettes' full length debut, Sin Sin Sin was produced by Omar Rodriguez Lopez and issued on May 10th, 2011 on Rodriguez Lopez Productions via Sargent House.

The return of THE REFUSED

Ten years ago I did an interview with Dennis Lyxzen of The Refused and International Noise Conspiracy. He assured me that there would never be any reunion. Here's what he said:

AL: What is the situation with your old band The Refused? This is a really popular band in the punk world in USA. Are there any plans to reform? Many people who like Noise Conspiracy are people who are also fans of The Refused. They still play videos on cable channels here as if The Refused were a new band. The band has been defunct for a while?

Dennis: Yeah it has for over three years. It's so much part of the past. When that video of The Refused came out in the States, the band had already been broken up. Many people didn't know that. I think that if people enjoy Noise Conspiracy because they liked The Refused, that they are off-base there. This is how I feel: If you like the politics of The Refused, I can see you liking The Noise Conspiracy. But if you like the music of The Refused, and base that on liking The Noise Conspiracy, that's fucked up. The two have nothing to do with each other. There will never be a reunion show. There will never be anything else coming out by The Refused. People get into the band now, but it doesn't exist. The last record was done over four years ago. For me, I don't even think about it, ever.

The Refused will be appearing at Coachella on April 13th & 20th. Probably some more US dates too.

GONJASUFI "MU.ZZ.LE"

GONJASUFI
STREAM NEW TRACK “FEEDIN’ BIRDS” NOW
MINI-ALBUM MU.ZZ.LE OUT JAN 24 IN THE US



Musician, poet and unmistakable vocalist Gonjasufi (aka Sumach Ecks) has unveiled the cryptic new track from his forthcoming mini-album MU.ZZ.LE.

Hear “Feedin’ Birds” here: http://bit.ly/ylAfxJ

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The track, a duet with his wife, is indicative of the deeper and more personal nature of MU.ZZ.LE.
As Sumach explains, “(The record is) a way to reflect on my actions. It’s very emotional and dark, the record. It’s been a dark time of my life, probably the darkest, but I’ve been able to maneuver through that and turn the darkness into light.”

MU.ZZ.LE is released on January 24 in the US and follows his debut album, 2009’s acclaimed A Sufi and A Killer and 2010’s remix project The Caliph’s Tea Party.

Recorded and mixed at his home, it also includes recent track "Nikels & Dimes" – available for free download here: www.warp.net/gonjasufi

The mini-album will be available on CD, digitally, double 10" vinyl and as a limited screenprinted poster with download code at select record stores.



MU.ZZ.LE, although short in it’s length, is huge on messages. Political, social and spiritual interpretations that define an artist. Written on the road, it was an outlet for Gonjasufi to challenge himself. It’s the response to all the adrenaline, aggression and anger he felt traveling the world, it’s a spectrum of his creativity and a testimony of how one man’s passion and determination is often misunderstood as anger. “There’s a duality that exists and to deny it, is the biggest mistake”. The album's downtempo strings, heartbreaking soul, reanimated hip-hop and crackling haunting vocal stylings are stitched as a running thread throughout each song like a patchwork quilt.

Ten Years of Noise Pop 2001-2011

NOISE POP CELEBRATES ITS TWENTIETH YEAR. 2012 will be my 11th year in a row.

Noise Pop started in 1993. I lived in San Francisco back in those days. Maybe I attended some of those shows in the mid-1990s. Sometimes you go to a gig and you don't know about the festival surrounding it. I came back to SF at the end of 2000, around the time Kid A came out. I became aware of the festival early in 2001, when I decided to interview the band Call and Response. In those days, it seemed like Noise Pop was a festival featuring shows by John Vanderslice, Creeper Lagoon, and Mark Eitzel, plus a lot of local talent. Over the years I discovered it was more.

Noise Pop SF 2001 could best be remembered by performances by The White Stripes, Blonde Redhead, Bright Eyes, and maybe forgotten bands like Beulah, Pedro The Lion, Girls Against Boys, and Oranger.

I did an interview with:
Call and Response (2001)

And later with:
Stratford 4 (2002)
Blonde Redhead (2004)

Noise Pop SF 2002 was the ten year anniversary. It marked the return of The Fastbacks. It was also the year of Death Cab For Cutie, Modest Mouse, Big Star, Daniel Johnston, The New Pornographers, and Guided By Voices. I was unaware of many of these indie bands who would go on to bigger successes. Internet buzz was a thing of the future. I do remember the "hot" must-see band of this festival was The Faint. I was at this show and was unimpressed. I did catch an early version of the Detroit band Adult. who I interviewed later. I saw The Faint many times later, I became a fan years later. Also this festival featured the final show of The Moldy Peaches.

I did an interview with:
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (2002)
Azure Ray (2002)

Later:
Adult. (2003)

Noise Pop SF 2003 I would describe as "very mellow." At least the shows that I went to were that way. Although it started off with a pre-party with Har Mar Superstar. It was the first time I saw him, and would lead to many interviews later. I saw Stephen Malkmus, Cat Power, The Dirtbombs, The Von Bondies, The Pleased, Smog, Calexico, and more. It was probably memorable for being one of the first shows by Joanna Newsom. I ended up doing the very first interview with her, a few months afterwards, a year before her album came out.

I did an interview with:
Joanna Newsom (2003)
The Von Bondies (2003)

And later with:
The Pleased (2004)
Har Mar Superstar (2004)
The Dirtbombs (2004)

Noise Pop SF 2004 I barely remember. There were a load of hot bands but I can hardly remember any of these shows. I look at the list and see Dillinger Escape Plan, Low, Jolie Holland, Trachtenburg Family, British Sea Power, Ted Leo, Dead Meadow, Super Furry Animals, The Stills, Rilo Kiley, Court and Spark, The Wrens, The Tyde, Devendra Banhart, and Joanna Newsom. On paper that looks like a cool festival, but some reason I was not feeling it. I did a few interviews during this festival.

I did an interview with:
Low (2004)
British Sea Power (2004)

I also interviewed:
Devendra Banhart (2002)
The Stills (2004)
The Unicorns (2004)

Noise Pop SF 2005 I had parted ways with Free Williamsburg. I had moved to LA in November 2004 and wouldn't come back to NYC for five years. I was more organized in 2005 and more into the shows. One of the hot tickets was with Hot Hot Heat and Louis XIV. Other bands featured were Ted Leo, Mates of State, Smoosh, The Polyphonic Spree, Tussle, Joanna Newsom (she was peaking out in 2005), Bettie Serveert, Two Gallants, Giant Drag, Rogue Wave, Keren Ann, A Girl Called Eddy, and The Walkmen. I went to the wrong venue and discovered Inara George. This was the first year I was working with Keith Martin of SF Burning. It was like another Free Williamsburg hipster site, but located in San Francisco.

I did an interview with:
A Girl Called Eddy (2005)
Louis XIV (2005)

Also interviews with:
Smoosh (2005)
Giant Drag (2006)
The Walkmen (2002)
The Polyphonic Spree (2003)
Keren Ann (2008)

Noise Pop SF 2006 was a very diverse event. It opened with a show with Flaming Lips. Unfortunately I wasn't in town for it. There were also some great acts like Isis, The Dirtbombs, The Black Lips, Britt Daniel, Rogue Wave, Octopus Project, Nous Non Plus, Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid, The National, Silversun Pickups, Cold War Kids, We Are Scientists, The Grates, Xiu Xiu, Feist, Vetiver, and the first tour by Wolfmother. I did an interview with Isis but the tape didn't work properly. My only documented memory is the interview I did with We Are Scientists. I sure can pick them. I ended up seeing We Are Scientists many times during 2006.

I did an interview with:
We Are Scientists (2006)
Also to be noted:
The Flaming Lips (2000)
The Black Lips (2007)
Xiu Xiu (2005)
Vetiver (2008)

Noise Pop SF 2007 I almost didn't go to. I was broke and I had parted ways with SF Burning. They wrote to me that I was fired. I wrote back to them: "SF Burning without me is like Kiss without the makeup." I put a curse on them. Months later the main writer of SF Burning, Tuula Ala, was in a severe bike accident and broke some bones. SF Burning has done about five interviews in the past four years. Good luck with the regime change and the influx of the new San Francisco centric point of view. My friend Brooke really wanted to go this year because it was the first Roky Erickson show in many years. I had barely any money, but we drove up anyways. Besides Roky Erickson and The Explosives, there was Willy Mason, Sebadoh, No Age, French Kicks, The Donnas, Jolie Holland, St. Vincent, Autolux, The Dandy Warhols, Dead Meadow, Brightblack Morning Light, Clinic, Midlake, Cake, and The Dwarves. I did no interviews at Noise Pop this year, due to bad planning. But Brooke did take some photos, and I met Johnny of Crystal Antlers. I remember that this was the first year with a lot of great day parties.

Pictures:
Roky Erickson (2007)

Related interview:
The Dandy Warhols (2003)

Noise Pop SF 2008 was one of those gap years with a few surprises. I remember going to some of the art shows and the parties at the Diesel Store were great. It was here where I first saw The Morning Benders. Some of the stand out acts were Entrance, The Walkmen, Fleet Foxes, The Dodos, Stellastarr*, The Magnetic Fields, The Mountain Goats, Holy Fuck, A Place To Bury Strangers, White Denim, Helio Sequence, Cursive, Darker My Love, The Gutter Twins, British Sea Power, The Virgins, and She & Him. Again I did no interviews during the festival this year but many of the acts were repeats.

Related interviews:
Stellastarr* (2002)
A Place To Bury Strangers (2009)

Noise Pop SF 2009 was yet another year with no interviews and plenty of parties. Many stand out gigs include Antony and The Johnsons, William Basinski, Sleepy Sun, Kings and Queens, Martha Wainwright, The Fresh and The Onlys, Kool Keith, Maus Haus, St. Vincent, The Morning Benders, Bob Mould, Deerhunter, Girls, No Age, Les Savy Fav, and The Drums. When I see these names I recognize a bunch of now hip indie bands. I remember running up a hill to go see Antony and the Johnsons at Masonic Temple. Afterwards I met a friend at Mezzanine where I caught a little of Deerhunter. We ended up getting a drink with Mark Eitzel. Eitzel was his crazy brilliant self. I ended up catching Mountain Goats, Martha Wainwright, but my favorite show was probably St. Vincent, who I have seen a few times now.

Noise Pop SF 2010 was slightly different. I was working with the band Magic Wands. They had been living in Oakland for a few months. On the first night I ran into Har Mar Superstar. Then I went back over to Oakland to see Plastic Ono Band and Deerhoof at the Fox Oakland, my first Noise Pop gig outside SF. The next night I saw Ghost of the Saber Tooth Tiger at the Independent. The next night I was supposed to see Citay and Scout Nibblet, but I ended up watching Magic Wands practice in Downtown SF. The next night Magic Wands played with Atlas Sound at the Great American Music Hall. A great show. The next night I saw Soundtrack of our Lives and Nico Vega. This was the first year I went with photographer Angel Ceballos, and I interviewed both bands. There were plenty of good bands playing last year: Harlem, Best Coast, Young Prisms, Free Energy, Weekend, The Mummlers, The Growlers, Four Tet, Mark Kozelek, Magnetic Fields, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and The Watson Twins, but I was too busy to check out many of the bands. But I had a fun time.

Interviews:
The Soundtrack of our Lives
Nico Vega
The Watson Twins

NOISE POP SF 2011 I spent a lot of time with Tamaryn and Nick Zinner. I kept running into the same crowd at every twist and turn. I saw some interesting films about Feist and Devendra Banhart. The best shows were The Black Ryder + The Soft Moon at Cafe du Nord. Best Coast and Wavves was very packed at the Regency Ballroom.

--Alexander Laurence

Ramones Bobbleheads

N O W A V A I L A B L E !
Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone Wacky Wobblers by FUNKO

Together, legendary guitarist Johnny Ramone, and legendary punk-rock bassist Dee Dee Ramone created a wall of sound that defined the driving force of the Ramones. For the first time ever in their history making legacy, Johnny and Dee Dee have been rendered as bobblehead figures, or as FUNKO calls them, Wacky Wobblers.

Both of these stylized 6-inch tall figures come decked in traditional Ramones leather jackets, and armed with their weapons of choice, (guitar and bass respectively). They're detailed right down to Johnny's infamous frown, Dee Dee's enigmatic glare, and the matching shoulder chains that bookended them on stage while changing the face of rock 'n' roll.

Both can be ordered now for $14.95 each at: http://aggronautix.com/products.cfm