MOG - highoctane's Posts

The Siren Festival

highoctane — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:18:30 GMT

Went to the Village Voice's annual Siren Festival last Saturday. I was able to catch just about every set. Here's my "coverage" and pics.

http://www.yourfleshmag.com/artman/publish/article_1270.shtml

The Hold Steady McCarren Park Pool

highoctane — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:57:58 GMT

JellyNYC Pool Parties kicked off last Sunday with The Hold Steady. Here's my review

http://www.yourfleshmag.com/artman/publish/article_1256.shtml

and a link to more photos that I took

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26559224@N06/sets/72157605922227397

Many more free great shows to come each Sunday including The Breeders, The Liars, Black Lips/Deerhunter and MGMT.

The Muslims

highoctane — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:14:01 GMT

If you haven't checked out the self-titled debut from San Diego/LA newcomers The Muslims---what the hell have you been doing? Definitely for fans of Modern Lovers/Velvets/Strokes. You can check out my review here that includes links to their MySpace page and record label.

http://www.yourfleshmag.com/artman/publish/article_1239.shtml

The Cave Singers

highoctane — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 04:26:01 GMT

Just wanted to drop a note to encourage all to check out The Cave Singers debut on Matador. Caught the trio at a free show in Brooklyn and was blown away. Definitely moving on my best of the year list---one of those records that continues to grow with each listen.

Here's my review.

http://www.yourfleshmag.com/artman/publish/article_1086.shtml

Your Flesh returns

highoctane — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 20:51:25 GMT

After a long absence, the long running and much loved fanzine Your Flesh has returned. No longer in print format YF has moved to the web. You can now get everything you loved about the zine for free. Check it out. www.yourfleshmag.com

The Death of Tower Records

highoctane — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:48:55 GMT

While I certainly won't shed a tear over the demise of Tower, I do think it's notable that the one time stalwart of music retail has fallen. Tower Records, for me, represents a few different things. It was the place, as a teenager, where I found what I was looking for when no one else carried it. It was the place I picked up my copy of Maximum Rocknroll and even a few girls while trolling the aisles in search of the latest hardcore records. It was an excuse to get out of my shitty little town and connect with something that made me feel good. It also lead me to little independent stores that catered more to my niche. While I outgrew Tower rather quickly, it still remained the place I could go to at 11:30 when all other stores were closed. It fed my music jones.

I ended up working for Tower in the late eighties which was both good and bad. We all drank beer and consumed illicit substances because it was the place where you could get away with such debauchery. It's where a rotating cast of musicians worked; always welcoming them back when they got off the road. It's also the place where I was arrested for embezzlement, leading to an unpleasant stay in jail. At that point I was banned from ever entering the chain for life. It didn't stick.

I don't feel sorry for Russ Solomon. Tower had the best direct to retail thing going but still insited on pricing their music higher than other chains. As friends continued to work for Tower pointed out, Solomon believed that CDs were flawless and made returning product difficult. This doesn't make consumers apt to return when there's no guarantee you can replace a defective product.

I refuse to believe that the internet/downloads killed Tower. It was greed.

Best Show Ever/Death of CBGB

highoctane — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:58:14 GMT

I've seen about a million shows and a countless number of bands, but I have to say the best show I've ever seen was Patti Smith last year at BAM doing Horses (one of my favorite records) in its entirety. How do I know it was the best show ever? From the moment the words "Jesus died for somebody's sins..." spilled out of Ms. Smith's mouth until the last note of "Elegie" the hair on the back of my neck stood up and chills spilled down my spine. It was such magic that I felt like I was high the whole time and I was actually moved to tears. The only time I've ever cried at a show before was when I was forced to sit through an entire Tool set and those weren't tears of joy. I had seen Ms. Smith on many occasions prior to that evening and always had a great time, but this was witnessing something different as if everything had come together perfectly for one spectacular moment. Her command of the room was unparalleled. It was fearless, emotional, dynamic, and spellbinding. I would have put her up against any frontperson from any period that evening and Ms. Smith would have walked away victorious. It was literally one of those lightning in a bottle moments that will possibly never be matched. The reason I mention this is because Ms. Smith will grace the stage where it all began for a final performance at the soon-to-be defunct CBGB. I couldn't think of a better way to say goodbye to an old friend. Beg, borrow, or steal (whatever it takes) to make damn sure you're there.

Christian Music Has Come a Long Way Since Petra and Stryper

highoctane — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 21:13:48 GMT

Christian music seems to be the fave du jour as of late. I never thought it would gain popularity or find its way into my black heart, but I've been warmed with recent releases by Danielson and Wovenhand. I'm also a sucker for Sufjan Stevens and that My Brightest Diamond release isn't half bad. The bottom line is that the Danielson and Wovenhand releases are just too damn good to ignore simply because there's a message behind the music. Both will definitely make my 2006 top ten. With what started with Glen Galaxy and Soul Junk, remember the amazing Trumans Water, seems to have quietly and subtly built into an all out devotion for these bands without having to acknowledge that the content is delivered in the name of you know who. Weird, but then again we're not talking about Creed and Stapp's Christ complex. Even Dylan had his Jesus phase and people wouldn't have said a word about it if that period of music hadn't sucked as badly as it did. It also may have had something to do with the fact he's Jewish, but I digress. If you take a pass on these records simply because the artists align themselves with a higher power, it must suck to be you.

Overrated Band of a Lifetime

highoctane — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 22:26:06 GMT

This has to be the most overrated record of a lifetime. Of course Pitchfork jumped all over it and probably are still patting themselves on the back for "breaking" the band. Then again, Pitchfork makes many mistakes which they never own up to. This pop record held up for about two spins and then began to grate with Alec Ounsworth's whine. Oh, how that voice gets under the skin. I feel for those who nearly broke their neck trying to sign the band and even worse for Wichita. I can't image these guys having much staying power. For those who don't believe me. Ever heard of Jonathan Fire*Eater? Exactly.

Akron/Family tickle me pink

highoctane — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 02:23:04 GMT

Will be checking out Akron/Family and Hamid Drake next Saturday so that I can once again be blown away by my favorite Brooklyn band. One of the best shows I caught last year was the one two punch of Akron/Family and Angels of Light. It doesn't get much better than that.