gigawave

Why do I even bother?

gigawave — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:40:18 +0000

a. missed wavves and ganglians (lawrence)
b. missed box elders (lawrence)
c. missed smith westerns & girls (kc)
d. skipped on autolux (lawrence)

I’d rather be at shows than at parties because at least when I show up I know what to do–listen, enjoy myself, and maybe take pictures and reflect on it (or get shitfaced drunk and go home with someone and not remember at all?). But I just can’t swing it anymore, I feel pissed about it too, and I keep this blog as a means of feeling less guilty about not having what I want.

The next show I am really looking forward to is Birthday Suits at the Jackpot. I missed them twice I think in pittsburgh and I’ve gotten a great impression of them from friends who know their shit, and enjoyed their half of the split with Marked Men. If anything gets in the way of me and the Birthday Suits show it will be THE LAST STRAW, for fuck’s sake. I’m fucking pissed that anyone who would be into these lawrence shows already LIVE IN LAWRENCE. Why can’t I make some friends who would be psyched to go to the following shows that I missed? UGH. I always knew I had something special in relation to the music scene in Pittsburgh, but didn’t realize how sweet it was until I came to KC.

I guess the only reason why I am so bummed out is because music & going to shows gave me a lot of confidence about the person I am today so losing touch with it sucks. Anyways, here are a couple songs, one is Birthday Suits from the Seven Inches For Your Ex split 7″ w/ Marked Men. The other is Ganglians cause I get a lot of compliments on my hair, it never gets old, I appreciate it. I’M DEDICATING THIS SONG TO ALL YOU COMPLIMENTERS. THX.

Birthday Suits – It’s About Time

Ganglians – Hair

fan video for Division Day’s “Surrender”

gigawave — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:16:21 +0000

User terraliminal uploaded a video almost a month ago for a Division Day song called “Surrender.” The video uses footage from the film Hausu (romaji for “house”), which was released in 1977. Division Day’s new album dropped today via Dangerbird records and you can buy it locally via Streetside Records: 4128 Broadway St, Kansas City, MO 64111. I haven’t actually called to see if it’s in stores so here is their phone number: (816) 561-1580.

Division Day is also playing the Replay Lounge in Lawrence on Monday September 14th. It’s 21+
I would really like to go but I’d have to get on all these highways at night and then drive 80 miles roundtrip which sucks when you have eight hours of class the next day starting early in the morning. Basically, I have a rule for if I want to go to shows:

Would I drive that far to see my mom?

not unless it’s an emergency. In any case, the video was the first I’d heard any Division Day since Beartrap Island. “Surrender” is really beat-oriented and Rohner Segnitz’s vocals sound modified. He has a beautiful voice so I guess I was a little weirded out by that. It’s not that Division Day don’t have quick tempo songs, but usually they are steeped in guitar and drums and this sounded like it was a remix of a Division Day song. It’s a catchy song but I couldn’t remember the chorus or verse because the instrumentals were so dominant. Chalk Lines is definitely more of the Division Day sound I was expecting. Pretty sweet. Bummed I will miss them at the Replay.

drunkdriver – firesale

gigawave — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:04:21 +0000

I keep telling myself I’m gonna stop updating about music and just be an art nerd all the time but since I wrote about how I think Drunkdriver is the shit, it would be very hypocritical of me to not mention that you can buy their new 7″ here:

http://fashionableidiots.com/catalog

it was added to the online distro four days ago SO HURRY YOUR ASSES if you want one!

song reviews II

gigawave — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:26:51 +0000

Smith Westerns @ Howler’s Coyote Cafe, 4-18-09
© Mahsa Borhani, 2009

Smith Westerns – Gimme Some Time // I first got turned onto these guys in April when they played night two of Totally Wired fest along with a slew of other bands. They were the first band to play that night (probably due to them being underage at a bar) and pretty much blew me away. Once they started playing, I couldn’t believe that four fresh faced boys in the tightest jeans possible could bust out some of the catchiest pop gems I’d heard in a while. “Gimme Some Time”, which is off of their self-titled LP, is one of my favorite songs, not only due to the steamy lyrics, but also cause of the rambunctious chorus, punk sensibility, and the very fitting garage rock sound. In fact, I don’t think there is a single song on this album that I don’t love.

Box Elders – Cougars // I have to admit, I’m constantly bewildered by Box Elders. First of all, their drummer is a multitasking fiend who can drum, shake a tambourine, and play an organ all at once. Secondly, they have the most bizarre outfits and do crazy shit like shoot flames during songs such as “Cougars.” Third of all, they don’t take them selves very seriously but somehow manage to make really well crafted pop compositions that are a force to be reckoned with. Their brand of rock differs greatly from the increasingly favored fuzzed out & distorted breed that populates the underground scene today–this is straightforward garage pop that serenades you with strong guitar melodies and jeers at you with an underlying punk attitude. Combine that with a few surf rock guitar licks and punchy bass lines, and it’s very hard not to break out dancing. I’m a little late on their game, having only been introduced to them in January, but these guys tour a fair amount and I’ll have the pleasure of seeing them for the third time in September. Check out their myspace to make sure you catch them on their upcoming tour–you don’t want to miss one of the most entertaining bands to have graced the midwest.

Box Elders @ Howler’s Coyote Cafe, 4-18-09
© Mahsa Borhani, 2009

Buzzcocks – Promises // Definitely an oldie, but one of my favorite songs off of the Love Bites re-issue that effectively displays the incredible talents of John Maher to the band’s rhythm section. Buzzcocks have always been a defining figure in pop punk and “Promises” really depicts the level of imagination they possessed in terms of lyricism, melodies, and percussion. I think that Pete Shelley’s vocal range stands out on this track and has a certain vigor and emotion that is sometimes void in their more popular songs.

Bricolage – Flowers of Deceit // My first taste of Bricolage was “Footsteps” back when it was still an orphaned child with no album to call its own. I was very glad to finally hear the full length LP they released last year and also glad that none of their slightly lackluster demo tracks made the cut. Bricolage demonstrate a talent that is sadly absent from many American bands’ repertoires–harmonizing. The harmonizing is truly cohesive and deftly peppered in. I never realize what I am missing on some songs I hear until I realize it is solid vocal harmonies. You could have a good melody and it will just be flat without throwing in a tertian harmony or two; it’s why 90s top 40 pop hits are fucking great. With two guitarists, three vocalists, and really solid drumming, Bricolage stand miles ahead of other bands in their realm such as Franz Ferdinand or the eerily identical vocals of Dogs Die in Hot Cars. The chummy vocals on many of their tracks become more endearing with each repeating listen, instead of increasingly annoying, as I tend to find with other similar bands. This whole album has taken my fancy and there are a slew of other masterfully mixed songs such as “Turn U Over”, “Looting Takes the Waiting Out of Wanting”, “6th For Poet”, and of course–”Footsteps.” If you’re a slut for brit-pop, I warn you not to sleep on these guys–you will regret it.

X-Wife – Heart of the World // I kind of forgot about this band until I accidentally stumbled upon their 2008 full length album, Are You Ready For the Blackout?, a few weeks ago. I first heard “When the Lights Turn Off” a few years ago and was convinced they were British and emulating the Klaxons or something. You can understand how confused I was when I found out they were Portuguese and had more embedded in their talents than just being able to make very catchy dance rock. I think “Heart of the World” is a good example of that; it not only represents an uncanny resemblance to The Rapture, but it also takes the weirdo tinge out of their sound and adds a bit more of a post punk and melodramatic feel to everything. The synth also accompanies their music rather well–slightly cheesy yet still appropriate as it maintains a continuous personality throughout the majority of the songs from their album. Overall, the album remains quite accessible to mainstream tastes–despite the band being pretty unknown in the states–and I’ve found it to be a good source for addictive summer jams.

Blank Dogs – Open Shut // Blank Dogs are a diverse and talented band that I’ve criminally disregarded for a while. I missed the show they played in Pittsburgh in March, brushed off the hints I got last April & October, and ignored all the rave reviews from friends. Compared to their previous releases, Under and Under goes in a different direction with more centralized songs, a cleaner recording aesthetic, as well as a strong nod to coldwave influences. Basically, this is the kind of sound that shitty bands like She Wants Revenge are probably striving for. Blank Dogs’ angular melodies are somewhat reminiscent of the A-Frames, and similar to what Fredericksburg band Ceremony are also currently toying around with. I have to admit that the album took a little while to grow on me, but once you accustom yourself with their sound, you’re sent to an altered state adrift with oddball vocals, peculiar synth, and alarming guitar lines; together they form a soundscape which invokes feelings of nostalgia and despondency. “Open Shut”, in particular, is suffused with that kind of creepy, coasting-on-by attitude which is prominent in the band’s musical identity.

TV Ghost – The Recluse // The only chance I ever had to see this band was completely ruined due to them getting arrested for drinking underage, or some shit, somewhere in small town PA, therefore being unable to play their Pittsburgh show in April, as well as a handful of other shows on their tour. Very unfortunate, for sure, seeing as their newest album Cold Fish bears that same brand of weirdo rock that tends to spawn in Detroit rather than the band’s hometown of Lafayette, IN. The first thing I got from this track was that it sounded so much like The (now disbanded) Arm, from Texas. The whole album possesses a horror appeal to it–mostly from the reeling synth, erratic guitar and dingy bass–kind of like what Human Eye or Francis Harold and the Holograms have going on. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a larger, conceptual narrative present in the album with more listens.

Pissed Jeans – Pleasure Race // Pissed Jeans…what else is there to say? I have been anxiously waiting for them to drop a new album and when I heard “False Jesii Part 2″ I knew we were in for something magical. The 2007 release of Hope for Men was slightly disappointing, considering the earlier standard they had set with quite memorable songs such as “Closet Marine”, “Ashamed of My Cum” and “I’m Sick.” Pissed Jeans have always had a gross humor that they’ve enforced with grating guitar riffs, grimacing yells, and fast bass lines and then also with slower, heavier, wandering compositions; I’m glad to hear that the drums finally get a more considerate mix in the songs. “Pleasure Race” remains as one of my top three favorite songs off King Of Jeans with the repetitive guitar, driving drums, and vocal diatribe that Matt Korvette is notorious for. Once again, Pissed Jeans embrace mundane subjects, contradict the socially acceptable ones, and turn it all into some sort of idolatry. In addition, there are a couple of surprising tracks on the album–such as “R-Rated Movie,” where the instrumentals sound initially uncharacteristic compared to earlier work. Nevertheless, the song then descends into a raging chorus that lauds blood, sex & violence–contrasting the excitement of all the action to the narrator’s seemingly boring life. Who else writes a song about this shit, seriously? So fucking good. The album officially drops on August 18th so be sure to pick it up.

back to school mix

gigawave — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:22:42 +0000

Since I’ve been really inactive and am probably about to be even more negligent starting in two weeks, here is a nice little “half” mix for the end of the summer and the start of the school year. Enjoy.

B2S MIX 2009

The Billionaires – The End of Summer Song
The Hives – Fall Is Just Something Grown-Ups Invented
Witch Hats – I Can’t Stay At Home
Cheap Time – Back To School
Blank Dogs – Books
Mission of Burma – Academy Fight Song

Speaking of Witch Hats, here’s something to look forward to (dated June 15th):

We’ve got a new recording due out in a couple of months (our old label folded and we’ve had to organise a release through another one causing big crappy delays). Its a 6 song 10″ vinyl EP.

more and more

gigawave — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:46:27 +0000

I’d like to interrupt this staggering hiatus by informing you all that, apparently, Mas Y Mas are recording a new album. Maybe they will also do a large tour sometime in the future, but we can’t have everything now, can we? Nevertheless, you can get VERY close. In fact, their full length album, “Proud Sponsors of Pepsi”, is now available for download via ROCKSOTOUGH.COM:

click here to download Proud Sponsors of Pepsi

photo by archie lee coates IV

in other news, I updated the gig archive and added an actual “upcoming shows” page so you don’t have to wait for me to update to see what shows are occurring, seeing as I scour venue websites on a regular basis, even if I neglect this blogging bullshit. cheers.

updated shows

gigawave — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:11:42 +0000

I can’t be bothered to do anything but I have a mix that I will post soon. this sunday is my big bad birthday. brunch @ the blue bird downtown! #1 cafe in kansas city. so good.

7-9 // So Many Dynamos // Record Bar // $7

7-10 // Dark Lingo // Replay Lounge

7-18 // Sonic Youth // Uptown Theater // $26.00

7-22 // Gil Mantera’s Party Dream // Record Bar // $8

7-26 // Abe Vigoda & Talbot Tagora // The Jackpot Saloon

7-29 // El Ten Eleven // Record Bar // $7

8-05 // Anavan // Replay Lounge // $2

8-08 // The Breeders // The Bottleneck // sold out?

8-12 // Los Campesinos w/ GIRLS // Record Bar // $13

8-13 // Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin // The Brick

8-15 // The Avett Brothers // Crossroads KC // $21.50 (GA)

8-18 // Blondie // Crossroads KC // $28.00 (GA)

8-21 // The Cool Kids // The Granada // $10

8-22 // Drakkar Sauna CD Release Party // The Jackpot Saloon // $6

8-23 // The Brunettes // Record Bar // $8

8-28 // Peter, Bjorn & John // The Granada // $15

9-03 // Dead Meadow // The Riot Room

9-03 // The Dandy Warhols w/ Spindrift // The Beaumont Club

9-05 // Box Elders // Replay Lounge // $3

9-06 // BUSDRIVER // The Jackpot Saloon

9-09 // WOODS // The Jackpot Saloon // $7

9-14 // Division Day // Replay Lounge

9-17 // Shwayze // The Granada // $16

9-18 // LA RIOTS // The Beaumont Club

9-19 // Autolux // The Bottleneck // $16

9-21 // Ra Ra Riot, Maps & Atlases, Princeton // The Bottleneck // $13

9-23 // Thee Oh Sees // The Jackpot Saloon // $8

9-24 // Oh My God // Record Bar // $7, 21+

9-25 // The Republic Tigers & So Many Dynamos // The Beaumont Club // $10

9-28 // The Secret Machines // Record Bar // $15/$17

9-30 // Tortoise // The Beaumont Club

10-2 // CHOMP WOMP Extravaganza // Replay Lounge // $3

10-3 // She Wants Revenge, The Tender Box // The Bottleneck // $16

10-6 // Wilco // Crossroads KC // $31.50 GA

10-10 // Yussuf Jerusalem (Cat Stevens) & Thomas Function // Replay Lounge

10-12 // Dr. Dog // The Bottleneck // $11

10-17 // Mirah with Norfolk & Western // The Jackpot Saloon // $12

10-25 // The Pogues // Midland Theatre

10-26 // Dinosaur Jr. // The Beaumont Club

11-5 // Pinback // The Granada // $15

12-5 // Kanye West & Lady GaGa // Sprint Center

never stop listening

gigawave — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:37:19 +0000

OLIVIER LABAN-MATTEI/AFP/Getty Images

Radiohead – Go Slowly

I didn’t know it
But now I can see
That there’s a way out

Dear KSMO

gigawave — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:55:39 +0000

If I haven’t left you by the August of two thousand ten, I am truly a pathetic person. Cheers to the countdown, my long-time & recurring acquaintance.

MARKED MEN – Ditch (2009)

Is there reason to try? You’ll never make it on your own
Hang your head and just cry
No reason to leave, just stay home, all alone

You don’t know why it creeps up slowly in your mind
You know it’s a lie–those little voices of your own

Ditch, stuck in a ditch, stuck in a ditch,
and that ain’t new (x2)

You know it’s sucking you in–what they said so long ago
You wanna believe them again
It’s not that sad, you know, let it go

You don’t know why it creeps up slowly in your mind
You know it’s a lie–those little voices of your own

Ditch, stuck in a ditch, stuck in a ditch,
let it go (x3)
Ditch, stuck in a ditch, son of a bitch,
let it go.

Harlem Shakes get robbed

gigawave — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:45:57 +0000

from their blogspace:

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

ROBBED!
Current mood: annoyed
Well… our van was broken into in Richmond, VA. It sucks. The crackhead stole some of Jose’s clothes and his passport, a microkorg keyboard, our sampler, and Todd’s extra strings (!?). We’re getting everything sorted now — new passport expedited, new sampler sent out to Chicago where we’ll be for friday (RIBFEST) — but godDAMN it never feels good to be robbed. Violating, angry-making and all that. Anyway, things seem to be righting themselves (knock on wood), but if you see us in the coming final week of our tour, come give us a hug. We could use it, bigtime.

Love,
HS