Jay Reatard

29 fucking years old.

His surprising and impressive opening for the Ponys at the Bowery.

His CMJ 2007 performance as part of the In The Red bill at the Merc.

The infamous Toronto 3-song punch-out. (Related piece)

Post-firing the band, opening for the Pixies.

Pixies; Jay Reatard @ Hammerstein Ballroom

Pixies; Jay Reatard
@ Hammerstein Ballroom
New York, NY - November 24, 2009

Diagonally across 8th Avenue from Jimmy Buffet's never-ending lucrative nostalgia tour at the Garden, the Pixies carried on their own nostalgia tour, itself something of a cash-in. Albeit this cash-in carries in it the exposing of a new generation to some of the most vibrantly earth-shattering rock music of all time, and specifically this year, it's a celebration of the Doolittle record. Also, while hordes of cabana-bedecked parrot-heads swamped New York's monstrosity of spectacle, a rather tame cross-section of Indie-rock lovers went for a stroll down memory lane at the smaller-than-you-realize Hammerstein. It was a stroll that, emotionally speaking, many of these folks probably didn't actually want to revisit - except of course for hearing the actual music.
I write all this like I know what I am talking about so at the risk of sounding like the man I never want to be - Jim Derogatis - I'll summarize it by saying that my chance to see the Pixies - while not in their glory days that now seem like those of ghosts but rather in the days of Black Francis' jowls - was worth every cent. Joey Santiago still cuts a mean guitar, the aforementioned Charlie can scream with a passion, Kim Deal is KIM MOTHERFUCKING DEAL, and David Lovering is the rock drummer that every rock drummer still wants.

Irony (or something) of the year? Like the much more successful U2, the Pixies video-backdrop features a creepy four-headed boogie-off. Who knew the mischeivous little elves could relate to the biggest band on the planet? That's a title, by the way, that many of the Pixies' fans fully expected this band to have but are actually probably glad they didn't because then they were able to keep the band all to themselves and not share them with...say...parrot-heads.

Jay Reatard came out swinging with his brand new band that his alienation and petulance brought about (I miss my chubby Jewfro bass player). In typical Jay fashion, he succeeded when he switched from the tough-core shtick to outright pure punk and rock n' roll. At some point, it seemed it would be in his interest to finally break out an acoustic guitar...and he did! But he did so only to play more of the mixed bag of stuff, and completely blowing the opportunity to wow a crowd of potential new congregants by finally playing "Don't Let Him Come Back". Oh well - at least no one got punched in the face for once.

Jay Reatard Toronto Drama Continues

P-fork reports on the back-and-forth over what exactly happened at the Silver Dollar on the 17th.

Neither the promoters nor Jay will admit who is really at fault: the fans. It's obvious why - no one wants to alienate people who cough up the dough, no matter what their conduct is. But the truth is, it is the fans who are at fault. No one should decry a little rough and tumble up front at a show like Jay Reatard's. It's to be expected and if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. This isn't a Norah Jones (or Spoon, hahaha) show. This is hardcore/garage/punk whatever you want to call it. But there is a line. There is a line between a pit up front and stage crashing. And there is a line between stage crashing/diving and interference with the band.

It's all by degrees. Unless there is some real extreme thrash punk whatever band known for allowing its fans to come up on stage and trash the equipment and fight with the band, when is it acceptable to allow interference? Not to mention, it doesn't make any sense! If one gets their ya-ya's out by hearing such music, how are they furthering those ya-ya's out by actually trying to stop the music?

Furthermore, there are the larger group of fans who don't do such things and pay good money to see the shows, in their entirety, without interference. It's one thing to pay and understand that a pit will be a-happenin'. It's another thing to pay and just a few songs in, see idiots keep crashing the stage to assault the band and vandalize the equipment. Who pays for that?

As for the security issue, there was one security goon at the venue and he only showed up after Jay started packing up, and probably only because of fear that the idiots would assault Jay outright for ending the show.

The place was beyond crowded. I have no idea if it was overcapacity or not. None of my Toronto pals indicated to me that it was. But it was very crowded. And a handful of guys up front took it upon themselves to interfere with the show. The venue and the promoters probably did a bad job. But it's the fans fault. And while Jay is right to be mad, he should be upfront and just put the blame where it is - the fans. Not every fan. Not most fans. Just those fans that ruined it for everyone. Also, he may want to take a few tips (Wilco & White Stripes, and Dirtbombs) on to how to handle these things.

And by the way, if you are going to be a band that has fans run around and go nuts on stage, this is how you do it:

Wait...Wait...Wait...Jay Reatard...is Opening For...

Spoon?

Spoon?

Face-punching Jay Reatard is opening for la la la ga ga ga Spoon?

Prospect Park, July 15

Pennypacker in Toronto: Jay Reatard; CPC Gangbangs

Jay Reatard; CPC Gangbangs; The Diet Pills
@ The Silver Dollar
Toronto, ONT - April 17, 2008

In what should go down as one of the more infamous nights in Toronto rock history, Jay Reatard played for all of about 3 songs before calling it quits. The crowd was absolutely out of control. Unlike the madness the night before at the Horseshoe with the Dirtbombs, it was to be expected for there to be at least a little chaos on the floor for this show. But not only did it cross a line, it crossed the line almost from the start. It was almost as if the crowd didn't want Jay to play. It was almost as if they tried to sabotage the show on purpose. Can people be this dumb? The crowd smashed beer and glass and other objects on the equipment, and when someone unplugged Jay's guitar (what is the point of doing that?! Honestly!), that was it for Jay. But don't take my word for it:

The Long Version

And yet somehow, despite the oversold, overstuffed place, Mr. Pennypacker was able to make his way out of the place, and the only person who also made it outside at that point was...Jay Reatard! No riots ensued, Jay has since tried to make nice with the fans in the city of Toronto, but let it be said that in the department of rock fans, the first SP trip to Toronto was a real disaster.

Oh yeah the opening bands. CPC Gangbangs look like a hodgepodge of disparate garage punk bands come together and that's exactly how they sound. The first handful of songs were riff-heavy, good time fun. But the remainder of the set was populated by the noise and aimlessness that is plaguing the scene today.
The Diet Pills were a-ok. They had a surf edge to them and it made them standout.

The Future of Music Video? Pitchfork.tv Launches In A Week

There are some real highlights to what may...may...be the biggest impact on the visual media of music since the birth of MTV:

• The Pixies documentary Loud Quiet Loud
• Jay Reatard live at the Cake Shop
• The Thermals on an NYC rooftop
• A Place to Bury Strangers live at Death by Audio, along with a tour of the premiere underground Williamsburg venue
• An interview with Robyn, the Scandinavian pop singer who was a summertime mainstream bubblegum hit ten years ago but is an Indie hipster darling now.
  

Other Music Loses Points

The very center of the Hipsterverse, the beacon from which all Indie snobbery and coolness emanates - that has exploded into a multimedia powerhouse (along with Pitchfork and Stereogum now) just lost some brownie points.

Dirtbombs drummer Ben Blackwell, keeping a diary of the band's current Aussie and New Zealand tour on his blog, just reported that Other Music is following Jay Reatard and his band around on their own Down Under tour. Jay, as most of you know by now, is - along with the Black Lips and Be Your Own Pet - one of the garage punk successes that have been adopted by the tastemaker set. Other Music, which should be a standard bearer of quality, earnest, authentic rock n roll, is apparently as shallow as the scene it covers scenesters who suddenly flocked to these bands (I did not mean that original bit at all, that must have been what they call a Freudian slip):

There was some cameraman following Jay around for a documentary that Other Music is working on and the dude was totally clueless. He provided for a few good laughs, asking people what their tattoos meant, not knowing which band member was Jay and generally acting annoying to the nth degree.

Sad.

Hopefully, the mothership will have its act together and know who the Dirtbombs are when the band plays the NYC store on April 7.

Sonic Parthenon's The Year In Music 2007: Part 4

The National

• Live Show
• Record: Boxer
• Songs: “Mistaken For Strangers”; “Apartment Story”.
  

Along with Camera Obscura and the Hold Steady, the National dominated 2007.

This triumvirate of bands took up, arguably, the most blog time, the most listens, and the most energy. In the case of the National, it was the most blissfully dark. The band’s penchant for salty and raw but nevertheless dramatic lyrics coated in a garden of lush sounds – spanning a line from Joy Division to Bruce Springsteen – makes them a true standout. The boys are a thinking band, a thoughtful band, a deliberative band but also a no frills, unfiltered, savage excursion into base feelings about the bleak state of the world, the urges of human behavior, and maybe even the melancholia of the good things in life. In addition to having one of the records of the year and two of the best singles of the year (“Apartment Story” should find itself in the Top 10 singles of the decade in a few years) the Brooklyn-by-Cinci boys put on a heck of a show and they even made Terminal 5 sound good on its opening night.
"Apartment Story":

Mistaken For Strangers
Fake Empire (on Letterman)
SPTV: "Mr. November" at Terminal 5

“Need Your Needs” by Georgie James
Very late in the year, this sugary, peppy, dance-rock single made a big impact on the SP earbuds. Stay tuned for more of it in 2008.


Norah Jones

• Record: Not Too Late
• Song: “Thinking About You”
  

Norah’s been long forgotten by the Indie crowd (if she was ever really accepted) but that didn’t stop her from putting out a decent LP that has a lovely title track and a single – “Thinking About You” - that would probably win the old fashioned Best Single by a Female Vocalist award. And that would have been her fourth win in six years.


“North American Scum” by LCD Soundsystem
This one is finding it’s way on a lot of year-end best-of lists and for good reason, James Murphy’s production project doubles as a good rock n’ roll band. And best of all: Murphy sounds like he’s singing with a cold.


Okkervil River

• Live Show
• Record: The Stage Names
• Song: “Our Life Is Not Like A Movie But Maybe”
  

In a great year for band singles, Okkervil’s “Our Life…” rivals the National’s “Apartment Story” for single of the year and also has a best-of-the-decade slot in its future. It is one of the greatest post-break-up analysis songs ever written and Will Sheff sings it with an unmatched passion. The live scene delivers on all the goods – it is truly knee shaking. And oh yeah, The Stage Names is one of the best albums of the year.


Pianos
A hell of a year for the Lower East Side venue: The Hard Lessons, the Love Me Nots, and Looker put on excellent shows. And they have a nice, accommodating person working the live space door.

“Postcard to Nina” by Jens Lekman
A very sweet, very introverted bit of romantic comedy by Indie darling Lekman. His affable attempt to masquerade as his lesbian friend’s boyfriend in front of her old fashioned family makes for a fun 4 minute romp, aided and abetted by a heavy dose of blue eyed soul in the background. It was quite the year for soul music as led by the ladies mentioned elsewhere and producers like Mark Ronson. But this Swedish single may have trumped them all.
Stream

“Radio Nowhere” by Bruce Springsteen
Magic was a turkey, sorry. The opening salvo though was the Boss’ best single in 25 years, which made the ensuing LP all the more disappointing when it turned out to be so bad. But it’s always better to have Bruce around than not. He’s Bruce. And you’re not.
Video

Jay Reatard

• Live Show
• Record: Blood Visions
• Song: “Blood Visions”
  

You may notice no account of the Black Lips in this year-end review. Well that’s because everyone else has them covered (and boy have they been put into overkill. Remember when they played every couple months to no one? That was a long time ago). Next up in the garage punk-turned-hipster-cavalcade is Jay Reatard, though unlike the Black Lips, it remains to be seen if he will embrace the hipsters back. Jay is a tough, tough dude. But despite the uninviting atmosphere, he puts on a hell of a show in support of a more than decent punk record. He also sports some damn fine vocals.
SPTV at CMJ:


“Rehab” by Amy Winehouse
Blah blah blah blah, it’s all about Mark Ronson OK? And the Dap Kings. That’s it. Other than that, she should win an award for Best-Description-Of-My-Pathetic-Life-Turned-Smash-Hit-Single. Whatever.
Video

Josh Ritter

• Live Show

The Historical Conquests may not have been the totally perfect follow up to Animal Years (Pre-Camera Obscura and Hold Steady, the best album of last year), but Josh can do it live.
SPTV Insta-Clip

“Rock N Roll Backlash” by the Woggles
The last of the pocket of Little Steven pushed singles, the razzle dazzle nitty gritty Woggles did what they do best: make fun songs. Still best to see them live though.
Sample

Rodrigo Y Gabriela by Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Another 2006 release but that didn’t stop the duo from packing headlining Roseland at CMJ. Perfect, consistent guitar. Bravo.
"Tamacun" live

Carina Round

• Live Show
• Record: Slow Motion Addict
• Songs: “Come To You”, “Stolen Car”
  

It was a smashing year for British siren Carina Round as she toured in support of her superior follow-up record. “Come To You” and “Stolen Car” are two of the best songs heard this year. And she’s a darling live singer.

CMJ 2007, Night 3: Dirtbombs, Jay Reatard, Intelligence, Miss Alex White, Cheap Time, Turbo Fruits

The Dirtbombs; Jay Reatard; The Intelligence; Miss Alex White and the Red Orchestra; Cheap Time; Turbo Fruits
@ Mercury Lounge
New York, NY - October 18, 2007

Yadda yadda Dirtbombs yadda yadda nothing better live than this yadda yadda new material sounds great yadda yadda particularly "Wreck My Flow" yadda yadda special cover of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" yadda yadda "Candy Ass" was reworked into a gloriously sexed up, funkified version that made the band sound as fresh as ever yadda yadda gabba gabba hey yadda yadda Dirtbombs forever.



Hardcore garage punk is not really this blog's thing, but let's not mince words. Jay Reatard is f-ing great. He's the best at what he does. The raw power and energy behind the thrashy, trashy rock n' roll could give you an apoplectic fit if you weren't careful. And again, the best part: Beneath that gruff exterior lies a sucker for 3-chord rock n' roll melody. This Memphis boy could be just at home in an arena as a small club, but that's something a lot of people probably don't want to hear.



The Intelligence certainly sounded different, at least at first, from every other band of the night. But what started as a potentially provocative experimental hybrid of a few types of rock n' roll sort of devolved into basic, pound-away attempts at punk. They were not bad though.

Video

Miss Alex White has enough charisma, presence, and authenticity to be Chicago's only prized export, but even though she has to share the burden, she's still got it all. In The Red is lucky to have her.



Cheap Time was really hyped for this blog. So it's not their fault that it then became impossible for them to live up to the hype. But with hard work and good direction, they'll get there. But wasn't Jemma Pearl supposed to be in this band?

Video

Turbo Fruits did not sound quite as good as they did at the Bowery this past summer but these kids have such gumption and spirit, they can't be denied. The wellspring of Tennessee rock does have its cup flowing over. Or something like that.

Video

SPTV: CMJ Music Marathon 2007
Photos

CMJ 2007 Schedule

Tue 10/16:

Voxtrot (later); Dean & Brita; Most Serene Republic @ Bowery Ballroom

Voxtrot (earlier) @ Other Music

Looker @ Pianos

Wormburner @Midway

Teenage Prayers @ Arlene's Grocery

Dean Deacon @ Silent Barn

NYC Smoke @ Fat Baby

Bella Noir @ The Delancey

Brad @ Highline Ballroom

Tigers & Monkeys @ Luna Lounge

St Vincent @ Other Music

Wed 10/17:

Vampire Weekend (early) @ Cake Shop

Mates of State @ Avalon

Xiu Xiu @ Blender Theater at Gramercy

Nikki Corvette; Black Tie Revue @ Southpaw

Eskimo Joe; Robbers on High Street; Eagle Seagull @ Mercury Lounge

Deerhunter; Dan Deacon @ Bowery Ballroom

The Giraffes @ Crash Mansion

Serj Tankian; The Nightwatchman @ Fillmore at Irving Plaza

Sam Champion @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Imperial Teen @ Maxwell's

Excellent @ Europa

Teams Robespierre @ Knitting Factory Tap Bar

Division Day; Arizona @ Canal Room

Barcelona @ Arlene's Grocery

Via Audio @ Lion's Den

Dayna Kurts; Adam Levy @ Banjo Jim's

Thu 10/18:

The Dirbombs; Jay Reatard; The Intelligence; Miss Alex White; Cheap Time; Turbo Fruits @ Mercury Lounge

British Sea Power; Pela; 1990's; Tiny Masters of Today @ Bowery Ballroom

Spoon; 1990's (later) @ Blender Theater at Gramercy

And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead @ Highline Ballroom

Division Day; 1900's @ Union Hall

Action Painters @ Europa

Vampire Weekend (early) @ Other Music

Palomar @ Arlene's Grocery

Meat Puppets @ Maxwell's

M.I.A. @ Terminal 5

The Giraffes; Beat the Devil @ The Delancey

St. Vincent @ Knitting Factory

UKLE; Holy Fuck; Walter Meego @ Webster Hall

Catfish Haven; Eagle Seagull @ Puck Building Day Stage

Imperial Teen; Catfish Haven @ Southpaw

Mates of State @ The Annex

Pterodactyl @ Cake Shop

Fri 10/19:

Rodrigo y Gabriela @ Roseland Ballroom

The Dirtbombs; The Intelligence; Turbo Fruits @ Southpaw

The Spinto Band; Sons & Daughters; The Maccabees; Sahara Hotnights; 1900's @ Bowery Ballroom

Coheed & Cambria @ Highline Ballroom

Jay Reatard; Miss Alex White @ Galapagos

M.I.A. @ Terminal 5

Spank Rock; Noisettes @ Fillmore at Irving Plaza

Mates of State @ Joe's Pub

The Insomniacs; The Nouvellas @ Magnetic Field

O'Death; The Black Hollies; Takka Takka @Union Pool

The Maccabees (later) @ Blender Theater at Gramercy

Catfish Haven @ Arlene's Grocery

Capital Years @ Pianos

Japanther @ Kntting Factory

Bowerbirds @ Puck Building Day Stage

Sat 10/20:

The Dirtbombs; Jay Reatard @ Maxwell's

Spoon; The Ponys @ Roseland Ballroom

Band of Horses; The Brunettes @ Bowery Ballroom

Justice @ Terminal 5

The Hard Lessons @ Magnetic Field

Great Northern @ Pianos

The Contrast @ Arlene's Grocery

Matt & Kim; Art Goblins (Brut) @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Coheed & Cambria @ Blender Theater @ Gramercy

Eli Paperboy Reed @ Crash Mansion

Tigercity; Harlem Shakes; Georgie James @ Mercury Lounge

Arizona @ Galapagos

Via Audio @ Ace of Clubs

Artist of the Week: Bands of CMJ; AKA The Attempted Sonic Parthenon CMJ Itinerary

Killing two birds with one stone, this weeks' artists of note are the bands to be seen, or to try to be seen, for the CMJ Music Marathon. Some of these shows overlap so there won't be reviews of some of these bands but it is heartily recommended that if you don't see one, see the other.

Tuesday, October 16

Teenage Prayers @ Arlene's Grocery
These New Yorkers got short shrift when they opened for the Hold Steady at Prospect Park now is the time to make it right.

Wormburner @ Midway
Fun local guys that know how to party. This time, we're seein' 'em sober!

Sam Champion & Looker @ Pianos
How much can a band capitalize on the name of a weatherman? Find out. And before that, see New York's best pop-punk band.

Wednesday, October 17

Nikki Corvette and the Stingrays & Black Tie Revue @ Southpaw
A hot rockin' gal and Pittsburgh's best and brightest all on one bill. The latter have a pop-punk record but they are pure good time garage live.

Thursday, October 18

The Dirtbombs, Jay Reatard, The Intelligence, Miss Alex White, Cheap Time, & Turbo Fruits @ Mercury Lounge
Two bands from Nashville, one from Memphis, one from Seattle, one from Chicago, and the headliners from...what's that city? I forget. But they're good. And half of this bill is practically guranteed good and the rest are looking good. Maybe the bill of the festival.

Action Painters @ Europa
A great New York band. Utterly great.

Friday, October 19

Sahara Hotnights & The 1900's @ Bowery Ballroom
The Sahara Hotnights won't go away and they prove it by flying over from Sweden just to play this one set. We may have to check them out just because. The 1900's are a cute little pop band from Chicago. 2008 may be Chicago's year, and if it is, this band will play a big part in it.

The Nouvellas @ Magnetic Field
Dansettes 2.0 take off on Atlantic Ave.

The Dirtbombs @ Southpaw
The Dirtbombs for the nightcap.

Saturday, October 20

The Hard Lessons @ Magnetic Field
Get the last night of CMJ off to a rockin' start with these kids. But don't wear yourself out just yet...

The Dirtbombs @ Maxwell's
The SP house band, and this year's CMJ house band it seems, end the fest with their traditional hour-plus party in Hoboken.

October 2007 Concert Calendar Highlights

-Mountain Goats is sold out tonight but he's playing Studio B tomorrow.

-On Saturday, there is a great alternative to the Arcade Fire-led mega show at Randall's Island: The Hard Lessons at Union Hall.

-The Pipettes cute it up at the Filmore on the 8th.

-Jay Reatard is basically a resident in New York for a chunk of this month with 2 sets of 3 nights in a row, first the week of the 9th at Death by Audio, the Cake Shop, and Don Hill's and then later at CMJ.

-Remember the Hives? They're playing Webster Hall on the 9th before they open up for...wait for it...Maroon 5 at Madison Square Garden. While my exterior patrician facade shows no change, know that inside I am laughing my ass off.

-Remember the Donnas? You're better off seeing them than the Hives on the 10th. They'll be at the Highline Ballroom if you're feeling silly.

-Some chick named P.J. Harvey is playing the Beacon on the 10th.

-The Raveonettes are also doing a 3 night run around town starting on the 10th.

-Terminal 5, the city's next mega venue, kicks off its impressive calendar with the National and St. Vincent on Thursday the 11th. The following two nights, the National will be playing at the smaller confines of the Music Hall of Williamsburg.

-The CMJ Music Marathon kicks off on the 16th. Check back for all the details.

-Starting Monday the 22nd, Morrissey begins a week-long at the Hammerstein. What a guy!

-Khannie and the B, also known as the King Khan and BBQ Show will be at the Cake Shop on the 25th and in Williamsburg the next two nights.

-The Go Team has already sold out their Bowery Ballroom show for the 28th. They'll be at Studio B the next night.

-Halloween night is pretty major this year: The Police, The Black Crowes, Ryan Adams, Demons Claws, and Zap Mama. The best bet is with Ryan but it sold out in just a couple days back in August. Rats.

Dirtbombs CMJ Music Marathon Schedule (It's A Doozy!)

The Sonic Parthenon House Band, AKA The Dirtbombs, have officially taken over CMJ this year. THREE shows in three nights in the New York City Metro Area with line-ups sure to please the ears, eyes, and anything else in need of rock n roll stimuli.

Thursday, October 18th @ the Mercury Lounge in Manhattan:
The Dirtbombs will be joined by:
-Jay Reatard
-The Intelligence
-Miss Alex White
-Cheap Time
-Turbo Fruits

Friday, October 19th @ Southpaw in Brooklyn:
The Dirtbombs will be joined by The Intelligence and Turbo Fruits

Saturday, October 20th @ Maxwell's in Hoboken:
Line-up TBA

And a reminder, say hey to ol' Elwood here at the shows.