Ain’t that some shit?

Frontman for both Cursive and The Good Life, Tim Kasher

The Game Of Monogamy has been described as: “more of an arranged record than any of Kasher’s past releases, filled with theatrical arrangements and lush instrumentation to create his own blend of classic pop. Ornamented with strings, harp, oboe, flute, and trombone, among other instruments, the songs vary in sound from vibrant and catchy (“Cold Love,” “I’m Afraid I’m Gonna Die Here”) to sweeping and grand (“No Fireworks,” “Monogamy”), and from hushed and spare (“Strays,” “The Prodigal Husband”), to urgent and fraught (“A Grown Man” {premiered exclusively here at AvantTrash in 2008}, “Bad, Bad Dreams”). This moody orchestral pop evokes a 1950s-esque, conservative atmosphere, setting the stage for a dilemma that remains thoroughly modern. The protagonist’s arc in The Game of Monogamy spans the wide range of distinctly human emotions tangled up around relationships in a starched shirt society. Call it the score for our collective sexual plight: expression routinely becomes repression in the name of romance.”

Kasher enlisted Patrick Newbery (trumpet/keys for Cursive; also of Lacona and Head of Femur) to help with the arrangements, the production, and to play on the record. Friends Erin Tate (Minus The Bear) and Matt Maginn (Cursive) also stopped by to add some drum and bass parts, respectively, and members of the Glacier National Symphony were recruited for the classical instrument parts. Tim will spend this fall on tour with Minus the Bear, Azure Ray and Tim Fite (which I’ve just been getting into and highly recommend).

TIM KASHER TOUR DATES
SEPT. 30 CLEVELAND, OH GROG SHOP
OCT. 3 PHILADELPHIA, PA BARBARY
OCT. 4 ALLSTON, MA GREAT SCOTT
OCT. 5 NEW YORK, NY OTHER MUSIC (In-store)
OCT. 6 BROOKLYN, NY ROCK SHOP
OCT. 18 EUGENE, OR WOW HALL*
OCT. 19 SAN FRANCISCO, CA THE REGENCY*
OCT. 20 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA DOWNTOWN BREWERY*
OCT. 21 SANTA CRUZ, CA RIO THEATRE*
OCT. 22 LOS ANGELES, CA WILTERN*
OCT. 23 TUCSON, AZ RIALTO*
OCT. 24 ALBUQUERQUE, NM SUNSHINE*
OCT. 25 LUBBOCK, TX JAKE’S*
OCT. 26 TULSA, OK MARQUEE*
OCT. 27 AUSTIN, TX STUBB’S*
OCT. 28 DALLAS, TX HOUSE OF BLUES*
OCT. 29 HOUSTON, TX HOUSE OF BLUES*
NOV. 1 DENVER, CO HI DIVE#
NOV. 3 SALT LAKE CITY, UT URBAN LOUNGE
NOV. 5 VANCOUVER, BC MEDIA CLUB
NOV. 6 SEATTLE, WA TRACTOR TAVERN
NOV. 7 PORTLAND, OR DOUG FIR LOUNGE
NOV. 10 VISALIA, CA CELLAR DOOR
NOV. 12 POMONA, CA GLASS HOUSE RECORD STORE
NOV. 13 SAN DIEGO, CA THE LOFT
NOV. 14 PHOENIX, AZ TBA
NOV. 19 OMAHA, NE THE WAITING ROOM
NOV. 20 CHICAGO, IL SCHUBAS

* supporting Minus The Bear
# with Azure Ray and Tim Fite

The Game Of Monogamy track listing:

Monogamy Overture
A Grown Man
I’m Afraid I’m Gonna Die Here
Strays
Cold Love
Surprise, Surprise
There Must Be Something I’ve Lost
Bad, Bad Dreams
No Fireworks
The Prodigal Husband
Monogamy

Darren Aronofsky’s (Requiem for a Dream/The Wrestler) new movie, about rival dancers from the NYC Ballet, stars Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. It’ll open this year’s Venice Film Festival next month, and then nationally in December. The synopsis from imdb:

Nina (Portman) is a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her obsessive former ballerina mother Erica (Hershey) who exerts a suffocating control over her. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side – a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.

After watching the trailer, I realized it has some freaky supernatural/psychological elements to it, ala Requiem. There are also already theories buzzing around online that Mila’s Black Swan/Lilly character may have a case of the Tyler Durdens, as she appears right as Natalie Portman’s character, Nina, begins to unravel.

A former bunhead myself, dance movies always peak my interest (I may or may not have seen Step Up 3D in theaters). I am, of course, a total snob and gasped aloud when I saw some not so graceful port de bras from Kunis but overall I’m excited to see it. I also think it’s weird/hot enough for non-dancers to be entertained. Thoughts? (I’m looking at you, Dead Lantern peeps.)

Ok, I’ll admit it, I haven’t been a hardcore fan of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World for years. I saw the trailer a couple months ago, thought it looked interesting and sounded familiar. In time I recognized Scott Pilgrim mainly from from geek conversations and a string of tweets from my local West Hollywood nerdery @meltdowncomics. Finally a couple weeks ago just before the TV trailer melee began I was able to read all 6 of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s books and they were nothing short of life-changing. His storytelling style is a multi-layered ADD blend of vintage video game humor and indie rock kitsch set against the background of the amazing maple mecca of Toronto. Needless to say I laughed my ass off while it burrowed it’s way into my heart. It’s not that often where you can read something that you just “get” and you feel like in some way it gets you back. So of course I’ll be seeing the movie on opening night Friday, August 13.

Normally when I’m anticipating a movie I’ll do my best not to spoil any of it but since the commercials and cross-platform marketing have been doing their best to remind me every 5 minutes of this movie’s release I decided to go the opposite route and absorb as much as I can. I started by watching the director, Edgar Wright’s (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) production vlogs starting at the end and working back to the beginning of shooting.

Then I found the soundtrack…oh man. The range of talent involved in bringing the music of SPvsTW is a who’s who of Toronto Indie (Metric, Broken Social Scene). In the comic Scott is in a band called Sex Bob-omb (after the SMB enemy natch) which is brought to life by the LA-native OT Clear Folk-wierdster Beck. Scott himself got his name from a song by a Can-band called Plumtree which is actually on the soundtrack. (track listing below)

The soundtrack and score (by Nigel Godrich) were released last tuesday and are available on iTunes. You can stream the soundtrack at Spinner and check back to AvantTrash this week for more Scott Pilgrim including a Scott Pilgrim giveaway!

Teaser video for Metric‘s “Black Sheep” as fictional indie-pop breakouts The Clash at Demonhead

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) track listing:
1. We Are Sex Bob-Omb – Sex Bob-Omb
2. Scott Pilgrim – Plumtree
3. I Heard Ramona Sing – Frank Black
4. By Your Side – Beachwood Sparks
5. O Katrina! – Black Lips
6. I’m So Sad, So Very, Very, Sad – Crash and the Boys
7. We Hate You Please Die – Crash and the Boys
8. Garbage Truck – Sex Bob-Omb
9. Teenage Dream – T. Rex
10. Sleazy Bed Track – The Bluetones
11. It’s Getting Boring By The Sea – Blood Red Shoes
12. Black Sheep – Metric
13. Threshold – Sex Bob-Omb
14. Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl – Broken Social Scene
15. Under My Thumb – The Rolling Stones
16. Ramona (Acoustic) – Beck
17. Ramona – Beck
18. Summertime – Sex Bob-Omb
19. Threshold 8 bit – Brian LeBarton

Update: Try this glamour on for size.

Semi Precious Weapons – Magnetic Baby
Uploaded by UniversalMusicGroup. – See the latest featured music videos.

Opening the album is ‘The Fight’, a fitting introduction for what’s in store on We Are Born. Playful, and upbeat, it’s toe-tapping material but still showcases Sia’s vocal talent. The mood changes up a bit with ‘Clap Your Hands’, less carefree, but still an effective mix of dance beat synthiness and her usual vocal prowess. Think less toe-tapping and more shoulder shaking. Check out the music video below.

To quote my amazeballs hair stylist, ‘You’ve Changed’ is my jam. Infectious keys and a groovy guitar riff make this one of those tracks that gets serious play in my ‘Summer Jamz’ playlist for 2010. Single material for sure, it was the final nail in the coffin for me, my love and dedication to Sia is now unwavering. We’re talking toe-tapping, shoulder shimmies, the whole sitch.

‘Be Good To Me’ has a real ‘Amy Winehouse minus the crackie Brit shitshow’ feel to it, and still as memorable as others, even though its one of the more slow-tempo songs.

She’s giving me haunting piano vocals like Tori Amos in ‘I’m In Here’, and it reminds me a bit of ‘Breathe Me’, with its incredible juxtaposition of loneliness and strength in both the lyrics and vocals. The chorus kind of just grabs you by the lungs and leaves you with this beautiful feeling of despair.

I really had to pick and choose which songs to highlight, as I had trouble discerning a ‘low point’ to the album. I hesitate to use words like ‘infectious’ or ‘catchy’ too much, because I feel like it implies annoying. Not the case. I was dancing around my room, singing along to the album within a few plays. Dancey beats are one thing, but this girl has the vocal chops to back it up, and a quirkiness that keeps the songs from being ‘Tik-Tok’-level obnoxious.

She manages no small feat in creating an album that works just as well in its entirety as it does listened to song-by-song. They fit together like pieces in a fashion collection, each song making up an integral part of the story of We Are Born as a whole, and it still holds up when listened to individually.

We Are Born is available now, and while there’s currently no more US tour dates, stay tuned ’cause you never know. Check her MySpace for European dates.

Semi Precious Weapons resume their opening slot on Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour starting June 28th, and they are giving a pair of tickets away to every US show on the summer leg of the tour. For more information on how to score tickets to the hottest tour of 2010, follow @preciousweapons on Twitter.

So now for the good stuff. A track-by-track description of their own album, “You Love You”, which according to Justin, is about “our not-so-secret mission is hoping that our fans will love themselves and rock ‘n roll more than anything else, even me.” Of course, my two cents are thrown in there too.

1. Semi Precious Weapons:

SPW: Despite being voted best band in NYC by the Village Voice, SPW are some broke ass bitches. When you use all the money you have to get your music out there, paying rent is a motherfucker. To avoid the streets, the band has stayed in (and were later evicted from) an illegal loft above a polish sweatshop, they have shared apartments with abusive, drug-addicted convicts, and banged (mostly) hot chicks across the 5 boroughs who could supply a warm bed to some gorgeous rockers. This track will leave you screaming Stevy, as his blistering guitar solo lights your pants on fire.

AT: This is the song I will never get tired of, one of my top 3 jay-ums for this summer. We’re talking volume up to 11, yelling out my window, raucous rock anthem, that I’ve played over and over and over since I saw them in January. Myself and every single friend of mine knows that glaMOUR is a way of life, no matter how broke you is. Sometimes you gotta go hungry to be fabulous (just think of the cheekbones), and this song is pretty much my everything right now. Needless to say, I’ve got a warm bed for those gorgeous rocker boys if they are ever again down on their luck.

2. Put A Diamond In It:

SPW: Newsflash: rock music is supposed to be fun. It is not about standing back with your arms folded, watching a fat hipster girl play an accordion and try to sing, When you listen to the ultra catchy hook of the rock n roll smash hit Diamond, you are left with no choice but to jump up and dance. And you know you want Justin’s baby.

AT: Commanding and sexy, the groove of this shit demands that your hips move. When Justin orders you to ‘Dance!’, you fucking dance.

3. Magnetic Baby:

SPW: Justin is the most charismatic individual to walk the planet. Women throw their moist panties at him and straight dudes want to fuck him. He has the magnetic power to draw you into his world of fame and excitement. Ultimately, this can breed jealousy, bitterness, love, lust, loss, and revenge. SPW brings you all the Shakespeare you could want but in a fucking sing along rock anthem.

AT: Who would have thought that a gawky sea-creature from Lake Zurich, Illinois could be so magnetic?

4. Statues Of Ourselves:

SPW: Cole Whittle’s haunting bass line invites you into a scene from NYC nightlife the way it should be lived. There is no party like a Lady Starlight party. And when Justin, Darian Darling, Breedlove, and other members of the Precious empire are in attendance, there is no other option but to worship them. They will even build their own statues to idolize. You have to worship yourself before anyone else will.

AT: Okay, that last sentence is my new life motto. This is the point at which they really started to surprise me. More quiet control than anything else I’d heard from them, and I really started to listen to Justin’s vocals, smooth like fucking honey. I love the build up before the last bridge, which leads to a subdued chorus, and then again builds and loses control, completely without abandon. The mood of this song absolutely puts you into a sweaty, foggy club in New York at 3 am, when and where legends are born.

5. Sticky With Champagne:

SPW: For Justin’s birthday, we wanted to go see a Sandra Bullock film. But we accidentally got drunk, had an impromptu naked photo shoot, and ended up seeing a hipster film. We snuck champagne into the theater and it exploded. We got sticky. As for the lyrics, they are so dark that I can’t even go there.

AT: This is pure rock and roll here, folks. Anyone who has ended (or fuck, began) their evening sticky with champagne will get down with this. I snuck booze into a theater on my birthday once, but we were seeing a Jet Li movie and it was a 4-pack of mini Kahluas. No joke.

6. I Could Die:

SPW: This song is a perfect example of how the album manages to capture the excitement and energy of a live show. The raw screams of the chorus, along with the rhythmic pounding of Dan’s explosive drum beat mirrors the passionate obsessive love being explored.

AT: I gotta agree, this song epitomizes those 4 punks onstage, commanding their beautiful audience of misfits. Justin screams that chorus and you want to scream back.

7. Leave Your Pretty To Me:

SPW: Justin has a knack for attracting women who are beautiful, tragic disasters. Homeless, heroin addicted, anorexic, alcoholic cutters who live and breathe for Justin and the band. He has always given too much of himself in trying to heal them. This song captures Justin’s realization that it is not his responsibility to fix them. But it does not stop him from loving them. This ballad will break your fucking heart.

AT: So I actually had to look down at my iPod to make sure this was still SPW. I did not see this coming, but I’m glad it did. I think everyone knows one or two lost souls that embody the pretty girl in this song. Maybe some of us have been that girl. Maybe some of us still are. Whichever the case, this song is beautiful and raw, touching and surprisingly heartfelt.

8. Rock n Roll Never Looked So Beautiful:

SPW: Rock and Roll should be filthy and glamorous. Rock out with your cock out and show your tits.

AT: That goddamn guitar solo is filthy filthy filthy. Makes me want to rub myself on things inappropriately. I would take a tit out for this song, no question. How can it not make you want to take a bath in blood and glitter? And I think the most important message here is that the glamour doesn’t end just because your heartbeat does. Love isn’t eternal, rock and roll is.

9. Look at Me:

SPW: If anyone assumes this is an all show and no substance operation, they can go fuck themselves. There is a gorgeous quiet composition to this song that reveals the true versatility and talent of the band. The message that love is organic, defying explanation or labels is further proof there is more than just flawless stage presence to Semi Precious Weapons.

AT: This track is bare and beautiful. He will give you the world, and in return just asks that you exist there with him in that moment. Sometimes the most terrifying, intimate moment you share with someone is looking at them. Sorry to wax poetic, but with a song so stripped down, it forces you to stop and think (and reapply your lip gloss). He says ‘subtlety is not my strength’, but there is a beautiful subtlety to this song that is really delicate and pure, a quiet power.

Like I said, available all over the United States starting tomorrow dudes. The band is also hosting and performing at official Monster Ball after parties all summer. Check out the first confirmed dates on their Myspace page (as well as check out their entire album, streaming there now). Now check out this montage of never-before-seen footage and glimpses of SPW’s upcoming music videos for “Magnetic Baby” and “Look at Me.”

AvantTrash affords me to learn about some really amazing bands I might have overlooked, or never even heard of otherwise. The most recent of which being Neon Trees-if you haven’t figured it out, with my NT obsession so obviously leaking onto this website.

Like I said before, I really dug their sound and their look and wanted so desperately to run my hands through Tyler Glenn’s mohawk (and whisper dirty things in his ear, but I digress). My thoughts on their debut album, ‘Habits’ can be found *here*. So anywho, super jazzed to see Neon Trees live, kinda totally dig 30 Seconds to Mars, and I like that one Mute Math song on the Twilight soundtrack, so I figured it’d be a good time…cue debilitating stomach illness. I was determined to suck it up and go, but was feeling weak enough I ended up leaving right after their set. Even still, a good time was had.

I forgot how hardcore 30STM fans are, and upon entering the Aragon, was slightly terrified. There was already a small group of people up front, securing their spot. I found mine and got inappropriately excited (based on everyone around me’s reactions) when the lights went out and Elaine and Chris took the stage and started the opening beats to ‘Love And Affection’. Right away, I could see how at home Tyler felt on stage, even in front of a motley group of concertgoers who (let’s face it) would have much rather it be Jared Leto (ugh) up there.

It seemed they’d dirtied up their set, either because its just how they play live, or because they smartly knew that audience would be more receptive to a heavier sound. Even with things ‘roughed up’ a bit, Tyler’s voice was clear and crisp, and I didn’t mind the variation in sound. Which is quite something, considering the acoustics at Aragon are notorious for being downright criminal. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly the audience warmed up to the band, mostly due to Tyler’s charismatic stage presence, which the crowd ate up. I found it amusing that during ‘1983’, I realized most of the audience weren’t even alive in 1983 (hell, even I wasn’t!).

They hit their stride with ‘Animal’, and when I turned around to find another place to stand/take photos (the stage was so high, I could barely see Elaine, damn it! I did however, get a nice view of all their lovely shoes), I was shocked to find I was going nowhere, now a prisoner amidst a packed and captivated venue.

The one song I wanted them to keep true to the album (‘In The Next Room’) was still significantly rocked up, but I suppose it’s a necessary evil when you’re in front of an angsty crowd of Leto-loving screamo boys and girls. Tyler also spent a lot of time writhing and/or seizuring on the ground (focus Ali, focus!) so it was difficult to see him for much of the show.

It was like watching a gang of misfits, led by Tyler who just didn’t give a fuck-they were going to have a good time, and force us to also. There were moments where he would stand up on the edge of the stage and demand everyone’s attention-makings of a true front man. It made it hard to observe anyone else, my camera just went to him on its own accord. For some 30-40 minutes they got to be superheroes, and I got to watch. And I know that for every douchebag in his faded 30 Seconds to Mars shirt (c’mon man, don’t be that guy) waiting in line for beer, there was a heavily eye-linered, heavily misunderstood minor who will be adding Tyler Glenn right under Jared Leto in their Spank Bank. Get in line.

Even as sick as I was, I still left the show in a good mood, with that little post-show high keeping me going during my colorful ride home on the El. When I got home, I immediately changed out of my skinny jeans and put on ‘Habits’-always a good sign. It wasn’t so much a feeling of ‘okay, I finally saw them’, more like ‘okay, when can I see them again?’ They have officially secured their place on my Must-See list of bands at this years’ Lollapalooza. Guess that makes me a ‘Precious Monster Animal’ now.

I dig the boys in fishnets.

Oh the unspeakable things we would do to that robot.

The self-titled debut album from Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants will be out 7/13 on Le Coq Napoleon/RCA.

More info on Chris Shiflett can be found on his Facebook.

Dax Riggs tour dates
MAY 28 DALLAS, TX THE CAVERN
MAY 29 HOUSTON, TX MANGO’S
JUN. 4 HOUMA, LA THE CITY CLUB
JUN. 5 NEW ORLEANS, LA ONE EYED JACKS
JUN. 11 LAKE CHARLES, LA LUNA
JUN. 12 NEW ORLEANS, LA ONE EYED JACKS
JUN. 18 LAFAYETTE, LA BLUEMOON SALOON
JUN. 19 NEW ORLEANS, LA ONE EYED JACKS
JUN. 25 BATON ROUGE, LA SPANISH MOON
JUN. 26 NEW ORLEANS, LA ONE EYED JACKS

Patty Larkin – Rear View Mirror
I think this is one of the best songs I have ever heard. I have seen Patty live about 10 times, but she has never played this song even though I’ve sat in the front row and screamed the title at her.

Peaches – Billionaire
The Teaches of Peaches are endless and always full of filthy glaMOUR.

AC/DC – Hells Bells
I bought Back In Black for the 9th time today. I’ve already listened to this song 3 times since I bought my 9th copy.

Fred Eaglesmith – Lipstick, Lies and Gasoline
When I worked in a jewelry store downtown in NYC, I listened to this song and record about 100 times. The alt country really confused the douchey bitches buying earrings.

Audrey Hepburn – Moon River
When I play this song for people they either say “Audrey can’t really sing” or they sob. I think this is fucking brilliant.

Patty Griffin – Icicles
I have listened to this song almost every single night as I go to sleep for 4 years. The only time I don’t is when I don’t remember falling asleep.

Semi Precious Weapons – Put A Diamond In It
Yes bitches, I’m putting my own song on this playlist. I’m just being honest, this is supposed to be a list of my 8 most played at the moment. Get into it.

CONTEST TIME! Jimmy Gnecco

Bio:
Ours frontman, Jimmy Gnecco, who gained critical acclaim for his dynamic vocals and songwriting style, is set to release his self-produced debut solo effort, The Heart, on July 20, 2010.  Graceful, personal and at times hymnal, The Heart, channels Gnecco’s undeniable talent, as he performed every instrument heard on the album (guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums).  But it’s his perfectly controlled falsetto, which is established in the album’s opener (“Rest Your Soul“), that truly takes center stage and is sustained throughout.

Gnecco first made a name for himself in the late 90s, as the lead singer of shape-shifting alternative rock band, Ours.  Dynamic and urgent, Ours signed to Dreamworks in 1997 and released three critically acclaimed records - Distorted Lullabies (2001), Precious (2002) and the Rick Rubin assisted, Mercy (2008).

Catch Jimmy on the road next month as he embarks on a North American tour with California troubadour, Greg Laswell.

Tour Dates:
May
6 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
7 Eugene, OR – WOW Hall
8 Seattle, WA – The Tractor
11 Denver, CO – Walnut Room
12 McPherson, KS – McPherson Opera House
14 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
15 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
17 Toronto, ONT – The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
19 Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig
20 Cleveland, OH – Cambridge Room at House of Blues
21 Columbus, OH – Rumba Café
22 Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel
24 Washington, DC – The Rock and Roll Hotel
25 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
26 Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel
27 Boston, MA- Paradise Rock Club
30 Charlotte, NC – The Evening Muse

June
1 Atlanta, GA – Vinyl
2 Birmingham, AL – Work Play Theatre
4 Dallas, TX – The Prophet Bar
5 Austin, TX – Stubb’s Bar-B-Q (Indoors)
8 Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
9 San Diego, CA – Anthology
10 San Francisco, CA – Cafe Du Nord

http://jimmygnecco.com/
http://myspace.com/jimmygneccosolo

Seriously, if you don’t have any mayjah plans this weekend, there is something fundamentally wrong with you. The irony is that I will not be attending any of these-work travels take me elsewhere. Shall we begin?

You might remember this first band from my balls-to-the-wall interview with them on their tour bus back in January. Well, motherfucking Semi
Precious Weapons are back in town, this time without Mother Gaga as headliners at 4 US show dates in L.A., Chicago, New York and Boston during a brief break on the Monster Ball tour.

They have their full-length album (You Love You) debuting in June on Geffen. These show are
not to be missed. I’ll only repeat myself once. Two times. NOT TO BE MISSED. For serious. Breaks my little black heart that I won’t be there tonight. You think that their dates on the Monster Ball were some bullshit debauchery, you just wait till they’re on their own. This show is going to be bananas and I for one am slightly pissed I won’t be able to witness them in all their glory.

Catch them TONIGHT at Subterranean-doors at 7, but do yourself a favor and get there in time to catch Nico Vega. If you’re not convinced, take a gander at their video for their single, ‘Semi Precious Weapons’ and scream that shit or you might get hurt.

Also this weekend, as I mentioned in a previous post, Melissa Auf der Maur is in town, with a double-event showcasing her sophomore effort, Out Of Our Minds. You can hit her album release show at Beat Kitchen, her screening at Chicago Art Department, or both.

Friday, April 23rd
Venus Zine & Chicago Art Department present MAdM Out of Our Minds Short Film Screening
6 PM @ Chicago Art Department
1837 S. Halsted

Saturday, April 24th
Venus Zine presents MAdM Out of Our Minds Album Release Party
w/ Panther Style
9:30 PM @ Beat Kitchen
2100 W. Belmont Ave.

ALSO today, kooky and brilliant singer Sia is playing the Vic. The first single off her new album (We Are Born, out 6/22), ‘Clap Your Hands’ made its video debut a few days ago on Perez Hilton. US tour dates here.

Now get out there and fucking do something.