Singer/songwriter Walter Schreifels is no stranger to fame or life as a musician. His name most likely sounds very familar to you. Just reading his biography brings me back to a handful of bands that I loved from mid 90’s radio. Yes kids, that’s when we had to wait all day for our favorite songs to come on the station and we’d tape them (if we only had iTunes!).
Schreifels is best known for his work as singer of Gorilla Biscuits and Youth of Today. From then he moved on to sing in Quicksand and Rival Schools. After that he joined punk band CIV. Phew.
Now he is on to a new chapter in his life by releasing his first solo album An Open Letter To The Scene (Academy Fight Song) that comes out today. He is no longer, as American Analog Set would put it, “punk as fuck,” and has taken on a more Paul Westerberg meets Jon Brion meets Nada Surf kind of sound. This is truely a record to give a listen to.
Just releasing his first video from the album of the song “Arthur Lee’s Lullaby,” it’s obvious that he has broken away from a majority of his punk roots, but the outcome is perhaps his finest work. If you don’t mind me saying. He takes singer/songwriter to a new level and beyond.
If you like, well, love indie rock darlings, The National, then you will have no shortage of seeing them this spring and summer. This band is literally slated to drop everywhere possible, on what looks like the longest tour known to man. Touring in support of their newest release High Violet (4AD), which hits stores in the U.S. on May 10th, it’s already a proven success.
The word from The National’s label is that these aren’t even ALL of the dates the band is slated to play. There are in fact more to be announced, especially for later in the year. How do they do it? We’ll never know, but hell we’re glad that they are. They’ll be playing with everyone from Rufus Wainwright to Pavement.
Check the dates below to see when you can catch the guys rolling into your town. Also be sure to jump on tickets as fast as you can. We’re sure these will be selling out fast.
The National Tour Dates:
05-05 London, England – Electric Ballroom $
05-06 London, England – Royal Albert Hall $
05-07 Paris, France – Le Zenith *
05-08 Berlin, Germany – Huxley’s Neue Welt $
05-09 Berlin, Germany – Astra $
05-21 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern #
05-22 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern #
05-23 San Diego, CA – Spreckels Theatre #
05-26 Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre
05-27 Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre #
05-29 Quincy, WA – Sasquatch Festival
06-02 Boston, MA – House of Blues %
06-03 Boston, MA – House of Blues %
06-04 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory %
06-05 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory %
06-06 Washington, DC – DAR Constitution Hall %
06-08 Toronto, Ontario – Massey Hall %
06-09 Toronto, Ontario – Massey Hall %
06-11-13 Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo
06-16 New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall %
06-18 Buffalo, NY Albright-Knox Gallery @
06-26 Pilton, England – Glastonbury Festival
07-01-04 Roskilde, Denmark – Roskilde Festival
07-06 Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Paradiso
07-08 Hamburg, Germany – Stadtpark !~
07-09 Brighton, England – Corn Exchange
07-12-13 Lyon, France – Les Nuits de Fourviere
07-14 Munich, Germany – Rathausplatz
07-16 Southwold, England – Latitude Festival
07-17-18 Lisbon, Portugal – Super Bock Super Rock
07-27 Brooklyn, NY – Prospect Park ^
07-31 Montreal, Quebec – Osheaga Festival
08-02 Columbus, OH – LC Pavilion %
08-03 Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Theatre %
08-04 Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theatre %
08-05-06 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue %
08-06-08 Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
08-11 Oslo, Norway – Oya Festival
08-13 Gothenburg, Sweden – Way Out West Festival
08-14 Haldern, Germany – Haldern Pop Festival
08-15 St. Malo, France – Le Route du Rock
08-18 Vienna, Austria – Arena
08-21 Hasselt-Kiewit, Belgium – Pukkelpop Festival
08-22 Biddinghuizen, The Netherlands – Lowlands Festival
09-03-05 Stradbally, Ireland – Electric Picnic
09-10 Vancouver, British Columbia – Malkin Bowl +
09-11 Redmond, WA – Marymoor Amphitheater >
$ with Buke and Gass
* with Pavement
# with Ramona Falls
% with the Antlers
^ with Beach House
@ with Rufus Wainwright
! with Midlake
~ with the Middle East
+ with the Walkmen
> with Okkervil River
Listen to and download “Blood Bath Ohio,” from the new record!
Excitement was in the air on Saturday night as boys in tailored jackets and girls in summer dresses and leggings flocked to the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. The second of three sold out shows in one week, and their only non 21+ event, The Morning Benders, and new Brooklyn residents, were ready to take the stage in full force.
Opening the night was the Canadian band, The Luyas. This band the night could have done without. The singer’s voice was not always pleasant sounding, even though I’m certain she was trying to make it sound ‘pretty.’ Nothing amazing stood out about this group, and it was obvious. If they hadn’t played, The Morning Benders could have done a longer set, and that my friends, would have been radtacular. I wouldn’t go out of my way to see this band because, well, they made me sleepy on so many levels.
Next up was Holiday Shores, who were extremely impressive live. The band was missing a few members that night and took on a couple of the guys from Twin Sister for the set. You couldn’t even tell they weren’t part of the band because they were DEAD ON. Originating from Florida (Is it becoming the new Brooklyn, Surfer Blood?), the guys made it up to New York for a one night only set. Nice. The crowd was into it, mouthing the words and dancing around. Things were really getting started.
Around 11pm The Morning Benders finally took the stage. Opening with the spacey number “Stiches,” off of their new record Big Echo (+1 Music/Roughtrade), the audience was howling. “You don’t know me by name,” echoed from singer Chris Chu’s voice. It was at that point chills went down my spine and I knew we were all in for a treat tonight.
The crowd seemed intent on every word, every guitar hum, every cymbal crash that the band had to offer. What we were witnessing is one of the greatest acts to have come out in the past ten years. Their harmonies are reminiscent of early Beach Boys records and even more prominent live than on their records.
“We’re going to play you our new album tonight, Big Echo,” said Chu and fans were noticably ecstatic to be experience nearly every single song.
I’m not sure if I could say there was a ‘standout’ tune of the night, because nearly everything stood out. When it came time to play their second single “Promises,” everyone was singing along. When the band promised us they’d play songs we can dance to, they started it off with “Cold War (Nice Clean Fight)” one of the most incredible and fun songs to hear live.
Throughout the show, only one old song was played, which was a slower version of “Damnit Anna.” No one seemed to mind it though and it fit in perfectly. They also played a new track called “Go Grab a Stranger,” which was amazing beyond words.
It’s amazing to me to see this band that I saw play a Puma Instore two years ago when CMJ took place (and they weren’t part of the festival), completely grown. The store wasn’t even full, and John Norris from MTV was sitting on the floor watching the band. Flash forward to today where The Morning Benders are one of the hottest indie bands around and their newest release is produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear? Talk about coming along way.
Amongst some personal song highlights of the night were “All Day Day Light,” “Pleasure Sighs,” “Hand Me Downs,” and of course, “Excuses.” For this song, Chu came into the crowd and sung to a few audience members as he roamed around the front portion of the floor. He really knows how to work a crowd, and you can see he enjoys every moment of it. So does the fans. There was no encore, and Chu told the crowd that the band would be in the lobby after the show to greet and talk to fans.
This is what makes me love music. This is what makes me love The Morning Benders.
With the spring breeze in the air on an early night in Willimsburg, Brooklyn last Wednesday, fans packed the Knitting Factory to see the Miniature Tigers play their first show EVER in the BK area. Four of the nicest guys took time out to greet friends and fans that they passed throughout the night.
Hitting the stage first was The Stationary Set. The room was already starting to get packed for this indie buzz band. Trading instruments like something you would see at a Sloan show, and seperate precussion that you would experience while seeing Pavement, were both driven throughout. Lead singer (most of the time at least), Andrew Lutes, has one of the most poppiest voices I’ve heard in a long time. Though these boys may be on a small label they certainly have a big label sound and potential. I can only imagine we will be hearing more about The Stationary Set in the coming months.
The next to take the stage was Australia’s own, The Grates. The quintet led by charasmatic and energenic front woman, Patience Hodgson, literally blew the crowd away (even down to her golden chucks). What we were in for, and I’m sure no one was aware, was a 45 minute set of pump-your-fist-dance-your-ass-off music. If you didn’t look like you were having fun Hodgson got in your face and made sure that you did. And who could resist? The Grates play amazing indie pop tunes with a dab of Gwen Stefani style. Heading into the crowd several times, she really won the whole crowd over, leaving a once skeptical audience wanting more.
Around 10pm, the Miniature Tigers took the stage with big grins on their faces. Rick Schaier’s signature moustache is noticably gone, and I couldn’t help but think of the fresh faced CMJ newcomers I had originally met in 2008 and interviewed in a diner. It’s amazing how far they’ve come since their first New York City trip.
Most of the night was filled with upcoming material from their second record, Fortress (ModernArt) that is due to be released this summer. Produced by musician/friend/tourmate Chris Chu of The Morning Benders, you can really feel how the group has crafted their songs further from the early versions they have been playing recently on their last couple of tours.
New tracks like “There’s a Japanese Woman in My Closet,” and “Bullfighter Jackets,” were amazing to hear live on stage and really started to give the audience a glimpse of what the new album is going to sound like. Singer Charlie Brand’s voice is more brilliant in tone than ever. For a few songs, the band switched it up a bit as Schaier
took to the keyboard and synths and guitarist Algernon Quashie went behind the drums. Though I am not sure of the title, Rick took the lead vocals on one track that was very un-Mini T’s like but it was incredible nonetheless how it switched things up.
Brand also came out from behind the guitar and went mic-stand solo for a track as well. The band has become quite popular with fans and fellow musicians alike as there was some giggling high school girls in the corner, and you could see Tim Or of The Morning Benders and Christian Rudder of Bishop Allen watching the show from the center of the crowded room.
Everytime I see the Miniature Tigers they get better and better. I’m not sure how it’s possibly but they manage to pull it off flawlessly every single time. Watch out for Fortress this summer, and the band will most certainly be on tour thereafter. Be sure to check them out when they pass by your fortress!
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Canadian indie pop outfit, The New Pornographers, or at least it seems like it anyway. The band is back in action with the announcement of a new album and a tour of epic proportions.
They’ll be releasing their most recent record on their longtime label, Matador Records titled Together, out May 4th. The first single titled “The Crash Years,” just went on sale at iTunes today.
If you head over to the Matador Store, you get the sweet deal of a FREE EP of the New Pornographers covering three songs by Detroit’s own Outrageous Cherry.
That’s not all the band has in store though. They’ll be launching a massive tour from May 19th to August 4th! The band will be taking The Mountain Goats, Here We Go Magic, The Dodos, The Dutchess and The Duke and Imaad Wasif. Check out the tour dates below!
The New Pornographers Tour Dates
5-19 London, England – Electric Ballroom !
05-21 Berlin, Germany – Magnet Club !
05-22 Hamburg, Germany – Molotow !
05-23 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg !
05-25 Brussels, Belgium – Orangerie !
05-26 Paris, France – La Maroquinerie !
05-27 Toulouse, France – Cafe Rex !
05-28 Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound Festival !
05-31 George, WA – Sasquatch Music Festival
06-07 Calgary, Alberta – MacEwan Hall *
06-08 Edmonton, Alberta – Edmonton Event Centre *
06-09 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – The Odeon Events Centre *
06-10 Winnipeg, Manitoba – The Garrick Centre *
06-11 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue ^#
06-12 Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater ^#
06-13 Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall ^#
06-15 Toronto, Ontario – The Sound Academy ^#
06-17 Montreal, Quebec – Le National ^#
06-18 Boston, MA – House of Blues ^#
06-19 New York, NY – Terminal 5 ^#
06-21 Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero Theatre ^#
06-22 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ^#
06-23 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ^#
06-25 Chapel Hill, NC – Memorial Hall at UNC ^#
06-26 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse ^#
06-27 Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom ^#
06-28 St Louis, MO – The Pageant ^
07-15 Vancouver, British Columbia – The Vogue Theatre ^%
07-16 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom ^%
07-18 Oakland, CA – Fox Theater ^%
07-19 Los Angeles, CA – Henry Fonda Theater ^%
07-20 Los Angeles, CA – Henry Fonda Theater ^%
07-21 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre ^%
07-23 Austin, TX – Stubb’s BBQ ^%
07-24 Dallas, TX – The Showroom at Palladium ^%
07-25 Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom ^%
07-26 Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall ^%
07-28 Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre ^%
07-30 Boise, ID – Egyptian Theatre ^%
08-04 Madison, WI – Orpheum Theatre ^
Though we’re not sure why it’s happening, The Libertines are set to reunite for the upcoming Reading and Leeds festival this year in Europe. The band has spent quite a time apart since Pete Doherty and Carl Barat hated each other, for a lack of better words. Now they’re heading back into action, away from all their recent projects, and onto the stage together. Though this reunion has the ability to be pretty amazing if everyone has their act together, if it actually gets to the stage in the first place then it will be just as amazing.
The festival takes place from August 27th to August 29th and features an amazing lineup of bands from Arcade Fire, to Modest Mouse to We Are Scientists. Limp Bizkit is also playing the fest. Yea, we’re just going to pretend that it’s not really happening. Take a look below for the list of all the performers that will be playing alongside The Libertines.
Main Stage
Guns N’ Roses
Queens Of The Stone Age
Biffy Clyro
Lostprophets
NoFX
Gogol Bordello
Billy Talent
NME/Radio 1 Stage
LCD Soundsystem
Phoenix
Mumford & Sons
Delphic
Yeasayer
The Big Pink
Two Door Cinema Club
Reading Saturday August 28/ Leeds Friday August 27 Main Stage
Arcade Fire
The Libertines
Dizzee Rascal
The Cribs
The Maccabees
Modest Mouse
Gaslight Anthem
NME/ Radio 1 Stage
Pendulum
Enter Shikari
Crystal Castles
Special Guests
Frank Turner
Reading Sunday August 29/ Leeds Saturday August 28 Main Stage
Blink-182
Paramore
Weezer
Cypress Hill
Limp Bizkit
You Me At Six
All Time Low
NME/ Radio 1 Stage
Klaxons
We are Scientists
Foals
Band of Horses
Kele
The Drums
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