Deerhunter on Conan tonight

12/2/2010 2:32:00 PM

might as well put this in here

12/3/2010 4:55:37 PM

^ stoked

12/3/2010 5:15:51 PM

the key is that there will still be a party at brome afterwards

12/3/2010 5:56:52 PM

I heard Love Language will be at Tir Na Nog tonight. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

12/3/2010 6:13:03 PM

I talked to Stu two nights ago and he didn't mention that but that doesn't mean anything

12/3/2010 9:28:30 PM

do you like the love language?

do you enjoy vaguely countryish indie rock?

would you like a chance to heckle vinylbandit in person?

get your tickets now for

THE LOVE LANGUAGE w/ CELLAR SEAS

JAN. 15th

CAT'S CRADLE

12/5/2010 1:37:50 AM

CONSPIRATOR

December 16th

Lincoln Theatre

12/5/2010 10:58:32 PM

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME

titus andronicus is touring with the pogues

http://pitchfork.com/news/40936-titus-andronicus-to-tour-with-the-pogues/

12/8/2010 10:41:25 AM

^

Quote :

"File this one under: Good excuses to get so drunk that you actually start crying"

In-fucking-deed. Might have to drive up to D.C. for that one.

12/8/2010 10:54:35 AM

meh

12/8/2010 1:34:58 PM

best local beer local band yet.

12/8/2010 4:14:15 PM

I don't intend to troll here, but does no one else notice the local scene is, well, pretty much completely homogenized now? Lo-Fi, reverb, noise rock or acoustic, moody keyboard sections? Let me be clear--I like it, for the most part--but really, when's it time to grow a little? There must be 30 local bands that don't necessarily sound identical, but it's all the same approach, with a few hitches thrown in to distinguish them from others who've done it prior. Thoughts? I can't be crazy...

12/8/2010 4:26:40 PM

^I agree with everything you said, and I'm a fan as well. The local scene is a reflection of the Pitchforkish new mainstream (though the bands and the fans would be horrified to admit it). It's in car commercials, dept stores, Billboard Hot 100, and your local music venue. The older musicians in the area helped establish it all, and you've got the younger bands who grew up listening to 90's alternative. It's like this all over the country right now. I'm glad it's "Lo-Fi, reverb, noise rock or acoustic, moody keyboard sections" as opposed to Grunge, or Dave Matthews or whatever has had it's day. It'll pass. Like I said, it's the new mainstream- Arcade Fire, Spoon, Wilco, Vampire Weekend etc sell records in the hundreds of thousands now. Everybody knows who Deerhunter, Bon Ivor and the National are. They are influencing people all over the country. It's probably more about how many bands there are with a presence right now around here. It's so easy to get overwhelmed and confused because anybody can make a record and throw it up online and start bugging the crap out of people about it on message boards and facebook.

12/8/2010 4:56:05 PM

please show me some local noise rock bands. i'll go to more local shows. nine fingered thug is pretty noise rock, but they're brand spanking new. where are the others i missed? in the year of the pig, maybe? and what is a lo-fi or reverb band? lo-fi is a production style and reverb... is reverb. i don't even know what the last thing you said means.

12/8/2010 5:08:28 PM

Quote :

"Everybody knows who Deerhunter, Bon Ivor and the National are."

everybody who matters?

12/8/2010 5:11:52 PM

Bone Igor

12/8/2010 5:47:34 PM

Yeah, I'm just not sure that's very accurate, Willem. I think that if you think local music sounds homogenized, you should listen a little closer. No offense; just there are a lot of different local bands that sound pretty disparate. And tallboy was even further off when he tried to claim that it's a national trend...

However, one thing I do often wonder about with local music is if the more popular local bands are objectively good or if people just like those bands more because they're from here. I think it's a bit of both.

12/8/2010 8:29:26 PM

Dilly, just saying it's national cause I'm in a touring band and have seen it for a while now. This area isn't unique. It's got a lot of good bands, but by far not unique.

12/8/2010 9:12:01 PM

I wasn't saying the area was unique. I just wholeheartedly disagree that the national music scene has become homogenized in any sense of that word. All those bands you listed are completely different from one another. And I think it's incredibly lazy to throw it all under one term, especially one as half-assed as "Pitchforkish."

12/8/2010 10:16:34 PM

I hear you. I was wanting to categorize bands that would get coverage somewhere like Pitchfork or Stereogum, as opposed to Rolling Stone or Spin. That gap is even closing I guess. My intent wasn't to say those bands sound the same. And hey, I am lazy when it comes to categorizing music! It either falls into one of two categories- I like it, or I don't. Break things down more than that and it'll take you to long to make a mix tape. Now let's all go support our local scene, see you at Kings!

12/8/2010 11:30:30 PM

am I correct in understanding that there will be no advanced tickets sold to The Great Cover Up @ Kings, and everything is at the door?

if so, that is some incredibly stupid shit. they have to have a good reason to do things that way, or at least i would hope.

12/9/2010 4:17:23 PM

because they've always done it that way

and it's never been a problem

so why would it be a problem now?

i tried to get paul to sell a few dozen three day passes, but it didn't happen

12/9/2010 11:39:55 PM

I'm with Willem. Well not entirely, but the crux of his point.

12/10/2010 12:43:32 AM

i'd really like to see the list of 30 local bands who sound alike

the closest i can think of is bright young things/tomahawks/luego/etc., but that's mostly because it's all the same guys

or, just for starters, any local band that fits the "reverb, lo-fi" tag that i can only assume is referring to national stuff like best coast or dum dum girls

12/10/2010 12:51:23 AM

12/10/2010 2:43:31 PM

Quote :

"because they've always done it that way and it's never been a problem so why would it be a problem now? i tried to get paul to sell a few dozen three day passes, but it didn't happen"

1. because the lines at the "new" Kings are notoriously slow moving; you have one small entrance, one dude checking id's and taking money, to enter into TWO establishments, counting Neptunes.

2. because, combined with #1, we'll be waiting in line when it's 20 fucking degrees outside.

3. because they're competing last night and tonight with the Big Star benefit at the Cradle --- if the options are waiting in line in 20 degree weather at Kings or buy the sure ticket to waltz into the Cradle, I'm probably going with that option even though Kings is closer.

4. they didn't release the bands who were going to be doing the covers to make one certain whether it's worth waiting in line for. now, i know they don't want to release WHO is being covered, but a simple statement of who is going to be playing on which night could've helped strengthen the resolve.

5. I have friends coming from out of town to go to this and it would be nice to ensure they would have a ticket in case they show up late, rather than having to wait on them to traverse into town, scramble up there, and then stuck at the back of a narrow and notoriously slow line when I would've gladly paid $3 more for all of us to have the peace of mind of an advanced ticket purchase.

don't get me wrong, i'll be there tonight, but i cannot think of one possible reason to not sell them early unless they wanted to avoid processing fees. why not sell at least half in advance and hold the remainder back at the door?

it just doesn't seem smart... at all.





[Edited on December 10, 2010 at 4:17 PM. Reason : .]

12/10/2010 4:10:31 PM

Quote :

"1. because the lines at the "new" Kings are notoriously slow moving; you have one small entrance, one dude checking id's and taking money, to enter into TWO establishments, counting Neptunes."

On nights when there is a show, there are two doormen: one at ground level for Neptunes, and one at the door to Kings.

Quote :

"2. because, combined with #1, we'll be waiting in line when it's 20 fucking degrees outside."

The Cover-Up has always been in the winter. One year all of downtown was covered in ice and they still had a packed house. Don't be a pussy.

Quote :

"3. because they're competing last night and tonight with the Big Star benefit at the Cradle --- if the options are waiting in line in 20 degree weather at Kings or buy the sure ticket to waltz into the Cradle, I'm probably going with that option even though Kings is close"

Fine if you feel that way, but you're talking $8 walking down the street versus a thirty minute drive and a $20 ticket. I'd be surprised if anyone else is debating these two for that reason.

Quote :

"4. they didn't release the bands who were going to be doing the covers to make one certain whether it's worth waiting in line for. now, i know they don't want to release WHO is being covered, but a simple statement of who is going to be playing on which night could've helped strengthen the resolve."

They've never announced the bands before and it's never been a problem.

These all sound like personal gripes, not major problems with the execution of the event.

12/10/2010 4:52:44 PM

^ oh, I fully admit they are personal gripes. Never stated otherwise, but I can assure you that from talking to a few folks from Durham who would like to go to this, the advanced sale would have done nothing but increase their attendance.

I, personally, don't mind that the bands performing aren't announced ahead of time. The element of surprise is part of the joy of the Cover Up. But, if peeps are standing out there, it might help strengthen their resolve to know they're going to hear a certain band and still retain the surprise factor by who that band (and others) choose to cover. It wouldn't make much of a difference for me, as I've only had the best of times at this event over the years, but I would think it certainly adds incentive for some.

As you said, though, there's always been a draw for it. I went to the Kings version years past, and I went to the Tir Na Nog (undercover, or wtf ever) version last year, and I've never had any complaints.

I've also never had to worry about the line at Kings for the shows I have gone to this year, I want to be clear about that. But, I've also either had an advanced ticket OR the Hopscotch VIP band.

My worry for how this is going to go over is more anticipatory angst than anything and based on the number of times I've stood in line for Neptunes/Kings on non-show nights before I decided it just wasn't worth it and went elsewhere.

Obviously, I should see how it functions before I bitch, which is why I merely questioned initially whether there was a specific reason it was being handled this way, and I'm just not seeing much of an argument for why there isn't some sort of an advanced sale other than the cliche "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

That being said, I will be there at 8:30, and happy as hell about it.


[Edited on December 10, 2010 at 5:16 PM. Reason : .]

12/10/2010 5:12:41 PM

Also, FWIW, there were no problems last night.

12/10/2010 5:31:35 PM

heard last night was pretty mediocre anyways

12/10/2010 5:42:40 PM

and, there were absolutely zero problems last night. waltzed right in the door.

also, it was fantastic. i thought The Spring Collection really nailed Steve Miller Band.... and i don't even like Steve Miller band.

Beck, Radiohead (the Bends) and The Strokes were all a lot of fun, too.

12/11/2010 5:26:06 PM

the beck set would've been much better if they'd worked on it for more than a couple days

that shit needs samples and horns and etc. etc.

--

i know at least one set for tonight that has a rather insane level of preparation, so i'm pumped for that

same fellers and i are having a meeting next week for our set next year

12/11/2010 5:59:20 PM

who all was covered last night? i couldn't make it.

12/12/2010 11:47:14 AM

I had a feeling all of my questions would be answered, loopholes in claims exposed, and enlightenment would be had within the first 5 posts following mine.

I can't name 30 bands--it was an exaggeration. I only am going on what I hear from friends and peers about some "local" band, who, in my summation, sounds remarkably like another band that's been doing it in the triangle for 5-6 years.

I used "lo-fi" generically to indicate something that isn't overproduced, or, often, not produced well at all (let's be honest).

Seems everyone has some uneventful key section (I know, not everyone, but it's anything but uncommon).

and reverb. Lots of reverb.

To deny it would be silly, but in all honesty, I DON'T know every band that's doing it locally right now. I suppose I've only heard the one that sound somewhat similar, and that reason is probably because THAT'S what sells tickets right now.

and I disagree with the "pitchforkish" bit, because I sometimes hear bands from other parts of the country, and am quite refresh (it would take a little while to yield the names of these bands)

my life doesn't exactly lend itself to get fully immersed into the scene as much as I'd prefer, or, really, just to really get to get into a new band fully.

that's why about every 8-10 months, I'm asking on FB and here what I ought to check out. I suppose what I'm really getting at is that the last few times I've done that, it's yielded about the same thing as the prior 2-3 inquiries.

Eh. I totally agree it's much better that this stuff is getting all over as opposed to shit like DMB, etc, but still...I think it's just time for it to ride, make room for some new shizzle.


I also realize I'm all over the place with this shit, and that's probably a reflection of my tastes, anyhow. Sometimes, I'm like, "damn, I really like this album," and others, I'm like, "this shit again? sounds an awful lot like ______ to me."

I suppose people were saying that in 1991 with alternative stuff, too.

EH

I think that's why I love Future Islands so much--because I feel they've cornered their own little niche, at least locally, while everyone else just seems to want to grow a beard and play guitar.

[Edited on December 12, 2010 at 12:09 PM. Reason : dfasaaa]

12/12/2010 12:07:32 PM

steve miller band was so good. easily the most stoked i've been watching a band in months. the strokes were cool, too. i love the strokes.

coc played a house show last night. i didn't go. they probably played some butt metal shit and some eye for an eye shit for the kids. dunno though.

willemjoel just wrote a ton of words without actually saying anything. future islands is killer, though i don't think it's because of their lack of beards and only one electric bass guitar. they aren't a local band, though, and most of their fans around here are total boners.

12/12/2010 3:32:21 PM

Quote :

"that's why about every 8-10 months, I'm asking on FB and here what I ought to check out. I suppose what I'm really getting at is that the last few times I've done that, it's yielded about the same thing as the prior 2-3 inquiries."

Maybe the problem is with your FB friends and not the local scene.

12/12/2010 3:40:29 PM

one amazin' kid reunion show in charlotte Saturday

12/13/2010 6:33:53 PM

Quote :

"I think that's why I love Future Islands so much--because I feel they've cornered their own little niche, at least locally, while everyone else just seems to want to grow a beard and play guitar."

While Future Islands have roots here, they're not a local band. They stand out against the more guitar-oriented scene of Raleigh/Chapel Hill (and this scene has always been guitar-oriented), but in Baltimore they fit right in because it's a more electronic-oriented scene.

That's not to say that Future Islands are not original or excellent, but you could just as easily any one of the very good guitar-pop bands from Raleigh and make the same argument for them if they played in Baltimore every three months.

12/13/2010 9:55:22 PM

Weezer setlist last night in NYC:

Memories
Pork n Beans
Greatest Man
Perfect Situation
Dope Nose
Hash Pipe
You Gave Your Love To Me Softly
Susanne
Jamie
Only in Dreams

All of Pinkerton

12/19/2010 1:56:44 PM

meh

12/19/2010 4:02:46 PM

6 guitars...too many effects pedals to count, anything can happen.

I will be doing a live multi-track recording of the show, and I encourage people to bring VHS camcorders.

FREE

12/19/2010 4:35:07 PM

I'm pretty much content with the local scene, because my expectations aren't very high. I don't really see a lot of potential in most of these bands, though. And it's certainly not like gigging downtown at Slim's or something for the past five or so years is paying the bills for anybody.

I just take it for what it's worth... Having said all that, it's not like I don't have a good time going downtown seeing these acts the majority of the time. However, I really, really hate the fucking scene. Oh, and also this huge amount of music blogging that's way too hard to avoid.

Quote :

"the closest i can think of is bright young things/tomahawks/luego/etc., but that's mostly because it's all the same guys"

Good example of what Joel is talking about here. In my opinion, these people are terrible...

12/19/2010 9:16:18 PM

yeah I really don't like any of those 3 bands

(no one i know really likes them that much either)

[Edited on December 19, 2010 at 10:03 PM. Reason : ]

12/19/2010 9:57:57 PM

they're all very good musicians

unfortunately, the music they make often bores me to tears

it's exquisitely crafted, precisely played, and wholly unaffecting

12/20/2010 3:47:18 AM

Quote :

"one amazin' kid reunion show in charlotte Saturday"

dangit! I would have wanted to go! Had no idea about this

Do you have any of this Christmas stuff? I can't find mine anywhere.

12/20/2010 7:47:49 AM

Quote :

"bright young things/tomahawks/luego"

I <3 all the Arbor Ridge duders.

12/20/2010 12:38:23 PM

Where did 'duder' come from? Lebowski, perhaps? Also annoying...

vinylbandit, I agree with everything you said except the 'talented musicians' part. I think those DUDERS definitely know how to play a guitar, some keyboards, drums maybe...in mediocrity. It's not like you can't point out the fret buzz on some of their recordings.

Hearing good/amazing musicians playing mediocre shit that "bores someone to tears" is a world of difference from what I've heard from the Collection of Luegohawk Things, and that's the bottom line. For example (just because it's the first band that comes to mind), the Kruger Brothers; PHENOMENAL musicians, but most of their repertoire is in fact, boring as shit.

Anyway, I'm done harping on the shortcomings of some local bands that just seem to be going through the motions. However, I think the most annoying thing to me about those bands is how much they oversaturate the market. Every damned week you can catch any given one of those groups at some dive. Yeah, we get it. Either you're content with being fillers, or you're just enjoying it. But don't act like the majority of us should care everytime you tweet or Facebook post about being at Slim's or Tir Na Nog...

meh.

12/20/2010 7:41:30 PM

Oh, and I will say, since I've heard that Nick Jaeger guy is a big douche, that it's not surprising. Have you listened to his lyrics? He's a cunt hair away from the Kid Rock status of rhyming 'things' with 'things'.

hahahahha.

12/20/2010 7:44:12 PM

I don't disagree with anything you said

but I will say that Mark Connor, who is in a lot of those bands, is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet

12/20/2010 8:33:47 PM