Dinosaur Jr. Played Music Hall of Williamsburg

While many were out mourning the beloved King of Pop, Fareed and I headed to Brooklyn to endure one of the loudest show of our lives. We made excellent time and only missed the beginning of the Screaming Females set. This band has soared to new popularity in the past months as they have grown from a New Jersey basement band to opening shows for the Dead Weather. Fareed was highly anticipating their set and I was unfamiliar with their work, but was hooked by the time they slumped off stage. The thrio brought grunge (Fareed made an imediate Nirvana relation) and alt. rock to modern times and were a great set up for Dinosaur Jr. The lead singer thrashed the guitar and jolted around stage in true rock form. Her skills were fully displayed in a sense that almost equalled Sir J Masics himself. As Dinosaur Jr. took to the stage I was anxious as the epic erray of Marshall stacks loomed over the stage. As soon as they plugged in, the fuzz soared and the guys never looked back. They plowed through their entire catalouge and did so with every sense of ease. This is what they were made to do; come to the stage and bring the rock without any cause for concern what so ever. Just turn the amps up to 11 and never stop. Not even for a request of "Billie Jean."

Lung
I Want You to Know
Imagination Blind
Wagon
Pieces
Plans
Pick Me Up
Out There
Feel the Pain
Over It
Back to Your Heart
Forget the Swan
Freak Scene
Raisans
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Tarpit
Been There All the Time

Japandroids - Live on KEXP

Canadian noise-rockers Japandroids stopped by Seattle's KEXP to perform some songs from their kick ass debut album Post-Nothing, one of the year's best new albums. These guys fuse great guitar fuzz and blasting drums that mix pop-punk/hardcore/and once again shoegaze. While I am getting a little sick of this "noise/tropical-punk" phase these guys bring something refreshing to the table. Pitchfork, who also likes the album, posted this video of the guys.

Zack Morris Does Jimmy Fallon

I know this is a little late but here's to hoping for a full on "Saved By The Bell" reunion and more performances of "Friends Forever." Also major credit to Mark-Paul Gosselaar for going full out in this interview.

Dirty Projectors - "Stillness Is The Move"

When I saw Dirty Projectors open for Battles last spring in London I will admit that I was less the amazed. I was unsure of what to think after their set and somewhat disappointed due to their hype. Recently some these guys have been getting some heavy blog press so I gave their album Bitte Orca a listen and have had a complete change of heart. Their sound is so fresh and different from everything happening right now. The first single "Stillness Is The Move" was released in April and has been on heavy rotation for me as of late. The twangy guitar, off kilter drum beats, R&B influence, and killer vocal work all come together so well. This song is just one off many classics on the album. They currently are on tour with fellow Brooklyn band TV on the Radio and will play a free show in July.

mp3: Dirty Projectors - "Stillness Is The Move" (Live at SXSW)