My Bloody Valentine @ The National (07-30-09)

My Bloody Valentine is one of those bands that seemed to change peoples lives in their teenage years and get them hooked on some underground rock binge. I was however either to stubborn at the time to join on this band wagon, to stuck on my folk n' freak out music. However in the past couple years things are different. Sounds all around seem to spark me / and last night I biked away from the show fully understanding my progression of musical understanding.

Kurt Easley was the opening act for the show. It was just a simple folk set with bad jokes in between each song. It was basically filler before My Bloody Valentine comes on.

My Bloody Valentine's sets was a mind melt of dream like qualities added in with legit rock ability. Considering this band have been on hiatus for quite some time I was quite taken back by how relevant this band still seems to be after all these years. Theres a real fierce energy through out their set that just puts you in a completely different set of mind. The main example of this being during the final song "You Made Me Realise" which at first is a straight up rock song but then after a couple minutes turns into a 20 minute noise battle that literally makes your entire body shake // real white noise of brutal yet soothing melodies cluster fucking each other. That moment right their is up their as one of the more impressive things I have ever seen live.

However I do have one grip / and this is by no means My Bloody Valentine's fault / but how come you people aren't dancing? You payed 30 bucks for this - so how in hell are you just gonna stand around and chit chat with your friends during My Bloody Valentine's set? Straight up the crowd really took away from the atmosphere of the show. However this did by no means kill the show / it was just weak - u - know.

photo courtesy of babystew

AuGuSt

(08-03) Xrin Arms / Diamond BLack Hearted Boy @ Dust
To be honest this show might not even happen because it sounds like Xrin Arms is having car troubels. However hopefully this show will still go down because both artists on the bill for this show put on real rad sets. Xrin Arms does a hyper grindcore thing with motown intermissions that add a real erratic feel to his songs. I saw him last fall in Richmond and his set was shattering. Diamond Black Hearted Boy on the other hand puts on one of the oddest dance shows I know. In your face political mind melts with DIY laptop beats mixed in -- straight up its rad shit. /// SHOW IS CANCELED /// LAME ///


(08-04) Black Moth Super Rainbow / Serengeti & Polyphonic @ Outback Lodge (((Charlottesville)))
Really hate to be a downer / but the new Black Moth Super Rainbow is flat / just real boring. So why am I recommending this show. Well for starters from what ive heard Black Moth Super Rainbow does put on a real trip of a show. So even with this new record being kind of flat - hopefully the tight live show still exists. And 2nd the opening act Serengeti & Polyphonic is quite good. Real mind blowing abstract hip-hop. Really looking forward to see how this guys turn out live. Overall a very promising night.


(08-11) Unicorn Basement / Casy & Brian / Bermuda Triangles @ Nara Sushi
Unicorn Basement is part of that very vast DIY dance thing that has just been so big in them 2000's. Its New Wave / its Punk / its cool / u know the drill dawg. Casy & Brian are another guitar drum duo that reminds me of Japanther (not like that is bad). Bermuda Triangles rounds up the bill and are one of the better groups in richmond right now / real rad percussion added with over the top vocals (*hint hint chill out sir*)


(08-15) Japanther @ The Bike Lot
Another show where i'm not fully sure if its actually happening due to it being off their myspace (however it was stated that it was for a wedding / so maybe there try to detract freeloaders like myself from attending). Hopefully this show is still on because Japanther really does throw one of the best rock shows i've seen in quite sometime.


(08-18) Anavan @ The Triple
Not sure what to expect for this show. From the mp3's i've listened to the music seems to be real 80's galore dance revival sort of thing. However form the live clips i've seen on youtube they seem to have a real punk-ish percussion to their live show. Should be a solid way to spend a tuesday night (worst day of the week *weak*)


(08-20-08-23) BEST FRIENDS DAY 08
Go to the website / should fully sum up this richmond institution (http://www.bestfriendsday.net/)


(08-25) Geronimo / Hex Machine / Head Molt @ The Triple
LA based noise band comin' to the triple!!! / really not much more needs to be said / but then add on to the bill one of the best groups in Richmond (HEAD MOLT) and you've got yourself a very sweet show. To be honest I remember being kind of under impressed when I saw Hex Machine open for Melt-Banana a couple years back / but i'm ready to give them another chance.


(08-31) Clipse / The Cool Kids @ The National
What a line-up The National has put together. Clipse is easily the best thing to happen to hip-hop in VA. Their last album Hell Hath No Fury is up there as one of the best hip-hop records of this decade. Basically i'm quite excited to see how they throw down live. However this show also has The Cool Kids on the bill - who are one of the more interesting up in coming acts in hip-hop. The couple times ive caught them live have also been real fun and energetic shows. This one is a no-brainer *ATTEND FLY CATZ*

SICK F
SICK U
SICK C
SICK K

Abe Vigoda @ Plaza Duckpin Bowl (07-13)

IT WAS FUN

July!

Yo July Has Concerts
Yo I Talk About Them
YO N SHIT


O Death @ Plaza Duckpin Bowl (07-08) ((richmond))
O'death are quite an interesting anomaly to the music scene right now. They easily float by in the sort of folk hype bubble that is the talk of this decade. But at the same time they have legit apalachin chops that they hold on their back. Really not sure how the duckpin bowling alley is gonna handle this show (only show I saw their didnt really work) but if any band could pull it off / it would be O'death



Abe Vigoda / Talbot Tagora @ Plaza Duckpin Bowl (07-13) ((richmond))
Ok so while I just said O'death was be the band to pull of a good show at the duckpin bowling alley - I kind of forgot that Abe Vigoda was gonna be play their as well. This band has just seemed unstoppable since they released Skeleton back in 08 (incredible record if you haven't checked it out). Was real bummed that I missed their set at the Pom Hole back last summer / so hopefully they still have it when they stop by richmond in a coupe weeks................seriously though i'm not that worried.


Castanets @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar (07-14) ((charlottesville))
Castanets is a musician who people have been telling me to check out for a while / but I never did get around to it till I heard that he was doing a show in the tea house. From what I have heard - I think i'm digging this guys stuff. Seem very connected to that modern folk revival that fits C-Ville so well. Should be a good way to spend a tuesday night.


Blevin Blectum / Wobbly / Jonathan Zorn @ The Bridge (07-24) ((charlottesville))
Blevin Blectum for those who don't know makes some real sick nasty glitch dance songs. It's a genuine treat to have her play in C-Ville. Also looks like the supporting cast of the night should also be worth checking out as well. Should be a real good night of chilldance music ((yes chilldance is a word))


My Bloody Valentine @ The National (07-30) ((richmond))
It's My Bloody Valentine in Richmond / Neff Said