popwreckoning

Motorboater‘s new sepia-toned video for “Je Mange Titties” is for all those who have ever tried or even wondered about the infamous Gallon Challenge. The song itself is a perfect dance pop song for pumping a person up, but the video is more along the lines of a stomach pump. It is not for the easily queasy.

“Je Mange Titties” is off the Record Machine release P/U YR Heart.

Check out more from Motorboater here.

One of PopWreckoning’s favorite acts at Lollapalooza 2010 was Jukebox the Ghost. Check out a video from this D.C. act’s Lolla after show performance at the Bottom Lounge.

Equally as important to the Lollapalooza experience as the time spent in Grant Park is the time spent at the Lollapalooza after parties. With the additional official and unofficial shows after it’s lights out at Grant, Lollapalooza becomes a 24 hour experience, three days of the week as festival goers pour the park’s gates into various clubs, venues and hotels throughout Chicago.

PopWreckoning made it to a few of the after shows. Friday, it was off to Belve Nights: a party at the Hard Rock Hotel that’s popular amongst some of the more VIP Lolla attendees. It helps that this Belve Night  featured a DJ set by Matt and Kim and performances from acts such as Neon Trees and Hockey to draw out a big crowd.

Neon Trees were an act that had already blown festival-goers away during their Lollapalooza set earlier that day. The act already seems to be following hot in the footsteps of similar band, The Killers. They continued to own the stage as the singer prowled the stage. The set was a brief five songs, but the band left the audience hungry for more.

Hockey followed Neon Trees with a pop rock set that was just a teaser for the even more energetic set they’d deliver in Grant Park the following day. Beginning with current single, “Song Away,” they band also played some new material and older tunes such as “Too Fake.” Hockey had their set cut short at Lolla 2009, so it was great to see them living up Lolla 2010 with extra performances.

Saturday night, PopWreckoning ventured out on the CTA to a free show at the Bottom Lounge. This show featured a  couple of amazing local acts and a few national acts – free for those who had RSVP. Gotta love free.

Though energy was waning quickly for many at this point (a long day walking the grounds at a festival spanning a park that’s over a mile-long will do that), each of the pop rock bands, The Spinto Band, Skybox and Jukebox the Ghost,  brought a fun quirkiness to their tunes and a contagious enthusiasm. The Spinto Band even divided the audience up into three parts to be a train at one point. Odd, but fun:

Skybox:

Jukebox the Ghost:

Sunday, PopWreckoning returned to the Hard Rock Hotel for another Belve Nights. This evening, Glassnote was bringing the best of its roster.

Among the performances was Mumford and Sons. This UK act is already being praised as one of the best Lolla acts in general and one listen to their harmonies, funky bass lines (upright bass lines, no less!) and heart-wrenching lyrics, it’s easy to see why. “Little Lion Man” is a good place to start for those unfamiliar with their tunes.

After Mumford, it was the crooning, experimental rock band The Temper Trap. Many are familiar with them for “Sweet Disposition,” which was on the “(500) Days of Summer” sound track. And while that song is indicative of some of the other fantastic, rollicking-guitar riffs they produce, it doesn’t really do them justice. Although, perhaps it is better that way because then audience members are extra surprised when the singer pours water on a tom drum and beats a spray of water and heavy beats midway through the set.

Perhaps the highlight of this evening was when Mumford and Sons returned to perform with The Temper Trap. It was like everyone at Belve Nights was a part of a big family: the band, audience members (both VIP and average folk) and even the staff on hand that night. It was extra special when Glassnote’s founder even came out and echoed the sentiment. What a perfect way to end Lollapalooza….well almost. There was a one final treat. Lollapalooza headliners and Glassnote members, Phoenix, though tardy to the party due to another aftershow performance, closed out the night with a DJ set. What a way to end 2010!

Tim Kasher, the front man of Omaha’s The Good Life and Cursive, is set to release his debut solo album on Saddle  Creek Records.

The album, The Game of Monogamy, hits stores October 5, and is now available for pre-order. One of the songs, “Cold Love,” is also available for streaming and free download. Go here to either pre-order or download the song.

Kasher told Spin.com about “Cold Love” that it is: “Mostly, (the it’s about) really boring sex, couples who have run out of steam in their relationships, whose sex life is reduced to going through the motions.”

By now I’ve probably exhausted the fact that Neumo’s gets really hot. But Monday’s Tokyo Police Club show puts all those other shows to rest. I can easily say it reached over 100 degrees in that place. But what can you expect when Seattle was 90+ that day and Neumo’s is a completely black building? Thankfully my friend and I had grabbed a couple bamboo fans from my house before we left.

Like I said, Tokyo Police Club came to Seattle on Monday with openers Freelance Whales and fellow Canadians Arkells. I was surprised that there weren’t more people lined up outside the venue when I got there with half an hour to spare, but I was unaware that there had been an in-store down the street probably going on right as I got there at 7:30. But once I did get in line, I made some new friends, one of which had a camera similar to mine – a DSLR. It was her step dad’s camera, and when we got to the door, she was completely unaware that they weren’t going to let her in with it. She’d taken the ferry, so there was no car for her to put her camera in. After I made my way to the front of the stage, I waited to see if she’d gotten everything squared away. About ten minutes later, she walked through the door, camera in hand and a wristband just like mine.

“How’d you manage to get in?”

“The owner wasn’t going to let me in, but I was outside crying and I saw some people walk out from the venue and was like, ‘are any of you in the band?’”

She then told her story to Graham, the keyboardist from Tokyo Police Club, and being the cool guy that he is, he talked to their manager and got her name on the guest list so she could get a photo pass.

That made me smile so big, and the show hadn’t even started yet.

Right around 9 p.m., Arkells came out onstage and surprised me. I wasn’t aware that they were even playing that night, and they were really good garage rock, kind of a mix between local darlings The Lonely Forest and the early days of Rooney, with strong and driving pop hooks. A couple great songs in particular were “Ballad of Hugo Chavez” and “John Lennon” off their 2008 debut Jackson Square.

Arkells was remarkably energetic for how early it was in the evening, using Neumo’s small stage to their full advantage, even with 5 guys in the band. At one point, lead vocalist Max apologized for getting to the in-store late earlier that day, because Nick, the bassist, had been scouring the city for a Ken Griffey Jr. jersey. Sadly, he didn’t find one.

After a few more kicking tracks, Griffey got another shout out.

“We’re gonna snap. This is the first time this has been done in Seattle, are you ready?” Max asked the audience, raising his hands up to get ready to snap.

“Let’s get three snaps for Freelance Whales!” And we all snapped while the rest of the band let out three power chords.

“How about five for Tokyo Police Club?”

“Let’s give nine snaps for Ken Griffey!” This one got the most cheers.

And just to be cheeky, “And eleven for the dearly departed Super Sonics!”  Then a resounding “awwwww” from the crowd while we all snapped eleven times.

During the intermission, some guy offered to buy me and my friend drinks if we let him use our fans. We didn’t take his offer of a drink, but let him borrow one of our fans for a few minutes. Those fans saved our lives, I’m pretty sure.

After Arkells’ strong set, the roadies unloaded the stage and reloaded it with several more instruments, including a watering can hanging off a keyboard, for Freelance Whales. I didn’t think that I would like Freelance Whales after I heard them the first time. I don’t normally like music that’s so…adorable, but the deep instrumentation is what pulled me in. Plus, I’m a sucker for a good banjo riff.

Freelance Whales, while a softer follower to Arkells, kept it interesting by switching instruments multiple times. At one point, Doris Cellar was playing the keyboards, then the far under-utilized harmonium. Chuck Criss would play the bass then the banjo. Kevin Read played guitar with a cello bow and then the glockenspiel. And that’s all but just a taste of the range of the band’s talent.

The room, however, had mixed feelings about Freelance Whales. There was a girl standing behind me that was screaming throughout their set, a guy next to me proclaimed his love for Doris, and then there were a few people up front who were just anxious to see Tokyo Police Club. It’s understandable, because their energy is far less in-your-face than Tokyo Police Club, or even Arkells, but I didn’t find them any less wonderful.

A few of my favorites of their set included “Hannah,” “Generator ^ First Floor,” and “Great Estates.” All of which were from their debut album Weathervanes, released on Frenchkiss Records this last April, which is awesome in its own right.

In all the broad instrumentation and shuffling around the stage, I never saw anyone beat on the watering can I mentioned earlier, but I may have missed it.

By the time Freelance Whales had finished their set, the air above the crowd was the usual hot and sweaty Neumo’s atmosphere, but the air beneath our chests was surely 110 degrees. I wanted to take my shoes off, but I feared major toe-stepping.

Once the fog machines had filled the room, making it even harder to breathe, that’s when everyone shoved their way to the front, decreasing the comfort level exponentially. I’m pretty sure I left at the end of the show with more sweat from other people on my back than my own.

The exuberant Canadians started out with “Favourite Colour” off their highly-awaited second album Champ. I have to say, frontman Dave Monks is only 23, but he’s got the charisma of someone much older than 23. Tokyo Police Club proved to be a really good time, even though I was getting battered from behind me. The band played through some old favorites like “Graves” and “Centennial” off Elephant Shell, and even “Box” off the Smith EP.

I particularly liked “End Of A Spark,” another new track. It had more mature hooks and heavier sound, but it was still completely Tokyo Police Club. Dave’s quirky voice and bass in the forefront of each track makes Tokyo Police Club’s sound much more than any indie pop-rock bands that came before them.

Waiting for one of my favorite songs, “Tessellate,” I endured the moshing going on behind me, but once it was over my friend and I made our way out to enjoy the rest of the show with a semi-constant flow of fresh air. As it was plenty warm outside at midnight, we stepped out for a minute and found at least a couple people who’d almost passed out inside the venue.

I guess that’s a testament to both Tokyo Police Club’s wicked energy and Neumo’s lack of proper ventilation.

As we were just about to walk back inside, our new friend with the photo pass walked outside.

“I was getting thrashed around in there. And when Dave saw, he leaned down and asked if I was okay. And then told the crowd to back off.”

Dave Monks has charisma and class.

Seeing that we’d expected there to be a couple more songs before the last song, we were surprised when we heard the opening riffs to “Your English Is Good,” which is my all-time favorite Tokyo Police Club song, so we ran back inside and rocked out before the encore.

Once the main set was over, a lot of people left. I thought, “Did we miss more than we thought? Was that the encore?”

It wasn’t, because a couple minutes later, the guys walked back out on stage, and started a familiar riff, but not a Tokyo Police Club song.

“My name is Jonas! I’m carrying the wheel. Thanks for all you’ve shown us, this is how we feel!”

A Blue Album-era Weezer cover? I think, yes.

Even though I was standing far off to the side of the stage, I was dancing around and singing along like it was 1995, and it was awesome. Not only was it vintage Weezer, but Tokyo Police Club pulled it off really well, and it got the room ready for what was to be the most fast-paced finale of a show I’ve experienced in a long time – “Cheer It On.” That song ended up being a giant sing-along dance party, which made the temperature raise 5 more degrees in the 2+ minute song.

I’m not even going to post the set list, because they rearranged it so many times during the show that it wouldn’t be accurate.

For fear of going on for forever, I’ll just say – Tokyo Police Club was a roarin’ good time. And they’re pretty nice guys, it turns out too.

For even more photos from that night’s show, head over HERE.

PodWreck got the chance to interview This Town Needs Guns while on their first ever US tour from London.

In the interview, we stream their song “Rabbit” for you to enjoy.

Check out a new track from Wild Nothing, the solo-project of Jack Tatum, called “Golden Haze.”

by Tom Jenkinson

. “Golden Haze”

The song is off the upcoming Golden Haze EP, a follow-up to Wild Nothing’s spring debut Gemini. Wild Nothing features nostalgic, lo-fi sounding synth-pop melodies with lyrical themes of regret.

Wild Nothing is also touring ths fall with Stars. Full tour dates are below.

Tour Dates:
08/28 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom %
09/22 Rochester, NY – Water Street Music Hall *
09/23 Boston, MA – House of Blues *
09/28 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club *
09/30 Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero *
10/01 Williamsburg, VA – College of William and Mary
10/02 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse *
10/03 Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall *
10/05 Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom *
10/06 Bloomington, IN – Bluebird Nightclub *
10/07 Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre *
10/08 Madison, WI – Barrymore Theatre *
10/09 Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre *
% = w/ Blank Dogs, Cosmetics, Minks
* = w/ Stars

People love their pets no matter their shapes and sizes. Yep, even a ball of flesh with just an eye and an awkward limb is loveable. So it really hurts, when that pet or any pet passes away.

Kristen Bell (“Heroes,” “Veronica Mars,” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) stars in the bizarre, new video “Madder Red” from Yeasayer. The song is off their hot 2010 release Odd Blood and follows the story of a girl and the death of her beloved pet (which happens to be a giant ball of flesh).

It’s weird and smart video for another catchy tune from the indie electronic pop act. Check it out below and then check out Yeasayer on tour this fall with Washed Out.

Tour Dates:
09/25/10 Columbia, MD – Virgin FreeFest at Merriweather Post Pavillion
09/28/10 Millvale, PA – Mr Smalls Theatre w/ Washed Out
09/29/10 Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall w/ Washed Out
09/30/10 Bloomington, IN – Bluebird Nightclub w/ Washed Out
10/01/10 Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom w/ Washed Out
10/02/10 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade w/ Washed Out
10/03/10 Savannah, GA – Trustee Theatre w/ Washed Out
10/04/10 St Petersburg, FL – State Theatre w/ Washed Out
10/05/10 Miami, FL – Fillmore w/ Washed Out
10/07/10 Orlando, FL – Club Firestone w/ Washed Out
10/08/10 Tallahassee, FL – Union Green w/ Washed Out
10/09/10 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues w/ Washed Out
10/10/10 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits

Considering how many film soundtracks Rufus Wainwright has contributed to, his live performances are fittingly cinematic.

Rufus’ third time in Kansas City brought him to the gorgeously remodeled Midland Theatre. A venue that houses ballet and theater performances among its gold furnishings and red drapery. Rufus’ piano provided a stark silhouette against a the cool solid colors lighting a backdrop screen during his sister, Lucy’s, opening performance. Lucy Wainwright Roche stood alone on the big stage: just her and her guitar. For anyone else, it would have been too big a space and swallowed them up, but somehow, Lucy made it intimate. It was more like an intimate show at a friend’s apartment or a a coffee shop setting. She talked to the audience in between each of her songs as if she had known each and every member for years. Lucy even invited everyone to find her on Facebook. “We already are!” shouted one guy in the crowd. Lucy chuckled, “Well, it’s nice to finally see you.” She made lots of mediocre jokes, but it didn’t matter. The audience laughed anyways and she never promised to be a comedian. She’s a singer and that is something that she is without a doubt talented at; the cliche ‘voice of an angel’ actually applies to her. Her lilting songs told stories about subjects ranging from her family to awkward first dates. It was a pleasant opening, but a very stark contrast for what was about to come with Rufus.

When it came time for Rufus, a member of his crew came out and announced that his set would be done in two parts. For set one, applause was asked to be held until the end, but that the audience could do whatever it wanted in the second half. This left people scratching their heads, but an answer was soon to come to explain this unusual request.

Set one was dark. Very dark. Yet, it was also tinged with an almost ironic humor at times. A spotlight appeared on the piano in Rufus slowly appeared from side stage. He marched toward the piano in a long black cloak with feathered shoulders that mirrored his hair feathery hair style. He didn’t smile or say a word before he rested his hands on the keys. Then, he began playing. A large eye appeared on the video backdrop screen. As he played, the eyes multiplied. Blinking at different speeds. It was fascinating, but creepy. Some of the eyes had more wrinkles, cataracts and glistened with the threatening approach of tears. Other eyes, were wide and youthful. But what all the eyes had in common was the outline of a person reflected in the pupil.

Meanwhile, while the eyes told their story in the background, Rufus’ hands were flying across the piano in a way that would have made Mozart envious. The piano melodies were complete songs within themselves, but Rufus still had his stories to tell. He sang sonnets about relationships, life and his family. Lyrically, some might be taken aback by the straightforwardness of his lyrics, “Your nose is too big for your face,” being one such lyrical example. But the guy is smart, talented and that’s just how he tells his stories. From this first half, “The Dream,” really stood out. The blistering fast piano line and big dynamics would have made this a great way to end, but he kept playing and instead ended this set on a slower, quiet number. Again, without a word, he turned from the piano and marched off the stage into a spotlight emitted from the side stage.

It was beautiful, but heavy material for a Sunday evening, especially for people used to the goofier side of Rufus’ music. What would the second half bring?

The stage was quickly transformed by the addition of candles covering the ground.

When Rufus came out for set two, it was a more colorful Rufus in both appearance and performance personality. He wore a suit splashed in a blend of oranges and pinks. He smiled, waved and spoke to the crowd, offering up explanations of his songs and detailing his past visits to Kansas City. Before even playing a song, set two was already cheerier. It was very cathartic to have the tension of the first act relieved by this. If the dark eye performance had been it for the evening, then that would have been too much. The audience needed this cheerier side of Rufus.

“It’s ok to cheer and clap,” Rufus said as he began the opening chords to his “Hallelujah” cover. The audience had been a bit timid leading up to this and seemed to appreciate that it was ok to geek out over the popular tune. Though this is the tune that probably would have gotten the audience to brave singing along, no one seemed to want to ruin the perfect blend of Rufus and his sister’s surprise addition of vocal harmonies to this song. It was beautiful.

Though audience singing along was sparse, people were still really into it and from “Hallelujah” on, the audience did seem a lot more engaged. When Rufus ended on the also popular “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk,” the audience offered a standing ovation. He quickly returned for a three song encore that included a beautiful cover of a song by his mother who recently passed. “The Walking Song,” was a lovely love song that emitted both his love for his family, music and fans. It was a perfect way to end the evening.

Photo contributions by Alex Reed, Inc.

California indie rockers The Henry Clay People will be touring with Drive-By Truckers this fall.

The tour kicks off September 11 at the Casbah in Los Angeles and ends in October.

Download “Slow Burn” for free from the widget below and then be sure to catch them when they tour.

Tour Dates:
September 11 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
September 12 – Tempe, AZ – The Yucca Tap Room
September 16 – Tuscaloosa, AL – The Dixie*
September 17 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall*
September 19 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre*
September 22 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen*
September 23 – Houston, TX – House of Blues*
September 24 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s BBQ*
September 25 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues*
September 26 – Kansas City, MO – Crossroads*
September 28 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theater*
September 29 – Iowa City, IA – The Englert Theatre*
September 30 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue*
October 1 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater*
October 2 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant*
October 3 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue*
October 7 – Morgantown, WV – Mountainlair Ballroom*
October 10 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
October 12 – Atlanta, GA – Drunken Unicorn
October 13 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
October 14 – Washington, D.C. – Black Cat Backstage
October 15 – Philadelphia, PA – Kungfu Necktie
October 16 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
October 17 – Cambridge, MA – TT The Bear’s Place
October 19 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
October 22 – Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
October 23 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
October 25 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
October 26 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
October 28 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
*with Drive-By Truckers