This week is CMJ, and while most people are going to things every hour of the day I’m being very selective (shows aren’t conducive to studying)… but one of those things that I will be attending is happening tonight!

Group Tightener Records is having their showcase at Monster Island!

If you don’t know Group Tightener yet…you probably soon will…they are about to release the first Best Coast 7″. Best Coast is the lo-fi pop act of Bethany Cosentino, and has been drawing a lot of attention lately.  Cosentino was formerly a member of Pocahaunted, and has now moved on to make music that is a little more condusive for the laying in the sun.  While I personally have been moving away from the fuzziness something about Best Coast draws me back.

On top of  Best Coast playing I have heard a lot about Highlife (and the one single that has been released is pretty awesome….see below…features Sleepy Doug Shaw of White Magic) as well… and if these two weren’t enough… Alex Bleeker, Fluffy Lumbers and Ducktails will also be performing… and if you have been following the Great Pumpkin this year you know how big of a fan of Ducktails I am.  Group Tightener and Todd P have put together a line up that can’t be beat.

If you are still on the fence about the show hopefully this will help convince you:

[mp3] Best Coast- “Something in the Way”

“Something in the Way” isn’t on the Group Tightener 7″, but you can order that here.

[mp3] Highlife- “F Kenya Rip” (via Transparent)

[mp3] Ducktails- “Pizza Time”

“Pizza Time” is on the out of print Beach Point Pleasant 7″,  but you should really just pick up all the Ducktails stuff here.

[mp3] Fluffy Lumbers- “Cruisers”

“Cruisers” is not on the Weird Hug 7″, but you can buy that here.

[mp3] Alex Bleeker and the Freaks- “Never Goin’ Back” (via Chocolate Bobka)

If you are looking for something to do before the Group Tightener showcase…you should check out Alphabar NYC…it’s a drinking club that meets every other Wednesday.  Tomorrow is Alphabar’s first time in Brooklyn, and I is for Iona.  Drink specials start at 8pm.  Click on the links for more info, and join the facebook group.

Hope to see you there…this should be a great Wednesday!

Links:

• more on Ducktails here.
• more on Alphabar NYC here.
• Buy Ducktails releases here.
• Buy the Best Coast 7″ here.
• Buy Fluffy Lumbers releases here.
• Group Tightener’s website.

UPDATE 10/22/09: Check out videos of Best Coast live from Monster Island here.

Last week I went to Alphabar NYC.  If you don’t know what Alphabar is…well it’s a drinking club.  Basically every two weeks the group goes to a different bar.  The first week was a bar that started with A, the second meeting was a bar that started with  B, and last week was H…the bar for H was HiFi, and next week will be I (not sure where that is going to be yet).  I hear that I will be Alphabar NYC’s first trip to Brooklyn!

But basically you join the group on Facebook, and when you go to the events you get drink specials that Alphabar as arranged with whatever bar is for that Letter.  Hifi gave us $4 draft beers til 10pm, and this was the perfect way to have a couple drinks before heading over to Sufjan Stevens at Musichall of Williamsburg.  Alphabar is a great way to get some cheap drinks, and meet some good people.

Hi Fi is one of my favorite spots in the East Village, and they typically have great drink specials every week night from 9-12am…and they have the best jukebox in the city (click here for more on that)

In the back of the bar they have a pool table, big buck hunter, and a CSI Pinball machine.  This was my first time playing this machine…it is a newer one made by Stern, and as expected it is crime scene/science themed.  This machine was in perfect condition with a really fun playing field (a centrifuge that you could hit the ball into, skull shaped ball lock mechanisms, microscopes, ect).  The multi-balls weren’t easy to get, but if you can they are super fun.  Not all of the new machines by Stern are good, but this one was pretty awesome.

I know it’s not in Brooklyn, but it is highly recommended.

The specifics:
Machine: CSI
Price: 75 cents per play, or 3 for $2
Level: a bit steep, but overall fair.
Condition: Brand new. Works perfectly.
Notes: A great machine at a great bar.  Another reason why I love HiFi.

Links:

• The North Brooklyn Pinball Directory
• Join Alphabar NYC (everyone is invited) here!
• more about HiFi and their amazing jukebox here.
• more on Pinball here.