Tonight is a big day for music here in Brooklyn, and even though I haven’t had great internet access over the past couple weeks I still need to let you know what is going on!

Death By Audio has a killer show happening with two of my favorite up and coming acts.  First is Swimsuit, a new band that features the one and only Fred Thomas and friends, making sweet surf pop.  Their debut cassette was pressed in an edition of 100 copies and sold out within a month!  This tape featured this blissful track called evaporation where one of the ladies in the band added some vocals to what has been so far just excellent instrumental surf rock:

[mp3] Swimsuit- “Evaporation”

• buy their new tape here.

Opening this show will be Philly’s own Pet Milk playing their fourth live show ever, and their first in NYC!  Pet Milk’s demo has been on at least a couple times a week since I first heard it, and “Cherry Outline” is probably one of my favorite songs of the year.  These guys are quenching my thirst for twee in the best possible way.  I can’t wait to see them in the flesh I’m sure it will be stupendous!

Although these were previously posted here they are again:

[mp3] Pet Milk- “Cherry Outline”

[mp3] Pet Milk- “Always Knew It Couldn’t Stay”

People Get Ready and Bad Indians are also playing too.

SWIMSUIT is also playing at Pizza Forest in Brooklyn tomorrow Saturday July 31st.

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Right around the corner from Death By Audio is Glasslands where New Jersey’s finest will be there in the flesh.  Not only will Mathew Mondanile, better known as DUCKTAILS, be there, but another one of my favorites…the one and only Julian Lynch!  Along side these two headliners will be Bathetic/ Mexican Summer veterans’ Campfires, another one of my personal favorites Big Troubles, and the up and coming Brooklyn group La Big Vic….all of which is being presented by  Microphone Memory Emotion!

[mp3] Julian Lynch- “Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper Cover)“

• Buy Julian’s music here.
  • Cyndi Lauper cover via Friendship Bracelet

[mp3] Ducktails- “Mirror Image”

• buy the mirror image 7″ here.

No matter which side of South 2nd and Kent Ave you end up on you are in for a treat, and if you get there early you can probably jump back and forth between both shows (if you pay for both!).  I’ll see you there.  Cheers,

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• more on Swimsuit here.
• more on Pet Milk here.
• more on Ducktails here.
• more on Julian Lynch here.
• more on Big Troubles here.

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I normally don’t write about two shows happening on the same night, but I love so many of these bands I had too…both shows will be amazing.  The heat broke so both of these venues should be pretty comfortable tonight.  No more 90 degree heat!

In the day of digital photography concert reviews, and photos typically come the next day, but over here at the Great Pumpkin I move at a slower pace…and it’s not because I’m lazy, but more due to the fact that my pictures come from a film canister.

City Center played the first show of their US tour on March 29th at Death By Audio (Love of Everything was there too, and there will be photos and video of them to come), and while this was only my third time seeing City Center play I’ve followed them so closely over the past year and a half it felt like I’ve seen the play every night for several weeks straight.

City Center ended up playing third right in the middle of an amazing night of music.  Fred and Ryan have an aura around them, and it feels like community follows them were ever they go.  Death By Audio has been cleaned up a bit, which you can probably tell by the paint on the walls, and this night was just relaxed.  While I didn’t know very many people at the show it just felt like everyone was friends there to watch other friends play music.  Oddly enough I ended up running into someone I’ve know for years…basically good vibes all around.

City Center brought their sweet sounds to an attentive room, and for only two men on stage they are completely engaging. Running through the full range of genres from ambient, pop, noise, and psychedelic rock they keep their set interesting, and you can never anticipate their next move.  There is something special about a band that can do just about anything, but keep their same warm vibe throughout their adventures in sound.

Even after experiencing City Center live several times I’m still enamored by them.  While some bands make music and get caught up in the business of it City Center, at the heart of it, are friends and there is something special about that.  These gentlemen are top notch and if they are coming through your town I highly recommend catching them.

Fred and Ryan I wish you safety and luck on your tour, and look forward to seeing you back in NYC.

City Center is still on tour here are the tour dates according to the CC blog:

• 04.22 Thu Lubbock, Texas. Bash Riprocks
• 04.23 Fri Austin, Texas. Mohawk (3rd Annual Psych Fest!!)
• 04.24 Sat Denton, Texas Rubbergloves
• 04.27 Tue Lawrence, Kansas. Replay Lounge
• 04.28 Wed University City, MO. Cicero’s
• 04.29 Thu Bloomington, Indiana. The Bishop
• 04.30 Fri Detroit, Michigan. Majestic Cafe w/ Harlem, Johnny Ill Band

I always talk about City Center’s diversity in sound, and I figure this is as good a time as any to share with you a selection of some of my favorite downloads that they have made available off their blog.  While some of these tracks have been posted on the Great Pumpkin before I’m posting them again mainly due to the fact that I can now host them myself…I’ve specifically obsessed about “Obvious” for a really long time…possibly my favorite City Center track to date.  I also revisited the High Places remix recently, and that version of “Whitey Hands” is really moving me right now.

[mp3] City Center- “Obvious”

[mp3] City Center- “Whitey Hands (High Places Remix)”

“This Is How We see…” is a demo version of City Center’s track from their way out of print split 7″ with Grouper:

[mp3] City Center- “This Is How We See… (1st Version)”

I’m a sucker for covers, and have loved this Smiths cover since the first time I heard it…the Bat For Lashes cover is a new one that popped up really recently on the blog.

[mp3] City Center- “Girlfriend in a Coma (Smiths cover)”

[mp3] City Center- “Daniel (Bat For Lashes cover)”

Again all of these were made available for free download via City Center’s blog (I know…how fucking cool is that?!?).  If you are digging on these… search through the archives…you are sure to find some awesome free gems.

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City Center has many releases out, and you can buy most of them here, or directly from the band (via email//paypal) here.

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• More on City Center can be found here.
• These photos are from the White Lodge. If you would like to use these photos please link back to the flickr page, and credit the White Lodge. More posts featuring photos from the White Lodge can be found here.

Br’er came through Death By Audio back in September at the beginning of a very long journey though the United States, and got to experience the Maze installation.  The Maze was a unique set up, and while it didn’t allow for very many people to watch a band comfortably, it did make Death By Audio even smaller and more intimate.

Br’er brought their orchestral pop to Brooklyn, and the four men on stage incorporated a wide array of instruments and electronics, and brought the sounds of their recordings to life.  The Maze presented an ideal setting to capture these songs to video, and I have them to share with you now:

It was great to experience Br’er live in this setting, and you still can too…the tour isn’t finished yet.  Check out the tour dates here.

Br’er have been putting out wonderful hand made releases via the Edible Onion.  You should definitely check out their recently re-issued EP titled Filled With Guilt and Diamonds if you enjoy these songs.

Links:

• more on br’er (mp3′s and more) here.
• br’er’s myspace.
• buy br’er’s music from the Edible Onion.
• more gprecs video (Julie Doiron, Dum Dum Girls, Ted Leo, and more) here.
• photo by Ashley Wolf

Sorry for the delay in uploading these videos…the Vimeo Pro account really helps with that.  And thank you to Darian for helping me identify the songs.

Over the past couple of months the Edible Onion has continuously been sending wonderful music to the Great Pumpkin, and I haven’t had a way to share it with you until now (one of the advantages of being at gprecs.com!).

The main thing that has been catching my ear has been Br’er.

Br’er was formed in 2006 by  Benjamin Schurr and Christian Mirande and in 2007 were were joined by multi-instrumentalist (Harp, Singing Saw, Organ) Darian Scatton.  Since then Br’er has under gone several line up changes enlisting many musicians in and around the Philadelphia area.  The current line up includes Benjamin Schurr, Darian Scatton, Keith Hampson, and Roger Alejandro Martinez.

Earlier this year Br’er released the “I’m a Kid Again”/ “I’m Sorry from Mom” 7″ on the Edible Onion. The Edible Onion specializes in small run, hand painted, glued, screen printed, sewn, and overall delicately constructed records and releases.  When I say that the Edible Onion does hand crafted releases I’m not kidding…on this release:

each record jacket has a hand painted outer jacket, with vellum windows cut out to reveal a hand painted inner jacket. The painting was done with a mixture of acrylic and watercolor paint on oak tag (outside) and American Masters printmaking paper (inside). All of the text is handwritten.

On this record Br’er bridges the gap between indie pop with a healthy does of beautifully orchestrated chamber-esque music while incorporating unique aspects of ambient, almost mechanical, background noise.  Here is the A side:

[mp3] br’er- “I’m a Kid Again (Geltabs Version)”
Buy the 7″ here.

Next month on October 6th the Edible Onion will be re-issuing Br’er’s formerly cassette only release titled Filled With Guilt & Diamonds…this re-issue will be on 180 gram vinyl and:

The record is packaged in a screen printed, double gatefold sleeve with the lyrics laid out inside surrounded by ink drawings. This release includes a bonus track called ‘Centralia.’ Only 400 will be available!”

On top of this amazing packaging Br’er gives us a slightly different look into their musical world with a well orchestrated EP that brings a similar vibe as the 7″.  While staying true to the pop and chamber like aspects of the 7″ Br’er expands on the noise elements not only in the background of the songs, but also as part of the intricate pop structure. From the handful of tracks that I have heard, and from description of the packaging, this record is for fans of both well orchestrated indie pop music, and DIY packaging alike.

This EP also features Nat Baldwin (occasional Dirty Projector) on stand up bass on the track “Painted Lady,” and that track can be heard right here:

[mp3] br’er- “Painted Lady”
Pre-Order the Filled With Guilt and Diamonds 12″ EP here.

Br’er is one of those bands that brings to mind comparisons to some bigger name indie acts, but to name drop those bands would be doing Br’er an injustice.

Br’er is taking it’s music to the road, and will be appearing in Brooklyn this Thursday, September 24th at Death By Audio. This show will be part of the current Maze installation…also playing at that show will be Sam Hilmer/Arrington De Dionyso (Old Time Relijun), Charlie Looker (Extra Life), Total Bolsheviks, & Daniel Carter Quartet. Br’er also have many other tour dates to come all over the US.

• 09 23 – Philadelphia @ Danger Danger Gallery
  
• 09 24 – Brooklyn @ Death by Audio
  
• 09 25 – Troy, NY @ Ground Zero
  
• 09 27 – Montreal @ Cafe Lezard
  
• 09 28 – Portland, ME @ 176 Coyle Street
  
• 09 29 – Jamaica Plain @ Whitehaus
  
• 09 30 – Sarah Lawrence @ TBA
  
• 10 01 – Toronto @ 225 Sterling Ave
• 10 02 – Detroit @ 515 S. Washington
  
• 10 03 – Athens @ TBA
  
• 10 04 – Bloomington @ Rockit Pizza
  
• 10 05 – St. Louis @ LEMP
  
• 10 06 – Lawrence @ Replay Lounge
  
• 10 07 – Lincoln @ Duffy’s Tavern
  
• 10 08 – Iowa @ Public Space 1
  
• 10 09 – Chicago @ TBA
  
• 10 10 – Carbondale @ The Swamp
  
• 10 11 – Madison @ Project Lodge
  
• 10 12 – Ames @ Ames Progressive
  
• 10 13 – Minneapolis @ Bedlam Theatre
  
• 10 14 – Fargot @ TBA
  
• 10 15 – Minot @ Pangea House
  
• 10 17 – Missoula @ TBA
• 10 18 – Seattle @ The Black Lodge
  
• 10 19 – Olympia @ Finger Complex
  
• 10 22 – Monterey @ Lounge Underground
• 10 23 – Sacramento @ 2423 V Street
  
• 10 24 – San Francisco @ TBA
  
• 10 25 – Oakland @ TBA
  
• 10 26 – Los angeles @ Tribal cafe
  
• 10 27 – Irvine @ Acrobatics Everyday
  
• 10 28 – Encenitas @ Andrews Gallery
  
• 10 29 – Prescott @ Calavera Board Supply
  
• 10 30 – Tucson @ TBA
  
• 10 31 – Albequerque @ Abq House
  
• 11 01 – Santa Fe @ Meow Wolf
  
• 11 02 – Denver @ TBA
  
• 11 03 – Tulsa @ TBA
• 11 04 – Denton @ TBA
  
• 11 05 – Abilene @ TBA
  
• 11 06 – Austin @ TBA
  
• 11 07 – Fayetteville @ TBA
  
• 11 08 – Shreveport @ TBA
  
• 11 10 – Birmingham @ Magic City Wholesale (With Little Teeth)
  
• 11 11 – Charleston @ TBA
• 11 12 – Atlanta @ TBA
  
• 11 13 – Winston-Salem @ TBA
  
• 11 14 – Charolette @ Yauhaus
  
• 11 15 – Asheville @ Pearson II
  
• 11 16 – Nashville @ Little Hamilton Collective
  
• 11 17 – Willington NC @ TBA
  
• 11 18 – Richmond @ TBA
  
• 11 19 – College Park @ Miracle on 34th
  
• 11 20 – Baltimore @ TBA

By the sound of the recordings Br’er will be very powerful live, and I am really hoping to make it out to Death By Audio to catch them… also I’m sure they will be carrying with them some of the wonderful Edible Onion releases.

Lame Drivers @ Death By Audio tonight!

As far as I know the Lame Drivers go on at 9:30pm sharp.  So make sure to get there by then.

more on Lame Drivers (including pictures, mp3s, ect) here.

Poster by Caroline Teagle

I’ve been itching since the weather started to get nice for a punk rock show, and while Dark Meat partially fulfilled this I wasn’t totally satisfied (my punk rock fix I mean, Dark Meat was great)…but that will be nothing compared to Nobunny this Friday!

I had a dual introduction to this band both by The Pop Filter sending me a link, and then So Cow covering one of their songs.  This happened some time over the past couple months.

When  you first click on Nobunny’s myspace you think to yourself…what the fuck is this.  Half-Man, Half-Bunny, Half-Nude, all pop punk?  How can this be good? But if you take the time to listen to Love Visions you find that not only is Nobunny good, but it is some of the best Ramones’ influenced fuzzy sloppy bubble gum punk you have heard in a long time (if not ever).   It took me a while to get over the name and the gimmick, but now I have embraced it.

Nobunny makes  you want to bob your head and sing-a-long, and have really brightened my spring.  Even though I no longer bike while wearing headphones this record makes me want to.

Love Visions is currently in it’s 3rd pressing since it came out in 2008.  The first press was on Bubble Dumb Records…this one had home made covers, came with a button, and a signed picture of Nobunny (200 on Pink wax, 800  on Black).  1-2-3-4 Go! Records did the re-press and did 300 on orange/gold and 1,200 on black.  And now 1-2-3-4 Go! has done a 3rd pressing…this time on red vinyl (500 or 1,000 copies…can’t figure this out for sure?  anyone know?).

Either way check him out:

[mp3] Nobunny- “I Am A Girlfriend”
(via Raven Sings the Blues)

“Boneyard” Video:

Both songs are off of Love Visions, Buy it here (No Idea! happens to be $6 cheaper than Insound on this one)!  It doesn’t matter what pressing it is…you really should just own it.  For the punk rocks sake.

Originally from Tucson this Nobunny now resides in Oakland, but will be in New York this weekend!  Here are the tour dates though mid July (lots more TBA):

• 6/19/09- Brooklyn, NY @ Bruer Falls w/ Hunx and His Punx, The Beets, and German M easels
• 6/21/09- Brooklyn, NY @ Death By Audio w/ Uzi Rash
• 7/4/09- San Francisco, CA @ The Knockout w/ Burger Boogaloo
• 7/15/09- Los Angeles, CA @ 5 Star Bar (21+)
• 7/17/09- San Diego, CA @ JOHNNY RAD FEST 2!!!!!
• 7/18/09- Los Angeles, CA @ 5 Star Bar (all ages)

Oh and if you couldn’t tell by the line up…the show at Bruar Falls will be amazing.

As a bonus WFMU’s Free Music Archive has So Cow’s cover of Nobunny’s “Mess Me Up” for free download.  This was recorded for Jason Sigal’s great Tuesday morning show Talk’s Cheap:

[mp3] So Cow- “Mess Me Up” (Nobunny Cover) (also on Love Visions)

Nobunny just put out another album called Raw Romance on cassette only (Burger Records), and this one is already sold out.  More info when this comes back available.

I have been talking about Real Estate a lot over the past couple months.  They have had several really wonderful 7″s come out, a great tour EP, and are gearing up for (I think ) two 12″s this year.  One on Mexican Summer and one on Woodsist.

Underwater Peoples, who released Real Estate’s first 7″,  just put out a really great label sampler and I just haven’t been able to get one of the Real Estate tracks out of my head (this track also appeared on their Atlantic City Express Way Tour CD-R).  “Beach Comber” has been pretty much been on repeat, and I’m having a hard time not making everyone I know listen to it.    The Grateful Dead influence is coming through strong on this song, and I think it really shows this bands ability to jam.  This band is one that brings good vibes, and when I hear them, and specifically this song, I feel like the summer is going to be infinite.

[mp3] Real Estate- “Beach Comber”
(via Stereogum)  Buy the Real Estate’s 7″s from Woodsist and Underwater Peoples (click though to buy)

The Underwater Peoples Comp has a pretty stellar line up including tracks a couple Real Estate (including “Beach Comber”), Ducktails, Frat Dad, Julian Lynch, and more.   Buy the Underwater Peoples Comp here.  It’s a CD, but it’s only $4.50…that is the right price for a CD.

Real Estate are also playing North Side Festival this weekend!

Tomorrow, June 11th:

These Are Powers @ midnight
Javelin @ 11pm
Real Estate @ 10pm
Air Waves @ 9pm
Organs @ 8pm
Death by Audio
Doors at 7:30pm
$10

More Real Estate tour dates can be found here.
More on Real Estate here.
Photo via The Trip Wire.

Here is this weeks batch of Weekend Recs.  Above all I recommend trying to catch So Cow over the next couple days…you won’t be disappointed!

Tonight: Friday 5/8/09

• So Cow w/ the Procedure Club @ The Silent Barn

• Crystal Stilts and Blank Dogs @ The Bell House

• Drink Up Buttercup @ The Cameo

Saturday 5/9/09

• So Cow w/ Pink Reason and others @ Death By Audio

• Cause Co-Motion, The Beets, and Liquor Store @ Bruar Falls

• Karl Blau, Doug Gilliard (x-GBV) and more @ Cake Shop

• USAISAMONSTER’s Last Show Ever @ Market Hotel

• Ghost @ MHOW

• Real Estate @ Santos Party House

• Lucky Dragons @ The Stone

Sunday 5/10/09

• Karl Blau @ The Stone

• Frodus @ Death By Audio

• Times New Viking, Blues Control, Woods, Blank Dogs, Pink Reason @ Market Hotel

Monday 5/11/09

• Jason Anderson @ Cake Shop (Free!)

• Times New Viking w/ Vivian Girls @ Bowery Ballroom

• Karl Blau @ Zebulon