Just over a month ago I posted a new track by Dead Gaze, and a review of his album End of Days, Why Not You? (check out that post here) and at that point he didn’t have any shows booked, but tomorrow night brings this Mississippi psych rocker to Brooklyn for a Group Tightener showcase at Monster Island Basement.

Dead Gaze have a way of making heavy psychedelic with the song writing sensibility of a pop band.  At the beginning of “Remember What Brought Us Here” it’s unclear whether the guitar or the synths are going to be the star of the show, and when it gets down to it they both really shine giving even more texture to Cole Furlow’s scratchy crumpled vocals.  The synths drop out just in time for the chorus, but jump back in just before you start to wonder where they went.  This song has been one of my jams lately, one that I go back to, put on mix tapes, and overall have just been rocking all the time.  Just another reason why I’m excited for new releases coming from this talented young Southerner, and his show here in Brooklyn tomorrow night.

[mp3] Dead Gaze- “Remember What Brought Us Here”

• mp3 via the bros at Weekly Tape Deck
  

Dead Gaze have a split cassette with Grey Things that is coming out on Clan Destine (which I think the track above will appear on), and I just heard from Group Tightener that they will be releasing a Dead Gaze 7″!

• Buy Dead Gaze’s End of Days, Why Not You? from Mirror Universe here.

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Andrew Cedermark will also be playing this show,  you might recognize his name from the various Underwater Peoples compilations, or his split 7″ with Family Portrait,  or his face from Titus Andronicus (he used to play with those dudes).

Cedermark is gearing up to release his first full length album titled Moon Deluxe on the previously mentioned Underwater Peoples (are those dudes on a roll or what).  The title track from his new album has been floating around for a while, and has really caught my ear.  “Moon Deluxe” is bringing Cedermark’s guitar playing to the forefront with a wonderful shoegaze inspired track.  He incorporates a little bit of country twang, and heavy nods to Phil Elverum though some of the melodies, and specifically his use of the percussion.  Think Glow Pt. 2 meets New Jersey via Charlottesville finishing with a twist of melodic noise.   This track is just a tease knowing that a full length on the way.

[mp3] Andrew Cedermark- “Moon Deluxe”

• there will be lots more to come on this album as the information is release.  so excited. 
  

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Please note Andrew Cedermark and Dead Gaze are opening this show…so get there early!

Friday July 2nd, 2010
Group Tightener & Todd P present:
Andrew Cedermark
Dead Gaze
Alex Bleeker & the Freaks
Coasting
and
The BEETS
live at Monster Island Basement
$8//Doors at 8pm

Honestly I’m most excited about Cedermark and Dead Gaze, but Alex Bleeker is always great and Coasting and the Beets are both fun.  Should be a great time.  If you are unfamiliar with any of these bands that I didn’t talk about at the beginning of the post…here is a taste:

[mp3] Alex Bleeker & The Freaks- “Animal Tracks (Mountain Man cover)”

• buy it here.

[mp3] Coasting- “Kids”

• Buy it here.

[mp3] The Beets- “Happy But On Our Way”

• Buy it here.

See you at Monster Island.

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• more on Dead Gaze here.
• more on Alex Bleeker here.
• more on Group Tightener here.

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UPDATE: Andrew Cedermark had to cancel.  sad.

Day 2. Friday.

I had a schedule all planned out for this evening, and overall things went as expected (with one mishap).

We started the evening off with a wonderful dinner at Diner, and then headed to Pete’s Candy Store.  I was kind of asking myself: “If I have a badge why am I going to a free show?” but the answer was easy: Franklin Bruno.

Franklin Bruno played about a 45 minute set which included songs spanning his entire career (even one written for his band when in high school).  The crowd wasn’t huge, but extremely attentive.  Bruno holds a place in my heart, and his lyrics will stick in my head for ever.  And “no, I won’t wear that flag pin” either.  It really surprises me how few people know who Bruno is without out jogging their memories (even music writers), but that’s ok…Franklin, thank you for playing Pete’s it was a pleasure to see you preform.

Next up was Real Estate at Death By Audio.  This happens to be the mishap.  We took a little longer than we thought getting over to DBA, and when we got there we were told that the show was not sold out, that Real Estate was about to play, but no more badge holders were allowed in until some of them left.  I think this is a flawed system…how did the people at the door know if badge holders left?  I know I sure as hell wasn’t telling anyone when I left a venue.  Whatever…we moved on.

Next was Public Assembly.  Which I must say is a super strange space.  We walked in during Dinowalrus who I’m not sure I totally understand. Sat through Sisters…which wasn’t my cup of tea.  Then on the the main attraction: SCREAMING FEMALES!  As expected, after seeing them the week before, they blew out my ears, and made my eyes bleed.  Totes amazing:

Picked up the first two Screaming Females LPs (What if Someone Is Watching Their TV and Baby Teeth), and both happened to be on colored vinyl.  A delightful addition to the collection.

Since we had the badges we hopped on our bikes, and headed to Bruar Falls.  We got there right as The Beets were setting up around 1am, and that was our goal.  Honestly I have never seen Bruar Falls that crowded before…and I have been going there a lot lately.  The Beets played, and were really impressive. And graceful while undressing too (one of them took off his shirt in the coolest manner possible, almost theatrical).  They played the only song of theirs I knew too:

[mp3] The Beets- “Happy But On Our Way”
(via i guess i’m floating. off of The Beets Spit in the Faces of Those Who Don’t Want to be Cool (I think?).  Buy it here.)

The Beets were awesome considering no one should ever have to followed Screaming Females.  I’m looking forward to seeing the Beets again tomorrow when Screaming Females haven’t already set a benchmark for the night.  I really need to pick up that album…kind of can’t believe I don’t have it yet.

I have been covering some of these bands a lot:

More on Franklin Bruno here.

More on Screaming Females here.

More on Real Estate here.

Next up day 3, well maybe not next…