A surprise "last minute" show this past Wednesday at the Mercury Lounge taught me two things about the Cold War Kids and the opener, Kuroma. Hank Sullivant, Kuroma’s front man, does the best glam Bowie/Bolan impersonation I have ever seen and the female fan base of the Cold War Kids are a tough and loyal bunch. The Cold War Kids announced this show a few weeks ago in advance of their Australian tour and subsequent April 3rd New York City date at Terminal 5. More accustomed to playing larger venues, they stressed more than a few times that they were glad they could put together this small show.Opening the night was former Whig bassist and MGMT touring guitarist Hank Sullivant's Kuroma . The Athens based Kuroma’s style ranges from the late 80s sound of Mother Love Bone to the more accessible blues elements of Mark Lanegan. Kuroma’s supporting cast was a pretty interesting bunch but, unless you knew the band, unknown. In addition to some zippy keys, including the lead on "I Was A Rat", the keyboard player handled double duty, assisting Sullivant with tuning his guitar in between songs. The bassist seemed to have a Rickenbacker almost as big as himself but was lock step with the drummer whose cymbal kept tipping to the crowd. The two most notable songs were the fairly straightforward "Alexander Martin" which featured the best vocals of the night.
As engaging as Kuroma was for their 30 minute plus set, nothing could prepare the crowd for “I Was The Rat.” On the last song, Sullivant dropped his guitar, peeled off his jacket and morphed into what can be best described as the bastard son of David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and Marc Bolan. Sullivant bounced around the stage in his skin tight jeans and tank top to the piano and drum driven song. His red hair bouncing around as he pointed at his eyes, the audience and busted out an array of dance moves. If the audience hadn't paid attention during the previous 30 minutes, they definitely paid attention now. I am still stunned by the performance and can't decide whether it was brilliance or just a flash of insanity. At least it gave the audience something to ponder for the next 15 minutes until the Cold War Kids appeared.
Just before the Cold War Kids took the stage there was definitely a different vibe, a certain amount of tension in the room. A majority of that bad vibe and attitude was coming from the better half. Luckily the Cold War Kids were able to soothe the situation with their unique brand of R&B meets rock meets alternative. Not a minute after they their first song started, the crowd literally came under the bands spell and loosened up. Their recent release, Loyalty to Loyalty, might not have met garnered the same universal praise as Robbers & Cowards but it was clear that even in this small New York City venue that this Fullerton foursome has an adoring and rabid fan base. “We Used to Vacation” drew the most inspired audience reaction/participation as everyone who knew the lyrics ceased lip syncing and joined Nathan Willet on the chorus. Johnnie Russell and Matt Maust were quite literally the centerpiece of the show. The guitarist and bassist were quite literally rams locking horns or drifting from their side of the stage into each other as the music dictated. Russell traded a pair of guitars when Willet could tear himself away from the pair of keyboards that flanked the band on either side of the stage. The band ran through “Hang Me Up to Dry,” “Saint John” and “Tell Me In The Morning". At one point, not too far into the set, the audience was screaming for "Saint John" due to the singalong friendly chorus but the Cold War Kids had a plan and stuck to it. Like “We Used To Vacation,” the audience was quick to make the entire evening a group effort. For close to an hour the band had this small crowd in the palm of their hand with the only lack of attention occurring when people checked their cell phones to see if their picture came out. The only notable track from Loyalty to Loyalty was “Something Is Not Right With Me” which garnered a boost from HBO's Entourage last fall. The short song garnered the most enthusiastic reaction from the crowd other than the Robbers & Cowards tracks. The whole set was pretty economical since it clocked in at under an hour, give or take a few minutes. The band though didn’t waste a minute of that time with needless side conversations amongst themselves or random audience members. They played and delivered what this clearly eager crowd came to see.
AC/DC is about to wrap up a North American leg of their world tour in support of their latest release, 
Jay Nash is an L.A. based singer-songwriter who fits right in with the Hotel Cafe vibe (where he often plays). Best Music Live says Jay's sound "congers up similarities somewhere between John Mayer, Johnny Cash, Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson." I'd agree on the Cash and Johnson comparisons in particular. Jay makes it clear Johnny is an influence so it is particularly interesting to see Jay perform in the very room were "Walk the Line" and "Folsum Prison" where first recorded. 
Katy Perry was certainly hot in 2008. Her song "I Kissed A Girl" was seemingly everywhere and she quickly shook off any notions of being a one hit wonder with the follow up single "Hot 'n Cold."
In between helping get Barack Obama elected President and getting ready for his upcoming Super Bowl performance, Bruce Springsteen has been readying his new record, the appropriately titled for the times 
Britney Spears' song "If You Seek Amy" is creating a "controversy" with a parental advisory group claiming the song title, when sung really fast, sounds like "F-U-C-K me." The Parental Television Council says this violated indecency standards and is urging the FCC to take action against radio stations playing the song.
Rod Stewart and Ron Wood may not be showing their Faces just yet. Earlier this week, word spread of a new Faces album and a world tour with Flea handling the bass duties of the departed Ronnie Lane. Dashing expectations before they could build, Rod Stewart (through a spokesperson) quashed the stories claiming that no tour is imminent and implying that the so-called Faces album is really a Ron Wood solo album.
Ryan Adams inadvertently sent shock waves throughout his fan base when rumors spread that he was quitting the music business upon the conclusion of his tour with the Cardinals. After posting 
Tickets for The Dead's 2009 reunion tour went on sale yesterday through the band's Web site, 
The compilation of the year end best-of lists rekindled a long running debate over the success of Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut. While some were troubled by what they perceived as the Ivy League quartet’s lack of respect and glib appropriation of African rhythms into their educated brand of Afro-pop, many others found no quarrel with the band’s use of world beats. Although they also derive their inspiration from the Dark Continent, no such criticism hounds the 
New York City never lacks for quality concerts on New Year’s Eve: Patti Smith can always be found on the Lower East Side at the Bowery Ballroom, Gov’t Mule usually hitches their post further north and this year, My Morning Jacket headlined Madison Square Garden. For the past three years, U-Melt has offered a late night addendum to the annual festivities, starting their set while most of Manhattan crawls into bed and customarily jamming to the break of dawn. This year, U-Melt moved from the after hours to the main event, ringing in the New Year at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, New Jersey with special guests BuzzUniverse, The Point and guitarist Keith Kenny.
Twas the night before New Year and all through the Big Apple
Ron Asheton, the influential guitarist responsible for many of The Stooges groundbreaking guitar riffs, was found dead Tuesday morning at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Asheton's death is being attributed to natural causes, likely a heart attack. Though Asheton’s passing will surely be noticed in the press, the mainstream media will likely not grasp the significance of Asheton’s significant achievements and lasting effect on the history of rock and roll.
A couple Yardbirds of a feather will return to the nest this February when Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, two of the greatest guitarists to ever pick up the instrument, will headline a pair of shows at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Although the two each got their start in The Yardbirds, they weren't in the legendary British band at the same time. Rather, Beck replaced Clapton after the latter left the band.
With the New Year comes official news of a "Grateful" Dead reunion tour. The Dead's 2009 lineup will consist of the surviving four original members, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann and be rounded out with Ratdog keyboardist Jeff Chimienti and, in line with his reputation as the hardest working man in rock roll, guitarist Warren Haynes.
Warren Haynes will be keeping himself busy in the early parts of 2009. In addition to a Winter tour with Gov't Mule and a Spring tour with The Dead, Haynes will be an integral part of The Allman Brothers Band annual residency at New York City's Beacon Theater. This year's residency will celebrate not only the 40th anniversary of the band but their 20th anniversary of their first appearance at the Beacon. The dates already announced are March 9-10, 12-14, 16-17 and 19-21. As with past residencies, expect shows to be added along the way.
Posts
