Was i the only one who wanted Clay to win?? Thanks to those who text-messaged me with the news, really what would i do without you?

So while you were watching the telly, i was at the mercury lounge trying to stay awake. The report:
Phaser was good. They played 4 or 5 songs, 10 minutes long each. They have these long build-ups that lead to super loud and chaotic endings. Two different singers, two good vocal ranges... one, more falsetto than the other. They also have more pedals than instruments and band members combined. I'd say take some Travis melodies + a little Radiohead feel + some Spiritualized (whom they're opening for in June) noise and you get Phaser. Not bad for influences, huh?
The next band we saw i had never heard of before: The Standard from Portland, OR. Some of their songs were enjoyable but i left without remembering what they sounded like, is that a bad sign? What i do remember is that they fall into the current neo-post-punk category and that the singer's vocal delivery is intensely dramatic... next time i see them play, i'll get my memory to work a little harder.
Idlewild came on last and almost blew the speakers! Ok maybe not, but they were sooo loud and sooo good. They've been sticking to the same setlist, a mixture of all three albums. We also got a Gang of Four cover for the encore. I don't always like singers who don't play instruments on stage, but i never get bored of watching Roddy's hair get messier as the night progresses.

Lastly, let's not forget: happy birthday to the one and only Moz! May the light never go out...

support new york rock

Miss jinners, booker extraordinaire, has a little party going on tonight:
Folksongs for the Afterlife CD release party!
wednesday, may 21 at luxx
Doors 7:30 p.m.; Show 8 p.m.; $5
With performances by: Folksongs for the afterlife / Bishop Allen / The $urp!us / Chris Sizemore. For more info, check out On the Moon Music.

W.a.s.t.e states that Radiohead at the Beacon Theater will happen on june 5 and not june 6 as previously reported. So that means it's the same night as The Rapture... ugh.

Idlewild, The Datsuns, Oneida, The Dirtbombs and The Witnesses have all been added to this year's Siren festival. [via Jason]

emergency party

Big ups to the lovely people who organized the As Daylight Breaks soundtrack release party, it was very sweet. The Sofia Sunseri sextet brought some jazz and soul with their enchanting set. We could only stay for one song of Mary Timony's set, but she sounded amazing. I'm not so familiar with her solo work, but will definitely investigate. In between the performances, Ultragrrrl played everything we wanted to hear and more...

The NY: The Next Wave showcase was oh-so-fun... i arrived kinda late, kinda caught My Favorite, kinda caught the DJ sets. The Stellastarr*-s were, as always, super tight... and for being ill, jetlagged and voice-less, Shawn Stellastarr* totally pulled it off. He was even kind enough to let us sing My Coco! And who was that crazy girl yelling stuff like "stellastarr* 4eva!"!? Oh wait... nevermind. The fever finished off the night and i don't get why so many people left and missed them, because they were excellent! It was great seeing all of you coming from boston, jersey, westchester, manhattan, brooklyn, queens, drunk-land... thanks to those who were wearing melody nelson pins! And to all of you photographers of the event, i'm warning you, you'd better burn those photos right now...

Check out the interview i did with Dave from The Stills for the fantastic Earlash web site. Though i had a lot of fun talking to Dave (we kept going off on tangents and he kept telling me not to print what he was saying), i don't know if i like the way the interview turned out (never satisfied syndrome anyone?)... hope you like it anway!