Back from a school-infested hiatus with tonight's recommendations for a kickass time in the bowels of the City. Be sure to dress appropriately and drink a couple of lagers once you've reached your destination for maximum warmth. Also, the Events Calendar is back up and running with new dates, and of course the Photo Album's kicking it as usual. As for The Fever review? Well the finish line is near, but you know I wouldn't half-ass something for one of my all-time favorite bands. So have fun tonight and enjoy the waning days of January.
The iOs are setting the Knitting Factory's Tap Bar (74 Leonard St.) on fire tonight with the help of The Color Guard, Man In Gray, and El Jezel. It's technically Man In Gray's party, so not only can they cry if they want to, they can also celebrate the release of their EP No Day/No Night. The iOs (www.the-ios.com) are fantastically folksy with hand-clapping drums and whimsical melodies. Think Stephen Malkmus romancing Clinic. The Color Guard meanwhile are a bit heavier and moodier than The iOs. I get an electrified "Battle of Evermore" Led Zeppelin vibe from them (http://thecolorguard.com). El Jezel (www.eljezel.com) are more of The iOs' contemporaries, testing the waves with flowing guitar and emotional vocals. Lastly, the boys and girl of the evening, Man In Gray (http://maningray.com). MIG's got themselves a faster tempo than the others and definite rock roots, especially in Tina Dacosta's angered staccato vocals. No Day/No Night might prove to be worth a listen to based on "Incommunicado"; they've definitely got a distinct sound and strong guitar work. Shall they prove themselves live? Tune in yourselves at the Knitting Factory tonight beginning at 9.
The iOs: "Calmdown" http://www.the-ios.com/music/calmdown.mp3
The Color Guard: "Man of War" http://www.the-ios.com/music/calmdown.mp3
El Jezel: "Je Devenir" http://www.eljezel.com/JeDevenir.mp3
Man In Gray: "Incommunicado" http://maningray.com/nodaynonight/05_Incommunicado.mp3
That's all? Hell no, this is New York City (where the grass is green and the girls are pretty). Our pals Ghetto Ways (www.ghettoways.com) are having a record release party at Siberia (40th and 9th). Helping them throw it down proper are Some Action (www.someaction.com), The Tampoffs (great name; www.tampoffs.com), and Spitzz (www.spitzz.com). "Heartattack" by GW produces just that, it's got riffs to spare and furious vocals. As of press release, Some Action did not have mp3s on the site; however if these boys sound as good as they look (rare but possible in rock), then you will sure be in for a treat (below).
The Tampoffs never quite got over the decline of retro-rock, and thank goodness for that. We've got '80s viper-fast vocals, 5-chord-guitar rock, and drums which know no other beat than triple time. By the time the quickie solo comes on in "All the Time", you've either gotten up and shimmied or bolted out the door to Siberia. It's worth it, though Siberia might be the best adjective to describe New York right now.
Check them all and then allez au Siberia!
Ghetto Ways: "Heartattack" http://www.ghettoways.com/heartattack.mp3
The Tampoffs: "All the Time" http://www.tampoffs.com/mp3s/all_the_time.mp3
Spitzz: "Get Kicked" http://www.spitzz.com/spitzznew/mp3/Spitzz_Get_Kicked.mp3
Little rock photo-age to wash down your rock dosage:
If Edmond Hallas of Mommy and Daddy got any cooler, he'd be (what's that Andre 3000?) ICE COLD.
I don't know/Just where I'm going-S.
