CMJ 08 Wrap-Up

So for me, CMJ kinda blew. Sure Crystal Castles were awesome. I'm a new fan of WhoMadeWho, Bad Veins and Heloise & the Savoir Faire. And Crystal Antlers rocked it all over the city. But my CMJ experience at first got off to a rough start. Then I hit the overwhelming fest for two nights. Friday I felt exhausted. Saturday I planned on going to the After the Jump day party, which was supposed to be at The Yard, then got switched to Market Hotel due to rain, then got cancelled entirely. Not to mention my failed attempt at catching Ebony Bones, who I am enthralled with right now. I call this all alot of bad luck. Whatever, it happens.

I had fun at the shows I got to see, so for what it's worth, here are my highlights from CMJ 08.

CRYSTAL CASTLES (removed by request):(

FUJIYA & MIYAGI


WHOMADEWHO


HELOISE & THE SAVOIR FAIRE


CRYSTAL ANTLERS (re-post)

CMJ 08 Thursday CRYSTAL CASTLES FUJIYA & MIYAGI WHOMADEWHO

Crystal Castles delivered a spellbinding set last night, headlining a CMJ showcase at Webster Hall. And though lead singer Alice Glass doesn't have a great voice, her spastic energy and demonic-like presence are what rock stars are made of. Swigging from a bottle of red wine and screaming into her echoed mic, Glass stomped around the stage like a caged animal. At times, she even kneeled on the hands of the crazed fans up front, creating the illusion of floating above the crowd like an evil princess.


But the real star of this show was the amazing lighting design, perfectly in tune with the Nintendo-On-Acid chaos of the music. This show was highly entertaining and Crystal Castles had the packed house in the palm of their sinister hands. This was every bit the spectacle I had hoped for.


Fujiya & Miyagi sounded really good, though the set seemed to grow redundant after awhile. I love their albums and they definitely have talent, but live it came across a bit boring and not entirely engaging. I don't mean to say they were bad, but I was expecting a livelier show from these guys.

WhoMadeWho were superb. The trio (two of which were decked out in hysterical black and white skin-tight bodysuits) played a fantastic set full of great tracks, anchored by the band's infectious charisma. They really got the crowd moving. I am so glad I made it in time to catch these guys. I am definitely a new fan.



-All photos by Scot Bowman

CMJ 08 Wednesday

-Crystal Antlers at Continental Army Plaza, Brooklyn

I started off Wednesday with a non-CMJ show, part of Todd P's week of free shows at the Continental Army Plaza in Williamsburg. Yes it was outside. Yes it was cold. But that didn't seem to put a damper on Crystal Antlers' ferocious performance. These guys are a loud and gritty, somewhat oversexed, desert rock band from Long Beach CA, whose music may have felt more at home in the grunge era. They sounded really great outside, with the J train passing over the Williamsburg Bridge in the background. It was kind of perfect.



****************

I headed over to Piano's, intending to catch the Free Yr Radio showcase with Bumblebeez and Chairlift. When I got there I discovered Bumblebeez had been replaced by a band I had never heard of. Since I was there I went in and caught BM Linx, a bass-heavy softcore metal band that had the crowd in a tizzy, but I was really not into it. For me it was like watching a hair band on the Sunset Strip circa 1991. Not my thing.

It got really crowded and I had two hours until Chairlift were scheduled to go on, so I decided to change up my plans. I headed down to the Knitting Factory for the After the Jump showcase.

-Bad Veins

A pleasant surprise was Bad Veins of Cincinnati, Ohio. The duo are comprised of Ben Davis (vocals, guitar, synth) and Sebastian Schultz (drums) and they make dramatic rock music with an electronic backbone. I was really impressed with Davis' captivating performance - utilizing a megaphone to accentuate his complex and soaring vocals. Davis is a true artist and that became clear almost immediately.

-Crystal Antlers

In a funny case of irony, Crystal Antlers were also on the bill at the Knitting Factory. So yes, I unintentionally saw them twice in one night. And they rocked it both times!

-Heloise & the Savoir Faire

Heloise & the Savoir Faire were completely amazing, though the crowd had suddenly dissipated to about fifteen people, most of which were dancing their asses off. Heloise and her collective were high energy, rock 'n' roll fun, with a twist of carnival for flavor. I would really love to see these guys play a packed house. They would so own it.

-all photos by Scot Bowman

CMJ 08 Tuesday An Open Letter to Stereogum

What the F***!!!???

Your CMJ party at the new Studio at Webster Hall, was an RSVP-only event (via stereogum.com), to be held from midnight to 4AM on a Tuesday night. I RSVP'd. I made my way out in the cold. I waited outside in the cold for nearly 40 minutes. I got inside. I got a beer at the bar on the DJ level - bad dance music, hardly anyone was interested in dancing, or even hanging out in this room. In fact, Leo Fitzpatrick (of "Kids" fame) was standing at the bar next to me and uttered to his friends, "Guys, I'm out of here. If I wanted to hear music like this, I'd have stayed home and DJ'd myself."

I went downstairs to see the live bands I had come out for - Crystal Stilts, Ponytail, Marnie Stern, Gang Gang Dance. While letting random pockets of hipsters in, the security guy at the door to the "live" room was insisting that a sound check was in progress, so he couldn't let the rest of us in - "Come back in 15 minutes!" This happened at about 12:40AM.

Cool.

I went back upstairs to the empty dance floor and got another beer. Loitered around a bit. Then decided enough time had passed and headed back downstairs. The crowd surrounding the door had at least tripled. I made my way down, nearing the door, watching as the doorman again let random pockets of people into the coveted "live" room. When I finally got to the door, he barked, "Where's your wristband?" Shocked, I said "What wristband?" He started shouting over my head at the masses behind me, "VIP only! Only those with wristbands get past me!" Now, there is no mistake here on my part. I checked in at the door, stating my name on the list. The girl quickly found it and told me that I was all set.

What the living f***!?

I stayed put at the (second) door for a minute, wondering what I should do. Someone muttered, "Wristband? For what?" Another complained, "This is the worst thing ever, I don't even care." Another guy, growing increasingly impatient, "No one got wristbands!" In all fairness, that last one wasn't true. I saw a couple of folks with wristbands on, though many without wristbands had just been let in. Anarchy!

After another 5 minutes or so, another security guy yelled, "We're doing soundcheck! Come back in 15 minutes!" Again! This was at 1:05AM. Feeling completely at a loss, I decided "f*** this s***. I have better things to do with my time. I mean, the very concept of "VIP-only" to see the only show billed is outrageous!! No offense to the artists involved, but it's not like David f***ing Bowie was performing Ziggy Stardust on the other side of those doors! I commend you on your line-up, but the vibe was foul.

The overall organization and treatment of the crowd at Webster Hall Tuesday night was borderline detestable. And why in God's name are you performing a soundcheck after one in the morning for a midnight show on a Tuesday night? If you wanted to throw a private party for you and your select VIP friends, why not do so in private, at say, your house? Your avid readers who RSVP'd via your site mean nothing?

CMJ can only get better from here.

Best,
Scot Bowman
TheSkyReport

PS: When I got home from this debacle I listened to the live stream on eastvillageradio.com. And I should give credit where it is due. Ponytail sounded great, though the audience seemed lost. Marnie Stern didn't go on until nearly 3:30 in the morning, but also sounded pretty damn awesome. Crystal Stilts, who played until well after four in the morning, got off to a fairly rough start (sound issues), but seemed to gain footing for a rather hallucinatory and engaging set, though they really started to fall totally apart toward the end (exhaustion?).

CMJ: All Week

I'll be posting all week from the CMJ Music Marathon, which kicks off tomorrow with a stellar Stereogum private bash featuring Crystal Stilts, Marnie Stern, Ponytail, and Gang Gang Dance at the brand new Studio at Webster Hall. Stay tuned...

CRYSTAL CASTLES Playing CMJNew 'Crimewaves' Video

Crystal Castles will headline a CMJ showcase at Webster Hall on October 23rd, with Fujiya & Miyagi, WhoMadeWho, and Lymbyc Systm in support. This will be a major highlight of the annual marathon, which descends on the city for five days October 21-25. You can still buy tickets here.

The controversial 8-bit duo play up their post-goth image with the new video for "Crimewaves", the robot-chic cover of HEALTH's modern apocalyptic classic.

Crystal Castles - Crimewave (Crystal Castles VS. Health) | Music Videos | SPIKE.com

CMJ 2008 Announces Lineup

This year the CMJ Music Marathon will descend on New York City October 21-25, with performances by such acts as Vivian Girls, Fujiya & Miyagi, Roisin Murphy, Lykke Li, Crystal Castles, Yo Majesty, Beach House, High Places, Broken Social Scene, Amazing Baby and Deerhoof.

The five day conference, which features showcases at multiple venues around the city, will also include shows by Gang Gang Dance, They Might Be Giants, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Jay Reatard, The Cool Kids, Marissa Nadler, Matthew Dear, Juliana Hatfield, A Place to Bury Strangers, Annuals, Takka Takka, Yip Yip, The Homosexuals, Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, Minus the Bear, IRAN, The Dears, Cut Off Your Hands, Ambulance Ltd., and The Virgins, and many more. Check out the full lineup here.

CMJ Report: Justice

Justice has quite a religious following, as was wildy apparent at Terminal 5 on Saturday night. From the moment the black sheets were pulled from the amp towers, to the now infamous light-up cross flicking on at the show's start, the crowd's sheer excitement was unparalleled - and that was just the beginning. The wall to wall crowd of hipsters, electroheads, and straight-up music lovers danced deliriously, many with glowsticks in hand, loving every mili-second of the duo's infectious electronic set.


It seems like a hard task for a pair of dj's to stand at their decks for an hour and a half and pull off an entertaining show. But Justice made it look easy with the help of flawless sound and lighting, which greatly enhanced the overall show. And when they finished their encore, the feverish crowd began singing the duo's most famous song in hopes that they would once again return to the stage.

"Because we are your friends
you'll never be alone again
well come on well come on
well come on well come on"

After many, many rounds of the chorus being chanted, the houselights finally came up and it was all over.



Justice - Phantom (part1 of 2) (live at Terminal 5)

-all photos by Scot Bowman

CMJ Report: The Secret Life of Sofia

The Secret Life of Sofia played the StereoactiveNYC/Hot Rocks official CMJ showcase at The Delancey on Saturday night. I unfortunately only had time to catch a few songs, but what I heard was quite beautiful. Their stage was adorned with the previously mentioned flourescent lanterns, but no projections this time. Still, these guys are a band to keep an eye on. Their forthcoming full-length will be released in 2008, but in the meantime you can get their self-titled EP at IQ Records.

Download - The Secret Life of Sofia - Hospital Inside Me (via the band's website)

STREAM - The Secret Life of Sofia - Various Tracks (from their forthcoming new LP)

-photo by Scot Bowman

CMJ Report: M.I.A.

M.I.A.'s show at the brand new Terminal 5 was clearly the highlight of the CMJ Music Marathon this week. OMG!!!!!!!!!! It feels almost unfair to even review it, as the entire show was so full of energy, so completely entertaining...just wow!!! (By the way, this post officially marks the end of horrible photography on this site, new camera! Yeah!)

Firstly, Terminal 5, NY's new premiere Bowery Presents venue is so over the top - three levels, with bars and bathrooms on each one, the place is reminiscent of the bar in the 80's film 'Cocktail', you know when Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown are hitting it big time and land a gig at the hottest club in Manhattan. But, as big as this place is, the house was packed. When M.I.A. finally took the stage after 10:30, following an uproar of boos and violent shouts, people were scrambling around everywhere, trying to land a spot with an actual view of the stage.

But once she did take the stage all was forgiven. She opened with 'Bamboo Banga', the opener to her phenomenal new album "Kala". The temperature rose and the songs were tight, tight, tight, equally blending the set with tracks from "Kala" and her auspicious debut "Arular". The crowd was treated to freaked-out versions of 'Pull Up the People', 'Sunshowers', 'XR2', and the amazing '20 Dollar' which morphed into New Order's 'Blue Monday', before breaking anarchically into the current single 'Jimmy'. Mindblowing!

But the party had only just gotten started. Watch the video below of the "Arular" hit 'Bucky Done Gun', which preceded the crowd-shattering 'Boyz', wherein Miss Maya brought half the crowd onto the stage and the show was nearly shut down. This shit was outta control, yet somehow it was all held together magnificently by the enigmatic M.I.A. And lucky for us, the show went on. We were blessed with her best songs from there on out - the song of the year 'Paper Planes' and the hit that made her famous back in '05, 'Galang'.

I caught M.I.A. at Coachella a couple years ago and back then she was great. Now, she is a virtuoso - at once, staggeringly vital and wildy entertaining. Artist of the year for sure.

M.I.A. - Bucky Done Gun (live at Terminal 5, NYC 10/18/07)

CMJ Report: Deerhunter

No photos from Deerhunter last night. My camera died in the middle of Dan Deacon, blah. But I just bought a new one today, so the visual side of things here should be improving very soon.

This was my second time seeing Deerhunter live and they are definitely growing into their sound. The songs were full of layers, distortion, echo and meticulously layered vocals, enhanced by lead singer Bradford Cox's effects processor. The set was mesmerizing. They kicked things off with an amazing new song, then fleshed things out, highlighted by many of the bands greatest tracks - 'Cryptograms', 'Hazel St.', 'Spring Hall Convert' and 'Wash Off'. But the standout for me was the electric-fused rendition of 'Strange Lights'. This bittersweet song found a whole new level of urgency in the Bowery Ballroom set.

Outside of the music, things were sketchy. The encore found Bradford wining away in a desperate rant, repeating phrases like "I miss my family!" "I miss 1997!" It got sad. Especially when some guy tried to leave to take a piss and Bradford shouted after him, "Where do you think you're going?!" When he explained himself, Bradford drank half a bottle of water and demanded that the guy take a piss into the empty half. Once the next song got underway, the guy snuck out unnoticed by crazy Bradford. Then Bradford went into a monologue about how New York sucks because he can't smoke onstage. After a long explanation of his nicotine addiction, he finally lit up. No cops showed up. No one hauled him off the stage.

It was clear Bradford's bandmates were uneasy - the final moment of the show had one of the guys unplugging his microphone so he couldn't talk anymore. This was the ultimate in ironic live sets - the music is flawless, but the band seem to be held together by a weakening thread.

Antics aside, Deerhunter are a great live band. See them soon, before they crumble under their own staged drama.

CMJ Report: Dan Deacon

About half way through the No Age set last night, I suddenly became aware of some mild commotion going on right behind me. As I looked over my shoulder, I noticed the table that was up against the wall, on which was the crazy audio contraption you see below. Still trying to find the cause of the commotion, I looked down to the floor to discover a pair of legs sticking out from under the table, squirming around on the floor. I thought it was odd, but without much thought I turned my attention back to No Age.


A few moments later, a crazy looking man with huge glasses turned to me with his hands extended and said, "Man, I just started a fire and electrocuted myself!"

Just as I started to smell the smoke from said fire, it dawned on me who this crazy looking man was. It was Dan Deacon!

The fire got put out and Dan was okay, albeit a tad jumpy after electrocuting himself. The whole episode was just so comical. Much like his live show that erupted moments later.

From where I was standing you couldn't see Dan at all - just a glowing green skeleton head, marking his place in the crowd. At set's start Dan instructed people to join the photographers onstage, creating a sort of paparazzi hovering over him. Then, after a bizarre "Ethan Hawke" chant, the music started and a whole room of New Yorker's actually danced like it was the end of the world. It was fantastic.


At one point things got so rowdy that Dan stopped the music and mock-complained that, "The level of shoving is just ridiculous". He proceded to instruct the audience to spread out and create a giant gap in the center of the room, complete with pathways to each of the two mezzanine stairways. Then, like a P.E. teacher, ordered various fans to pretend like they were Diplo and run up and down the stairs greeting their fans. It was mildy hysterical, but what's more is the way in which Dan creates his environment. He talks. People listen. He should run for President!

Catch the video over at Stereogum.

CMJ Report: No Age

No Age took the Bowery Ballroom by storm last night, demanding attention and damn well getting it. With just two guys, one on drums, vocals, and sampler, and the other on electric guitar, these guys rocked the living daylights out of the crowd. Wow! Like my friend Tatiana said, "If these guys stay together for another five years, they'll be huge!"

This was a balls-to-the-wall punk extravaganza, complete with chaotic moshing in the crowd, guitar legend leaps from towering amplifiers, and a final song that sounded like the last three minutes of a feedback-laden finale to a concert ala 1970 by say, The Who. These guys fucking rock!


I have to admit that, at times, I was a bit distracted, as Dan Deacon was right behind me, setting up his equipment and in the process starting a fire and electrocuting himself, but more about that later.

At one point near the end, the guitarist pulled many of the young moshers onto the stage, for an all-out frenetic dance-punk off, that had the place combusting. Those lucky young bastards - particularly the blonde guy who ended up with the guitar and was lifted into the heavens, ad-libbing a dramatic solo; his face literally beaming with excitement at his fifteen minutes of fame. Hell yeah.


Purchase the new album "Weirdo Rippers" here.

-All photos by Scot Bowman

CMJ Report: White Williams

White Williams played the CMJ showcase at Bowery Ballroom last night, surely winning over new fans with his nostalgic 80's-electro-vibe sound. Backed with a band consisting of an electric guitar, bass, two Apple laptops and Mr. White himself on sampler and keyboards, the live incarnation succeeds by the fine use of simplicity, accompanied by a very well put together visual montage backdrop.


Of his current single 'New Violence', the Village Voice recently had quite a few kind words to describe it: "But “New Violence”, which you can hear right now, is the key. Like Blondie’s (correction: Debbie Harry's) “Rush Rush” with the bass dialed, or the Strokes with rhythm, or post-punk if post-punk never happened, “New Violence” pulls off the icy feat of being an irresistible song that doesn’t care whether you resist it or not."

The single is awesome. If you haven't heard it yet, seek it out.


The man behind the moniker is Joe Williams, a fresh-faced 23 year-old who conjures the words cute and sweet. You are sure to hear more from White Williams very soon, as the debut disk "Smoke" is set for a November 6th release and is available now on iTunes.

-All photos by Scot Bowman

CMJ Music Marathon - NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB - 'Get Lucky', MUSCLES - "Guns Babes Lemonade"

The CMJ Music Marathon kicks off today in NYC and I will be catching a few shows - Deerhunter, Dan Deacon, White Williams, No Age, M.I.A., Justice, Midnight Juggernauts - and hopefully some of the day time and late night showcases. One show I will sadly not be going to is the Thursday night Modular party at Studio B with Muscles, The Cool Kids and New Young Pony Club. I'm sure it will be insane, but I opted for M.I.A. instead.

New Young Pony Club has a new video for 'Get Lucky'. Their album is available now on Modular.

New Young Pony Club - Get Lucky (music video)


Muscles' long-awaited debut "Guns Babes Lemonade" hits stores on October 23 via Modular. His recent single 'Ice Cream' was declared the 2007 summer jam of the year by Gorilla vs. Bear. The new video for the album's opening track 'Sweaty' is below.

Muscles - Sweaty (music video)

YIP-YIP - 'Sprinkle Council'

Warning! All bands mentioned in this post are of an acquired taste...please don't blame me if I'm turning you on to something that isn't your flavor. That said, here goes...

Lovers of CRYSTAL CASTLES and HEALTH may get a kick out of Orlando-based spaztronic duo YIP-YIP. The duo, comprised of Jason Temple and Brian Esser, will be spending the next few months touring with the likes of THE LOCUST, AIDS WOLF, and HEALTH in anticipation of the release of their new album "Two Kings of the Same Kingdom" on February 5th, 2008. Yip Yip will also be on hand for the CMJ Music Marathon, sharing the Knitting Factory stage with HEALTH on October 19th.

If you're into Atari-electro, you can stream the new album in its entirety over here. And for a virtual headache, visit Yip-Yip on Myspace.

DOWNLOAD - Yip-Yip - Sprinkle Council

Yip-Yip - Sprinkle Council (music video)



"Two Kings of the Same Kingdom" Tracklist:

01. Anarchist Clog
02. Sprinkle Council
03. Genius Beast
04. Humanly Wanderers
05. Car Picnic
06. Jazz Rats
07. Gender Changers
08. Club Mummy
09. Audacity Beach
10. Outer Tomato
11. Heavies Go Odd
12. High Heel To Mammal