|
|
| |
posted Friday, June 6, 2008 - Volume 36 Issue 23 |
|
|
|
|
|
| New Kids on the Block, Crystal Castles, Weezer, Frightened Rabbit
|
by Albert Rodriguez -
SGN A&E Writer
New Kids on the Block, not to be confused with fellow '80s-'90s twink bands Backstreet Boys and N'Sync, are reuniting for a tour this fall with a scheduled performance at the Tacoma Dome on November 22. The bubblegum quintet enjoyed phenomenal success with hit singles, like "(You Got It) The Right Stuff," "Step by Step," "Hangin' Tough," and "Tonight." Not only were they a popular recording act, their live concerts sold out in record time around the globe and merchandise from T-shirts to lunchboxes decorated junior high schools in Everytown, USA. I was never a big fan, though I did fantasize about Joey McIntyre showing up at my door in a Trojan outfit sans skivvies - it was either him or Andrew Shue of Melrose Place. For thirty- and forty-something Gay men, New Kids on the Block's reunion tour is a huge deal - allowing us to reflect on locker room crushes, running for student body council, earning a spot on the cheerleading squad, or blowing the homecoming king (true story, I shit you not). So crack those wallets open because tickets, priced between $29.50 and $77.50, go on sale June 7 (10 a.m.) at all Ticketmaster locations. Look for me at the show, I'll be in vintage IZOD.
One of the freshest acts to emerge on the dance scene is Crystal Castles. They're part electronica, part trash rock, and part old-school Atari console. Yep, mixed into some of the UK duo's tracks are bleeps, whizzes and ringing noises resembling retro video games - resulting in robotic dance-punk songs, as if Ms. Pac Man had just swallowed Arctic Monkeys. Listen to "Love and Caring" on YouTube and tell me I didn't just pull that last sentence out of my ass. Ethan Kath and Alice Glass split the identity of Crystal Castles, yet you wouldn't be able to spot them walking down the street because most of their publicity shots don't reveal their faces. Already, Crystal Castles are a heavy buzz item overseas and just got booked for the pinnacle of summer music festivals, Reading. If you love electronic music, you must take a listen to these guys at www.myspace.com/crystalcastles - I suggest "Crimewave" and "Courtship Dating." And, should you have no plans on Saturday night (June 7), Crystal Castles perform in-person at Chop Suey for only $10. They'll go onstage around 11:30-ish. Start digging Crystal Castles with me!
Don't you just love Weezer for being weird? I think it's hilarious they've named their newest single "Pork and Beans", which skyrocketed to #1 on Billboard's modern rock tracks. This is the same foursome who brought us "Buddy Holly," "Hash Pipe," "Beverly Hills," and my personal favorite, "Island in the Sun." Led by the dorky-cool Rivers Cuomo, who released a solo debut last year, Weezer has been entertaining alternative rock fans since the mid '90s and they're still going strong in 2008. It's awesome that a band hasn't forgotten to have fun, such as wearing medical lab coats under irrigation sprinklers on the "Pork and Beans" music video. The self-titled new album, marking the third time Weezer has named a CD after themselves, was bumped to a June 3 release date due to overwhelming demand. At press time, I hadn't yet received my digital copy but was crossing my fingers for its prompt arrival. No word on a Weezer concert date in Seattle, but you'll hear about here in "The Music Lounge" when one comes up. In the meantime, grab a copy of their latest disc. I smell MTV VMA nominations for Weezer come late summer.
Before they became big, the coolest artists and hottest bands spoke to "The Music Lounge." From Franz Ferdinand to Jason Mraz, Wolfmother to Jason Aldean, We Are Scientists to Rufus Wainwright, this column has featured musicians in the earliest state of their careers who then go on to receive Grammy nominations and play sold-out concerts around the world. I'm adding Frightened Rabbit to this list, a fantastic new quartet from Scotland that would appeal to fans of Counting Crows, Dave Matthews Band, or perhaps a very young Blues Traveler. The foursome, consisting of siblings Scott and Grant Hutchinson, David Kennedy and Andy Monaghan, released their stateside debut The Midnight Organ Fight on April 15 to stellar reviews. While a few great singles from earlier projects were left off the album, primarily "Be Less Rude" and "Set You Free," it's still worthy of a listen and download. Ear-sample these tracks and others by Frightened Rabbit at www.myspace.com/frightenedrabbit and then revisit "The Music Lounge" next week for a one-on-one interview with the band. They perform live at Nectar Lounge on June 18.
Finally, a friend of mine from New York who I partied with here in Seattle when she visited in November confessed that she recently slept with one of my all-time favorite rock stars. I won't reveal names because I respect confidentiality, but I'm so damn jealous that she boned him in his own bed! My friend is really sexy and all the guys were hitting on her when we hung out together, so I'm glad she got her rock star fill - uh, literally.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
![[Valid RSS]](images/valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed"){kind=small}
post your own information on
