January 2, 2011

Honah Lee - Year-end Hangover

Check out this awesome tribute to Trenton rockers Honah Lee done by my favorite local photog Michelle Lawlor. It was a big year for the boys: radio spots, music videos, tours and opening slots for Billie Joe Armstrong side projects. It'll probably be a bigger 2011 for Honah Lee ... so watch out!

December 24, 2010

On The Beat's Top 25 Records of 2010

Top 25 Records of the Year

1. Yeasayer – Odd Blood

YEASAYER "O.N.E." from Paranoid US on Vimeo.

2. Hot Chip – One Life Stand

Hot Chip - I Feel Better Uploaded by EMI_Music. - See the latest featured music videos.

3. We Are Scientists – Barbara

We Are Scientists - Rules Don't Stop from Labour on Vimeo.

4. Broken Bells – S/T

5. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

6. Tokyo Police Club – Champ

7. Surfer Blood – Atro Coast

8. Girl Talk – All Day

9. The Balconies – S/T

10. Nas & Damian Marley – Distant Relatives

11. Reflection Eternal – Revolutions Per Minute

12. Vampire Weekend – Contra

13. Chiddy Bang – The Preview

14. LCD Soundsytem – This Is Happening

15. Gaslight Anthem – American Slang

16. Miami Horror – Illumination

17. Simian Mobile Disco – Delicacies

18. Spoon - Transference

19. Sleigh Bells – Treats

20. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists – The Brutalist Bricks

21. Atmosphere – To All My Friends, Blood Makes The Blade Holy

22. The Golden Filter – Voluspa

23. Chromeo – Business Casual

24. B.o.B. – The Adventures of Bobby Ray

25. Dead To Me – African Elephants

Just missed the cut:

Best Coast – Crazy For You

Young Galaxy – Invisible Republic

Kelis – Fleshtone

Crookers – Tons Of Friends

Booka Shade – More!

The Black Keys – Brothers

Beach House – Teen Dream

Clock/Dagger – Lost Art

Young Widows – Old Wounds

On The Beat: Dec. 24-29

Metalers This Or The Apocalypse's Heavy New Year Tour hits Championships Sports Bar and Grill in Trenton on Sunday afternoon.

The Blisters

The New Brunswick indie rockers’ sharp vocal harmonies and power-poppy, left-of-the-dial delivery could have ruled college radio in the mid ’90s. Sounds a lot like Velvet Crush, The Lemonheads and The Smithereens. They’ll play The Court Tavern (124 Church St., New Brunswick) Saturday night. Show starts at 9. P.E.D. headlines. Tickets cost $5. 21-plus.

This Or The Apocalypse

The thundering sound fires from this Lancaster, Pa., metalers’ “Haunt What’s Left” CD showers in hardcore technicality and ruthlessness. August Burns Red and Bring On the Horizon share in the band’s youthful exuberant, heavy melodica and religious undertones, but also show an appreciation for the tireless ground work laid down by heavy outfits from Iron Maiden to Lamb Of God, who through professionalism and drive gave often misunderstood hardline acts like TOTA a world to explore and conquer. They’ll headline the Heavy New Year Tour that crash lands at The Backstage at Championship Bar (931 Chambers St., Trenton) Sunday afternoon. Show starts at 3. An Early Ending, Deception Of A Ghost, Where The Ocean Meets The Sky, Sicker Than Most, Within Cold Blood, The World Ends With You, Transcends and Embracing Disaster round out the bill. Tickets cost $12 in advance, $14 at the door. All-ages.

Departures @ Nada day 4
Departures | Myspace Music Videos

Departures

The Bayonne punk rockers “Save The Last Mosh” of the 2010 season for The Mill Hill Basement (300 S. Broad St., Trenton) Sunday night. Their music is fairly melodic in a Bouncing Souls sort of way but morphs into hardcore when the singer slips into these sloppy-yet-speedy vocal haymakers. Hearing some Rancid and Set Your Goals influences in the mix of styles, too. Show starts at 10. Maya’s Ruin and Angels 8 Riot open. Tickets cost $5. 21-plus.

Uncle Floyd

Earning state treasure status through the popularity of his UHF kiddie show, “The Uncle Floyd Show,” Floyd Vivino’s warped slapsticks were laced in adult themes just packaged in a children’s show wrapper. The show, which included lip-synched performances from the likes of The Ramones, was so liked in Jersey it ended up being syndicated in 17 markets by 1980, including Philly and Boston. Its popularity reached John Lennon apparently, as David Bowie – who made tribute to Vivino on “Slip Away” - has been quoted as saying he became a fan of show through the Beatle. This dude is crazy, too. According to Internet reports, Vivino set a Guinness World Record for non-stop piano playing – tickling the ivories for 24 hours and 15 minutes back in 1999. He also claims to have the largest collection of Italian records. Floyd, who will spend his third-straight Boxing Day playing The Record Collector (358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) on Sunday night, mixes up ragtime and vaudeville when headlining gigs these days. Show starts at 7. Tickets cost $15. All-ages.

Doug and Telisha Williams

The classic country-crooning husband and wife team headline The Record Collector (358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) Tuesday night. For fans of Nanci Griffith, Maybelle Carter and Patsy Cline. Show starts at 7:30. Tickets cost $10. All-ages.

The Holy Mess

The Philly punk rockers play the Bouncing Souls’ Home For The Holidays after party at Asbury Lanes (209 4th Ave., Asbury Park) on Wednesday night. The Souls’ four-day Xmas celebration at The Stone Pony is totally sold out, so if you got no bank and no ticket yet, this show is more than just the next best thing. The Holy Mess – which features an ex member of The Ruining - are a super up-in-coming band with a lot of heart and passion for playing punk as fast and loud as they can. And that rules. Show starts at 11. Banquets headline. DJ Lamar Vannoy spins between sets. All-ages.

Scott Frost’s On The Beat concert listing appears in The Trentonian and at www.trentonian.com every Thursday. If your band is playing around town, email the On the Beat web line at djscott111@aol.com.

December 12, 2010

G. Love - No Love For Philly - Free Download

G. Love has a new record coming out, Fixin To Die, and a tour, too. But so far there's been no Philly date announced. Sounds like a diss to us!
The title track from the album is now available for free download at www.Philadelphonic.com.
TOUR DATES:  March 1 Nashville, TN Exit/In
March 2 Greenville, SC The Handlebar
March 3 Charleston, SC Music Farm
March 4 Raleigh, NC  Lincoln Theatre
March 5 Norfolk, VA The NorVa
March 9 Charlotte, NC Visulite Theatre
March 10 Jacksonville, FL The Freebird
March 11 Orlando, FL Beacham Theatre
March 12 St. Petersburg, FL Jannus Landing
March 13 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Culture Room
March 16 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
March 19 Dallas, TX House of Blues
March 20 Corpus Christi, TX House of Rock
March 23 Little Rock, AK Revolution Music Hall
March 24 Tulsa, OK Cain’s Ballroom
March 25 Austin, TX Antone’s
March 26 Houston, TX House of Blues
- On The Beat

Get Up Kids - Adult-hood!

New Get Up Kids music! Yay! Wait, boo hoo! No, yay! Get emo again, people! There's two shows set for the TLA in Philly for March. Hmmm ... wondering where I put my striped sweater and Coke-bottle glasses.

The new song"PARARELEVANT" can be found at: http://bit.ly/hhPQtU(email is required for download).

- On The Beat

THE GET UP KIDS ANNOUNCE EAST COAST + MIDWEST TOUR DATES!

NEW ALBUM THERE ARE RULES OUT JANUARY 25, 2011!

DOWNLOAD "PARARELEVANT" FROM THERE ARE RULES!

The Get Up Kids have announced details of the second leg of their 2011 North American tour, covering cities on the east coast and midwest, in support of their forthcoming album There Are Rules. The second set of dates begins in Orlando, FL on February 22 and runs through March 13 and includes two shows in New York City March 2 and 3.

A limited number of tickets for each market have been held for The Get Up Kids fans and will be available through an exclusive Ducat King presale that begins Friday, December 10th, 2010 @ 12pm EST. The presale can be accessed by visiting:

http://thegetupkids.ducatking.com

Support on these new dates comes from Miniature Tigers and Brian Bonz. Tickets will be made available to the general public December 16th. This new run of shows is in addition to the first leg of the tour January 22-February 5, which were announced last month.

The band is also unveiling a second new track from the upcoming album There Are Rules as a free MP3 this week.

The Get Up Kids will release a limited edition 7" single "Automatic" on January 11, 2011 followed by the full length There Are Rules on January 25th on their own Quality Hill Records.

THE GET UP KIDS 2011 TOUR DATES

January 21 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live % ^

January 22 - Austin, TX @ Emo's % ^

January 23 - Dallas, TX @ The Loft % ^

January 25 - Tempe, AZ @ Clubhouse % ^

January 26 - San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues % ^

January 27 - West Hollywood, CA @ The Troubadour % ^

January 28 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House % ^

January 29 - San Francisco, CA @ Slim's % ^

January 30 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill % ^

February 01 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater % ^

February 02 - Seattle, WA @ Neumo's % ^

February 03- Seattle, WA @ The Knitting Factory % ^

February 04 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Sound % ^

February 05 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater % ^

February 23 - Orlando, FL @ The Social # *

February 24 - Orlando, FL @ The Social # *

February 25 - St.Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre # *

February 26 - Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club # *

February 27 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle # *

March 01 - Washington, DC @ The Black Cat # *

March 02 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall # *

March 03 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg # *

March 04 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts # *

March 05 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts # *

March 06 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club # *

March 08 - Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre # *

March 09 - Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop # *

March 10 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall # *

March 11 - Chicago, IL @ The Bottom Lounge # *

March 12 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall # *

March 13 - Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck # *

# with Miniature Tigers and Brian Bonz

Children of Bodem - Party Like Eddie Murphy

CHILDREN OF BODOM (also COB), the hard partying Finnish Heavy Metal band that features frontman and modern day guitar hero Alexi Laiho will release its new albumRelentless Reckless Forever on March 8, 2011 via Universal Music. Today, COB reveals the album's cover art, which can be viewed now at this location.
You can check out the track listing below. Notice the Eddie Murphy cover? Crazy, right? Well, we haven't gone to a COB show in a while, so we're not sure if this strange '80s cover song has fallen into their live set. I guess we'll see. They just came through with Clutch and Black Label Society. And always are on tour.
Recorded in Petrax Studios with famed rock producer Matt Hyde (Slayer, Monster Magnet),Relentless Reckless Forever is the seventh studio album of CHILDREN OF BODOM's illustrious career and the first new record from the band since 2008's Blooddrunk, which debuted at #22 on Billboard's Top 200 Chart and scored the quintet its third consecutive #1 debut in Finland. On Relentless Reckless Forever, COB's high-energy hooks and electric energy forge stadium-sized heavy metal anthems that seethe with both marvelous musicianship and a phenomenal pop prowess. The quintet's unique union of haunting melodies, rhythmic sensibility, guitar-and-keyboard interplay and king-size solos is supercharged to the maximum, and the resulting record is poised to push the band - already on the brink of breakout success in the U.S. - to an altogether new pinnacle. "We worked super hard on this album, at least for me it was pretty much no sleep or rest for six weeks," stated Laiho. "But we were determined to make the best COB album ever, so we were willing to do whatever it took. Of course, having our producer Matt Hyde kicking our asses 24/7 definitely made the results even better, so obviously we're more than anxious to get this album out there" The first single and video from Relentless Reckless Forever is "Was it Worth It?". COBshot a high energy music video for the track, joining forces with two-time X Games gold medalist and two-time Thrasher Magazine "Skater of the Year" Chris Cole as well as noted pro skaters Jamie Thomas, Garrett Hill and Tom Asta (the current #1 Amateur skateboarder in the world). Filmed on location at central Pennsylvania's residential Action Sports compound Camp Woodward and directed by Dale Resteghini for Raging Nation Films (Pink Floyd, Santana, Mötley Crüe), the video was shot guerrilla style, sans treatment; honing in directly onCHILDREN OF BODOM's high-spirited fire and the skaters' eye-opening execution. A high resolution trailer for the clip can be viewed now at www.relentlessrecklessforever.com. The track listing for CHILDREN OF BODOM's Relentless Reckless Forever is as follows: 1.) Not My Funeral 2.) Shovel Knockout 3.) Roundtrip to Hell and Back 4.) Pussyfoot Miss Suicide 5.) Relentless Reckless Forever 6.) Ugly 7.) Cry of the Nihilist 8.) Was It Worth It? 9.) Northpole Throwdown 10.) Party All the Time (* Eddie Murphy) "The single 'Was It Worth It?' is a total party song, said Laiho. "It's not your typical Bodom sound, but it's one of my favorites and heavy as hell." In addition to Laiho, CHILDREN OF BODOM features Roope Latvala (guitar), Jaska Raatikainen (drums), Henkka Seppälä (bass) and Janne Warman (keyboards). About CHILDREN OF BODOM: CHILDREN OF BODOM's enthralling mix of modern heavy metal, melodic hooks and the guitar acrobatics of front man Alexi Laiho have solidified the critically acclaimed Finnish band as one of the most revered hard rock acts in the world and one of the leading voices of metal's new generation. The group's 2008 studio album Blooddrunk skyrocketed to #22 on Billboard's Top 200, scored the quintet its third consecutive #1 debut in its native Finland and saw Laiho named "Best Metal Guitarist" by the readers of Guitar World, besting well known players such as Kirk Hammett of Metallica to win the coveted award. CHILDREN OF BODOMhas been called "technically dazzling" by the New York Times and "One of the most talented metal bands of our time" by contemporary media conglomerate VICE. COB's popular song "If You Want Peace...Prepare for War" is currently featured in the smash hit music video gameGuitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. The band's name is derived from the infamous Lake Bodom murders, which took place in Finland in 1960.

Eisley - Equal Visionary

EISLEY EMERGES FROM "THE VALLEY" MARCH 1  FIRST ALBUM IN FOUR YEARS EXPLORES TURBULENT TIMES FOR THE DUPREES  FREE MP3 OF "AMBULANCE" AVAILABLE NOW  Eisley will release their first album in four years, "The Valley," on March 1  via Equal Vision Records. The 11-track set was recorded at Rosewood Studios in  their hometown of Tyler, Texas, with producer/engineers Gary Leach and Austin  Deptula (LeAnn Rimes), and mixed by Andy Freeman at Bay Area Tone in San  Francisco. See below for a track listing.  A free stream and MP3 of "Ambulance" from "The Valley" is available now through  the widget at http://bit.ly/igt2dF">http://bit.ly/igt2dF>. (See the  site for code to embed the widget elsewhere.)  The album's title refers to the emotional turmoil that the DuPree sisters, who  front Eisley, experienced as they crafted their third album: Sherri enduring a  failed marriage; Chauntelle, a broken engagement; and Stacy, a painful breakup.  The only relationship that ended on their terms was the split with Warner Bros.  Records, the label that released their first two albums and several EPs.  Promising to bring listeners through the band's darkest and most trying times,  "The Valley" reveals their strength, patience and perseverance. On tracks like  "Smarter" and "Sad," there's a musical aggression and emotional urgency that  transports you to the moment they were written, laying bare the open wound of  the broken heart. And the chilling album closer, "Ambulance," is an icy snapshot  of the very moment of betrayal and abandonment. Elsewhere, there's a stately  solace in the hopeful "Kind" and whimsical "Mr. Moon," and buoyant string  arrangements decorate opener "The Valley" and "Watch It Die."  As previously announced, Eisley will precede the release of "The Valley" with a  U.S. tour in February, supporting Rooney on all dates. The 21-date run begins  February 2 in Albuquerque and includes stops in Kansas City, the Twin Cities,  Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, Washington DC, Nashville, Denver and other markets.  See below for a complete list of dates.  ---  EISLEY - "THE VALLEY" TRACK LISTING  1. The Valley 2. Smarter 3. Watch It Die 4. Sad 5. Oxygen Mask 6. Better Love 7. I Wish 8. Kind 9. Mr. Moon 10. Please 11. Ambulance  ---  EISLEY TOUR DATES  February 2011 2 -- Albuquerque, NM -- Launchpad 4 -- Tulsa, OK -- Cain's Ballroom 2nd Stage 5 -- Kansas City, MO -- The Beaumont Club 6 -- St. Paul, MN -- Station 4 7 -- Milwaukee, WI -- Mad Planet 8 -- Grand Rapids, MI -- The Intersection 9 -- Pontiac, MI -- Crofoot Ballroom 10 -- Chicago, IL -- Lincoln Hall 11 -- Columbus, OH -- The Basement 12 -- Cleveland Heights, OH -- Grog Shop 13 -- Pittsburgh, PA -- Alter Bar 14 -- Newport, KY -- Southgate House 16 -- Cambridge, MA -- Middle East 17 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Theater of Living Arts 18 -- Washington, DC -- Rock and Roll Hotel 19 -- Carrboro, NC -- Cat's Cradle 20 -- Asheville, NC -- Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall 21 -- Nashville, TN -- Exit/In 22 -- Memphis, TN -- Hi-Tone Cafe 23 -- St. Louis, MO -- The Firebird 25 -- Denver, CO -- Marquis Theatre 26 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- Kilby Court

FLATFOOT 56 - Play Asbury On Tuesday (14th)

Got this from FLATFOOT 56's people ... too late to get it into The Trentonian this week. You can see the gutter punk-Irish rockers play Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park this Tuesday with the Street Dogs (ex Dropkick Murphys).

Here's what they're people are saying:

Home Sweet Home - FLATFOOT 56 hit the road once again.

Southside Chicago’s finest Join “Wreck The Halls” w/ Street Dogs and support Authority Zero into 2011

Orange County, CA., - Dec. 9, 2010 – Rounding out what has been an unprecedented year in the band’s decade of existence, FLATFOOT 56 are gearing up to once again hit the road, adding some weight to a few of the season’s best tickets. First, Flatfoot will join with STREET DOGS for the fifth annual “Wreck The Halls” tour. The eight-night run begins Dec 8th, 2010 in Houston, TX, and includes an already sold out show in Boston, MA. Building on the momentum that accumulated throughout 2010, Flatfoot immediately charges into 2011 beginning a run of dates on January 4, 2011 with Phoenix, Arizona street punks Authority Zero. Running throughout the month of January and well into February, the quartet continues to solidify their reputation for being one of the hardest working bands in the genre.

Releasing BLACK THORN in the spring of 2010, the band would debut at #2 on Billboard’s HeatseekersChart, in addition to achieving healthy positions on the Billboard Top 200, the Billboard Top Independent Current Albums Chart, Top Alternative Rock Chart, Top Rock Chart, Top Current Albums Chart and Top Internet Sales Charts.

Married to the road, the band spent the majority of the calendar year touring in support of their Old Shoe Records debut. Performing abroad on the international festival circuit, supporting runs with the likes of Devil’s Brigade (Matt Friedman of Rancid) and Street Dogs, in addition to a critically applauded stint on the Vans Warped Tour, FLATFOOT 56 proved triumphant in every stop along the way.

FLATFOOT 56’s broad appeal and universally inspiring themes have managed to resonate with people outside of the punk rock scope just the same. Producers of the FX Network hit Sons of Anarchy recently connected with FLATFOOT 56 to use not one, but six tracks fromBLACK THORN in episodes of the latest season of the series. FLATFOOT 56 was also tapped to record the new entrance theme for the WWE’s (Word Wrestling Entertainment) Raw Champion, Sheamus and will also provide a track to the upcoming WWE movie, The Chaperone, featuring wrestler Triple H.

As 2010 marks the 10-year anniversary for FLATFOOT 56, the latest album compacts the band’s celebrated history of eclectic and driving musical charge into thirteen tracks that highlight the pride of the working class and their Chicago roots. The release of BLACK THORN has sent a tidal wave of energy from FLATFOOT 56’s international mob following while being matched with critical praise:

ALTERNATIVE PRESS:“There are bagpipes and mandolin gilded to the hard-charging chassis, but these 10-year Chicago scene vets know how to play, and even better, pen suitably triumphant songs awash in resilient spirit.” (April 2010)

HM MAGAZINE:Black Thornjigs, pulses, sways, mesmerizes and kicks up the heels – sometimes all within the same song structure.” (March/April 2010)

PUNK ROCK REVIEW:Black Thorn is filled to the rim with Celtic-influenced, high intensity gang vocal laden, heavy hitting song after song…Each intricate musical piece of this band is perfectly combined.” (March 2010)

DYING SCENE:“It is no wonder that FLATFOOT 56 has risen above the rest and gained the notoriety they so rightfully deserve.” 5 out of 5 stars! (April 2010)

ABSOLUTE PUNK.NET: “The Celtic punk rockers from Chicago are back, and while the recorded disc cannot possibly capture the euphoric atmosphere of a Flatfoot 56 live show, they're getting closer than ever.” (April 2010)

With no slowing in sight, the band will likely be in a city near you and continues to write new material with plans to enter a studio for the next go around soon.

Black Thornis available in stores and online now from Old Shoe Records in the US, Stomp Records in Canada, People Like You Records in Europe (March 2011) and distributed by Big Mouth Japan in Japan.

For an up-to-date listing of tour stops, exclusive content,

and all things FLATFOOT 56, visit:

www.flatfoot56.com

www.myspace.com/flatfoot56

FLATFOOT 56 Live

WRECK THE HALLS w/ Street Dogs

12/6/2010 Memphis, Tennessee Murphy's Pub (solo – no Street Dogs)

12/7/2010 Hot Springs, Arkansas Maxine's Pub (solo – no Street Dogs)

12/8/2010 Houston, Texas The Studio @ Warehouse Live (Wreck The Halls Tour)

12/10/2010 Nashville, Tennessee The Muse (Wreck The Halls Tour)

12/11/2010 Charlotte, North Carolina Tremont Music Hall (Wreck The Halls Tour)

12/12/2010 Baltimore, Maryland The Ottobar (Wreck The Halls Tour)

12/13/2010 Jermyn, Pennsylvania Eleanor Rigby's (solo – no Street Dogs)

12/14/2010 Asbury Park, New Jersey Asbury Lanes (Wreck The Halls Tour)

12/15/2010 Hartford, Connecticut Webster Underground (Wreck The Halls Tour)

12/17/2010 Boston, Massachusetts The Paradise (Wreck The Halls Tour)

12/18/2010 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania The Spy Club (solo – no Street Dogs)

12/31/2010 Chicago, Illinois Beat Kitchen (w/ The Tossers)

W/ AUTHORITY ZERO

1/1/2011 Chicago, Illinois Beat Kitchen (solo – no Authority Zero)

1/4/2011 Colorado Springs, Colorado Black Sheep w/ Authority Zero

1/5/2011 Denver, Colorado Marquis Theater w/ Authority Zero

1/8/2011 Cleveland, Ohio Peabody's w/ Authority Zero

1/12/2011 Atlanta, Georgia Masquerade w/ Authority Zero

1/13/2011 Jacksonville, Georgia The Pit w/ Authority Zero

1/14/2011 Satellite Beach, Florida Sports Page w/ Authority Zero

1/15/2011 Phoenix, Arizona Rage Fest (no Authority Zero)

1/16/2011 Phoenix, Arizona Rage Fest (no Authority Zero)

1/19/2011 Beaumont, Texas The Gig w/ Authority Zero

1/20/2011 Dallas, Texas Trees w/ Authority Zero

1/21/2011 Corpus Christi, Texas House of Rock w/ Authority Zero

1/22/2011 Houston, Texas Scout Bar w/ Authority Zero

1/23/2011 Austin, Texas Emo's (small room) w/ Authority Zero

1/25/2011 Albuquerque, New Mexico Launch Pad w/ Authority Zero

1/27/2011 Tucson, Arizona The Rock w/ Authority Zero

2/04/2011 Dekalb, Illinois House CafĂ© (solo – no Authority Zero)

2/05/2011 St. Louis, Missouri Firebird (solo – no Authority Zero)

December 9, 2010

Kelly Carvin - Santa's Baby

Kelly Carvin is a superb singer-songwriter from Trenton. She's huge in the community and is known for her string, soulful voice. Well, the cutie's in a giving mood this holiday season. Carvin's offered up a free download of her new Yule Tide treat, "Mistletoe," for all you On The Beat fans. You can stream and download it here: "Mistletoe." And if you're not busy next Tuesday, Dec. 14, Ms. Carvin will be headlining The Mill Hill Basement (300 S. Broad St., Trenton) and probably playing a few Christmas number for y'all.

On The Beat Dec. 9-15

Under the bold headline “The Best Dylan since 1968,” Rolling Stone tagged both this songwriter and Bruce Springsteen with the “New Dylan” tag when the mag reviewed Murphy’s 1973 debut “Aquashow” in the same piece with Springsteen’s “The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle.” 2010’s self-titled CD marks the singer’s 26th recording. And if you never heard of him, or the 1964 No. 1 smash hit “Navy Blue” he co-wrote, you’re not Billy Joel, Phil Collins, Shawn Colvin or The Violent Femmes – all of which have appeared on Murphy’s recordings. A long-time friend of Springsteen, Murphy will jam with The Boss when his tours run through Paris, where he lives with his rock ’n’ roll son, Gaspard of The Dukes. The 61-year-old Murphy hits up The Record Collector (358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) tonight. Show starts at 7:30. Tickets cost $12 in advance, $15 at the door. All-ages.

The Trenton rockers join the hot-rod dance off that is an Eddie Spaghetti show at Asbury Lanes (209 4th Ave., Asbury Park) tonight. They open for The Supersucker along with Philly’s American Speedway and Brooklyn’s The High Irons play. Show starts at 8. Call the Asbury Lanes for ticket prices. 18-plus.
The Philly glam-stars claim no homage’s in their music, only “a monochrome world … hit with Technicolor, glitter and raw power at 140 db’s.” What’s that mean? Well, their speedier songs sound like The Stooges wigging out at a cocaine party with Stone Temple Pilots, D Generation and Buckcherry. The slower balled-type songs – “Ma Lawd” for example - will remind you of Collective Soul, Shinedown and quieter Guns N’ Roses. The five piece headline the Backstage at Championship Bar (931 Chambers St., Trenton) tomorrow night. Show starts at 7. The Miscreants, The Earaches and Level 1 play, too. Tickets cost $10. All-ages.

The Queens garage rockers - who in 1987 made an appearance on the final episode of Andy Warhol’s “Andy Warhol’s Fifteen Minutes” TV program – get their Yule-tide rock ’n’ roll fever on at the Record Collector (358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) tomorrow night. The rock legends will perform two sets: their Christmas album, “Stocking Stuffer,” in its entirety and a collection of their hits. The Fleshtones have more than 20 albums in their discography and were a major influence to bands like The Strokes. Show starts at 7:30. Tickets cost $15 in advance, $18 at the door. All-ages.
“Take It Back,” our favorite track from the Philly rockers’ MySpace, blurs the line between metallic funk and vintage Cali beach punk that sounds similar to the erratic time signatures and frantic vocal spitting of classic Red Hot Chili Peppers. Think “Fight Like a Brave”-era Chili Peppers meshed with fIREHOSE. They play Jackie Maggot and Adrock’s Super Awesome Bash Your Brains Out Party at The Backstage at Championships Bar (931 Chambers St., Trenton) Saturday afternoon. Show starts at 4. Local Demise, Keys To The Cadillac, Massively Ill, Triggered Impulse, Karma Bat, Onderrock and Horror Biz round out the bill. Tickets cost $8. All-ages.
The complexity in the instrumentation, angular melodies and erratic rhythm patterns from this upstart New Brunswick band’s untitled EP portrays a sound that’s part avant-punk, part math-core and part post-rock with influences flowing between jazz, emo-core and heavy metal. Gets sort of Dillinger Escape Plan-y in the spastic throw-down parts, but not as severe or to the extent of that band’s ferocity. It’s like Cap’n Jazz in parts, too, with Don Caballero-type builds and the atmospheric fluff of a Sunny Day Real Estate if Jeff Buckley were singing. It’s strong in the melodic department, which is a nice departure from the groups past projects - three members were in Hightstown’s Free Yon, two in A Lesser Evil. They’ll make their Mercer County debut at The Mill Hill Basement (300 S. Broad St., Trenton) Saturday night. Show starts at 10. Dan Maxwell & The Turnpike Sailors and The Sirs play, too. Tickets cost $5. 21-plus.
The Hamilton rockers catch fire with their own brand of nu metal prog-punk. For fans of AFI and Coheed and Cambria. They headline McGuinn’s Place (1781 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence) Saturday night. Show starts at 9. Tickets cost $5. 21-plus.
The gangster folk icon behind the modern rock hits “The Devil In Me” and “The Person You Are” headlines The Record Collector (358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) Saturday night. Show starts at 7:30. Jesse Ruben opens. Tickets cost $20 in advance, $25 at the door. All-ages.
Few ever recorded with The Beatles for their Apple Records. But somehow this Trenton rocker did in 1971 when, as a guest of George Harrison, he laid down an LPs worth of songs in London’s Abbey Road Studios for international release on Apple. Ringo Starr even showed up to session in some drum work. Van Eaton, whose band headlines The Record Collector (358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) Sunday night, remained in touch with Starr over the years – appearing in four of Starr’s solo albums all of which included recordings The Beatles’ drummer did with John, George and Paul after their breakup. A ballad, “Sweet Music” he recorded with his brother Derrek in those early Abbey Road recordings, appears on the 17-disc Apple box set alongside tracks by James Taylor and Billy Preston. Sunday’s show will be Van Easton’s first live performance in nearly 40 years. He now lives in Denver. Show starts at 7:30. Tickets cost $20. All-ages.
The Trenton singer got all her friends to pucker up when shooting a video last week at KatManDu. Carvin captured her buds smooching under the mistletoe in the video for her new Christmas single “Mistletoe.” A holiday treat that showcases the country-pop-meets-coffee-house song sensibilities that’s made her songs a popular fixture in the city singer-songwriter scene, the ballad is a shimmering and seasonable delight that’ll warm you heart. It also makes for the perfect audio Christmas card and should be played over and over again as you and your lady – I’m talking to you guys – are all curled up in you’re brand new his-and-her Snuggies, sitting by the fire, sipping hot coco. Or you can get into the spirit of the holidays early by attending Carvin’s headlining gig At The Mill Hill Basement (300 S. Broad St., Trenton) Tuesday night. Show starts at 10. Jennings and Johnny J & Amazing Amy open. Tickets cost $5. 21-plus.

The Bay area joksters feature this song on their MySpace called “Skin Cancer.” It’s hysterical social satire about the depletion of the ozone layer and a pretty bleak account, too, if you believe them and see us all burning to death from the Sun someday. “The apocalypse, just like revolution, is not an event but a process, and it’s hilarious,” is the band’s motto. Their music consists of lyrics they describe as “outlandish and shocking truths” blended into a package of dark folk and evil commercial jingles. For fans of They Might Be Giants, Pee Wee Herman and The Aquabats. The trio headline The Mill Hill Basement (300 S. Broad St., Trenton) Wednesday night. Show starts at 10. Michigan rockers Day In Day Out, Cali punks All Ages and Captive (ex A Lesser Evil) round out the bill. Tickets cost $5. 21-plus. Scott Frost’s On The Beat concert listing appears in The Trentonian and at www.trentonian.com every Thursday. If your band is playing around town, email the On the Beat web line at djscott111@aol.com.