Cold War Kids

Chances are if you're from Orange County you've heard of these guys. Cold War kids formed in 2004 at an apartment in Downtown Fullerton. They're sound is pure North O.C. They're lyrics are visual and heart wrenching while they're instrumentals are intense and rolling.


They received instant success with their first EP Mulberry Street (named for the restaurant beneath their guitarist Jonnie Russel's apartment). After gaining some momentum they toured extensively through the US. While touring they released back to back EPs which afforded them more popularity. Their debut LP Robbers & Cowards featured the song "Hang Me Up To Dry" which was a minor success (#57) on the UK pop charts.

The band has returned to the studio to begin recording their second album which is currently untitled.


This band blows my mind. Their moving, visual lyrics are sung with grace by lead vocalist Nathan Willett. The track "Saint John" is especially moving. Every time I hear it a music video featuring a heroin junkie runs through my head.

"Old Saint John on death row...
He's just waiting for a pardon..."

I dare you to close your eyes and let this track take over...I double dog dare you.

Whatever you think, one thing is for certain, Cold War Kids are definitely on my list of bands to see at Coachella.

Three reasons the Linkin Park concert didn't suck...and 20,001 reasons it did.

Last night I had the dubious 'pleasure' of attending Linkin Park's Arena Tour '08 (thanks Carol!). This is Linkin Park's first arena tour and it is a success. The Staples Center was the venue for this mega-bands show. The Staples Center is a beautiful facility and this was my second trip there. The first was for a Clippers' game and now Linkin Park. Both are things I couldn't care less about, but, when a friend offers you free concert tickets, you go (once again, thanks Carol!!!).

Now, I give you, three reasons the Linkin Park concert didn't suck:

1:
The Staples Center. The huge-ness of this venue for a concert is staggering. The sound was mind-blowing and the lights bounced and popped creating a visual masterpiece. The only thing that threw me was the fact that both opening acts had AMAZING light shows while Linkin Park put all their efforts into using 6 flying digital screens with iTunes visualizer programs attached. It was like watching those music screensavers with the trembling lines and shit...kinda lame.

Secondively:
The opening acts didn't suck. Chiodos and Coheed and Cambria were there as openers and both put on decent shows. Check out both bands as they are totally decent. Chiodos is a little more melodramatic, but have moments of greatness. Coheed and Cambria are rock and roll. Simple rock and roll.

3rd:
Linkin Park. Are you ready for this? Linkin Park's new album Minutes to Midnight is not that bad. I know this may scare you, it scared me, but it's true. Just to prove it I've included a sample track. Give it a listen, go ahead...push play.




See?

And of course, 20,001 reasons this concert sucked.

1-20,000:
The Fans. My God, the fans. Where do these people come from? I haven't seen so many backwards caps ever. Period. EVER! I was in line with Carol getting beers when we were called over to the second line, you know, one of those, "Can I help the next person" things. When we get there she directs back into our original line, cause she worked at the Staples Center, so she was just fucking with us (does anyone else feel like this?). So, we slide right back into line where we were, and the douchebag behind us grunts, "Were you in line before". Yeah, bro, we were. We've been in front of you for about 10 minutes now. He had no idea...

He basically looked like this guy:




20,001:
Linkin Park. Let's face it, it was still a Linkin Park concert, right?

Les Savy Fav

"There was a band called Les Savy Fav. They made this noise that people couldn't get enough of."

So goes my rewrite of Les Savy Fav's song "Pots and Pans". Les Savy Fav is one of those rare finds in music. Their music is instantly recognizable at the first listen yet distinctive. Their lyrics are pure gold and their phrasing is poetic. The band's original lineup met in 1995 at The Rhode Island College of Design and have been rocking the house ever since.

Whether screaming or shouting Tim Harrington gets the point across. His on stage antics have always been unforgettable. He has been known to change costumes in the middle of songs and kiss random audience members. All the while the rest of the band plays on as if they don't notice anything out of the ordinary!

This, for me, makes the show a lot more inviting. I am not one to wait for the band to perform. By perform I don't mean "play their music". I mean perform. Les Savy Fav are quickly whetting my appetite for Coachella.



And now here's a clip from Les Savy Fav performing "Patty Lee" this last January on Conan.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2008

It's here again, Ladies and Gentlemen. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has arrived in all its glory. Well, maybe not ALL of its glory...

The lineup this year is less that star-heavy. Many Coachella veterans have sworn off the festival altogether, but not me. What the 2008 lineup lacks in names, it makes up for in talent. Golden Voice, the promoters behind the festival, have pulled together a lineup that may not be known now, but they will be.

From now until the festival begins I will be featuring some of my favorite talent from this years lineup. From Gogol Bordello to MGMT. From VHS Or Beta to Midnight Juggernauts. Even a group called Dan Le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip! Every artist that I find interesting or exciting will be discussed AND heard. That's right, folks, I said heard! Along with every post about a band I will also include an embedded mp3 plyaer featuring the artists music.

So, get excited and get ready...