Blog del Jalapeño

Lineup: Jukebox the Ghost, The Republic Tigers, Tally Hall

The Republic Tigers | Photo Gallery

As much as I despise major network dramas (except for Law & Order SVU [Ice-T is awesome]), I gotta admit that the music featured on some prime time shows is occasionally enjoyable… much more so than anything on commercial radio, at least. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather listen to the soundtrack for “Grey’s Anatomy” than the latest (or any) iteration of “Now That’s What I Call Music”… unless I was in the mood for crap, that is. An analogy for this would be having to choose between drinking urine or diarrhea. The answer is always urine, with diarrhea being the exception and under only very certain circumstances. So, where was I going with this? Oh, right… The Republic Tigers are signed to Chop Shop Records, which is owned by Grammy-nominated music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas. Make the link yourselves, folks.

If you read some of the blogs out there, you’ll notice that people like to compare The Republic Tigers to the likes of The Shins, Band of Horses, The Postal Service, and whatever other indie groups the mega-corporations surely go ape shit for… I think that’s just lazy, though. Lots of vocal harmonization with subtle synth beats and layered guitars is their M.O. Although I tend to favor the more obscure sounding bands out there, this is good stuff. I had a chance to chat with band member Marc Pepperman before their set… he’s a genuinely cool dude.

Jukebox the Ghost | Photo Gallery

I got there early enough to catch Jukebox the Ghost. Good set, but the lighting sucked ass. My puny pop-up flash is busted, so that wasn’t even an option. I haven’t been this disappointed with my photos in a long time. What’s the point of having that lovely rug hanging up if you’re not gonna even bother to illuminate it? Whatever. I stuck around for Tally Hall, who I’d already seen and/or encountered about a million times already… no photos this time around. They played some new old stuff and a lot from their album, but no “Free Bird”. The crowd that turned up was overwhelmingly young and nerdy, which I found refreshing from the usual crowds that I’ve gotten so used to. Check Tally Hall’s site some time soon… they’re promising more skits and other ridiculous content.

>>Read previous - Jukebox the Ghost @ SXSW | Tally Hall @ Maxwell’s

No joke… FREE shit here, and it’s all for you just for being a loyal Blog del Jalapeño reader! Mi amigos at FILTER Magazine (the creative force behind RAGGED [Issue #4 out now]) have offered to supply the goods, and I’m passing that generosity on to one lucky reader (instead of hoarding it all to myself). So, here’s what’s included:

- 6 CDs (1 each from Kate Nash, Switches, Grand Ole Party, Gran Ronde, Monte Negro, and Thrice)
- A RAGGED hoodie
- A copy of RAGGED Magazine
- Eagle powers

OK… just kidding about the eagle powers, but it’s still a pretty bad ass prize package. To enter (US residents only), e-mail your name, address, and contact number to info[at]oliverlopena.com by May 13th (that’s when Kate Nash finishes her North American tour). Also, feel free to write me a haiku related to any topic of your choosing. It’s not absolutely necessary… I just like haiku(s). Besides, you’ll get special bonus point consideration. The winner will be notified by e-mail on (or around) May 14th. No worries, I promise not to spam you. Come on… don’t you want a little taste of the glory? See what it tastes like?

Even if you don’t win, you can still download a free PDF of RAGGED Magazine at www.raggedmag.com. Issue #4 is out now and features an interview with Kate Nash, as well as the rest of the aforementioned artists (and Q-Tip). While there, don’t forget to enter to win $500 worth of American Rag Cie clothing. Besides, it’s about time you grew up and stopped wearing those ironic t-shirts. Gosh!

Isn’t cross-promotion the greatest? HOORAY!

>>See previous - Filter Magazine party @ SXSW 2008:
Gran Ronde | Longwave | The Big Sleep | Castledoor | DeVotchKa

Opening act: Lichens



Explosions In The Sky | Photo Gallery

Hola folks… it’s been a while, but I’m finally getting back into regular (i.e., non SXSW-related) blogging. I just started a new job so these posts will likely become even less wordy, but hopefully not any less frequent. It was a little over a year ago when I last saw EITS at the NY Society for Ethical Culture. In comparison, I probably enjoyed this performance more. Standing up is a better way to watch EITS. The crowd was pretty lame, though. Considering the line was already half a mile down the block by the time I got there (1/2 hour before doors opened), I thought the crowd would’ve been a little more excited. Speaking of the crowd, why do people in Philly spit so much? Anyway, no photo pits at large venues make me sad :( By the time I got in, I had to wedge myself on the side of the stage right in front of the speakers. I had ear plugs in, but I was still deaf afterwards. There was this photographer in front of me who insisted on switching lenses every 30 seconds and he got in the way of a lot of my shots… fortunately, he was only 5′ 0″. Still, I missed plenty of great photo ops. Sure I could’ve gotten to venue earlier to ensure I had a better spot to take photos, but I have a life and my old knees preclude me from standing for too long. Awesome show, though.

Lichens opened, and I found him amusing. He plays guitar and whistles and loops it all into this whole bizarre layered soundscape. He also has cool hair.

Lichens | Photo Gallery

DOWNLOAD:
Explosions In The Sky - Your Hand In Mine | mp3 (from The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place)

>>Read previous - EITS @ the NYSEC

Photo via Sally Grosart’s Flickr

I don’t know who this “Kate Nash” person is, but the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players will be opening for her on her upcoming tour… YAY! Apparently, the Trachtenburg’s have gotten really popular because they’ve already sold out several dates. The prospect of seeing Jason, Rachel, and Tina Piña on stage at the Trocadero in Philly playing to a sold out crowd really pleases me. Anyway, hopefully they play “Opnad Contribution Study Committee Report, June 1977″, as well as the rest of the McDonald’s corporate presentation mini-rock opera.

BTW, of course I know who Kate Nash is… duh!

Dates:
April
15th - Atlanta: Atlanta Variety Playhouse
16th - Asheville: The Orange Peel
17th - Washington, DC: 9:30 Club
18th - Towson, MD: Recher Theatre
19th - Philadelphia: Trocadero
21st - Boston: Paradise Rock Club
23rd-24th - New York, NY: Webster Hall
28th - Toronto: Phoenix
30th - Detroit: St Andrew’s Hall
May
2nd - Chicago: Vic Theatre
3rd - Minneapolis: First Avenue
5th - Boulder: Fox Theatre
8th - Vancouver: Richard’s On Richards Cabaret
9th - Seattle: Showbox At The Market
11th - Portland: Wonder Ballroom
13th - San Francisco: Fillmore

Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players | Photo Gallery

DOWNLOAD:
Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Mountain Trip To Japan, 1959 | mp3
Jason Trachtenburg - I’ll Scratch Your Back If You Scratch Mine | mp3

>>Read previous - TFSP Theme Song [video] | TFSP On Ice!

8bitpeoples SXSW Evening Showcase @ Molotov Lounge (03.15.2008)



Anamanaguchi | Photo Gallery

DOWNLOAD:
Anamanaguchi - Power Supply | mp3

8bitpeoples SXSW Evening Showcase @ Molotov Lounge (03.15.2008)



aonami | Photo Gallery

DOWNLOAD:
aonami - MISODISKO | mp3