Review: Metric; June 7, 2009 at FM 94/9 Independence Jam; Oceanside
Despite boasting a roster that overlaps with that of Broken Social Scene, Canadian quartet Metric have spent the last decade amassing a dedicated but modestly-sized fan base. Their previous albums have garnered plenty of critical acclaim but little airplay, and their new release Fantasies made it to #76 on the Billboard Top 200 but stopped short of making the band an indie-household name. And so it was that Metric, buried beneath headlining acts The Black Keys and Yeah Yeah Yeahs at the FM 94/9 Independence Jam, proceeded to blow both of those bands away. (more…)
Review: Yeah Yeah Yeahs; June 7, 2009 at FM 94/9 Independence Jam; Oceanside
The Black Keys may have been the technical headliners of FM 94/9’s Independence Jam, but as the sun began to set and Yeah Yeah Yeahs were welcomed to the stage, the throng of maniacal tweens made it clear that nobody was there for the blues. Having spent the last six years teetering between indie and mainstream success, a hero’s welcome is likely nothing new for the band, and as frontwoman/force of nature Karen O wrapped a spiky-gloved hand around her microphone, nothing stood between her and the hysterical crowd’s expectations. (more…)
Metric – Sick Muse
With its upbeat charm and infectious chorus, “Sick Muse” is probably the best song on Metric’s new album Fantasies, and now there’s a video for it. If you have half as much fun watching it as the band did making it, you’ll still be having twice as much fun as you should today. Also, if you didn’t get tickets to see Metric with Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Blacks Keys at the sold out FM 94/9 Independence Jam next week, don’t worry, because your friendly neighborhood Owl&Bear news team will be there to cover the happenings for you. Now, now, there’s no need to thank us.
Grand Ole Party Tour with Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Since taking the city by storm with their debut release, 2007’s Humanimals, San Diego dance-funk band Grand Ole Party has kept plenty busy. They’ve played back-to-back sold out shows at the Casbah, thrilling audiences with their syncopated sass. Lead singer Kristin Gundred started her own label, Zoo Music, and signed bands like Crocodiles and Dum Dum Girls. The band has also been hard at work in the studio, recording their eagerly awaited follow-up to Humanimals.
But since nothing is ever enough for you people, the band hasn’t stopped there. The trio has lined up a Midwest tour where they’ll be opening up for a little band called Yeah Yeah Yeahs. You may have heard of them. (more…)
Metric Declare Their Independence
Metric are having a good year. The Canadian quartet recently released the excellent Fantasies, their first album in four years, which adds new layers to their dark, angular rock and roll. They’re also set to blow audiences away at the FM 94/9 Independence Jam on June 7th, alongside Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Black Keys, and local acts Dirty Sweet, Scarlet Symphony, the Creepy Creeps, and Apes of Wrath.
As if that weren’t enough, the band has lent their new song “Help, I’m Alive” to fellow countryman Deco Dawson for his new short film of the same name. The frequent collaborator of auteur Guy Maddin, Dawson is renowned for infusing films with his unique visual style, and Help, I’m Alive is no exception. Utilizing concert footage of Metric performing the hit single, he turns it into what the band describes as “Yo Gabba Gabba on acid”.
You can watch Help, I’m Alive after the jump and, since we’re pretty sure it’ll be stuck in your head for a while anyway, we’ve got a remix of the song by The Twelves for you too. (more…)
Weekend Concert Lineup: August 22nd – 24th
^^ Broken Social Scene ^^
FRIDAY:
Toronto rock throng Broken Social Scene will be bringing their amiable brand of baroque pop to the House of Blues this Friday. Those following the antics of the prolific Canucks over the past year know that there have been two “Broken Social Scene Presents” solo albums so far, Kevin Drew’s Spirit If… and Brendan Canning’s Something For All Of Us.
SoCo Music Experience Schedule Released
^^ The Black Keys ^^
The folks behind the annual Southern Comfort Music Experience, to be held in the Ace Parking Lot at the corner of Imperial and Park this Saturday, have finally seen fit to declassify its set times. A five dollar “donation” grants you access to the event and its eleven musical acts.
Grand Ole Party’s Gundred Starts Record Label
Kristen Gundred of Grand Ole Party fame has started her own record label, to be known as Zoo Music. Gundred has signed one band so far, San Diego’s own Crocodiles, with the band’s Neon Jesus/Neon Autobahn 7-inch set to be the label’s maiden release.
If you’re wondering what the label’s second release is going to be, well it just might be by your band. Gundred is inviting musicians to send their “crap” to her for consideration, so polish off those demos and rush on down to the post office. Submissions can be sent to the following address:
Bonnaroo 2007
When I left Thursday afternoon, I felt like shit with an ungodly case of mono and, apparently, Lyme disease. I thought I might die there, but by Friday, I felt much, much better. It may be stupidly-named, but Bonnaroo apparently cures all ills.
