All posts by chris maroulakos

san diego

Grand Ole Party Tour with Yeah Yeah Yeahs

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Grand Ole Party
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. Continue reading →

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The Powerchords – Dummy

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Sure, almost a year has passed since The Powerchords released their infectious full-length album, …Think I’m Gonna, but it’s never too late to make a music video, especially when that video contains vibrant colors, wacky effects, and zany Japanese subtitles.

The power-pop quartet have been mysteriously absent from the live scene for a while, which is a shame since their performances are not to be trifled with. They do have one date lined up, though; they’ll be playing with Beaters, Reverse Cowboys, and Platanos on May 24th at the Che Cafe.

music news, san diego

Dead Weather Predicted for July 14

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The Dead Weather
Your friendly neighborhood weathermen at Owl&Bear are predicting some strangeness in the air this summer. According to our satellites and advanced meteorological technology, July 14th will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain and a very high chance of deadness. The cause of the humidity and morbidity appears to be the impending release of Horehound, the debut album from supergroup The Dead Weather.

The band, which features The White Stripes’ Jack White, The Kills’ Alison Mosshart, Queens of the Stone Age’s Dean Fertita, and that long-haired guy from The Raconteurs, already released a seven-inch single—the blistering “Hang You From The Heavens”—for last month’s Record Store Day.

The band will be supporting the new album with a North American tour that includes a stop at San Diego’s Street Scene festival in August. Pre-sale tickets for many of the tour dates will be available starting Wednesday, and can be purchased by following the links here. Fans purchasing pre-sale tickets will also have the opportunity to pre-order Horehound at a discounted price.

We’ve got the full list of tour dates and your first look at the cover of Horehound after the jump. Be sure to wear your poncho. Continue reading →

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Medeski Martin and Wood Unveil Their Creepy Side

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Medeski Martin and Wood

The music of Medeski Martin and Wood isn’t exactly known for its scariness. Sure, the jazz trio play their instruments so well it can be frightening, but they’re not exactly the band you would hire to score your horror movie.

After watching the video for “Amber Gris”, the first single off MMW’s newly released album Radiolarians II, you may have to reassess your perception of the band. Filmed, directed, and edited by drummer Billy Martin, the video’s low-key lighting, Super 16mm photography, and backwoods Blair Witch imagery would at first glance seem better suited to an old Sam Raimi film than a jazz club.

But Medeski Martin and Wood are nothing if not versatile. With its ominously discordant build-up, intense crescendos, and hushed interludes, “Amber Gris” is yet another fine example of the band’s ability to evoke mood without sacrificing groovy momentum. We’ve got the video for you after the jump and, for those of you with a deep-set fear of creepy old men in recliners, a streaming mp3 of the song as well. Continue reading →

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Jason Lytle – I Am Lost (And the Moment Cannot Last)

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Here’s the hot-off-the-press video for “I Am Lost (And the Moment Cannot Last)” by Jason Lytle. Directed by The General Assembly, the downtrodden clip is the first single off of the former Grandaddy frontman’s new solo album, Yours Truly, The Commuter.

Though the album doesn’t drop until May 19th, you can hear it right now, thanks to the nice people at NPR. We’ve been listening to it non-stop for the past couple weeks—especially the flawless track “Brand New Sun”—and we think it may even surpass Grandaddy’s best work. Give the album a test-drive here.