First off the entire band is between 13 and 18 years old. They’re from LA. And they are on Epitaph, which is huge street cred on its own. And they were “discovered” by Amy Poehler. Oh yeah, they’ve opened for Bikini Kill. They have chops. Stop reading and play some of their videos.
Saturday Preview – The Menzingers
A pop-ish punk band from Philly (or Scranton). I saw them open for Frank Turner at the Philadelphia Fillmore so at least they have that seal of approval. Oh yeah, they were really good too. Two clips from that show below. Also a clip from our favorite UK Subs/Guttermouth Long Beach bar, Alex’s. They’re playing an full album play of On The Impossible Past (10 year anniversary).
Aftershow thoughts
Friday is the sweet spot for aftershows….early enough in the weekend to make it through the night. For this year, The Maine at Bottom Lounge jumps out…it’s a cool venue with pinball. But I need to listen more to The Maine (they’re from Tempe for godsakes). The Get Up Kids at the Chop Shop (from the pizza party last year) may be good too. Anberlin at Reggie’s is also considerable. All of the Metro shows are big deals but I’m not sure we need to pull that off, but Jimmy Eat World at Metro Saturday will be a KKJ bet. Also for Saturday, Thursday at Reggies is ponderous. And I know we won’t pull Sunday, but Jeff Rosenstock was on my wish list. And it’s the Bottom Lounge. Cobra, always a favorite venue for its walking distance has PVRIS (meh…) and Jawbox (maybe).
Sunday Preview – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeah….
Sunday Preview – Sleater-Kinney
Here’s a preview for my top draw for Sunday. Sunday didn’t jump out me but these ladies coupled with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs really elevate Sunday. I have to admit I didn’t follow them that closely during their first run. They click many of the boxes…Riot grrrrl, Pacific Northwest, SubPop label, punkish females. But when I became a fan of Portlandia I went back and listened. For those unaware, Carrie Brownstein co-starred with Fred Armison on Portlandia. She’s also Sleater-Kinney’s guitarist and co-singer. Here’s a sampling of Portlandia…
Ok, about Sleater-Kinney. They started as a three piece and their drummer left a few years ago leaving Carrie and Corin as the only members, backfilled by touring musicians. They’re named after an exit south of Seattle.
Formed in the early nineties and active for about 10 years putting out seven albums before going on the dreaded “hiatus” after playing 2006 Lollapalooza in Grant Park (with The Raconteurs, RHCP, Death Cab, Violent Femmes). Reformed in 2014 and have put out three new albums. We should be more familiar with them.