A NYC Homecoming.

So Friday night, I had the opportunity to attend the MTV2 $2 bill tour with such bands like, Men Women and Children, The Pink Spiders, Cobra Starship, Head Automatica, and 30 Seconds to Mars and I must say. I was pretty impressed.

3 of the 5 bands were NY natives and they let it be known. The first band to perform was Men Women and Children (MWC) and it was a pretty good set considering all their stuff got stolen a few days before in Detroit. The doors to the Roseland Ballroom were supposed to open at 615 but didn't open until 645. The line to the ballroom was no joke up a 1/4 of 53rd, around the corner to 54th, and down to the end of 54th street. That was a line I was not going to wait on. So knowing how the lines work at the ballroom, me and my cohorts decided to just jump in line and see what happens. Lo and behold we got in fairly quick but to our amazement, MWC was pretty much about ready to play. Like I said before their set was awesome considering the circumstances but the set was cut short due to them being the opening band, a delayed sound test, and well, MTV being unpleasant. They did their normal song and dance and their hometown appreciated it.

Next up were the Pink Spiders from Tennessee. They sucked, nobody cared. They didn't give their crowd love, they just played and left.

Moving on.

Gabe Saporta is my new hero. For those who don't know who he is, he is the lead singer of Cobra Starship, ex lead singer of Midtown, dance extraordinaire, and well, NY native. Now going into this show I had listened to the Cobra Starship album twice, not really digging it only because I had been such a huge fan of their hit song "Bring It" and thought the rest of the album would be just as upbeat. I just want to say that since the show I have listened to the album at least 7 times a day. Gabe puts in a tremendous effort in trying to put on a good show for his hometown fans. The Cobra Starship set was electric and got everybody moving after the pain that the fans had to sit through the act before. Not to mention Gabe is also one of the coolest guys I've seen in a while. He was by the merch table doing the routine meet and greet with the fans and didn't look disinterested or unhappy. He loves the fans, and we love him. The next set on the list was my real reason for going to this show.

Daryl Palumbo and Head Automatica(also NY natives) were by far the best part of the whole show. I've only seen Head Automatica play once before but I have seen Daryl many times before during his Glassjaw stint. Their set list was a perfect blend of their new album "Popaganda" and their debut album, "Decadence". They played all the fan favorites including "Beating Hearts Baby" and "Graduation Day" They got the crowd all riled up, excited and ready to go out and party afterwards. It was perfect, just perfect and everything I expected and then some.

After that I got ditched by my 2 cohorts who said they were going to the bathroom but instead went to go be teenies and stare at Gabe. But while that was going on, 30 Seconds to Mars had their intro. This intro was killer. It was entertaining and built up a ton of suspense before they played their first song. Now let me just say something for one sec (not that I'm already not, but hey I'm trying to be professional) I'm not the worlds biggest 30 seconds to mars fan because really, how can I take Jared Leto seriously? This band is pretty much a boy band that plays guitar. Also, lets talk about their fanbase. How does a band who has a pretty heavy undertone to their music have such a young fanbase. I mean I really didn't expect to bump into a bunch of mommies and daddies at the show. It was just wired.

Anyway ill tie this up. Go listen to MWC, Cobra Starship, and Head Automatica. Go see them if they are coming to a city near you, it will be worth the money.

So sit back and enjoy the view.
Jimi

My Chemical Romance....Not quite FDA approved.

So the illustrious band that everyone is fawning over again, My Chemical Romance, put on a show last night at Webster Hall. A show that normally, would be sold out with teenage girls and boys crying outside the venue because they cant have a chance to glance over at the MCR front-man Gerard Way, was in fact empty. Shows at Webster Hall with big names are always packed. Webster Hall shows also fall into that "sardine in a can" mentality but not this show. How does a band like My Chemical Romance with the fanbase it supposedly has in the biggest city of them all, that's not even too far from their hometown in New Jersey, not sell out. Last nights show started out as a 18+ show which is generally the norm at that venue but in a last ditch effort from the people at Webster Hall, emails were sent out to everyone on their mailing list saying that the show was now 16+. To no avail did Webster Hall get the response they were wishing for.

For those reading this thinking "Oh damn I could of went to that show" lets get real for a second. It was a Tuesday night. Who does shows on Tuesday nights. All the college kids were probably doing last minute papers and the teens couldn't get out to NYC on a school night.

And lastly, for those wondering. The show wasn't so great. They played 5 new tracks off "The Black Parade" and 3 from "Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge".

Gerard Way has been compared to Freddie Mercury in recent news. Had you asked me what I thought about this comment being the raging Queen fan that I am, I would of agreed with you. On "The Black Parade" Gerard and Co. Put together a masterpiece that has many Queen under/overtones in it. Gerard also shares the unique vocal range that Freddie had, however last night's show was depressing. Gerard wasn't his normal self on stage. He normally has a amazing stage presence and like Freddie, can control crowds. Maybe the small turnout was discouraging and this wont happen again, but man, what a way to start off "The Black Parade".

On a side note. CMJ is next week, and I'm super excited.

Loving you always,
Jimi

As Tall As Lions. A musical love child of sorts.

Alright, Ive been talking about this band for ages now. Ever since I first saw them 5 years ago at The Downtown on Long Island, I've been obsessed. Their lead singer and the band as a whole puts on a incredible show full of emotion and energy. Ive even created a word to describe their sound. Their sound is a purely sexual experience for the ears, an "audiorgasm." So in wanting to review their album I wasn't put at a loss for words, just, wanted to give them justice.

People ask me all the time, you love As Tall As Lions so much, what do they sound like? And anyone who knows me knows im the worst at 2 things. 1. Retelling a story, and 2. saying what a band sound likes. However, a friend of mine at absolutepunk.net fowared this to me and it is dead on. Their review reads:

As Tall As Lions can soar like U2, groove like Days Away, get as technical as Gatsby’s American Dream, rock out like Brand New, experiment like The Mars Volta, and even emote like Damien Rice. Seamlessly streamlining these qualities, the band has turned out a surprisingly adult, grown-up, complete, hypnotic, entrancing, brave, and layered sophomore effort with lasting appeal to boot. I’m just about out of adjectives, but please don’t miss one of the best that 2006 has to offer. It requires more than a single listen to truly consume and digest the songwriting which at first might seem to blend, but all efforts will be handsomely rewarded, and soon each track becomes distinct.

There it is my friends. Hopefully ill be able to get a interview with them when they are in town so I will have more ATAL love for you guys.

Well its time for class, again.

So won't you please, be my neighbor?

Jimi

The air in the mac lab is everso sweet.

Hello world, how goes it?

So just dropping some notes, and random thoughts.

Like ususal.

WPUB is releasing a "zine" and im putting it together, so all you pace kids better read it.

WPUB is also putting on a benefit concert. Im making the club cards, so you guys better take one and show up.

WPUB is eating my soul and I love it.

Lately i've been contacting a whole bunch of localish (when i say local i mean tri state area) and been networking. Getting to know the bands that are out there and seeing what the new east coast sound, sounds like. Also, I am swapping promotion. I play their music, announce their shows, and they promote the Pop.Is.Dead brand. Its super kosher and a ton of fun. sofar I have a list of 10 or so bands that are on board and itll be just one big happy musical family, making tons of musical children.

Pop.Is.Dead is on tomorrow, but you knew that. Got a pretty cool show in store for you. Playing a lot of the locals stuff hopefully if I get the cds in, in time. Someone on the 8th floor at 41 park row is eating my wpub mail. For instance, I have a friend, his name is Justin and he works for a promotions company called Fanatic. He sends me great music, and this monday, i got nothing from him. Someone in the mail room will pay for this. I will find the person eating my cds. Anyway I ramble.

Yup its time to do that whole third world class thing again. maybe ill get tawny to ramble on sometime on this thing. I mean considering she is my co-host and all.

she prob doesnt even know that this exists. lets hope so.

Well, until next time, this is Jimi saying, "Stay classy san-diego".

Hello Stranger, Moneen, and other random acts of kindness

So if I could give you one guess on where I am, where would you guess? Yup, the ever so faithful computer lab here at Pace University.

So anyway on to more relevant news. Two days ago I got to interview this awesome band, Hello Stranger. They came in to the WPUB studio and we had a grand old time. I asked them the age old question "Is Pop dead?" and we got into this whole big debate on the definition of "pop." It was fantastic and im going to try to get them to come to the show next time they are in town. So check them out their website is www.hellostranger.tv or their myspace www.myspace.com/hellostrangermusic .

In other news, I got to see a band that I happen to wake up to every morning when my ipod goes off. Moneen. In what I thought was a mediocre turn out at the knitting factory was actually a big turnout for them said the bassist of the band. I got the moneen album last year in the studio and when i put it in the player i was like. Woah these guys are good. I was under the impression that they were bigger then they really are in reality. Anyway I ramble. They put on an awesome show the other night and kudos to that. A lot of bands now try to play the same show at every city they go to and moneen tried to make it personal with the NYC crowd.

Justin Hawkins, here is your memorial spot on my blog. Your spot in The Darkness can never be replaced. ( for those who dont know, Justin left the band due to a cocaine addiction.)

So I totally had more planned for this post but I guess I didnt because I am having a major brain fart right now. Im thinking i really dont want to go to my third world class but if my history professor wasnt so damn funny in a old man kind of way, i wouldnt.

OH OH i know what i wanted to say!

Few cds/bands to check out and stay away from for those thursting for new music.

Stay away from the Cobra Starship. Fans of their hit "snakes on a plane" will be dissapointed with their album. There isnt the "oomph" that snakes on a plane had throughout the album. Id give it one listen, just to make sure you dont like it.

The killers album. Check it out only because, everyone in the world is checking it out. My honest opinion about it? Only 3 real singles. Like the old album. Everything else sounds like the same musical crap that mainstream bands are putting out.

Senses Fail album. Check that out. It is awesome. They totally reinvented themselves again while keeping some old senses fail in the music. Its very, new avenged sevenfold. The guitar solos will rip your face off they are that good.

Umm another brainfart.

Oh dan sartain. Check him out hes sooooo good.

Also for those who are unaware. The Nightmare Before X-Mas is coming out again later this month. This time in 3-D!!!!!! Holla! But yeah check out their myspace, they have new songs up. Well, old songs, new artists. This soundtrack will kick serious ass. www.myspace.com/nightmare3d for a good time.

Well thats it for now. Ive gotta get to class and i need to stop watching the girl next to me blantaly plagerize for her spanish paper. Its funny.

Well, from russia with love,
Jimi