September 15th, 2006 r8e8rcom
I was walking around Union Square last night, basically sitting on the steps people watching for a while. I got up to walk back to the train and I saw two kids running at me, must have been maybe 13 or 14. Still having the innocent look of children, but def. trying to look tough. They hesitated for a second looking at me, and then started running straight toward me again. They stopped right in front of me and one of the kids jumped behind me and started laughing and the other kid started growling in my face. My first reaction was to laugh, but the kid stepped right in front of me blocking my way and I got really pissed and by pure reaction I raised my arm to punch the kid. He kind of jumped back and his friend was like “its all good” and grabbed his friend out of the way. I didn’t really want to hit him, he was just a kid, but he really pissed me off. Kind of freaks me out that I would be so quick to react like that though.
Ok, I had a hard time picking something to send today and I got kind of stupid about it for a bit. I spent most of the morning checking out new promos and trying to pick out my favorite tracks and I just decided, fuck it, I’ll send whatever I’m listening to right now. This is by no means anywhere near “new” (released in 2005 I think) and this is a band that prolly everyone in NY has heard so sorry NY kids. But I don’t think these guy really have much visibility outside of the city and I think there are a lot of people on this list that haven’t heard them so I figured it’d be ok. They get a lot of shit sometimes cuz they’ve been around for a while but I still really like these 3 tracks. That’s about all I know about this band.
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/harlemshakes-anight.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/harlemshakes-sickos.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/harlemshakes-joshstudies.mp3
-mark
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September 14th, 2006 r8e8rcom
Here’s a great one for you guys. Guess what I did last night. Oh man, it was soooo fucking crazy. Left work, chugged a bottle of whiskey, saw like 10 bands at 5 different bars, went to this insane fashion party, drank like 10 free SPARKS, and danced with a room full of crazy post-op tranny’s. yeah it was fucking awesome. oh yeah, then I ate an egg salad sandwich.
actually none of that is true. the sad reality is that my wonderful night was spent entirely at insound working……
Walking back to the train though at 1am I noticed a poster on a museum window. The poster said “It is the familiar in life that eludes us. What is in front of our nose is what we notice last.” After reading it I stopped and thought about the thousands of times I walked past that window during the day on my way to and from work and never read that poster. Just thought it was funny.
“Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton” is the solo project of Emily Haines of the Canadian indie pop group Metric. While I’ve never really been a Metric fan I’ve always thought she had one of the most amazing voices I’ve ever heard, and she’s mad hot. This is the girl who’s vocals are on the best Broken Social Scene track ever, ”Anthems Of A Seventeen Year Old Girl”. Don’t argue with me on that one, it just is. These tracks are from her debut album that will be released on Sept. 26th called “Knives Don’t Have Your Back” on “Last Gang Records”
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/EmilyHaines-ReadingInBed.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/EmilyHaines-OurHell.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/Emily Haines-TheLottery.mp3
I realize I’ve been sending out some pretty mellow/melancholy tracks lately, gimme some time with it though. otherwise I might be tempted to send some Dragon Force tracks or something like that. Besides today is a perfect day for these tracks, nice and grey and rainy here in the city.
-mark
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September 13th, 2006 r8e8rcom
We had a going away party for someone at Insound so they brought in a bunch of beer to the office. I pounded a few and headed around the corner to “flip night”. Basically, Tuesday nights this bar offers free beer or rail drinks if you can call a coin toss. On a good night you can get wasted on like $5. I didn’t do so hot last night, 1 out of 4. So after flip night we all head over to scratcher, they’ve got a $5 whiskey/PBR combo and you can smoke in the bar sometimes. It only takes one more drink at this point to push me into that “stupid drunk” realm. Keep in mind I’m drinking with a bunch of co-workers, one of which actually works for me and is relatively new to Insound. For some reason (whiskey might have something to do with it) I find it necessary to start bitching about one of my bosses, not just bitch, I mean fucking tear into him. Saying things that prolly never should have never left the security of my twisted mind. It was prolly not the smartest thing on my part, but when have I ever done the smart thing? I think I was saved by a “why are we talking about work” comment (thanks andy). We all ended up at the Rapture release party. They were just DJing, but I think kids thought they were playing cuz there was a line around the block when we got there. Anyway, my friend was DJing with them so he hooked us all up with VIP so we didn’t have to wait in line which was rock star cool. You guys can prolly fill in the rest of the story: dancing, drinking, egg salad sandwiches, expensive cab, passing out. flip and repeat. And that pretty much brings us to me writing this email, so here ya go:
Joanna Newsom (born 1982 in Nevada City, California <- that was just for you nicole) is a San Francisco harpist, harpsichordist, singer and songwriter. Often described as quirky. She used to play keyboards in San Francisco bands Golden Shoulders and The Pleased, and also played harp to the Deerhoof/Hella side-project Nervous Cop. I’m only sending one track because its long and the rest of the tracks on this record are like 12 minutes long. And just so you guys know, this record doesn’t come out until Nov. 16th so make sure to boast to all your indie elitist friends that you heard it first. Just don’t mention my name cuz I’d rather not get sued.
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/03sawdustanddiamonds.mp3
I’m in such a strange mood today. I can only describe it by saying that I’ve been listening to this track pretty much on repeat all day. At the same straight up hatin’ on everyone. ‘cept you guys. you guys are cool. well, most of you……….oh no he di-ent.
-mark
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September 12th, 2006 r8e8rcom
Its fashion week in NY right now. Usually that means a week of day parties, open “cocktail” bars, and after parties ultimately ending in mornings wondering why you have 5 of those stupid paper bracelet things still wrapped around wrists and where the hell they all came from. Apparently though, for Andy and I last night it meant failed attempts to get into shows, missed open bars, lots of alcohol, ultimately ending at a pool party in mid-town with dude models in their underwear. Im not even going to begin to try to explain any of that.
The Grates are a three-piece band from Brisbane, Australia. All three members have a background in art and they design their own album artwork, posters, t-shirts and even socks. I’ve never seen them, but I’ve heard their live show is sick.
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/TheGrates-LiesAreMuchMoreFun.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/TheGrates-GravityRockBoys.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/TheGrates-InsideOutside.mp3
are you guys going to write reviews any more? I know you guys hate my “journals”, but I actually do really enjoy reading what you guys think.
-mark
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September 11th, 2006 r8e8rcom
I had an amazing weekend in DC. Checked out a new hipster hang out spot called Rock & Roll Hotel in NE, went to the infamous drag brunch at Perry’s, walked around the Adam’s Morgan Day festival, watched reruns of Felicity (did I just type that?), played a show at Blackcat, met lots of new friends, and got to hang out with some friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. DC kids represent. You guys are so much cooler than I could ever express in an email.
I do have to say though, the worst part of the whole trip was coming back to NY at 2am on the china town bus after the blackcat show. I’ve done this many times before, and usually have no trouble getting a nice 5 hour nap on the bus. This trip however had 2 major obstacles keeping me from this. The first was the fact that driver was fucking crazy and made the trip in a mere 3 hours (I’ve done it in as little as 3 & 1/2, never, ever in 3). Normally I’d be pretty psyched about such a speedy trip, but it’s a bit difficult to be excited when your stuck on a bus going 100 mph at 2am. The other, more direct problem was the fucking crazy homeless guy sitting behind me who insisted on shouting gibberish the entire trip. The guy would see something out the window (a passing car, a street light, a sign, the moon, etc) and start banging on the window and yelling “GA-GA-DA-BA” and shit like that. I don’t think there was any actual language spewing from his mouth, I think he was just fucking crazy. What solidified this notion was the point when this fucker had somehow found a broom on the bus and started trying to wake me up and hand it to me for some reason. When I didn’t respond he tried to poke me with it. Finally I grabbed the broom from him and threw it at the back of the bus. This made the guy giggle like a 5 year old just happy to find a playmate. A tiny part of me felt guilty in that brief moment until reality set back in and I realized it was 4am and this giggly mother fucker needed to shut the fuck up. Looking back on it now, the whole thing was kind of funny and I sort of wished I had gotten his number or something so I could send him to Dave Hyland’s house with a broom the next time he gives me shit in a reply.
No band info, cuz that was a long story (sorry). Ok, ok real quick; they’re from Springfield, Missouri. These tracks were originally released on a Springfield label called Generic Equivalent Records in 2005. Polyvinyl just re-mastered them and re-released the album (Broom) this year.
Enjoy:
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/01Pangea.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/06HouseFire.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/02IAmWarm+Powerful.mp3
-mark
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September 8th, 2006 r8e8rcom
Andy and I went to the ‘Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin’ show last night, both equipped with guest list spots and plus ones. Sadly, we both got ditched and had to watch the lady at the door at Mercury cross our names off and scratch out the little 2 next our names when we told her we didn’t bring anyone with us. Yeah, we are losers, can’t even get anyone to go to a FREE show with us. Small guilt trip for an unnamed person on this list (you know who you are 
who did the ditching. Not really…….well maybe just a tiny one. Anyway, the show was pretty good. Not mind blowing or anything like that but good.
If you guys remember ‘Bound Stems’ is the band that I went to see and walked out on. Yeah, I was wasted and looking for a dance party, but they also cleared the room that night. Its not that they were necessarily bad per se, just not interesting enough in a live format to keep people there. Thing is I still really like their album, which is why I’m sending these tracks today. Plus they are from Chicago, and as most of you already know I tend to like anything from Chicago (Braid, Detachment Kit, Cap’n Jazz, Chin Up Chin Up, etc, etc). I’m sure you fuckers are going to rip them, but if a bad show doesn’t change my mind about them, your not going to either so have at it.
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/12RefuseTheRefuse.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/14RentedATent.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/1555CrossSt.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/07ExcellentNewsColonel.mp3
-mark
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September 7th, 2006 r8e8rcom
Sorry, no birth dates today. Again this was all stolen from last.fm. Just not in the mood for anything else right now. I took some Tylenol PM last night and that shit is making me drag today.
The Thermals, formed in 2002, are a indie-rock band from Portland, Oregon on Sub Pop Records. The group is currently made up of Hutch Harris (vocals and guitar), Kathy Foster (bass) and local extraordinaire Lorin Coleman on drums. Jordan Hudson (drums) left the band in 2005, Caitlin Love played an awesome european tour but had to quit due to chronic back pain. They have released three albums, More Parts Per Million, Fuckin’ A, and The Body, The Blood, The Machine (released in 2006).
The lyrics on the this album (The Body, The Blood, The Machine) envision a United States governed by a fascist Christian state, and focus on the need (and means) to escape.
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/01HeresYourFuture.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/02IMightNeedForYouToKill.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/04APillarOfSalt.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/05ReturningToTheFold.mp3
-mark
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September 6th, 2006 r8e8rcom
I got nothing today, plus Im mad busy. So, I’m going to get really geeky on you guys and throw out some David Bazan facts for ya.
David Bazan (born c. 1976) is an indie rock singer/songwriter from Edmonds, Washington. Bazan was the lead singer and creative force behind the now-defunct band Pedro the Lion and is currently the lead singer of Headphones, a band he formed out of his interest in synthesizers. Additionally, Bazan is a member of The Soft Drugs, a band fronted by former Pedro the Lion drummer T.W. Walsh.
Bazan recorded his first solo project, the EP Fewer Moving Parts, in between touring as a member of The Undertow Orchestra. He is currently on a solo tour in support of the record, released 13 June 2006. A full length album is in the works for 2007
Ok, I stole that from Last.fm, but they prolly stole it from AMG anyway so fuck it. For all you Pedro complete-ists out there, there is a new version of the song ‘backwoods nation’ on this solo release that’s really good. But come on, everyone knew Pedro was David’s solo project anyway. I want the story albums back.
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/01SellingAdvertising.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/08FewerBrokenPieces.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/09ColdBeerAndCigarettes.mp3
you guys seem to review the stuff you hate more. maybe I should send shitty music. No offense to Molina fans.
-mark
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September 5th, 2006 r8e8rcom
Quick synopsis of my weekend. Forget Cassettes = fucking awesome live. The Diggs (I’ll send some later for those not familiar) = not so good live. Rafifi on Friday = still cool after all this time, who knew. If anyone on the list that went with me to any these events wants to elaborate, feel free.
I’m sure some of you guys are going to rip me for this, but I’ve never been a fan of Songs:Ohia or Magnolia Electric Company or Jason Molina. Every once in a while I’ll get a craving for that quiet folky sound, but most of the times it just kind of erks me. Just my personal taste, I’m not saying anything bad about Molina, or any of those bands, just not my thing. Some of you hate Cap’n Jazz and I think they are the shit. Anyway, I’m sending this because it was requested, and I’m sorry I’m just picking the first 3 tracks that strike me because I’m just not a fan and wouldn’t know what the ‘good’ tracks would be. I do know that a lot of you guys are fans so here you go:
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/06ItMustBeRainingThereForever.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/05SomeThingsNeverTry.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/07GetOutGetOutGetOut.mp3
You know, after listening to these tracks, I feel bad saying I’m not a Molina fan. I like him all right. that’s all I’m going to say though.
-mark
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September 1st, 2006 r8e8rcom
Tried to have a low key night last night. Met some friends at Soda Bar and ended up meeting some really cool peeps. Intentions were to lay off the booze, but when the topic of shandies (spelling? anyone?) came up I had to try one. Has anyone had one of these? Its 3 parts beer, 1 part ginger-ale or sprite. Sounds horrible, right? It’s actually pretty good. a bit on the sweet side. I mean, I imagine getting drunk on shandies would carry a pretty bad hang over, but I guess one or two every once in a while could be a nice change. I did, however, refrain from becoming intoxicated and succeeded in making it a ‘low key’ night.Moving from mixed drinks to mixed bands (holy shit I’m dumb sometimes)
Swan lake is 1 part Wolfe Parade/Sunset, 1 part Destroyer, and 1 part Frog Eyes. To me they sound more like Wolf Parade than anything else, but I like it. I was really into Wolfe Parade when it came out but it quickly lost its luster. Shuffle on my ipod really saves that album for me. I’m sure it’ll be the same with Swan Lake for me, but I still think its good for now.
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/SwanLake-WidowsWalk.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/SwanLake-AllFires.mp3Califone is 1 part Ugly Casanova, 1 part Red Red Meat, 1 part Unseen Hand, 1 part Loftus, 1 part Orso, 1 part Freakwater, etc, etc, etc. No really, the list just keeps going on and on. If they were an alcoholic beverage 1 drink would prolly kill you. I’m not super into this band or anything but I like a few tracks.http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/Califone-SpidersHouse.mp3
http://www.r8e8r.com/mp3r/Califone-SundayNoises.mp3
-mark
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