 | | | | Terminal 5 is really bringing out the big guns—that’s big guns as in “popular bands,” not as in “everything in that cavernous space already sounds like cannon fire.” First up is the announcement of a June 22 show from legendary sludge-metal crew Sleep, who will return to New York City for one last round of reunion shows—or possibly the first in a long line of Who-style “overstaying yr welcome” endless reunion tours. If that’s a little too heavy for you, the once-fashionable, perennially popular Interpol has announced a May 8 show with Blonde Redhead. It comes just in time for you to trade that black winter coat for your black spring sweatshirt! Hey, you know who shouldn’t come to New York anymore? Chris Brown. First off, dude told the New York Post that he’s done apologizing for assaulting Rihanna, even though practically no one forgives him. And then he totally flipped out after a Good Morning America interviewer asked him a few questions about why he’s such a woman-beating scumbag. Brown shouted "That wasn't cool, man! That wasn't cool!" before storming off the set and smashing a window with a chair. Dude must have been getting some serious media training because nothing sends the message of “I’m not violent and unhinged” like smashing out a window.  Remember when local heroes the Strokes were critical darlings? Well, nothing lasts forever. With their new album Angles, a deluge of negative press has besieged our local boys made good. This riches-to-riches story ends with crits calling their new album tossed off, non-committal and just plain sucky. Pitchfork was the most bitter, saying it lacks “anything resembling charm or commitment” and calls the LP “not a roaring comeback as much as a glorified spit-balling session.” Even more shocking is that the U.K. press that once revered them as a rock revolution are turning their peacoat-covered backs. The Guardian says, “Angles just sounds like an album made by people who really didn't want to make an album. Nowadays, in contrast to their early years, they make being in a band seem like unwanted extra homework. Furthermore, they appear to have knocked said homework off on the bus on the way into school.” And The Quietus said, “Angles isn’t the worst record out this year, but it is certainly one of the most vapid and indulgent.” When asked to comment, the Strokes just quietly continued being incredibly famous despite the dissenting opinions of a few nerds. We send a sad goodbye to soul-jazz guitarist Melvin Sparks, who passed away last week at the age of 64. Sparks was a fixture of the New York jazz scene during the soul-jazz explosion of the late ’60s and early ’70s, playing on any number of Blue Note and Prestige records of the era (Sonny Stitt, Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, Reuben Wilson, Rusty Bryant, etc.) as well as finding recent life as a staple of the jam-band circuit. Says the New York Times ’s Nate Chinen, “Sparks favored a clean, flinty tone, combining the brisk harmonic fluency of bebop with the bite and feeling of the blues . . . He liked to say simply that he played ‘jazz over a funky beat.’” |  | | [ WHAT'S NEW ON SOUND OF THE CITY ] | | | | Indie songstress Neko Case knows what boys like: pretty girls, muscle cars, sharp swords, and . . . well, that’s pretty much covers it, really. She combined all these elements for the cover of her 2009 album Middle Cyclone , tapping into the inner 13-year-old lurking underneath the XXL Wolf Parade tee of every indie rock fan. Well, last week, she sold the cover’s 1967 Mercury Cougar at an auction (to benefit 826 National) and we decided to bid it a fond farewell. Our own Kory Grow rang up Neko to talk about her charming lack of Twitter etiquette and the soothing smell of old car leather. Check out our Q&A. If you need us, we’ll be trying our darndest to smell like old car leather. Read more > | | Beyond being totally delicious sounding, Clams Casino is the producer behind the woozy, ethereal, totes-posi tracks by rapper/motivational speaker Lil B. Our own Brandon Soderberg tracked down the 23-year-old Clams and asked him about his twisted visions, his new hypnagogic-hop mixtape and, yes, about his completely ridiculous name. Don’t be shellfish, have a whale of a time with us: Read more > | | Did you miss SXSW? Are you sad you avoided the overly crowded, trash-filled, vomit-soaked streets of Austin? Disappointed you couldn’t wait in an hour-long line for an over-hyped bedroom project alongside 20,000 19-year-olds eager to have their first beer? Well, fret no more because we have the only wrap-up you’ll need. Forget the boring show reviews and braggy Flickr photos of wristbands. We just have a simple bullet-point blow-by-blow by our own Camille Dodero. Get the quick scoop on the DFA1979 riot, the Kanye performance, Screeching Weasel’s meltdown, Jack White’s parking lot performance and our own Tom Breihan getting recognized in the street. Plus, loads of sweaty, dangerous-looking photos of Odd Future, TV On The Radio, Trash Talk, and Das Racist via our pal Rebecca Smeyne. Get our complete SXSW coverage here. We supply everything but the hangover: Read more > | | We somehow snuck out of the press box and finagled our way on to the floor (well, the balcony) of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. While other mags have your standard Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, and Elton John blurbs, we have the real, street-level goodness. Marvel at our gonzo reports of grown men in ponytails, poor cell-phone form, Liv Tyler in the bathroom line, and at least one documented tantrum from a Neil Diamond fan directed at a thirsty kid. This is the version you won’t see on Fuse, f-bombs included: Read more > |  | | --------------------------------------------
> THIS WEEKEND
| | Danielson
Fri., March 25, 6:30pm The religiously akimbo, lo-fi New Jersey masters of post-Christian oddity have returned after a five-year recording hiatus with a relatively slick new ... Read more > Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy
Daily from Wed., March 23 until Sun., March 27, 9:00pm, Daily from Wed., March 23 until Sun., March 27, 11:00pm Maybe it's the oomph of the tuba. Maybe it's the growl of the trombone. Something gives the trumpeter's four-horn and drummer squad ... Read more > Big Star Third
Sat., March 26, 7:00pm On the one-year anniversary of cult rock hero/alchemist Alex Chilton’s death comes this loving celebration of his pop-goth classic—the third Big Star ... Read more > Blkmarket Membership Presents Laurent Garnier
Sat., March 26, 10:00pm Inspired by his time in Manchester during the late '80s heyday of the Happy Mondays and 808 State, Laurent Garnier became France's ... Read more >
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> PLAN AHEAD
| | Girls & Boys Presents Caspa
Fri., March 25, 10:00pm Read more > Helmet
Fri., March 25, 6:00pm Last year's Seeing Eye Dog didn't live up to the promise of such phase-one Helmet slabs as Meantime and Betty. Still, the ... Read more > J Mascis+Kurt Vile & the Violators
Fri., March 25, 9:00pm Read more > Queens of the Stone Age+the Dough Rollers
Fri., March 25, 8:00pm Read more > | | Now Sold Out!
Tue., March 29
Tuesday, March 29th at the Armory on Lexington and 25th Street. Featuring 50+ handpicked restaurants from Robert Sietsema's Counter Culture and Fork in the Road, along with complimentary craft beer pairings, wine and liquor beverages. Visit choiceeats.villagevoice.com for more information. Read more > | | |
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