LIVE JOURNAL
JezebelMusic.com @ The Studio at Webster Hall
May 20, 2010 | Atomic Tom, New Politics
You know those neighborhood bands that rehearse in garages and there’s always that one cool mom who doesn’t mind the noise and just wants them to play music whenever they want? And once in a while she pops her head in with lemonade and cookies and tries to sneak a listen but they aren’t really ready to be heard and they kind of just want to eat their cookies and have her go away until they’re ready to perform? And then suddenly they’ve gone and gotten signed to Universal Republic and have a single out on iTunes and are playing some of the most respected venues in New York City?
That’s the best way I know to describe my relationship with Atomic Tom.
I’ve been following this band for four years, partially because I liked their music when I first heard them, and very much because their bassist, Phil Galitzine, is one of my closest friends. Three years ago going to an Atomic Tom show meant going to support him, not necessarily going for “the show.” That’s all behind me now. For the past year, I’ve watched Atomic Tom transform from a group of guys who really liked playing rock shows to a band that knows how to play rock shows. So when I asked if I could write a review for last night’s headlining set on Webster Hall’s Studio, I didn’t do it for my friends. I did it to see a rock show.
Cut to the last Thursday.
More on Atomic Tom, New Politics @ The Studio at Webster Hall | 5.20.10
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Listen to “Bangarang,” A Song Composed Of Almost Nothing But Samples From Spielberg Classic Hook – Honestly, This Is The First Contender Pogo Has Had As The Reigning King Of Kids-Movie-Electro [The Daily Swarm]
Hear New Deerhunter Track “Vox Celeste 5” Appearing On A Limited Edition Sub Pop Singles Club…It’s Spacey, Noisy, and Decidedly Cheeful [Hype Machine]
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compiled by Max Sebela
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Green Day’s New Album Won’t Be Sold at Wal-Mart [Idolator]
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Guess Dan Deacon Won’t Be Playing at the Old Folk’s Home [Stereogum]
Sigur Ros’s Jon Þor “Jónsi” Birgisson Set to Record Solo Album [Pitchfork]
compiled by Elana Jacobs
Looks Like May is for Green Day [Brooklyn Vegan]
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compiled by Elana Jacobs
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compiled by Elana Jacobs
April 17, 2009
Green Day: Know Your Place
TOP DOG
Things are looking shitty for America right now – war, domestic strife, global hate, a disastrous economy, Hannah Montana: The Movie being the highest grossing movie, Fast & Furious being the second, etc. But as bad as things are, I’m sure the real question on everyone’s mind is: “do we really need another social-political album from Green Day, the band that got its name from weed and garnered its fame from a song about masturbation?” Though Rolling Stone may be screaming “oh god yes,” others may be feeling a bit more wary about the preaching from American Idiot having bloomed into 21st Century Break Down, a full-fledged rock opera of half-backed, extreme-leftist idealism.
Already, its first single “Know Your Enemy” – a rally against the Man, making sure you know who the Man is, and not becoming the Man – is hard to take seriously. Even if Billie Joe is a good songwriter, what the hell does a pampered rock-star living in Cali know about social upheaval? Having him spout revolutionary ideals at you is like getting bar-b-que tips from a vegetarian. Maybe if the song was called “Know Your Eye Liner” it would actually have some cred.
More on Green Day: Know Your Place
