Music Snitch

The Airborne Toxic Event (named after a section of the book White Noise by Don DeLillo) have not been a formal band for any great length of time but they certainly have aged chemistry amidst the five members. The Airborne Toxic Event was birthed as an idea in 2006 in the small sub-city of Los Feliz in Los Angeles, California with just one member, singer and guitarist, Mikel Jollett. The single man band soon became a due when drummer Daren Taylor was tapped for his talent …the pair grew a bit larger with the additions of guitarist Steven Chen, keyboardist/violinist Anna Bulbrook and bassist Noah Harmon. After seeing them live, it is obviously that each member plays an intricate role within the band and they are all extremely talented.

I had the pleasure to catch The Airborne Toxic Event last year in NYC and most recently at the Drunken Unicorn in Atlanta. Heading into the show I already knew that I was going to hear some amazing live music but when I walked into the venue, I thought the chances of actually seeing the band on stage would be a mission. It was a sold out show and the smoke filled Drunken Unicorn was packed like pickles in a pickle-jar.

As soon as The Airborne Toxic Event took the stage the crowd was thrilled and involved. The band has great stage presence and their music worked perfectly in the dark, dingy venue. Anna and Jollett balance each other out well and they are playful with one another on stage. Plus three members of the band took their turn on keyboard duties, which added a sense of movement and variation to the stage. (I am not really a fan of stationary bands…snooze)

Their set-list included songs such as Missy, Sometime Around Midnight, Gasoline and Papillion. Plus they did a cover of the creepy song from Silence of The Lambs, Goodbye Horses, and Jollet’s voice was seemingly built for this type of tune; I loved it. When they tried to depart the stage the crowd was not having it, so they sang a couple more songs, one being Does This Mean Your Moving On. It was a stellar show and even better than the first time I saw them…I recommend checking them out if they pass through your town.

Video: Gasoline from The Airborne Toxic Event

I am a fan of Tokyo Police Club so I was rather excited to go check them out live at The Earl, and surprise, surprise, there was an added bonus…Harlem Shakes just so happen to be on the bill. Those of you familiar with this site understand why seeing The Shakes live (again) was kind of bitter-sweet.

Ruby Coast opened the show and they were ok, they sounded pretty good live and reminded me a little bit of, Los Campesinos…except the lead singer had a more soothing voice. They have potential, just need a little more seasoning.

First let me clarify, I did not say that Harlem Shakes sucked, in fact I mentioned that I thought their music sounded tight and fresh.  Yes, I realize that I referenced Mumbles in regard to the lead singer’s voice, but it’s what popped in my mind while listening to him.  Ok, glad we got that out of the way and can move forward.  This time around, I actually enjoyed Harlem Shakes and I was especially impressed with the guitar player; he is a talented fellow.  I was also fond of the keyboard player and the drummer…they mixed well together.  Lexy, the lead singer’s voice is still not my cup of tea as it tends to reach a level where it is not enjoyable but I could sense some improvement. I am not sure I can say that Harlem Shakes have grown as a band because I am pretty sure they have a few new members but it can be said that this show was monumentally better than when they opened for Vampire Weekend a couple years back.

Now on to the band who I charged my camera batteries for, Tokyo Police Club.  Their songs were short and sweet and they absolutely had the crowd by the collar, especially with their fun little game of Mad Libs.  TPC played a good mix of songs and their set-list included tracks such as: Nature, Box, Juno, Shoulders, Spark and Paste.  I am a bit more intrigued by their older material but in a live setting I rather enjoyed the tracks from Elephant Shell.

Video: “Juno” from Tokyo Police Club

Kevin Devin And The Goddamn Band

Due to a Christmas party at my day job, I arrived at the show a little late which was disappointing because I was looking forward to seeing the first band, All Get Out. I did catch a song, but so much was going on (there was a bit of a mess at the door with the guest list… thanks to the Dead Confederate guys for getting us in), that I didn’t really get a measure of how their set went. What I did hear sounded as good, as I had expected from them.

After All Get Out came Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band. Their sound has a folky, rock feel. At times their live sound reminded me of weezer, which I definitely don’t pick up in their recorded music. They also had two drummers on songs at the end of their set, which left me impressed. Next up was Dead Confederate. Their sound, which I think is described as psychedelic southern rock, was the most rockin’ of the evening. I think that the live show had charm that was lost in translation to their records, which happens a lot. Seeing these guys live is definitely something you should do if you dig their stuff on myspace, you will be blown away.

Finally, Manchester Orchestra. What can I say? I have never seen a line at the venue (The Orpheum) that long before, Period. I think most people were there for Manchester O, because when they hit the stage, the crowd became entranced by them. The singer’s stage presence was that of an old friend, he seemed to gain an immediate rapport with the crowd. The focus of the crowd on the band was amazing. It fits their music style, which at times feels more like a conversation with an old friend, and plays out well.

Dead Confederate

Manchester Orchestra

All Get Out: Myspace | Website
Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band: Myspace
Dead Confederate: Myspace | Website
Manchester Orchestra: Myspace | Website

TICKETS GO ON SALE NOVEMBER 15 AT 10AM EASTERN

(Asheville, NC) — Warren Haynes is pleased to add John Paul Jones, Coheed & Cambria, Roosevelt Collier, Karl Denson and Audley Freed to his 20th Annual Christmas Jam line up.

Single Day and 2 Day Tickets will go on-sale to the public through Ticketmaster and at the Asheville Civic Center Box Office on Saturday November 15th at 10AM Eastern. Tickets for each night are $55 + $1 Facility Fee. VIP Tickets are still available, visit www.xmasjam.com for more details.

“John [Paul Jones] sat in with us [Gov't Mule] at Bonnaroo and after seeing him at the Led Zeppelin concert in London, we spoke about him performing at the Christmas Jam and I’m thrilled he can make it,” said Haynes.

Haynes recently joined Coheed & Cambria on stage during their “Neverender” concert series in New York on the classic “I Shall Be Released.” The pairing went so well, Haynes invited the band to this year’s Jam.

For its Twentieth Anniversary, Warren Haynes Presents: The Christmas Jam will expand to 2 nights for the first time ever and will take place Friday December 12th & Saturday December 13th at the Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, NC. As always all proceeds from the Christmas Jam will be donated to Habitat For Humanity.

CURRENT PERFORMER LIST (Listed Alphabetically)
Allman Brothers Band
Coheed & Cambria
The Del McCoury Band
The Derek Trucks Band
Steve Earle
Michael Franti with Jay Bowman Acoustic
Gov’t Mule
Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
John Paul Jones
Joan Osborne
Travis Tritt
Johnny Winter

W/ SPECIAL GUESTS ALSO SCHEDULED TO APPEAR (Listed Alphabetically)
Mike Barnes
Roosevelt Collier
Karl Denson
Ruthie Foster
Audley Freed
JJ Grey
Col. Bruce Hampton
Robert Kearns
Kevn Kinney
Eric Krasno
Mickey Raphael
& Many More

List of Performers Subject To Change, for more details visit www.xmasjam.com.

On the way to see Vampire Weekend play at Firestone in Orlando, I realized I had no idea if there was even an opening band. Well, unfortunately there was an opening band, Harlem Shakes. To be fair, when the music started playing, I was immediately intrigued by the tight, fresh sound but when the lead singer stepped up to the microphone it was all down hill.

It sounded like Mumbles, the character from Dick Tracy, decided to get drunk, inhale some helium and sing a song with no actual lyrics. It was difficult to appreciate the other aspects of Harlem Shakes because my ears were semi-bleeding. Oh, and my friend pointed out that the lead singer was apparently tricked into wearing the puffy pirate shirt Seinfeld loved so much.

There is not too much to say about Vampire Weekend live, besides they are good and there was certainly a lot of bouncing going on in the crowd. Koenig’s voice was crisp, the atmosphere was fun and the bass player’s funky yet totally subtle dance moves added some character. In a live setting, it is way more noticeable how short Vampire Weekend’s songs are. I personally wish they would have extended some of the songs that riled up the crowd, like A-Punk.