Next Thursday, I am going to see...
Mono w/ Worlds End Girlfriend & Grails!
My Friend Mark and I are going to the Bowery Ballroom next Thursday to check out what is hopefully an amazing trio of post-rock bands. Bowery Ballroom is my favorite place to see shows in NYC and the show was very reasonably priced. 13 bucks!
Mono is supposed to be amazing live. And loud. Though I still most frequently listen to One More Step and You Die, I am assuming that all of their work will translate very well on stage. Especially since they are reported to be very into the crowd dynamics and are know to sink deeply into their music. It seems dualistic, but I think thats what intrigues me even more. I know it is possible so I cant wait to see... I really hope they play Com(?).
Alot of people flipped when Mono and Worlds End Girlfriend released their collaboration in '05. Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain. I think I was in the wrong mood to digest such a moody piece at the time, but have since learned to respect its craft. It is more subdued overall then the rest of Monos work, and I had not previously heard WEG, so I had no basis for judging his work other then this collaboration. I am sure one day I will hear it at the right time and it will click, and that may be possibly next Thursday. I am hoping the two perform pieces together.
Regardless, I have since looked into a bit more of Worlds End Girlfriends work and have to say, I am pleasantly suprised. His new release, Hurtbreak Wonderland is actually quite incredible, and nothing like the Palmless Prayer collabo. Filled with skittering, Aphex Twin styled drum beats and more strings and horns than you could pack in a suitcase, Hurtbreak careens every which way. Somber, Hopeful, Scary, Muted, Spastic and Serene. The saxophone seems to be a centerpiece on alot of the album and it works really well. I also checked The Lie Lay Land, and while also a very good release, it reeks of darkness and malice. So basically, I like it alot. My past two weeks have been filled with alot Hurtbreak and the Lie Lay Land... It also goes well with the book I am reading, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. OH!
Suprisingly, the name of this page, did and did not come from the title of the aformentioned book. I had, in fact, never read it until about a month ago when I found it for a dollar on the street. I had always wanted to read it, having affinity for things like Zen and things that took place int he 70's. But no, the name does and does not come directly or indirectly from this book. Of course it does, really, but let me shed some light...
Theres a book most of you should read, but probably wont. My pessimism is validated on two counts. Point #1. It is almost 1,000 pages. For some reason, that irks people. Dont be scared. If you read at all, I am sure you have read at least three shitty books in your lifetime, easily totalling more than 1,000 pages. So then you would do well to waste your time on 1,000 pages of hilarity, illumnation, sex, drugs and rock and roll. Also horror, metaphysics, conspiracy, mind control, and dime store philosophy. Point #2. The first chapter has a way of turning people off instantly. I have watched this many times. "Did you like that book?". Answer: "Oh, well, I couldnt get past the first chapter. Africa, then a squirrel in NYC, then a dolphin, then some weird crime caper. I dont know, maybe its not my thing". Me: "Hmmmm."
The first chapter is definitely unorthodox, but Ulysses this is not. Though Joycian in style, it is far more accesible and far more fun. It takes itself less serious. Not so much a Magnum Opus as much as the best shaggy dog joke in all of literary history.
I bet you want to know what book it is...
The Illuminatus Trilogy, by Robert Anton Wilson (RIP) and Robert Shea. Released in 1975, a year after Zen and the Art of Motorcyle Maintenance. So the influence is there, and the authors most definitely read the best selling book. Deep within those pages, is the genesis of this blog. I have read the book three times, a rare feat due to its length, and would love to have someone else read it, so I can bounce ideas of of them, but until then, maybe you will find a fun book to read this summer.
Where. Am. I. Goin'. With. This. ?.
Oh, yeah, to see Mono and Worlds End Girlfriend and Grails next week. Its no doubt that these three bands bring out the reflective qualities in a person. If not, youre a dry, shallow husk of a human being, lacking quality....or maybe its just not your thing. ^_^. Either way, Did I mention how excited I am to see Grails?! They are phenomenal and the main reason I wanted to see this show. They have gotten even better with time and though they are the opening act, I am sure they will coat the place in their eerie glow, setting the proper mood for our faces to be melted off.
So with that...
Mono
One More Step and You Die (2003)
Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined (2004)
You Are There (2006)
------------------------
Worlds End Girlfriend
The Lie Lay Land (2005)
Hurtbreak Wonderland (2007)
------------------------
Grails
Burden of Hope (2003)
Redlight (2004)
Black Tar Prophecies Vol. 1,2 & 3 (2006)
Here are the remaining dates of the tour:
May 12 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
May 13 Charlottesville, VA Satellite Ballroom
May 14 Baltimore, MD Ottobar
May 15 Washington, DC Rock and Roll Hotel
May 16 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
May 17 New York NY Bowery Ballroom
Check it out if you can, as the previous show reviews have all sounded great. I am so psyched... Totally want to purchase the new Grails album, Burning Off the Impurities too. 2xLP with the fourth side containing etched artwork. I am sucker for artistic gimmicks.. I'll have a full report on that show next weekend sometime...
------------------------
Here are some other shows I am going to see this summer. Mind you, there is no Stoner or Doom in here....Hint to all you Stoner Doom acts out there. New York City wants you to come perform here. (Speaking of which, I missed the Mammatus show two weeks ago. Shame on me.) Anyway, heres the list...
June 7 - The Sea and Cake @ Webster Hall, NYC
June 8 - Snowden @ Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ
July 7 - Built To Spill @ McCarren Pool, Brooklyn (its actually in a big outdoor pool)
July 8 - Tortoise @ Webster Hall, NYC
July 17 - Slint & Webster Hall, NYC (OMFG!!!! I bought tix for their last reunion in 05, and FORGOT TO FUCKING GO!!!....thats the problem with buying tickets months in advance..)
July 28 - Mouth of the Architect @ Southpaw, Brooklyn
July 28 - Sonic Youth (performing Daydream Nation) @ McCarren Pool. I may go see this instead of Mouth of the Architect
There are alos a bunch of free shows at various parks that I would like to check. the Boredoms are playing on the same day as Built To Spill, so thats gonna be hard. Free Boredoms show, who I have never seen, or a $30 Built To Spill show, who I have seen three times, every time amazing.
Menomena, The New Pornographers and the Animal Collective are all playing. But I may or may not make it out to see them. There are a ton of other shows, but lets face it, I picked out some good ones. I have many other things I want to do this summer, like go camping and hiking and travel to Seattle, and go to the beach as many times as possible.
Thanks for listening, more to come shortly.
Peace.
blend-o-matic
My Friend Mark and I are going to the Bowery Ballroom next Thursday to check out what is hopefully an amazing trio of post-rock bands. Bowery Ballroom is my favorite place to see shows in NYC and the show was very reasonably priced. 13 bucks!
Mono is supposed to be amazing live. And loud. Though I still most frequently listen to One More Step and You Die, I am assuming that all of their work will translate very well on stage. Especially since they are reported to be very into the crowd dynamics and are know to sink deeply into their music. It seems dualistic, but I think thats what intrigues me even more. I know it is possible so I cant wait to see... I really hope they play Com(?).
Alot of people flipped when Mono and Worlds End Girlfriend released their collaboration in '05. Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain. I think I was in the wrong mood to digest such a moody piece at the time, but have since learned to respect its craft. It is more subdued overall then the rest of Monos work, and I had not previously heard WEG, so I had no basis for judging his work other then this collaboration. I am sure one day I will hear it at the right time and it will click, and that may be possibly next Thursday. I am hoping the two perform pieces together.
Regardless, I have since looked into a bit more of Worlds End Girlfriends work and have to say, I am pleasantly suprised. His new release, Hurtbreak Wonderland is actually quite incredible, and nothing like the Palmless Prayer collabo. Filled with skittering, Aphex Twin styled drum beats and more strings and horns than you could pack in a suitcase, Hurtbreak careens every which way. Somber, Hopeful, Scary, Muted, Spastic and Serene. The saxophone seems to be a centerpiece on alot of the album and it works really well. I also checked The Lie Lay Land, and while also a very good release, it reeks of darkness and malice. So basically, I like it alot. My past two weeks have been filled with alot Hurtbreak and the Lie Lay Land... It also goes well with the book I am reading, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. OH!
Suprisingly, the name of this page, did and did not come from the title of the aformentioned book. I had, in fact, never read it until about a month ago when I found it for a dollar on the street. I had always wanted to read it, having affinity for things like Zen and things that took place int he 70's. But no, the name does and does not come directly or indirectly from this book. Of course it does, really, but let me shed some light...
Theres a book most of you should read, but probably wont. My pessimism is validated on two counts. Point #1. It is almost 1,000 pages. For some reason, that irks people. Dont be scared. If you read at all, I am sure you have read at least three shitty books in your lifetime, easily totalling more than 1,000 pages. So then you would do well to waste your time on 1,000 pages of hilarity, illumnation, sex, drugs and rock and roll. Also horror, metaphysics, conspiracy, mind control, and dime store philosophy. Point #2. The first chapter has a way of turning people off instantly. I have watched this many times. "Did you like that book?". Answer: "Oh, well, I couldnt get past the first chapter. Africa, then a squirrel in NYC, then a dolphin, then some weird crime caper. I dont know, maybe its not my thing". Me: "Hmmmm."
The first chapter is definitely unorthodox, but Ulysses this is not. Though Joycian in style, it is far more accesible and far more fun. It takes itself less serious. Not so much a Magnum Opus as much as the best shaggy dog joke in all of literary history.
I bet you want to know what book it is...
The Illuminatus Trilogy, by Robert Anton Wilson (RIP) and Robert Shea. Released in 1975, a year after Zen and the Art of Motorcyle Maintenance. So the influence is there, and the authors most definitely read the best selling book. Deep within those pages, is the genesis of this blog. I have read the book three times, a rare feat due to its length, and would love to have someone else read it, so I can bounce ideas of of them, but until then, maybe you will find a fun book to read this summer.
Where. Am. I. Goin'. With. This. ?.
Oh, yeah, to see Mono and Worlds End Girlfriend and Grails next week. Its no doubt that these three bands bring out the reflective qualities in a person. If not, youre a dry, shallow husk of a human being, lacking quality....or maybe its just not your thing. ^_^. Either way, Did I mention how excited I am to see Grails?! They are phenomenal and the main reason I wanted to see this show. They have gotten even better with time and though they are the opening act, I am sure they will coat the place in their eerie glow, setting the proper mood for our faces to be melted off.
So with that...
Mono
One More Step and You Die (2003)
Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined (2004)
You Are There (2006)
------------------------
Worlds End Girlfriend
The Lie Lay Land (2005)
Hurtbreak Wonderland (2007)
------------------------
Grails
Burden of Hope (2003)
Redlight (2004)
Black Tar Prophecies Vol. 1,2 & 3 (2006)
Here are the remaining dates of the tour:
May 12 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
May 13 Charlottesville, VA Satellite Ballroom
May 14 Baltimore, MD Ottobar
May 15 Washington, DC Rock and Roll Hotel
May 16 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
May 17 New York NY Bowery Ballroom
Check it out if you can, as the previous show reviews have all sounded great. I am so psyched... Totally want to purchase the new Grails album, Burning Off the Impurities too. 2xLP with the fourth side containing etched artwork. I am sucker for artistic gimmicks.. I'll have a full report on that show next weekend sometime...
------------------------
Here are some other shows I am going to see this summer. Mind you, there is no Stoner or Doom in here....Hint to all you Stoner Doom acts out there. New York City wants you to come perform here. (Speaking of which, I missed the Mammatus show two weeks ago. Shame on me.) Anyway, heres the list...
June 7 - The Sea and Cake @ Webster Hall, NYC
June 8 - Snowden @ Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ
July 7 - Built To Spill @ McCarren Pool, Brooklyn (its actually in a big outdoor pool)
July 8 - Tortoise @ Webster Hall, NYC
July 17 - Slint & Webster Hall, NYC (OMFG!!!! I bought tix for their last reunion in 05, and FORGOT TO FUCKING GO!!!....thats the problem with buying tickets months in advance..)
July 28 - Mouth of the Architect @ Southpaw, Brooklyn
July 28 - Sonic Youth (performing Daydream Nation) @ McCarren Pool. I may go see this instead of Mouth of the Architect
There are alos a bunch of free shows at various parks that I would like to check. the Boredoms are playing on the same day as Built To Spill, so thats gonna be hard. Free Boredoms show, who I have never seen, or a $30 Built To Spill show, who I have seen three times, every time amazing.
Menomena, The New Pornographers and the Animal Collective are all playing. But I may or may not make it out to see them. There are a ton of other shows, but lets face it, I picked out some good ones. I have many other things I want to do this summer, like go camping and hiking and travel to Seattle, and go to the beach as many times as possible.
Thanks for listening, more to come shortly.
Peace.
blend-o-matic
posted by blend77 at 11:09 AM
24 Comments:
Thanks for sharing all the music from these wonderful bands! I didn't get to see them in Cleveland a few weeks ago because I got sick that afternoon. I was (and still am) pretty pissed about that. My show would have had The Drift instead of Grails though (sucks for Cleveland).
Enjoy the show! Thanks again for sharing all the great music!
hey, youre welcome.
I had the privilege of seeing them live a week ago. I have to see it was 2nd best show I've seen. (1st being Isis/Torche/Intronaut)
Grail is pretty awesome; it's good to hear something different and unique than the "standard post-rock sound".I feel that WEG's music is really written for the purpose of playing live, but it was still interesting to see him tweaking around with all his equipment. Mono was fucking incredible. I still wonder how they can generate so much sound.
And btw, please go to the Boredoms show. When is the last you see 77 drum sets playing together?
ohhhhh, this is the show i wanted. :(
i saw grails with red sparowes and neurosis and they were great. and world's end girlfriend was fantastic with mono. mammatus was also cool. opened for acid mother's temple here.
enjoy the show and thanks for the 2007 weg!
i may go to the Boredoms show...77 is the year i was born also...
plus the Built to Spill show is expensive. I piad 20 to see them the last few times...32 this time and theyre playing with Cat Power, which i dont really care for...
plus, BTS is playing in an old pool where there used to be water. The Boredoms are playing for free in battery park, right on the water... with the statue of liberty in the background...it will be pretty cool...
...ALL GREAT!!!!
ALL AWSOME!!!
...All AMAZING!!!
...a other quality post Blend.
and a damn good book BTW!!!!
PLEASE, THE PASS FOR Hurtbreak Wonderland (2007)OF WORLDS END GIRLFRIEND!!!
THANX!
I think Boredoms are giving two free shows on 7/7 and 7/8. If you go, please take some pictures. I want to see how epic it is.
luck guy you man...unfortunaly these guys dont play here in brazil.Congratulations and good luck in your new job.
Eduardo rrokerijj
@ Mr A.
Glad you like the book too!
@ Holomovement
I will certainly take pics and show you. I will try to get pics of the mono show too..
@ eduardo
thanks for the wishes.
@ 13440
try it again. it should work this time...
mgmt.
you will definitely not be disappointed with the Mono/WEG show. Easily the best show I've ever seen. unfortunately, I don't think Mono played anything from One More Step and You Die, which is a shame because I really really wanted to hear Halo. But they did play a lot of material from You Are There and it still makes for an absolutely spine-tingling experience.
you're doing a great job with this blogging thing. solid posts + good taste in music = nice work!
i'm also reading zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance right now. it seems like a good summertime book, and i remember my dad really being into it when he was in his "new age" phase. maybe i'm in my new age phase right now. christ, i hope not.
like everybody else said, you're going to be amazed by mono. i can't get into WEG too much, and grails is okay (great on albums, boring live), but the almighty MONO can border on spiritual experience in a live setting.
i really do sound like i'm in a new age phase, don't i? "spiritual experience". ech. have a good time and thanks for the excellent posts.
Blend! There is a book I want to post to you. Nope, not with megaupload...must be physically sent. Are you up for it, and if so, how to do this? hint, it's related to nick cave. and it's not something you can buy yourself. let me know if this is a go for you. Terry
If Terry is Talking about When the Angel saw the Ass i'd give my adress right away.
Did i tell you i'm jealous, youre going to see Mono. And believe me they are so fucking good live. I hope for you they are not on a limited time schedule!
It's actually King Ink, a book of his poetry (I think mostly older song lyrics)...and it's signed. Hopefully authentic, it was given to me by a friend. My girlfriend wants me to reduce my crazy large book collection and I'm kinda out of the 'collector' mode...
hmmm. i left a comment yesterday, and it didnt appear...
terry, email me on myspace.
www.myspace.com/blend77
if you dont have myspace, use the same tag for hotmail.
i am very interested in that book..
Mr. A. i'll send it to you when im done reading it. ^_^
I already have read it blend. Long long time ago. ...i had a friend wo wascrazy about mr.Cave, and believe me this guy had everything. Although his copy wasn't signed by the man him self.
The cover art on the worlds end girlfriend is amazing. I really like the cover to The Lay lie Land. I think I might buy the album just for the cover.
oops switch the title of the album around but you get my point.
I am such a sucker for good cover art too.
fnord!
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