Talking To Walls Wax Poetic

Talking To Walls: May 28 @ Bowery Poetry Club, New York, NY

Friday night, Talking To Walls took the stage at LES venue Bowery Poetry Club. We've discussed this band before ... the Connecticut rockers who put on fun live shows, have a spankin' new record, We Were Not So Tall and have been bustin' their asses doing shows in support of the record. Yeah, those guys.

I've seen the band, Brian Kelly (vocals/guitar), Nat Webb (guitar/vocals), Matt Krupa (drums) and Matt Miklos (bass), a few times and always have great fun when I do. But, there was a little something different this time out. There was more of an overall excitement, a bit of a different vibe. They for lack of a better word, vibrated. They were slightly sloppy, in the edgy, take my hand, come jump off the side of the cliff with me; I promise it'll be okay, sort of way. A couple of points during the night I thought assault charges might have to be pressed on Kelly's mic stand for bashing him about the face on occasion. I hear they've since ceased working together.

They showcased the new record and did they bust out some Smashing Pumpkins? Hey, my Pumpkins knowledge for the most part starts and stops with Gish so I could be wrong. I managed to get one of my favorite TTWs songs, "Crossed My Mind" on video which you can check out below. The beginning of the "A-Team" band intro got cut off ... pop culture and upcoming film reference, folks. They closed the night with sing-a-long crowd favorite "Song For Megan."

They've been playing everywhere even doing, if I remember correctly (I'm old and senile!), four shows the following day. Catch these guys when they're in your general vicinity; or heck, take a road trip like to, oh say, Six Flags in Jackson, NJ, July 3 (or any of the other dates that are conveniently listed below) ... roller coasters and rock 'n' roll, sweet. That's Fourth of July weekend, get your party on y'all!

Check out some photos from their set.

More photos HERE.

Tour Dates

• Thu 6/10 - Anaheim, CA - TBA
• Fri 6/11 - Los Angeles, CA - TBA
• Tue 6/15 - Blackstone's, Nesconset, NY
• Sun 6/27 - Denver, CO - TBA
• Thu 7/1 - TOUR WARM-UP: SoNo Caffeine - South Norwalk, CT - 8pm
• Fri 7/2 - SUMMER TOUR KICK-OFF: Westfield Trumbull Mall, Trumbull, CT opening for Nine Days
• Sat 7/3 - Six Flags Great Adventure - Jacksonville, NJ - 4pm
• Fri 7/9 - Asylum, Washington, DC
• Sat 7/10 - Baltimore, MD TBA
• Sun 7/11 - Philadelphia, PA TBA
• Fri 7/23 - Seaside Tavern, Stamford, CT 9pm
• Sat 7/24 - East End Green Festival, Mattituck, NY
• Sat 7/24 - New York City TBA

www.talkingtowalls.com
www.myspace.com/talkingtowalls
twitter.com/talkingtowalls

Photo Review: Skye Claire And The High Society At Bowery Poetry Club, 5/28

Skye Claire and the High Society: May 28 @ Bowery Poetry Club, New York, NY

Skye Claire and her band High Society closed out the night at Bowery Poetry Club on Friday. I'd never heard or seen them before so I wasn't sure what to expect. Watching them get set up on stage, I thought they might be kind of laid back pop rock since Claire was strolling around with an acoustic guitar. Well, imagine my surprise when they launched into straight ahead, balls out rock. They even did a cover of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." I'd taken a gander at the set list before the show and saw "Teen Spirit" listed, pondered whether it was that song and maybe groaned a bit. The fresh faced, smiling Claire did not look like the type to bust out hard with some Nirvana, but she did. The band kept things tight even though their guitarist apparently had his gear stolen and was using a guitar borrowed from Talking To Walls' Nat Webb who played right before them. Check out some photos from their set.

More photos HERE.

www.myspace.com/skyeclaire
twitter.com/skyeclaire

Photo Review: Abe Marder At Bowery Poetry Club, 5/28 + Video

Abe Marder: May 28 @ Bowery Poetry Club, New York, NY

Moo, moo.

I paid a visit to the Bowery Poetry Club last night to check out a band I like. Kicking things off, however, was Abe Marder. He did his thing solo. Are you wondering why I mooed? Marder sang a song about a cow, childhood animal issues apparently. Now, any grown man who can sing moo, moo during a song is alright by me.

He also has this thing he's been doing called Abe Marder's Song Of The Day. Send him a word and he'll improvise a song. I suggest, Quirky. At any rate, he did some of those song of the day songs during his set. I happened to catch one on video. It's called "Panacea" ... a word he got from his Mom. Check it out below as well as some photos from his set.

www.myspace.com/abemarder
abemarderssongoftheday.blogspot.com

American Bang Release Video For "Wild and Young"

Those rockin' Tennessee boys, American Bang, have released a video for their song "Wild and Young" which, is the theme song from WWE NXT. If these guys are playing near you, go see them. Even if they're not, summer is coming up, take a road trip! If you aren't already, you'll walk away a fan.

www.americanbang.com
www.myspace.com/americanbang
www.facebook.com/americanbang
twitter.com/americanbang

UK Stars of Whose Line Is It Anyway? To Invade Webster Hall

The UK stars of Whose Line Is It Anyway? will unleash 90 minutes of improvised comedy at Webster Hall on Wednesday, June 2. Hilarity is sure to ensure as Stephen Frost, Andy Smart, Steve Steen and Neil Mullarkey take the stage.

On Wednesday June 2nd at 8pm The UK Stars of 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' will perform a 90 minute set of their hilarious improvised comedy in the Marlin Room at Webster Hall (125 East 11th Street) led by big Stephen Frost, veteran comedian and improviser with Andy Smart, Steve Steen and Neil Mullarkey as part of the Lach Presents series. Doors are at 7:30pm and its 18+ for entry, 21+ to drink.

Appearing at Webster Hall for just one night with their gilt-edged comedy improv, these guys have traveled the world, Hong Kong, Paris, Dublin and performed at such prestigious events as the Edinburgh and Glastonbury Festivals for many years as well as working regularly at London's famous Comedy Store.

Stephen Frost has worked on Mr Bean, The Young Ones, Blackadder and many other iconic British TV shows.

Steve Steens work includes Saturday Night Live, Blackadder the Third and Red Dwarf.

Andy Smart commentator for American Football on British TV, he runs with the bulls in Pamplona every year...and is a regular Comedy Store Player.

Neil Mullarkey is also the author of the newly-published hit comedy book: Don't Be Needy Be Succeedy: The A to Zee of Motivitality.

Rooney To Tour With The Young Veins & Black Gold

Rock band Rooney have a new record coming out, Eureka, on June 8. In support of that record, they'll be hitting the road this summer. Joining them will be, Black Gold and The Young Veins. New York, they will be making a stop here on July 14 at Irving Plaza. And ... because all three bands like their fans, they've put together a free sampler for you all to download. You can grab it HERE or via the handy little widget below. I like widgets.

Rooney has announced that they will be pounding the pavement this summer in support of their new album Eureka- out June 8th. For support, the band has tapped The Young Veins and Black Gold- whose latest release, RUSH, has been a staple on the Billboard Dance Charts. To give fans a taste of what's to come, the bands have joined together to give away a free sampler. The sampler can be downloaded on the tour site or through the widget below.

For the forthcoming tour, fans have the option of a regular presale ticket, which comes with a free signed tour poster or a VIP package, which comes with a ticket, signed tour poster and signed copy of the new album Eureka. Everyone who purchases a ticket from www.rooneytix.com is automatically entered to a Rooney merch package. One grand prize winner will win two Rooney t-shirts, one Rooney hoodie and one signed copy of Eureka on vinyl.

Tour Dates

• 6/16 - San Diego CA, Wave House
• 6/17 - Anaheim CA, House Of Blues
• 6/18 - Santa Barbara CA, Velvet Jones
• 6/19 - Los Angeles CA, Henry Fonda Theatre
• 6/20 - Agoura Hills CA, The Canyon Club
• 6/22 - San Francisco CA, Slim's
• 6/23 - Orangevale CA, The Boardwalk
• 6/24 - Portland OR, Wonder Ballroom
• 6/25 - Vancouver BC, The Media Club
• 6/26 - Seattle WA, El Corazon
• 6/27 - Boise ID, Knitting Factory
• 6/28 - Salt Lake City UT, Urban Lounge
• 6/29 - Denver CO, The Marquis Theatre
• 6/30 - Omaha NE, The Waiting Room
• 7/1 - Columbia MO, The Blue Note
• 7/2 - Little Rock AR, Juanita's Cantina Ballroom
• 7/3 - Shreveport LA, The Collective
• 7/5 - New Orleans LA, Republic New Orleans
• 7/6 - Pensacola FL, Seville Quarter (Phineas Phogg's)
• 7/7 - Orlando FL, The Social
• 7/8 - Gainesville FL, Common Grounds
• 7/9 - Tampa FL, Crowbar
• 7/10 - Atlanta GA, The Loft
• 7/11 - Charlotte NC, Amos' Southend
• 7/12 - Greenville SC, The Handlebar
• 7/14 - New York NY, The Fillmore At Irving Plaza
• 7/15 - Dewey Beach DE, Bottle & Cork
• 7/16 - Lancaster PA, Chameleon Club
• 7/17 - S. Hackensack NJ, School Of Rock
• 7/18 - New Haven CT, Toad's Place
• 7/19 - Farmingdale NY, The Crazy Donkey
• 7/22 - Poughkeepsie NY, The Chance

www.myspace.com/rooney
www.myspace.com/theyoungveins
www.myspace.com/blackgold

Pop Goddess Weekend On Fuse, Memorial Day Weekend

Fuse is devoting Memorial Day weekend to the divas of pop or as they like to call it Pop Goddess Weekend. The goddesses in question, Mariah, Beyonce and Gaga. It all kicks off on Saturday, May 29 at 11AM Eastern time. So, Fuse, when will there be a Rock Goddess Weekend? Hey, I'm just askin'! All of the details are below.

Fuse, Madison Square Garden’s national music television network, is dedicating a very special three-day artist takeover to today’s top pop divas during Memorial Day weekend. Starting Saturday at 11am ET, viewers can catch exclusive programming documenting the careers of Mariah Carey, Beyonce Knowles and Lady Gaga, taking viewers through a musical journey of what brought these ladies to where they are today.

Get down with Mariah all day Saturday with her Adventures of Mimi tour and a take a look back at her most sizzling moments in a variety of music videos, spanning her career. On Sunday, ring the alarm with a wall-to-wall Beyonce bonanza of videos, performances and a special documentary, all leading up to a scorching Monday packed with more videos, interviews and commentary from the one and only Lady Gaga. Three days and three iconic women all packed into one amazing weekend!

SATURDAY, May 29 beginning 11am ET

Mariah Carey: The Adventures of Mimi

Prepare for a true Fantasy ride as the sultry songstress performs top hits on her summer concert tour.

Loaded: Mariah Carey

Take a trip down Mariah Carey memory lane in this half-hour music video franchise solely dedicated to Mimi.

SUNDAY, May 30 beginning at 11am ET


Above & Beyonce

Fuse is going above and beyond to bring fans an all-out, hour-long compilation of Beyonce’s hottest videos. If I Were a Boy and Single Ladies are only the latest in a long line of bodacious, brilliant Beyonce hits.

Loaded: Beyonce

This hour-long music video franchise is solely dedicated to Beyonce Knowles. Her journey from Destiny’s Child to Sasha Fierce is sure to keep you dancing throughout the day.

The Beyonce Chronicles

This half-hour original series traces Beyonce’s rise to the top with some of her hottest music videos, full of tidbits and facts.

Beyonce: Shine

Beyonce's music is known around the world, her look emulated by millions of women, but still her personal life and marriage to rap star JAY-Z is a mystery. Get a glimpse into the life of Beyonce and find out what’s next for this dynamic performer in this exclusive documentary.

MONDAY, May 31 beginning at 11am ET


Loaded: Lady Gaga

Hold on to your seats as Fuse delivers an hour full of Gaga. Just Dance and her latest single Telephone are just some of the hits that will keep you glued to your television and wanting more.

Lady Gaga: On the Record with Fuse

You’ve seen her mind blowing performances and music videos, now get to know the chart topping pop icon in this exclusive one-on-one interview with Fuse host Toure’.

Lady Gaga: On the Record with Fuse: The Lost Tapes

In this extended interview, watch Lady Gaga as she opens up and chats candidly about her parents, her work, dance music in America and more.

The Lady Gaga Chronicles

Experience the Haus of Gaga in this half hour chronology as we provide you with the international superstar’s latest videos.

fuse.tv/music/popgoddess
fuse.tv/music/popgoddess/mariah.html
fuse.tv/music/popgoddess/beyonce.html
fuse.tv/music/popgoddess/lady-gaga.html

Photo Review: Jihae At Rockwood Music Hall, 5/25

Jihae: May 25 @ Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY

Jihae gave a live preview performance of her upcoming record, Fire Burning Rain, Tuesday night at Rockwood Music Hall. She's hypnotic. She's poetic. She gives off this cool, yet aloof vibe. The venue was intimate; the perfect place to see such an artist. This is the music you and your friends put on when you're rolling in late Saturday night, early Sunday morning and too wired to sleep. You put it on, uncork some wine, pass around the carton of overpriced, leftover Chinese food from earlier that evening that you just had to have for fear of instant starvation, sprawl out and talk till the sun starts rising. Check out some photos from her set.

www.jihae.net