As far as I’m concerned, the lineup of Mastodon, Against Me! and Cursive is the best bill touring this spring. Each band is awe-inspiring and immensely powerful and having them all together was something to witness. Going in, I knew it would be an odd and interesting mix of people. Both factions of Against Me! fans (the same with Mastodon) and perhaps even angry Ozzfest-loving, Hot Topic-fanatics booing Cursive. These predictions were all proven correct, among other things.

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Tags: Against Me, Cursive, Mastodon, show review by Matthew
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Freak/psych-rockers Animal Collective hit the famous Metro last night in the Windy City to a sold out crowd that had been highly anticipating the group’s return. The band has spent the past year working on new material while Panda Bear pursued his solo project. The tour was meant to be a showcase of the new and obscure.

For over an hour and a half, the group produced sonic manipulations that resonated throughout the hall while they screamed, banged, and furiously knob-turned in order to produce their trademark sound. Despite the lack of material from Feels (FatCat) and the older Sung Tongs (FatCat) (although the ending closer of “We Tigers” absolutely ruled), it is always interesting to see how a group can produce such harsh yet intriguing music, while still maintaining enough rhythm for people to dance to.

More photos can be found on my flickr page.

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Tags: animal collective, photos, show review by Jason
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So my good friends over at the Bronx Underground have some upcoming shows with some great lineups you should be checking out.

Enjoy pirates and sing-alongs? Their May 31 show with Set Your Goals, Just Surrender, Dead On A Friday, Driving Fast and Fireworks is probably for you, because Lordy knows there will be pirates involved somehow.

On June 2, Soho Violet is playing along with a personal favorite of mine, The Arsons. In case you didn’t know, that’s the band Ernie (from Token Entry and Grey Area, fools!) is in now. Guaranteed to be a good time there too.

So give yourselves a mid-week, early summer treat, check ‘em out and support DIY show promotion in New York. Information on getting tickets beforehand and directions can be found at their website or Myspace profile.

Tags: The Bronx Underground, promotion, tour dates by Costa
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Dinosaur Jr., who released their fantastic comeback album Beyond last week, will now release their first ever DVD. Dinosaur Jr.: Live In The Middle East (Image Entertainment), which will hit the shelves on May 29, documents the band’s reunion tour in 2005.

The DVD was filmed during their uber-successful comeback trek, with most of the live footage coming from their performances at Boston’s Middle East and NYC’s Irving Plaza. There is also exclusive behind the scenes footage, their WXPN interview and commentary from Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore, Mike Watt, among others.

The band kicks off their North American tour tomorrow in California. Check out the dates after the jump.

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Tags: News by Matthew
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In an age of the “core” suffix, sub-genres, and sub-sub genres, it’s always good to just get some earnest punk rock. Real straight-up, balls-to-the-wall punk fucking rock. Smoke Or Fire is one of those bands, as their Fat debut Above The City sure showed me. Formerly known by a variety of names (Jericho and then Jericho RVA before finally changing it to Smoke Or Fire), they’re currently on tour all over and probably in your town supporting their newest record on Fat Wreck, This Sinking Ship.

So how did you guys initially come together as a band? Is it as cool a story as Ben Weasel seeing the Ramones and then getting inspired?
In 1997, I moved to Boston to go to college, but really I just wanted to move to the city and play in a band. On the first day of school, I was walking into my first class and the kid in front of me had an Avail “Riot at Monroe” patch on his backpack. I tapped him on the shoulder and said, “hey my name is Joe, do you want to start a band?” He thought I was nuts. A few months later, he asked me to try out for Jericho, which later became Smoke or Fire. His name was Chris, our first guitar player, and is still one of my best friends.

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Tags: Interview, Smoke Or Fire by Costa
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