In the midst of their tour with the Dropkick Murphys, Against Me! went back to their roots for an afternoon show at the Mercury Lounge in NYC. This was definitely the smallest NYC show the guys had done in quite some time. I don’t think I’ve seen them play a venue this small since 2002 when they played at ABC No Rio. Things have clearly changed a lot since then but the show on that Saturday afternoon showed me a band at the top of their game. Kind of a rare thing to say from a band who just got dropped for a major label.

Adding drumming Jay Weinberg (yes, Max Weinberg’s son) recently didn’t hurt. Of all the times I’ve seen the band (I’ve lost track at this point. Probably more than 15 times), this might have been the best I’ve seen them play. The addition of Weinberg has re-energized them completely. AM!’s live shows have always been known for their no talking, rocket fire setlists but it seemed like they were having more fun that usual this time around.

Sure, it wasn’t the most energetic show crowd-wise. If you’re playing a 21+ venue at 2 pm when a lot of those in attendance may be nursing hangovers, I wouldn’t expect a lot of pogoing moshing youngsters. But to be quite honest, I enjoyed that (yes, I am getting older). But it wasn’t a totally tame show (that would just be weird). There were a few crowd surfers when the guys busted out some older numbers like “Walking Is Still Honest” and “Baby, I’m An Anarchist.”

I wonder where the band will go from here (label-wise, music-wise) but this show was an indication that things have not slowed down at all.

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They did it again and again and again! Nada Surf played three shows in New York City last weekend. During each show, they played a different album in its entirety, plus an additional set of covers and hits. Thursday night was Let Go at The Bowery Ballroom, Friday night was The Weight is a Gift at The Bell House, and Saturday was Lucky at The Music Hall of Williamsburg. I was unable to attend all three shows, but being that they have been a favorite of mine for about ten years now, I had to go to one. Let Go was the winner. It is definitely my favorite of the three albums and I cannot deny my undying love for “Blizzard of ‘77”, “Fruit Fly”, and “Killian’s Red”.

During some in-between-song-banter, the band thanked Sondre Lerche for opening this show and another one years ago when he needed to be escorted on and off stage because he was too young to be in a bar. Matthew went on to say that he had a cold, which was surprising because his voice sounded spot on. He said that he was in a good mood anyway, and it was obvious. He was glowing. They also told the heartwarming story of how they had no money when they were making Let Go and paid for it by touring and selling merch, including tote bags that Matthew was very excited to conjure up.

I began listening to Nada Surf after the first time I saw them at Brownies. Every show since has been consistently mind-blowing, and Thursday night’s performance of Let Go was no exception. Live, the band are fun and energetic, and always amaze me by making each song sound better than its recorded version, which is not done by changing a note or playing drawn-out solos. Sometimes people don’t like it if a band plays their songs exactly as they sound on the albums, but this dependability is something that I love about Nada Surf. I can count on them to play a great show every time and will never get sick of seeing them. Not to mention that their joy is infectious, and I had a blast last Thursday singing along until my voice became scratchy.

The phenomenal second set included The Weight is a Gift’s “Do It Again” and The Proximity Effect’s “Hyperspace”. Covers included Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence”, The Go-Betweens’ “Love Goes On”, and The Soft Pack’s “Bright Side”. These covers also sounded terrific, but to be honest, I could’ve done without them. I get so excited hearing the Nada Surf songs that I love and just want that feeling to continue throughout the show. The only other complaint I have is that I was disappointed to not hear my favorite Nada Surf song, “Spooky”, which I haven’t had the good fortune to hear live yet. I don’t know if they played it during either of the other two shows.

The band came out for an encore ending with “The Blankest Year”, which they usually close with, probably because it’s fun to yell “Ah, fuck it” back and forth with the crowd. For the final encore, they played “I Fought the Law”. It was a fun way to end a spectacular night. Here’s to Nada Surf, a once one-hit-wonder who are now, undoubtedly, masters of their trade, without being wildly “Popular”.

Taken by Trees performed a sold out pre-tour show that took place in the crowded, dark basement of Union Hall. It was as lovely as songstress, Victoria Bergsman. Victoria’s elegance and soft-spoken nature are reflected in this, her solo project. There were no loud guitars, if any at all. The psychedelic sound of the music, along with a smoke machine, helped to create an ambiance of hanging out in your friend’s basement, listening to records, and burning incense. Not to mention that Victoria had made a video for each song to be projected on the wall behind the band, but apologized because they could not get it to work. They played songs from their new album, East of Eden, as well as some favorites from Open Field. Songs included Lost & Found, Way Too Young, To Lose Someone, and Anna.

Towards the end of the show, a couple of girls in the audience were talking very loudly. It is my guess that they were too drunk to be aware of how loud they were talking, but their voices echoed throughout the room. Victoria called them out on it. She thanked the audience for being brilliant with the exception of the girls who were “talking about massage and other girlie things.” Everyone laughed. It was so funny, but the girls continued to talk even after she embarrassed them.

After the show, I went to the merch table to buy the new album on vinyl. Victoria was standing right there so of course I told her how much I enjoyed the show. With the purchase of the LP I received a free mix cd of the songs that played before the band went on. Very awesome show!

This is funny. You can donate money to the band on their website. http://www.takenbytrees.com/donations/

Halloween is often celebrated with outrageous costumes, vibrant parades and every brand of candy under the sun. In Gainesville, Florida however, Halloween is transformed into a three day weekend holiday where costumes are arbitrary, punk rock bands replace parades and candy is substituted with gallons of beer. This year, No Idea Records celebrated an enormously successful Fest 8; a diverse mix of all types of punk music brought a huge crowd to central Florida this year. Unfortunately, with hundreds of amazing bands playing in the short span of only one weekend, mixed with unfathomable amounts of beer and cheap whiskey, I was not able to see every band I would have liked to, but I was lucky enough to see some incredible sets.

Read more after the jump.

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Sleek and chic, even while bearded and fully clad in tan and brown, Jarvis Cocker‘s still got the moves. He played The Music Hall of Williamsburg, which he endearingly remembered was once The North Six, on Thursday night to a packed room. As would be expected of the former Pulp frontman, Jarvis was sassy, overconfident, and full of choreography that he was more than happy to teach the audience.

I don’t think I’ve seen a performer more interactive with his audience. After waltzing out onto the stage, he lifted his palms to expose the eyeballs that had been drawn on for the purpose of telling him specific audience member’s names. He called out Peter, Natasha, Stacy, etc. before belting out his newest single ‘Angela.’ Other songs included ‘Fat Children’, ‘Big Julie’ and ‘Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time’ and all in between song banter cleverly led into the next song. At one point someone tried to imitate this, in what was a possible request by calling out “What about the common people?” to which Jarvis replied, “It’s available on CD.” and “Of course I think it’s a good song. I wouldn’t have written it otherwise.”

In other random acts of kindness toward the audience, Jarvis pulled a bunch of grapes out of his pocket and began throwing them into open, awaiting mouths as well as handing his water and beer down into the crowd with instructions that they be shared.

Opener Little Joy was also fantastic in a style contrasting to and much more laid back than Jarvis’. Their nomad European feel, French lyrics, and scruffy-faced members momentarily made me want to run as far away from New York as possible. I enjoyed most the songs sung by the soulful Binki Shaprio. If you gave her a haircut and a mini-skirt, she’d fit comfortably into a brit pop band.

It was a great night, but I must say that before the show it was terrible being sent upstairs from the bar only to be met by large closed doors. Everyone had to crowd into a small room for what was likely 30 minutes before the doors opened and we were allowed to stampede toward the stage.