Photos from Bill.

Although I don’t feel too strongly about their new album, I was more than little excited to see the return of American Steel to the Big Apple. I was, however, a little worried about how the crowd would react to the band. The showcase, which featured both Lawrence Arms side projects the Falcon and Sundowner, along with Fake Problems, Tim Barry, and the Loved Ones, might have been either the perfect audience or the worst one. I still couldn’t decide but as soon as they started with the new number “Sons of Avarice,” I knew there were a handful of Am. Steel faithful in attendance. The band, unfortunely, played for only 20 minutes and did not play “Optimist,” but it didn’t matter really in the end. The band seemed incredibly happy to be back and if anything, it made me look forward to the Fest that much more.

More thoughts and photos after the jump.

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So I may be a bit biased about the band Thursday, since I considered them to be the band that got me into music. When I first heard Full Collapse back in 8th or 9th grade, it blew my freakin’ mind. People can scream while playing music? Some guy with absolutely no singing ability can be the frontman? All this was an incredible revelation to my young, virgin ears at the time.

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This year’s CMJ Music Marathon featured a ton of great shows. Here is a little wrap up of a few things we didn’t fully cover

Pictures taken by Bill Shouldis, unless noted.

Spoon

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Pictures by Linda Wildemann

By far, the highlight of the entire CMJ Marathon this year was seeing Billy Bragg perform a super rare, free show at Arlene’s Grocery for the Pirate Radio party on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Bragg played an inspired set filled with new songs from his upcoming Anti- debut, which is due early next year, and a handful of his classics.

More pictures of him and Imperial Teen after the jump.

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It’s here again; the CMJ Music Marathon is about to take over the city for a week of shows, film and free drinks. Here are some things we think are worth your time during this week. Remember, the perfect hang over solution is the following: 1 Advil (can be replaced by Tylenol), 1 Revive Vitamin Water (Can be replaced with XXX or that Orange one) and 1 (maybe 2) Red Bulls (can replaced with, duh, coffee).

As always, the week’s festivities get started tonight with the Syndicate’s annual Conflict of Industry Party. This year’s party will include performances by World/Inferno Friendship Society, our friends The King Left, We Are Scientists, among many others. Also, guest DJ Sets by Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta, and of course, Nathan Explosion from the almighty gods of metal …Dethklok. For more info, check out the Syn’s Blog.

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