Portugal. The Man - New Album Out Today!

Portugal. The Man's new record The Satanic Satanist comes out today! They are also playing some gigs in our neck of the woods, August 4th at Union Pool (Brooklyn) and August 5th at Mercury Lounge (NYC). See you there!

- Sonic

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9th Annual Siren Music Festival

illustration by Paul Antonson

9th Annual SIREN MUSIC FESTIVAL™ Saturday, July 18, 2009

BUILT TO SPILL, SPANK ROCK, THE RAVEONETTES, FRIGHTENED RABBIT, GRAND DUCHY, MONOTONIX, A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS,
THEE OH SEES, FUTURE OF THE LEFT, JAPANDROIDS, MICACHU & THE SHAPES, TINY MASTERS OF TODAY, BEAR HANDS, THE BLUE VAN, JUSTINE D. and DeadHeat DJs Play the Siren Festival this weekend!

SIREN MUSIC FESTIVAL returns this Saturday, July 18, 2009 from noon — 9pm! This free, all ages festival features performances throughout the day on two outdoor stages in historic Coney Island, NYC.

+ Click Here For More Details

- Sonic

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Brand New Brand New Song - Bed

As promised here is a live video of the song "Bed" which will be on Brand New's new record entitled Daisy coming out September 22nd 2009.

- Sonic

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Brand New: Music Hall Of Williamsburg 07.11.09

Music Hall of Williamsburg is a rather small venue for a band like Brand New, and as our very own Mitch will tell you it sold out in minutes. There was a 2 ticket limit and a will call only policy on the show to prevent people from selling tickets for ridiculous prices.


The first half of their 90 minutes ish show was mostly songs off of Your Favorite Weapon and Deja Entendu. Then they played a few songs of their upcoming album Daisy which will hit the US on September 22nd. On first listen I definitely liked it, kind of in the vein of God And The Devil Are Raging Inside Me but a little heavier.


They finished the show with "Soco Amaretto Lime" and the whole place was singing along. A great show and I know a lot of you missed it but they will be playing Nassau Coliseum with Glassjaw on November 27th so keep you eyes and ears out for ticket info. I will also have an exclusive video up of them playing a song off of Daisy so check back tomorrow!

- Sonic

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Video Pick: The Lonely Island - Like A Boss

Another video off of The Lonely Island's Incredibad album. Do a YouTube search for these guys all the videos are pretty hilarious.

- Sonic

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Featured Band: Wavves

Wavves' is a band from California playing some surf rock with a punk rock attitude and lofi textures. Maybe the word band is inaccurate since it is currently comprised only of singer Nathan Williams. Drug and alcohol problems led to an abrupt end of their set in Spain earlier this year where he fought with drummer Ryan Ulsh and the crowd. The rest of the European tour was cancelled and Ulsh left the group earlier this summer.

Williams is back though with a few gigs booked including one at Bowery Ballroom on July 15th.

- Sonic

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Discover: Dan May - Artist

Stay Off The Grass © Dan May

Dan May is an American artist originally from Rochester, New York. I really enjoy his versatility in his style where he can use very solid strokes as he does in Stay Off The Grass (above) but also is capable of creating soft images like the piece shown below.

Pulled From The Heavens © Dan May

His piece entitled Henry's Burden (below) is based on David Lynch's film Eraserhead and will be a part of David Lynch's tribute show at Alcove Arts in Atlanta Georgia on July 10th.

Henry's Burden © Dan May

+ Dan May Interview [The Little Chimp Society]

- Sonic

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Video Pick: The National - Mistaken for Strangers

This video is from The National and the song is called Mistaken for Strangers. They will be at the All Points West Festival this year, we will be doing a preview of the festival soon. For now enjoy the video to a really good song.

- Sonic

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Brandt Peters - Artist

© Brandt Peters

Our eye candy today is brought to you by Brandt Peters, an American artist. He has a unique style which I would describe as if Disney cartoons were more demented and done in graffiti.

© Brandt Peters

He is another artist whose work translates very well to toys and sculptures. Make sure you take a look at the toys section on his site.

© Brandt Peters

I think it would be awesome if they made an animated film using his artwork, but that's just me. Check out Brandt's site here, and more links at Gelaskins.

© Brandt Peters

- Sonic

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Featured Band: Phoenix

Phoenix

The synth has definitely made a comeback lately but these guys have incorporated that element to their music for years. Phoenix is a band from France and one you guys should check out. They are on a big European tour but will be stopping by LA and NYC. The September 25th show at Central Park is sold out but they added another show on the 26th and Passion Pit is opening which is awesome because Passion Pit is one of my faves as of late.

+ Phoenix on Myspace

- Sonic

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Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland coming 2010

Oh yes, it's true Tim Burton's live-action version of Lewis Carroll's classic Alice in Wonderland is coming in 2010. There are some obvious Burton faves casted like Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen but it is definitely an all-star cast. Check out this IMDB link for the rest of the casting and for now check out this video with some early pictures from the set along with the first look at Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.

- Sonic

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Video: The Perfect Gift...

Quick but funny video a friend showed me, enjoy!

- Sonic

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H2O at Knitting Factory 06.21

Maximus Morse showing off his guns

H2O did a benefit show to raise money for Toby's (Singer for H2O) son Max's charter school. This was also H2O's last show for 2009 so I figured I'd get my ass down to the show. The Knitting Factory was supposed to move to the old Luna Lounge in Williamsburg but yep, it's still in NYC. Anyway, the show was sold out and although Ticketweb made it seem like there were tickets available at the door, there were not.... and Goodchild will tell you there were a bunch of fans who came and couldn't get in.

Lou giving Toby some help

It was a nice father's day show hardcore style with the kids of the band members checking out their dad's from the stage. There were a ton of cameo's as any good hardcore show would be incomplete without. The above pic is Lou Koller from Sick of it All doing his part from "What Happened?".

Rusty, Adam and Toby of H2O

H2O was fun and energetic as always, pumping out their classics and a bunch of tunes from their latest album. With no barricades and plenty of stage diving, it was like 1995 all over again going to see all those hardcore shows when I was a wee little lad.

Mitts filling in for Todd

The usual guitarist for H2O Todd, Toby's brother was not around for some reason and Mitts from Madball filled in and did a great job.. he even did some singing and pulled of some great harmonies.

Chad and Freddy

After H2O, Hazen Street played which was awesome because I thought I had missed their set. Chad Gilbert from New Found Glory and Freddy Cricien of Madball is shown above during the Hazen Street set. Apparently they are recording another record soon which is good news and Mitts will be replacing David Kennedy on guitar.

H2O

- Sonic

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Cedar Point!

Hey guys, I'm at Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio enjoying some serious roller coasters. I don't have a computer or internet here so I'm writing this to everyone via my phone.
I will be back home tonight so please come back tomorrow we will have a few posts from Goodchild and myself!

www.cedarpoint.com

- Sonic

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Video Pick: So So Glos - Black & Blue

So So Glos opened for Titus Andronicus on Saturday at the Music Hall of Williamsburg and they were great. They bring a Clash kind of punk rock that is very genuine and fun. Check them out!

- Sonic

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Tara McPherson - Artist

Unicorn Girl © Tara McPherson

[BIO] Tara McPherson is an artist based out of New York City. Creating art about people and their odd ways, her characters seem to exude an idealized innocence with a glimpse of hard earned wisdom in their eyes. Recalling many issues from childhood and good old life experience, she creates images that are thought provoking and seductive. People and their relationships are a central theme throughout her work. (taken from www.taramcpherson.com)

Adventures of Ace and Ion © Tara McPherson

I just wish I had money and space for all the great art out there. I would need a wall full of toys made by Tara McPherson along with some paintings and prints. I think I am going to order some stickers though to decorate one of my guitars. More artist should have sticker for sale damnit! Follow the link below to read her interview at Format Mag, and check out more of her work.

Playing With Fire - The Lover © Tara McPherson

+ Tara McPherson Interview [Format Magazine]

- Sonic

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Titus Andronicus @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - 06.06.09

photo by Sonic

I finally got a chance to see Titus Andronicus live over the weekend at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. The show wasn't sold out but it was a good turn out especially since they have played the NYC area several times already this year and they were headlining this time around.

They busted out new material during the middle of their set which was a 15 minute long non-stop medley of songs or quite possibly one long ass song. No one really knew which of the two it was, but I think it may have been the latter taking into account what singer Patrick Stickles said. Apparently their label (XL Recordings) is not too crazy about the idea for their next record.

The show was high energy and super loud and the front half of the crowd was going nuts all throughout the set. Some might say they are terrible live, and that they are just loud noise and unintelligible vocals. But there will also be people that will say they are great. My experience was both of those things, and although I feel they can polish their performance a little they still kicked ass. I hope they figure out their situation for their next record because from what they played it is going to be rockin' whether it is a 15 minute tune or not.

photo by Sonic

- Sonic

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Movie Release: Downloading Nancy

There is a lot of mixed reactions about this film which was featured in Sundance last year. The plot is supposedly based on a true story but either way it definitely sounds intriguing. Check out the review of Downloading Nancy on Cinematical below for the details behind the controversy behind this film.

SYNOPSIS: Sick of her life, housewife Nancy (Maria Bello) just wants it to be over and done with, but rather than kill herself, she hires a stranger from the Internet to do the job for her. But fate takes a strange turn when she meets her killer (Patric) and the two fall in love. Of course, Nancy realizes that love and murder do not naturally go hand in hand.

+ Sundance Review: Downloading Nancy [Cinematical]

RECOMMENDED RELEASES:
- Todd Phillip's new film The Hangover
- French import Seraphine
- Away We Go directed by Sam Mendes

- Sonic

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Video Pick: Total Eclipse of the Heart - Literal Version

I put up the literal version of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Under The Bridge" video a while back, and I haven't seen too many good ones of the literal video lying around since then but this one is pretty funny. Shoot us a message if you come across any good ones.

- Sonic

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Audrey Kawasaki - Artist

Watching You © Audrey Kawasaki

I actually have a lot in common with Audrey Kawasaki. We are the same age, we are both 2nd generation, we both went to Japanese school every Saturday when we were younger, we both grew up reading Manga and we both did not finish college. Audrey though is an amazing artists, and her innocent yet erotic paintings are one of a kind and a great treat for your eyes.

Overlap © Audrey Kawasaki

Her canvas of choice is wood panels as most of her paintings are drawn on them, often cut and treated to her liking. As always there are a ton more great stuff at her website so go check that out.

Not The Only One © Audrey Kawasaki

+ Audrey Kawasaki Interview
+ Audrey Kawasaki's Official Website

- Sonic

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