Last Night: Japandroids and Bass Drum of Death at Bryan Street Tavern

Japandroids, Bass Drum of DeathBryan Street TavernSeptember 7, 2011Better than: staying in and playing the Republican Debate Drinking Game. Hyped as ‘a big bill in a tiny venue’ by promoter Parade of Flesh, last night’s Bass Drum of Death and Japandroids bill turned out to be more of a medium-sized…

After 18 Years, Lakewood Bar & Grill Closes

The rent for Lakewood bars is too damn high. At least that’s what we’re learning this week as another area staple shutters its doors. Around 6 p.m. last night, Lakewood Bar & Grill updated its Facebook page with news of its abrupt closure. According to the update, the closure was unplanned…

Last Night: Tim Kasher, Aficionado, Sea Lion at The Loft

im Kasher, Aficionado, Sea Lion The Loft September 7th, 2011 Better than: filming your own version of Say Anything’s proposed sequel. Given the turnout for last night’s show, with the floor in front of the stage not even half-full, Tim Kasher could have played for less than an hour and…

O’Death, Why Are We Building Such a Big Ship?

When Brooklyn’s so-called folk-metal outfit O’Death performed at this past March’s 35 Conferette, we were mightily impressed. In fact, we claimed that they might be the most definition-appropriate version of a “roots-rock” band. Such a theory was based upon the band’s effortless ability to make the new sound old and…

As Fame Chases Him, Bon Iver Keeps Running

Justin Vernon is reclining in a pink chaise longue, a splendidly garish piece of furniture that once sat in a hallway at his parents’ house in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and now resides at his brother Nate’s loft in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis. He has only a few hours of…

When Pat Boone Was Cooler Than Elvis

After debuting on the charts in 1955, Pat Boone went on to record 38 Top 40 hits and be named Billboard’s No. 10 all-time rock recording artist, before changing gears to host TBN’s Gospel America and the eponymous one-hour gospel radio show he still hosts now. Back in the late…

Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Keri Hilson, Far East Movement, Lloyd

Prior to serving 11 months on Riker’s Island, the world knew (and loved) Lil Wayne for being a delightfully schizoid celeb, hypercompetitive workaholic and the Best Rapper Alive. He dictated the game, ate candy by the pound, sold a gazillion albums, guzzled promethazine-and-codeine cocktails like Diet Sprite and effortlessly tossed…

Smith Westerns, Sundress

They’re pegged as glam-rock at times — perhaps because of the prominent use of organ or the way the melody of “All Die Young” seems to echo “All the Young Dudes” — but, sonically, the Smith Westerns are more consistently reminiscent of ELO, which is especially interesting since the Chicago…

Maleveller Shines Despite Its Members Lack of Metal Backgrounds

It’s an unusually mild August night and Maleveller will take the stage at The Double Wide shortly after midnight. The show is celebrating the release of the band’s debut self-titled full-length. In attendance are a number of friends, fans and bar regulars. But what’s noticeable right away is that this…

In Defense of… Nicki Minaj’s “Fly” feat. Rihanna

After releasing a few lackluster singles that relied on sampling and riding the coattails of artists with bigger stars than her own, Nicki Minaj discovered her voice in her Pink Friday album late last year. When I reviewed one of her other tracks, I remarked that Nicki will probably represent all…