All shots by our super fabulous staff photographer, Alexis Maindrault.

More pics & an Answering Machine tune AFTER THE JUMP…

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I’ve waited eighteen excruciatingly long months to catch Italy’s A Classic Education in the flesh. Thankfully, last night’s gig (their second-ever American performance) not only met my lofty expectations, it far surpassed them. A Classic Education’s live show is equally passionate, beautiful and enchanting. In fact, during their set I realized that the last time I felt such a rush while admiring a multi-instrumental ensemble dates back to the first time I saw Arcade Fire many years ago. Yes, A Classic Education is simply that spectacular. Enjoy their stellar Gilbert Becaud cover here. I can’t wait to catch ‘em again this Thursday @ ATJ’s SXSW ‘09 showcase! Visit ACE on MySpace.

View more photos & download a track from the band AFTER THE JUMP…

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Filling their (all too brief) 25 minute set with a series of catchy lo-fi/garage-y punk love songs, I fell hard for Brooklyn’s Knight School nearly immediately. Something about their performance was brilliantly vintage yet positively futuristic. Smiles all around! Be certain to visit Knight School on MySpace.

View more photos and download a Knight School track AFTER THE JUMP…

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Last night marked my fourth time witnessing Sharon Van Etten’s live show in the last ten weeks. Her heartbreaking ditties paired with her soothing, astounding & jaw dropping vocal delivery have me utterly hooked. New Yorkers will receive ample chances to catch SVE before her debut album (Because I Was In Love) drops this spring. Download the entirety of her recent Pianos set at NYC Taper. Visit Sharon on MySpace. MP3 at bottom.

MP3: Sharon Van Etten - It’s Not Like

If I’ve said it once, I must’ve said it a million times. My undying adoration for The Antlers should come as no surprise for longtime TMS readers. With each mesmerizing performance over the last two years & with the imminent release of their new LP, Hospice (undeniably their strongest & most brilliant album to date), the Brooklyn based trio continues to wow me on a very regular basis. Saturday’s gig was sheer (albeit expected) genius. Visit The Antlers at their official MySpace page. Download a selection from Hospice at bottom.

MP3: The Antlers - Two

Back in February (following his NYC gig with Daniel Johnston), I interviewed Leo Maymind, the alluring frontman of Spanish Prisoners. During that Q&A, he described SP’s tunes as ‘eclectic noisy chamber pop’. The band’s debut LP, Songs To Forget, does indeed marry the aforementioned genres into one giant pool of cohesion. However, last night’s performance was certainly more electric and robust than the majority of SP’s recorded material. Accompanied by a multi talented keyboardist (with a penchant for melodica & glockenspiel) alongside an adroit drummer, Spanish Prisoners produced a full and opulent eight track set. Sample a handful of tunes and view upcoming tour dates at their official MySpace page.

MP3: Spanish Prisoners - Some Among Them Are Killers

It was approximately eight weeks ago when I first became enamored with Philly based quartet, Drink Up Buttercup. Their opening set for The Lisps @ Union Hall was fierce, playful and sincerely unforgettable (review here). Earlier this month, I got the opportunity to rave about DUB as a contributor on Blog Fresh Radio. With their appearance at our 3rd Anniversary Extravaganza just two short weeks away (6/14 @ Pianos), it was a no brainer to tease myself for the big night with another behemoth Drink Up Buttercup gig. From start to finish, DUB’s half hour set melded bits of psychedelica, ’60s pop, manic jazz & warped bluegrass into sheer exquisiteness. Visit Drink Up Buttercup on MySpace. MP3 at bottom.

MP3: Drink Up Buttercup - Gods & Gentlemen [alt link]

When he’s not fulfilling his duties in Cheese On Bread or releasing sparkling solo records, Dan Fishback fronts his part time side project, The Faggots. On Saturday night the 3-piece was joined by legendary Pansy Division drummer, Luis Illades, for the entirety of their forty minute set. The band’s first gig in over a year was a quirky, kitschy and brilliantly scattered punk love affair. Learn more about The Faggots at their official MySpace page. Accompanying photo courtesy of Lippe. Download a Faggots track at bottom of post.

MP3: The Faggots - Party In Yr Pants [alt link]

Plagued by an unfortunate host of sound issues, The Last Shadow Puppets performed their second-ever gig last night at New York City’s Cakeshop. For those still in the dark, TLSP is comprised of Miles from The Rascals & Alex from Arctic Monkeys. Around 7:30pm, word spread that the duo would be making a brief appearance at the Lower East Side venue. By midnight, the 200-capacity spot was packed to full capacity.

The band’s set was short and sweet, consisting of eight tunes from their forthcoming debut album, each clocking in around three minutes in length. The songs sound distinctly British, instantly alluring and positively charming. Due to the aforementioned technical problems, the evening was probably not the best introduction to the musical twosome. However, all in all, a lovely treat on an otherwise monotonous winter’s Wednesday.

Watch a video of ‘The Age…’ from their debut show at Brooklyn’s Soundfix Records here.

Read The Last Shadow Puppets’ official biography here (courtesy of Domino Records).

MP3: The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age… (Live) [alt link]

Two weeks ago I brought your attention to local trio, Hologram. It seems like either many of you took my advice to check out the band at Cakeshop or Hologram already has a loyal following as the tiny space was damn packed for a chilly Monday evening.

Last Monday was my first time seeing the band and I was truly surprised to see the skill level of each member. Exchanging vocals, instruments and melodies effortlessly from tune to tune. Handmade CD EPs added a nice touch (always appreciate some DIY). Ch-ch-check ‘em out.