Last night marked the record release party for the (brilliant) new EP from Spanish Prisoners: Los Angeles Guitar Dream. The short-player is available for free via Bandcamp and includes some of Brooklyn based band’s strongest tracks to date. A sort of hybrid between Last Shadow Puppets, Grandaddy & Lifted era Bright Eyes, Spanish Prisoners are quickly becoming one of my most cherished local acts. They recently recorded a fabulous Daytrotter session. Be sure to visit Spanish Prisoners at their MySpace page.

More photos & a Spanish Prisoners tune AFTER THE JUMP…

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Tonight, I finally had the chance to see The Robinsons in person, a group recommended to me by a friend a few months ago.

I am finding it difficult to grasp any sort of comparison for The Robinsons. I think the influences they list on their MySpace are pretty accurate though, like Juliana Hatfield and Liz Phair. Basically, they are a female fronted rock band with a penchant for writing beautiful, catchy and downright charming songs. During the show, I listed five that I thought were great singles and for any band just getting their bearings, that is a feat.

Go check out the band’s MySpace, especially the songs ‘Without You’, ‘Someday’ and ‘Here We Go Again.’ I also really loved the song ‘Rain’ which you can sample on their site.

I forgot my FUCKING camera. So instead, I am stealing the picture in this post from Fiasco’s site. Sorry guys, I promise on the 31st I will take lots of pictures.

Some of you may remember, probably not, that I picked Fiasco’s ‘Those Feelings’ as one of my top songs of 2005. Since then, I’ve been dying to see the band live and last night I finally had the chance.

Fiasco can be described as 80’s, keyboard infused, electronica, pop-dance music. All good things in my book. Their set was disappointingly short. But after asking their manager, Brian, why they didn’t play my favourite song, I learned that Crash Mansion only gives bands 30 minutes to perform and ‘Those Feelings’ clocks in at 6 minutes. Could have fooled me, I thought the opener would never stop playing.

According to Brian, their next show is the 31st of the month at Pianos and should involve 5 songs sung karaoke. Pianos doesn’t list Fiasco, but does say that Karaoke Killed the Cat is going on at 7:30pm that night. I’ll be dancing my ass off at the show and so should you. This time, I’ll keep my fingers for ‘Those Feelings.’

You can download the superb ‘Last One Standing’ here
but you can download the entire ep, Faux Real, from itunes. For less than a fiver, get on it.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the funniest moment of the evening- the crazy dancing guy in front while Fiasco was on stage. I actually know who this person is, so I won’t mention his name. But his dancing was so distracting that I made Ben, my new concert buddy, move to the other side of the stage with me away from him. About five minutes later, crazy dancer followed us but luckily I stood next to him so I could avert my eyes and focus straight ahead. The group of girls next to me though weren’t as subtle with their laughter. I love that he was getting his groove on (those at our anniversary show know I have no qualms about dancing in front of people), but dude, DUDE, seriously, seriously think about some rhythm classes. You’ll thank me later.

Last night, I decked myself out in my flashy gold heels and 70’s orange dress and went over to Crash Mansion for the first time ever. The place was more lounge than concert venue. I walked in and it actually took me a few moments to figure out where the stage was. I was flying solo that night, which I hate, so I went over to the bar to get a calming beverage. My beverage of choice is usually beer. Maybe it’s all that time in Scotland, maybe it’s because I’m poor and feel that I get more bang for my buck, whatever, I like beer. But I don’t like Miller Lite. The sponsor for the show last night was Miller so in true Communist fashion, all of the other taps were covered and bottles of Miller filled the refrigerators. When I asked the bartender about it, she said that it was on special because of the sponsorship.
“Ok, what’s so special then?”
“huh?”
“HOW MUCH? What’s the deal?”
“Uh, 5 bucks.”
That’s a bargain if you ask me. 5 whole bucks for a shitty beer.
“Fine, I’ll have one.”
“We only have bottles, the tap is all head.” Where have I heard that before?
“Nevermind, give me a vodka-tonic.”

Half an hour later, I was sitting alone on the side waiting for Young Love to hit the stage. It took about 15 mins for me not to be able to stand being by myself. I spotted two guys I thought looked familiar so I went over. “Don’t I know you from The Noisette’s show? Aren’t you Chris’s friends?” Yes I did, and yes they were. So hi Ben (Ben, not Matt, which I still feel bad about calling you- doh!) and BQ. Thanks for letting me hang out.

I know Young Love has been bopping around NYC for a while, but this is the first time I’ve gotten a chance to see him, Dan Keyes. Now here’s my question, I thought Young Love was just one person, Dan, but last night he kept saying “We are Young Love.” Anyway, him/they were outrageous. I loved it. Miss Mod comments how it was odd that they opened with the single ‘Discotech.’ I agree, though most of his songs are really strong so I think it was a good idea to just grab the audience from the beginning with the song everybody knows. Saturday, Young Love will be at Mercury Lounge and after that, they are off on tour. So you have missed all the residences and random shows, I suggest hitting the Lounge. YL go on at 11:30 with Lions and Tigers on at 10:30 and Stylofone at 9:30. Tickets are still onsale for a tenner.

Stream ‘Discotech‘
Young Love’s MySpace with lots more tunes.

After Young Love left the stage, it looked like the place cleared out but Crash Mansion is a tricky bastard. As soon as Radio 4 came on, like water being filled into a glass, the place suddenly filled right up. There was a small group up front dancing like mad things and dominating the group was a giant of a guy in white jeans with arms flailing. I had to take a picture. You rock man, and don’t let anybody tell you different.

I liked Radio 4. The sound was so loud that it actually made the music hard to listen to but on a whole, it was enjoyable. Their music doesn’t vary too much. The last song they played, I nudged the person next to me and said “Oh, this one I know.” I was mistaken though, it just reminded me of a Hot Chip song. So yeah, good for a night out to dance to but not groundshaking.

Go see what Miz Mod has to say about it all.

Today, a friend recommended I check out a band called The Robinsons. They are a New York City based group with a sound that is so immediately recognizable as quality music, that it is a bit scary I haven’t heard of them before. It reminds me of late 90’s rock, like Garbage but a bit softer, like PJ Harvey with some 80’s Madonna. I don’t know if any of that makes sense, but believe when I say, it’s pretty damn good. In my opinion, it’s a rare thing in NYC that you actually find a band with well polished tunes that are distinct and meticulously crafted. I just wish the group had more than two songs up on their MySpace.

So take a look at the flyer below, they are playing tonight at Crash Mansion. I would be there myself, but I have a previous engagement (more to come on that later) AND I am so tired that I am near death at this point.

You can download ‘Without You’ here and ‘Someday’ here.

And not for nothing, they apparently also did all the mixing for the new documentary, A Map For Saturday.

About 2 months ago, I went on and on about Burnside Project.

On Friday night I had the opportunity to see them, before heading to the Band Of York show at Pussycat Lounge.

The live result of Burnside Project is a straight-laced dancefest, if I dare to call it that.

The band dress innocently enough, not giving any warning of the bootyshaking that they are sure to produce.

The second song was the clear crowd favorite, “And So It Goes”. Not before long they threw in some more new ones and even the notorious, “Cue The Pulse To Begin” (yes, the QAF song). And let me tell you something, it was a helluva lot more enjoyable live than on disc/mp3. This was quite the pleasant surprise!

Sadly I had to jet out roughly 2/3 of a way through their set but I’ll be sure to catch them again, as should you.

Don’t let the suits fool you.