Stagedivers landing on their skulls, grown men strangling each other by the throat, sweat (literally) bouncing off the keyboard’s keys, and about 287 photographers/videographers. Welcome to Klaxons @ Studio B.

Even though the encore-less set was just three quarters of an hour, the intensity of last night’s Klaxons show was surreal. The NME darlings took to the stage and all hell broke loose. Each track played like a modern day anthem. Focusing almost exclusively on their debut full-length, Myths Of The Near Future, Klaxons dropped the pressure, took us around the world, and transformed a house of jealous lovers into a house of raving lunatics.

I think even Klaxons were surprised at the crowd’s fanaticism and often giggled to each other during the set. Being in the front few rows for this gig was a test on your endurance, strength and hydration (it was scorching at Studio B) – kudos to all who made it through with little/no long-term damage.

Highlights of the set included ‘Atlantis To Interzone’, ‘Magick’, ‘Gravity’s Rainbow’ and of course, ‘Golden Skans’. As marvelous as their debut is on record, the live versions of those tunes are ten times as exceptional. A truly ace show. Klaxons, I beg of you to come back to Brooklyn ASAP!

In a recent interview with MTV’s The Urge (who incidentally put on the show last night), the trio answers with the following when asked if they really believe that the world will end in 2012: Of course we do. We’re going to design T-shirts that say “12 12 12.” Then watches that say “countdown to apocalypse.” They’re not going to tell the time, just the countdown. How can you not love these guys? More on Urge’s upcoming nights/mission can be found here.

Setlist: The Bouncer/Atlantis To Interzone/Hall Of Records/Totem On The Timeline/Golden Skans/As Above So Below/Two Receivers/Magick/Gravity’s Rainbow/It’s Not Over Yet/Isle Of Her/Four Horsemen Of 2012

MP3: Klaxons – Atlantis To Interzone

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Though I only caught the latter half of Bonde Do Role’s set, I know I’ll be back for more. Try to imagine CSS, 2ManyDJs, old-school sample-heavy hip-hop and Peaches in one convenient musical bubble and you’re somewhat closer to arriving at BDR’s sound.

Straight outta Brazil, BDR brings the pre-party, party, and after-party. A terrific opener for Klaxons, if I don’t say so myself. Check out more on Bonde Do Role over at their MySpace page!

Yesterday was the second of two consecutive evenings spent with Patrick Wolf. Whereas Thursday’s show (review here) served as Patrick’s return to Manhattan, last night was Patrick’s introduction to Brooklyn.

The main differences between Thursday’s show and Friday’s shows were: 3 outfit changes v. 2 outfit changes, a minor change in setlist (see below), a disco cover as Patrick’s encore, and yes, if you can believe it, moshing during ‘The Magic Position’!

Patrick was once again limited to a 40-minute time bracket of which he utilized quite well, squeezing in a total of nine tunes during the course of his time on stage. Of particular note was ‘Bluebells’, which I was hoping he’d play at Hiro Ballroom but neglected to – it sounded electrifying last night.

Patrick even threw in a new track entitlted ‘Blackbird’, which according to the troubadour, was inspired one drunken morning after having an in-depth conversation with a blackbird by his windowsill. The tune, while if not completely then at least partially, rags on Justin Timberlake. In fact, Patrick made it more than obvious that JT was his target by busting out a few lines from ‘Sexyback’ within ‘Blackbird’ – the crowd A.T.E. it up.

After the moshing subsided once ‘The Magic Position’ ended and the band left the stage, Patrick and the gang returned for a disco cover of ‘Feels Like I’m In Love’ (originally performed by Kelly Marie). I’ve read a few articles stating that Patrick has a newfound obsession with the ’70s genre and he surely made that blatantly clear last night. Requesting some strobe lights, Patrick pranced around the stage with his signature dance moves, and suddenly we were transported thirty years back in time.

All in all, another stellar show. Unfortunately, The Music Slut is failing to make this weekend a Patrick hat trick, as Sondre Lerche is on the schedule for this evening. MisShapers, let us know how he does amongst the sea of asymmetrical ‘dos!

Setlist: Overture/Get Lost/Tristan/The Bluebell/Bluebells/The Libertine/Blackbird/The Magic Position//Feels Like I’m In Love

MP3: Patrick Wolf – Overture

Well, are we? That’s what Sydney’s insanely talented electro duo, The Presets, was asking Brooklyn last night amidst a swarm of flying bodies, fist raisers, and sweat-drenched attendees somewhere around 2am.

Whereas Friday night’s LCD Soundsystem show (review here) had a happy-go-lucky dance-till-you-drop vibe to it, last night’s Presets show was a little more, actually a lot more, violent in nature. So much so, that Jen and I scurried over to the soundboard area on stage left after just three tracks. With that said, The Presets were fantastic, albeit visibly confused by the savage crowd themselves.

Julian and Kim wasted little time before busting out the big boys. Singles ‘Are You The One’ and ‘Girl And The Sea’ were both played within the first six songs of the set, as was the ridiculously amazing ‘Kitty In The Middle’ (MP3 below), which incidentally may be my new favorite track of theirs.

There’s something about The Presets that truly sets them apart from ‘the competition’, but it’s somewhat difficult to describe. I think one of the major reasons why I adore The Presets is that while their live shows are an adrenaline-inducing cyclone, their recorded material is just as flawless and captivating. Quite the accomplishment if you ask me.

Their debut LP, Beams, is a rollercoaster that you never want to get yourself off of. Well, at least I don’t – hell, I want a front-row seat! For info on all their releases, including early EPs prior to Beams, check out the ‘Sound & Vision’ section on their official site.

Datarock lovers, not to fret. Jen’s extensive review (including some amazing photos) on its way, be patient. As for The Presets, their final US date in the indefinite future is tonight at Sonar in Baltimore, Maryland. I expect all of you within 100 miles to shake your tailfeathers and hop down to the show!

MP3: The Presets – Kitty In The Middle

Well, are we? That’s what Sydney’s insanely talented electro duo, The Presets, was asking Brooklyn last night amidst a swarm of flying bodies, fist raisers, and sweat-drenched attendees somewhere around 2am.

Whereas Friday night’s LCD Soundsystem show (review here) had a happy-go-lucky dance-till-you-drop vibe to it, last night’s Presets show was a little more, actually a lot more, violent in nature. So much so, that Jen and I scurried over to the soundboard area on stage left after just three tracks. With that said, The Presets were fantastic, albeit visibly confused by the savage crowd themselves.

Julian and Kim wasted little time before busting out the big boys. Singles ‘Are You The One’ and ‘Girl And The Sea’ were both played within the first six songs of the set, as was the ridiculously amazing ‘Kitty In The Middle’ (MP3 below), which incidentally may be my new favorite track of theirs.

There’s something about The Presets that truly sets them apart from ‘the competition’, but it’s somewhat difficult to describe. I think one of the major reasons why I adore The Presets is that while their live shows are an adrenaline-inducing cyclone, their recorded material is just as flawless and captivating. Quite the accomplishment if you ask me.

Their debut LP, Beams, is a rollercoaster that you never want to get yourself off of. Well, at least I don’t – hell, I want a front-row seat! For info on all their releases, including early EPs prior to Beams, check out the ‘Sound & Vision’ section on their official site.

Datarock lovers, not to fret. Jen’s extensive review (including some amazing photos) on its way, be patient. As for The Presets, their final US date in the indefinite future is tonight at Sonar in Baltimore, Maryland. I expect all of you within 100 miles to shake your tailfeathers and hop down to the show!

MP3: The Presets – Kitty In The Middle

Well, are we? That’s what Sydney’s insanely talented electro duo, The Presets, was asking Brooklyn last night amidst a swarm of flying bodies, fist raisers, and sweat-drenched attendees somewhere around 2am.

Whereas Friday night’s LCD Soundsystem show (review here) had a happy-go-lucky dance-till-you-drop vibe to it, last night’s Presets show was a little more, actually a lot more, violent in nature. So much so, that Jen and I scurried over to the soundboard area on stage left after just three tracks. With that said, The Presets were fantastic, albeit visibly confused by the savage crowd themselves.

Julian and Kim wasted little time before busting out the big boys. Singles ‘Are You The One’ and ‘Girl And The Sea’ were both played within the first six songs of the set, as was the ridiculously amazing ‘Kitty In The Middle’ (MP3 below), which incidentally may be my new favorite track of theirs.

There’s something about The Presets that truly sets them apart from ‘the competition’, but it’s somewhat difficult to describe. I think one of the major reasons why I adore The Presets is that while their live shows are an adrenaline-inducing cyclone, their recorded material is just as flawless and captivating. Quite the accomplishment if you ask me.

Their debut LP, Beams, is a rollercoaster that you never want to get yourself off of. Well, at least I don’t – hell, I want a front-row seat! For info on all their releases, including early EPs prior to Beams, check out the ‘Sound & Vision’ section on their official site.

Datarock lovers, not to fret. Jen’s extensive review (including some amazing photos) on its way, be patient. As for The Presets, their final US date in the indefinite future is tonight at Sonar in Baltimore, Maryland. I expect all of you within 100 miles to shake your tailfeathers and hop down to the show!

MP3: The Presets – Kitty In The Middle

Studio B is hidden in the back alley ways of Greenpoint, Brooklyn. An old warehouse turned music venue, club, lounge. The dance floor is surrounded on four sides by a small stage, two bars, a long dj booth and an elevated area with huge, deep, leather couches and chairs that appropriately enough is usually populated with patrons making out. The drinks should be cheaper and the coat check less expensive but Studio B is a hell of a fun place to spend one’s Friday night.

Matt and I arrived at the venue, parked in front and hopped on line. A scenester girl in front of us loudly complained to the bouncer that it was incredibly obnoxious that those on the guestlist had to wait longer than those buying a ticket. She then threw rocks at the “plebes” shuffling through the snow past her and laughed with her friends as they cried.

Once inside, Matt and I quickly found the bar and then a spot against the stage with fellows Jerry Yeti and Punk Photo Abbey. The room was throbbing with music, dancing and sweat and a little after 1am, the The Rapture set the room on fire. Sure, they may have sung only 3 songs but from where I was standing, it was some of the greatest 15 minutes I’ve spent at a show in a long time.

Check out a video of the night by Abbey here and Matt’s take on the night here.

That’s what 700 people were chanting last night as The Rapture performed ‘First Gear’, the second in their three-song ‘mini-set’.

The show, all 15 minutes of it, was spectacular. The set went: Don Gon Do It/First Gear/Olio. It’d be near impossible to find a more eager crowd, as we patiently but anxiously awaited The Rapture’s arrival (somewhere around 1:30 AM). The focus of the night was to unveil The Rapture’s upcoming Throne Of Blood record label (more info here!), with DJs spinning (including The Rapture) all night long. And goodiebags at the end! Can’t beat that.

Matt, Luke and the rest of the gang sounded flawless and it was painfully obvious to see that all in attendance were eating out of the band’s respective palms.

At one point, Luke even jumped into the crowd and surfed around for a few minutes (I believe it was during ‘Olio’). Amazing.

Some more photos for your viewing pleasure…

Long live The Rapture. My hometown heroes.

MP3: The Rapture – Don Gon Do It

I know Matt talked about this night already (and I was supposed to recap The Horrors ages ago) but I thought I would mention again how much we really loved Ra Ra Riot. When we first saw them, the reaction from the blogger mafia was, “Are these people in the band?” They really don’t look like your typical indie group. They sort of look like they are from the north shore of LI/Northern Jersey/Orange County. Apparently they are from Syracuse though and unfortunately, I have no frame of reference for that place. And now I have lost track of why I am writing this… anyway, me likey. Go check them out. They were in close competition with O’death for band of the month on Deli Magazine and in the end, won out.

Okay, onto The Horrors. Never in my opinion, has a band been so appropriately named.

The Horrors are made up of quiet, dismal, goth teenagers from Essex (a place one would normally not associate with goth and dismal but rather blond and bimboish- sorry Essex). Their one goal seems to be: commit as many acts of destruction on stage as possible. At Studio B, one of them decided that pulling down the metal curtain separating the stage from the lounge area seemed like a good idea. The management thought otherwise and promptly disbatched two bouncers on stage, one of whom seconds later had to stop the lead singer from bashing someone in the head with his mike stand and then spent the remainder of the concert standing watch at the curtain. I was not amused, actually, I was rather pissed. I go to a lot of shows, deal with a lot of bouncers and guards and know that they deserve more respect than some punk 19 year old taunting them on stage.

Unlike Matt, who couldn’t garner the will to stay for the remainder of their set after the curtain fall, I stayed. I stood at the side of the stage for a while and then sat down and read a magazine. The Horrors aren’t new or interesting. They haven’t yet discovered their place in the musical world. They could be the darker Darkness or a metal version of the moody, intelligent Editors but their music really isn’t there yet. It needs some focus, the songs need distinction, they need to realise that screaming along to a base line does not a song make and as a group, I think they may need a nanny.

On Friday night, Jen and I took to the outstretches of Greenpoint to check out the Product Shop NYC-curated CMJ evening. The line-up was quite stellar and diverse, with everybody from NME-buzzers to up-and-rising indie bands to local faves on the bill. Sadly we were still getting ourselves situated and into the venue when Sam Champion was doing their shtick, but from the little we heard, it sounded alright.

The first full act I saw was The Thermals. By the time the Portland act came on, Studio B was completely packed. With good reason, might I add! The band sounded tight during their 35-minute set. It’s easy to see why all the hype is being generated in their direction. They can easily become a household name next to Spoon or The New Pornographers. Everybody loved them on Friday, and I haven’t got one bitchy thing to say. Can’t wait to see them again.

MP3: ‘How We Know’

Next up was the relatively unknown, Ra Ra Riot. In spite of what Chris declared in his post about the band, your sluts were loving Ra Ra Riot.

The Syracuse natives feature a cello, violin, keyboard, bass, drums and guitar in their live show and on their recordings. To some extent, the multitude of instruments might feel a bit overdone at this point, Ra Ra Riot proved that it can be done right, their own way. Ending their set with a great great cover of ‘Hounds Of Love’, I’m eager to hear what’s next for Ra Ra Riot.

It seems that their next NYC show is on 12/13 at Sin-e. Check out some tunes of theirs on their MySpace page!

Ok, now it was time for The Horrrors. The NME cover boys, the next best thing since sliced bread, the… worst band I’ve ever seen live in my entire life!!

I’ll let Jen put up the proper review of The Horrors as she stayed for entire 25 minute set (I don’t know how she managed it) and I left after about 7. Maybe 6. Contrived, predictable, excessively loud and just simply BAD. Two thumbs up on all that teased hair though, Robert Smith would be so proud!