Monday, August 31, 2009

Let's get physical

Shelflife 1000 series: Stepping back while looking ahead


In our current digital age, the online social life IS our social life, and as networks continue to gain speed, so do our expectations of every aspect of our lives. Faster food and shorter diet plans. More caffeine in smaller servings reaps a bigger boost in half the time. 'Efficiency' is just a by-product to the paramount of 'instant gratification.' When entertainment lies a mouse click away from your fingertips, can one ever feel fully satiated?

In regards to music, it's comforting to find people who'll step away from the cavalcade of mp3 downloads, to treat a song as an experience rather than a passing moment. Shelflife records has just such folks, both within the ranks of their San Francisco based label, as well as within their growing roster, which boasts such twee-rific bands as Brittle Stars, Call and Response, Laura Watling, and Free Loan Investments (to name just a few).

The
1000 series is their latest endeavor, continuing their tradition of bringing sweet and lush pop sounds both ways 'across the pond.' Every release stands as a perfect marriage of music and design, with each combining exclusive tracks onto a CD and 7" record, packaged together in a beautiful gatefold sleeve featuring original artwork. The latest, THE IMPERIAL SCHOOL, by Horse Shoes, floats somnambulant melodies across clouds of twinkling guitars and keyboards, while flails from snare drums burst and drizzle like fireworks. For familiar fans of Fierce Panda or Sarah Records, THE IMPERIAL SCHOOL will feel comfy and cozy, like putting on an old sweater.

Other 1000 series releases include Swedish bands: A Smile and a Ribbon, Days, Kuryakin, and the Ruling Class; Champange Riot (Denmark), Warm Morning (Greenville, IL), and Socialist Leisure Party (England/France). Each release is limited to a run of 300 copies, and are only available at Shelflife's online store and a handful of record shops.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

the A.K.A.s (were here!)

the A.K.A.s (Philidelphia, PA) @ Anna Bananas, Honolulu, HI. 29th Aug. 2009. A homecoming for Mike Camino, formerly of the Hell Caminos. More crowd shots from the show can be found here.

















Friday, August 28, 2009

Waterfront Punk

Mission of Burma (Boston, MA) @ the Williamsburg Waterfront Park, Brooklyn, NY. 12th Jul. 2009. Part of New York's free summer concert series.






Mission of Burma have been doing it since 20 years ago...playing proto-post-punk power chords over infectious beats, while behind-the-scenes member, Martin Swope supplies live tape loop manipulation, that has infused the collective sound with both jocular dissonance and euphoric ambiance, setting them a place in the upper echelon of punk royalty. Matador Records reissued their back-catalog last year, out doing Ryko's CD releases with the addition of bonus tracks, as well as accompanying DVD's of live footage. Their new album, THE SOUND THE SPEED THE LIGHT, will be released on Oct. 6th, 2009.

Monday, August 24, 2009

The Band of the Night

Band of Horses (Seattle, WA) @ Pipeline Cafe, Honolulu, HI. 23rd Aug. 2009.





Friday, August 21, 2009

Chain of Fools

the Traditional Fools (San Francisco, CA) @ the Fabric House, San Francisco, CA. 17th Sept. 2006. The Fabric House was jam packed with people (as always). Folks were standing on the furniture and spilling out through the hallway, as the Traditional fools played a set comprised entirely of Redd Kross covers. Audience participation was at a definite high point while they played(as seen below).










The Traditional Fools have finally released a full-length LP on Wizard Mountain. Ty Segall has also been busy with his solo project, putting out a plethora of releases on Chocolate Covered Records, Castle Face, Goner, and True Panther Sounds. A free download of Standing at the Station, from his new full-length, Lemons, was recently featured at RCRDLBL.com.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

East meets West

Eastern Youth (Sapporo, Hokkaido) @ Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco, CA. 5th Nov. 2006.






Monday, August 17, 2009

Free!Pains

the Pains of Being Pure at Heart (Brooklyn, NY) @ South Street Seaport, Manhattan, NY. 10th Jul. 2009.