To start the evening, we walked into the Viper Room in L.A. to find this crazy looking dude singing rock/pop/disco style music, which ended up being Mars locals Troy This. We said hello to the birthday girl, who happened to be friends with the girls that were throwing the show this evening. I couldn’t get over the lead singer’s completely overgrown bowl haircut. He looked like “Cool Ethan” from Slackers. The Viper Room is not a large venue. At the...

Early morning interviews are always a crapshoot from the journalist’s perspective. Both combatants are still waking—or just about to go to bed—and any number of simple miscues can throw the whole thing to the wolves. My interview with Buck 65 was no different; and though I should have known better than to attempt it at such a god-awful time of morning, I simply could not resist talking to the man who is without a doubt the most fascinating person in...

Early morning interviews are always a crap-shoot from the journ Early morning interviews are always a crapshoot from the journalist’s perspective. Both combatants are still waking—or just about to go to bed—and any number of simple miscues can throw the whole thing to the wolves. My interview with Buck 65 was no different; and though I should have known better than to attempt it at such a god-awful time of morning, I simply could not resist talking to the man...

When I walked into The Great American Music Hall and heard Grinderman playing on the P.A., I was hoping it was a sign of things to come. Listening to them for the first time, I immediately compared Goon Moon with Grinderman. Here are two bands whose core member is known for something other than their current project. They have both assembled a band with extremely talented musicians, and both have made some no-frills rocking music. Their sound is not similar...

  First of all: this will not be about money. It will not be about the music industry or naming your own price. It will discuss neither pros nor cons, and it will draw from no prominent artists, producers, or otherwise notable figures their opinion on how In Rainbows is saving, sullying, or anything-ing the future of music. This is just a fucking album review, and it’s past overdue if you ask me. My immediate reaction to "15 Step" is...

We all thought they would reach their heights as 15-minutes-of famers, but The Killers have proven that they’re here to stay. With the electronic tones persistent throughout their breakout album, Hot Fuss, it was inevitable that the band would be forever reinventing themselves. In these last months of 2007, they’ve given us an amalgamated collection of re-released b-sides, several rarities, historic collaborations and the ever-entertaining cover track dotted throughout the album. With a track featuring Lou Reed, The Killers start...

John Barundia1 “Good Morning” – Kanye West – Graduation – www.myspace.com/kanyewest 2. “Comfy in Nautica” – Panda Bear – Person Pitch http://www.myspace.com/rippityrippity3. “Heatherwood” – Deerhunter – Cryptograms – http://www.myspace.com/deerhunter4. “Patty Lee” – Les Savy Fav – Let’s Stay Friends – www.myspace.com/lessavyfav5. “Everyday” – The Field – From here we go sublime –...

John Barundia1 “Good Morning” – Kanye West – Graduation – www.myspace.com/kanyewest 2. “Comfy in Nautica” – Panda Bear – Person Pitch http://www.myspace.com/rippityrippity3. “Heatherwood” – Deerhunter – Cryptograms – http://www.myspace.com/deerhunter4. “Patty Lee” – Les Savy Fav – Let’s Stay Friends – www.myspace.com/lessavyfav5. “Everyday” – The Field – From here we go sublime –...

“Is that a cardigan?” I had to ask my attractive, female neighbor when Vampire Weekend first appeared on stage Wednesday at The Independent in San Francisco. Laughing, she confirmed that the sweater in question was not of the pullover variety, therefore verifying my suspicions about this garment that adorned the band’s lead singer. However, before the night would progress to this question and answer session, there were a few other acts that needed to show off their wears. First, the...

I have seen The Cult live probably a dozen or so times over the years, and it's always been a bit of a love/hate relationship. They have either been totally amazing, or totally lackluster. It didn't matter if they were supporting Electric or Sonic Temple, or whether they were playing The Cow Palace or The Fillmore. Either they had it that night or they didn't. No middle ground. With that being said, I have always looked forward to seeing what...