Oakland, California’s Sleepytime Gorilla Museum teeter into the theatrical prog while still resting in everything from near-classical compositions to chug-chugging metal anthems, and then retreat back into softly spoken studies into “black math” (where 1+1 is, in fact, 0) and the Futurists vs. the Unabomber. Drummer/percussionist Matthias Bossi and vocalist/guitarist/etc Nils Frykdahl thought it commodious and eye opening to welcome Ground Control on the SGM bus (a converted mid-80s full length complete with a sleeping area,...

"Retreat! Retreat!" somebody shouted, and followed by several other people. No, it wasn't an order, but it's a song title from 65 Days Of Static, the band from Sheffield, England who made their way to Bottom Of The Hill, San Francisco. It's probably 65 Days Of Static's most well-known song, thanks to its air share on MTV2. 65 Days Of Static has been hailed as the new Mogwai with their soft-loud, crescendo sound. What sets them apart from other imitators...

While certainly not the best-known member of indie rock assemblage Broken Social Scene (otherwise the “BSS presents” tag probably wouldn’t be appended to the disc), Kevin Drew attacks his content on Spirit If… like he has something to prove. In a sound best described as a host of ghosts in the machine clamoring to be heard, Spirit If… erupts with bracing drums surrounded on all sides with ambient and often comforting complimentary instrumentation that turns propulsive on a second’s notice....

Our good buddies Anti-Flag have a new single, "No Paradise," available to hear exclusively on their MySpace, and a new EP called A Benefit For Victims of Violent Crime which was inspired by a personal tragedy affecting bassist Chris #2's family this year. Not only is this EP an emotional catharsis, but more importantly the proceeds will be going to the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime, a national organization dedicated to assisting families affected by the tragic loss...

There’s something archly bizarre about watching The Flaming Lips play at the zoo to a 9000-plus crowd in their hometown of Oklahoma City. Every time the cameras capturing the show pan back to see the audience from behind the drum kit, it looks like what might be the biggest and most celebrated cult band in the world is playing in a corn field. Surely if a plane passed over the concert, it would have looked strange too; under a halo-shaped...

“I started to doubt that I could even write at all,” Jose Gonzalez says with a reserved laugh as we speak about his new album, In Our Nature. “When I decided to stop touring, I went home in November and decided to stay home until I had the second record finished. And as soon as I started going to the studio on a daily basis, I realized why I liked music, why I liked playing music, because I almost forgot...

Gogol Bordello. The name itself, in the punk rock community, has come to be synonymous with maniacal frenzy, otherworldly roots, thunderous shows, and a message of revolution in amongst all the complainers. Everyone who finds themselves attending a Gogol Bordello show will be struck dumb by the amount of energy, both on stage in the band and rampant through the crowd, which is likened to a rush of adrenaline that simply has a life of its own. It is safe...

For those of you that love Icelandic rock and/or all those Wes Anderson loving hipsters, Sigur Rós have confirmed a November 6 street date for two separate but related releases: a DVD called Heima and a double CD set titled Hvarf / Heim. Heima-which translates as both "At Home" and "Homeland"– chronicles a series of free concerts Sigur Rós played in their native Iceland over the course of summer 2006. Combining both the biggest and smallest shows of their career,...

Looks like it's attack of the former buzz bands. The Arctic Monkeys are gearing up to hit the road on Wednesday for a US tour in support of their latest album Favourite Worst Nightmare (the 'u' is because they're British!). Opening for A.M. are the boys from Voxtrot, who aren't British, but kinda sing like they are. Need some dates? Read 'em and weep: 09/05/07 New York, NY @ Central Park Summerstage09/06/07 Providence, RI @ Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel09/08/07 Toronto, ON...

The single most important construct to the fabric of humanity and the condition of it is the establishment of motivation. ‘Motive’ is the cornerstone for crime, punishment, change, virtue, vice and myriad other human endeavours but, most importantly, defining motives and qualifying motivation means articulating cause for the purpose of allowing others to understand outcomes and effects. Without that understanding—that relatable human element that everyone can find within themselves—people get very nervous. That was the instinct the...