So Many Dynamos' Gear Nabbed

People, you suck. Seriously, stop running off with bands' gear, especially when those bands aren't Bon Jovi. St. Louis spazz-rockers So Many Dynamos found themselves the latest victims of the gear theft scourge this past Saturday (October 21) at Seattle's Paradox, when some fiend ran off with three guitars, a cell phone, and a wallet belonging to vocalist/guitarist Griffin Kay.

The items disappeared from the club's back room during another band's set. Thankfully, SMD called for a cab-- a Death Cab-- and met up with a certain Chris Walla later in Portland, who generously lent the Dynamos some guitars so they could continue their tour of these United States of Petty Thievery.

That tour zig-zags all over the country through December and sees our fair Dynamos butting heads with pretty much every mid-sized indie rock band in the biz today. Click for dates and a complete description of the pilfered guitars-- and if you have any information, please drop a note to the band via MySpace. [MORE...]

David Pajo Tours With Metal Band, Releases Split Single

Former Slint/Zwan/Tortoise/For Carnation guitarist and current solo artist David Pajo is heading out on tour with Dead Child, his metal band consisting of fellow Louisville, KY post-rockers Michael McMahan (For Carnation, Slint's 2005 touring band), Todd Cook (For Carnation, Slint's 2005 touring band, Papa M, Crain), Tony Bailey (Papa M, Crain) and "Dahm" (the vocalist, of course). Dead Child formed after last year's Slint reunion tour and takes as its influences "early Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest." \m/

In addition to the tour, Dead Child are planning the release of their debut EP on Cold Sweat Records. Details are vague since the only real evidence of the EP's existence is on the band's website and MySpace page, but if you can't stand the wait until whenever that comes out, their entire first show is available for download here.

Pajo will also release a split single under his surname with the Swedish band Audrey, featuring two tracks from Pajo and two tracks from Audrey's debut, Visible Forms. Stereo Test Kit Records released the single in the UK today, October 23. [MORE...]

T.V. Eye: October 23-30, 2006

Pitchfork's T.V. Picks for This Week:

Monday, October 23:

CBS: "Late Night With Conan O'Brien": Billy Bragg (rerun)
Comedy Central: "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart": David Cross
NBC: "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno": the Roots (rerun)

Tuesday, October 24:

CBS: "Late Show With David Letterman": the Killers
NBC: "Late Night With Conan O'Brien": Editors (rerun)

Wednesday, October 25:

ABC: "Jimmy Kimmel Live": Ludacris (rerun)
NBC: "Last Call With Carson Daly": Ben Kweller (rerun)
NBC: "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno": Justin Timberlake ft. Timbaland
PBS: "Tavis Smiley": Nelly Furtado

Thursday, October 26:

ABC: "Jimmy Kimmel Live": Justin Timberlake (rerun)
NBC: "Last Call With Carson Daly": José González

Friday, October 27:

CBS: "Late Show With David Letterman": Tilly and the Wall
IFC: "The Henry Rollins Show": Ben Folds (rerun)

Saturday, October 28:

NBC: "Saturday Night Live": Beck

Monday, October 30:

MTV2: "Subterranean": Imogen Heap

Photos: Califone [Chicago, IL; 10/21/06]

Chicago's Califone jam-packed and sold-out hometown trendsetter-center the Empty Bottle this past Saturday, treating the devout (and a few head-shakers) to ruminations in realms folky, bluesy, and country-esque-- most adorned in unique percussion courtesy of Jerry Garcia look-alike Ben Massarella and experimental flourishes from pedal-pushing frontman (and potential Woody Allen stand-in) Tim Rutili.

Austin's Peter and the Wolf (of sailboat tour fame) opened, featuring songwriter Red Hunter on guitar and a stage packed with nine junkyard percussionists-- including Califone drummer Joe Adamik and assorted Chicagoans-- hitting everything from pots and pans to jack-o-lanterns, garbage can lids, and a skeleton puppet. Recent Thrill Jockey signee Angela Desveaux and band followed up Hunter's ramshackle folkery with a fine set of polished alt-country tunes, lyrically sound and easy on the ears.

Califone took to the stage at last around midnight, playing a wide range of songs spanning their large catalogue and including Infinite Mixtape selection and Psychic TV cover "The Orchids", from this year's Best New Music'd Roots & Crowns.

While a good third of the attending trickled out over of the course of the nearly two-hour set, those with the patience to remain greeted Tim Rutili's every murmur with rapturous applause. Apart from a few pleasantries, Rutili kept mum through most of it-- until some drunkard used tuning-time to shout something about a jam, prompting Rutili's austere countenance to crack momentarily for a sarcastic utterance: "Fuckin' Bob Marley, man!" Riotous laughs all around.

Although the Saturday night crowd proved a bit too chatty to allow Califone to fully cast their spell, those who came for the music likely went home haunted by it-- and completely satisfied.

Califone hop the pond for a week, then return to North America for an extensive tour next month. Dates and more photos ahead. [MORE...]

Runaways Drummer Sandy West Dead at 47

Sandy West, former drummer for the influential and controversial band the Runaways, passed away Saturday, October 21. She was 47.

As previously reported, West was diagnosed with lung cancer in August of 2005, as well as a brain tumor-- information that wasn't made public until the summer of this year. She underwent radiation therapy in addition to chemotherapy and was determined to get back to playing.

West was a founding member of the Runaways, which also included a young Joan Jett. After the band parted ways in 1979, West went on to mount a successful solo career, fronting the Sandy West Band, releasing an EP on Rocket City Records, and appearing on occasion with fellow ex-Runaways.

"I started the Runaways with Sandy West," said Jett in a statement. "We shared the dream of girls playing rock and roll. Sandy was an exuberant and powerful drummer. So underrated, she was the caliber of John Bonham.

"I am overcome from the loss of my friend. I always told her, we changed the world."

A Sandy West tribute is in the works; check the Runaways' official website, www.therunaways.com, in the coming weeks for more information.

"She will be remembered by more than one generation of fans as a strong part of their musical landscape," read a post on therunaways.com. "But Sandy's impact was felt far outside of the music industry as a loyal friend, loving confidante, and strong defender of those she loved most. Her strength as a player, passion as a person, and dedication as a friend will be remembered always by friends, fans, and fellow musicians alike."

Herbert to Reissue 100 lbs With Bonus Disc

We hope you've been working out those listening skills lately, because Matthew Herbert is about to release one heavyweight of a record. The sound sculptor will reissue his 1996 work 100 lbs January 23 via !K7. Included in the package is a bonus disc crammed with b-sides, rarities, and unreleased tracks "more club-friendly than the main album" (according to a press release). [MORE...]

Photos: Iceland Airwaves Festival Pt. 4 [Reykjavik; 10/21/06]

Photos by Leó Stefánsson unless otherwise indicated. Click for parts one, two, and three.

The final night of Iceland Airwaves really didn't feel like the final night for two reasons: first of all, Sunday night-- featuring a single local showcase-- is actually the final night. Secondly, it felt a bit anti-climactic after Friday's incredibly strong lineup. This is not to say that it made one bit of a difference to the inebriated locals and foreigners wandering the streets-- Reykjavik, for better or worse, might just be the drunkest city in the world: witness the hipster kid jumping on the hood of a passing car and shattering the windshield with a swift kick. No one batted an eye.

The night began much less violently with Nortón's set at Gaukurinn. These young Icelandic musicians (including photographer Leó Stefánsson) play in various Reykjavik bands, and have combined here to bring back 1980s Clash/Blondie disco, jerky electro, and funky house. The initially sparse crowd grew as the band tested the dancefloor with trombone, keys, guitar, and laptop.

At Iðnó, Icelandic chanteuse Kira Kira (aka Kristin Björk Kristjansdottir) began her set to a darkened, hushed theater. Comparisons to another Icelandic Björk are tempting here, but not really accurate, as her childlike voice floated in and out of ambient electronics and ethereal piano tones.

Over in the National Theatre Basement, Hjatalin, who've had several radio hits this past summer, played somber, adult contemporary love songs for an adoring, youthful crowd. Back at Nasa, popular Icelandic band Benny Crespo's Gang performed confident, sweeping alt-rock to a more lively audience.

The UK's Fields were up next, and this possible next big thing began their set with perfectly harmonized vocals before launching into their thankfully not post-punk-referencing indie rock-- it's just nice to hear something different once in a while.

Finally, over at the Reykjavik Art Museum, the decidedly post-punk-referencing sibling act the Cribs (pictured above) were wrapping up, using their guitars in an onstage light saber duel. The headliner of the night, Kaiser Chiefs, closed the night and peppered their vivacious set with cheesy quips like, "You're a good-looking people!" and "So I heard Reykjavik likes to drink!" This is a medium-sized band with one album and an arena-rock mentality, and while their music is tight and fun, they can lay it on pretty thick.

And that about wraps up Iceland Airwaves for this year. This well-run festival is much smaller than the continental behemoths that rule the European summers, but the unbelievable zest for music and celebration in Reykjavik made these past four nights feel much larger than they were.

More photos ahead. [MORE...]

Photos: Iceland Airwaves Festival Pt. 3 [Reykjavik; 10/20/06]

Photos by Leó Stefánsson. Click for parts one and two.

As the Reykjavik weekend got into full swing, night three of Iceland Airwaves found the venues completely packed, the streets flooded with music fans, and the city full of staggering drunks roaming about until six in the morning.

The night began with the wonderful Benni Hemm Hemm at the Reykjavik Art Museum. Benni's sentimental ballads draw as much from lo-fi indie as they do from country, and are enhanced by a full brass section that flares up at the appropriate moments, lending his performance an epic quality.

Up next were crowd-favorite Canadians Islands, dressed all in white and playing their indie-rock showtunes like their lives depended on it. Nick Diamonds even graciously busted out a new tune for the eager audience, a promise of good things to come from this band.

This was a hard act to follow, but Iceland's Apparat Organ Quartet (pictured above, and really a quintet-- doesn't the drummer count?) was up for the challenge. Playing a mad scientist array of vintage synths and organs, the Quartet, crisply attired in smart suits, blazed through poppy electro and massive industrial waves of analog sound.

Over at Gaukurinn, Icelandic favorites Jeff Who? pressed their new wave-influenced power-pop into the faces of what seemed like a dangerously over-capacity crowd. If one person moved, everybody moved in this morass of flesh and beer. And move they did, as the audience sang along over throbbing basslines and caterwauling synths, clearly showing their approval for this popular band.

But the obvious focus of the night was Wolf Parade. After taking the stage and dealing with some feedback problems, the band launched into its catalogue of quirky rock with boundless energy. The vocals may have been buried in the mix and two keys may have broken off a keyboard, but nobody gave a shit. Wolf Parade owned the night, creatively enhancing the songs from their debut, Apologies to the Queen Mary, with moments of improv and uninhibited gusto.

Click on by tomorrow for Pitchfork's final Iceland Airwaves installment. [MORE...]

Karen O, Liars Buddies Devastations Release LP, Tour

The weather's getting mighty chilly, but fear not-- Devastations have it covered. On October 24, the Australian-turned-German trio will burn some Coal in the U.S., courtesy of Brassland Records. Having a working website though...well that's another story.

So who are these Devastations and why should you care? Well, they've worked with Liars and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O on her shelved solo album. (Yes, Karen O was working on a solo album at some point. No, we don't know what happened to it.) And they sound a lot like Nick Cave.

In support of the album, which landed in Europe last month via Beggars Banquet, Devastations will make their way to North America for a tour alongside the Drones and Favourite Sons. Squeezed on both sides of jaunt are a handful of European shows. [MORE...]

Hold Steady's Nicolay, Talib Kweli Play Peace Fair
Dead Prez's M-1 leads "youth peace contest." No, seriously.

The fourth annual Brooklyn Peace Fair takes place this weekend, and artists ranging from Franz Nicolay of the Hold Steady (playing with Anti-Social Music) to (hopefully) Talib Kweli will play at the festival, which is comprised of "200 local organizations participating in a day of workshops, panel discussions, keynote speeches, music, and art," according to a press release.

Before the event itself takes place this Sunday, October 22, there is a benefit concert scheduled for tomorrow at Supreme Trading, the proceeds from which will benefit Brooklyn Parents for Peace, the non-profit organization behind the Peace Fair. Artists playing the concert include the Shapes, Dabrye remixer Outputmessage (who also has a DJ set toward the end of night), and Matthew Perpetua of the wonderful Fluxblog (thanks for new the Long Blondes track and for turning us on to Shrag, man!), whose DJ set will close out the night.

The artists performing at the actual fair on Sunday include Anti-Social Music (a group that includes the Hold Steady's Franz Nicolay, Songs: Ohia contributor Peter Hess, and Ida/Beauty Pill member Jean Cook), Beans, Jeffrey & Jack Lewis, Jason Trachtenburg of the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls duo Magnolia, and, tentatively, Talib Kweli.

The true draws of the fair, however, are sure to be the "peace dance" and the "youth peace contest, moderated by M-1 of Dead Prez," which is like some sort of peace snake eating its own tail, i.e. exactly 17 overlapping kinds of awesome. [MORE...]

The Ark Take on North America

Get ready, fans of the Ark! The Swedish glam-rock heroes return to brave the rough waters of North America once again on a fall tour. This time around, give a hearty welcome to Jens Andersson, now officially the sixth member to board the Ark.

The sextet's trek kicks off this Sunday with a special engagement at Washington, DC's Swedish Embassy. This particular show is free and part of a three-day celebration for the official opening of the relocated Swedish Embassy and the House of Sweden. The king and queen of Sweden will be there, so you really have no excuse to bail out on this one.

In other news, the Ark's "This Piece of Poetry Is Meant to Do Harm"-- from State of the Ark, released Stateside this year-- is featured in John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus, which is now playing in select theaters and sees wider release this weekend. Finally, the band have vehemently denied allegations that they will enter next year's Eurovision Song Contest, stating plainly on their website: "The Ark will never be part of the Eurovision song contest, EVER. End of story." Take that, Lordi! [MORE...]

Black Sheep Return With First Album in 12 Years

"They say the rap game is like the crack game....i think we gonna sell weed...do some hip hop," Black Sheep MC Andre "Dres" Titus wrote on the group's MySpace blog last December. Almost a year later, the Native Tongues duo of Dres and DJ William "Mister Lawnge" McLean returns in earnest with a new single and a new album, both digital-only releases.

The single-- "Whodat?"-- saw release in late September to online stores via Black Sheep's own BumRush Records and digital distributor The Orchard. It features four tracks, including clean and instrumental versions of "Whodat?" and B-side "Be Careful".

The album bears the title 8WM/Novakane (8WM stands for "Women With Women With Weed With Wine With Me"!) and, like the single, it's an online-only release via Bumrush and the Orchard. 8WM/Novakane's arrives October 24, making it Black Sheep's first album in 12 years, and follows Non-Fiction and landmark debut A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing as the duo's third LP overall. [MORE...]

Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)