Thursday, The Sleeping @ Toad's Place

On December 12th, the Sleeping joined forces with Victory mates and NJ post-hardcore band, Thursday. The Dear Hunter and Moving Mountains supported the random get together show before the holidays.

To be honest, I wasn't able to stay for Thursday. Which is...believe me, a huge bummer. However, I did manage to hear some new songs from The Sleeping. Their new album is set to release on the 17th (same day as Thursday, which everyone should absolutely go buy). I'm still a little scared about The Sleeping's new songs, but I'm more excited than anything. I think their record is going to be one of those albums you need to listen to a few times before you somehow turn absolutely obsessed over the album (think...Incubus?).

I've heard of the Dear Hunter before and I was stoked to hear their music. However, I was a bit disappointed in how generic they sounded. That's not to say they weren't talented because they were absolutely beyond talented, but they didn't make me want to go out and buy their album the next day.

Moving Mountains did just that. Moving Mountains hails from Purchase, NY and just released their full length, Foreward, last week. WOW these guys are good. They're indie (not exactly my favorite genre), but you can just tell they're amazing musicians with whatever type of music genre they touch.

I walked into Toad's just as the lights were dimming for Moving Mountains. Man, I wanted a beer so bad as soon as I got there, but I kept telling myself, "ok when this 'no name band' plays a bad song...move to the bar." Yeah, I never got to the bar during Moving Mountain's set. They were just as undoubtedly fantastic from the first note until the last. Memorizing.

In fact, I overheard someone next to me exclaim about how awesome this band was (probably just as clueless about their existance as I was). When Moving Mountains finished, you could hear the genuine claps from people who had no idea who these guys were until that very night.

Props to Moving Mountains for outstanding musicianship in such a world overruled by scene and regurgitated music. They're doing something different. I wish them best of luck on being the next big thing.

Angels & Kings Show 12.05.08

Great showing for Vinnie from The Movielife at Angels & Kings in early December. Although it's been too long to really recall any of the acts from that night (sorry, laziness to blog set in, or maybe it was that no one really stood out?), I can tell you that I do quite clearly recall A&K being fully packed by 8pm. It was a fun night hearing the crowd sing along to Vinnie's jams (both from IATA and The Movielife). It also was nice knowing I'd hear Vinnie sing those Movielife songs at least one last time (although I'm sure it won't be the last *knocks on wood*). Vinnie did play again on the 12th which I missed to go see Thursday and The Sleeping instead @ Toad's Place in CT.

Anyone have comments about Vinnie @ A&K from the 12th?? I'd love to hear how that night went.

Vinnie Caruana: The Movielife Set at Angels & Kings

Vinnie Caruana of I Am The Avalanche will be playing songs from The Movielife @ Angels & Kings on Friday December 5th, 7:30pm.

Oh how I'm so unbelievably stoked about this!

Bayside at Stone Pony on November 16, 2008

Bayside's finished the final show of their tour at the Stone Pony last week with supporting acts The Status, The Matches, and Valencia. Now, to be honest, I don't think anyone really cared for the Matches. Well, there were people in front of the stage while they were playing, but maybe that's because they didn't have anywhere else to move? The Status and Valencia both displayed solid performances. Bayside played a 90 minute set which was much longer than December 2008's show at Stone Pony. They played music from all of their full length albums and even slowed the night down with "Don't Call Me Peanut" which can be viewed below.

Hamilton @ Angels and Kings

Well, I must say. I probably wouldn't have showed up to JUST see I Am the Avalanche play A&K on November 15th. In fact, I didn't even catch them that night. Don't get me wrong, I would have, but an old friend was nice enough to keep me company that night. I certainly didn't want to make him sit through 4 hours of acoustic emo/punk/pop torture (something I happen to adore, mind you).

One of the guys from Hamilton remembered I had written review about them about a month ago, and was nice enough to let me know they were playing again.

Hamilton definitely had a much larger crowd this time around. In fact, I had to stand on my seat in order to get a good picture. Last time they played at A&K, I was able to enjoy them from the comfort the cozy lounge couches.

As I said before, my friend Chris isn't really into the scene, but as SOON as Hamilton mentioned they only had two more songs to play, Chris perked up saying with strong conviction (and a dash of disappointment), "That's It!? But why? They're way better than any of the other bands that just played?" Yeah, Chris, you're not the only one. I definitely feel a little cheated too.

It's true. These guys are great, and I will always go out and see them whenever possible. I added two pictures above I took of Hamilton at Angels & Kings. These guys truly have that unique ability to turn the most unlikely of fans into a fan.

Fall Out Boy and No Doubt in Bamboozle 2009

New school and old school unite at Bamboozle 2008 with Fall Out Boy and No Doubt headlining.

To think...this is just the tip of the ice berg with this year's surprises.

Bamboozle 2009 also arrives just in time for kids to have their FOB songs memorized off of their new record, Folie a Deux, set to release on December 16th, 2008.

Let the Bamoozle 2009 guessing games begin!

No Doubt Comeback!?

Looks like No Doubt will be returning to the music scene after all. NoDoubt.com features band members "chatting" about a tour in 2009. The chatting alluded they would begin writing new songs again, but certainly start playing venues and shows before a new record.

What NYC venues will No Doubt be playing? My guess is they could probably even do MSG if they wanted.

Could this mean a Bamboozle 2009 "surprise guest?"

I am REALLY anticipating new songs, but I need to keep in mind that 7 years have passed since Rock Steady.

My question is, can they adapt to the current scene, and make it big again like Green Day, or are they just a thing of the past?