I'm going to go ahead and officially declare this week the first week of summer shows! It's debatable who has given me the power to do so, but with the glut of package shows, free in-stores, cult band reunions, and a performance by one bonafide music legend, I'll give you the absolute essentials this week. So let's get going....
Alejandro Escovedo at Highline Ballroom Wednesday 07/09 at 7pm $25
This Wednesday, Alejandro Escovedo, former leader of seminal cow-punk band Rank & File and solo country/folk/rocker will be playing at Highline Ballroom in support of his 9th solo album, Real Animal. After his well publicized bout with Hepatitis C, Escovedo is back in good health and playing much more frequently.
The Vaselines at Maxwell's Wednesday 07/09 at 9pm $20
(07/10 at Southpaw)
Frances McKee and Eugene Kelly
Also this Wednesday, if country isn't your thing, The Vaselines will be playing at Maxwell's in Hoboken (and the next day at Southpaw). The Vaselines were formed in 1986 in Edinburgh, Scotland by Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee. The band was relatively unknown outside of record collecting circles until being championed by Kurt Cobain in the early 1990's. Their twee-pop has influenced bands like Belle & Sebastian, among others. Fresh off of their performance in Seattle at Sub Pop Record's 20th Anniversary show, these gigs mark The Vaselines' first East Coast performances ever.
Elf Power at Cakeshop Friday 07/11 at 8pm $7
One of the classic Elephant 6 collective bands (along with others like Neutral Milk Hotel and Apples in Stereo), Elf Power plays an intimate show at Cakeshop this Friday. For lovers of catchy lo-fi indie pop (including fans of the above mentioned Vaselines), this show is not to be missed.
Brian Wilson at Hammerstein Ballroom Friday 07/11 at 7pm $125
Brian Wilson, the heart and soul of The Beach Boys and writer of songs that will melt even the coldest, jaded hipster heart, will be playing this Friday at Hammerstein Ballroom. Despite well-documented mental health and physical issues, his performances are still top-notch, with a killer backing band. Tickets are pricey at $125, but compared to seeing whats left of the Rolling Stones or Madonna for twice that amount, consider it a worthy investment.
The Dirtbombs & The Fleshtones at Maxwell's Friday 07/11 at 9pm $15
In addition to their free show at Fort Greene Park this Saturday, The Dirtbombs will be joined by The Fleshtones on Friday at Maxwell's for a crazy mess of rock 'n roll greatness. Supporting the new album We Have You Surrounded, The Dirtbombs are one of the few bands around today that can evoke the kind of ass-shakin' that only a fusion of soul music and high energy rock 'n roll can deliver.
The Breeders at Other Music Friday 07/11 at 8pm FREE
(07/13 at McCarren Park Pool with Matt & Kim)
Continuing their reunion that started with the release of Title TK in 2002, The Breeders are all over the place this summer, playing in support of this year's Mountain Battles. This week they play a free show at Other Music on Friday, as well as another free show at McCarren Park Pool as part of JellyNYC's Sunday shows. The McCarren Park Pool show also includes alterna-dance idiots Matt & Kim.
Fuck Yeah Tour at Highline Ballroom Saturday 07/12 at 5:30pm $17
(07/13 at Club Exit)
And finally, this Friday and Saturday brings us the New York dates of the Fuck Yeah Tour 2008. The lineup includes The Circle Jerks, Dillinger Four, Team Robespierre, Monotonix, and Matt & Kim (who the hell likes this crap? And why are they playing three fucking times this weekend?). The jury is still out on whether or not The Circle Jerks will make fools of themselves, but this show gets a nod solely due to Dillinger Four's presence on the bill. After all, who doesn't like goofy yet political hardcore punk played by fat sweaty guys?
There you go for this week. On next week's Gimme Noise, I will find a new hipster band to hate (and give Matt & Kim a break).
