The XYZ Affair can outdo Britney Spears in anything

Alex Feder of The XYZ Affair recently informed the Rockists that they have retained the services of Richard Grabel, counsel to such bands as Sonic Youth, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand, Modest Mouse, Tokyo Police Club and many more. Grabel is a partner in the NYC office of Davis Shapiro Lewit & Hayes, LLP, the same firm that represents Britney Spears in certain matters. I think you've heard of her.

Now, XYZ doesn't have any children to neglect and lose custody of, but if they did, they would neglect the shit out of those kids. None of this half assed, "I need a judge to determine where the kids should go" nonsense. It would be so obvious that XYZ are unfit parents that the President would create a mandate stating The XYZ Affair shall lose all custody of any living being and be castrated. That's how rock and roll these guys are.

Oh, and they are coming back to DC on October 28 at the Black Cat backstage with Small Sins. Better not bring your kids.

photo courtesy of the band's myspace page

Lucero: Livin' to Rock, Rockin' to Live

The city of Memphis, TN has yielded us some real Rockists gems. From the more obvious -- Elvis, Otis, Sam and Dave -- to the cultish -- Big Star, Marc Cohn (just kidding), it's certainly quite the music town. And while my one visit to Beale Street showed me some really heartfelt music joints and some polo-and-khakis tourist-blues wankery, the city's got a nearly unparalleled music heritage to draw from. I still get goosebumps when I watch that scene in Walk the Line where Joaquin Phoenix as J. Cash introduces himself to Sam Phillips. That, and the part where Reese as June Carter finally gives in and marries Johnny. Just kidding. Sort of.

Continuing on in that rich Memphis tradition is Lucero, a rough-and-tumble bunch of Southern rockers. We've blogged about them before, but tonight they've finally gotten around to playing that show at the Black Cat, so it seemed an appropriate time as any to trump their virtues once again. The lead singer's howls like Mike Cooley of frequent tourmates the Drive-by Truckers, but the sound is a little more gothic than their counterparts'. A number of songs stand out right away, but I've found myself repeatedly fawning over the gutter-punktry of "What Else Would You Have Me Be" (streaming on myspace) and getting psyched for the anthemic "I Can Get Us Out of Here Tonight."

Their site's worth checking out too, because they have a ton of videos and also a bunch of cool, biker-esque band logos that make sweet desktops for those of you who are so inclined. The bio or "About" section is pretty much worthless, as its just a bunch of PR crap featuring sentences like, "But on Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers, Lucero prove themselves to be something much simpler than that: a tried n true American rock n roll band." I think we here at Rockist should probably be the judge of that...

Lucero - "I Can Get Us Out of Here Tonight"

Lucero - "Bikeriders"

Lucero - "Ring of Fire" (live J. Cash cover)

Tonight, Fri, April 6, Black Cat. With the very fine American Princes and the solid Catfish Haven. Best triple bill I've seen this year so far.

The Broken West - Rock and Roll Hotel

G.H. was on the hunt for a new power pop group to replace TRS Deities, The Bigger Lovers. One blistery cold January day, G.L. Naut and I received an email entitled “the new bigger lovers” (which was actually his second stab at it, after a failed attempt with Cabinessence). I opened the link whilst G.L was berating the replacement band’s name (“retarded” was the term used, I believe) and I saw one word that made me know I would fall in love with this band: “Ghettotech.”

Actually, The Broken West (formerly The Brokedown) isn’t Ghettotech (people tell me they were being sarcastic) as their Myspace page used to indicate. They aren’t even Regional Mexican. They are straight up Power Pop and catchy as hell at that.

While their music isn't as glorious as TBL's, they do quite a few things right. Songs like "Hale Sunrise" and "Baby on My Arm" mimic the driving beat refrains with tensed falsetto vocals sprinkled on top. There is a wanting and strained emotion that comes through in the lyrics, even if the words themselves lack something.

As the balance of TRS can attest to, I despise some of TBW’s lyrics. Two songs on their recent release start with "If you wanna" and have “come on over” in the first line. I literally get the shivers when I hear them, but don’t let this dissuade you from the LA band’s upcoming shows. It seems as though these guys can rock on stage. "To hell with lyrics!" I say. Make yourself a vodka and vitamin water and check out the songs below.

Be warned, this Friday’s show has 4 bands… who the f is Whale Etouffee?

The Broken West (w/ The Walkmen, Farraby Lionheart, Whale Etouffee)
3/23/07 – Rock and Roll Hotel
*a source tells us that this show is almost sold out

The Broken West (w/ The Long Winters)
4/03/07 – Rock and Roll Hotel

The Broken West - Big City

More Oranges Band and Spoon News

Just received two bits of great news from the Oranges Band:

1. Lead singer Roman Kuebler will play a solo set this coming Wednesday (March 14) at the Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights (DC). Minimum two Rockists will be in attendance. I'll be the more enthusiastic of the two.

2. Spoon has recently announced a short series of tour dates, and the Oranges Band will open up for their Baltimore show at Sonar on April 21st.

I know we're blogging the hell out of these guys lately, but they're one of my personal favorite bands and a bunch of real nice folks. Plus, everyone loves Spoon. Speaking of which, my fellow Kentuckian over at You Ain't No Picasso has tracked down a few new live Spoon cuts from they're working on for an upcoming '07 release:

Spoon - "Target"
Spoon - "Rhythm and Soul"
The Oranges Band - "OK Apartment"

Have a good weekend. I'll be sobbing about the Kentucky Wildcats bowing out early of the tournament formerly known as the Wildcat Invitational.

This Week in Video: Upcoming DC Shows Edition

Last week Battles released the video to the first single on the upcoming Mirrored. It makes me want to punch my computer screen... in a good way. Check out their show with Mary Timothy Band and The Twilight Sad at the Black Cat on 3/23.

"Atlas"

Memphis Industries posted a brand spankin' new Field Music video yesterday. If you know anything about me, you know I love this band more than waffles, and I sure love waffles. Be SURE to catch what might be their LAST U.S. SHOW EVER (Davey Brewis has mentioned a "hiatus" after the tour) at the Rock and Roll Hotel on 3/31. They're playing with Menomena, who you shouldn't miss, either.

"She Can Do What She Wants"

UPDATED: Here's Menomena's latest video.

"Wet and Rusting"

Ted Leo played at the Operation Ceasefire concert in '05 right here in our nation's capital. It would have been sweet to see. You know what else is sweet? Ted's cutoffs. Hopefully he rocks them on 3/29 at the 930 Club.

"Sons of Cain"

The Long Winters wrapped up some shows overseas and are touring all across the US. This video was shot in February in Mallorca, Spain. Man, I wish I was a rock star... TLW are playing at the Rock and Roll Hotel with another TRS favorite, The Broken West, on 4/3.

"Ultimatum"

Tonight @ Black Cat: Chin Up Chin Up and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Indulge your indie-pop sweet tooth tonight with Chicago's Chin Up Chin Up and Springfield, Missouri's Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin at the Backstage at the Black Cat. This is the last night of their joint tour, so come on down for a double shot of Midwestern goodness. CUCU and SSLYBY (total abbrev. alert!) have each been praised on various blogs and online publications and are touring in support of recently released (or reissued, in the case of SSLYBY) albums.

CUCU and label mates Bound Stems are doing their part to reinvigorate a Chicago music scene that seemingly lies dormant between Wilco records. Their songs are detail oriented, tightly-wound affairs that, along with singer Jeremy Bolen's Robert Smith impersonations, sound somewhat like the Cure.

While The Rockists have yet to see CUCU in concert, Rob and I did happen to catch SSLYBY with WTF-ers/retards Harry and the Potters at the IOTA last month. I thoroughly enjoyed their opening set and I'll be damned if their cover of "Crazy" wasn't one of the better ones I've heard. Yeah, they sound kinda like the Shins and, no, they probably won't change your life, but they are not to be missed. And if that wasn't enought, they're also playing an acoustic set tonight at 5:30pm at Olsson's Books and Records in Dupont Circle.


Tonight 2/22: Chin Up Chin Up w/Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin @ Black Cat, doors at 8pm


Chin Up Chin Up - This Harness Can't Ride Anything
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Oregon Girl

* photo courtesy of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin's myspace page