Blogs

C'mon, you didn't really think you'd make it through Thursday without a Flobots' (still numero uno at Twist & Shout and currently holding down the third slot on Billboard's Modern Rock chart, BTW) update, now, did you? On Tuesday, May 20, the outfit's label, Universal Republic, is slated to unleash Fight With Tools upon the masses. To commemorate the occasion, the new Dirty UK-directed video for "Handlebars" will make its worldwide debut. Don't want to wait that long to get a peek? Don't worry. Click here to check it out. Those outside of Denver hoping to catch a glimpse of Jonny 5 and the crew will have to look elsewhere, though, as the entire clip is animated -- not to mention a little too glacially paced (at least at the beginning; it picks up toward the end) and literal for our tastes.

-- Dave Herrera

Fresh off of an overheated performance at Coachella launching its latest tour, DeVotchKa continues to garner great national exposure. Next Friday, May 16, NPR will be broadcasting the act's Washington DC show at 9:30 Club live for its All Songs Considered program. Then, three nights later, the eve before its Terminal 5 gig in NYC, the band is slated to perform on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Complete tour dates after the jump.

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With "Handlebars," the first single from Fight With Tools, continuing to surge up the modern rock charts, Flobots are just starting to register on the radars of critics and bloggers nationally. Earlier this morning, as part of a frequent feature it runs called "Corporate Rock Still Sells" in which Al Shipley examines Billboard's rock charts, Idolator devoted the first non-local coverage we've seen. It's a fairly exhaustive screed analyzing the outfit's inexplicable and seemingly rapid rise titled, "The Flobots Make Modern Rock Radio Safe For Rappin' Whitey Again." Take a gander...

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When we last tuned in to As Flobots Turn, our local hip-hop hybrid heroes were steadily ascending Billboard's Modern Rock Chart and getting ready for a gig with Metallica. This week, we find Jonny 5 and the crew still burning up the charts, moving up two spots and edging ever so closer towards numero uno (according to R&R, "Handlebars" was spun more than thirteen hundred times last week), while preparing make their nationally televised debut on Last Call with Carson Daly on Monday, May 19. Way to Flo, y'all.

-- Dave Herrera

All right, if you thought the inaugural edition of Monolith last year was pretty kick ass, wait until you get a load of this year's line-up, which comes even closer to living up to the festival's name: How about some TV on the Radio? Justice? Vampire Weekend? Neko Case, And what about a little Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings? Band of Horses? Nice, right? And those are just the acts in bold print.

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Almost a year after being forced out of their former location by redevelopment, the owners of the 15th St. Tavern have encountered a major setback in in their efforts to set up shop at their new location, 1028 Park Ave West. According to a note sent out by Mykel Martinez this past Friday, the Curtis Park Neighborhood Committee derailed their application for a new liquor license. As a result, Martinez and his wife have given up the fight and now find themselves in debt to the tune of $30K. While it's not clear how much of that debt is related to their efforts to reopen the Tavern and how much stems from Martinez's near fatal motorcycle accident last July, the news is simply disappointing (not to mention devastating) for them, as well as the entire scene.

-- Dave Herrera

Damn, man, can Flobots catch any more fire? A week after we reported that the crew will be sharing a bill with Metallica (less than a month after inking its deal with Universal, no less) comes news today that the act has claimed the seventh slot on Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart...or, as the act's publicist puts it, their song "Handlebars" is the "#1 most added Alternative single in the US."

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Photo by C. James Hamilton

The Titan Courageous, one of the dozen promising bands from the Class of 2008 is going on hiatus until the fall, and then... well, we don't know. All we have to go on is a semi cryptic blog titled "New Shit Has Come to Light, Man" (nice quasi nod to Big Labowski there) written by frontman David Peackock and posted on the act's MySpace page...

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After being together less than a year, the Crimson Red has called it a day. The outfit, comprised of former members of Ion, Adam's Ruin and Ember, offered no reason as to why the band is splitting aside from leaving a pithy note on its MySpace page last week stating that, "Due to our indifferences and choice of career in music, we have made a mutual decision to part as a a group." Deleon has already reportedly moved on to his next endeavor, signing on as the new vocalist for Curiosity Killed the Cop?, a project featuring former members of Motorgrater. No word on what the rest of the act have in store for the future. We'll keep you posted if we hear anything.

-- Dave Herrera

Reunion season looks to be in full-swing in the Mile High City. Hard on the heels of last week’s news that Yellow Second is reconvening for a show at the hi-dive, comes word that the original members of another beloved, bygone band from the not too distant past, Sick, are getting back together one more time for old time’s sake – well, and to commemorate the release of a greatest hits disc.

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Yellow Second. Remember that band? Scott Kerr and Andy Verdecchio's post-Five Iron Frenzy, super badass power pop outfit? If not, you'll have your chance to get reacquainted on Friday, May 9, at the hi-dive.

Before the Fray and before record deals were being handed out like Handi Wipes at a hot wing convention, Yellow Second was one of this town's most promising acts and poised to breakout in a big way. Sadly, the band folded shortly after releasing Altitude on Floodgate records in 2005. No word yet on whether this is a one-off or if Kerr and company are back for good. Either way, you won't want to miss this show.

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Great googly moogly! Are Flobots playing with the house's money right now or what? At this moment, the act is still the top seller at Twist & Shout, outselling new releases from R.E.M., Nine Inch Nails, the Breeders, Raconteurs, Van Morrison and Gnarls Barkley. And next month in Tucson, Jamie Laurie and company will be sharing the stage with Metallica. Yeah, no shit. Wrap your head around that one. Having inked their deal with Universal, what, less than a month ago, I'd say the group is off to a hell of a great start, no?

Redline Defiance is dunzo. Or not, depending on what you've heard. "REDLINE DEFIANCE QUIT! NO LONGER A BAND!" reads a blind post on the band's myspace page. That post was followed by a more in-depth pronouncement from guitarist Emerson Willis that was sent out to the band's mailing list...

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Just received a missive from Nasty Little Man, Radiohead's dutiful PR firm, with the words, "RADIOHEAD AUGUST 2008 DATES & VENUES CONFIRMED," in the subject line. My heart raced a bit, I'll admit it, as I scrolled down... but alas, it then flatlined. Again. Still no Denver date. What are we, chopped fucking liver here? Auburn, Washington? Check. Mansfield, Mass? Check. Hell, even Indianapolis is on the itenerary. What the hell, Thom? Is it something we said?

-- Dave Herrera

File under: Fuck yeah! Although rumors have been swirling for a while now, it's official: The five original members of the Fluid are getting back together for three shows, two back-to-back performances at Seattle's Marymoor Park for Sub-Pop's 20th Anniversary Festival on July 12 and 13, and one a few weeks earlier at the Bluebird Theater on Friday, June 20!

Those of you who weren't around to catch these cats the first time, you may not understand why this is beyond a big deal. I was one of the lucky ones, thanks to, of all people, my high school English teacher, Mrs. Bischoff, who casually made mention of her son's band one day during class. After a quick trip to Wax Trax, I was hooked. (Thanks, Mrs. Bischoff!) Anyhow, trust me on this one, this a once in a lifetime chance to see some living legends.

Speaking of rare opportunities involving living legends, we also just received word that Roger Green and Bad Weather California will be serving as the backing band for the one and only Daniel Johnston this Saturday night at the Bluebird. Talk about once in a lifetime. Holy crap.

-- Dave Herrera