(Seein’ the Scene is a weekly photographic presentation featuring images from some of the best local rock concerts Minnesota has to offer. These images are captured through the lens’ of local rock photographer Mike Minehart. We welcome comments. More images from these shows can often be viewed at www.mikeminehart.com.)

Link – Bradford

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posted September 30th, 2009 at 2:06 pm MN Rock, Seein' the Scene Andriana Lehr, Astronaut Wife, Blue Sky Blackout, Bradford, Joey Ryan & The Inks, Paul Green School of Rock, Red Pens, Sleeping in the Aviary, The Debut

In case you haven’t heard, Tapes ‘n Tapes are embarking upon a mini Twin Cities tour this weekend, giving you a reason to enjoy one, two, or three rock-filled nights out this weekend.  But in addition to this, the band is also tipping a hat to other local Twin Cities artists via a limited time, downloadable mixtape available through their website.  Here’s the official word from the Tapes ‘n Tapes myspace blog:

soooo, as you may (or may not) know, we are having a little “tour” of the twin cities this coming up weekend.  the details about the shows are below, but that’s not what this is about.  to celebrate all things minneapolis/st paul, we’ve made a mixtape!  it’s got a song from each of our “tourmates” and some of our favorite bands, including dosh, gay beast, fog, chooglin’, the plastic constellations, birthday suits and many, many more.  you can download the whole thing FOR FREE at our website, tapesntapes.com.

thanks so much to all the bands who were kind enough to let us share their songs with you!  this will only be up for a week….so get it while you can and tell your friends!!!!

hopefully we’ll see y’all soon!
love always,
tapes

10/1 7th Street Entry
w/ Mystery Palace and Lookbook

10/2 Music Box Theater (ACOUSTIC SHOW)
w/ Jeremy Messersmith and The Owls

10/3 Turf Club
w/ Chooglin’ and Red Pens

Wondering what the full tracklist looks like?  Here ya go:

1. chooglin – this demon life
2. red pens – street issue
3. jeremy messersmith – franklin avenue
4. the owls – channel
5. mystery palace – stepchild
6. lookbook – true to form
7. kid dakota – pilgrim
8. vampire hands – safe word
9. fog – your beef is mine
10. gay beast – eeexxxpppaaannndddiiinnnggg
11. dosh – don’t wait for the needle to drop
12. best friends forever – abe lincoln
13. birthday suits – slowly motion
14. the plastic constellations – we came to play
15. skoal kodiak – harpie
16. the blind shake – soft zodiac

Follow this link to go snag the free downloads, then head out to support some talented local artists this weekend!

posted September 29th, 2009 at 2:18 pm Concert Announcements, MN Rock Tapes 'n Tapes

While stopping by the Afternoon Records website today, I happened upon a post advertising a newly published book by Minnesota record label owner and One For The Team member Ian Anderson, entitled Here Come the Regulars.  It’s now available for preorder (only $15) via the Afternoon Records website, and will be available in stores Oct. 20.

I haven’t read a copy of Here Come the Regulars yet, but without doing so I do know this.  Anytime a person releases a firsthand account of their experiences to a wider audience, it is valuable, if only to the select few who involve themselves in the specific topic.  Here Come the Regulars will join other intimate volumes on Minnesota’s rich music heritage such as Jim Walsh’s All Over But The Shouting and Jake Slichter’s So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star.  If you’re involved in the local music scene, there will no doubt be something of good use within the pages of this new book.  You can preorder your copy of the book here, or stop by your local bookseller and scout a copy on Oct. 20.

On a personal note – thanks Ian for sharing your experiences with everyone.

posted September 29th, 2009 at 12:55 pm MN Rock Here Come the Regulars, Ian Anderson

Brooklyn’s School of Seven Bells will be hitting the 7th Street Entry on October 13, and ahead of the flood they’ve dropped a new mix of “I Am Under No Disguise,” available below for download.

Many touring bands graciously pass through Minnesota every year, but some make a point to visit more often than others.  School of Seven Bells is one of those bands.  We appreciate it, and if you do too, mark your calendar for October 13 and let the band know by numbers at the 7th Entry.

“I Am Under No Disguise” by: School of Seven Bells

Links

School of Seven Bells – Website / Myspace

posted September 29th, 2009 at 12:17 pm Download School of Seven Bells

THE BRUTES - Self Titled EP

The Brutes self titled EP is a frantic foray into Rock-Pop ala The Killers, Blur and Costello.  Stand out singer as well as guitarist Gregg Garvey balances poetic, brooding lines with playful hooks and crunchy, catchy riffs.  Bass, drums and guitars: 3.89 out of 5 stars. The EP sounds like what Pop Rocks feel like in your mouth- edgy and fizzy. College radio programmers: add #1 to your play list or I’ll show up to your office and sock you in the face.

Stand Out Tracks: #1 (The Science Works For Us); #6 (Attention To Me).

Upcoming Live Dates and Info: Friday, October 2nd on Drinking With Ian in the First Avenue Main Room; www.myspace.com/thebrutesband

“This Science Works For Us” by: The Brutes

SAMWELL ROWAN – The Closing Procedure

Lush atmospherics swirl and materialize as cinematic soundtracks on this instrumental record where Rowan reminds us bass isn’t just one of four items used to create run-of-the-mill Rock-N-Roll.  Shades of Sylvian, The Cocteau Twins and Eric Serra swirl in the late afternoon sun of this highly imaginative album.  Only criticism: more vocals- even if only ambient- on the next one please?  In the meantime, move to Hollywood and help score Diablo Cody films because she desperately needs your help!

Stand Out Tracks: #3 (You Got Stepped On); #11 (By The Money Tree), #13 (The Closing Procedure).

Upcoming Live Dates and Info: The Turf Club (October 27th) or Memory Lanes (November 7th); www.myspace.com/samwellrowan

MARK MALLMAN – Invincible Criminal

I’m sure Mallman’s heard this a million times, but if 1970’s Billy Joel and Paul McCartney jumped through SG-1 to find themselves in early 21st Century New York as late 20-somethings, you’d have Invincible Criminal.  Mike Geronsin- who played bass and various guitars on this album- should be resoundingly proud of his work, which is some of his most stellar to date.  Producer Brad Cassetto is at his best as well.

Stand Out Tracks: #2 (You’re Never Alone in New York); #7 (Light The Dynamite And Run); #11 (If We Only Kept Getting Young).

Upcoming Live Dates and Info: www.myspace.com/markmallman

NEW BANDS NOTE: if you would like your album reviewed swiftly, enclose a Coty or L’Oreal lipstick in British Red. Better yet, send a giftcard of some sort. Bribery works wonders, but doesn’t guarantee that I won’t rip you to shreds if you suck.

posted September 25th, 2009 at 2:18 pm MN Rock, Reviews Mark Mallman, Samwell Rowan, The Brutes

Ray LaMontagne is coming to the State Theater November 13th 2009.  Never heard of him? Neither had I until this morning when I received and excited text from my friend Rick who’s in Colorado.  He wrote, “Have you ever heard of Ray LaMontagne?  I nearly wrecked my car when I first heard his voice.   I am 99% sure you will immediately love him.”  After listening to this singer/songwriter that hails from the lovely state of Maine, I have concluded that Rick was right.  The song “You Are The Best Thing” seduces you with an array of horns and the chorus beckons your participation. Ray LaMontagne’s voice is reminiscent of the Sam Cooks and Otis Reddings of rock.  His writing can describe a Monet or the cover of a Rolling Stones magazine, i.e. in the song “Meg White”.   At other times the intensity of his voice whispers sonnets for you and only you to hear.  The range of his storytelling is something people should experience.  His cover of “Imagine” is performed impeccably, and would make the hairs on John Lennon’s neck stand up in appreciation.

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posted September 24th, 2009 at 2:19 pm Concert Announcements

(Seein’ the Scene is a weekly photographic presentation featuring images from some of the best local rock concerts Minnesota has to offer. These images are captured through the lens’ of local rock photographer Mike Minehart. We welcome comments. More images from these shows can often be viewed at www.mikeminehart.com.)

Ari Herstand - The Varsity Theater in Minneapolis - 9/16/09

Link – Ari Herstand

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posted September 24th, 2009 at 10:58 am MN Rock, Seein' the Scene, Uncategorized Ari Herstand, Hotdish, Ladyhawk, Natalie Adams, Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, Semi Precious Weapons, Sliimy, Sonic Jones, The 4onthefloor, The Alarmists, The Arms Akimbo, The Invincible Kids, The Melismatics, The Notties, The Proclaimers, Tyrone Wells

Links

Source – Myspace Blog

Jeremy Messersmith – Website / Myspace

posted September 24th, 2009 at 9:45 am MN Rock, Video Jeremy Messersmith

We first caught wind of The Thermals back in February, and we liked the breeze.  Now Dirty Laundry brings us an intimate interview with the band from the laundromat.  Visit the band’s Myspace page to catch some tunes or follow this link to watch their video for “Now We Can See.”

Links

The Thermals – Website / Myspace

Dirty Laundry – Website

posted September 24th, 2009 at 9:31 am Video The Thermals

Greg Swan of Perfect Porridge forwarded me news of a forthcoming local music compilation for a great cause.  Hope Rocks Volume 2 is a lovely mishmash of local music that cross-cuts musical genres – from Soul Asylum to Owl City, Quietdrive to Haley Bonar.  Below is the official word from promoters:

“Hope Rocks! Vol. 2 Benefiting Faith’s Lodge” is a fundraiser for Faith’s Lodge, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping parents with a seriously ill child or who have lost a child.

Hope Rocks Volume II is a compilation CD of some of the Twin Cities’ hottest bands and solo artists who have come together to help support this amazing facility for parents and families in need of hope and healing.

There’s a CD Release event fundraiser on Saturday, September 26, 2009 with a fashion show, emcees WCCO-TV’s Frank Vascellaro and Amelia Santaniello, live auction and performances by The Bodeans (http://www.bodeans.com/) and Keri Noble (http://www.kerinoble.com/). Tickets are $150 and can be bought here: http://www.faithslodge.org/HopeRocks/

The CD will be available for purchase at all Twin Cities’ Target Stores (on the Cities 97 end cap) and on the Faith’s Lodge web site beginning September 27, 2009.

Tickets for the BoDeans / Keri Noble show at Epic this weekend certainly can’t be considered recession proof ($150 minimum), but, if you’re the kind of person who sets aside a portion of your finances each year for charitable giving, then this is an opportunity you should strongly consider.  If you can not make the show, then make a note, and the next time you step into your local Target store, search out that Cities 97 display and grab a copy of Hope Rocks Vol. 2.  You’re purchase will make a difference!  Below is the track listing and a video of Rocket Club, performing “One More Day” off the Hope Rocks compilation.

“Hope Rocks! Vol. 2 Benefiting Faith’s Lodge” tracklist:

1. Soul Asylum – Stand Up & Be Strong

2. Catchpenny – Can’t Let It Get You Down

3. Quietdrive – Deliverance

4. Solid Gold – Get Over It

5. Owl City – On the Wing

6. Jeremy Messersmith – Miracles

7. Atmosphere – Yesteday

8. Laarks – All the Words You Can’t Say Right

9. Ice Palace – Thoughts/Facts

10. The Wars of 1812 – Radios Unsigned

11. A Night in the Box – Let Me Know

12. Halloween, Alaska – The Hollywood Sign

13. The Cloud Hymn – Wide

14. Haley Bonar – Arms of Harm

15. Lynhurst – Exactly

16. Dan Rodriguez – Games

17. Rocket Club – One More Day

18. Keri Noble – Simple Things

posted September 23rd, 2009 at 12:14 pm Concert Announcements, MN Rock, Uncategorized Faith's Lodge, Hope Rocks Vol 2