GDP - No Gods Video

The Subs / Zodiac Cartel

New single dropping on June 8th.

The Subs - From Dusk Til Dawn (Zodiac Cartel Mix) Taster

*BONUS*

Franz Ferdinand - No You Girls (Zodiac Cartel Radio Mix)

Interview: Nick Hook

I met up with Nick Hook at the Fischerspooner show. He was performing as a member of Drop the Lime (who ruled) and was a former member of the Brooklyn band, Men Women and Children. Now Nick is working on a couple other projects, djing in NYC, and just overall being a pretty snazzy dude. SO I figured he would be the perfect candidate for my first blog interview...

(ME) You are currently on tour performing with Drop the Lime. I am a fan of Drop the Lime, but I must say that I enjoyed the live show quite a bit more than I was expecting. I think that is due to the addition of the drummer as well as your electronic touches throughout the set. How did you end up with this gig as opposed to the other bands/music that you are currently working on? Are there plans for you to become a permanent member of Drop the Lime or is this a tour only type situation?

(NH) Unlike other places i've been, i really feel like most of the people in our circle of music are really supportive and all want to see everyone succeed. Luca reached out to me towards the end of last year and asked if i was interested in teaming up with himself and guy to take the project to a live setting, and of course i said yes instantly. I have always admired the whole trouble and bass squad as people, musicians and artists that really have the understanding that creating their own bandwagon is more satisfying than jumping on one that someone else created.

As far as plans to become a member, i haven't really thought that far, i am focused on playing smashing shows with guy and luca, and providing support make it the best it can be in all areas.

(ME) Being a on tour allows for some great/horrendous experiences what would you say have been the most memorable thus far on your current outing? In the past?

(NH) I think for me being on tour really becomes a special thing as you bond with the dudes you are with. So far as the 3 of us have working together, it has been the most natural, productive and most importantly fun experience i have had since i started playing music. Just cracking jokes in the van about stupid shit at 5 am, solving problems together, getting better at what you do is why i do this.

One the best memories i have from tour is being in new orleans just a short time after katrina, we ran out of gas just as we left downtown. Everything was destroyed, and we walked to this gas station with armed guards. There was no gas, they were just protecting the place. This 70 year old dude had an hour and a half drive home, and he said he could take us to the nearest gas station, but he couldn't take us back. We hopped in the bed of his pickup truck, and saw some of the craziest damage we had ever seen, and really had an amazing talk with someone so different than us about life, the hurricane, people, everything.. By the time we got gas, he was like you know what i'll talk you guys back. Very humbling experience that i will never forget.

(ME) How do you feel about this current online revolution of music that is allowing indie djs/electro musicians to be heard and spread their names successfully when larger labels/bands are failing miserably just to break even?

(NH) I love it. Taking things into your own hands never hurt anyone.

(ME) Vinyl , Cds , or Mp3s?

(NH) Depends on the situation. Could live without cds, but not vinyl or mp3.

(ME) What type of hardware/software are you using currently while performing?

(NH) midi controllers, apple computers that control the gremlin (synth luca coded by hand)

(ME) After some quick online searching I see that you are currently working on two other projects, Sports and Cubic Zirconia, as well as Djing in NYC? Is there anything that I am missing that you are currently working on? Any big plans for the immediate future? Any other tours coming up?

(NH) Cubic Zirconia's first 12" plus digital drops on june 22. remixes by dam funk, nacho lovers, dances with white girls, andy george, plus a bunch more. If you know what's good you cop that shit the first day.

(ME) What else is there to know about Nick Hook?

(NH) I like oatmeal, espresso, can't learn how to handroll my own cigarettes, i love my friends, and thank you for reading this.

follow me on twitter.. www.twitter.com/nickhook

*Bonus*

Cubic Zirconia Mixtape

Drop The Lime - Tobac Theme

Funk Fanatics - Love Is The Answer (Nick Hook Remix)

Viva Voce Rose City

I think Get Yr Blood Sucked Out will always be my favorite offering from Viva Voce, but I can respect what they are doing currently. Rose City is a more refined/serious album that I would recommend to anyone that is into inspired indie rock.

The title track, Rose City, is the most up beat song off this album and From The Devil Himself is my favorite song of theirs.

Shook Ones - Unquotable A.M.H.

More melodic than their last outing, but just as amazing. This album is a bit like Kid Dynamite era Jason Shevchuk singing 'Can't Slow Down' by Saves The Day. Everything about it is worthy of your time and eventual adoration.

I like They're Very "Yes" a whole lot

Bands that you've never heard about, but should have. Brainiac

Brainiac is probably my favorite band from Ohio. They had 3 genius full lengths, a handful of singles/7"s, and some amazing tours under their belt when lead singer, Tim Taylor, passed away in May of 97.

These guys were the missing link between Kraftwerk and The Faint with a hint of the Jesus Lizard thrown in for good measure. It is widely agreed that they were way ahead of their time, yet somehow or another they are now slipping through the cracks and everyone seemingly forgets this monumental Dayton band.

For more info check out Wikipedia

My favorite songs by them if I had to pick a few would be.

Hands of the Genius

Flash Ram

Nothing Ever Changes

Anesthetize

Get them all here

Joan of Arc - Flowers

I remember the first time I ever attempted to listen to Joan of Arc, I was a bit younger and someone introduced me to them as "the new Cap'n Jazz band." I can honestly say I didn't get it at all. I think it was just because I was hoping for something entirely different at the time.

Flowers is the 10th Joan of Arc release and I have now been listening to Tim Kinsella and crew for awhile. This album isn't for everyone, but I would think that anyone with an open mind and varied musical tastes would get into it. I know I am down.

I couldn't decide which track(s) to use, so I finally decided on A Delicious Herbal Laxative and Life Sentence / Twisted ladder

Volume

I ran this place for 5ish years. I had some pretty amazing times while sitting behind the counter. I could list a couple hundred bands that played in the shop, but for now I will just sample a couple of them and if I remember come back to it and do more every now and again.

Lucero - Drink 'Til We're Gone

Young Hearts - Caught Up

Settlefish - Measures Can Divide

Neil Sutherland & Friends - This Time Next Year

Briggs - Let Them Know

Get them all

that is a start if you guys remember anything else or have any pleasant experiences please share them...

Songs that remind me of being younger 3

I need to blog more. You need to read more. We need to work on things.








Kid Dynamite - Shiner

Pezz - Slippery Rock

Trial - Reflections

Waxwing - Everything's On Fire

7 Seconds - Young 'Til I Die

Aquabats - Super Rad

All of them

Fischerspooner - Entertainment

I wanted to wait to review this album until after I had a chance to see them live in DC. Their releases come a close second to their live shows and I really wanted the full experience. The only negative thing I can say about this release is that after a 5 year wait there was a whole lot of anticipation and I was nervous that it would not stand up next to their older works. After listening to Entertainment and seeing it performed live I can honestly say that it was worth the wait.

Check out Infidels of the World Unite

*Bonus* Supply and Demand (Dim Dub Remix)

and look at these sweet camera phone pics (I really need to get a digital camera)

NewIslands - Don't Stop Dreaming

So normally if I got a demo song that reminded me of Depeche Mode singing a Pink Floyd song I would be a little offended by the lack of originality and/or substance that a band was portraying. Yet here I am listening to this infectious song one more time and humming along.

NewIslands - Don't Stop Dreaming (demo)

I can't wait to hear more by these guys.

Check them out on the space

Designer Drugs + Combichrist = Good Times

I am normally not the biggest fan of Combichrist. I couldn't tell you why. Maybe I am just not spooky enough, but this song is a definitely worth hearing.

Combichrist - Can't Change (Designer Drugs Remix)



*BONUS*
N.A.S.A - Strange Enough (Designer Drugs Remix)

Tigersapien - Youth and Vitality (Designer Drugs Remix)

All 3 Together