Possibly my favorite band of all time New Order/Joy Division has broken up. It’s sad, but eventually it was going to happen. New Order still to this day is the only band to truly survive the death of their singer and carry on 4 years later to release the number 1 selling single of all time “Blue Monday”. I’m actually glad it happened before Hot Topic, Urban Outfitters, and Orange County could capitalize on it like Joy Division. Luckily I did get to see their last California performance at Coachella. Thanks for the memories and some of the most inspiring songs of all time.

Here are some videos of their greatest songs and moments:







Myspace

The word “Indie Pop” sucks and anyone who classifys themselves as that probably plays in a band that sounds like an unsarcastic Pavement. That really sucks. You know who you are. Quit wasting everyone’s time at the Silverlake Lounge and Spaceland. Bottom line if you call yourself Indie you suck.

A 6 person rock band, that’s so Elton John circa 1970. However, The Magic Bullets, a San Francisco based post-pop/post-punk sextet have managed to capture the sound of nostalgia on their first full length release: A CHILD but in life yet a DOCTOR in love. Warning: You’ll be singing these infectious hooks to yourself the same way Feliz Navidad implants itself in your brain around Christmas time.

This is music for any occasion. Whether you’re road tripping or using the outro of ‘New Kicks’ to break the runner’s wall, these beautifully crafted songs are befitting to the soundtrack of your life. They write gracefully effective songs because they transpire as a painfully honest band. No ironic moustaches, no tight women’s jeans and no pretentious notion of themselves exist. Each member has a specified role with an ultimate goal: create meaningful music. None try to out-do the other, thus creating a symbiotic harmony that true fans of music will appreciate.

Live, The Magic Bullets are both engaging and withdrawn. Their on stage demeanor says it all, accidental rock stars who are lost and lonely in between songs. As soon as drum sticks count 4 they immediately find shelter in a familiar place, the sanctuary of their song. It’s endearing to witness their candor first hand. During exaggerated breakdowns their lead singer Phil loses himself with a dance reminiscent to a horse counting. As the song ends he finally musters up the courage to address the full house at the Great American Music Hall, ‘man, this is really cool.’

Tour Dates:
Jan 26 – Bottom Of The Hill – San Francisco, CA
Mar 1 – Slim’s (Noisepop) – San Francisco, CA

Website
Myspace

From Vince at LaVsSf.com check it out a good way to waste time at work. Thanks

2006 I would say in my opinion not a good year for music. Here are my reasons. I still to this day can not remember a new incredible band that really came out with a full length. The closest was TV on the Radio (not a new band) – Return to Cookie Mountain, which was very disappointing when I saw them live with Massive Attack. Paris Hilton released an album. The fucking dude from Lord of the Rings thinks he’s a DJ now and we are getting celebrity bullshit DJs all across LA now. Major labels now misuse the word Indie as a genre in order to try and make their bands more hip and marketable, example 44 plus or what ever their name is. Travis Barker is a very bad influence for dudes over 35, who think a Mohawk and riding a dirt bike will make them look younger. I will admit it does work on the less intelligent of women under the age of 25. Everything this year has been all about mediocre generic indie “blog” type bands. This results in ½ ass music being pushed all through the universe. As a result this year CMJ did not even have any good bands on the bill. Shoegaze has officially evolved now to a genre of pop punk played 1/4 speed with a delay pedal. No great melodies or tones involved anymore. Ex-mall-punk bands now try to evolve into this ,example the dude from the Ataris and Tom of Blink 182. PLEASE I would like to here a decent Shoegaze band! The closest I could even find which, by the way is an incredible band and did release a new album this year, is The Radio Dept. They are going a bit more electronic but none the less an incredible group. They are also featured on the Marie Antoinette Soundtrack which is definitely the best thing put out in 2006 even though it is a soundtrack. I honestly think Sophia made this movie just so she could put out another killer soundtrack. Now there is a celebrity DJ that needs to show Frodo or whatever his name is what’s up. Also on another good note David Yow from the Jesus Lizard is singing again in Qui,a band from out here that rocks really really hard. I would suggest going to see them tomorrow night at Safari Sams in Hollywood. Also there is an interview with Qui coming up shortly. That’s about it. I know the new Stooges Album is coming out in March and Steve Albini is doing it. I already know what is going to be the best album of 2007.