The Friday Fire Track: U-Men – “Dig It A Hole”

I absolutely love music history. Especially when a label like Sub Pop goes back and puts effort into giving everyone a true look at something that most didn’t know existed or had forgotten. That “something” is the U-Men, which from 1983 to 1987 were the hype of Seattle’s underground. Today’s Friday Fire Track, “Dig It … Read more

PUP – “Old Wounds” [Video]

Toronto-based punks PUP are well known for one-upping themselves. PUP release their latest for “Old Wounds,” a totally immersive, choose your adventure style video. That is right – sort of a choose your adventure video –
cool!

“This video is one of the craziest things we’ve done as a band,” laughs singer/guitarist Stefan Babcock. “We actually each wrote our own individual storylines,” Babcock continues. “From Steve’s sports obsession to Zack’s weirdo sci-fi brain soup, and Nestor’s unnatural love of pizza to me going off the deep end in the wilderness… this video is pure PUP.”

Broken Social Scene: Hug Of Thunder [Album Review]

Broken Social Scene Hug Of Thunder Arts & Crafts [2017] Fire Note Says: All killer, no filler. Album Review: For a band with as many members as Broken Social Scene (15 to be exact), an album can go one of two ways. It could be a messy cacophony that never manages to have a unified … Read more

Green Day “Revolution Radio” Tour [Concert Review]

Green Day: Riverbend Music Center; Cincinnati, Ohio – Sunday, August 20, 2017 Over 20 years ago, as Green Day began dominating alternative rock radio with singles like “Basket Case” and “Longview,” which required a few words to get the censor “bleep” treatment, that we’d be talking about a multi-platinum selling, Rock & Roll Hall of … Read more

Video Premiere: Romeo Dance Cheetah – “The Air Guitar Song”

At some point, we have all done it. A sweet rhythmic head toss, a powerful pelvic thrust, a double handed slide complete with a power chord strum in perfect synchronization. That is right – the AIR GUITAR!

Today’s video premiere of “The Air Guitar Song” from Romeo Dance Cheetah takes things to an entire different level because he is the real deal and the 2010 US National Champion of air guitar. In fact, the video today features some of the best air guitars in the world today, which hold multiple national and world titles. You want some official air guitar? Just watch the video now!

How do you achieve this guitar greatness?! Well, the World Air Guitar Competition is taking place this weekend in Oulu, Finland. Also, “The Air Guitar Song” video will be seen by all during the Oulu Finland Music Video Festival which runs in conjunction with the competition. It is going to be a great weekend!


Now, Romeo Dance Cheetah is not stopping with this video. He is launching his music career with the debut release of his comedy rock album, Magnificent Man on October 27th. Think Darkness drinks with Ween and then gets totally crazy with Tenacious D. Yep – that is Romeo Dance Cheetah!

Clearly, TFN wishes Romeo and all the competitors luck this weekend as the purpose of the Air Guitar World Championships is to promote world peace. According to the ideology of the Air Guitar – “Wars would end, climate change stop and all bad things disappear, if all the people in the world played the Air Guitar. This is why the whole universe is invited to play the Air Guitar for world peace at the end of the competition.”

With that said, TFN completely endorses giving it your best Hendrix, Prince or Slash right now. World peace and a Flying V can’t be stopped!

Romeo Dance Cheetah Website
Romeo Dance Cheetah Facebook

Air guitarists featured in the video:
Matt “Aristotle” Burns (USA) 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 US Champ, 2016 World Champ
Kareel “Your Daddy” Blumenkrants (RUS) 2015 World Champ
Nanami “Seven Seas” Nagura (JPN) 2014 World Champ
Eric “Mean Melin” Melin (USA) 2013 World Champ
Justin “Nordic Thunder” Howard (USA) 2011 US Champ, 2012 World Champ
Craig “Hot Lixx Hulahan” Billmeier (USA) 2006, 2008 US Champ, 2008 World Champ
Zac “Mr.Magnet” Monro (GBR) 2001, 2002 World Champ
Nicole “Mom Jeans Jeanie” Sevcik 2017 National Champ
Jason “Lt. Facemelter” Farnan 2013 National Champ
Dan “Bjorn Turoque” Crane star of “Air Guitar Nation” the movie and host of the World Air Guitar Championships
Multiple air guitarists from the world-famous French Air Band “Airnadette”
Air guitarists from around the US, Taiwan, England, France, Japan, Russia…etc.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Sketches Of Brunswick East [Album Review]

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Sketches Of Brunswick East ATO/Flightless Records [2017] Who: Ever since our first review of 2014’s I’m In Your Mind Fuzz, The Fire Note has been big fans. Psychedelic Aussies King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard is an expansive band that doesn’t shy away from musical challenge and experimentation. Sound: … Read more

Brand New: Science Fiction [Album Review]

Brand New Science Fiction Procrastinate! Music Traitors [2017] Fire Note Says: Out of nowhere, Brand New returns with a moody, somber final record that will satisfy longtime fans and initiate legions of new ones. Album Review: For fans of the cagey Long Island emo band Brand New, the past eight years have been a painful … Read more

The Murlocs: Old Locomotive [Album Review]

The Murlocs Old Locomotive Flightless Records [2017] Who: The Murlocs hail from Australia and Old Locomotive is the band’s third LP. Sound: The Murlocs are part of the current wave of Australian psychedelia that keeps rolling in. The group has that 60’s swag of the 13th Floor Elevators and the bounce of the nice guys … Read more

Racquet Club – “Head Full Of Bees” [Video]

Racquet Club is the newly formed quartet featuring members of Knapsack, The Jealous Sound and Samiam which are releasing their self-titled debut album September 29th via Rise Records. Produced by Alex Newport (Bloc Party, Frank Turner), Racquet Club sounds like the indie rock record you would expect.

The music video for “Head Full Of Bees,” was directed by Steve Hanft who is best known Beck’s “Where It’s At” video. Racquet Club will be making the below headline and support appearances throughout 2017.

SEPTEMBER
29 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s #
30 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex #

OCTOBER
03 – Phoenix, AZ – The Rebel Lounge *
04 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour *
05 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues (Voodoo Lounge) *
06 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues *
07 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone *
09 – Salt Lake City, UT – Club Sound *
10 – Denver, CO – Bluebird *
11 – Kansas City, MO – The Riot Room *
12 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean ^
13 – Lansing, MI – The Loft *
14 – Toronto, ON – Sneaky Dee’s *
16 – Cambridge, MA – The Middle East Upstairs ^
17 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s ^
18 – Washington, DC – DC9 ^
19 – Brooklyn, NY – Knitting Factory ^
20 – Garwood, NJ – Crossroads ^
21 – Lancaster, PA – Lizard Lounge ^

# = supporting Hot Water Music
* = supporting The Movielife and The Early November
^ = headline show

BIRDS: Everything All At Once [Album Review]

BIRDS Everything All At Once Greenway Records [2017] Who: Brooklyn band BIRDS is the quartet of Duane Lauginiger (guitar, vocals), Jessica Reynoza (bass, vocals), Jess Rees (guitar), and Tim Plunkett (drums). Everything All At Once is the bands debut record. Sound: BIRDS offer a very organic free flowing fuzzed-out mix of psychedelic rock that sways … Read more

Kevin Morby – “Downtown’s Lights” [Video]

Kevin Morby has a new video for the contemplative City Music standout “Downtown’s Lights.” Directed by Hugo Jouxtel and shot in Paris, the video – like the album – is a paean to the cities of the world, with the City of Lights taking center stage.

Kevin begins his US tour next week in Seattle. This comes on the heels of festival performances at Primavera Sound, Field Day, Bonnaroo, Solid Sound, Roskilde, Montreux Jazz Festival, Latitude, Newport Folk, and more, as well as heaps of critical praise for his album City Music (the follow-up to last year’s breakthrough Singing Saw). All current dates are below.

KEVIN MORBY TOUR DATES:
Mon. Aug. 21 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
Tue. Aug 22 – Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater
Thu. Aug 24 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room
Fri. Aug 25 – Fort Collins, CO @ Downtown Artey
Sat. Aug 26 – Denver, CO @ Globe Hall
Mon. Aug 28 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge
Tue. Aug 29 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
Thu. Aug 31 – Spring Green, WI @ Shitty Barn
Fri. Sep 1 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Sat. Sep 2 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
Sun. Sep 3 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
Mon. Sep 4 – Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz PBD
Fri. Sep 8 – Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry
Thu. Sep 7 – Sun. Sep 10 – Raleigh, NC @ Hopscotch Music Festival
Wed. Sep 13 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
Thu. Sep 14 – Kansas City, MO @ Madrid Theater
Fri. Sep 15 – Dallas, TX @ Sundown at Granada
Sat. Sep 16 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
Mon. Sep 18 – Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf
Tue. Sep 19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
Thu. Sep 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
Fri. Sep 22 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst Atrium
Sun. Sep 23 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
Sun. Oct. 29 – Nantes, FR @ Festival Soy
Tue. Oct. 31 – London, UK @ Electric Ballroom
Wed. Nov. 1- Leffinge, BE @ De Zwerver / Autumn Falls
Fri. Nov. 3 – Brussels, BE @ Botanique/ Autumn Falls
Sun. Nov. 5 – Copenhagen, DK @ Vega
Mon. Nov. 6 – Copenhagen, DK @ Vega
Tue. Nov. 7 – Stockholm, SE @ Debaser
Wed. Nov. 8 – Oslo, NO @ John Dee
Thu. Nov. 9 – Lund, SE @ Mejeriet
Sun. Nov. 12 – Köln, DE @ Luxor
Tue. 14 Nov. – Schorndorf, DE @ Manufaktur
Wed. Nov. 15 – Munich, DE @ Ampere
Fri. Nov. 17 – Ravenna, IT @ Bronson
Sat. Nov. 18 – Rome, IT @ Monk
Sun. Nov. 19 – Milan, IT @ Serraglio
Mon. Nov 20 – St. Gallen, CH @ Palace
Tue. Nov. 21 – Strasbourg, FR @ La Laiterie
Wed. Nov. 22 – Rouen, FR @ Le 106
Fri. Nov 24 -Brighton, UK @ The Haunt
Sat. Nov 25 – Manchester, UK @ Gorilla

Needles//Pins: Good Night, Tomorrow [Album Review]

Needles//Pins Good Night, Tomorrow Mint/Dirt Cult Records [2017] Who: Vancouver power trio Needles//Pins began in 2009 and now have released their third LP with Good Night, Tomorrow. Sound: The band belts out gruff punk rock melodies that can send you back to the sound of The Buzzcocks, while hitting the sweet spot of 90’s punk … Read more

Finn’s Motel: Jupiter Rex [Album Review]

Finn’s Motel Jupiter Rex Victory Over Gravity Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Jupiter Rex. Thebeau has found his own voice, still connecting with those great early 80s influences, but not stuck there. Album Review: When you’ve been writing and recording music in relative obscurity for close to 30 years, as has Joe Thebeau, you reach … Read more

Perfume Genius: No Shape [Album Review]

Perfume Genius No Shape Matador Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Perfume Genius is perfectly realized on their latest. Album Review: Mike Hadreas, who performs as Perfume Genius, is a star that continues to burn brighter and brighter. No Shape, his fourth full-length album, sees the artist perform and compose with confidence and experience. Hadreas excels … Read more

Guided By Voices: How Do You Spell Heaven [Album Review]

Guided By Voices How Do You Spell Heaven GBV, Inc. [2017] Fire Note Says: The revamped Guided By Voices continue their hot streak with an instant classic. Album Review: You can be forgiven for missing some of Robert Pollard’s output – the discography is indeed deep and daunting. That said, let me put this right … Read more

The National – “Carin At The Liquor Store” [Video]

Another great new track from the upcoming National record Sleep Well Beast. Watch the new video today, get ready for the album release on September 8th via 4AD and check out their upcoming tour dates below.

Current Tour Dates
10/05/17 – Wang Theatre – Boston, MA (SOLD OUT)
10/06/17 – Forest Hills Stadium – New York, NY
10/7/17 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA
10/8/17 – Masonic Hall – Detroit,MI
10/11/17 – Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA
10/12/17 – CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre – San Diego, CA
10/14/17 – Greek Theatre – Berkeley, CA
11/27/17 – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall – Portland, OR (SOLD OUT)
11/28/17 – Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA (SOLD OUT)
11/29/17 – Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA (SOLD OUT)
12/01/17 – Queen Elizabeth Theatre – Vancouver BC, CANADA (SOLD OUT)
12/02/17 – Queen Elizabeth Theatre – Vancouver BC, CANADA (SOLD OUT)
12/04/17 – Verizon Hall – Philadelphia, PA (SOLD OUT)
12/05/17 – The Anthem – Washington,DC
12/07/17 – Metropolis – Montreal QC, CANADA (SOLD OUT)
12/08/17 – Metropolis – Montreal QC, CANADA (SOLD OUT)
12/09/17 – Sony Centre – Toronto ON, CANADA (SOLD OUT) (SOLD OUT)
12/10/17 – Hamilton Place Theatre – Hamilton ON, CANADA (SOLD OUT)
12/12/17 – Civic Opera House – Chicago, IL (SOLD OUT)
12/13/17 – Civic Opera House – Chicago, IL (SOLD OUT)

ORB: Naturality (White With Blue Earth Splatter Vinyl | 1000 Copies)

Australia’s ORB returns with their second studio album Naturality on October 6th, 2017. The band has been touring with King Gizzard and I have confidence that Naturality will be ORB’s break out album so don’t wait on this pressing. The record is printed on white wax with blue earth splatter and this Flightless Records edition … Read more

Triptides: Afterglow [Album Review]

Triptides Afterglow Requiem Pour Un Twister [2017] Fire Note Says: Triptides’ 12-string jangle drifts pleasantly along, occasionally punching through the psychedelic haze. Album Review: Jangle-pop is a hard sub-genre to make one’s mark in. Originating with The Byrds’ landmark rock ‘n’ roll reimagining of Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” in 1965, the genre has always … Read more

Nine Inch Nails: Add Violence [Album Review]

Nine Inch Nails Add Violence The Null Corporation [2017] Fire Note Says: Nine Inch Nails return with the second in a trilogy of EPs, indicating that Rezner still has vital musical offerings yet to come. Album Review: Trent Rezner had been hinting at a return of Nine Inch Nails, and just prior to last Christmas … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Tall Friend – “Small Space”

Philadelphia, PA’s Tall Friend began as Charlie Pfaff’s solo project in the summer of 2014. In 2015, close friend Cale Cuellar joined in as a second guitarist and the two played shows around Washington, DC for several months before drummer Jesse Paller joined the band. As a trio, they released Tall Friend’s semi-self-titled Tawl Friend … Read more