DJ Kneedriver

International Flying Reptiles

2012-02-08T08:11:00.001-05:00

In recent 2012 news!
Been making sounds in this gang lately.
Liftoff for European tour in a few days.
First show together is on Monday in Zurich.
Stay tuned to Kneedriver for updates on adventures.
Can't forget the long underwear.

TwentyTwelve

2012-02-03T15:31:00.000-05:00

Hello! ) ) ) ) ) )

It has been a good while. Happy Year of Dragon.

Ol' Kneedriver is going to be back up and operational.

Old posts now filed under Ancient History.

More to come. Stay tuned in.

way back in October ...

2011-11-07T10:35:00.001-05:00

I did some gigs with punk rock legend Ivan Julian (of Richard Hell and the Voidoids) and his band. We had a real fun time. Ivan has a new record out called 'The Naked Flame'. It's a rich record full or some super righteous tunes. Check it out. You can find more info on it HERE.

Also, hear Ivan's guest DJ set on the Peer Pressure segment of Diane's Kamikaze Fun Machine show on WFMU HERE. lotsa nice tunes.

Here's a flashback. Richard Hell & the Voidoids. Rare footage at CBGB's. Turn her up good.

and a lil shot from our CMJ showcase show.

ROUGH ROAD

2011-11-06T13:34:00.001-05:00

this weekend on my street corner

Sweet 16

2011-09-29T10:54:00.000-04:00

i made this card for my cousin for her 16th birthday. i got a little pocket-sized watercolor kit as a gift years ago, and i think it's just the bee's knees.

BUY OUR PILLS FOREVER

2011-09-23T16:15:00.001-04:00

via Everything Is Terrible

Paralysed

2011-09-23T11:06:00.000-04:00

The Blacklight Lounge

2011-05-21T23:43:00.010-04:00

The Blacklight Lounge at Secret Project Robot

these are the three paintings that i made:

it was real fun.

Club Sandwich Club

2011-05-20T11:39:00.000-04:00

Relief on Mars

2011-04-22T11:06:00.000-04:00

bathroom of the Mars Bar. New York City. April 2011.

reset button

2011-02-18T09:05:00.000-05:00

RESET BUTTON

Paperwork Explosion

2010-12-13T09:50:00.001-05:00

by Jim Henson

I'm Cold

2010-12-02T15:35:00.000-05:00

I go outside and it's cold

I walk downtown and it's cold

I do everything that I'm told

The people I meet, so hooked on defeat

And if it's not one thing then it's ten

I shouldn't have to be told

So I just keep moving around

'Cause I'm cold

I picked up the pieces that break

And try not to make a mistake

and sometimes I'm sick when I wake

I jump in my car and go to a bar

Because it's so much warmer in there

For my decrepit soul

Then I get back to moving around

'Cause I'm cold

All wound up

All broken down

Animal person

Carnival clown

The only thing that hurts

Is knowing it gets worse

As it goes

I work every day 'til I'm tired

Emotionally uninspired

And some think I'll maybe get fired

But what else is new

You do what you do

Because you're told to

It's something of which

I'm really not yet quite sold

But it must just be a problem with me

'Cause I'm cold

- words by Robert Pollard. 1987.

Guided By Voices Reunites

2010-11-18T14:41:00.001-05:00

NOV 5, 2010. Boston, MA. Paradise Club

photo by Mark Shue

Pho at Le's! Truly excellent!

photo by Mark Shue

NOV 6, 2010. Philadelphia, PA. The Trocadero.
photo by Peter Brandwein

NOV 7, 2010. New York, NY. Terminal 5.

pic above by Tim Bugbee

pic above by

pic by Peter Brandwein

Art Street

2010-11-09T10:57:00.000-05:00

fire in the sky

2010-11-04T14:34:00.000-04:00

Put Yo Face On !

2010-11-02T10:38:00.000-04:00

THE YEAR OF THE CLOWN

out from the shadows

2010-10-22T14:59:00.000-04:00

gotta dance to keep from cryin'

2010-10-18T15:45:00.000-04:00

a u t u m n h a r v e s t

2010-10-12T09:56:00.000-04:00

We took the northbound train to the last stop. Then went further.

^ The Grim Reaper digs them apples.

^ We picked apples in an orchard upstate. Autumn harvest is in full effect.

^ We camped upstate at our favorite spot.

^ We got chili dogs at the Woodstock Flea Market.

^ We found Big Pink!

^ We hiked up Overlook Mountain in the Catskills. Near the top of the 2.5 mile hike, there are ruins of an old hotel that burned many years ago.

^ We climbed to the top of the Overlook Mountain Fire Tower, which offered stunning views of the Hudson Valley.

^ We hiked out to the edge of a cliff at the peak of Overlook Mountain. The beautiful Hudson Valley can be seen below.

^ This little guy was a total ham. I imagine it'll be quite the diva once it's in butterfly form.

Masters From Their Day

2010-10-07T17:19:00.000-04:00

In the spring The Library is On Fire recorded a webisode of the series 'Masters From Their Day'. Check it out!

You can read more about the experience in my earlier posting HERE.

Good Company at the Tortilleria.

2010-10-06T09:36:00.000-04:00

Last night, we got the tacos.

A block or two from our apartment is Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos. It started life as a humble family-owned tortilla factory on Starr Street in Bushwick. In the front of the factory, they set up a little kitchen where they'd cook up fresh tacos, tortas, and picadas for the family, friends, factory workers, and passerby. Word got out about the food they were serving. After positive reviews ran in the New York Times and the Village Voice, they suddenly found themselves in the spotlight. People came from all around the five boroughs to partake in this delicious goodness. Anthony Bourdain even came there on his television show, No Reservations.

Lucky for us, they weren't too crowded the other night. So we went on through to the back with some bodega beers and enjoyed a great meal of steak tacos and a vegetable picada. About a third of the way into our tacos, the owner, Marcelo, came up and introduced himself and offered us two Modelo Especials. He was super friendly and had a great sense of humor. His english was pretty limited, and our Spanish was sadly awful, but we shared some good conversation and some hearty laughs.

As he was sippin' on the Modelo, he told us he was getting geared up to go on vacation, back to Mexico with his wife. His eldest daughter is going to hold down the fort while he's gone. She's really cool, and I guess we first made acquaintences with her about a year and a half ago, when we first came to Los Hermanos. She's always at the tortilleria - taking orders, cleaning up, cooking, cleaning, talking with customers, and generally keeping things organized. Marcelo told us he'd been in the tortilla business in Brooklyn for years. Los Hermanos is his third operation. Recently, he started hosting art shows and rock n' roll parties in the factory. He said he loved hosting the shows, but there are too many people coming out for the space they have. Some of the shows turned into wild parties till the wee hours. Too much awesome for one space to handle, Marcelo hinted.

Marcelo told us that we just so happened to be there on his son's 23rd birthday. His family began to gather in the back of the factory, lighting candles on the birthday cake. "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you.." we all began singing. Marcelo's son blew the candles out, and we were offered a piece of cake. We hung out for another hour with the fam, trading stories about growing up, raving about Mexican food, life in Brooklyn, and good times. They are were such a warm and tight-knit family, and it we were so grateful to be included in the awesome evening. As we started to leave, Marcelo's drinking buddy gave us two leather spiky punk bracelets. Fuck yeah.

I love Los Hermanos.

(untitled)

2010-10-05T10:38:00.000-04:00

on the edge of town

2010-10-04T13:52:00.000-04:00

a lost boy

builds a wall

on the edge of town

YERBA BUENA

2010-09-27T12:02:00.000-04:00

In early September, we ventured off to San Francisco, California. Solid good times.

You can read about the food we ate HERE.

end of summer weekend recap

2010-08-30T10:56:00.000-04:00

... epic weekend. i needed it.

Friday: Bob Pollard art show extravaganza (thanks Rob and Lesley!), then amazing Starring show at Death By Audio, then party with The Cinnamon Band brothers .

Saturday: Life breakfast. lazy sunny hang in the park with Amey, drooling at Main Drag, Snacky fried rice, played the funnest show ever at Dead Herring with Violent Soho, Unnatural Helpers, and Bare Wires. *mosh pit*. then partied with TCB until the sun came up. Neil pukes on Graham Ave.

Sunday: brunch reunion with our man Benoit (back in town from Paris), then Amey's *incredible* Enchiladas del Mar dinner party with Michael. i guess we can sleep when we're dead.

this summer was turbulent but good.

happy and grateful to be able to give it a proper send-off with this epic weekend.

------> ON TO THE FUTURE !

QUADROHEEDIA

2010-07-23T11:13:00.000-04:00

I knew I'd come away asking this: Why didn't I do this BEFORE?

Since 2007, I'd been hearing all about it. Seeing the pictures. This year Steve and I finally booked our flights, marked our calendars, joined the party, met our buddy Peter there, and had a seriously. killer. wigout.

JULY 4th. The weekend.

2010-07-06T14:10:00.000-04:00

we traveled with good friends to their family's home in rural Vermont for the long July 4th weekend. it was a blast.

heading into town. Montpelier, Vermont. Capital city. the farmer's market was incredible, and easily rivaled NYC's best offerings. we stocked up on fresh produce and munched on local wood-fired pizza, homemade chicken mantu, and smoked trout tacos.

back at the house, Carolyn made delicious margaritas with some tequila we picked up. She makes her own Triple Sec from scratch.

... in the garden next door.

The beans are ripe for picking.
Mrs. Morton also makes fantastic Limoncello from scratch. It's the best I've tasted.

and afternoon on #10 Pond.

drinking the fresh margaritas on the floating dock.

back in town. fireworks on July 3rd over the capital city.

early on the 4th, we drove a few hours to New Hampshire where the family camp is. we left the cars on a dirt road. you can only get to the camp by boat.

The Mortons built the camp by hand from surrounding trees. no electricity or plumbing. no need. the refrigerator and stove are propane. perfectly peaceful and cozy. the nicest place i've been in a long time. I didn't want to leave.

Magic Hat did not pay Kip for this endorsement of their #9 beer. over the weekend, we enjoyed several great Vermont beers: Trapp, Hill Farmstead, Switchback, Otter Creek, Longtrail, and Magic Hat. really good stuff.

lunch at the camp.

the best grilled cheese i've ever had. local aged Cabot cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, local onion, homemade maple walnut bread, some spicy mustard.

dinner at the camp by candlelight. a delicious caprese salad and pasta salad made with both farmer's market and garden goods. top it off with a nice baguette and wine.

we kayak. we swam a lot in this pond at the camp and at #10 pond in Vermont. we spotted constellations by night, skinny dipped by day, and found loads of frogs, snakes, crawdads, spiders, and other awesome creatures.

on the night of the 4th, we built a fire after dinner, drank our whiskey, roasted marshmallows, and shared stories and good times.

campfires must be the answer to everything. nature trumps all.

WEEKEND WARMUP - GBV! GBV! GBV!

2010-07-01T10:50:00.000-04:00

Beatnik Glossary

2010-06-30T13:31:00.000-04:00

GUIDED BY VOICES REUNITES!!!

2010-06-29T14:24:00.000-04:00

It's finally happening!!!

MAN O MAN O MAN O MAN !

what a day.

DINNERGEDDON

2010-06-29T10:28:00.001-04:00

hola,

not a whole lot of new posts from me lately.

...because i've been too busy EATING!

me and some brothers started DINNERGEDDON. tons of great stuff to check out, and more coming all the time.
more posts coming here at KNEEDRIVER very soon though as well.

here are some NYC eats i've blogged about so far:

Oasis in Williamsburg:

Pequeña in Fort Greene:

Dogmatic in Union Square:

happy eating!

MEMORY LANE

2010-06-14T15:01:00.000-04:00

by Jim O'Rourke.

one of my favorite records.

Hallways of Shatterproof Glass

2010-06-07T12:03:00.000-04:00

'The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory'

by Guided By Voices

DUCK DUCK . . .

2010-06-02T22:22:00.001-04:00

photos by Mark Shue.

LOS ANGELES

2010-05-08T14:59:00.000-04:00

see ya real soon

2010-04-28T17:20:00.000-04:00

a slice of humble PIE

2010-04-26T11:38:00.001-04:00

It's been a little while since I've posted. Another Earth Day and Adminsitrative Professionals Day came and went this month. Which means I've been keeping this blog up for over a year. It's nice to have my little corner over here.

On Saturday I did a recording session with Library. We were chosen to appear in a webisode of a new series called 'Masters From Their Day', hosted by Benchmark Media. Benchmark makes high quality microphone preamps and other fun toys. Each of these webisodes features a different band in a different studio, and the idea is that you have eight hours to go to a studio and lay down a song, track, overdub, mix. All of this using the Benchmark gear, of course. The whole process is filmed, and I believe our webisode (I still feel funny using to word 'webisode') will air sometime this summer. I'll post it when it comes out. In the meantime, here is the first one that just aired last week:::

For our webisode, we were instructed to show up to PIE Studios in Glen Cove. We looked at the studio website, and it looked by far to be the nicest studio we'd ever stepped foot in. We didn't have a clue what we'd be getting into.

We ran through the new song, called 'The Broken Guitar', at a space in Brooklyn on Friday night. Cory had flown in from Ohio a couple hours earlier. We went out for some drinks afterward. The next day we met up, started out of town, and had some food from a Polish ale house in Queens. Steve recently got a pickup truck from Ohio on the cheap. The headlights and gas gauge didn't work, and it only seated two. But she got us up there. Cory and I took turns sitting on each other's laps. We threw a couple of guitars, a bass, and a snare drum in the back of the truck. Didn't take long to get up to Glen Cove.

When we walked into the studio, roadcases from The Who and Aerosmith were lined up on the floor, and records, plaques, personal notes, photos, and VIP passes covered the walls. We first met Elias, who produces the session, and then Perry, the owner of PIE Studios. Both were total gentlemen. We entered the live room, which was a huge and open vibe. There was a sunken wood floor, and the ceilings reached to the heavens. It was a sanctuary. There was a grand piano, several vintage drum kits, and stacks and stacks of amazing guitar amps. The control room housed racks of crazy kinda guitars and basses. Perry made us feel totally at home. "Feel free to use whatever you need to, and set up however you feel most confortable," he said, while pacing around pulling microphones and stands out from the corners of the studio.

I perused the eye candy, pretty humbled by what I came across. I saw an amp in the live room, a little weird amp that had a plaque on it: 'Echosonic Amp. Made by Ray Butts. Special for Scotty Moore.' Elvis Presley's guitarist. Whoa. When I asked Perry about it later, he pointed to a photo on the wall of an early 1950s Elvis Presley concert. Right next to a dancing Elvis was Scotty Moore, and right behind the two men was that amp, plaque and all. "There she is. Scotty's personal amp. Jailhouse Rock was recorded on this amp.", he said. Whoa. I saw an old beat up Fender Tweed amp in the corner with the words "Record Plant" faintly stenciled on the top. "Jimi Hendrix recorded on this amp." In the control room I saw a beat up blonde Fender Esquire laying on the couch. I picked it up. Keith Richards' signature was on the back. "That's Keith's guitar." Perry shared some rich stories with us about his pals, and some of the great recording sessions he'd been a part of. The three of us were amazed and honored just to be there. Perry was so gracious and generous, and an all around great guy to hang out with.

The vibe was nice and comfortable.

Cory made himself at home on Ralph Molina's drum kit and channeled his inner Crazy Horse. Steve and I set up in the room right around him, doing basic tracking live - how we like it. Despite it being the first time I'd played with Cory (our regular drummer Pete had another commitment), we locked in real good and tapped the vibes. Steve then knocked out rhythm guitar overdubs, and vox were tracked in the vibey bathroom with the shattered china mosaics and red crushed velvet. "Cheap Trick did vocals in there." Cory and I grabbed some beer across the street to take back to the studio. Elias pulled together a good rough mix of the raw tracks. Cool. We all broke for dinner nearby at the Juicy Burger. The Benchmark gang of Elias (producer), Jeremy (engineer) and Isaac (camera man/director) were all real solid dudes, and we shared some fun times.

Steve had the idea to record some guitar overdubs loosely inspired by Rhys Chatham's 'raindrop' technique employed in his 200 guitar extravaganza, "A Crimson Grail". The technique involved recording notes on a guitar played completely at random, and in no particular order. I think each of us did about 3 takes of this, acheive a nice pinging rain drop sound. On Keith's guitar. Through Scotty's amp. When I played Keith's guitar it was surreal. The fretboard was nearly black in places. The neck and body were beat to a pulp. Well-loved. It wanted to be played and played and played. The built-in tape loop delay pulsed and burped in the bottom of Scotty's amp, like a sleeping beast. To use some of these tools that rock and roll was built with was completely humbling and unreal. A huge thanks for Perry for his generosity and kindness, and a huge thanks to Elias for having us do the show. He was a great guy to work with, and I think the song came out great. We had fun, which is all that really matters I guess.

Steve also posted a real nice blog about the experience. Check it out here.

Fun Saturday.

Monkey in My Chair

2010-04-08T11:38:00.000-04:00

VIDEO PREMIERE :::

'Monkey in My Chair'

by The Library is on Fire.
Directed by Craig Snodgrass.

i wrote this song when i still lived in Virgina. in many ways, it feels like a hundred years ago. the song came out of a frustrated and drunken middle-of-the-night haze. when i woke up the next day, i found that i had written and recorded a demo of the song. when i tried to refine it, to work out the words better, to write another verse, it didn't work. the song happened when i was nearly unconscious, and it just stayed in that space. in didn't think anything of it later on, but then Steve heard it and thought Library could play it, so we did.
it's funny that this little tune hopped from the one world into the present one. anyhoo, thanks to my brother Craig Snodgrass for coming up to Brooklyn and bringing other brother Grail Ogzewalla and making a real fun video. love you guys.

Thugs-N-Tacos

2010-04-07T14:54:00.000-04:00

that's right. last night we went to see the newly reunited Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

this is a video from last night's show.

they played at Irving Plaza, right off Union Square. i remember hearing 'Crossroads' and 'First of the Month' back in the mid nineties, and loving it. it was an amazing show.

before the show, we hit up a favorite: Dos Toros.

a simple math equation, kids:

Invisible Circle

2010-04-05T14:22:00.000-04:00

my friend Dave makes beautiful soundwaves.

thorn in the heart

2010-03-30T09:27:00.000-04:00

Trailer for Michel Gondry's "Thorn in the Heart"

shut the door

2010-03-23T14:57:00.000-04:00

i was fortunate enough to see Fugazi play in 2002 when i was in school at James Madison University. it will forever be etched in my memory as one of the greatest gigs i've seen. enjoy this.

Christopher denny - with a Big 'C'

2010-03-23T09:20:00.000-04:00

----> this is the trailer for the brand new Showtime series 'The Big C' - starring Laura Linney and Oliver Platt. my friend Chris Denny's song 'Time' is featured prominently in the trailer. he played our wedding, and is one of my favorite singers ever.

WEEKEND WARMUP - I'm in love with that song

2010-03-19T12:45:00.000-04:00

so, Library playing with Oneida tonight.

off to Pennsyvania tomorrow for a quick trip to visit my Gram. i made a couple o' batches of my famous brownies for her and her pals. i made a mix CD of Big Star jams for the car ride.

speaking of Big Star, i leave you with this tune. one of my all-time favorite songs, and the best tribute to Alex Chilton ever made.

If he was from Venus, would he feed us with a spoon?
If he was from Mars, wouldn't that be cool?
Standing right on campus, would he stamp us in a file?
Hangin' down in Memphis all the while.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?I'm in love with that song."

Cerebral rape and pillage in a village of his choice.
Invisible man who can sing in a visible voice.
Feeling like a hundred bucks, exchanging good lucks face to face.
Checkin' his stash by the trash at St. Mark's place.

I never travel far, without a little Big Star

Runnin' 'round the house, Mickey Mouse and the Tarot cards.
Falling asleep with a flop pop video on.
If he was from Venus, would he meet us on the moon?
If he died in Memphis, then that'd be cool, babe.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?
I'm in love with that song."

'Alex Chilton' by The Replacements. Lyrics by Paul Westerberg.

( ( ((shOw tOnite)) ) )

2010-03-19T11:08:00.000-04:00

+*+*+*+*+*
happy friday!
tonight Library will play with Sightings and the Almighty Oneida.
if you live in the NYC area, and you're not currently in Austin, you probably don't want to miss this show.

ONEIDA + SIGHTINGS + THE LIBRARY IS ON FIRE
friday MARCH 19
@ Knitting Factory Brooklyn
361 Metropolitan Ave - Brooklyn, NY
8PM

RIP Alex Chilton

2010-03-18T09:39:00.000-04:00

Alex Chilton

1950 - 2010

rest in peace buddy. you gave us awesome music.

Un Prophete

2010-03-11T15:18:00.001-05:00

last night it was a cheeseburger from Great Jones. the guy from The National was there having a drink. i guess they just came from taping Jimmy Fallon. went to see A Prophet (Un Prophete) at the Angelika downtown. been looking forward to it for quite awhile. indeed, it lived up to and sometimes far surpassed all of the praise i've seen for it.

hands down, this is the best film i have seen in years.
go see it.
you won't regret the ride.

Spengler and the Giant.

2010-03-08T14:23:00.000-05:00

Smith Mountain Lake.
me doing my thing at marney & john's lake house a little while back. thanks to the john zinn sans beard for the pic.

RIP Mark Linkous

2010-03-07T20:05:00.000-05:00

Mark Linkous
1962-2010

Virginia lost a good one.

Boswijck

2010-03-04T12:23:00.000-05:00

my neighborhood in the 1970s.

... and here are a few pics i shot about a year ago of my neighborhood, right around our place. i love my neighborhood.

photos by Mark Shue.

Magic Windows, Magic Nights

2010-03-02T09:28:00.000-05:00

it is here. the 15 song full length album from Library drops today. glad to see it come out.

in late December of 2008, we travelled to snowy northeastern Ohio to record with our old pal Todd Tobias (Guided By Voices, Robert Pollard, Circus Devils, Brother Earth) and recorded, mixed, and finished this record in less than 2 weeks. most tracks were done in 2 takes or less. basic tracking was done live in one room of an old house (the old Waterloo studio). it was a fiery pace, a great way to make a record. not much time for second guessing, editing, correcting mistakes.
somehow we also played shows almost every night during the sessions. we played hard and loud, drank mucho beer, we ate a lot of Swenson's burgers. watched a lot of rock n roll bootleg movies on a wall of 10 televisions. i don't think we slept much. then the fruits of our labor sat quietly on a shelf for a year, while we tried to figure out how to get it out to the kids.. and now it's finally out.
get the CD or LP here.
get the iTunes here.
anyway, i think we had fun making it.

Scissor.

2010-02-22T11:50:00.000-05:00

Liars "Scissor" from A Bruntel on Vimeo.

the scene, in shades of grey.

2010-02-17T13:01:00.000-05:00

it's been cold in the city. for a good while.
whipping winds and blackened slush.
black ice. glad its my feet and not my tires on it.
i don't have tires these days.
getting better at hiding. and cooking.
still need a good sweat. get the heart pumping.
me and her, we've been hard at work trading runny noses, scratchy throats, and coughing fits back and forth. like ping pong. the sun can't reach through these tall buildings much right now.

the scene is presented in shades of grey mostly.

Park Avenue is a wind tunnel.

and the snow . . .

the East Coast was pummelled; New York City was teased.

Staunton was buried; Bushwick was dusted.

we still got the cold though. water tower froze on the roof of our building.

i'm real glad i found the old military surplus coat to keep me warm. she's a welcome friend. why don't they seem to make anything as good these days?

apples still flood the markets. they were stored for the winter.
no new growths yet. no new colors.
still like them apples though.
it's a sleepy daze. wintery lethargy. a hibernation.
slow blood. a full belly. cracked skin. sugary alcohol residue on the tongue.
the aftermath of The Jolly Season. The Februaries.
slippin' in the streets.
these boots make me sound like i mean business when i walk.
but there's a light crackling down the road.
something reaching through the buildings.
some lighter shoes to walk with.
a little bit of that sunshine.
some new colors.

BUENA VISTA

2010-02-11T10:55:00.000-05:00

Buena Vista from Casual Fridays on Vimeo.

The Cinnamon Band. one of my favorite bands ever, and a dandy pair of solid dudes.

RED ANTS

2010-02-04T16:05:00.000-05:00

'Red Ants' by Sonoi

Magic Windows, Magic Nights - out MARCH 2, 2010

2010-02-03T16:46:00.000-05:00

The Library is on Fire - our full length CD/LP titled Magic Bumrush Heartz will be released to the world on MARCH 2, 2010!!

It's already available for pre-order on amazon.com:

Get it on CD

Get it on VINYL

Check out the video for the first single, "Magic Bumrush Heartz", below!

The Library is on Fire - "Magic Bumrush Heartz". Directed by Alam Raja.

moore+ranaldo+yummy fur

2010-01-23T14:20:00.000-05:00

last friday i went to thurston moore's art opening: Ecstatic Peace Poetry Journal - Issue #10, at White Columns in the city. met up with steve there. the space was packed. pbr cans in everyone's paws. david byrne showed up too. thurston played a noise set with the Northampton Wools.

after that, we headed over to williamsburg to catch Lee Ranaldo's art opening: A Random Collection of Cells. it was funny that thurston and lee had openings on the same night. apparently was a total coincidence. wolfy and erin showed up. i tagged along with em, and we headed out, picked up some jameson, and stopped at supercore for some tasty japenese with some friends of theirs. off to market hotel.

by the time we rolled up, market hotel was a packed house. yummy fur hadn't played yet. this was the NYC show of their much anticipated reunion tour. i was largely unfamiliar with them, but they sounded pretty together n rockin.

yeah it was a fun night.

WEEKEND WARMUP - such a shame

2010-01-15T11:07:00.000-05:00

Jay Reatard - Such a Shame/All Over Again Live at Sonic Boom Records, Toronto from Graeme Phillips on Vimeo.

+ + + + + + + + + +

i saw jay reatard open for the pixies in november. he was fantastic. jay died in his sleep this week. he was 29 years old. such a shame.

Waiting For Something - a short documentary about Jay Reatard

Jay Reatard MySpace Music Videos

RIPs

2010-01-14T13:29:00.000-05:00

a L O T of folks have died this week. RIP.
. . . the letter links above can lead to lending a hand.

many other folks have passed this week too. RIP. some...
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PRO CONAN

2010-01-14T09:37:00.000-05:00

mr. conan o'brien is real, quality entertainment. he deserves the tonight show more than anyone. NBC has fucked up.

see the statement from Conan. classy stuff.

JOIN TEAM CONAN
+ website
+ facebook

RIP Art Clokey

2010-01-12T11:40:00.000-05:00

TWENTYTEN!

2010-01-11T09:44:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

this century officially enters teenagerdom. no more wettin' the bed here.

christmas in virginia was a really good time. first time i've travelled home for that kind of thing since i moved away from the south. the folks had the house decorated and fixed up real nice. the tree was super pretty, and mom had the nutcrackers and snowmen out in full force. about a week before we got there, they had three feet of snow dumped on them. staunton hadn't seen that kind of snow since i was a wee little one.

pic by Dave Shue

when we got to staunton, there was enough snow left to get some quality saucer rides in with the cousins when they arrived the day after christmas. linda came up from florida too. we all ate and ate some more. drank and drank some more. mom whipped up some of carm's eggnog - the old family recipe. mmmm. saw a lot of good friends, but not for long enough. missed some other good friends completely. it's hard to fit it all in around that time. dad is fixing up the old autoharp for me. paul's oscar schmidt. i'm real stoked about that. that's a hell of a lotta strings. i found some more old records. some real gems.

back to new york and back to work before the decade switch-up. rang in the new year with friends in bushwick. i was a little under the weather, but still dug the festivities. people were dancing on the tables at roberta's. they had the fire going outside and a hot tub in the tent. went bowling with some brothers on ny day, also had a real nice nye day with my sister. we both had the jambalaya at great jones, and enjoyed one of the best jukeboxes in town. the library has been taking a little breather. it's been nice. our full length record, magic windows magic nights, comes out march 2 on fill in the blank. i've been trying to get more sleep these days. i start taking a class at the end of this month at the school of visual arts. i'm pretty excited.

happy new year to you. i hope it's rad.

these days it makes no difference

2009-12-30T11:57:00.000-05:00

CHRISTMAS

2009-12-26T15:30:00.000-05:00

LET IT SNOW

2009-12-21T11:08:00.000-05:00

go see the Invisible Hand. buddies from Virginia making good good good jams.

awesome Christmas present from Michael.

talk talk

2009-12-15T13:34:00.001-05:00

turn up the speakers.

i JUST WANT TO

2009-12-14T13:18:00.000-05:00

the great Reggie Watts

+ playing tonight at Le Poisson Rouge

++ tomorrow at Galapagos Art Space

WEEKEND WARMUP - to the future

2009-12-11T15:33:00.001-05:00

via Fubiz

2007 looks like this

2009-12-10T11:40:00.000-05:00

a look back.

Up on Cripple Creek

2009-12-08T13:27:00.000-05:00

The Band - 'Up on Cripple Creek'. Ed Sullivan Show - 1968.

boss.

2009-12-03T14:07:00.000-05:00

Tommy Lee Jones in a Japanese TV commercial for BOSS.

DO IT AT ALL COST

2009-11-23T09:45:00.000-05:00

yes. dudes played TLIOFHQ loft party on 11/20. it was a rockin' good time.

Imhurt

2009-11-18T17:35:00.001-05:00

photo by Chester Higgins Jr./The New York Times

via The New York Times

something to do

2009-11-18T12:01:00.001-05:00

while at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
now, while doing this draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand.
your foot will change direction and there's nothing you can do about it.

MEAT and LASERS

2009-11-11T16:13:00.001-05:00

next time i need business cards, they will be printed on meat. i am certain of this.

DELIRIUM

2009-11-11T10:45:00.000-05:00

a favorite coffee and cigarettes scene. classic.

RZA was at the bookstore when i bought Cash. giving a talk about the Tao of Wu (which is on my list). i wanted to stay but i had to pack my bag. spain was calling. i added Cash to the line. didn't get to crack it open until last week.

in the middle of one of the best books i think i've ever read. i don't know why it took so long to get to it. johnny cash has been one of my favorites for years. even that mediocre (at best) movie that came out a few years ago didn't ruin it for me. and i just can't get away from this book. i play his records almost daily - have for the past 5 years i guess. they don't get old, not to me. if i'm on a desert island with one music option, just give me Cash.

oh, watched this again last night:

and man, it was great. hit me in a new light.

on a side note, i really enjoy this:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SESAME STREET

2009-11-10T11:09:00.000-05:00

40 years ago today.
happy birthday Sesame Street.
thanks for all of the awesome times we've had together.

2009-11-10T10:25:00.000-05:00

Johnny Cash at San Quentin

2009-11-03T16:23:00.001-05:00

Berlin Block Tetris from Sergej Hein on Vimeo.

2009-11-03T15:58:00.000-05:00

“ Just because your voice
reaches halfway around the world
doesn’t mean you are wiser
than when it reached
only to the end of the bar. "

— Edward R. Murrow

mind fuck I

2009-10-29T14:01:00.000-04:00

mr. snodgrass + mr. ogzewalla

the defender.

2009-10-27T09:56:00.000-04:00

"Folks who made the mess say,

'You're not mopping fast enough.

You're not holding the mop the right way.

It's a socialist mop.'"

- President Barack Obama, 10/26/09

come on, haters. grow up.

back in nyc with the vibes in my heart.

2009-10-26T11:57:00.000-04:00

the great Joan Manuel Serrat.

Barcelona was the tops. some pics to come.

WEEKEND WARMUP - 1,2,3 Partyy!

2009-10-09T13:53:00.000-04:00

MISSION OF BURMA - 1,2,3 Party!

from THE NEW RECORD

Staunton, Virginia ---> FUTURE

2009-10-06T11:01:00.000-04:00

this is so cool.
depicting my hometown - Staunton, Virginia. this is West Beverly Street, in the heart of downtown. in "the near future"

i've seen this picture before - years ago - somewhere. don't remember where..

my buddy Angus posted it online recently. he brought back some childhood memories of staunton that i'd forgotten about. we used to have peacocks and deer in giant cages in the park. gypsy hill park. right next to the minature train that you could hop on and ride in circles. we used to be one step away. one step away from the flying canoes.

bourdain.

2009-10-01T13:28:00.001-04:00

WEEKEND WARMUP - loft party/show TONIGHT!

2009-09-18T14:39:00.000-04:00

+ Doug Gillard
+ The Cinnamon Band
+ The Library is on Fire

@ TLIOFHQ
114 Forrest St. - 3rd Floor
buzzer #13
Brooklyn
9PM

PARTY!!!

RIP MARY TRAVERS

2009-09-17T09:56:00.000-04:00

pavement reunion:: real!!!

2009-09-16T11:28:00.000-04:00

holy shit.
holy shit.

holy shit.

... and then this dude shows up.

2009-09-15T12:56:00.000-04:00

thanks Russ!

ale n scratchings.

2009-09-15T09:42:00.000-04:00

awesome.

thanks Todd and Carla!

RIP Patrick Swayze

2009-09-15T09:24:00.000-04:00

RIP Jim Carroll

2009-09-15T09:21:00.000-04:00

anniversary!

2009-09-13T23:10:00.000-04:00

1 year!!!

L O V E .

WEEKEND WARMUP - show tonight!

2009-09-11T09:38:00.000-04:00

tonight:::

we play with these guys >>>

DETAILS HERE

WEEKEND WARMUP - THE OFFICIAL IRONMAN RALLY SONG

2009-09-04T13:45:00.000-04:00

ViSUAL THiNKiNG - Part ii

2009-09-04T09:29:00.000-04:00

birthday breakfast

2009-09-03T10:51:00.000-04:00

surprise birthday breakfast + art.

09.03.09

i love my girl.

on the water

2009-09-02T10:38:00.000-04:00

Burlington, Vermont.
Lake Champlain waterfront.
08.30.09