This Week's Music Picks

Monday - 11th

"These guys definitely would appeal to the fans of Les Savy Fav, Built to Spill and even Devo. The Detachment Kit just get it. They rock and they rock hard." [Oh My Rockness]. Catch Detachment Kit tonight at 169 Bar, Thursday at Magnetic Field in Brooklyn, and finally on Saturday at the Siren Festival. Download MP3s at their site.

"tonight is the nyc debut of richmond electropunk outfit VCR. don't sleep, kids. of their EP, which you can stream here, the almighty pitchfork says: "there's at least as much Dischord abrasion and punk gallop in this stuff as there is Human Leage dancefloor pyrotechnics." and tamar says they've been known to play shows that involve "8-foot cardboard bongs, flags of kurt cobain, and bloodied noses." in other words parrrrrrrty!" [Catherine's Pita] (with Detachment Kit @ 169 Bar)

"Cinders is a great little spot on Havemeyer (the most beautiful block in all the land) that has everything from a gallery to a store that sells zines, one-of-a-kind clothes, records, and silk-screened paper towels. They organize concerts as well, turning the gallery into a porch of sorts, inviting musicians from down the block and all over the world to play in the intimate little setting. The band I know from tonight’s line-up is the Good Good. I just heard their new record the other day, and I still haven’t wrapped my head around it. It’s like Gang Gang Dance except for not as punk. Just go see them." [New Release]

169 Bar - Hockey Night, Detachment Kit, Arms and Legs, VCR
Bowery Ballroom - Ari Hest, Red Wanting Blue, Brian Vander Ark (of the Verve Pipe & Baby)
Living Room - Jesse Harris, Jim Campilongo, Justin Tracy, Leni Stern
Cinders (103 Havemeyer between Hope and Grand in Brooklyn) - The Porch Show feat. The Good Good, Glen or Glenda, and Justin Clifford Rhody
BB King's - Tribute Wars
Piano's - Brandi Carlile

Tuesday - 12th

RANA plays the Rocks Off Boat Cruse tonight. Check their site for eight MP3s.

Here's your chance to see how good the Fab Faux pay tribute to the Beatles (without paying for it). In September they're playing Webster Hall two nights in a row. They must be doing something right. (@ World Financial Center Plaza)

Rocks Off Boat Cruise - RANA
World Financial Center Plaza - The Fab Faux (Free)
Knitting Factory (Old Office) - Erik Friedlander
Pianos - The Roaring 20's, The Wowz, Pop Wheelies, The Harlem Shakes, Alec Ounsworth (of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah)
Rothko - The Yards, The Juliet Daggers, Aderbat, Americana
Bowery Ballroom - Son Volt, Dr. Dog
Cake Shop - PG Six, Alan Davidson, Mike Wexler
Trash - Print, Pile of Face, Aloke, The Shit
Pianos (Cross Pollination) - Bea, Jay Mankind
Jones Beach - The Sugar Water Festival: Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Queen Latifah
Nublu - Kudu and Send with Cocoa Cracker Brown and special guest DJ Roy Dank
BB King's - Asia
Living Room - Emma Peel, Freedy Johnston, Judd & Maggie, Teddy Goldstein
Ft. Greene Park - Ursula Rucker/J. Ivy (free)
St. Mary’s Park - Jose "El Canario" Alberto (free)
The Delancey - Walking Concert

Bridget Jones Diarrhea

Wednesday - 13th

If it wasn't a secret show, I'd probably feature Scissor Sisters at the top of this post (@ Mercury Lounge)

"Israeli musicians Tamir Muskat and Ori Kaplan want you to get up, walk over to your CD rack, pull out the world-music samplers — yes, that "Putumayo Presents: Music From the Chocolate Lands" — and pitch them into the trash. Don't sit just yet. They have a replacement suggestion: Balkan Beat Box, their New York-based brass-band/hip-hop/electronica-fusion ensemble, whose self-titled debut album will be released by JDub Records in September." [Forward] (@ Joe's Pub - early & late show)

""Straight outta the British Garage scene with the likes of Dizzee Rascal and hanging out with Mike Skinner of the streets, Lady Sovereign comes to NYC for the first time at the Knitting Factory. A talented MC in her own right, this chick is coming ready to talk shit about you to your face, call herself a "white midget", and then challenge you to say otherwise." (@ Knitting Factory)

Joe's Pub - Balkan Beat Box (early and late show)
Knitting Factory - Lady Sovereign, DJ A-Trak, Catchdubs
Webster Hall- The Bravery, The Dead 60's, Nic Armstrong
Cake Shop - People, Child Abuse (members of El Guapo, ex-X27), Miracle of Birth
Irving Plaza - Royksopp
Maxwell's - Wovenhand, Brother Danielson
Northsix- Mr. Airplane Man, Cause for Applause, The Assault
Rothko - Five O'Clock Heroes, Spinto Band, Nightmare of You
Tonic - The Analog Girl
Radio City - Carole King
Living Room - Lee Feldman, Leif Arntzen, Matty Charles and The Valentines, Rene Lopez
Canal Room - Ida, Erin McKeown
Rockefeller Park - The Wailers (free)
Brower Park - Big Daddy Kane, J. Period (free)
Crotona Park - Joe Bataan, Bobbito (free)
Mercury Lounge - Bridget Jones Diarrhea (Scissor Sisters), DJ Sammy Jo, Tralala
South Street Seaport - Ray Sepulveda
Waverly Theater - Jim White
SOB's - Pure Hip Hop Showcase feat. Sean Price, Shabaam Sahdeeq & many more

Thursday - 14th

Not fair. Way too many good free shows in the same day. Even Worse - Dinosaur Jr. (which is not free at all) is also tonight (see above). You can't go wrong with Ozomatli in Prospect Park, Calexico in Castle Clinton, or Son Volt at South Street Seaport (see above). wah.

Dungen came all the way from Sweden to play Siren festival this year, so it makes sense that they booked a few extra shows while they're here. Their show tonight at Maxwell's is sold out, but the one they're playing with Tarantula on Saturday (as Ta Det Lugnt) at Mercury Lounge (same day as Siren) is not. Read the Pitchfork review that made them famous and an interview in the Village Voice.

Central Park Summerstage - Dinosaur Jr., Broken Social Scene, Radio 4, Magik Markers
Prospect Park Bandshell - Ozomatli, Pacha (free)
Castle Clinton - Calexico (free)
South Street Seaport - Son Volt, Dr. Dog
Mercury Lounge - Apothecary Hymns, Aeon Spoke, Mason Dixon, Vox Vermillion
Pianos - Trick & The Heartstrings, 33hz, Cologne, Mistakes
Knitting Factory (Main Space) - Wovenhand, Brother Danielson
Magnetic Field - Detachment Kit, The Hong Kong
Tonic - Dan Deacon, Brendon Anderegg, Video Hippos
Southpaw - Ceasars, The Sights
Bowery Ballroom - Turin Breaks, West Indian Girl
Cake Shop - S.T.R.E.E.T.S., Recovery Period, Birthday Boyz, Bent Outta Shape
Maxwell's - Dungen, Endless Boogie
Northsix - Morning Theft
Radio City - The Moody Blues
Beacon Theatre - Lucinda Williams with Tara Angel
Rocks Off Boat Cruise - The Samples
Lincoln Center -Wyclef Jean
BB King's - Crystal Gale
Joe's Pub - Jim White: Alone with Machines
Living Room - Greg Fine, Katy Pfaffl Band, Kristin Diable
Red Lion - 2U (U2 tribute band)
Webster Hall - Tegan & Sara, Communique
World Financial Center - Hugh Pool (free)

Friday - 15th

It's not Siren yet. It's pre-Siren. Insound presents four hot bands for one low price. (@ Rothko)

Last time The Hidden Cameras were supposed to headline Bowery Ballroom, they got bumped to opener after Pitchfork gave the Arcade Fire a glowing review (Arcade Fire pics). They're back from Canada to reclaim their spot. Listen to some Hidden Cameras.

Housing Works Cafe - Nada Surf, Tara Angell, The Last Town Chorus
Rothko (Insound's Pre-Siren Fest Party) - The Ponys, Chin Up Chin Up, Be Your Own Pet, Rahim
Tommy's Tavern - Penumbra Derry, Mixed Art Foundation, Don't Stop
Tonic - Momus, Rusty Santos, The Billy Nayer Show
Mercury Lounge - Robbers on High Street, King of France, Innaway, Speedway
The Delancey - The Ordinary, K and the Boys, Go To Town, Meanwhiles, Gladshot
The Hook (The Deli Magazine Party) - Group Sounds, The Song Corporation, Hoy, Aloke, The Color Guard
Cake Shop - Lion Fever, Bellmer Dolls, Celebration
Bowery Ballroom - Hidden Cameras, Dressy Bessy, Pony da Look, Say Hi To Your Mom
Maxwell's - Holly Golightly, The Woggles, The Insomniacs
Knitting Factory (Main Space) - Hot Fire, Jah Division, Roxy Pain, Kill Rock Stars Starter Set All Star Dancers
Tonic - Japanther
PNC Bank Arts Center - The Sugar Water Festival 2005: Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, & Queen Latifah
Jones Beach - O.A.R. with Pepper and The Southland
Irving Plaza - Ozomatli, State Radio
Bryant Park (Good Morning America) - Queen Latifah
Central Park Summerstage - Alana Davis, Shelby Lynne (free)
Lambs Theatre - Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players

Morningwood

Saturday - 16th

Mr. Brownstone is a Guns n' Roses tribute band (featuring members of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah). "I saw Mr. Brownstone two years ago at Tribeca Rock Club. Close your eyes and you might as well have been on the Sunset Strip circa '88. They were that good." [statute of frauds] (@ Northsix)

Village Voice Siren Festival @ Coney Island - Spoon, Mates of State, Brendan Benson, VHS or BETA, Dungen, Q and Not U, The Dears, Ambulance Ltd., Morningwood, Diamond Nights, Detachment Kit, Saul Williams, Be Your Own Pet, Nine Black Alps
169 Bar - Valley Lodge, The Redcoats Are Coming, Hoy, Bear Claw, 777's, Commons
Green-Wood Chapel in Green-Wood Cemetary - The Last Town Chorus, Belacqua, Dawn Landes
Magnetic Field - Stuart Valentine, Palisade
Princess Nathalie Glass Palace - Eyes of the Killer Robot, Measles Mumps Rubella, Psychic Ills, Electroputas
Sin-e - My Robot Friend, Johnny 5, Unisex Salon, Levy, Americana
Tonic - Sir Richard Bishop (of Sun City Girls), Akron/Family
Rothko - Madison Strays, Controller.Controller, Cologne
Northsix - Mr. Brownstone, Waltham, Hair Supply
Don Hill's - Mixed Art Foundation, Penumbra Derry
Mercury Lounge - Ta Det Lugnt (Dungen), Endless Boogie, Tarantula A.D.
Lambs Theatre - Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players
Living Room - Crescent and Frost, Emile Westergaard, Milton
Knitting Factory (main space) - Cyro Baptista & Beat the Donkey, Maracatu New York, DJ True (ALMA Presents)
Knitting Factory (old office) - Roustabout! Live Music by The Spinto Band, Bullet Parade, Bikini Carwash Co., Golden Ball
PS1 - Juan Atkins aka Model 500, Alex from Tokyo, Kimyon

Sunday - 17th

"Recently signed Anti recording artist Tim Fite lives alone in a graveyard in Brooklyn, NY. In this graveyard, there are no headstones, no mausoleums, no flowers, no plot maps, no sprinklers, no astroturf; there aren't even any dead bodies (as far as I know)." [brooklynvegan] (@ Joe's Pub)

Brazilian Girls, Femi Kuti and DJ Nikodemus at Summerstage is sure to be fun. "Following in the foot-steps of his father, the late Afro-beat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Femi Kuti specializes in mesmerizing, propulsive rhythm jams and outspoken political activism." [summerstage] (3PM)

Central Park Summerstage - Femi Kuti, Brazilian Girls, Timmy Regisford (free)
Rothko (Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls Benefit) - Jennifer O'Connor, Bantam, Lismore, Fur Cups for Teeth, Broadband, The Battlecats
Tonic - Spielerfrau, The Sharp Things, Jason Morphew
Mercury Lounge - The Victoria Lucas, Northern Arms, Washington Social Club
Cake Shop - Roue, Gym Class
Joe's Pub - Nicolai Dunger & Tim Fite (late show) & Halcombe Waller (early show)
Northsix - Slough Feg, Bible of the Devil
BB King's - Powerman 5000
Living Room - Hi Fi Sky, Kamera
Knitting Factory (tap bar) - "Big Fat Love" Big Burlesque and the Fat-Bottom Revue: plush-size Burlesque San Francisco style!

What did we miss?