Week in Rock: Pavement Edition - Photo Gallery

<strong>Wowee Zowee</strong><p>This week indie sweethearts (and "the most important American band of the Nineties"), <a href="http://www.crookedrain.com/">Pavement</a> announced they would reunite for one night only in New York City. The date set for September 21st, <em>2010</em>—one show quickly turned in to four as presale tickets sold out quickly; and here's your heads up, <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00004330A3C355DD">general on-sale</a> is slated for 10 a.m. on Friday the 25th. This will all go down under the stars in Central Park, and the press release noted: "A compilation album is planned for release to coincide with the touring in 2010. Please be advised this tour is not a prelude to additional jaunts and/or a permanent reunion." Along with <a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/03/31/stephen_malkmus.php">Stephen Malkmus</a>, the lineup will include all the original players: Mark Ibold, Scott "Spiral Stairs" Kannberg, Bob Nastanovich and Steve West.</p><p>The band hasn't performed together since their final concert at Brixton Academy in London on November 20, 1999. At that show, Malkmus handcuffed himself to his microphone stand and told the audience: "These symbolize what it's like being in a band all these years." Soon after they announced they were retiring, and a rep at Domino Records <a href="http://www.nme.com/news/pavement/2373">told NME</a> the reasons were to "1. Start families 2. Sail around the world 3. Get into the computer industry 4. Dance 5. Get some attention."</p>

<strong>Deerhoof Take Manhattan</strong><p></p>Every time we see the inimitable <a href="http://deerhoof.killrockstars.com/">Deerhoof</a>, we suddenly remember that they're one of our favorite bands to catch live. While they're not one of those groups <em>you have to experience live</em> to "get," there is an added dimension, an "x factor," that comes through under the right circumstances. Perhaps it's that the sometimes alienating idiosyncrasies of their songs benefit, in a live performance, from the kooky, charming warmth of their personalities. Tuesday night at Le Poisson Rouge (arguably Manhattan's best newish club) found the San Francisco-based quartet in fine form following their appearance upstate at <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/09/08/barry_hogan_atp_festival.php">All Tomorrow's Parties</a>. The thrilling set included covers of the Ramones (”Pinhead”) and, most deliciously, '60s band Canned Heat (”Going Up The Country”). But the highlight, perhaps, was a riveting new song, "I Did Crimes for You" that drummer <a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/07/16/greg_saunier_deerhoof.php">Greg Saunier</a> introduced as having changed radically during soundcheck. It's that willingness to take risks and explore their unpredictable musical ideas that makes Deerhoof so exciting. But don't take our word for it; you can hear this show yourself <a href="http://www.nyctaper.com/?p=1655&amp;cpage=1">thanks to NYCTaper</a>! - <em>John Del Signore</em>

<strong>Pela Calls It Quits</strong><p>We've always had a soft spot in our hearts for New York band <a href="http://www.pelamusic.com/">Pela</a>, and two years ago we even had them report on <a href="http://gothamist.com/2007/03/21/tourist_pela_1.php">their trip to SXSW</a> for us. Recently we found ourselves wondering what's been going on with them, and ,well, now we know. <a href="http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/09/pela_breaks_up.html">Brooklyn Vegan</a> reports that the band has broken up. The band penned a letter to their fans, which stated, in part: "It is with great sadness that we write you today. Pela's collective journey has come to an end. Over the past 2 years we've faced tremendous obstacles. We recorded an album twice, had a falling out/legal battle with our old label, fired 2 managers, had a big record deal fall through, and Billy had a hand injury followed by a foot injury." Surely some of these fellas will continue to contribute to the music world in the future.</p>