Tis the season for hibernating and canceling plans 'cause it's too cold to go out. Here's what could, possibly, maybe get us out from under the covers this week:
Things admittedly start off kinda slow. We might recommend Koufax at the Knitting Factory, but we're not really into their piano- and synth-driven pop so much. Our ex-roommate swears by them, however.
Tuesday boasts an interesting non-show at Mo Pitkin's: Author Simon Reynolds hosts a panel discussion with no-wave pioneer James Chance, Steven Daly of Orange Juice (and also author of the Rock Snob's Dictionary), and Vivien Goldman. Sure, it's not a show per se, but you might learn something. Or you could get your indie fix at Rothko with Die Romantik, Bravo Silva, CYR, and The Get Quick.
And then on Wednesday, it's Strokes time! Those secret small-venue shows that were rumored a couple months ago never happened, so loyal fans will have to settle for Hammerstein. The shows (they're back there again Friday and Saturday) are with raunch-rockers Eagles of Death Metal (at left). Meanwhile, at Mercury Lounge, Rob Dickinson will be dramatically crooning his British art-rock (somewhat watered down from his days fronting Catherine Wheel). This dude has a really interesting voice, but we just can't get past the fact that he is pictured on the cover of his solo debut releasing a bunch of colorful seahorses into a foamy ocean. Not very rock 'n' roll, is it? With Brooklyn Vegan fave Doveman.
After falling in love with the latest album from Belle and Sebastian (at right), we really wish we had gotten tickets to one of their shows with the New Pornographers at Nokia Theatre, happening Thursday and Friday nights. Could there be more perfect pop in one place? I submit that there could not. A good possible replacement show: indie-punk stalwart Ted Leo, at the Hook with England's the Duke Spirit, who do that sexy, brooding rock thing quite well indeed.
We keep mentioning Man Man, and yet we still haven't seen them since they opened for the Arcade Fire ages ago. They're at the Mercury Lounge on Thursday, without Test Icicles, who canceled, presumably due to being broken up, and at the cozy Soundfix Records cafe (which by the way has booze) on Saturday.
Friday might be worth a trip to New Jersey's Maxwell's for respected pop-punkers Smoking Popes, who have reformed after seven years. They're also at Northsix on Saturday. And we've heard amazing things about Philadelphia's The Teeth, who rock Pianos on Friday.
On Saturday, Satanicide visits its mock 80s hair metal upon the crowd at the Mercury Lounge. Rokk on!
Put your own picks in the comments, won't you? Also, download these:
Eagles of Death Metal, "I Only Want You" (live)
Belle and Sebastian, "Another Sunny Day"
The New Pornographers, "Use It"
Smoking Popes, "Writing a Letter"
Satanicide, "Pussy 'n' Ice Cream"
