Author: brian.gray

The photo taker and manager of the IT Department.

Show Pics: The Psychedelic Furs @ ACL Live (7/15)

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…with The Chameleons.

I was out and about earlier this week for a show at ACL Live featuring a couple more bgray throwback bands. If someone mentions The Psychedelic Furs, your mental soundtrack may jump at a movie soundtrack hit. I happen to think of the darker tail end of new wave that crossed over into post-punk. Being at a show where there are equal numbers of people are unironically wearing Wham! shirts as there were wearing Sisters of Mercy shirts is about the best description of the Psych Furs split personality. “Pretty In Pink” and “Heartbreak Beat” versus “Love My Way” and “No Easy Street”, pop bangers to introspective mourning.

Opening the show, The Chameleons have their core back together. You may know them as The Chameleons UK due to publishing issues, Chameleons Vox due to the breakup, but they’re back at it. I caught a bit of Mark Burgess playing solo during SXSW, but the full band experience, getting Smithies and Burgess back at it, is what I wanted. Got it. If you don’t know the band well, have a listen to Script Of The Bridge and tell me it couldn’t be released today.

Click through for the piccies!

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Sleek Teeth Share Video for Same

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Sometimes the algorithm wins.

Sleek Teeth are a darkwave duo out of Los Angeles. This track that was released a few days ago found me through a recommended list on Roon. Layered vocal tones that harken back to early synthesizer-based goth, beats that build off of EBM roots in Belgium and Berlin. Interestingly, the band will be playing a one off show down at Paper Tiger next month with Hallows and Cold Body Club (solo project from Jonathan of Urban Heat). Maybe a road trip is in order…

Cut Copy Announces Moments

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To go along with the announcement that their forthcoming album called Moments lands on September 5th, we also get a new song from Cut Copy to get the perverbial juices flowing. “When This Is Over” has a summer vibe to it, pool side, early afternoon, dappled light, but it also has a underlying pensive tone that grows as the song progresses with the late stages of the track completed by children’s choir, apparently from a school just outside Melbourne, to perhaps pay tribute to Talk Talk? I made that last bit up, but the song has that “Happiness Is Easy” thing going for it and Cut Copy has certainly gone from synth pop hits to having more varied and elegant songs woven into their albums.

Anyway, the new track is on the streaming things including bandcamp (below) and the album is up for pre-order now.

Nation of Language are Not Ready for the Change

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After getting to see the new jam “Inept Apollo” live at their Kilby Bock Party aftershow and then in video format, we have another new song and video from Nation of Language. “I’m Not Ready for the Change” takes us on the most shoegaze bend the band has taken. There is a twelve-string guitar providing that hypnotic shimmer while vocals are layered throughout the track. From what has been shared so far, Dance Called Memory (due in mid-September) will have a few curves thrown in as they expand on the formula that we all know love.

Show Pics: OMD at ACL Live (6/3)

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I have said it before and will say it again, I will see Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark any chance I get. The depth of their catalog and their shaping of new wave, synth pop, 80’s Top 40 and beyond.

This show had to be rescheduled due for several, not the least of which was a shoulder replacement for Andy McCluskey. Only natural given the perpetual motion machine that he is on stage, not an inch of it left untouched by the end of the first three songs. Paul Humhreys is the rock, anchoring most tracks with glorious hooks and occasionally stepping out to provide his vocal. They love these songs so much and it shows. The crowd can’t help but be persuaded.

Walt Disco and I missed our chance to connect because they were among the early Sunday Kilby Block Party performers that were bucketed on by rain. Luckily, I knew I’d get to catch them opening at ACL Live a couple weeks later and they showed why they garnered a best of SXSW 2022 award from RayRay.

Click through for a coule more notes and pics.

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KBP6: Sunday in Photos

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Trying to get through the last batch of photos from Kilby Block Party.

I will start by breaking all of the other performers’ hearts by saying Nation of Language was my favorite thing the whole weekend. In fact, I saw them again later Sunday night at their after-party. I don’t want to take anything away from the others, I had an amazing time while dodging the rain. The gallery to follow is comprised of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Real Estate, Tennis, Husbands, Nation of Language, TV on the Radio, Justice and Nation of Language (again).

It was an absolutely stunning day of jams.

Join me, won’t you? Click through and read the notes and view the photos.

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KBP6: Saturday in Photos

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OK, I may have lied about Friday being the biggest gallery from Kilby Block Party. Saturday was another super busy day for the me at the fairgrounds.

On the agenda and in order of appearance in the giant gallery to follow are Sloppy Jane, Friko, Jelani Aryeh, George Clanton, Sasami, Panda Bear, IDKHOW, Toro Y Moi, (a cameo by) OVLOV, Gang of Four (featuring Ted Leo on guitar), Wallows, (another cameo by) The Black Angels and finally, WEEZER. As usual, I’ll be sharing a few thoughts on the day after the break. Let’s just say there was some chaos, some calm, some vibes and some nostalgia.

Please join me for some fake virtual reality by clicking through…

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KBP6: Friday in Pictures

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Get ready folks. This is going to be one big gallery.

Friday was the busiest day for me at Kilby Block Party. I went from gates to close, making friends, seeing new stuff, old stuff and everything in between. The shoot plan was, and order of the gallery is, as follows; Melancholy Club, Being Dead, Been Stellar, Vagabon, Hovvdy, Perfume Genius, Momma, Built to Spill, Car Seat Headrest, Slowdive Youth Lagoon and Beach House. I did go listen to a bit of Rilo Kiley from the crowd (closed photo pit). Like I said, Friday was busy, with a couple of double sets (shooting a song or two and crossing the wilds to catch a bit of another artist’s third). I got to know my fellow photographers a bit better and a few good friends joined in the fun. The rodeo stage was cool and the weather held.

I have notes and a GIANT gallery after the jump.

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Kilby Block Party 6: Thursday in Pics

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I traveled up to Salt Lake City to take in one of the newish festivals that seems to be doing things right, Kilby Block Party. The lineup is one of the best of the year for my tastes, by far. Previous years, KBP was only two or three days; they hit four days this go round for a stellar group of artists to accomodate touring schedules with New Order, Yo La Tengo, Future Islands and Devo featured.

Click through, I have some thoughts and plenty of photos to peruse. If you were at the rail, see if you made the crowd shots. If you weren’t there, blast you favorite tunes by each artist and pretend.

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ATH Abroad: Kilby Block Party Preview

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Team ATH agrees on one thing, we all love New Order‘s melding of post-punk grit with synth-driven textures that range from full on dance party to brooding goth. Kilby Block Party offers up a festival lineup that resonates with our vibes. New Order headlining on Thursday is not only a nod to their lasting influence but also a primer for the festivals exploration of jams. Here is a quick preview as we take the show on the road.

Click through for some thoughts on the best festival lineup of the year on this side of the Atlantic.

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