Hidden Track Staff

In our never-ending quest to dig up some great bands that cost less than a corned beef sandwich at Katz’s Deli, we bring you another round of Blips. Blips highlights some great bands that are largely still in their larvae stage, but will soon morph into their beautiful butterfly. In this edition, we have some really cool new music, so take a sec, and check out these developing artists.

The Virgins

Website / MySpace

Before the members of The Strokes got married, dated celebrities and went to rehab they put out Is This It? their debut album, which came to define the downtown New York sound of the early aughts. The album sounded dangerous and the Julian Casablancas & Co. were notorious for living the sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle that seemed to go hand in hand with their brash, Velvet Underground influenced sound. It’s been awhile since an album has felt that scuzzy and dirty to me until I heard the music of another New York City-based band – The Virgins.

The band’s self-titled debut is chocked full of songs about all night partying that end with cocaine for brunch, set to a disco-funk-rock sound that combines elements of The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem and VHS or Beta. The Virgins are about to head out for on a three-week tour holding down the opening slot for Black Kids, so head in early and check them out.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13CIzmy6bM4

– Jeffrey Greenblatt

READ ON for two more blip-worthy bands on our radar…

While earlier we ranted about one Hall of Fame’s bad decision making skills, we want to applaud a different HOF for giving credit where it was completely due. It’s my pleasure to welcome Brent Berman, aka the guy who started the Wilson chant, to the Hidden Track mix. Brent’s a lifelong friend and he’ll be checking in from Athens, GA occasionally. Here’s his report on Widespread Panic’s induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame…

[Photos by Lena Chambless]

As I looked through my windowpane wondered why I had to move my life again, if only for a short while. I was transformed to that place I call the City of Dreams, where Panic takes me. I was on my way to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame induction, and I was going to be part of history.

On September 20, I drove to Atlanta to see Widespread Panic along with Chris “Ludacris“ Bridges, Keith Sweat, Hamp “King Bee” Swain, Dottie Rambo and Fred and Dina Gretsch get inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. I had never been to a red carpet event and I was a quite excited. We started the night off with a bottle of wine and some chicklets, and we were ready to rock. READ ON for more from the ceremony…

On Saturday night, local boy done good Beck Hansen came home for his first-ever gig at the Hollywood Bowl. Towards the middle of Beck’s set, he was joined by the

Welcome back to the second installment of our two part Tour Diary put together by the members of The Brew. Yesterday, bassist Joe Plante told us all about the band’s adventures at moe.down. Now, Joe’s brother – keyboardist Chris Plante – shares his experience from the road…

[All photos by Ashley Plante]

September 5, 2008

Stone Church, New Market NH

Legendary venue facing foreclosure. This should be illegal. So many great bands have played here, so much great music, it seems like a cardinal sin to let this happen, hopefully in the coming weeks we will learn that some saint out there didn’t let that go down. [Editor’s Note – Success!]

We have been playing this place for a few years now, maybe about 15 times total and after selling out our last play there in a blizzard, we decided it was time for a two night run (our first proper two night run I might add).

We have a couple great opening acts slated for the two night run, and up first is a band that we are very fond of, The Han Solos. Now close your eyes…wait leave them open you will need to read these instructions…

READ ON for more of The Brew’s Tour Diary…

I really feel for Camila from Uh Huh Her. It must be the scariest feeling in the world, being on stage rocking a huge crowd that’s singing along with your

Last Friday night in Phildelphia, My Morning Jacket came, saw and conquered the enthusiastic crowd at the Festival Pier. The boys mixed songs from Evil Urges with classics from throughout

Yesterday, we welcomed photographer/journalist Mike Sherry into the Hidden Track Family to add some much needed coverage of the West Coast. For Mike’s first assignment he headed out to Morrison, Colorado for a wonderful weekend at arguably the world’s most beautiful music venue: Red Rocks.

The afternoon of day two saw a thunderstorm roll over just as doors opened, but as is often the case at Red Rocks the front blew through with plenty of time to spare and provided a rainbow payoff. Umphrey’s McGee hit the stage and got right down to business with Search 4, a newer tune with great drive and a bright feel that reminds me of Yes’ sound. The early crowd was treated to an extended set that showcased some of their strongest newer material, Higgins especially, rolling into a fan-pleasing sandwich of powerful classics: Divisions > Resolution > Divisions > JaJunk with a rowdy Pipeline and dance party Norwegian Wood jam thrown in the mix. By the time night had fallen, the bowl was full and rocking out as Umphrey’s closed with authority.

If all the music that had come before set the bar high, Gov’t Mule vaulted that light as a feather opening with Soulshine. Drummer Matt Abts was locked tight with Andy Hess, who had several standout moments on bass that kicked things up and kept the crowd’s feet moving. Likewise, Danny Louis sounded solid and funky on keys, while other times barnstorming with Warren’s soaring guitar. Another warm Red Rocks night was made even warmer by a sweet version of Dear Prudence with Brendan Bayliss from Umphrey’s sitting in on guitar, only to turn the amphitheater on its collective head with Black Sabbath’s War Pigs to finish the first set. Best of all was opening the second with When the Music’s Over. Mule didn’t just make the proverbial musical statement, they sent a ferociously fine proclamation into the night, capping off a splendid weekend at the best venue the outdoors has to offer.

• Previously on HT: Weekend at Red Rocks Pt. 1 – ABB and RD

READ ON for more of Mike’s incredible pictures from UM/Mule on the Rocks…

We’d like to welcome photographer/journalist Mike Sherry into the Hidden Track Family to add some much needed coverage of the West Coast. For Mike’s first assignment he headed out to Morrison, Colorado for a wonderful weekend at arguably the world’s most beautiful music venue: Red Rocks.

Red Rocks never fails to amaze the eyes & ears. It’s an iconic music destination, worth planning a visit just to see your favorite act perform, and moreso with a two-day billing of closely-tied bands. This Labor Day weekend I enjoyed two nights of outstanding music and fantastic access to photograph the action. RatDog kicked things off with a subdued Help on the Way, paced too slow for my liking (Bobby stopped Jay Lane’s first tempo) but eventually the energy picked up, thanks bigtime to an infusion of Derek Trucks’ bright slide on Loser & Warren Haynes’ rascally voice on Loose Lucy. Having a guitar sparring parter certainly seemed to fire up Mark Karan, and crowd got more responsive as the evening faded into night. Chants for Not Fade Away echoing between the rocks made the air feel especially nice & warm.

READ ON for more of Mike’s thoughts and stunning photos from Red Rocks…

The summer concert season has kept the HT gang busy for the last couple of months hitting amphitheaters, clubs, boats and festies in order to catch great live music. Since we haven’t seen each other in quite awhile, we thought we’d round up crew to crack open some Sea Hag IPA’s for one last summertime cook out and another rousing edition of At The Barbecue – that’s bound to ruffle a few feathers.

This time around we’re going with bands that all your friends love, but no matter how hard you try they still leave you scratching your head wondering just what the fuss is all about…

Chilly Jackwater:

“Generic.” “Ordinary.” “Plain.” These words could be used to describe The Band’s name. But I also enjoy using them to describe The Band’s music. Before you go all “Oh man…The Last Waltz…best doc EVAR…Scorsese…blah blah” Let me tell you: Yes, I’ve watched The Last Waltz. And it’s not all bad. It’s just the parts when The Band are playing their songs that I usually find myself dozing off.

READ ON for more Head Scratchers from the Hidden Track Staff…

It’s time once again to check in with the irreverent mind behind Uncensored Interview’s blog, The Shark, for another installment of Uncensored Thursdays…

We’ve all been guilty at one point in our lives of being on an American Airlines flight and secretly perusing through the Sky Mall Catalogue to check out the odd, seemingly random crap that you can purchase while cruising 30,000 feet above Wichita. Hey man, don’t feel embarrassed, the crap they offer is almost trance-inducing in its ridiculousness. Even indie Aussies like The Presets aren’t immune to the hypnotic spell cast upon weary travelers by Sky Mall:

Just in case you’re wondering, yes, both the Pet Ramp and Fake Rock Cover-ups are real, honest to God items that you can buy while sitting in coach. In the words of the immortal Casey Kasem, “Ponderous, fucking ponderous.”

READ ON for more of this week’s Uncensored Thursday…