The Modern Age

Ok, so last week we saw the hotly tipped band, the Kaiser Chiefs at the Tribeca Grand (above). All in all, we weren’t totally blown away by their songs. Peformance energy was fantastic though. Lead singer Ricky Wilson sure knows how to jump around–he sprung into towering leaps at almost any opportunity he could, and even climbed up top the drum kit a couple times. Best songs were opener “Na Na Na Na Naa” and the hit single, “I Predict a Riot.” We also got a pretty cool pin. But unfortunately, they failed to meet all the hyped upon hype…

…unlike The Futureheads, who we love love love. If you’ve been living under a rock or something, you know by now that we totally dig these XTC-influenced Brit rockers–whether they’re singing “Man Ray” or a cover of Kate Bush’s “Hounds of Love” (catch the awesome video right here–it features tree hollering and cute as can be doggies). Anyway, you must check them out at Bowery Ballroom on February 22. The show is sold out online, so give a ring to the Mercury Lounge and see if there are any tickets left. If not, good luck selling your soul.

We recently got a listen to a Chicago-bred band named The Redwalls who we could have sworn were British based upon their shaggy hair and spiffy dress-up in suits for their promo shots. Think young, tailored Mick Jagger. Speaking of Mick Jagger, The Redwalls do sound a bit like the Rolling Stones, meets The Beatles, meets Bob Dylan. (Not suprisingly, the group started off as a Beatles cover band.) Interestingly enough, their songs are pretty good making us think that these young squires could potentially be a band to watch. Unless their fanbase is a bunch of 14-year-old girls who like them just ’cause their cute or they heard them on the OC–then we’d have to reconsider. Check ‘em out on Feb 2 at Hammerstein Ballroom with The Zutons and Keane or on Feb 8 at the Mercury Lounge.

While we’re on new-ish bands, we’d like to take a moment out to mention that you can now view the video for “Free Salute” by Little Barrie.