It's Baaa-aaack!

Thanks to Miss Modular, my old "American Boy" earworm is back with a new attitude...



and a vengeance...

Death by Red Bull & Vodka (Rakes DJ Set, 6/13/08)

Last Friday was the best Death By Pop since Coffin Joe's DJ set. Special guest DJ of the night was Jamie of The Rakes, who (despite a few technical difficulties) expertly entertained our dancing feet alongside DBP-resident xh. Copious amounts of Vodka Red Bulls (which I hadn't consumed since my early 90's "techno days") led to my unfortunate demise by dawn. But the road to ruin was fun. In fact, I should've arranged the photos in order of drunkenness. Although I'm sure it's not too hard to tell where my BAC started taking off!

Decisions, Decisions.

Tomorrow/Thursday night in Berlin is seriously a "Qual der Wahl" (literally "agony of choice").

There's...

So So Modern (Wellington, New Zealand) @ Westgermany

Decks: The Schlechtboys vs Wast'It'Grrlz (F.U.C./Villa)
Doors Open: 22h
Starts: 23h

Then...

RAPHISTORY 1986 @ Bohannon

djs: marc hype, dj scientist, dejoe, guest: studio17 (dresden)
party: 22.30-3.00 (come early, cuz we close on time)
Cover: EUR 5

and my personal pick this time...

THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB
PRESENTS A LOVEBOAT SPECIAL!!!
DRESSCODE : SAILORLOOK!!!

HEARTBREAK LOVESONGS PLAYED BY

DJ KAOS (BERLIN)
KHAN LIVE AT MIDNIGHT!!! (I'M SINGLE)
ANTON QLINT (GOTHEBURG)
HECTOR + GUEST (VICEMAGAZINE)
TANJA & BJÖRN
& YOUR BROKEN HEARTS CLUB HOSTS

FROM 10PM TIL LATE
AT BALLHAUS BERLIN/CHAUSSEESTR.102
10115 BERLIN / MITTE

And to get whoever else is going in the mood for (sailor) love...

Like Ghosts Under Rocks

I hadn't visited Ra Ra Riot(my favorite band from SXSW 07)'s myspace page in ages, but they're in The Virgins' Top 8, so after I had listened to the new Virgins album a few times, I decided to see if Ra Ra Riot had any new music up. And they did! I can't get enough of "Ghosts Under Rocks", which I'd only ever heard live before. Speaking of which, the only video I have of them performing this is like 15 seconds long! But here's a nice video of them performing it live at the Bowery this year.



I don't know what it is about this song, or this band in general. But I'm not surprised that they've listed their myspace profile under the categories "Healing" and "Easy Listening". Cheesy as it sounds, there's something in their music (and especially their live performances) that seriously just reaches deep into my soul. Like every song is a spiritual reawakening.

I was super sad that this is all I got to see of them at SXSW this year.



Mind you, this is with the zoom. Big tears.

P.S. Their debut full-length "The Rhumb Line" (recorded and mixed by Ryan Hadlock) is due out August 19. So forget yoga, fasting, whatever and just go out and buy the album this summer!

SXSW 2008 Recap: The Virgins @ NME Showcase

The Virgins were the last band I saw at SXSW this year. I'm still in the process of posting all my other delinquent SXSW recaps, but I thought I'd continue with them because ever since their whole album was featured on myspace last week, I can't get them out of my head (especially the song "Fernando Pando").

When I saw them live in Austin, I was seriously expecting some serious Strokes lookalikes or something. I even overheard this guy next to me in the audience telling his friend how he had seen the lead singer strutting around Williamsburg like an übercool hipster. But when they came out on stage, I was surprised at how they actually look like virgins (the lead singer in particular)! I mean, in person, they look NOthing like their sleek press photos (I didn't know whether to praise their stylists and hair and makeup artist for a job well-done or to sue them for false advertising!).

But in the end it's all about the music, which was without a doubt fun and catchy. Plus by the end of the set, I had pretty much gotten used to their nerdiness. It definitely made them seem more genuine, likeable, and dare I say cute (in an oddly attractive way)! Revenge of the Nerds V???







P.S. I couldn't put my finger on it, but Liz to the rescue again! She described their sound as "80's crooner pop." Spot on! And I think the singer's sexy voice is like beer goggles to his geekiness. *swoon*

Seripop @ Bongout Showroom, Berlin (Opening this Saturday!)

Montreal design-duo Seripop is coming back to Berlin, and this Saturday is the opening of their exhibit in Bongout Showroom. There'll be lots of amazing music posters up for grabs to fit any poor-but-sexy Berliner's budget and style, so check it out!

Here's a sampling of my past faves...

Bongout Showroom
Torstraße 110
10119 Berlin
Opening hours: Tue-Sa, 12 - 07 PM
+49(0)30 280 93 758

Opening Saturday, Juni 7th at 7PM
Exhibit from Juni 7th till June 28th 2008

www.seripop.com