Ah Monday. I did nothing over the weekend. Absolutely nothing. And it was good. I spent a majority of Saturday and Sunday lounging by the pool, reading my new copies of Q and MOJO and trying not to get too sunburned. So much awesome, especially after the hectic July I had.

I did, however, get my shit together long enough to go see the Silversun Pickups last night and I am glad I did. They were pretty amazing, especially given the venue. The Black Cat's backstage really isn't designed or configured to deal with a band like that. And that's not neccesarily a knock on the room as much as an observation wondering what a band as accomplished as this was doing in such a small room with its junior PA system. I knew we were in for a good show when the SSPU's wheeled their amps onstage. They were as big as the stage was.

Let me go on record now saying this band is going to be huge huge huge in a very short amount of time. They have a big sound made for large venues. They'll be blowing away the bands they're opening for soon enough. The set they played last nigth could have easily gone over like gangbusters at the 9:30 Club. The songs are fast, LOUD and tight, propelled by their drummer, a dead ringer stylistically for Dave Grohl. He was just punishing his snare drums. The band has tons of hits; "Kissing Families," "Lazy Eye," "Dream At Tempo 119," "Well Thought Out Twinkles," etc. I was most impressed with the lead singer's voice. On record it sounds uber-processed, but he has the live pipes to back it up. Bottom line: go see this band when they come through your town. And get ready for a big rock show, even if it's on a small scale. I still stand by my Smashing Pumpkins comparison, but I mean it in a good way. Gish-era Pumpkins, before Billy disappeared up his own ass. Sorry for the craptastic pictures, the light in that room is pretty much nonexistant.

Crackers United has better pictures and a smiliar review from their recent NYC show. Check Myspace for some SSPU sounds.

"I'd rather poo in my mum's Sunday roast than have Danger Mouse produce a Portishead record." I second that emotion.

In lieu of actual content today, I will instead provide more links to the event I attended over the weekend, which you are no doubt already tired of reading about.

Leafblower's Day One Recap
Leafblower's Day One Photos

Leafblower's Day Two Recap
Leafblower's Day Two Photos

Favorite photos:
The Walkmen
Ted Leo
Mission of Burma 1
Mission of Burma 2
Aesop Rock & Mr. Lif
Devendra Banhart
Yo La Tengo

Some recaps from other folk:
Fluxblog
Marathon Packs
Good Hodgkins
Gorilla vs. Bear
Gapers Block
Rolling Stone
VIllage Voice

PS - The National @ Black Cat on Oct. 26! I am so rerquesting an interview from them. Thanks for the heads up Ryan.

Sorry for the lateness of today's post. I was on a plane most of the day (more on that later). First things first.

Much has been said (rightfully or not) of Editors and their sound, i.e. it's not that original, etc. And I'm not arguing that. I'm the first person to admit they aren't exactly reinventing the wheel. But they do what they do very well and they are, simply put, an amazing live act. They have poise and stage presence beyond their years. Last night was the second time I had seen them this year and they were just brilliant. No matter what you think of the record, you owe it to yourself to go see this band in the live arena. They sound huuuuge. Whatever they're paying their sound man, he deserves a raise. Last night was, sonically, one of the best sounding shows I've ever heard at the 9:30 Club. My only complaint is that they played "Open Your Arms" a bit too fast and it kinda lost its slow burn feel/appeal. That song was a big standout for me last time I saw them and this time it just got lumped in with the rest of the set. On the other hand, "Camera" which was the quintessential, "Time to go to the loo" tune last time out was much, much better due to some lively drumming. It sounded very "Columbia," one of my favorite Oasis tunes (and likely another song left of the upcoming compilation). Editors rock, go see for yourself.

Cedars played a great set to start off the night. Their new material sounds amazing and it's easy to tell they are getting more and more comfortable playing their new stuff. There could be big things in the works for these guys, so keep your eyes on them. Lake Trout were beyond horrible. Everyone that tells you they've outgrown their jamband phase is lying. They just went prog. And they still suck. Big time.

Today's flight to Chicago went smooth as could be until we landed. We sat on the tarmac for 30 minutes after we landed waiting for a gate to open up. And then took about an hour to get our bags because they sent us to the wrong baggage claim and since there are no functioning signs in that whole area, we had to wait in line for another 20 minutes just to find out what carousel are bags were sent to. It was very frustrating. So the flight took less time that than it took to deplane and claim our bags. Wonderful. But we're here dammit. And I have a gin and tonic in hand and am feeling much better, although I feel like a bit of a dork for blogging from the hotel lobby. The crowd here is weird. Part businessmen, part hipster, part jock(Cards v. Cubs this weekend).

Pitchfork tomorrow! Expect muchos fotografias throughout the weekend.

I am the first person to admit that the last Bunnymen show in D.C. was underwhelming. It never got its legs and took off. Last night was much different. Maybe it was the crazy weather outside. Maybe it was the late start time (Jeebus, I'm old) but last night was everything the previous show was not. The Bunnies ripped through a set that focused mostly on their vast catalog, so much so, that I was actually disappointed not to hear more from Siberia, but I will stop short of complaining. "The Cutter" was to die for. And the transition form "Scissors In the Sand" right into "All That Jazz" was just incredible. Yes, I'm gushing. But hey, the Bunnies were in fine form last night. They are quickly rocketing up the Favorite Band Ever list for yours truly. Will Sargeant is just amazing. I could watch and listen to him play guitar all day, every day. Mac was in typical proto-Liam form. He was just oozing cool in every direction.

Going Up / Show of Strength / Stormy Weather / Seven Seas / Bring on the Dancing Horses / The Disease / Scissors in the Sand / All That Jazz / The Back of Love / All My Colours (Zimbo) / The Killing Moon / Do It Clean / Never Stop / Villiers Terrace(Roadhouse Blues) / Rescue / The Cutter / Nothing Lasts Forever(Walk on the Wild Side) // Lips Like Sugar // Ocean Rain

More pics here. I could not get a decent shot of Ian to save my life.

Boy Kills Boy were the definition of 'meh.' If Maximo Park sucked, they would sound like Boy Kill Boy.

Here's another MP3 for everyone, and oldie but goodie.
Echo & the Bunneymen | Never Stop (MP3) - This is live from Sun Plaza Hall in Tokyo, Japan on Jan. 17th, 1984. It rules.

Sonic Youth were teh awesome last night. Jeezy Creezy. I had a very bad day yesterday and was in no mood to see a show but they, along with spunky youngsters Be Your Own Pet, turned that around real quicklike. I'm not a huge SY fan, I don't even own a single album of theirs (bye bye cool points!), but I enjoy seeing them in concert. Last night was undoubtedly the best show I've ever seen them do. BYOP were great as well. So full of energy. They only have one gear, full speed ahead, but they know how to use it.

I have pics and a review over at DCist. See all my photos from last night at Flickr.

PS - Mark Ibold! Best.

Zulkey v. Nick Hornby.

Sweet. [thanks Ms. Smith]