TVD's Eleven Weeks of Record Store Day Vinyl Giveaways | Week 2!

Not for one moment do we think we need to school the readership of TVD in regard to these three seminal Van Morrison releases, 1968's 'Astral Weeks' and Van's two bits of brilliance from 1970, 'Moondance' and 'His Band and the Street Choir.'

What we do need to impart however, is that this triumvirate of 180gram remastered vinyl from the original analog master tapes is the mind-blowing prize for the second week of our Record Store Day 2009 'Eleven Weeks of Vinyl Giveaways' contest! That's right--this week's one winner gets all three LPs shipped directly to his or her mailbox.

By now you know the drill; grab our attention in the comments WITH your email address (important!) so we can contact you about your triumphant win. (Or, you can comment and forward your email address in an email to us. We're not picky.)

Just make it funny. Or make it smart. About record stores. Or Record Store Day. Or vinyl. About us or you. Or something else all together. Just make it before next Monday (2/9) when we'll choose our winner. (AND launch giveaway #3...)

TVD Remembers | Lux Interior

NME has news.

The Cramps - New Kind of Kick [Live] (Mp3)
The Cramps - Daisys Up Your Butterfly (Mp3)
The Cramps - Goo Goo Muck (Mp3)
The Cramps - Mystery Plane (Mp3)
The Cramps - Human Fly (Mp3)

Record Store Day 2009 Newswire: Matador Records Exclusive Releases: Sonic Youth, Jay Reatard, Pavement & Beck

In honor the 2nd annual Record Store Day, Matador Records will be releasing the following limited edition vinyl titles, only available at independent retailers taking part in RSD2009:

OLE-864-7 - Jay Reatard “Hang Them All” 7″ b/w Sonic Youth - “No Garage”
OLE-865-7 - Sonic Youth - “Pay No Mind” (Beck cover) b/w Beck - “Green Light” (Sonic Youth cover) 7″
OLE-855-1 - Pavement Live In Germany LP

Matador's making 2,500 each of the above. After they’re gone, to quote the Matador Matablog, "...tough fuckin’ shit."

TVD Laugh Tracks | Richard Pryor

Why does this crack me up?

"Despite a reputation for profanity, Pryor briefly hosted a children's show on CBS in 1984 called Pryor's Place. Like Sesame Street, Pryor's Place featured a cast of puppets, hanging out and having fun in a surprisingly friendly inner-city environment along with several children and characters portrayed by Pryor himself. However, Pryor's Place frequently dealt with more sobering issues than Sesame Street. It was cancelled shortly after its debut, despite the efforts of famed puppeteers Sid and Marty Krofft and a theme song by Ray Parker Jr. of Ghostbusters fame to ensure its success."

Richard Pryor - Black & White Life Styles (Mp3)
Richard Pryor - Wino & Junkie (Mp3)
Richard Pryor - When Your Woman Leaves You (Mp3)
Richard Pryor - Cocaine (Mp3)
Richard Pryor - Acid (Mp3)

TVD Laugh Tracks | George Carlin

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Record Store Day 2009 Newswire: My Morning Jacket Exclusive RSD09 Vinyl Release

My Morning Jacket have announced an exclusive Record Store Day 2009 release, the brand new ‘Celebración De La Ciudad Natal.’

The Double 10" vinyl LP (with CD insert) will be released ON Record Store Day and was recorded live in Louisville at Ear X-tacy, and Waterfront Park. ‘Celebración De La Ciudad Natal’ includes classic tracks and selections from the band's most recent Grammy nominated album ‘Evil Urges.’

TVD Laugh Tracks | Bill Hicks

It's a testament to how far one can get up one's own ass to think that up until now - this very week - we've featured nothing but music on vinyl. Yet, the comedy LP has a long history we'll touch on in the coming days and certainly in the months to come.

So, download these and set yourself up for one serious cubicle chuckle. Word to the wise too: listen with the volume verry low. What Hicks has in store for Limbaugh and his ilk will not just offend those with a conservative stripe but may just curdle a stomach or seven. Or eight.

That said: HILARIOUS.

Bill Hicks - I'm Bill Hicks And I'm Dead Now (Mp3)
Bill Hicks - What Is Pornography? (Mp3)
Bill Hicks - Dick Joke Island (Mp3)
Bill Hicks - That's The Story Of Jesus (Mp3)
Bill Hicks - It Seemed So Plausible (Mp3)

TVD Plugs | For the Week of February 2, 2009

What to do with all of those email alerts we get that we simply can't do justice throughout the week? Why, it's condense them right here in our weekly bulletin board, 'plugs.'

The wonderwall of events info is yours to scrawl upon no matter where you're reading TVD. Have something we should be hearing, reading, or attending? Let us know each week, right here.

TVD: looking out for your packed house.

TVD Live | Mittenfields, The Carribean, Mariage Blanc, Solly’s Tavern, January 23rd, 2009

Review: Jourdan Domenica | Photos: Jillian Storms

Solly’s Tavern is a pretty nice spot to play. The upstairs is tucked away, but fully equipped for rock and roll. Nice beer selection as well. I’d actually never been here for a show yet, and was impressed with their setup. It's always nice to have a separate area for the music, because you are surrounded by others who are there for the same reason. Tonight was packed pretty much shoulder to shoulder with all different age groups. I had a guess that some parents were out in the crowed, especially from Mariage Blanc. They made me feel young, and it felt good. Their bubbly yet refined energy carried them through their set with little to no flaw. They were like a sweetened Superdrag. From Pittsburg, these guys made it clear who was going to be winning the Superbowl pretty much between every song. It wasn’t irritating in the slightest, in fact, turned their hometown spirit into homegrown charm. Then again I know little of football. They even had a terrible towel hanging behind them. All I know is they rocked out on the keyboards constantly which made me dance, dance, dance.

The Caribbean is AWESOME. They have this magic little machine that they mess around with. I think they may have acquired it from the planet Neptune. Their spacey-gaze sound was quite shocking considering DC doesn’t really have a scene for that genre. They had a little bit of a goofy lyrical element too, which confirms the fact that they don’t take themselves too seriously. Bonus! I need more space machine in my life. I think I’ll go see The Caribbean again. Yes, yes I will.

Mittenfields headlined and nailed it. They also pulled a healthy crowd out of the woodwork of DC. David-Craig Mann, our lovely local booking extraordinaire, has woven together a really great band. Their song “Our Hosts were Ghosts” is rad. I really feel like they have this Pavement quality to them. I know you wanna listen so I’m going to link you. Their song, “Our Hosts Were Ghosts” is raw and ambient and feels good on the lips. I call it the ‘na-na-na-oo-oo” song because of the chorus. Its phenomenal live. This song stars Mittenfields’ new Cello player, replacing the only female in the band. Although a chick is always becoming to a band, their new addition is a perfect fit. Smooth & buttery guitars, sailing down throbbing bass lines and sometimes even shaking uncontrollably best defines these guys. Good work, Best show to date.

You can catch Mittenfields next on Saturday, Feb 28 @ Velvet Lounge w/ Deleted Scenes, Batata Doce (ex-Rock*A*Teens), Doors 9pm/Show 10pm/$8/21+

Well, f@ck.

JUST when I pronounce nothing on the horizon for '09 comes Starling Electric to shut my f'n mouth up. Appearing Monday night (2/2) at Velvet. Who's in?

Starling Electric - Black Ghost/Black Girl (Mp3)

Finally. FINALLY.

TVD's Eleven Weeks of Record Store Day Vinyl Giveaways | Week 1!

Imagine if you will, you've got a blog based on..., oh - let's say figs. Or beets. And your blog is designated the official blog of record for What the Fig Day. Or Beetin' Off Day. It'd be a honor, right?

Well, it IS an honor for this blog which attempts in a small way to champion the efforts of the brick and mortar record stores and of the medium in general that is: vinyl--to have been designated the blog of record for Record Store Day, 2009.

But it is you, dear reader, to whom we owe a significant debt of gratitude for turning this wee blog, first conceived in pajamas one morning into something the cup of coffee that day never imagined--the blog of record for records. Or something along those lines.

So, from us to you, with help from some very cool behind the scenes friends--we've got eleven weeks of vinyl giveaways starting right - now! Each week of eleven; a different theme--and not JUST vinyl, but some pretty cool stuff in concert with the LPs--so, stay tuned.

First up for Week #1: The Swedish Invasion! And invade DC they do very soon. The quite percussive Wildbirds & Peacedrums join Lykke Li this coming Saturday (1/31) at the very historic Sixth & I Synagogue, and Loney Dear bring their brand of wistful melancholy to the 9:30 as openers for Andrew Bird on Tuesday, 2/3.

This week's grand prize winner nabs both LPs and a runner up will take the Loney home alone. As always, grab our attention in the comments WITH your email address (!) so we can contact you about your triumphant win.

Make it funny. Or make it smart. About record stores. Or Record Store Day. Or vinyl. About us or you. Or something else all together. Just make it before next Monday (2/2) when we'll choose our winners. (AND launch giveaway #2...)


Wildbirds & Peacedrums - I Can't Tell In His Eyes (Mp3)
Wildbirds & Peacedrums - Doubt/Hope (Mp3)

TVD Parting Shots

I think if I were to start a brand new blog, I'd call it "Can't Wait 'Til '78" per The Wasps track down there. I mean, think of all the stuff to look forward to from THAT vantage point.

But here, in '09--not so much. I don't FEEL like a fatalist really..but, God! Show Me Magic!

(Screw that - just show me the weekend for now...)

Nosebleeds - Ain't Bin To No Music School (Mp3)
Suburban Studs - I Hate School (Mp3)
Menace - G.L.C. (Mp3)
Chelsea - Right To Work (Mp3)
The Killjoys - Johnny Won't Get To Heaven (Mp3)
The Drones - Bone Idol (Mp3)
Slaughter & The Dogs - Where Have All The Boot Boys Gone (Mp3)
U.K. Subs - C.I.D. (Mp3)
The Wasps - Can't Wait 'Til '78 (Mp3)
Vic Godard & The Subway Sect - Ambition (Mp3)

Love You Till Friday | Sal Go on TVD

This week I wanted to talk about Goner Records. This Memphis based record store occupies a solid #3.5 spot on my personal Mailorder Go-To List. Their online catalogue is well organized with a great variety, and the turnaround is fast. Goner is also a damn good label with great bands, some of my favorites include Cococoma, The Reatards (Jay Reatard's first band,) The Oblivians and Reigning Sound.

They also throw a huge garage punk BBQin' whiskey soaked rock n roll fest every year that attracts thousands of the coolest kids and die hards from all around the globe.

This being said, I'd like to draw attention to a special fundraising event. Goner Records has organized an auction to benefit co-owner Zac Ives' daughter, Anna. Anna Ives has been undergoing cancer treatments for the past two years. Read her story here.

A lot of kind people have generously donated some really cool items including rare records.... as well as a lot of other things like original artwork, services, books, and hotel vouchers. Did I mention these are rare records, it's off Ebay and you won't find them there! Please check it out, spread the word, and if you can, bid on an item. Anna Ives Benefit Auction

It's for a good cause, and the auction ends Monday, February 2nd at 8 p.m.

Which just happens to be when doors open at the Talking Head in Baltimore for the Paul Collins Beat/ Gentlemen Jesse/ Deep Sleep/ Active Sac show. Gentlemen Jesse also features members of the Carbonas, another amazing ATL band who also have a killer S/T LP out on Goner Records.

See how neatly I wrapped that up? I strive for nothing but pure journalistic professionalism. This exclusive Moment of Friday Morning Zen is brought to you by TVD. Get bidding!

TVD's Alternative Ulcer

Ed's note: Beginning today and every Thursday, TVD's got a new column from an old friend:

Today's blog is all about comebacks. My inspiration came from seeing 2007's 'Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten' the other night with my roommate. At the end of the film are clips of Joe and Mick Jones playing together for the first time in 19 years at the Acton Town Hall Firefighters Benefit. We debated about what we would do if we were at the show - would we dance? Would we mosh? Would we stand and just stare at the stage trying to take in the history that we missed because we were babies when the Clash were at the height of Clashdom? Despite our disagreements about what we would do if we attended the benefit, we both agreed that it would be an amazing show. (Sidenote: am I the only one who had no idea Joe did a movie with Courtney Love and he and his family let her crash at their place for a bit? How does she do it??)

The next day I was discussing this concept with a friend. He said seeing bands decades after the height of their career (we're not talking money here, but when the band was just really at their most amazing) is just not as good as seeing them back in the day, and it's not really worth it. I disagreed, however, as I was a baby when most of the bands that have really influenced me were touring and making the music that would become the soundtrack to the years that would really form the woman I've become.

For instance, when Stiff Little Fingers announced that they would be touring again in celebration of their 30th anniversary, and playing all of the songs from 'Inflammable Material', I was skeptical (only one album? would people respond well?) but I bought my ticket as soon as they announced the tour. The show was fantastic. They played like it was 1979. The crowd ranged from youngins to old punks. So I always use that as an example of a band that has changed over time and does a sort of "comeback" tour (sure they never went away, but I think "comeback" is still semi-appropriate when referring to bands whose lineups have changed over time and who don't tour very much) and still rock the shit out of the club.

However, as with all rules, there are exceptions to the "comeback." Last fall it was announced that Bad Brains would be playing in DC on Election Night. When I was told this I think my brain might have actually exploded. I'm 25. I grew up overseas. I had no opportunity to see Bad Brains when they lived in DC, let alone any shows they may have performed since the early 80s. So damn right I was excited. I went with a couple of friends, one of whom is a huuuge Bad Brains fan. He and I discussed how excited we were. Bad Brains took the stage. Our excitement quickly waned. The whole band, except HR, were playing like it was the early eighties. Fast. Intense. Awesome. You know, before HR made those unfortunate homophobic remarks that pretty much solidified the beginning of the end for Bad Brains as we knew them. And here HR was, front and center, singing like it was a reggae show. He was singing slow and spacey and off key - like decades of drug use had finally taken their toll.

We kept our hopes up. "Perhaps HR is just messing with us!" But song after song after song everyone around us seemed to get angrier and more disappointed. At one point there seemed to be more people outside smoking than actually inside the club. Then they left the stage. Everyone expected an encore, because that's what you DO when you play a reunion show. But the lights came on. The roadies entered the stage and everything started getting packed up.

I expected a riot at this point. People were p-i-s-s-e-d. My friend is still not over that concert. You can't even put the letters H and R next to each other without him getting visibly upset. If I didn't love their music so much, I think this show would've ruined Bad Brains for me.

LL Cool J once said "Don't call it a comeback." I say, if you're going to only show up and do a half-assed show, don't come back at all.

Stiff Little Fingers - Suspect Device (Mp3)
Stiff Little Fingers - Alternative Ulster (Mp3)
Stiff Little Fingers - Tin Soldiers (Mp3)
Bad Brains - Attitude (Mp3)
Bad Brains - Pay To Cum (Mp3)

TVD Weekly Wax | Queen

Yes, I jumped a few releases to make a point here...even the latter era Queen 'deep cuts' are top notch, even as their singles became more and more successful. Clocking in at a mere 35 minutes, 'The Game' "was the only Queen album to reach the #1 position in both the United Kingdom and the United States and became Queen's best selling studio album in the US with four million copies sold to date..."

And not a clunker in the bunch:
Queen - Need Your Loving Tonight (Mp3)
Queen - Sail Away Sweet Sister (Mp3)
Queen - Save Me (Mp3)

TVD Remembers | John Martyn

From his official site, "With heavy heart and an unbearable sense of loss we must announce that John died this morning."

John Martyn - Don't Think Twice, It's Alright (Mp3)
John Martyn - May You Never (Mp3)

TVD Remembers | Billy Powell

Rolling Stone has details here.

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Tuesday's Gone (Mp3)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Saturday Night Special (Mp3)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - That Smell (Mp3)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama (Mp3)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird (Mp3)

TVD First Date With | Blind Pilot

Portland's Blind Pilot, the duo consisting of drummer Ryan Dobrowski and singer/guitar/songwriter Israel Nebeker are making some fine music indeed--reminiscent to us in the TVD office of early Turin Breaks, Grant Lee Buffalo in a way, and even The Shins might come to mind.

But the band name may be a bit of a misnomer when it comes to their thoughts on record stores and vinyl in general. We're thinking they're seeing quite clearly, thank you:

Ryan: "There is something very exciting about finding something new in a record store as opposed hearing it on a computer for the first time. There is definitely something to be said for the hunt. I think that is what draws me to Record stores the most. It's like finding a great shirt in the bins at Goodwill is way more exciting than going to Urban Outfitters and finding the same shirt.

As far as vinyl goes I am a very new convert. In fact I don't even own a record player. Yet. When we were just in New York, we were pretty tired as we had just gotten off of the bike tour. we hung around my friend apartment and listened to a lot of records. With a lot of the albums, even though I was familiar with them, I felt like I was hearing them for the first time. There was something that made me listen everything a lot more. It felt like more of an event than just something happening in the background. Also being a visual artist, I really like the larger album art."

Israel: "These days the thought of having a vinyl collection, rather than owning all your music on digital, backed up, synced hard drives and portable devices, sounds like a major inconvenience. But that's my favorite part.

I hear a song on my friend's myspace page that I really like. I go to iTunes and download it and put it on my ipod. From here, when do I listen to it? Consistently, I listen to my iPod while I'm doing other things: painting, or at work, or riding my bike, etc. And it's amazing that I can do that so conveniently. I love doing that and I'm grateful I live in a time when I can put on headphones and have an intimate relationship to music while I'm doing something very impersonal-while out in public.

But when I hear a song or an album or I'm at a show that I REALLY like-when I love it, then I go to a record store or the band's merch table and buy it on vinyl. Reason being that I'm unable to take it everywhere. I'm unable to let it distract me or let the world distract from it. The only place I can listen to it is very specific. It requires the labor of taking out a physical disk, holding it by the edges, keeping my player and all the records clean. It even requires me to say that I'm devoting the next 20 minutes at least to listening to this side of the album. All these things that require effort by me are the most important part. I'm not doing them for nothing, but rather, each task is a way of giving to the music and giving to the person who made it. Everybody in some sense wants to feel this when art resonates with them. We don't just want to experience it one way. We want to give back to the conversation. So to me, owning music on vinyl makes it more valuable and makes me feel more a part of that conversation.

It's a similar situation with record stores. Internet downloads might be the dominating seller in the market right now, but it's so impersonal and so easy. I believe a person that walks into a record store, spends the time to look at new stuff coming out, feels all the tangible cases and sleeves of music, and has a brief conversation with the clerk about the album he's buying-that person is going to open his ears a bit more when he puts the music on, rather than if he downloaded the album in a minute and thirty seconds off iTunes.

On top of that, vinyl SOUNDS better. That statement should be reason enough why vinyl will continue to be a relative format. I'm completely baffled why the crappy CD standard of a 44.1 kHz sampling rate hasn't become obsolete now that everybody listens to their music on portable hard drives. ...Yay vinyl."

Blind Pilot - One Red Thread (Mp3)
Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds And A Sound (Mp3)

TVD Weekly Wax | Queen

From the album ranked number 230 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, the Channel 4 designated 13th greatest album of all time, #41 on Q's "100 Greatest British Albums", #16 on Q's "50 Best British Albums Ever", the ninth greatest Number One album of all time as voted by the British public, and which is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die...some tracks that didn't get a proper airing. (Or did they...?)

Queen - I'm In Love With My Car (Mp3)
Queen - Seaside Rendezvous (Mp3)
Queen - Love Of My Life (Mp3)