Live Videos: We Versus The Shark (6/21/08) ATHFest

Ok, I finally got these up, and it is one of the best shows I saw all year, so make sure to watch these. This was Samantha Paulsen’s last ever show with the band, and they did a hell of a farewell:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Click here to read the entire post…

I Heart We Versus The Shark (Tour Dates, New Album, Covers)

It took me a while to get into them, but I have totally fallen in love with the Athens, Georgia outfit, We Versus The Shark. If you haven’t picked up their latest album, Dirty Versions, you are seriously missing out. They are able to combine bravura with brilliant song writing. They rock out harder than most bands, but still keep their work artful.

They have also been releasing a cover song for each month of the year for free here at Quote Unquote Records, that will be put together as an album called Murmurmur when they are done with the project. Their latest additions have been covers of Deerhoof and Radiohead, two favs around these parts. Next week I am going to unleash the videos I took from their Athfest performance that blew me away earlier this year. Also, they are heading out on tour this week with Athens supergroup Pegasuses-XL (featuring members of We Versus The Shark and Cinemechanica), who are pretty badass as well. They are both hitting up Georgia Tech Thursday night.

We Versus The Shark & Pegasuses-XL Tour Dates:

Oct 9 – Atlanta, GA @ Under the Couch %
Oct 10 – Birmingham, AL @ Cave 9
Oct 12 – Murfreesboro, TN @ Midnight Mountain
Oct 13 – Bowling Green, KY @ “Revfest” at Western Kentucky University
Oct 15 – Lexington, KY @ Al’s Bar
Oct 16 – St Louis, MO @ Cicero’s ^
Oct 17 – Chicago, IL @ The Moperie
Oct 18 – Hamtramck, MI @ The Beaumont
Oct 19 – Columbus, OH @ Bernie’s Distillery
Oct 21 – Lancaster, PA @ Ad Lib Cafe
Oct 22 – New York, NY @Hello Sir CMJ Party the Bowery Poetry Club
Oct 23 – New Yok, NY @ Ernest Jenning CMJ Party at the Cake Shop
Oct 24 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Silent Barn
Oct 25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Danger Danger Gallery
Oct 26 – Baltimore, MD @ Hexagon
Oct 27 – Lynchburg, VA @ The Bridge
Oct 28 – Greensboro, NC @ UNCG Campus
Oct 29 – Clemson, SC @ Clemson University
Oct 30 – Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge
Nov 1 – Gainesville, FL @ The Fest!
Nov 2 – Gainesville, FL @ The Fest!

% w/ Pattern is Movement
^ w/ So Many Dynamos

We Versus The Shark : Idiotheque (Radiohead cover)

We Versus The Shark : Practical Animal

Buy Dirty Versions here

We Versus The Shark Myspace

Pegasuses-XL Myspace

Live Review: Athfest (6/21/2008) Athens, Ga

Last Saturday I left the Big A for the Little A. I arrived in downtown Athens mid-afternoon and checked out the scene. There were lots of arts and crafts tables setup along the road and the crowd was very family friendly. It reminded me of the Atlanta neighborhood festivals like Inman Park Fest or Virginia Highlands Summerfest. None of the musical acts on the outdoor stages were really my style, so I went to check out the Wired Dance Musical Festival at some bar called Blur.

The place itself was really cool, with video game machines and TVs setup everywhere and a swank looking waterfall behind the bar. They had a DJ and people doing art on the stage inside and then another DJ outside on their deck. I hung out there for a while, but it wasn’t really my style of techno either.


Click here to read the entire post…

We Versus The Shark Spring Tour

Usually I don’t get so into the Athens scene, but there is always some overlap when it comes between our two cities so here’s a great Georgian band hott from their SXSW appearance:

We Versus The Shark are hitting the road for most of April and May in support of their new album, Dirty Versions, due out this month. Also, they are doing a covers album and releasing each song at the beginning of each month of 2008 here.

Apr 5 2008 8:00P
Clemson University Amphitheater Clemson, South Carolina
Apr 6 2008 9:00P
Farm 255 w/ Deaf Judges + Marriage Athens, Georgia
Apr 11 2008 8:00P
Bottletree Cafe w/ Colour Revolt, A Planet That Eats Planets (ex-Comrade) Birmingham, Alabama
Apr 12 2008 7:00P
Dragon’s Den w/ Attack the Gas Station, Further Reasoning New Orleans, Louisiana
Apr 13 2008 8:00P
TBA Houston, Texas
Apr 14 2008 8:00P
TBA San Antonio, Texas
Apr 15 2008 8:00P
TBA Odessa, Texas
Apr 16 2008 8:00P
Zeppelins Underground El Paso, Texas
Apr 17 2008 7:00P
Modified w/ the Valley Arena Phoenix, Arizona
Apr 18 2008 9:00P
Pehrspace w/ the Valley Arena, Bad Dudes, Guppies Los Angeles, California
Apr 19 2008 8:00P
TBA Los Angeles, California
Apr 20 2008 10:00P
The Prospector w/ the Valley Arena, Mike Watt and the Missingmen, Chotto Ghetto Long Beach, California
Apr 21 2008 8:00P
The Pizza Factory w/ the Valley Arena Riverside
Apr 22 2008 8:00P
Starline w/ the Valley Arena Fresno, California
Apr 23 2008 8:00P
Kimo’s w/ the Valley Arena, Long Legged Woman, the Drum (ex-Coachwhips) San Francisco, California
Apr 24 2008 8:00P
ATA w/ the Valley Arena, the Death Set San Francisco, California
Apr 25 2008 7:00P
Red Rock Coffee w/ the Valley Arena Mountain View, California
Apr 26 2008 8:00P
HELP! Chico, California
Apr 27 2008 8:00P
The Lil’ Red Lion Eureka, California
Apr 28 2008 9:00P
Towne Lounge w/ Alexis Gideon Portland, Oregon
Apr 29 2008 7:00P
El Corazon w/ Return of the Bison, The Centre Cannot Hold, Nazca Lines Seattle, Washington
Apr 30 2008 8:00P
Empyrean Coffee House Spokane, Washington
May 1 2008 8:00P
Friend Friend Friend Fest @ the Badlander Missoula, Montana
May 2 2008 8:00P
Red Light Books Salt Lake City, Utah
May 3 2008 8:00P
TBA Denver, Colorado
May 4 2008 8:00P
The Black Sheep Colorado Springs, Colorado
May 5 2008 7:00P
Ghost House w/ Wildcat Revival Lincoln, Nebraska
May 6 2008 8:00P
Castle Greyskull w/ Unicorn Basement Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 7 2008 7:00P
Nottingham Co-op Madison, Wisconsin
May 8 2008 8:00P
Fuck Mountain w/ Victor! Fix the Sun Chicago, Illinois
May 9 2008 8:00P
AC Rich Building w/ Child Bite, Prussia Pontiac, Michigan
May 10 2008 12:00P
Thawfest w/ North Lincoln, Bridge & Tunnel, others Kitchener, Ontario
May 11 2008 9:00P
Wavelength @ Sneaky Dee’s w/ the Guest Bedroom Toronto, Ontario
May 12 2008 8:00P
Black Dots w/ Danger Danger Mammoth Hunter Montreal, Quebec
May 14 2008 7:00P
The New Hawaii w/ Florida = Death Southington, Connecticut
May 15 2008 8:00P
Danger Danger Gallery Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 16 2008 8:00P
Cake Shop w/ Big Bear New York, New York
May 17 2008 8:00P
Middle East Upstairs w/ Big Bear, Ho-ag, Shore Leave Boston, Massachusetts
May 18 2008 8:00P
The Treefort w/ the Forms, Graphics Brooklyn
May 19 2008 8:00P
TBA New Brunswick, New Jersey
May 20 2008 8:00P
The Red and Black w/ Snack Truck Washington, Washington DC
May 21 2008 8:00P
TBA Richmond, Virginia
May 22 2008 8:30P
The Werehouse w/ St Peter Pocket Veto, Bronzed Chorus Winston-Salem, North Carolina
May 23 2008 8:00P
Spazzatorium Galleria w/ Bronzed Chorus, Irata, Nyos, Attached Hands Greenville, North Carolina
May 24 2008 8:00P
Yau House w/ Calabi Yau, Tiny Meteors Charlotte, North Carolina

We Versus The Shark : (After)life Things
WVTS Myspace

Live Review: Cinemechanica, We Versus The Shark, So Many Dynamos (10/7/2007) Drunken Unicorn

So Many Dynamos

There’s nothing better than going to a show and being blown away by three bands you’ve never seen before. Sunday night’s show at the Drunken Unicorn was pretty amazing. First up I caught most of So Many Dynamos‘ set. This St. Louis, Missouri outfit kind of reminded me of a Q And Not U. They had so much energy and some really tasty melodies. I picked up a copy of their 2006 release, Flashlights, and have been really digging it. They are still on tour, so if you are at any of the following cities, catch them:

Oct 9 2007 8:00P
Two Art Chicks (w/ The Bronzed Chorus) Greensboro, North Carolina
Oct 10 2007 8:00P
The Dog House (w/ Hurricane Pronto) Blacksburg, Virginia
Oct 11 2007 8:00P
DAM! Fest @ DC9 (w/ Foreign Islands, Mahi Mahi) Washington, Washington DC
Oct 12 2007 8:00P
Championship Lemoyne, Pennsylvania
Oct 13 2007 8:00P
The Lilly Pad (house show) w/ Pattern is Movement Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Oct 15 2007 6:00P
The Fire (w/ Pattern is Movement) 6 PM show! Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oct 17 2007 8:00P
Cake Shop – HELLO SIR RECORDS CMJ SHOWCASE (w/ We Versus the Shark, more) New York, New York
Oct 19 2007 8:00P
Ground Zero Underground @ RPI Troy, New York
Oct 20 2007 8:00P
Great Scott (w/ Octopus Project, Enon, Ho-Ag) Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 21 2007 8:00P
Allegheny College Meadville, Pennsylvania
Oct 22 2007 8:00P
Howards Club H Bowling Green, Ohio

So Many Dynamos : Flashlights : How High The Moon
So Many Dynamos : Flashlights : Inventing Gears

We Versus The Shark

Next up was Athen’s We Versus The Shark. I had heard about them forever but never caught them until now. They took the stage and sounded so powerful. The drummer was an animal. It’s hard for me to really describe the sound outside of ethereal terms like post-punk, post-hardcore, math-rock, etc. I wasn’t a big fan of the vocals, but the music was so massive and hard-edged that it fits perfectly. Overall I thought they were really good, but there were a few moments where i sort of lost interest , and then I’d get drawn in moments later. The last dissident psych-noise jam they did was pretty incredible. They are on an extensive tour you should check out:

Oct 10 2007 7:00P
Bottletree Cafe Birmingham, Alabama
Oct 11 2007 8:00P
The Bluebird St Louis, Missouri
Oct 12 2007 7:00P
The Icehouse Lexington, Kentucky
Oct 13 2007 8:00P
The Belmont Hamtramck, Michigan
Oct 14 2007 8:00P
Mactuary w/ Debate Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Oct 15 2007 8:00P
Valentine’s w/ Debate Albany, New York
Oct 16 2007 8:00P
HELP! Providence, Rhode Island
Oct 17 2007 8:00P
HELLO SIR RECORDS CMJ SHOWCASE @ THE CAKE SHOP! NYC, New York
Oct 18 2007 8:30P
P.A.’s Lounge w/ Debate Somerville, Massachusetts
Oct 19 2007 2:00P
187 Sealab w/ Bomb the Music Industry Brooklyn, New York
Oct 20 2007 6:00P
ROOFTOP PARTY w/ Debate NYC, New York
Oct 21 2007 8:00P
HELP! NJ/NY/PA, New York
Oct 22 2007 6:00P
The Ivy Mansion w/ Debate New Brunswick, New Jersey
Oct 23 2007 8:00P
Galaxy Hut w/ Debate Arlington, Virginia
Oct 24 2007 8:00P
Two Art Chicks w/ Hi Rollers Greensboro, North Carolina
Oct 25 2007 8:00P
Sociology w/ Debate Greenville, North Carolina
Oct 26 2007 8:00P
THE FEST SIX! Gainesville, Florida
Oct 27 2007 8:00P
The Emerald w/ Debate St Petersburg, Florida
Oct 29 2007 8:00P
The Beta Bar w/ Robbers on High Street Tallahassee, Florida
Oct 30 2007 8:00P
The Soul Bar w/ Dead Confederate Augusta, Georgia
Oct 31 2007 9:00P
Little King’s as the Violent Femmes Athens, Georgia

Here’s a taste of them live:


Cinemechanica

Finally, Cinemechanica set up with the drummer front and center surrounded from behind by a wall of guitar driven sound. From the beginning to the end of their set it was blaring intensity and pure sonic bliss. I feel they sound like if Battles was into hardcore and dance-punk. I purchased a copy of their release from last year, The Martial Arts, and it is such a solidly badass album. I am on the Cinemechanica bandwagon and I highly recommend looking into these guys if you haven’t already. They are touring Europe right now, but here’s some tunes to listen:

Cinemechanica : The Martial Arts : Brain Tarp
Cinemechanica : The Martial Arts : Take Me to The Hospital

This Week In The ATL

Here’s my picks for shows to check out this week:

Tonight: Pinback at The Roxy

Tomorrow: Yo Majesty, The Coathangers, Rob Wonder at the Drunken Unicorn.

Wednesday show of “has-beens” that would probably still be cool: Alice in Chains, Velvet Revolver, Sparta at Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheatre.

Wednesday show that I will actually go to: Untied States, These Are Powers, Gold Painted Nails at the Drunken Unicorn

Thursday show I’m hoping to score a cheap ticket for: Foo Fighters at the Tabernacle

Thursday show I’ll check out late: Je Suis France at the Drunken Unicorn

Saturday show that might be worth driving to Athens for: !!! (chk chk chk), The Field at the 40 Watt

Sunday show of bands that will drive from Athens to the ATL (Also the show I am most excited about this week): Cinemechanica, We Versus The Shark, So Many Dynamos, Scars at the Drunken Unicorn

Hot tracks:

Untied States : I’ll Prove You Wrong (Again)

These Are Powers : Little Sisters Of Beijing

Cinemechanica : Ruins Of Karnac

We Versus The Shark : I Am A Fantastic Battle

So Many Dynamos : Search Party