Sleigh Bells at Terminal 5

Last night, Sleigh Bells performed at Terminal 5. I arrived at 8:30, getting a second wristband to add to the one I got previously at a happy hour in midtown. The guy checking bags searched my bag and told me I could not bring my Beats headphones in.

“Nah, I’m just fucking with you, ha ha,” he said.

Not funny.

There were two opening acts. One was bad and one was worse. The first opening act (couldn’t catch the name) consisted of 3 guys, the lead singer, an overweight angry guy, trying to get his aggression out on the audience. What did we ever do to you? Why are you punishing us? Clearly he had a lot of pent up hostility, probably from all the women who have broken his heart in the past. The band wanted so badly to be heavy rock, however, if your drummer is wearing a Ralph Lauren pastel yellow and green polo, it kind of kills that vibe.

After the initial crappy band, Black Bananas came out. This band, two guys and a girl, like Sleigh Bells, attempted to blow our minds with their edgy sound. Now, whoever this girl was (the lead singer), she was a Janis Joplin, Grace Slick wannabe. She was drunk out of her mind and trying to make it look cool. Let me tell you something, you have to be pretty up there on the rock God scale to get away with sucking at a performance because you’re wasted. This bitch is nowhere near there.

Black Bananas, in short, was awful. There was no theme or consistency to their music. No pattern. Every song, I was like “what the fuck is this?” It was a gumbo of obnoxious noise, drunken slurring and too much electronic editing. I spent part of their set in the bathroom, making a to-do list for next week, trying to be as far away from the stage as possible. At the end of their performance, the ego-driven female stormed off the stage without a word. Thank god—smartest thing she did all night.

Sleigh Bells came on stage around 10:30. Alexis Krauss, the lead singer, was incredible. She owned the stage. I could not tell you anything about the two guitarists with her but I could tell you every detail of Krauss’s performance—she stole the show and demanded my attention. Walking on stage with a black leather jacket, pink tank top, ripped jeans shorts and tights, she was all any woman rocker should be.

They played a bunch of their hits: “A/B Machines,” “Tell Em,” and of course “Riot Rhythm” and “Kids.” They played some new stuff, including the downloadable single, ‘Comeback Kid” off of their upcoming album, Reign of Terror, being released this coming Tuesday.

One thing that set Sleigh Bells apart from some other acts I have seen is their new songs were just as compelling as their stuff that I knew. I didn’t get disappointed when Krauss announced, “this is a new song.” I was excited to hear it! Their new album will be worth it!

The audience was totally smitten with Sleigh Bells. Everyone was dancing, jumping and screaming, as Krauss kept demanding we all dance with her. Well, she made it easy. Hearing “Riot Rhythm” and “Kids” live was pretty amazing. They did not sound exactly like it did on the album and I loved that. I am pretty sure all their songs that they performed were better live than on their album, and often it is the opposite—some bands can’t cut it live. Their sound is awesome to rock out to, and to dance to. It was a stellar performance.

Reign of Terror, February 21st . . .

Top 5 Reasons Why the 2012 Grammy's Sucked!

I have been going back and forth about whether to comment on the Grammy’s this year. Ever since Monday morning when I was thinking back on the show, I debated whether I should discuss my thoughts. But after enough pondering and people asking me what I thought, I have decided to speak out. So, here are my 5 reasons as to why the 2012 Grammy’s sucked!

1. Too much country
I felt like after every commercial break, a new country artist was presenting or a new country artist was performing. Taylor Swift, Blake Sheldon, Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Carrie Underwood. It was all too much. There was not enough diversity. And “Rhinestone Cowboy” is perhaps the worst song I have ever heard. And The Band Perry, really? I felt like I was watching the Country Music Awards and I never like to feel that way.

2. No surprises
Adele won practically everything. She took home every award she was nominated for. And trust me, I love Adele but where is the surprise and suspense in knowing exactly who is going to win? Why bother naming the other artists? Award shows are fun to watch because you get to guess and get excited about the possibilities of who is going to go home an award-winner. However, this year’s Grammy’s was Adele’s and we as music lovers knew this fact, weeks before the actual show. This led to a very anticlimactic experience as a viewer.

3. I stayed up past 11:00 PM for Nicki Minaj?
I am a huge Nicki Minaj fan and was super pumped to see her perform. However, half of her performance was a video based on the film, The Exorcist (so not an actual performance) and the other half was her rapping a little but most of the time just trying to shock the crowd. She has shocked us all, mission accomplished. Now we want to hear her sing. And she really didn’t.

4. Foo Fighters . . . again?
I am not a Foo Fighters fan. I respect them and think they are extremely talented and Dave Grohl will always get a pass with me because, well, he is Dave Grohl. However, I feel like every music award show I watch, this band performs and they win an award. I mean, I have to think there are other rock bands out there that people also like, besides just the Foo Fighters. Plus, they performed twice. I was sick of seeing their face by the end of the show. Enough!

5. No Skrillex
Skrillex did not win for best new artist which was the first problem. The second problem is the show itself never gave any shout outs or attention to him as an artist. Even in the opening when LL Cool J was talking about the nominees, he mentioned almost all the new artist nominees besides Skrillex. And then, the show did a tribute to dance music and had two DJs perform, David Guetta and Deadmua5. So here they are, doing a tribute to dance music with DJ performances and rather than have a Grammy nominated DJ perform, they have two other DJs perform instead. Really?

So, in conclusion, the Grammy’s this year were repetitive, predictable, and lacked any shock value or respect for non-Katy-Perry-Rihanna-type artists. It was a disappointment overall so all we can do is hope next year is better.

Get Down With Your Valentine Self!

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. Ah yes, flowers and chocolates and jewelry and snuggling. But enough of that sentimental shit--ladies, this blog entry is for you!

Below I have listed some of the best stripper songs out there. These are songs are perfect for that Valentine’s evening that you want to try something a little different. Whether you have a significant other or flying solo, these songs make for excellent entertainment. This compilation features songs I have heard in strip clubs, songs preferred by pole dancers and exotic entertainers, and some just deserve to be on this list. Whether you are a rock, hip hop, or pop chick, there is something here for everyone. So enjoy your Valentine’s Day, ladies!

“Lick” Joi
“Bad Girlfriend” Theory of a Deadman
“Fake It” Seether
“Riot Rhythm” Sleigh Bells
“The Way You Love Me” Keri Hilson
“Pig” Nine Inch Nails
“So Cold” Breaking Benjamin
“Teeth” Lady Gaga
‘Word Up” Korn
“Angel of the 7th Dawn” Danzig
“Call My Name” Rah
“The Dope Show” Marilyn Manson
“Gimme More” Britney Spears
“Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums” A Perfect Circle
“Blindfold Me” Kelis
‘Forty Six & Two” Tool
“Beautiful Monster” Ne-Yo
‘Tainted Love” Marilyn Manson
“Crazy Bitch” Buckcherry
“Lit Up” Buckcherry
“Passive” A Perfect Circle
“Drop it Low” Ester Dean and Chris Brown
“Irresistible Force” Jane’s Addiction
“Closer” Nine Inch Nails
“Lollipop” Framing Hanley
“Smack My Bitch Up” The Prodigy

Skrillex at Roseland

Last night was the Skrillex concert at Roseland Ballroom. On the ticket, the time was 9:00. I got to the end of the long line that wrapped around the block around 9:30 behind a guy with a Trojan condom bandana wrapped around his head. I was in line until 10:15 when I was finally out of the cold and away from the little 16 year olds with their fake IDs drinking Gatorade mixed with who knows what. I could not breath with at that much glitter around me.

When I got in, Zane Lowe was on stage, rocking it! People were already going nuts dancing towards the front of the venue. I noticed that a lot of people there were clearly more concerned with their outfits than the music. There were neon bras and ripped shorts and bright fake tattoos and pink hair extensions everywhere. It was like 80s night back in college. I should have reminded one of these tiny bitches that her mom was waiting outside with her asthma medication.

But I digress . . . I went to the bar and tipped generously on a drink and a shot. From then on, I could go to that bartender and never have to wait for service among all the shirtless guys sweating all over the bar or even other girls showing way more skin than I was.

Zane Lowe was great. He played some great songs. He clearly is a fan of Jay-Z, playing “N**as in Paris” and “Empire State of Mind.” Then he slowed it down and shouted “DUBSTEP!” and broke it down. People went nuts, including myself. I realized that dubstep is this whole movement that is taking over the music industry and the clubs. Hell, Skrillex is nominated for like 5 Grammys! All day having had to explain . . . “Skrillex. . He is like a DJ but like Dubstep . . .” No one got it but these people GET IT!

Zane Lowe won me over by asking the crowd “Any metal-leather-wearing mother fuckers in the house?” and then busted a dubstep version of Rage Against the Machine and Metallica. I threw up devil horns and rocked out.

Spank Rock and A-Trak come on next. I was not a fan of Spank Rock so I left and bought a t-shirt and waited in the long bathroom line behind some girl throwing up in the trashcan wearing a purple sparkle bra. The bra looked less cute with the puke on it but to each their own I guess.

I came back up and saw the end of the performance. It was almost 1:00 so I assumed next would be Skrillex. I was wrong. Fool’s Gold came in next, which explained the random guy with a big Styrofoam brick of gold walking around before the performance. Fool’s Gold is a local Brooklyn artist. I think it was awesome for this performance to include such variety of artists. Fool’s Gold was great too. This was the first time I was not pissed the main artist was not on stage yet.

Skrillex came on around 2 AM. Everyone screamed. I ran through the crowd, escaping the guy who was clearly more enthralled at the thought that I might be interested in him than the fact that Skrillex was on stage. I would not be distracted during this.

It was kind of emotional, actually; seeing this tiny guy from LA rocking out performing for all of his fans. He has been kind of the face of this music movement, making strides for other local artists trying to do the same thing. He has come so far . . .my little baby’s growing up!

He had fairly minimal special effects given it was a DJ show. There was a screen behind him that most of the time featured a skeleton DJ that moved with Skrillex’s movements. His stage and his tables were all white which set him apart from all the dark black stage set-ups previously that night. Skrillex performed his big hits, “Bangorang, Kyoto, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.” He even played Benny Benassi’s “Cinema” which of course was nothing without the Skrillex remix.

He closed out the show with “First of the Year (Equinox)” and “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.” It was the coolest thing to hear everyone in the crowd scream “CALL 911 NOW!” together. I could feel my hair vibrating. He was clearly into it. When he performs, he bangs his head, sways, and dances. He has fun with it! It makes you want to be apart of his dance party.

I revoke my previous statement that Skrillex is better as a featured artist—last night he totally proved he can hold his own. Best new Artist this year MUST be Skrillex

What's Hot Now!

So there is a lot going on in my music world. First off, I have some great concerts coming up that I am truly excited about. One of my New Years Resolutions was to see one concert a month. Since I made this commitment mid January, I had some catching up to do. However, I am doing pretty well. Here is my schedule so far:

Friday, February 3rd: Skrillex
Friday, February 17th: Sleigh Bells
Monday, April 2nd: Andrew W.K.
Sunday, April 29th: Rammstein
Wednesday, August 8th: M83

So I have no March concerts yet, however Nero tickets for March 31st go on sale this Friday at noon so that might be an option.

Some things that I am into right now—Swedish House Mafia. Someone I work with introduced me to SHM. I was completely underwhelmed when he was telling me about their performance at Madison Square Garden. Then he showed me a short video he had taken of their last song and I suddenly realized they might be worth checking out. So . . . I downloaded one song and then another and then another. They released “Antidote” featuring Knife Party at the end of last year. It is amazing. They definitely capture good club music in this song. I am not sure a person could have a bad time listening to this song. “Save the World” was released in the beginning of last year, another good song that keeps club music simple.

I just bought a few days ago, “One.” There are two versions of this song, the better one features Pharrell. It is sexy and simple. “You just killed me/could you at least do that?/I want to know your name.” I love the lyrics--so sassy.

Anya Marina has also recently caught my attention. Why? Because this Michelle-Branch-Taylor-Swift-Natalie-Imbruglia-motha-fucka did a singer/songwriter cover of T.I.’s song, “Whatever You Like.” Are you kidding? I love this sweet sugarcoated voice gently serenading me with lyrics such as “late night sex so wet and so tight.” Genius! It is like the first time you hear a child say the word “FUCK!” You want to think it is wrong but there is a certain humor and enjoyment to it too. That is how I feel with this song. A similar vibe is in “99 Problems” redone by Hugo, or The Fray’s “Heartless.”

Another notable music item: I recently watched the movie, Red Riding Hood staring Amanda Seyfried and Gary Oldman. The film was bad as all get out. However, there was a song that definitely caught my attention. Fever Ray’s “The Wolf.” It is a crazy sound. Like if Enya got drunk one night and had sex with one of the guys from Slipknot—this is what it would sound like.

I also have been listening a lot to “International Love” by Pitbull featuring Chris Brown. Pitbull is my guilty pleasure, I think he is talented, sexy and always makes me want to be a Latino slut . . . and I think that is a good thing . . .I think.

One bone I have to pick though is with iTunes. In particular, the Top Songs in the Rock category. I looked at the list today and number one on this list is “Beekeeper’s Daughter” by The All-American Rejects. Number seven is “Drops of Jupiter” by Train. And there are three songs by The Fray also in the top ten. Who ever said these bands were rock? The All-American Rejects are as Rock as Good Charlotte is punk. And Train? After they came out with “Hey, Soul Sister” there is no way they can ever re-enter the rock scene. Don’t get me wrong, that song makes me want to jump on gumdrops and ride unicorns, but it is not rock. I do believe iTunes need to revisit what qualifies as rock music and re-do their list.

Stay tuned for the Skrillex concert review!