Shiny Toy Guns @ Santos Party House (10/21)

Last night I saw Shiny Toy Guns perform @ Santos Party House. I went to Santos Party House on a limb just because I had never gone, heard a lot about it, and wasn't excited to see any other artist/bands perform tuesday. I waited in line for what felt like an eternity. It was freezing cold, damn near winter weather, and all I had for warmth was a flannel shirt. What made the experience even worse/better? was I didn't even know what I was waiting in line for. I knew I was waiting for a ticket, but to see who?

I'll grade this show via a couple categories.

Atmosphere/Setting: This might have made the show. Decent sized space, fit over 1000 people on one dance floor with a stage, reminded me of the bowery ballroom or even webster hall. Lights, Lights, Lights; they had all kinds of crazy lights going, different strobes, filtered lights, can't forget the fog. Behind the group up on stage were a bunch of demented looking skeletons and other creatures.

Crowd: This is where the night failed. The crowd was a diverse mix of head bangers, hipsters and others. A lotta couples and small groups of girls showed up to this show. The odd hipster guys that wear girls clothes and make up were well represented aswell as the flaboroyantly gay group that I can't seem to avoid in NYC. During the performance the crowd was pretty much dead though. The music was epic but the crowd, not so much.

Music/Performance: I had never heard any music from this group, except for that one song that's popular on the radio ("Rainy Monday"). I think there performance was absolutely amazing! All aspects of the show (sounds, lights, style) were well thought out and added to the stage presence of the band. There were times that I felt like I was at the wrong show though, not because of the band but because I'm not necessarily an organic fan. A few of their songs reminded me of that band Paramore or emo high school rock which wasn't good.

All in all, I'm happy with my first choice of entertainment for CMJ. The Music Marathon is really about discovering NEW bands and removing yourself from your comfort zone to experience new things, with that in mind, the first night of CMJ was a success!

Up Next: The Night of Crystal Castles PT. 2. Wednesday?

pop/ular/GURU

CMJ MUSIC MARATHON!!!

Today is the start of CMJ Music Marathon, a 5 day music festival that attracts over 1000 bands to the great city of New York. There are really too many bands to name but a few I'm looking to forward to seeing are The Cool Kids, Lykke Li, Crystal Castles, Late of the Pier, Fools Gold, I Heart Comix, Hearts Revolution, The Virgins, and MORE. There's something to do every night for the next 5 days. Check out the schedule and discover some NEW music!

There are also a bunch of films premiering and screening during the maraton. Check out the official film schedule HERE.

I'll be blogging through out CMJ so check back here and my other blog, cigaretteDIARIES for much literature.

BrooklynVegan.com has great coverage of CMJ so head over there for everything you'd possibly want to find out about CMJ.

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CMJ Music Marathon: Tuesday

The Cool Kids^

Lykke Li^

YAY! The CMJ Music Marathon kicks off this Tuesday; The Cool Kids(CHICAGO) will be @ The Blender Theater on East 23rd St. Show starts @ 8pm so you'll still have to time walk down to the Bowery Ballroom and catch Lykke Li(UK) @ 11pm.

Also on Tuesday, at SOB's a Mark Ronson(UK) DJ set @ 9pm. Also scheduled for 9pm @ SOB's is Ryhme Fest (GOOD music). 10pm Wale @ SOB's.

Later on in the week I'll be at the Crystal Castles(CANADA) show @ Webster Hall. It's sold out but check craigslist.org for tickets!

pop/ular/GURU