Moving In Stereo: Volume 6

as heard by Darren Paltrowitz

I’ll now go ahead and state the obvious: We’re now six months into the existence of Moving In Stereo. The near-future will see further self-syndication, but for now there’s a lot to be pleased with. As always, I encourage you to pass along news for inclusion in future editions as my contact info is down below.

…From The Island

2004 has seen a lot of newsworthy breakups on Long Island, and this column aims to find the good in such. For example, Satellite Lost will soon be playing its last show alongside Dearly Departed and Aeschylus, but a final CD is in the works with With Every Idle Hour’s Sean Hanney…Speaking of WEIH, bassist Lou Fontana will no longer have to split time between that four-piece and On The Might Of Princes as the latter quartet have called it quits. Word is that a new band will arise with three-fourths of the OTMOP lineup…Derrick Sherman, former guitarist of The Reunion Show and a world-touring tech with Brand New and The All-American Rejects, will be record demos with his new band, Modern Modern, before the end of summer. These Enzymes, which features Sherman in metalcore-form alongside three Oklahomans (two of them from the Rejects) and vocalist Neil Rubenstein, will soon be putting out an EP on Doghouse Records, as recorded with Matt Squire…The D.C.-based Squire will also be doing work with Lux Courageous, who picked up Justin Williams from the aforementioned Satellite Lost and inked a record deal with Triple Crown Records, which launched Brand New -- a small world indeed.

…From The Screen

Cheap Trick is currently on-tour with Aerosmith, which keeps them in front of a packed arena nightly, but even non-devout fans ought to be happy with From Tokyo To You. Filmed on a recent Japanese tour, this DVD marks the 25^th anniversary of the original At Budokan album. This sometimes-humorous release contains 16 full songs in concert, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews all in Dolby 2.0 and 5.1 Surround Stereo…More lo-fi than Tokyo is Live In Anaheim from The Supersuckers. Available through Music Video Distributors, Live combines a 17-song rock show with off-stage goofing around and part of an Eddie Spaghetti acoustic in-store. The guys might not be “the greatest rock n’ roll band ever,” as they’ve long claimed, but most acts could learn a lot about showmanship from watching this…Rather frightening is a Mark Burnett-created reality show slated to air in 2005. The premise of the show, simply put, is the search for the new lead singer of Australia’s INXS. As far as post-prime rockers go, I think a more ideal subject for a CBS show would be David Lee Roth, who is currently New York-based and has (temporarily?) left music to be a paramedic. Maybe we can get a petition going?

…From The Stereo

It’s Been Business Doing Pleasure With You, the five-song EP from Classic Case, has been in my CD player a lot lately. Featuring former members of Glassjaw and Sound Of Speed, Classic Case’s sounds can be aggressive and heavy in one verse and laid-back and soothing soon after. No matter the dynamics, however, the music is always melodic; “Down And Out” would be a great starting point for someone not yet familiar…Steve Burns is best known for being “the guy” on Blue’s Clues, but his Songs For Dustmites album is both interesting and creative. Helmed with the help of members of The Flaming Lips, it isn’t surprising that Burns has helmed an eccentric debut disc. There isn’t a “hit single” amongst the 12 tracks on Dustmites, yet those looking for some relaxing and airy sounds ought to be pleased…I wasn’t fortunate enough to catch any of Tarka’s recent shows in New York City, but the success of the “Bimbo In The Limo” single – as praised by NME -- will hopefully bring him back to the States soon. Said to be an adopted son of Keith Richards, the U.K. singer/songwriter also has some sincere, aurally-pleasing numbers in “Give Me” and “Shelter You.”

…From The Stage

Ska is nowhere near my forte or preferred genre of listening, but an interesting all-ska show happened on a Monday at The Downtown. Following a strong set from I Voted For Kodos, California’s Suburban Legends performed one of the most energetic sets I have ever seen. While their sound is comparable to Reel Big Fish and The Aquabats, the band’s one-of-a-kind live show features full-scale choreography that puts Earth, Wind & Fire to shame. Keeping you both entertained and amused, it’s no wonder that this group was a house band at Disney Land last year. Headliners The Arrogant Sons Of Bitches didn’t have dance routines to die for, although its all-request set was captivating. Picking songs out of a hat, as submitted by audience members, many long-forgotten selections were played. Look for ASOB to be playing select dates on this year’s Warped Tour…Both receiving impressive receptions for opening acts on a reunion tour, Minus The Bear and Murder By Death seemed to have converted a lot of new listeners at The Bowery Ballroom. However, the audience’s response to Braid was unlike any I’ve experienced from a band that never had a mainstream hit. Playing fan favorites and compilation rarities side by side, the only notable omission of the night was “Lucky To Be Alive.” Guitarist/vocalist Chris Broach was in fine-form for the evening with tensions between he and his three bandmates – that have since gone on to form Hey Mercedes – seeming nonexistent. Unfortunately this reunion is only going to be a temporary as it will be ending before summer’s end, but maybe those of you handling the petition for David Lee Roth’s reality series would be up for double-duty?

If you have news to report for the next edition of Moving In Stereo, press releases and all other correspondence for Darren should be sent to darren.paltrowitz@gmail.com