I upload very few things myself. If you find your music up here and you would like it removed, contact me and I'll get it done. If you think your music fits here and would like it up, do likewise. If you download music here and you like it, support the bands in any way you can. I can guarantee that they all deserve and appreciate your support.
Buy records, it's fun.
Contact at: cementingtheseams [at] gmail [dot] com
Tilts performing "Sidepipin'" at the Firebird in St. Louis, MO on 5/28/10.
The Run-down: Tilts is the new project of former Riddle of Steel guitarist/singer Andrew Elstner which also includes members of Shame Club. They take the schlock rock elements of the last Riddle of Steel record and crank the knob to eleven, describing their sound as "The Immigrant Song meets Dukes of Hazard while listening to Brown Sugar in the General Lee somewhere in the year 1984." Pretty much spot on.
Why this video is awesome: Everything is dripping with awesomeness. The clothes, the lights, the smoke, the guitar solos. This is pretty much what rock and roll is supposed to look and sound like.
Office Of Future Plans performing a new song at Rock'n'Roll Hotel in DC 10/30/09
The Run-down: Office Of Future Plans is the new band featuring J Robbins (ya know) and Darren Zentek (of Kerosene 454 and Channels). They've been playing sporadic shows, recently opening for the Mission of Burma reunion. Needless to say I'm way excited about this band. From what I've heard so far it sounds pretty much like Channels, but I imagine it will turn out to be something all its own.
Why this video is awesome: The song is fucking great, it's easy to hear, and Robbins is wearing an ape suit (I probably watched this video 4 times before realizing that). Also Gordon Withers on cello.
**BONUS CONTENT: Robbins and Withers performed a bunch of acoustic songs from most of J's bands last week at Story/Stereo in DC, a performance arts center co-curated by Chad Clark of Smart Went Crazy and The Beauty Pill. The whole thing is streaming here and will be formally released sometime this year by West Main Development. Check it.
Sunny Day Real Estate performing "Seven" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon 9/29/09
The Run-down: It's Sunny Day Real Estate...
Why this video is awesome: See above. Actually this one sort of defies convention. Rather than being a home recording like the rest its obviously taken from television, so the production is obviously top notch. Anyway, its still a pretty excellent performance, even though Fallon is mostly intolerable
Daria performing "Tightrope Walker" at Maroq'n'roll Festival 12/06/08
The Run-down: Daria are a rock band from France whose latest record "Open Fire" was released in March of this year and was recorded by J. Robbins, which is the only reason I know about them. I haven't heard "Open Fire" but I've already kind of fallen in love with it just listening to a few songs online repeatedly, particularly "Tightrope Walker" (which you can listen to at the Magpie Cage). I have come extremely close to paying $19.13 (13 Euros) plus international shipping fees for their CD but I can't really justify it (maybe for a copy on vinyl) as it isn't on sale in the US. It doesn't appear to be on sale as mp3s anywhere either. Somebody find this for me.
Why this video is awesome: Like all the BOYL videos, the sound quality is pretty superb for a youtube recording. Of course, the song is fucking aces, but what I really enjoy is that the crowd is pretty stoic except for exactly one person (on the right) who is likely the only person who knows the song and isn't afraid to flail around like an ape. Excellent.
The Sidekicks performing "I Burned The Crops" at Berea Fest this year
The Run-down: The Sidekicks are a bunch of 12 year olds from Cleveland that play pop-punk with a degree of finesse and originality that is pretty difficult to duplicate. Last year they released the amazing and vastly underappreciated 7" EP "Sam" on Whoa Oh records, which was a follow up to their nearly-as-good LP "So Long Soggy Dog". The Sidekicks are currently recording a new album that is easily my most highly anticipated upcoming release. This band rules hard.
Why this video is awesome: Excellent quality, good camera work and an appropriately energized crowd. This video is fun and the show looks at least a little more fun than that. The song helps too, the breakdown in "I Burned The Crops" ranks among the best I can possibly recall.
Riddle Of Steel performing "John Frum" at The Rosebud in Grand Haven, MI
The Run-down: Riddle of Steel were a St. Louis, Missouri that released the best record of 2008 ("1985") and two other amazing LPs. They are now sadly defunct and I will never get the chance to see them (actually they are apparently playing a show this October in Oklahoma or somewhere). I could probably go on and on about this band but I'll let the video do the talking. Suffice it to say that Riddle Of Steel plays rock and roll music. The sort that will kick you on you ass.
Why this video is awesome: First, the introduction is awesome. I would go to shows at this place all the time just to hear the dude talk. Second, he makes reference to RoS's show the previous year that had to be shut down because they played too fucking loud. Not for the neighborhood. For people's ears. Third, the band is totally solid.
Medications performing "The Last of The Rest Was The End" at Fort Reno, 2005
The Run-down: Medications are a three-piece from Washington, DC composed of Devin Ocampo and Chad Molter (members of Smart Went Crazy and Faraquet, two bands I adore beyond reason) and drummer extraordinaire Andrew Becker. Medications play post-hardcore math-rock (I like buzz words) at a level that is unassuming but incredible. Previously they have released a self-titled EP and an amazing full-length called "Your Favorite People All In One Place" Currently they are working on a new album which I have extremely high hopes for. Unfortunately it will be without the aid of Becker on drums, but I think they'll manage.
Why this video is awesome: Evidently, at least at one point in time, Medications were the tightest band on the Earth. This is the type of thing I always assumed can't really be faithfully recreated, but after watching this (and two other must-see Medications recordings from the festival two years later) I realized that these guys probably vomit talent and can do such things easily. Watch Andrew Becker play the drums. Listen to Ocampo play those riffs. Watch Chad Molter squirm around like a fish (I'm kidding he's good too). I love this. Plus, it could hardly sound better.
Youtube is a blessing and a curse. I won't get into the reasons but we all know it's true. Anywho, one of the best things about youtube is finding random live videos of your favorite bands performing, right? Occasionally I run into a video on youtube that makes me wish I was there. When I do, I'll put 'em up and tell you why. So, here's the first installment of the Best of Youtube Live:
The YMD Performing "Yah Mos Def is a Gang" in Philadelphia.
The run-down: The YMD are an unconventional 2 piece hip-hop act from Philadelphia. Their acronymous name stands for The Yah Mos Def, a contraction Sacramento hardcore act The Yah Mos and seminal rapper-turned-actor Mos Def. Legal trouble with afformentined rapper caused the official change to The YMD. In 2008 they released their first official full length "Excuse Me, This Is The Yah Mos Def". The YMD are kids who grew up on east coast hardcore that opted for hip-hop as a means of expression. I suppose this makes them something (read: exactly) like the Beastie Boys. Thus, their songs are littered with references to hardcore, emo and punk acts (references to Fugazi and Floorpunch can be heard in the video along with some I probably don't understand). It makes for a pretty interesting listening experience. Don't be confused though, the lyrics may be of an unconventional subject matter, but sonically, the YMD are a hip-hop act through and through.
Why this video is awesome: The seems completely familiar and totally alien at the same time. The band is freaking out, full of energy and the crowd has no idea what to make of it. The YMD brings hardcore to a pretty pure incarnation of hip-hop music. Everything seems completely out of place and harmonious at the same time. I hope I get to see something like this ever.
