In My Head: Merchandise "Totale Nite" EP // performing @ TT The Bear's 06.09.13

Tampa rock band MERCHANDISE are either in an enviable situation or an unwinnable one, a band that seems to already have something to prove while actually just getting started. Last year's Children Of Desire EP was a startling debut, a moody, desolate, and at-times brilliant spin on modern post-punk and indie rock led by the majestic 11-minute epic "Become What You Are," which not only was my favorite song of 2012, but my final act of No Rules Radio for WFNX a few weeks ago when I queued it up in the system for over an hour and walked out for the last time.

The lyrics to that gem, "I'm a mother's son, I'm a rolling stone / I don't want anything, that I have to own" seemed to echo my sentiments towards the station's misguided suits better than any extended middle finger. It was that type of raw captured emotion that made Children of Desire so palatable. Outside of Japandroids' battle cries, 2012 wasn't really a stellar year for quoting lyrics in fits of rage or passion. Apologies go out to all the graduates who had to fill their yearbooks with something else.

Anyway, now Merchandise is back with a fairly quick turnaround record, the five-song/33-minute Totale Nite, out now via Night People and streaming in its entirety via the YouTube link above. It continues Merchandise's skill for detached melody, and droning, seemingly-endless sonic-journey songs that don't feel quite as long as they are. The Smiths reference is already dated, but a lot of these tracks, like last year's collection, have a loose, distant cousin in the feel of "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me." And while the "they're from Florida?!?" card has been played countless times before, it's raised here not that in surprise this band is from the middle of the cultural wasteland Sunshine State, but in that these songs have a frigid chill to them. Sunny pop this is not, a winter band this very well may be.

Since last year's release the band has added a member of two, and one of the highlights of this recent SXSW excursion was seeing them at the Viceland party, joined on stage by a saxophonist and while changing up some of the lyrics, able to convey live the type of removed sincerity so expertly displayed in the bands recordings.

After several listens, Totale Nite doesn't have the immediate gravity of a "Become What You Are," but it easily feels more balanced, and with a greater texture in sound and wider approach (hey there harmonica!), practically eliminating any genre label limitations. It's nice evolution from the last EP, and deserving of just as much praise.

MERCHANDISE perform at T.T. The Bear's Place in Cambridge on Sunday, June 9, with Destruction Unit and Milk Music (that's quite a show). Tickets are $10 in advance and are available here.

A Vanyaland quiz for NHL Trade Deadline Day: Hockey Prospect or Female Porn Star?

In honor of today’s NHL Trade Deadline, I’m resurrecting one of my favorite non-music Vanyaland features -– ladies and germs, I welcome you to the 2013 Hockey Prospect or Female Porn Star quiz! Below are 20 entries, and you are asked to determine whether the name listed represents a current hockey prospect toiling in the minors across Canada and the US, or a lusty porn actress currently toiling in and around Los Angeles.

(Handy Hint: There are 20 names, so it breaks down to 10 prospects and 10 porn stars. Hint #2: Despite there being many cocks on the New York Rangers, Carmen Cocks is not one of them.)

As an added treat, we have expanded the field for a first-ever Bonus Round: a Male Edition, down below.

Note: A perfect score would be a 26, in honor of the great Patrik Elias. Answer key down below.

NHL PROSPECT OR PORN STAR?

1. Reece Scarlett

2. Riley Reid

3. Morgan Rielly

4. Riley Boychuk

5. Hunter Bryce

6. Devon Lee

7. Chase Balisy

8. Jayden Cole

9. Harri Pesonen

10. Dylan Rider

11. Cody Lane

12. Robin Lehner

13. Jamie Devane

14. Brook Little

15. Linden Vey

16. Kale Kressy

17. Bailey Blue

18. Carmen Cocks

19. Mika Tan

20. Calle Jarnkrok

BONUS ROUND: MALE EDITION

1. Zach Hyman

2. Evan Stone

3. Steven St Croix

4. Rocco Grimaldi

5. Brock Beukeboom

6. Long Dong Silver

***

***

ANSWER KEY:

1.NHL; 2. Porn; 3. NHL; 4. NHL; 5. Porn; 6. Porn; 7. NHL; 8. Porn; 9. NHL; 10.Porn; 11. Porn; 12. NHL; 13: NHL; 14: Porn; 15: NHL; 16. NHL; 17. Porn; 18. Porn; 19. Porn; 20. NHL

BONUS ROUND: 1. NHL; 2. Porn; 3. Porn; 4. NHL; 5. NHL; 6. Porn

Daft Punk make Coachella announcement?

Well, April just got real, if indeed this isn't another belated April Fool's joke like the Daft Punk / Justice / Chemical Brothers faux tour poster that made the rounds earlier today. But, Daft punk or no Daft Punk -- and us getting Daft Punk'd or not -- I gotta figure out a way to get to Indio next weekend. Still must see thew Stone Roses and New order. blur, too, I guess.

Update: Vanyaland 2.0 coming soon

I'm really bad at keeping secrets, so here it goes: Vanyaland is currently getting a major facelift, and will re-launch later this month as Vanya Media partners with Paul Armstrong of Redefined as well as Media Boss Television.

VLand 2.0 will have a stable of writers (not just me) and photogs, as well as features, listings, spotlights, downloads, video, and some very unique interaction capabilities for an online music magazine.

The old site looks like the 1800s compared to what's in the works. Stay tuned.

Potential relaunch party: The RIBS + Color Channel gig at Great Scott on April 20, since it's Vanyaland Presents, and all. Plus it's 4.20.

In My Head: The Bynars "All I Wanna Do Is Have Some Fun Tonight" / 04.24.13 @ Great Scott

It seems like only yesterday THE BYNARS performed with an up-and-coming fun. at the Lansdowne Pub as part of the WFNX Disorientation 2011 series. Since then, the where-are-they-now? fun. have virtually disappeared from the music landscape, drowning in obscurity, playing for dozens (including long-suffering girlfriends) while intent on penning their own Behind The Music-type of comeback. Meanwhile, the Boston-based quirk-pop band the Bynars have tirelessly honed their nerd-rock craft around Massachusetts, releasing intricate pop music with even more intricate music videos, and the tasty fruits of their bountiful labor finally re-surfaced today with the 12-minute one-stop electronic cruise ship "All I Wanna Do Is Have Some Fun Tonight," a synthpop jam that's an EP unto itself. And no, Sheryl Crow is not invited to this party.

The track is the first single from the Bynars' upcoming sophomore LP, X vs. X, which, if this song is any indication, is roughly three hours long.

"AIWDIHSF" gets real good around the seven-minute mark, kinda like how the outro to Flock of Seagulls' "Wishing" grabs hold of the listener and spins them around the dance floor inside your smart phone. If only they had smart phones in the mid-'80s.

Peep the track, then catch the Bynars at Great Scott on April 24 with Andre Obin and others.

Boston musicians pay respect to Jason Molina with "Farewell Transmission" tribute

Led by recording studio and independent record label Mystic Steamship Co., a group of Boston musicians, including members of Bent Shapes, Earthquake Party, and Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion, came together recently to pour out some song for Jason Molina, who passed away unexpectedly March 16 from alcohol-related organ failure. He was 39.

The seven-minute "Farewell Transmission," the opening track from 2003's Magnolia Electric Co. record, is a haunting tribute, and was posted online earlier today with the following message.

Tribute to Jason Molina of Songs: Ohia / Magnolia Electric Co.

Upon hearing the terrible news of Jason Molina's passing, Ben Potrykus (Bent Shapes) approached us about recording a tribute to Jason. This ended up being a very special recording session, and a great way to get our friends together to celebrate and mourn the loss of an artist we all hold very dear. This was recorded mostly live featuring members of Bent Shapes, Earthquake Party, and Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion.

PLEASE DONATE TO JASON MOLINA'S MEMORIAL FUND AND LISTEN TO HIS ASTOUNDING BODY OF WORK. BOTH OF WHICH YOU CAN DO HERE.

released 02 April 2013
Recorded and Mixed at Mystic Steamship Co.

Engineered by Evan Murphy
Produced by Ian Doerr

Ben Potrykus: Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
Andy Sadoway: Drums
Mike McCullagh: Lead Guitar
Scott Jones: Electric Guitar
Ian Doerr: Electric Piano
Supriya Gunda: Bass and Vocals
Mallory Hestand: Vocals

[tonight in cambridge] Jamaican Queens @ TTs

Kicking around the possibility of going to see JAMAICAN QUEENS tonight at TT The Bear's Place in Cambridge. I'm digging the spring-y synth-y feel-good tropical-pop vibes of this track, "Kids Get Away," and Bowery Boston's Carl Lavin has been raving about these dudes for a bit now. Plus, they're from Detroit, and I love the movie 8 Mile. However, as someone who had to take the LIRR every day back when I lived in New York and still cringe every time I hear the words "Change at Jamaica," this band name elicits some weird emotions. Thank goodness they're from Michigan and not from, like, Queens.

Also, their home city is providing some musical inspiration as well, though much like Eminem, it's born out of struggle. Posted on the video's YouTube page, singer/songwriter Ryan Spencer offers up this explanation for the song, claiming inspiration from an attack a friend of his suffered in Detroit:

"I wrote this song to myself as a reminder that I live in a very dangerous place and that I shouldn't be so naive. Violence is everywhere, and though I'm more likely to be victimized in Detroit than almost anywhere else, this city also has so much going for it that no other place I've ever been does. The possibility of violence is no reason to flee what I feel to be the best place I've ever lived. This song is a reminder to myself of that. Be careful, but don't give in to fear.

"

Plus the Tigers are likely gonna win the World Series this year so he has that going for Detroit as well. Don't ever leave, man.

Rock Shop 04.08.13: Press the Press

It's been a white hot minute since I sat in on a Rock Shop panel -- in fact, I think the last time was when I had just joined the Phoenix, in the spring/summer of 2010 -- so I'm psyched to be back a week from tonight for the "Press The Press" edition, which also features Luke O'Neil of Put That Shit On The List (and other stuff like Vice, Bullett Media, etc.) and Brad Searles of the always-excellent Bradley's Almanac music blog.

This Middle East get-together from 6 to 9pm will make a nice little pre-game spot for Night 2 of the Rumble, which holds court next door and features maybe the best lineup of the week-long preliminaries: Camden, Herra Terra, Deep North, and Endation. Central Square rules, find me at the Mid East restaurant beforehand scarfing down a shawarma.

RSVP via the Facebook event page, and peep the presser below. Or as a Boston cop would say, the 411.

Free! Open to the Public! Middle East Downstairs (on the Mezz').

Come meet, ask questions of, and discuss the in's and out's of getting press for your band and / or company including how to submit to media, how to publicize an album release, etc.

We'll likely touch on the changing national landscape and the recent developments in Boston as well.

Special guests:
*Michael Marotta (Boston Phoenix, Vanya Records, Vanyaland)
*Luke O'Neil (contributor at Boston Globe, Bullett, Vice, Alternative Press + more, PTSOTL)
*Brad Searles (Bradley's Almanac)

Hosted by Kevin Hoskins (The Middle East) and Steve Theo (Pirate!).

All sessions are free and open to the public. Stop by around 6pm for drinks / meet + greet, etc. We'll start the discussion around 7pm, followed by more drinks/networking til 9pm.

[awesome video alert] GOZU "Bald Bull" / record release May 3 + 4 @ Radio in Somerville

The arrival of April means we're getting ever-so-closer to the release of GOZU's new record The Fury of a Patient Man, out via Detroit-based Small Stone Recordings later this month. While at WFNX the past few months we've thrown the groovy love-buzzing single "Salty Thumb" through the rotation ringer, but now the Boston hard rock dudes show who's really boss in their new music video for the stoner-chug crusher "Bald Bull." And that boss, of course, is "Bride" Tiffany Medeiros serving up some black meat and poison milk to who looks like Walter Sickert's fucked-up older biker brother. Dude goes down heavier than the riff in the song.

Fury is finally out April 23, but shit gets even realer the weekend of Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, as GOZU takes over Radio in Union Square Somerville for two nights of nonstop rock. Because WFNX/Boston Accents is no more, Vanyaland is stepping up its show game by co-presenting the double-dance with our homies at Boston Bloghead. Full lineups after the Bandcamp embed, and check out my Spring Preview in the Phoenix, where I preview the new GOZU record and catch up with guitarist Douglas Allan Sherman.

Updated: Boston Calling looking for volunteers

BOSTON CALLING ...is calling you. The two-day music festival landing on City Hall during Memorial Day weekend is seeking volunteers, and is currently organizing roles and responsibilities for those who'd like to get involved. Interested parties can email volunteer@bostoncalling.com to get on board.

UPDATE: Here's what organizers just relayed to us: "Basically our volunteers will do ticket scanning, help with production set up, manning info booths, lost & found, etc. – definitely a wide variety of stuff!"

Yesterday, organizers posted this message to their various social media, and this morning told Vanyaland that more information, like specific needs and availability requirements, will be announced in the next few weeks.

For anyone who has applied to volunteer or is interested in volunteering, we are putting the plans together in the next two weeks for volunteers and you will hear from us soon!

This spring's Boston Calling, on Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26, features 18 live acts, including fun., the National, the Shins, Marina & the Diamonds, the Walkmen, and more, as well as local representation from Bad Rabbits and Caspian. Tickets start at $75 and are available here.