!!!/Maserati @ Studio B - Brooklyn, NY - 5-30-07

Opening act Telepathe were, simply put, awkward. Oddly placed My Bloody Valentine-esque guitar that wasn't in synch with the rest of the band's sparse drum beats and whispered female vocals. Not into it at all. No pictures of them either since the lighting was absolutely terrible and all my pictures came out looking bad. You're not missing anything, don't worry.

Maserati (aptly named due to their driving rock sound) were great, although their stuff was a little too predictable/repetitive at times.

!!! were extremely fun to watch, despite the crowd, who seemed more interested in shoving people around than actually dancing. The band made full use of the stage and spent half the time practically in the audience.

More photos here.

Click the photos below for larger images.

Maserati




!!! (chk chk chk)

Lifetime/Pisschrist/Seasick @ 331 Somerset Street , New Brunswick, NJ - 5/28/07

Beloved NJ band Lifetime played a "secret" New Brunswick basement show this afternoon. It fucking ruled. I think I have seen this band like six or seven times since they got back together and besides the Asbury Park show that happened instead of Hellfest, this was the best time I have seen them. A packed, sweaty basement full of kids just going nuts and singing along to a fantastic band. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my day off.

More pictures here.

Click the images below for larger images.

Seasick



Pisschrist




Lifetime

Lightning Bolt/DMBQ/Aa/The Apes @ 600 Bushwick Avenue - Brooklyn, NYC - 5/26/07

Despite the late start, technical problems, and immense heat, the show was a lot of fun. Sorry for the short post but I had to be at work like 5 minutes ago.

More photos up here and here.

Click the photos below for larger versions




The Apes



Aa




DMBQ




Lightning Bolt

Animal Collective @ The Metro - Chicago, IL - 5/17/07

I shot this show for Late Night Wallflower, so check out my post over there with a full report.

More photos up on the flickr page.

LCD Soundsystem/Yacht @ Webster Hall, NYC - 5/14/07

Who said New Yorkers don't dance? LCD Soundsystem packed Webster Hall with sweaty, drunk people who clearly came to party. Despite the bass that felt like it was going to tear me in two and make my organs escape from my body, the band sounded tight and thoroughly rocked the crowd. Opening act Yacht (the guy who makes the beats for The Blow), braved the crowd and hopefully won over some people with his eccentric pop songs. When he began a Q&A question with the audience the dialog went something like this:

Yacht - "Yes, you sir!"
Audience member - "You're awful!"
Yacht - "Not a question! Next!"

Of course, Brooklyn Vegan was there on Saturday night at Studio B.

More photos at the flickr, of course.

Click the photos below for better versions and check out numerous other shots at my flickr page.

Yacht




LCD Soundsystem

Kill Your Idols/Violent Society/Ensign/Crime in Stereo/My Revenge @ Garfield American Legion

This was Kill Your Idol's 2nd to last NJ show and 4th to last show ever

KYI photos: http://flickr.com/photos/jberg/sets/72157600181498262/
random photos: http://flickr.com/photos/jberg/sets/72157600181493606/
Violent Society/Ensign/Crime in Stereo/My Revenge: http://flickr.com/photos/jberg/sets/72157600181506705/

The KYI photos came out way better since I figured out how to properly use my flash in the room, so I hope that explains something at least.

Manny Mares was there and has some photos on his Myspace. Check them out.

Modern Life is War/Brooks Strauss/Death Before Dishonor/One Dead Three Wounded/Disnihil @ Club Europa - 5/1/07

Tons more photos here.

Ambulance was there also and has some sweet pics. Check it out.

Modern Life is War killed it as usual, despite the venue not really appreciating stage diving.

MLIW Set list, courtesy of the B9board:
Outsiders, Martin Atchet, New Song, Breaking the Cycle, First and Ellen, John and Jimmy, Marshalltown, New Song, New Song, Dead ramones, By the sea, Nervous Breakdown (Black Flag cover)

Disnihil





One Dead Three Wounded





Death Before Dishonor





Brooks Strauss




Modern Life is War