Michael Jackson 1958 -2009 RIP

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Michael Jackson “Human Nature” Mp3 (Sendspace)

There’s a reason I’ve held off posting about Michael Jackson. My grandfather passed away last week, so out of respect I’ve restrained myself from bringing up MJ to my mom who is the first person I wanted to turn to. Secondly, I simply didn’t know where to start.

Something I’ve never really talked about on here is how verboten pop music was in my household growing up. Chalk it up to a strict father with an incredibly uptight WASPy pedigree. I mean, Wagner bordered on too modern for him. However Ella Sings Gershwin was allowed, and Cole Porter. But you get the picture, there was a lot of shame directed at most contemporary stuff.

On our weekly family trips to Tower Records my dad would head straight to the back to the glassed in classical music section (where patrons could blast the 1812 Overture at will). I would stick like glue to my mom’s side. My angel, my heroine, and the best dressed aerobics instructor of all time - would siphon popular music into our house with the excuse that it was for her exercise class, knowing full well that I craved every sweet note of pop music that pumped out of our speakers. Because of her standing up for us, our wall system that held the stereo equipment was pretty schizo - think stacks of Lyona Boyd classical guitar right next to a giant ghetto blaster.

So at Tower I’d get to stand on my tip toes flipping through 45s in the bin every week, and thanks to her I would always get to leave with something inexplicably awesome. I specifically remember the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Men at Work, El Debarge, Devo, Lionel Richie or Kim Carnes. My mom would walk out with a full length- the soundtrack to Flashdance, Beverly Hills Cop and Running Scared, all the early Madonna releases, I in turn would get to take the LPs to show and tell at school. For some reason I never valued my 45s enough to bring them in. What I wouldn’t give to get back my Madonna “True Blue” single on electric blue transparent plastic. Damn.

*Anyway* one of my mother’s curatorial choices was Thriller, and it was one of my proudest moments when i turned up at school to share it during Show and Tell. Actually I wasn’t the only one bring that particular record that day, but luckily since my name starts with an ‘A’ I beat that bitch to the front of the class. As a result I got to bask in the glory of displaying the gatefold sleeve on my lap while the sounds of “Thriller” flooded the two classrooms. Life was never the same, and I drifted off at nap time hugging the record.

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Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” Mp3 (Sendspace)

Here is the aforementioned original record (first pressing!), which my mom was kind enough to let me keep. As you can see she did the mom thing and tagged it w/ our last name with a big fat Marksalot. Sighs, at least it was on his lapel. I should mention that with pre-Thriller MJ music (”Rock with You”), I pictured him in my head as Japanese. That’s what growing up in Hawaii will do to your preconceptions. I think we got MTV a bit later than the mainland too. Anyway that made the first time I saw the album sleeve even more incredible- this guy reclining in a white suit, WITH A TIGER CUB, just glowing. Hair sparkling. No one looked like him. So yeah, as a product of the 80s (not to give away my age entirely, let’s just say that Calvin Harris has no love for me) AND a music blogger, Michael Jackson passing was huge.

I’m not gonna front. I have been taking his persona w/ a grain of salt ever since the crotch grabbing and the windshield smashing at the end of the “Black and White” video. I remember just being like “Eww is that entirely necessary?” (Please see ridiculous uptight WASPy upbringing above. Obvs something got through). But for heavensake, the morphing in that video. Tyra Banks. Peggy Lipton. Plus what appears to be the Simone from “Head of the Class.” If I recall it was the first time the technology was utilized. You can’t say that Michael Jackson’s vision of world wide harmony ever faltered.

Thank HEAVENS to CEC from Disconap for the clarity: Michael Jackson was, is, and always will be the King of Pop. If someone had simply released only ONE of the songs off of Thriller, they would go down in history for birthing one of the greatest songs of all time. For me that album contains no less than 6 bonafide home run hits. If P.Y.T. doesn’t merit an episode of Behind the Music I don’t know what does. Or for that matter “Beat It,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Human Nature,” “Billie Jean,” and of course “Thriller.” Yes, this is a desert island album for me.

Like him or not, Michael Jackson was groundbreaking on several levels. On a musical platform, he matters. In choreography, he matters. In epic music video making with actual movie directors, he matters (Francis Ford Coppola directing Captain Eo, Martin Scorsese, Brian de Palma, the list goes on). In persona reinvention, he matters. In race relations, he matters. Seriously. He was the first African American to be accepted with heavy airplay on MTV. If not for Michael who would it have been and how much longer would it have taken? Michael was magic. See, even his Youtube videos are tagged with that, along with ‘magikal’ and ‘ilusion’ (PS Remember kids tricks are for prostitutes).

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Rockwell featuring Michael Jackson “Somebody’s Watching Me” Mp3 (Sendspace)

But yeah, I admit, it “got weird.” I choose to remember the good times. Real Talk. Check out this clip of the Jackson 5 on the Cher Show. MJ starts to bust out around 4:32. You can totes see the beginnings of the moonwalk, and Cher tries to keep up but just resorts to the robot. Shout out to Papakilatube for the tip- if you’re not a subscriber of his channel, I recommend you do so now *HERE*


Michael Jackson “The Way You Make Me Feel” Mp3 (Sendspace)

As ABBA would say, thank you for the music. And to wacked out showbiz parents around the world, let this be a lesson. MSN has a nice slideshow of their fave incarnations *HERE*

‘Sup Magazine alum Jean Grae’s beautiful op-ed in the Village Voice is *HERE* &

Download your fave Michael Jackson from fellow bloggers via a Hype Machine search.

Luckily enough, thanks to Zach and TJ and the Tux from EVR we got into the Apollo Theater through the backstage entrance and into the memorial service, passing Spike and the Rev. Al Sharpton on our way in. See the rest of the photos *HERE*

Tue June 30th, 2009 by punkphoto
Posted in Video, Circle of Awesome, MP3s, RIP, Best Of, Fave Songs, Op-eds | Comments Off | PermaLink

FINALLY- Details on the Next Simian Mobile Disco Album & Live Videos from Highline Ballroom Gig

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Download Simian Mobile Disco : Synthesise / No Voodoo Version

3 weeks ago we begged SMD to stop playing with our hearts. Thankfully they listened and here’s what you’re gonna get come August 17th- a full length entitled Temporary Pleasure our on Wichita. As usual it’s a collaborator’s wet dream. The first single ‘Audacity Of Huge’ features vocals from Chris Keating from Yeasayer. No Ninja from the Go Team- this time they added even more Brooklyn to the mix- the aforementioned Yeasayer PLUS Telepathe! Yay! Check it out though from the UK end- Gruff Rhys, ALEXIS TAYLOR and Jamie Lidell. Plus we’ve got our eyes on Young Fathers and you should too.

The album was recorded at the band’s studio in East London throughout 2008 and 2009, when the band weren’t busy touring their live show, DJing and producing. As well as representing the best of UK dance music the record contains some staggering pop anthems, featuring vocal contributions from the likes of The Gossip’s Beth Ditto and Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor. The album will be available on LP, CD and deluxe limited edition CD.

Track listing:
1) Cream Dream (featuring Gruff Rhys)
2) Audacity of Huge (featuring Chris Keating)
3) 10000 Horses Can’t Be Wrong
4) Cruel Intentions (featuring Beth Ditto)
5) Off The Map (featuring Jamie Lidell)
6) Synthesise
7) Bad Blood (featuring Alexis Taylor)
8) Turn Up The Dial (featuring Young Fathers)
9) Ambulance
10) Pinball (featuring Telepathe)

Kate Moross will be designing all the artwork for the album and singled. They’ve been confirmed for T in The Park and Lovebox festivals this summer and will be Djing at the following parties.

June
19 - Bugged Out @ Sankeys Soap, Manchester
20 - Bugged Out @ Cable, London

Check out the rest of the Simian Mobile Disco live on April 23rd 2009 at Highline Ballroom New York City gigs *HERE*


Thu May 7th, 2009 by punkphoto
Posted in Video, Fave Bands, Circle of Awesome, MP3s, Where'd They Go?, Upcoming Releases, Fave DJs, Fave Songs | Comments Off | PermaLink

Jarvis Cocker Is Making An Exhibition Of Himself at Galerie Chappe in Paris - Stream It Now!

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Download Jarvis Cocker : Quantum Theory Mp3

Not only is Jarvis Cocker making an exhibition of himself, he wants you to join him. For a hot second the movie in my head cut to agitated Britpop enthusiasts swarming the stage during a Michael Jackson set, preferably sporting the “C*nts Are Still Running the World” t-shirts from the ‘07 tour. Alas, this is not the case- it’s even quirkier. Starting the Tuesday 5th of May until Sunday the 10th, Jarvis will be occupying Galerie Chappe, 4, Rue Andre Barsacq, 75018 Paris, France (+33 1 42 62 42 12) from 12 to 7 PM daily for a multimedia interactive experience. Please note on Friday, May 8th at 3 o’clock there will be an aerobics class. Therefore if you live within a 250 mile radius of Paris we really hope you are packing your leg warmers at this very moment. If you don’t, stream the activities live *here* & read on for more info from the man himself:

Back in October 2006, when I was asked to edit The Observer Music Monthly in the UK, I asked the question “What is Music for?”. Two & a half years on I would like to shorten that question to: WHAT IS MUSIC?

ALSO

I have lost count of the number of articles proclaiming the imminent or actual death of the music industry. Does this mean that music can now go back to being an art form again? & If so, is it the first art form to begin adapting itself to the post-capitalist society we now find ourselves living in? Or is it just something you get free when you buy a mobile phone? Digital content.

ALSO

What happens if you get a band to rehearse in an art gallery instead of a rehearsal space? What if you invite members of the public to play with the band? Or invite them to submit song titles which the band then have to base an improvisation upon? Could a live band provide the accompaniment to an aerobics class? What happens if you play music from 12 noon til 7pm, 7 days a week? & What if you invite the kids from the local school to come round on their Wednesday off?

SO

From Tuesday 5th of May until Sunday 10th of May I will be occupying Galerie Chappe, 4, Rue Andre Barsacq, 75018 Paris, France (+33 1 42 62 42 12 www.galeriechappe.fr) from 12 noon til 6/7pm each day (maybe later some nights) & attempting to answer these pertinent questions. I will be assisted by the members of my band: Martin Craft, Steve Mackey, Tim McCall, Ross Orton & Simon Stafford plus, at various times, we hope to be joined by other musicians currently living in the Paris area.

& THEN

If you live locally please come down & join in this experiment. If you don’t you can follow its progress on www.jarviscocker.net which will run for the duration of the installation (more details soon). Each day will be archived & re-broadcast for the convenience of those living in different time-zones.

& FINALLY

A selection of Rankin’s photography for my soon-to-be-released album “Further Complications” will be on view during the course of this show. These images are an integral part of the exhibition & will also be offered for sale through the gallery.

Click through for the complete timetable. Remember you can stream it all *here*!!! Read the rest of this entry »

Sun May 3rd, 2009 by punkphoto
Posted in Exhibits, Fave Bands, Circle of Awesome, WTF, MP3s, Upcoming Releases, Fave Songs | Comments Off | PermaLink

30 Seconds to Mars & Virgin Have Settled Their 30 Million $ Differences - New Album To Come!

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Ahhh to be a fly on the wall in the litigation room for that one! E!Online has the details *HERE* and check out what Jared Leto has to say on the band’s website *HERE* The band’s 3rd studio album called “This is War” is slated for release in the fall now that the peace talks have wrapped with EMI. I wonder if Kanye is onboard to produce? WHEN EGOS COLLIDE…….

Stronger (Kanye West Cover) : 30 Seconds to Mars (YSI)

When all is said & done, 30 Seconds to Mars is in possession one of the coolest f*cking guitars ever: PEGASUS! Win-Win!
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Wed April 29th, 2009 by punkphoto
Posted in WTF, MP3s, Where'd They Go?, Covers, Upcoming Releases | Comments Off | PermaLink

ATJF Teams w/ Deli Magazine for Best of NYC Festival- Blank Dogs, Chairlift, Dinowalrus & More!

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After the Jump is pleased to have had a hand in putting together Deli Magazine’s Best of NYC Fest, taking place at various venues in New York from May 6th - May 10th. The fest is built around the Magazine’s annual Best of NYC issue which features a ton of local bands that have played past After the Jump. The lineup for the event is pretty stacked, tickets are now on sale, and you guys should all seriously consider joining us there. Here’s what’s actually going on…

Wednesday 05.06
(sponsored by BMI)
@ Southpaw
11:10 Lowry
10:30 Elizabeth & the Catapult
9:40 The King Left
8:50 April Smith
8:10 KaiserCartel
7:30 Mia Riddle

Saturday 05.09 [BUY TICKETS]
@ Joe’s Pub
9:30 The Lisps’ FUTURITY
FUTURITY is an original indie-rock musical by Brooklyn band The Lisps. A theatrically staged song cycle, FUTURITY tells the story of a Union soldier in the Civil War who is an aspiring science fiction writer. The work fuses traditional Americana, found text, experimental music, and The Lisps’ own brand of quirky co-ed pop.

Friday 05.08 [BUY TICKETS]
@ The Bell House
12:00 Crystal Stilts
11:00 Blank Dogs
10:00 Religious Knives
9:00 Dinowalrus

Sunday 05.10 [BUY TICKETS]
@ The Bell House
(sponsored by ASCAP)
10.00 Chairlift
9.00 TBA
8.10 The Secret Life of Sofia
7.20 Takka Takka
6.30 TBA

Mon April 27th, 2009 by punkphoto
Posted in Fave Bands, Zines, Festivals, Live Series | Comments Off | PermaLink

Rad Gorillaz Documentary BANANAZ Out On Babelgum Today Plus Interview w/ Director Ceri Levy

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If the great D.A. Pennebaker pioneered the ‘fly-on-the-wall’ perspective in rockumentary filmmaking, then Ceri Levy has certainly mastered a new oeuvre for the 21st century with the release of Bananaz. We decided to call it the ‘friend-in-the-bathroom-that-will-hold-your-hair-back-whilst-you-spill-your-guts- (both literally and figuratively)- and-completely-forget-that-the-camera-is-still-rolling’ method. The film follows the 6 year trajectory of virtual music project Gorillaz with footage of everything in between- and we mean everything. From Jamie Hewlett doodling to Damon Albarn’s pre-show “jitters,” multiple moonings and creative arguments, nothing was off limits for Levy. The result is organic and frankly fucking amazing. Now tackling the subject matter of a post modern anti-band (and the sisyphusian task of editing) seems totally nutters to begin with, so we sat down with Ceri to see just how he ended up in that situation. Bananaz indeed. Check out the rest of the interview over on ‘Sup *HERE*

Bananaz makes its online debut today on Bablegum. The DVD (bustin’ at the seams with extras) is set for release on June 1st, with theatrical screenings in between.

Gorillaz : Kids With Guns (Hot Chip Remix) Mp3 (zShare)
Gorillaz : Dirty Harry (Disco Villains Remix) Mp3 (zShare)

Check out Jamie’s rant on the NME below (all the way through…). I totally wanted to marry him when I was 12.

Mon April 20th, 2009 by punkphoto
Posted in Rants, Interviews, Fave Bands, Movies, Circle of Awesome, MP3s, Upcoming Releases, Happy Monday!, New Releases | Comments Off | PermaLink

Yeah Yeah Yeahs LIVE from Santos Party House on Easter - Setlist, Videos and Awesomeness !!!!!

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HERE’S THE SONG THAT STARTED IT ALL FOR US (we FINALLY got to see it live!):
Yeah Yeah Yeahs : Art Star Mp3 (YSI) (Alt Link)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs April 12, 2009 Santos Party House NYC Setlist:
Heads Will Roll / Black Tongue / Fly / Phenomena / Dull Life / Gold Lion / Art Star / Skeletons / Hysteric / Down Boy / Zero / Maps /// ENCORE: Y Control / Turn Into / Date With the Night / Poor Song

Art Star:


Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Art Star” LIVE Santos NYC 4/12/09 - Abbey Braden

Zero:


Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Zero” LIVE Santos NYC 4/12/09 - Abbey Braden

Date With the Night:


Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Date With the Night” LIVE Santos NYC 4/12/09 - Abbey Braden

Maps:


Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Maps” LIVE Santos NYC 4/12/09 - Abbey Braden

Y Control:


Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Y Control” LIVE Santos NYC 4/12/09 - Abbey Braden

Poor Song:


Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Modern Romance” LIVE Santos NYC 4/12/09 - Abbey Braden

Mon April 13th, 2009 by punkphoto
Posted in Upcoming Tours, Video, Fave Bands, Circle of Awesome, About Last Night, MP3s, New Releases, Fave Songs | Comments Off | PermaLink

Crocodiles “I Wanna Kill” LIVE at Pianos Video - Summer Of Hate Drops 4/28 on Fat Possum !!!!!

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Last Friday we learned that Crocodiles used to live in a party house with the Soft Pack. That makes a helluva lot of sense. Get to know these two San Dieg-ans (ians? ites?) like, NOW and forget the Jesus and Mary Chain references ever existed. Their Summer of Hate Full length debut on Fat Possum drops April 28th. Interview on ‘Sup to come yo! Chomp.

Crocodiles: Summer of Hate mp3



Wed April 8th, 2009 by punkphoto
Posted in New Bands, Video, Fave Bands, Circle of Awesome, MP3s, Upcoming Releases | Comments Off | PermaLink

We Had No Frigging Clue Who Darwin Deez Was Until We Were Sent This Video For ‘Spring Dance’


Anyone that can get down like this to the Thompson Twins’ ‘In the Name of Love’ for the sake of Spring is alright by us. Darwin Deez plays tomorrow at the Market Hotel- keep an eye on ‘em, they just might be the indie answer to the Pussycat Dolls. AMAZING.

The Thompson Twins : In the Name of Love mp3 (YSI)

Wed March 25th, 2009 by punkphoto
Posted in New Bands, Video, WTF, MP3s, Fave Songs, Guilty Pleasures | Comments Off | PermaLink

************* WAVVES Break NYC: Video From Todd P’s Less Artists More Condos Gig *************

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How to tell if a band has heat: book ‘em three supporting gigs as a NYC debut. Watch people lose their proverbial shit the first night so boot them up to a headlining slot for their second. The magical band in question? None other than California’s own WAVVES. The project is the brainchild of Nathan Williams, a San Diego native prone to watching Cops, drinking 40s in the park and recording miles and miles of audio riptides on a 4-track in his bedroom. Lucky for us Fat Possum has picked ‘em up to release the second album WAVVVES (please note the extra V) on March 17th. Download the awesome track “So Bored” and check out Nathan’s blog for blurry tour pictorials of awesome, his Classic Cut selections (JERU THE DAMAJA anyone) and timeless Youtube treasures, like David Byrne interviewing himself. Yes please.

Download WAVVES : So Bored MP3



Please note we have no idea what this song is called. Everyone was running on fumes (we stood for 4 hours in one spot), Nathan was losing his voice, but still amazing. Todd P party shout out!

Wed February 25th, 2009 by punkphoto
Posted in New Bands, Upcoming Tours, Video, Parties, MP3s, Upcoming Releases | Comments Off | PermaLink