Gigs on the horizon

First up Deerhunter. I am looking forward to seeing this group. If you're in Auckland the show is Monday, June 15, Monte Cristo Rooms - and if you're in Wellington it's the next night, Tuesday, June 16, San Francisco Bath House. Tickets are only $40. Bargain. And it's the band's first visit to NZ.

So, who are Deerhunter?

The American alt/indie band formed in 2001, from Atlanta, Georgia - and they've managed to tick a few songwriting/style boxes: psychedelic rock and noise, post-punk and art-rock - and then there's a touch of the shoegazer ethos: swirling, ambient shades and moods. But there's a raw, vital energy. And they have built a reputation as an amazing live act.

The band's first album was called "Turn It Up, Faggot!"; after a taunt hurled at them from an audience member (it's often just referred to as Deerhunter) and last year they released Microcastle. There was also Cryptograms (in 2007) and a handful of EPs.

If you have the time (and broadband) you can click here to take in most of a set from the band (just under an hour of footage) from Noise Pop earlier this year. But if you just want one quick sampler of a key song I'd start here.

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And then, two days on from the Deerhunter show in Wellington, you can check out Flipper. They are playing at San Fran Bath House, Thursday, June 18.

This will be awesome. 

Flipper started in 1979 and despite losing key member Will Shatter in 1987 the band has carried on. Ex-Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic has just finished a two-year stint playing with the band. And they released a new album, Love, earlier this year.

Flipper used to get in the van and hit the road around the time Henry Rollins was in the band Black Flag - and would later write the book Get in the Van, mentioning Flipper. He said: "They were just heavy. Heavier than you. Heavier than anything...When they played they were amazing."

Of course Flipper's classic is Sex Bomb (go on, click on that link and bask in it).

It should be a great wad of noise tossed from the stage. Post-punk, hardcore, antecedents of grunge, call it what you will - it will be loud. And ensuring that it will be loud will be Flipper's opening act, Mountain Eater. I haven't even heard them yet but it's my new favourite band name. And chances are it will be fantastic. Mountain Easter is the new project from Tristan Dingemans, formerly of High Dependency Unit (and Kahu). A bargain at just $25.

So - anyone keen on seeing Flipper and Mountain Eater and/or Deerhunter?

And if not, what gigs are you keen on seeing in the next week or so? What are you looking forward to?

(I'm also off to Auckland this weekend to see these old coozers.)

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Oldest First

guy   #1   10:07 am Jun 10 2009

lol hahahaha.. sorry just picturing you "jumping" around with the "indie" kids to deerhunter. aha cheers for the laugh

Big_Stu   #2   12:32 pm Jun 10 2009

June 12 @ Mighty Mighty

The Situations, Shaft and Cougar Cougar Cougar

A rockin' alternative to Fly My Pretties the same night.

Baggy   #3   01:38 pm Jun 10 2009

It's hardly the next week or so, but according to Alice's website, he's playing Auckland early September.

I don't care if I get hissed and booed, I think he's still O for oarsome!

Yeti   #4   08:57 pm Jun 10 2009

I m off to the Chills 25 year Anniversary of Pink Frost I am sooo excited to see these guys (or "That Guy" if you are being pedantic) again I haven't been able to make a Chills gig since 1988 Brave Words Tour at The Gluepot. Still have the poster on my wall !

Amy   #5   11:14 am Jun 12 2009

Mountaineater = awesome.

Simon Sweetman   #6   12:13 pm Jun 12 2009

Mountaineater interview on the way to Blog On The Tracks early next week - and we'll be doing a giveaway of one double ticket to Flipper/Mountaineater.

Cheers

Simon Sweetman   #7   10:14 am Jun 17 2009

So - anyone get along to either of the Deerhunter shows? What did you think?

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