let's go to a MODERN SKIRTS concert

An alternative pop band formed in 2004 in Athens, GA, MODERN SKIRTS has quickly gained notoriety in the Athens music scene. Because of their high-energy live shows in the Athens area, the band has achieved popularity nationwide. The band consists of four members: Jay Gulley (guitar and vocals), JoJo Glidewell (guitar, piano, and vocals), Phillip Brantley (bass, guitar, and vocals) and John Swint (drums). R.E.M. bassist, Mike Mills, cited Modern Skirts as his favorite Athens band in a post Hall of Fame interview in 2007. Because of this, in 2008, the band opened for R.E.M. in Amsterdam and then again in Belgium. In 2005, they released their first album Catalogue of Generous Men. Although the album received rave reviews and was compared to that of The Beach Boys and The Velvet Underground, Modern Skirts changed up their sound with their sophomore album, All Of Us In Our Night. There new album has a more sultry feel to that of The Shins, Glasvegas, Fleet Foxes, especially the song "Soft Pedals" (which can be downloaded below).  

Modern Skirts Upcoming Tour Dates:

April 22, 2009: Charlottesville, Virginia @ Twister Branch Tea Bazaar 

All ages show

Modern Skirts on at 11PM 

April 23, 2009: Washington, DC @ Black Cat

All ages show

Doors open @ 9pm, Modern Skirts on @ 11:15pm

April 24, 2009: Brooklyn, New York @ The Bell House

18 & up show

Doors open @ 8pm, Modern Skirts on @ 9pm

April 25, 2009: New York, New York @ Mercury Lounge

21  & up show

Doors open @ 10:30pm, Modern Skirts on @ 11pm

April 30, 2009: Charlotte, NC @ The Visulite Theatre

18 & up show

Modern skirts @ 10:15pm

May 8, 2009: Savannah, Georgia @ Livewire Music Hall

21 & up show

May 9, 2009: Atlanta, Georgia @ 500 songs for Kids at Smith's Olde Bar

21 & up show

May 14, 2009: Orlando, Florida @ Orange You Glad Festival at Will's Pub

18 & up show

Doors open @ 8pm, Modern Skirts on @ 10:30pm

May 16, 2009: Tampa Flordia @ WMNF's Tropical Heatwave Festival ORPHEUM STAGE

Modern Skirts on  @ 9:10pm 

Modern Skirts' sound is a mixture of Kaiser Chiefs, The Shins and The New Pornographers. If you want to download a song to see for yourself, right click on the link below. And if you like it, go to their concert at the Black Cat this week. 

Download: "Soft Pedals" - Modern Skirts (mp3) 

Black Lips (3.5.09)

After hearing that BLACK LIPS have a reputation for "crazy live shows that include vomiting, urination, nudity, & band members kissing", I was a bit nervous, but so excited to go to their concert in Washington, DC.  Although the band has matured a little bit, they still put on a crazy performance.  The Black Lips have slowly built a fanbase that appreciates (and joins in with) their energy and their eclectic style of mixing blues, rock, country and punk music into one signature sound. Gentleman Jesse & His Men opened for The Black Lips and they had some really catchy songs for a band I had never heard of. Then the Black Lips were up. They alternated between fun upbeat songs and dark haunting "mosh pit creating" freaky as hell songs like "Buried Alive" including scary witch-like cackling and strobe lights. Cole even did part of the set with a cigarette hanging out of his nose. Although my friend, Cara, was injured in some “mosh pit action”, we both enjoyed the show. They may be strange, scary, and odd but who cares, Cole Alexander is so hot!!!

Cara and I preparing to die in a mosh pit

Gentleman Jesse & His Men 

The Black Lips set up their own effects and equipment before their set

Black Lips consists of four members: Cole Alexander (vocals, guitar), Jared Swilley (vocals bass), Ian Saint Pe (guitar), and Joe Bradley (vocals, drums).  The interesting part of the Black Lips is that there is no lead singer. The band bounces verses and songs between band members creating an even more surreal live show.

The band uses spooky lighting to add to the creepy sound effects in their song "Sea of Blasphemy".

Vocalist/Guitarist Cole Alexander plays a new song with a cigarette in his nose. The song is evidently about having a cigarette in your nose. 

The man we named “Baldy”, really explains the crowd at the concert. Baldy was a middle-aged six and half-foot tall bald man located dead center, front row of the audience. He was the leader of the “moshing” where he directed 18-23 year olds to jump and push in every direction. Thus, he created the second most intense mosh-pit I’ve ever experienced (the most intense being at The Hives concert in Los Angeles).  

Intense moshing commanded by bassist, Jared Swilley, during "Buried Alive". 

In order for one to truely understand the music of Black Lips, they have to see a live show. While in Mexico, Black Lips recorded a live album entitled "Los Valientes Del Mondo Nuevo". Follow the link to watch a video of Black Lips Live in Mexico. 

Download one of my favorite Black Lip songs "Buried Alive" by right clicking on the link below. I also recommend "O Katrina", "Veni Vidi Vici", "Stranger", and their ultimate mosh-pit song "Sea of Blasphemy". 

Download: "Buried Alive" - Black Lips (mp3)