Saturday, June 30, 2007

New Vultures songs up now!! And also, another hyped band sucks.

Two new Vultures songs are up now on their Myspace account!! ms/officialvultures

They RULE.

And in much less interesting news, me and Brandon went to see the Battles show last night. Sometimes it's fun to see a hyped up band. The place was PACKED. Big ol' line and shit. No room to move. Ok, then they started and they fucking sucked. I swear I didn't know three songs IN whether they started or not. I was waiting to hear, "check check check". Never heard a song. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.




Imagine if I'd been having fun.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Art Fag update and shit

The Prayers vinyl and cd is up for sale on the Art Fag Myspace page. ms/artfaglabel

Actually all the releases are, so buy up!!

The Prayers will be in stores shortly via Carrot Top and Revolver USA. Ask your GOT damn record stores to carry Art Fag!!

The Vultures just finished mixing their debut. New songs will be up on Myspace soooon. Keep checking!!

Art Fag mania continues with a ton of shows in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. The Skull Kontrol dick jockey group will also be in tow for extra added bonus. Look for us!

Art Fag 2007...the year we (went) broke.

Silicon Teens = FUN

Mute Records founder Daniel Miller had a fun idea. He had already made a synth/post punk masterpiece as The Normal with "Warm Leatherette", and he wanted to do something less dark and more fun. So he "put together" a fictitious group of lads N gals called Silicon Teens. ST recorded and released "Music For Parties" in 1980. It contained covers of 50s and 60s hits and a couple of originals played with synth and drum machines. Cheesy, light synth pop. If you like early Depeche Mode, you'll love this. Covers included "Do Wah Diddy", "You Really Got Me" and "Memphis, Tennessee". "Music For Parties" is pretty silly but I think it's fun as fuck. The charade goes further, though. Even for interviews and photo shoots with "Daryl", "Jacki", "Paul" and "Diane", Miller hired actors to do them, and even made a video with this "band". Pre Gorillaz, but then again post-Archies. Here's the band photos and a cool video. Find the record. Oh, and lastly: 4 months after "Music For Parties", Daniel Miller discovered and signed REAL synth pop lads, Depeche Mode.








Vultures Campaign





The Vultures have just finished recording their nine song debut for Art Fag. And people actually want them to play out of town, like in San Francisco on July 13th & 14th or in Los Angeles at The Fuck Yeah Festival on August 24th-26th. They will continue to fool people on Saturday July 7th at The Beauty Bar with Cat Dirt & 50.






The Living Desert: The Muslims & The Vultures are back again at The Casbah. Skull Kontrol is on the tables, and Roman Spring are providing appetizers.


Thursday, June 28, 2007

New Art Brut Video!

Ladies and Gents, here's the new Art Brut video for Direct Hit, the first single from their new album It's a Bit Complicated, edited by Skull Kontrol's home dog Felipe Lima. The video is going for an I, Claudius motif, hence the crappy film quality and the togas. Felipe is also in the process of putting together a mini movie for Skull Kontrol with footage he shot at the Skull's 1 year anniversary party. Hey Felipe, wasn't that a while ago? Whats the deal boss?


Vincent Vincent and the Villains

Vincent Vincent and the Villains has been a band of notice for a little while now at home in the UK, but here in the US they practically don't exsist. They're on EMI, no record out, just some damn cool videos and great songs. Sounds like Orange Juice a little? Richard Hell too? Splendid...


Vincent Vincent and the Villains myspace


Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Interview with The Skulls in SignOnSanDiego.com!

A brand new, warts and all, chilling interview with Skull Kontrol by Derrik Chinn...


...Click here to read the interview!

Not Squeezing 65 dollars out of me

So I was sad to see that the Squeeze reunion show was 65 dollars. I just spent 55 dollars on that Morrissey bullshit and I'm not risking another. But I am pleased to read the Squeeze article in Mojo and watch the old videos. Squeeze were a perfect mix of post punk and traditional British pop. Some of the best British pop was written by two singers, songwriters with tension. Lennon/McCartney, Morrissey/Marr, Difford/Tilbrook. So read about them, watch them, buy the records (start with Cool For Cats), but definitely don't pay 65 dollars.


Friday, June 22, 2007

Here's why you should be excited...

Maybe the best thing to happen because of punk, with the exception of a brief halt in concert pyro-technics, is a bunch of girls decided that it would be a good idea to start bands. And it was! The Slits, The Raincoats, Kleenex/Liliput, Maximum Joy, The Mo-dettes...good heavens. For some silly reason, this is an anomoly, and it's not everyday bands come around and remind you that punk is fun, and not done best by boys. Luckily for us, Finally Punk from Austin, Tx is a new band and they're playing tonight at Tower Bar.





Listen on their myspace page: myspace.com/finallypunk

Us Skulls are thrilled to have them, and we hope you are too. Plus, The Muslims are playing, and we'll be playing cuts on the 1's and 2's.

Don't sleep on this one!

Tonight! 6/22 @Tower Bar 9PM $3 Don't Be Late!

Thursday, June 21, 2007

BIG Thursday

If you've not noticed, we skullz are late on everything. A lot of times we don't have our shit booked till a week before, fliers get done a few days before events occasionally, and a lot of times we're late to our own doggone events. In keeping with this theme, we decided to not make a flier for tonights skull kontrol until a few days ago, but if you've not seen it yet, or are not aware, do know that there is in fact a skull kontrol TONIGHT at livewire. And it's the first one since we've moved out of the last spider-hole we all lived in. This means we've rediscovered records we forgot we had, and dusted off shit we haven't played in long time. So expect new stuff tonight. Eh, noish.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Weekend starts on Thursday, over on Monday...

This weekend was packed full of crap, and it's all over bless the lord. We played 3 show for our record release weekend: thursday as The Smiths, and then friday and saturday as the plain old Prayers at The Che Cafe, and The Beauty Bar respectively. Thanks to everyone who came and made all the nights a blast. And thanks to the Smiths fans who accepted our Smiths/Moz covers, your all very kind.

We also shot a music video for "Clandestino" at our empty apartment (that we are now moved out of) friday morning with our talented friend Felipe. He had a bunch of 16mm film lying around cause he's cool like that, and Matt from The Muslims had a day left of UCSD film school before he graduated and rented us all the necessary stuff (i.e. a camera, lights, cables etc.) for free cause he's cool like that. Thanks Matt. We shot it in the morning then went back to sleep. I think the video will be cool. It was the first time any of us had shot a music video and it's literally impossible to take yourself seriously (J.T. how do you do it?) We'll post the video when it's done. Fast forward to sunday morning and we're like "duuuude" cause everything is over and now we have to move out of our apartment that, as of tonight, mario, brandon, and myself no longer live in. so we did that, then monday we did it some more, and now at 12:53am my weekend it over.

Next weekend? The Muslims and Finally Punk at Tower Bar. Summer is good.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Celebration time // SO SO sick // Moving // Prayersmania

The skullz have not been very loving to the blogosphere. It's because this magic weekend includes three record release parties, we're moving, I have the flu, The Prayers taped their first video and on top of that we're lazy. Look for full reports on all these things soon, after the weekend. Minus my sickness, that's my business.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

THURSDAY // FRIDAY // SATURDAY // The Prayers celebrate the new ep

THURSDAY

The Smiths/Morrissey tribute featuring The Prayers performing the songs by Morrissey/ Mar. DJ sets by Mario Orduno, Sir Charles, Brandon Welchez and Andrew Miller. Dance to the sounds, influences and contemporaries of The Smiths.

Beauty Bar San Diego / $5 / 21 'N' up / 9-2am

FRIDAY

The Prayers / Silverbird / Vision Of A Dying World / Swim Party @ The Che Cafe

All ages record release party!! Come, and be the first to buy the new ep, "God Save The Prayers"!! It will be available on 12" and cd.

Che Cafe (La Jolla, CA) / All ages / $5 / 7:30-?

SATURDAY

The Prayers end their record release weekend with a FREE dance party at Beauty Bar San Diego. DJs Mario Orduno, Sir Charles, Andrew Miller and Brandon Welchez. DANCEFLOOR ANARCHY. Free giveaways of the new 12"/cd available in limited supply.

Beauty Bar San Diego / FREE / 21 'N' up / 9-2am

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Ice Cube used to be the shit.





Amerikka's Most Wanted (released May 1990) is one of the best albums in hip hop history. Ice Cube fucked this all up with "Are We There Yet?" and "Friday IV", but there was a time when he was the most important solo rapper in the world. Bad ass. Urgh...and a little misogynistic...but I digress. Watch the "Who's The Mack" video and then check out Amerikka's Most Wanted. I'm going to get back to packing/moving while listening as well.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

TUESDAY night in San Diego

TUESDAY...TONIGHT



THE MUSLIMS, THE VULTURES, SWEDISH MODELS, SKULL KONTROL DJs @ THE CASBAH

$7 / 21 'N' up / 9-2am

Monday, June 11, 2007

Brazil to the rescue, welcome As Mercedes...

Brazil has always managed to put a unique spin on pop and underground music from around the world, and is one of the few 3rd world countries to have a lasting influence on pop music. Brazil's take on Jazz, Pop, Psychedelic, Punk, Hardcore, and Electronica from the US and the UK gets filtered through traditional Brazilian influences and comes out something unique unto itself. Luckily, some things never change. I found this band As Mercedes on myspace, and I can't tell you much more than they kick ass and you should listen to them on there myspace page: myspace.com/asmercedes





You should also check out these comps and impress your friends with all your worldly knowledge:







go to www.souljazzrecords.co.uk for more info about these comps, and a whole lot more crap. Only problem is, Soul Jazz comps are imports, and are usually around $23 for new vinyl. Their website however lets you listen to most of their catalog and has lots of info about the bands.




Thanks Brazil!

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Sir Charles' Picks

Sir Charles' played at Skull Kontrol 06/07/07

Siouxsie & The Banshees - Hong Kong Garden
Long Blondes - Giddy Stratospheres
Tommy James & The Shondells - I Think We're Alone Now
Colder - Crazy Love
Rick James - Mary Jane
Arctic Monkeys - Teddy Picker
Madness - House Of Fun
LCD Soundsystem - Give It Up
Stiff Little Fingers - Suspect Device
The Smiths - Headmaster's Ritual
Jesus & Mary Chain - Penetration
Dillinger - Cocaine On My Brain
The Beatles - Glass Onion
Wu Tang Clan - Cream
The Clash - Train In Vain
The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again
Arthur Brown - Fire
Suede - Trash
Can - I Want More
New Order - 5 8 6
Tones On Tail - Go
Ellaine & The Shandells - Tell Me That You Care

Bullets fly at Tower Bar! Actually, paintballs...

I wasn't there, but singer-reporter Kelly Alvarez reported a shooting at last night's Squiddo/Atoms show at Tower Bar. Here's her report:

"I was at the tower bar last night and after the second band had played, I went outside to get some fresh air with about 10 other people. We were standing outside talking, minding our own business, when a black SUV with tinted windows drove by slowly, rolled down their windows, and shot several rounds of paintballs at us and then sped off. I know what you're thinking, no big deal. But it was really loud and the car was a few feet away from us - at first I thought it was a gun or bb gun, but a second later, a lady fell down to the ground and started screaming and crying because she got shot in the head. We didn't realize until a few seconds later that it was just a paint ball that hit her, but it looked like she was bleeding from the head and she was so scared and FUCK it was really scary. We all really thought she got shot in the head by a real gun. I've never heard anyone sound and look so frightened in all my life. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up... who knows if they were specifically targeting the tower bar crowd or going around doing this all over the area."

So there you have it. Keep your asses safe!
xo

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Amy Winehouse "Rehab remix" w/Jay-Z



Am I late on this? I don't give a fuck. This version is SO good. I was so over this song. In fact I never really liked it. I thought she was cheesy. I bought the 12" all thinking I was cool and when I saw it in my stack, I ALWAYS left it there....cuz I felt cheesy. I REALLY like "You Know I'm No Good", but I like the version on Ghostface's album which relegates Amy W. to chorus status. But anyway, this Rehab version is the shit. Maybe Jay-Z is back after a horrible album and a stupid, lazy verse on "Umbrella".

House PARTY



House party tonight in Greater San Diego County. Entertainment exclusively (haha) provided by the Art Fag / Skull Kontrol "collective". The Muslims, Prayers and Vultures all will be playing. Andrew Miller, Brandon Welchez, Sir Charles and myself will all be "djing". It's in Hillcrest.

Friday, June 8, 2007

Strawberry Field, Mendips and Liverpool

about three weeks ago the prayers were in liverpool on our UK tour. we met these great kids, did weird club drugs, stayed at their eccentric mothers house, and spent the next day site seeing. we just got the pictures sent to us, and here they are. thanks ben for the pictures, liverpool and "nine" showed us a good time.




Thursday, June 7, 2007

And in "Can You Imagine" news...





What the fuck is wrong with this world? First we have the radical anti-American Shiite cleric, Sheik Muqtada al-Sadr, and now this guy? Billy Corgan? Fuck him and his outfits.

Photos from a show in Berlin last night. Originally published in NME. Pic:H Schneider-Matzigkeit

THURSDAY // FRIDAY // SATURDAY // SUNDAY

THURSDAY



SKULL KONTROL @ LIVE WIRE
punk // rap // noise

"DJs" Sir Charlie & Mario Orduno

ALWAYS FREE / 10-2am / 21 'N' up

FRIDAY

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (Fridays bah-LOW)

SATURDAY

HOUSE PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111

The Vultures LIVE
The Prayers LIVE
The Muslims LIVE
Skull Kontrol DJ dogs

@ Slaughter House (3809 7th Ave)
FREE Bring your keg money // all ages // 9:00 to ???
Costume Theme: Cops n' robbers

SUNDAY

NIGHT OF THE COOKERS @ The Whistle Stop

DJs Matt S. and Pat E. Cakes

Hosted by Dan Wise, this popular jazz and blues club is quickly becoming our favorite thing to wrap the weekend with. Great jazz and blues from 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

@ The Whistle Stop
FREE / 9-2am / 21 'N' up

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Mika Miko, Muslims, Skull Kontrol review...

So, last night started out pretty poorly. Mario and I were driving to Beauty Bar, in the middle lane of El Cajon blvd., when his car broke down. We were only about a mile from the bar, but, to anyone who doesn't know the area, it's akin to breaking down somewhere in the volatile Al-Anbar province. Mario steered while I pushed the car to a side street. We got it sort of in a parking spot, but I wasn't strong enough to fully push it in. Luckily for us, two complete murderers were standing there. They helped us, which was really nice, but afterward one of them got this angry look on his face and asked where I was from. I told him, "Um, just down the street." I think I may have even called him Sir, cuz I'm a total coward.
We finally got to Beauty Bar, only an hour late. There were already a decent amount of people there, for only 10 o'clock. We played records for a while as people started to assemble for the Muslims. Around 11, they went on. As always, they were fantastic. They debuted a new song I believe, and played a perfect set. I still don't get where people get the Velvet Underground thing though. Muslims sound nothing like Velvet Underground. It's a cheap, easy comparison. To my ears, they sound like a mix between Television Personalities, Modern Lovers on speed, and the cooler un-metal aspects of Nirvana. I guess most of all, they sound like the Muslims.
Mika Miko went on next. They didn't get a proper sound check cuz they didn't get there in time. Something about "getting stuck at the Reebok factory" or something. To anybody sleeping on this band: pull your heads out of your asses. There isn't a more perfect punk band in California, or for that matter, the whole country. If another band can pull off simultaneously sounding like a Rough Trade band from 1979, AND sounding like a Dischord band from 1982 AND still sound so thoroughly modern and original, I'll eat my hat. They were perfect. Every time I see them, I feel like it was the best time I've ever seen them. I think it's just that they're so perfect, it's impossible to not get a renewed sense of excitement every time they play.
After Mika Miko, we played records blah blah blah.
Attendance wasn't astounding last night, but I guess there was a lot of competition. Still though, it baffles me that I can walk into that bar, or really any bar, on other nights and it sounds like a scene out of "Night at the Roxbury" and it'll be packed. What's the deal? Do people in San Diego really dig dancing to Haddaway mp3's that much?

xo

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Art Fag update and shit

Art Fag is BUSY.
The Prayers vinyl comes in this week. It will be available to purchase on Art Fag's Myspace account and on The Prayers' Myspace account. Both the vinyl and cd will be available nationally through Revolver USA and Carrot Top satarting in July.
The Vultures are in the middle of recording their debut, Jubilee. Brandon Welchez of The Prayers/ THe Plot will be adding saxaphone to a few tracks. It's looking like there will be 9 songs and it will be released on cd (af04).
The Muslims have posted a new song, "Brightside" on their Myspace account. It's my favorite song. They will be recording an album in September with Pall Jenkins of Black Heart Procession and Mr Tube (af05).
Very excited.