A lot of you heard about the very sad news last week when Eric "Taz" Pagan was murdered in the east village while trying to break up a fight. What you might not know is that he leaves behind two children (ages 14 & 17), one of which he adopted when her mother passed away from cancer.
6 bars in the east village today are stepping up and donating 50% of their receipts to the kid's college fund. So, if you are going to throw back a few today, make sure to hit these fine establishments: Forbidden City Drop Off Service Planet Rose Common Ground Habibi Lounge Superdive
Not that I like to promote anything at TRADER JOE'S since it just means more of you making the lines even longer, but one of their new products is worth sharing with the masses. Their SEAFOOD SAUSAGE just hit the shelves here in NYC and it might just be my new favorite food. The links are a combo of shrimp, scallops, white fish and spices that you can find in the frozen seafood section (there is pork casing if that breaks the deal for you).
The Nutritional Facts make it seem like it is decently good for you as well. So, head on over if there is one in your city and pick some up, but leave a package or two for me.
Even though it's 2009, a lot of bands these days are thinking it's 1969, especially in rock and metal. This will definitely be evident at the upcoming PLANET CARAVAN festival down on September 18-19 in North Carolina, where a lot of the best stoner and doom bands will be taking the stage.
A band that will be there is ASTRA, one of the newest (and best) signings to RISE ABOVE RECORDS. Their psychedelic rock brings back memories of listening to my dad's EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER records when I was young. Check out a live performance in the video below.
Another great band, that unfortunately will not be at the festival, is SAHG who have released two records on REGAIN RECORDS. Taking more of a nod from BLACK SABBATH, this Norwegian band actually features members of famous black metal bands like GORGOROTH. But don't be scared, the only thing that these guys will be burning will be a certain smoke-able plant.
I was on the road this past weekend visiting family and friends in Chicago (thus the lack of posts here). Chi-town is definitely my favorite city in the US behind my current hometown of NYC. One of the best things about Chicago is definitely the food... I'm surprised that everyone there doesn't weigh 300lbs.
Even though I've been there a bunch of times in the past, this time I was able to visit a lot of new restaurants...and here are my favorites that you need to hit on your next visit (or if you live there).
KUMA'S CORNER - Heavy Metal Hamburgers. It's been featured on all sorts of food shows, and for a good reason. It was definitely one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life (I had the Neurosis with cheddar, swiss, mushrooms, onions and horseradish mayo). Plus, they only play metal music where the "softest" thing I heard was Pantera, awesome.
HOT DOUG'S - Featured on shows such as No Reservations, I waited almost 2 hours in line for a Chicago-style dog, as well as a Bacon-Cheddar-Elk Sausage. Food was great, but I'd try to head there when it is not 1pm on a summer Friday.
MARISCOS EL VENENO - Translation: The Poisonous Seafood. But the food in this hole-in-the-wall Mexican place in the heart of Ukrainian Village was nothing but spectacular. Each dish could feed 2-3 people, include the half-pineapple stuffed with 5 different types of fish.
ELEVEN CITY DINER - A "NYC Style" Deli in the South Loop. Amazing ambiance from the high ceilings and old rabbi portraits, to the great deli food. They even sell copies of Heeb Magazine and old-school bottles of Faygo (yes, Faygo)
SMOKE DADDY BBQ - A nice simple menu with 3 types of ribs and 3 types of pulled meat. Located in Bucktown, it had great prices and outdoor seating for the 2 months a year it is nice outside in Chicago.
On the drinking side of things, there is one place that I make sure to hit every time I visit...
DELILAH'S - One of the best Rock N Roll bars in the country. They host everything from Metal nights to The Smiths/Morrissey night (that was taking place when I went on a Friday night). Besides the great music, they have one of the best bourbon & scotch lists I've seen...and a great beer selection as well.
Kuma's Corner - 2900 W Belmont Ave Hot Doug's - 3324 N California Ave Mariscos El Veneno - 1024 N Ashland Ave Eleven City Diner - 1112 S. Wabash Smoke Daddy BBQ - 1804 W. Division St Delilah's - 2771 N Lincoln Ave
If you are not hitting Nine Inch Nails tonight, then head over to HOPE LOUNGE for a screening party of the documentary, AMERICAN BEER. It documents Paul Kermizian’s road trip hitting 38 craft breweries in 40 days. He is best known as the owner of BARCADE and THE GUTTER.
I'm sorry to miss the screening, but will definitely be picking up the DVD.
AIR SUPPLY...yes Air Supply, not Hair Supply, will be performing for free next Wednesday at J&R MUSIC WORLD here in NYC. It starts at 6pm, so I am going to do my best to make it before heading uptown to see the final NIN show. Hope to see you at both.
Every Friday night, one of my favorite bar's in NYC, ARROW BAR, hosts HEAVY METAL HAPPY HOUR. If features all sorts of hard rock and metal spun by mostly music industry folks (including myself) from 6-9pm with 2 for 1 drinks. Because the DJs are industry, you'll usually hear new music before anyone else does. So, if you are in the NYC area and need to unwind from a week in the cubicle, head on down on Friday evening and end your work week with some rock.
Finally some good new releases as the summer approaches it's end...these are my favorites hitting stores today.
65DAYSOFSTATIC - Escape From New York - maybe you saw them here with The Cure?
BRENDAN BENSON - My Old Familiar Friend - you probably know him as the singer for The Raconteurs. Can't find a new music video, so here's an older one (check out his Myspace for new music by clicking his name above)
Growing up, I'm sure your mom had a specialty that she made for parties, holidays, etc. My mom's specialty was HOT ARTICHOKE DIP. She didn't invent it, in fact the RECIPE was printed right on the side of the Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese container. It was a not-so-healthy concoction made from artichokes, cheese and mayo. The taste: amazing.
Fast forward 20 or so years and I finally make it to, what has now been my favorite restaurant in NYC, FREEMANS. Right there on the menu is Hot Artichoke Dip. I of course order it up, and it bring back the great memories of my mom's version. It's nice to see a restaurant going back to something more simple instead of getting all fancy with spinach, other spices, etc (not that I have any problem with Spinach Artichoke Dip at all).
WINNER: MY MOM'S
But since I can't take you all home to Florida for dinner, you definitely need to head over to Freemans for a meal and order it to start along with their amazing cocktails and great main courses like Lamb Stew and Roasted Wild Striped Bass.
Parent's house, Florida. Freemans, End Of Freeman's Alley off Rivington b/w Chrystie & Bowery, NYC.
Back in 2002, the Chicago band MATTHEW released their debut album, EVERYBODY DOWN. The guys were definitely influenced by Radiohead (and I would say Muse also, but their early records came out the same time, so probably not). Well, we know where those two bands ended up, but Matthew was dropped a few months after the release of their record.
The title track from the album would easily be a single from a Muse or earlier Radiohead record. Check out the song below and look for the record in a cut-out bin near you or for cheap from AMAZON.
TEE PEE RECORDS has been putting out some amazing music for years, but in 2009 they have definitely stepped it up big time. One of their best new bands is NIGHT HORSE from Los Angeles. I was lucky enough to have them play my FULL METAL TEXAS showcase earlier this year at SXSW. Think one part Black Crowes, one part Thin Lizzy, and 100% just awesome rock. If you missed them at Piano's this week, you can catch them on Sunday (8/16) at Union Pool.
Some of you know of MASON DIXON, one of a couple bars in NYC that is known for having a mechanical bull. That usually would be an automatic "no" in my book as a place to hang out on a Friday night, but I've been there a couple times and they are always playing good music, have friendly bartenders and a great selection of BOURBONS (well, not as good as the selection that my BAR will have when it opens).
If you get there early enough in the night, before the B&T crowd arrives, you can sit comfortably, throw back a Willet Family Reserve or Jefferson Single Barrel on the rocks, and order some surprisingly good FOOD. I had the "Southern Style Grilled Cheese" which had an amazing mixture of cheese as well as a surprisingly great inclusion of red pimento peppers. Comes with a side of fries, and was the perfect coating for my stomach to continue on the night.
Definitely worth making a trip there. 133 Essex St, NYC.
I know this has been covered by a million sites already, but just in case you missed it, SUFJAN STEVENS has a new "project" being released on October 20th called BQE. Below is the press release as well as the trailer. I also included the video for the song "Chicago" since it is my favorite Sufjan track, and I'll be heading to Illinoise next week.
Sufjan Stevens premiered The BQE, a film and musical suite exploring New York City’s infamous Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival in November 2007. The critically applauded performance featured 36 performers including a band, a wind and brass ensemble, string players, a horn section, projected film footage of the expressway and five hula hoopers. On October 20, Asthmatic Kitty Records will release The BQE (also available via Rough Trade in the UK, P-Vine in Japan, Spunk in Australia).
The comprehensive package features the CD soundtrack, the DVD of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway film footage, a 40-page booklet with extensive liner notes & photographs and an accompanying stereoscopic 3-D Viewmaster® reel. Furthermore, Asthmatic Kitty will release a limited edition double gatefold vinyl edition of The BQE on 180-gram vinyl with a large-scale 32-page booklet including liner notes, photographs and a black and white version of a 40-page BQE-themed Hooper Heroes comic book.
On October 24, 92YTribeca will host the premiere screening of The BQE DVD with an introduction by Stevens. At the screening, the Osso Quartet will perform selections from Run Rabbit Run. Tickets for this event are on sale now via http://www.92y.org/92yTribeca/default.asp.
The concept behind The BQE is based largely on the history of New York’s Brooklyn-Queens Expressway—12.7 miles of urban roadway built between 1939 and1964 by master urban planner Robert Moses. The Viewmaster®, unveiled at the 1939 NYC World’s Fair (the World’s Fair being part of the motivation for the construction of the BQE, funneling New Yorkers to and from Flushing, Queens), was intended to promote 3-D panoramic illusions of the American landscape and serve as advertising for various tourist destinations and motivation for American drivers. The Hooper Heroes comic book, written by Stevens and drawn, colored and inked by collaborator Stephen Halker, follows three extra-terrestrial superhero sisters who use hula-hoops to combat “the Messiah of Civic Projects,” Captain Moses.
Sufjan Stevens has released seven studio recordings since 2000 including Michigan and Illinois, the first two entries in an epic series of 50 recordings each based on a different U.S. state; a 5-EP Christmas box set; and Enjoy Your Rabbit, an instrumental electronic song cycle based on the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Run Rabbit Run, a recording of Enjoy Your Rabbit rearranged for the Osso String Quartet, is due October 6 via Asthmatic Kitty. Stevens has also collaborated with fellow indie pop acts Danielson Famile, Rosie Thomas, Denison Witmer, My Brightest Diamond and many others.
Who doesn't like David Bowie? And at the same time, who doesn't like Jim Henson? That's what I thought...so, head over to the Rubin Museum Of Art tonight at 9:30 for a screening of cult classic, LABYRINTH, with an introduction to the film from Cheryl Henson.
From our friends over at Relapse Records comes one of the more anticipated underground metal records of 2009. BURNT BY THE SUN is releasing their new record, Heart Of Darkness, next week. But right now, you can stream the entire new record HERE
And speaking of Relpase, on October 13th they'll be putting out the genius that is the new album from BARONESS entitled Blue Record
Wow, so I decide to ease up on my travels and then I see JET BLUE is offering a $599 one-month pass from 9/8 - 10/8 to travel anywhere they fly. You have to book by August 21st and you can check out the whole story here at CNN/MONEY
Any band who's Myspace quote is "Enya With Bounce" is ok in my book. Go check out YEASAYER for free tonight as part of the River Rocks series at Pier 54 in Manhattan (Hudson River at 14th Street).
My friend Chris commented that I better have a story about cheese...and then I got my daily email from Tasting Table about this event tonight in Park Slope.
Lactose Literate Murray's Cheese darling Liz Thorpe has been busy: Between teaching classes, blogging about her favorite new finds and acting as the company's vice president, she's found time to write a book. Get the first peek at The Cheese Chronicles at this two-part celebration: first, a book signing and discussion at Barnes & Noble, then a beer-and-cheese pairing ($15) with Liz at Beer Table.
As the NY CRAFT BEER WEEK website states, "We are proud to shine a bright spotlight on how craft beer has intersected with two of our city's most renowned attributes: great nightlife and an outstanding restaurant scene. This year's NY Craft Beer Week includes 83 different venues featuring 162 unique beers throughout the five boroughs."
I'll use the bad pun and say that this new SUPERGROUP is creating a big "buzz" in the music world right now. How could you not when you have Josh Homme, Dave Grohl and freakin John Paul Jones get together to record an album. Check out the teaser, it will leave you wanting more.
I love Shadows Fall. You love Shadows Fall. We all love Shadows Fall. They have a new record, Retribution, coming out September 15th, but for now you can sit back and enjoy their new video for "Still I Rise"
Robot Chicken On Wheels '09 comes to the Big Apple!
The Gotham Girls team with Cartoon Network's Adult Swim to produce a night of all-ages roller skating fun, Robot Chicken-style, with appearances by show masterminds Seth Green, Matt Senreich, and Breckin Meyer!
This unprecedently awesome skating party will be held at the rink at Riverbank State Park - 679 Riverside Drive, in Manhattan. By subway, take the #1 train to 145th street, and the park's entrance is a block away at 145th and Riverside.
Be sure to arrive early as this FREE event is 'first come -- first served,' and you won't want to miss the skating chickens, the prizes, the photo booths, or the live music by Gym Class Heroes.
Become a fan of Robot Chicken on Wheels '09 on Facebook to check out videos, photos, and updates from the tour. Learn how to beat the crowd and get admitted an hour early at the tour's OFFICIAL WEBSITE
My good friend Rev runs a great burger blog called BURGER CONQUEST where he reviews different, well, burgers from around the world. Last week we went on one without him to SHAKE SHACK and ABC News happened to be there. If you go to -7:05 in the video, you'll see a certain someone saying what is true...that Shake Shack has one of the best burgers out there.
A lot of my life revolves around music (the business and enjoyment side, not the actual performance of). So, I figured the first post would be to list some of my favorite artists of all time. Should give you a good point of reference for when I recommend other music to you all. Enjoy the randomness...
Faith No More Metallica Anathema Opeth Genesis Brad Aphex Twin Torche The Raconteurs The Giraffes Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Katatonia Dillinger Escape Plan Mr. Bungle George Winston In The Nursery Russian Circles Jose Gonzlez Jimmy Eat World Sense Field Sia Iron Maiden Nine Inch Nails M83 Guns N Roses King's X Porcupine Tree Jellyfish Shawn Smith Three Journey Between The Buried And Me Clutch Pantera Biffy Clyro Amorphis Coheed And Cambria The Gathering Ulver Dream Theater Elliott Smith Juliana Theory Nick Drake Oceansize Kyuss Queen Queensryche Queens Of The Stone Age Type O Negative Moody Blues In Flames Life Of Agony Enya My Dying Bride Muse Dredg U2 Prodigy Ministry Orbital Devin Townsend Duran Duran Arcturus Barry Adamson Avail Anthrax Massive Attack
...let me explain what the CULT OF SCHAP is all about since you are probably thinking "the last thing the world needs is another blog"
I go out too much, I see hundreds of concerts a year, I travel the world...and a lot of my friends do the same. So I'm here to spread the latest in both my own and my friend's great taste in music, food, drinking, events and other interesting things that you should know about. Think of this as a combo of the best in Thrillist, Daily Candy, Zagats, Twitter and Facebook links - all in a non-obtrusive setting that you can just add to your RSS feed.
I live in New York City, so most of the food, drinking and events will be for the 5 boroughs, but the music and other items will be for the world wide interweb.
Always feel free to email me at cultofschap@gmail.com with any knowledge you want to share with me and spread to the masses.
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