Kids of 88 "Ribbons of Light" Video and Free Download

  Kids of 88 "Ribbons of Light"

Kids of 88 is Jordan Arts & Sam McCarthy. The New Zealand natives blast 80's style synth beats with sometimes psychedelic vocals and climactic, fluidly tight rythms. They reminds me of a sound like what the Breakfast Club music would have sounded like if it kept the 80's influence and mixed it 21st century electronic instrumentation. Arts takes car of synths and programming and McCarthy rocks vocals and programming.

They describe their sound as being a "whimful combination of dirt spitting kicks and feathering grit. An overdose of nightlife; the lubricated moan of spilt vodka. The hard realization of concrete and the happiness of blurry vision. An alleyway gangbang between Grandmaster Flash and The Knack." Wow! I'm not even sure if that last mash-up is possible...

I heard about Kids of 88 a while ago and never took the time to give them a shot. Check out this video of "Ribbons of Light." The video itself is not unlike anything that you would see on a screen at a trance DJ show. The music is pretty good. Heavy 80's synth beats with a true to form sound that intermingles subtle, contemporary sound. Listen to the whole song though, these guys mix it up and show off their knowledge of music throughout the tune and finish it out with a quick, acoustic guitar solo.

This is the type of group that could play Camp Bisco or something late night and melt some spun brains. Here is a link for a free mp-3 download of the track "Ribbons of Light."

FREE DOWNLOAD

Slitghtly Stoopid on Jimmy Kimmel earlier this year - "Closer to the Sun"

Rastafari infused contemporary, AmeReggae rockers Slightly Stoopid announced an extended tour on 4.20. They plan to hit the road in June and turn the wheel through August. They are playing with a pretty sick line-up too. Other acts include fellow tokers Cypress Hill, Steel Pulse, Collie Budz and The Expendables. The girth of the tour is occupied by Slightly Stoopid, Collie Buddz and Cypress Hill (July 21 - August 21). The earlier stretch finds itself splitting time between SS, Steel Pulse (June18 - 23) and a few shows each with Cypress Hill as well as the Expendables before hitting the above mentioned line-up for a month!
It's the "Cauzin' Vapors...Legalize it 2010" tour and it's got to be hittin a city near you...it's extensive! Here are the dates:

Slightly Stoopid, Steel Pulse & The Expendables

June 18, 2010 Friday Jacksonville OR Britt Pavilion
June 19, 2010 Saturday Redmond WA Marymoor Amphitheatre
June 20, 2010 Sunday Spokane WA TBA
June 22, 2010 Tuesday Missoula MT Ryan Creek Meadows
June 23, 2010 Wednesday Boise ID TBA

Slightly Stoopid & The Expendables

June 24, 2010 Thursday Salt Lake City UT The Depot
June 25, 2010 Friday Las Vegas NV The Pool at the Hard Rock
June 26, 2010 Saturday Phoenix AZ Celebrity Theatre

 
Slightly Stoopid & Cypress Hill
 
July 16, 2010 Friday Irvine CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
July 17, 2010 Saturday Chula Vista CA Cricket Pavilion

Slightly Stoopid, Collie Buddz & Cypress Hill

July 21, 2010 Wednesday Glen Allen VA Innsbrook Pavilion
July 22, 2010 Thursday Boston MA Bank of America Pavilion
July 23, 2010 Friday Boston MA Bank of America Pavilion
July 24, 2010 Saturday Danbury CT Ives Concert Park
July 25, 2010 Sunday Asbury Park NJ TBA
July 28, 2010 Wednesday Raleigh NC Boutique Amphitheatre
July 30, 2010 Friday Portsmouth VA nTelos Pavilion
July 31, 2010 Saturday Philadelphia PA Penn's Landing
August 01, 2010 Sunday Buffalo NY Rocks The Harbor
August 04, 2010 Wednesday Detroit MI Fillmore Detroit
August 06, 2010 Friday Columbus OH Promowest Pavilion
August 07, 2010 Saturday Chicago IL Lollapalooza
August 08, 2010 Sunday Minneapolis MN Cabooze Outdoors (No Cypress Hill)
August 12, 2010 Thursday Kansas City MO Crossroads
August 13, 2010 Friday Omaha NE Anchor Inn
August 14, 2010 Saturday Denver CO Mile High Music Festival
August 18, 2010 Wednesday Myrtle Beach SC House of Blues
August 19, 2010 Thursday Atlanta GA The Tabernacle
August 20, 2010 Friday Orlando FL Hard Rock Live
August 21, 2010 Saturday West Boca Raton FL Sunset Cove Amphitheatre

Chekc out: http://www.slightlystoopid.com/ for more info.

String Cheese Incident 4.20.2000 (SBD)

So I claim that my ultimate 4.20 experience arrived on 4.20.2001 at the Fox Theater when my homie DC and I saw the String Cheese Incident. Bet! I wanted to post that show for your listening pleasure, but I came across something even better...SCI 4.20.2000 @ The Lincoln Theater, University of Hartford, Hartford, CT.
This particular recording (provided via archive.org by Ian Stone) has concise, close-up sound. You can tell that it is a small venue.
Amazing sound quality DEFINED: you can hear the crowd too clearly during song breaks but don't hear the drunk guy next to you, and you http://www.stringcheeseincident.com/hear fingernails chipping from the strings of instruments, but it still sounds like you were standing center stage.The band is on point throughout.
Notice the strong jam exiting "100 Year Flood," "Hey Pocky Way" is solid, it's Michael Travis's (percussion) birthday, and a guest fiddle player - referred to as "the secret weapon." "Come as you Are" and check out this recording. Sounds like good times were on tap! Happy birthday Travis!

String Cheese Incident - 4.20.2000, Hartford, CT

100 Year Flood > Jam > Dudley's Kitchen, Hey Pocky Way, White Freight liner,

Blue Bossa > Smile, Happy Birthday Travis > Missing Me > LFB >

Land's End Reprise > LFB, Black and White,

Come as you Are, Drumz, Whiskey before Breakfast,

Banter, E: Boogie on Reggae Woman

String Cheese is also heading on tour again. Got to love these guys. Although they may not be at a time to give it a full go, they still respect their fans enough to give them a taste of SCI solidarity. Here are there upcoming tourdates:

Kimock Tour Underway!

The Kimock camp is fired up to hit the streets this summer with a few different line-ups. Check out the article and tour dates below.

Steve Kimock flexes his versatility in 2010 with a number of exclusive solo, acoustic and full band performances spanning both coasts.


The tour kicked off yesterday as Kimock joined long-time collaborator Bobby Vega for a very auspicious performance at their old stomping grounds in Fairfax, CA. This one-night event served as a launching pad for the Steve Kimock Crazy Engine tour that kicks off today at the Hopmonk in Sebastopol, CA. Setting the tone for the tour, the Hopmonk performance will also include Bobby Vega as a special guest, for what looks like a night of intense dueling bass licks and the crystal clear guitar phrasing that only Steve Kimock can deliver.

Crazy Engine continues down the track on April 22nd for an Earth Day celebration at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz, CA. This three-set show boasts a rare Kimock solo opener - the first of its kind in California followed by Steve Kimock Crazy Engine featuring the legendary Melvin Seals on Hammond B3 and keys (JGB), Kimock's twenty-year-old son John Morgan Kimock on drums and Trevor Exter, on bass and vocals. The Crazy Engine run then heads south to Hermosa Beach and San Diego, with a stop in between in Phoenix, AZ for a late night performance at the Compound Grill as part of the McDowell Mountain Music Festival - marking Kimock's first show in the southwest for over three years.

Also scheduled for the spring, Kimock will perform a two-show solo performance in NYC at The Stone on May 7th. Known for his intrinsic ability to speak through the guitar, this one-night run is sure to bring out a side of Kimock's music (and instruments) rarely seen in the public, and often reserved for late nights in the heart of his home studio. The new non-profit performance space is dedicated to the experimental and the avante garde, a seemingly perfect environment for the unconventional guitarist and his solo muse.

Then, beginning on May 20th, Kimock will embark on a four-day journey with the Everyone Orchestra. The traveling event will kick off at Hodi's Half Note in Fort Collins on May 20th and will continue to Quixote's True Blue (formerly Owsleys) on Saturday May 21 and Sunday May 22nd. This rendition of the project features a stellar line up of nationally renowned talent including Kyle Hollingsworth (SCI), Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Dave Watts (The Motet), Jamie Janover (Zilla), Garrett Sayers (The Motet), Jamie Masefield (Jazz Mandolin Project), Matt Butler and of course, YOU. An additional Sunday, May 23rd performance (minus Hollingsworth) is billed as a happy hour show featuring an acoustic set and with other special guests to be announced.

With little pause, Kimock will then join forces with the ultra-experimental Marco Benevento for an intimate powerhouse show at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Wilkes-Barre, PA - near Kimock's home turf, on June 17th. Both known for their emotive and often instrumental arrangements, this paring is sure not to disappoint.

With a summer packed with Crazy Engine festival dates, a few appearances with Holy Kimoto! (Furthurmore Fest and Ned Fest) and Youssoupha Sidibe tucked in between, this is wrapping up to be an eventful season for Steve Kimock.

Steve Kimock will top off the summer with an appearance at the National Guitar Workshop in CT on August 3rd as a guest artist. He will be offering hands-on instruction and music education during one of the most prominent guitar workshops in the country. For those tuned into his new on-line blog aptly named "Kimocks Korner" on his website, now is the chance to interact with Kimock in person.

"Unconventional. Experimental. It's sort of the Steve Kimock way." - CNN, 2009

For more information about Steve Kimock, his projects or for on-line ticket sales check-out www.kimock.com

Steve Kimock Crazy Engine Spring/Summer 2010

April 21 Hopmonk - Sebastopol, CA
April 22 Earth Day in Santa Cruz! @ Moe's Alley
April 23 St. Rocke - Hermosa Beach, CA
April 24 The Compound Grill - Phoenix, AZ
April 25 Belly Up - San Diego, CA
July 2 Grateful Fest - Nelson Ledges, OH
July 16 Targhee Festival - Alta, WY
July 17 The Summer Music Festival Roseberry, ID
July 30 GOTV - Bridgeport, CT
July 31 Sunshine Daydream - Terra Alta, WV
Aug 20 Hoxeyville Festival - Wellston, MI
Aug 21 Camp Barefoot - Bartow, WV
Aug 27-28* Ned Fest - Nederland, CO
*Kimock plays with SKCE and Holy Kimoto!

Steve Kimock - very intimate solo performances

May 7 The Stone - NY, NY*
*VIP Tickets available now

Everyone Orchestra

May 20 Hodi's Half Note -Fort Collins, CO
May 21 Quixote's - Denver, CO
May 22 Quixote's - Denver, CO
May 23* Quixote's - Denver, CO
*special acoustic set

Steve Kimock (special guest with Marco Benevento Trio)
June 17 River Street Jazz Cafe - Wilkes Barre, PA

Youssoupha Sidibe and the Mystic Rhythms Band Featuring Steve Kimock
July 18 Starbelly Jam - Crawford Bay, BC

Rail Road Earth Prepares for a Massive Tour

Railroad Earth released the following information about their upcoming Spring/Summer tour(s) and details about an upcoming album. They usually split the bill with other sweet acts too. Tourdates below. See you at the show!!

After celebrating the end of their first decade together with a massive fan release, Railroad Earth Retrospective: 2001-2009, the tightly-woven unit of Railroad Earth is embarking on a new chapter in their musical journey. The rootsy Americana ensemble will hit the stage again on their first tour of 2010 with a new bass player, a new record deal (One Haven Music), and a new album in the can (to be released late Summer 2010) for what is expected to be a great year for the revitalized Railroad Earth. With Spring tour dates mostly focused on the Eastern Seaboard, fans can expect an newly energized live show with surprises around every bend.


After coming off a highly successful 2009, Railroad Earth is preparing for another year of sold-out theaters and large club performances. The band has built up some incredible steam over the past few years with highly notable performances on some of the most prestigious stages in the country, including; the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Rothbury, 10,000 Lakes Festival and many more.

Collectively, Railroad Earth wields an impressive arsenal of sounds, with each player bringing a variety of instruments and tones to the collective. The unique howl of an edgy rock-inflected violin, a fat-toned acoustic guitar with sounds bordering on a classic Gibson motif, wild fanning mandolin chording that has an almost piano-like attack, rolling or clawing banjo and dobro, and a slamming rhythm section driven by precise, rock-hard drumming and an aggressively, pumping upright bass. All of this delivered with surprisingly unique vocals, powerful harmonies and world-class songwriting.

To be more precise, Railroad Earth features songwriter/singer, Todd Sheaffer (Lead vocals, acoustic guitars), Tim Carbone (Violin, electric guitar, vocals), John Skehan (Mandolin, vocals), Andy Goessling (Acoustic guitars, banjo, dobro, mandolin, flute, pennywhistle, saxophones and vocals), Carey Harmon (Drums, hand percussion, vocals) and newcomer Andrew Altman (Upright bass), formerly of the Southeast band, The Codetalkers.

Railroad Earth’s unique sound is one that may be hard to categorize, but is also damn hard to shake! Each live performance is like a journey into the beating heart of American life, its heartaches and its triumphs. A true musical celebration, this is one tour that is not to be missed.

4/22/2010 The 8 x 10 Baltimore Maryland
4/23/2010 The Orange Peel Asheville North Carolina
4/24/2010 Variety Playhouse Atlanta Georgia
4/26/2010 Workplay Theatre Birmingham Alabama
4/27/2010 The Engine Room Tallahassee Florida
4/28/2010 Tipitina's New Orleans Louisiana
4/29/2010 Tipitina's French Quarter New Orleans Louisiana
4/30/2010 Attitudes Bar Blacksburg Virginia
5/1/2010 Washington & Lee University Lexington Virginia
5/13/2010 Port City Music Hall Portland Maine
5/14/2010 Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel Providence Rhode Island
5/15/2010 Bromberg's Big Noise Wilmington Delaware
5/20/2010 Keswick Theatre Glenside Pennsylvania
5/21/2010 Brown's Island Richmond Virginia
5/22/2010 Cat's Cradle Carrboro North Carolina
5/23/2010 Visulite Theatre Charlotte North Carolina
5/27/2010 Allegany County Fairgrounds Cumberland Center Maryland
5/28/2010 Allegany County Fairgrounds Cumberland Maryland
5/30/2010 Summer Camp 2010 at Three Sister's Chillicothe Illinois
6/1/2010 Old Rock House St Louis Missouri
6/3/2010 Wakarusa Festival Ozark Arkansas
6/4/2010 Wakarusa Festival Ozark Arkansas
6/6/2010 Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest Augusta New Jersey
6/17/2010 The Temptress (Rocks Off Boat) New York City New York
6/19/2010 Clearwater Festival Croton on Hudson New York
7/1/2010 High Sierra Music Festival Quincy California
7/2/2010 High Sierra Music Festival Quincy California
7/10/2010 All Good Music Festival and Campout Masontown West Virginia
7/16/2010 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival Oak Hill New York
7/23/2010 Floydfest Floyd Virginia
7/24/2010 The Stone Pony Asbury Park New Jersey
7/25/2010 Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival Trumansburg New York
8/15/2010 Mile High Music Festival Commerce City Colorado
8/20/2010 YarmonyGrass Music Festival Bond Colorado
8/21/2010 YarmonyGrass Music Festival Bond Colorado
8/27/2010 Music on the Mountaintop Festival Boone North Carolina

For more information about Railroad Earth or tickets go to: http://www.railroadearth.com/

Took Me a Long Time....

Hey LMS fans! Your dreams have come true...we're back on the train!! What a great date to choose for a return. It feels really good to be back providing in depth coverage of our music scene. I would like to thank those of you who continued to peep the scene at LMS while awaiting it's return. Even though my last post was way back in December, the site is still getting hundreds of hits from around the world. Seriously! Here is a listing of the countries that checked out the site in the past 30 days alone:

United States
Canada
Taiwan
UK
Mexico
Italy
Switzerland
Poland
Australia
Norway
Germany
Japan
India                                                                                                                                                                                   
Ireland
Ukraine

We're truly flattered. Those hits are due, in large part, to my homies Alex Borsody (concertexperiencepeeps.com), Sammy Martin (phishandthedead.com) and Pete Mason (phanart) for posting a link to LMS from their sites. Thanks guys! You are all a huge inspiration and influence on my musical - journalistic life. I also want to thank the LMS contributors who reached out and kicked me in the ass.
I don't want to get too mushy or sentimental, but times in my life were a bit strange for the past 4 months and I had to make several tough decisions. Hopefully you all understand. Anyway, glad to be back. Make sure you check the site out often. I will be bringing the usual content; sick photos and reviews of recent shows and music news in real time. Thank you again, and let's RAGE!!!