Oneida’s latest, Preteen Weaponry, drops today on the pretty much flawless Jagjaguwar label. Preteen Weaponry is part of a sprawling multi-album project dubbed “Thank Your Parents.” What Oneida’s vision exactly is remains rather mysterious, but will rule nonetheless. Preteen Weaponry features three movements, and is the first record in the series. Oneida is always reliably prolific, and most certainly always epic. Though the new jams don’t deviate far from Each One Teach One’s first towering disc, you can’t complain too much with consistent output. Oneida is the greatest non-kraut kraut rock band ever.
Anecdote tymez! In November of 2003, I helped out with my college radio station’s Oneida/Songs: Ohia show (a rather strange bill, come to think of it). Actually, this was the first show that Songs: Ohia performed under their (then) new moniker Magnolia Electric Company. I couldn’t have cared less since, though, as I was pumped to see Oneida and peep all their effects pedals. Oneida was billed as the headliner and played last, since they were the expected draw. The show sold out the 300 capacity all ages art space, and Magnolia satiated the packed house. And when they finished, total Biblical exodus! The crowd was decimated… and then there 30. Fortunately, that didn’t matter – Oneida paid no mind to the Songs: Ohia haters and still burned the stage down.
After the show, I chatted a bit with Baby Hanoi Jane, and sorta (tactlessly) apologized for everyone leaving. This was something I did if I felt my hometown was being lame. He imparted some serious knowledge. “It’s totally cool. We’d rather be in front of a small crowd that stuck around to see us play than to get in front of hundreds of people just waiting for someone else.” Wise words.
08/12 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s w/ Dirty Faces
08/13 Pittsburgh, PA – 31st Street Pub w/ Dirty Faces
08/14 Cleveland, OH – Beachland w/ Dirty Faces
08/15 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Place
08/16 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle w/ Dirty Faces
08/17 Bloomington, IN – The Bluebird w/ Dirty Faces
08/18 Nashville, TN – The End
08/19 Memphis, TN – The Hi Tone w/ Dirty Faces
08/20 Atlanta, GA – MJQ w/ Dirty Faces
08/21 Winston-Salem, NC – Werehouse w/ Dirty Faces
08/22 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 w/ Dirty Faces
08/23 Washington, DC – Black Cat w/ Dirty Faces
MP3 ::
Oneida – Preteen Weaponry Part 1
