Last Thursday was awesome. Though Tortoise boasts the pedigree and equity of “legendary,” I was actually more pumped to see Disappears. And they were utterly devastating. I always appreciate a band as loud as a Saturn V, and Disappears delivered the goods – disgustingly chunky guitars, tape echo on every mic, neanderthal drumming, reverb that shook Headliners Music Hall to its core – this band is ridiculous.  Disappears is truth.

As Brian Case discusses in our forthcoming interview, much of the set was very new material that may find its way past their Kranky debut Lux, out April 13. Unsure of the title of this one, but Disappears embraces the motorik like a loved one and cultivates decibel shredding more expansive than Manifest Destiny. Believe:

“Black Cross” was in fine form, as well:

Tortoise was also a treat to see live, though I’d be remiss if I didn’t honestly say that I enjoyed Disappears more. This probably had more to do with tertiary factors than the band’s actual performance. Tortoise was as tight as ever, but I felt their live show this time around suffered by not having, say, a visual element. Disappears didn’t need one, as Brian Case is a beast on stage, but the post-rock quintet, outside the double drumming extravaganza and John McEntire switching instruments every five minutes, hid behind their stacks of synths and computers – opting more to noddle in a detached sense, much like a jam band, than to engage the crowd. However, a couple of moments truly stood out, especially when Tortoise reached into their heavy metal bag and brought the motherfucking ruckus, as evidenced below. As an added bonus, you get We Listen For You’s Zach Hart’s mighty dome in the first video:

Overall, I still greatly enjoyed seeing Tortoise up close and personal – a very excellent bill all around. Keep your eyes on Disappears, though. There’s a statistically significant chance that, if our God is a merciful and loving god, this Chicago collective will fucking dominate 2010. Tortoise and Disappears storm Cat’s Cradle in Carborro, NC tonight and DC’s Black Cat tomorrow.

To prepare for their more elaborate return at the sold-out Ten Years of ATP, The For Carnation, once again, very politely and quietly announced that they’re playing a primer show. On a Facebook event. Tomorrow night. At a place I’ve never heard of called simply The Lounge (Louisville Beerologists article). This band really has a way of approaching things.

No word yet on if The For Carnation is getting back together in full capacity, new album and all, sans Dave Pajo. But it seems that they are pretty stoked on playing shows. Just not stoked on properly announcing and promoting them. So… Carnation dudes, if you guys need a hard-workin’ publicist, give Bloggins a ring here. His shit is for hire.

Anyway, if you read the article linked above, The Lounge is quite small, so it’s best show up as early as possible to experience The For Carnation at the most intimate venue you’re likely to  see ‘em at.

The For Carnation (an evening with)
Sunday, December 6
The Lounge
942 E. Madison (corner of Chestnut + Wenzel in Butchertown – map that shizz)
10 p.m. / $7
21+ (probably)

MP3 :::
The For Carnation – Emp. Man’s Blues

Serena Maneesh likes to rock
They are a rocking machine
They can really wail a horse-wupping ass off
They can really whip a polar bear’s ass
- Wesley Willis (r.i.p.)

This will rule.

While I’ve always enjoyed Grouper’s recorded work, she’s a whole other beast live. The first 15 minutes of her performance at last month’s ATP festival *slamming head on desk for not going* is nothing but the most epic nature music ever. Flying over mountains, exploring oceanic trenches – her live shit is stratospheric and aquatic. I can’t stop listening to this excerpt. Thanks WFMU for winning at everything.

You can grip the entire bootleg here.

MP3 :::
Grouper – Live @ ATP [excerpt]

Oh, hello! That’s what’s up! This came out of left field and I’m stoked for it. Good work, bruhs! For any additional and/or pertinent info, go to the Ear X website. Otherwise, I’ll see you there. Bring drugs.

MP3 :::
The Entrance Band – Still Be There

You may remember in our interview with Mr. Lockett Pundt last spring that he said he may play live, and if he did, he would try it in front of friends in Atlanta. Well, he’s done just that. Mucho propso to the Aquarium Drunkard to getting me hip to this recording from Tuesday night (originally posted at ol’ Bradford’s blog – Internet moves fast, ya’llz).

MP3 :::
Lotus Plaza – Live at the Eyedrum in Atlanta

Have ya’llz voted yet in LEO’s Readers Choice? You should. That way, you can vote for this site for best music blog, and you can vote for Joel Hunt for best concert promoter. Jesus Lord, dude just brought the noise and the funk again with a last minute confirmation from the oft-reclusive Maserati!

A lot of so-called “post rock” that came about after its late ’90s heyday is rather boring drivel. Maserati is one of the few that keep the genre intriguing and amazing. While Mogwai sort of fell off after Mr. Beast, Maserati keep things fresh with a driving force by amalgamating everything from kraut and psych, to eastern mysticism, intense rhythms, and just plain well-crafted rock and roll. It’s not just the same tension-and-release song and dance that put instrumental psych rock on the map, Maserati have chops and an entrepreneurial spirit rarely employed these days. Maserati tour in support of their latest compilation Passages.

Louisville-based loud-as-fuck collective and recent Temporary Residence inductees Young Windows and The Gentialmen open.

Maserati with Young Window and The Gentialmen
Tuesday, September 15
Doors 9 p.m. / Show 10 p.m.
Zanzabar, Louisville (map that shizz)
21+

MP3 :::
Maserati – Join Us, Mystic Sister / No More Sages

Intricate splatter folk prophets The Books, whom rarely tour these days and assemble a mindblowing A/V show that’s essentially a live art installation, are coming to Lexington on Monday, September 21st. First… holy shit, right? Better yet, a portion of the proceeds from the show will go toward renovating the architecturally significant Miller House. And The Books will be playing at The Miller House as well, so expect a very intimate vibe.

I have two tickets to giveaway. You probably want these said tickets. Here’s how to enter:

You may either leave a comment below or shoot a message to kb [at] thedecibeltolls (dot) com telling me about your favorite book (see what I did there?!). The first person to name a title I have on my bookshelf claims the tickets. You must live in the area (i.e. reasonably be able to drive to Lexington the day of the show) to be eligible.

I will name the winner by Monday, September 7 via email, so if you comment, leave a valid address. Finally, if you’re going (and you should), please click the “map that shizz” link below to find out where it is if you haven’t been there. It took some digging because Google Maps and Mapquest have the Miller House’s address incorrectly listed.

The Books with TBA
Monday, September 21
Doors @ 7 p.m. / $15 (available at the door or by reservation – griffin@bullhornwill.com)
The Miller House
832 Lockmere Place, Lexington (map that shizz)
Sponsored by WRFL and Bullhorn Will

MP3 :::
The Books – A True Story of a Story of True Love

And it’s bullshit! I’m off to a family reunion. I like and love my family of course (that’s an important distinction). Fam hang time is definitely a great style. But ooooh goddammit, I want to be here for this. No doubt that if you’re within a 100-mile radius of where I’m currently typing, you probably know about Siltbreeze’s Sapat, but I’ll go on and give you the skinny on all three acts, in an effort to admonish you to spend your Friday evening – this Friday evening – at Germantown’s Swan Dive.

Sapat is a local collective that features between eight and one million people (depending on the type of show), all of whom have a like-minded approach to fringe music. Sapat is a pulsating orb of eclecticism and mysticism – never cateogorizable, but always freaky, funky, and brain splattering. Sapat’s expansive beauty and unwavering experimentation is what makes Louisville amazing. They are truly a breath of fresh air. Remember that part in Amistad when they’re in the court room and the bro is all ike “give us… free!”? Sapat gives you free with every show.

The mighty Holy Mountain writes up Crazy Dreams Band better than I could, so I’ll let them do the talking. All I’ll say is that the first thing I noticed in the press photo above is Lexie Mountain sporting the infamous “hand diamond,” first utilized by the WCW’s Diamond Dallas Page right before his opponent was bested by the “Diamond Cutter,” then reappropriated by former University of Kentucky point guard Ramel Bradley when court ownage was about to commence. You know this show is going to be fuckin’ treated.

Grooves that confuse? Crazy Dreams Band is an outfit that presents its guitar free “thug pop” of dirge rather than drone with creeping crooning and brassless horn blasts [note: Crazy Dreams Band will actually have a guitarist in tow at this show --ed.]. Like the best of Giallo films you’ll be as turned on as you are terrified. As tender as Coco Rosie, as brutal as Magik Markers and as cool as Royal Trux “Radio/ Video” vibe. Imagine if Bruce Springsteen and Martin Rev collaborated on songs for Patti Smith or Catherine Ribeiro. Channeled inner voices are expelled as cave anthems into neon text in Linear A while bones poke through the skin atop a witch’s brew of venomous sludge. This is the urban tribal music that survives whatever “end is nigh” theory you choose. They’re jamming this music outside the thunder dome, beneath the planet of the apes and the day after tomorrow. CRAZY DREAMS BAND has released one self-titled album on Holy Mountain, and features members of Lexie Mountain Band, Harrius, Religious Knives, and Mouthus.

If Jana Hunter isn’t a name you heretofore recognize, now’s the time to change that. Jana Hunter has been a callaborator with groups like Indian Jewelry and Castanets, and has toured with flawless hometown hero Tara Jane O’Neil and Cocorosie. To quote Walter Sobchak, this young lady is “not exactly a lightweight.” Her goregous, sparse, midtempo dusty rides through dark deserts lit by twilight should enthrall fans of Grouper who wish she would give caffeiene a try every now and again.

If you go, and take photos/videos, please send them my way. I will give you the credit, a link, and a high five. Send ‘em to kb [at] thedecibeltolls (dot) com, playa.

Sapat, Crazy Dreams Band, and Jana Hunter
Friday, August 28
Doors at 9 p.m. / $5 / 21+
Swan Dive, Louisville (map that shizz)

MP3 :::
Crazy Dreams Band – Separate Ways
Jana Hunter – Completely Golden
Sapat – Dark Silver