"Pickles & Fries. Hold the Rabbit."

Last year I blogged about this woman's awesome website devoted to rockstars and the food they love to cook. It's nice to see she's on the move again, and there's even a foodie interview with Brooklyn's White Rabbits. Remember them? Well breaking news! I am happy to report that, the White Rabbits "eat daily." Good to know.

Steve and Greg also talk about their bitchin recipe for something called, "The Long Burger." Watch Jen's interview to see what the heck goes into a long burger.



And earlier today I made that Sam Fogarino fettucine dish again which was yum as usual. Mushrooms and cream? Seriously, what's not to like?

East to West and East again: More White Rabbits dates

(photo: Lucy Hamlin)

Since the Kaiser Chiefs canceled the rest of their American tour, the White Rabbits, previously slated to support, will have to bring their sweet calypso sounds to the rest of you guys by some other means.

Luckily, they have announced more dates! Do these guys ever take a break? Even if it's just to pause, take a breath, and come out with some t-shirts or something (Sof and I are dying for some merchandise). Although, there is a music video for The Plot available now.

Oct 7 2007 7:00P Schubas Tavern w/ Tokyo Police Club-- Chicago, Illinois
Oct 8 2007 8:00P Birdy's-- Indianapolis, Indiana
Oct 9 2007 8:00P 7th St Entry w/ Tokyo Police Club-- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Oct 10 2007 8:00P Billiken Club-- St. Louis, Missouri
Oct 12 2007 8:00P Slowdown-- Omaha, Nebraska
Oct 13 2007 8:00P Larimer Lounge-- Denver, Colorado
Oct 14 2007 8:00P Kilby Court-- Salt Lake City, Utah
Oct 18 2007 8:00P Neumos w/ Tokyo Police Club-- Seattle, Washington
Oct 19 2007 8:00P Doug Fir Lounge w/ Tokyo Police Club-- Portland, Oregon
Oct 21 2007 8:00P The Fillmore w/ The Pogues-- San Francisco, California
Oct 22 2007 8:00P Beauty Bar w/ Tokyo Police Club-- Las Vegas, Nevada
Oct 23 2007 8:00P El Rey Theater w/ Tokyo Police Club-- Los Angeles, CA
Oct 24 2007 8:00P The Glass House w/ Tokyo Police Club-- Pomona, CA
Oct 26 2007 8:00P, Beauty Bar-- San Diego, California
Oct 27 2007 8:00P, Ruby Room Lounge--Phoenix, Arizona
Oct 30 2007 8:00P The Mohawk--Austin, Texas
Nov 1 2007 8:00P The Cavern--Dallas, Texas
Nov 2 2007 8:00P Jackrabbit Lounge--Shreveport, Louisiana
Nov 3 2007 8:00P One-Eyed Jacks--New Orleans, Louisiana
Nov 4 2007 8:00P Bottletree Café--Birmingham, Alabama
Nov 6 2007 8:00P The Earl--Atlanta, Georgia
Nov 7 2007 8:00P Local 506--Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Nov 9 2007 8:00P Rock and Roll Hotel--Washington DC

Iron and Cocktails

Sad news, my homegirl Sofiblu is moving. She unloaded her house wares and gave me her iron. (If only we had wine last night, this post heading would work out perfectly.)



As a going-away present, we went to the Kaiser Chiefs/White Rabbits/Datarock show at Beacon Theatre last night. Data Rock only played three songs, urging a non-obliging crowd to sing and dance with them. People… just sat, and clapped politely. We were really there to see White Rabbits one more time because we’re all about the White Rabbits. We’ve seen them support The Cribs, and front and center at Soundfix. They’re amazing. Unfortunately, the majority of the crowd at Beacon was not showing any love. It was rather dismal and we took it upon ourselves to be the cheering section. Greg rocked the boat shoes, and Matt showed off his ankles with the rolled up pants. Whatever, we love them. Too bad they only played six songs—and no cover of Bob Dylan’s Maggie’s Farm.


(Datarock)




(White Rabbits)








White Rabbits Setlist

Take A Walk Around The Table
Kid on My Shoulder
Tourist Trap
While We Go Dancing
I Used to Complain & Now I Don’t
Plot

Just as we concluded that the Upper West Side does not get down, the Kaiser Chiefs set was riotous. Beacon Theatre is not my cup of tea however (not a fan of seated venues), but they made it work. Ricky Wilson did his own take on crowd surfing by walking into the audience along the back of the seats, which was pretty cool.


(Kaiser Chiefs)










Kaiser Chiefs 9.29.07 Setlist

Everyday I Love You Less and Less
Everything is Average Nowadays
Heat Dies Down
Born to Be Your Dancer
Na Na Na Na Naa
I Can Do it Without You
Modern Way
Ruby
Learned My Lesson Well
I Predict A Riot
Thank You Very Much
Angry Mob
Take My Temperature

Encore
High Royds
Oh My God

Hope we’ll hear more from Sofiblu on the music front down south. Thanks for making this a memorable summer Sof. I’ll miss you lots!


White Rabbits- Kid On My Shoulder
(Buy Fort Nightly)

Kaiser Chiefs- Oh My God
(Buy Employment)

In a sea of rum

After a pre-pre-birthday bash on Coney Island today, I wandered across the Daytrotter session the White Rabbits did back in July. I think "Sea of Rum" was one of the songs they played at Soundfix that I loved but had a hard time figuring out the name of. It's too bad I didn't find it before I made my beach playlist. It would have been awesome to rock out to this down by the shore. By the way, if there was a way to swim in a sea of rum on Coney Island, I would pack up and move to the beach. However, it looks like the billion dollar developers beat me to it. Head down there now while you can-- the boardwalk as we know it, margaritas in neon flutes, mom and pop clam houses-- it'll all disappear when developers revamp the boardwalk in the name of "progress."

Says Dick Zigun, the founder of Coney Island USA, which operates the Mermaid Parade and the Coney Island Museum:

“There are businesses here I love very much, like Ruby’s Bar [on the boardwalk],” he says. “Let’s be realistic—some of them won’t be able to afford the new rents, thanks to what’s unofficially called ‘progress.' " - New York Magazine

I'll have to trek out to Coney Island as much as possible before "progress," the brain child of a p.r. suit, strips it down to replace Ruby's Bar with a Ruby Tuesday, amass the new condos that they said they were "not" building. Mmm hmm...right.

Rocking the Fort

The maracas are my new favorite instrument. Forget fancy guitars-- the maracas are where it’s at!

Friday night was probably the most fun I’ve had all week. Sofiblu and I were down in Williamsburg for the White Rabbits concert at Soundfix. The “stage” is merely a raised floor which works great for intimate shows. We were up in front and towards the end of the set, a band member nonchalantly hands a maraca to the crowd. When he didn’t get any takers, he put it back down on the keyboard. Without thinking, I grabbed it and started shaking it like nobody’s business. The guy next to me picked up a drum stick and started banging on the drum set in front of him. I love it when bands get the audience involved in their music. It’s so much more fun that way!

Here are a few pictures from the show:













Have you checked out Fort Nightly yet? Here's a four minute sampling of what it's like to embark on the White Rabbit holiday.

(link expired)
White Rabbits- Tourist Trap
(Buy Fort Nightly)

School spirit

College kids, you don't know how good you've got it. You wear pajamas for the better part of the week, and in four years, learn to perfect the art of ramen slurping,. Sure, classes get in the way, but hey, it's not like you show up half the time.

I got college on the brain because White Rabbits AND The National are playing Cornell University on Saturday, August 25th. Cornellians, I plead with you, do not miss this concert. Otherwise, years down the road, you will look back and cry because your favorite band ate at your dining hall while you were doing something unimportant---like studying.

Same goes for you, Vassar! These Brooklyn bunnies will be in your area on September 5th.

Check here for more White Rabbits tour dates.

The Cribs with White Rabbits and Foreign Islands: Bowery Ballroom Aug. 9th 2007

Ah yes, those lovable Wakefield twins. Ryan and Gary Jarman might as well be the Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield of the indie rock scene. If Francine Pascal ever wrote the indie punk rock version of Sweet Valley High, it should star the Jarman brothers. For starters, the brothers are from Wakefield, and like they sing on the track, "I'm a Realist," Ryan is a "realist" and Gary is a "romantic," and they're both "indecisive pieces of shit."

The show at Bowery Ballroom started with Foreign Islands (who had some acrobatic mic work), and then White Rabbits came on for a brilliant, energetic set. Their sound is fresh and catchy and I'm sure they will make it big.



The Cribs opened up with "Major Titling's Victory" and Ross Jarman had some very impressive drum work. Guitarist Ryan Jarman was a favorite with the ladies up front who were how should we say... molesting his leg? In any case, he seemed to find it amusing. Of course he, and the rest of The Cribs were also drunk off their kiesters, which Sofiblu points out, doesn't explain the nimble and remarkably accurate guitar skills. We were both in the front for a few songs till the crazy moshers started attacking people. The Cribs sobered up briefly to keep the peace but by then, the damage was done. It would have been ironic and cool, if they pulled Lee Ranaldo out and did "Be Safe" which is spoken word poetry track featuring the legendary founder of Sonic Youth. The Jarmans provide the chorus. Nothing like the finger wagging of a rock legend to make people calm the fuck down.



I actually missed the part where they sort of put their heads on each other's necks, like two giraffes hugging (how else to explain it?) . It's just something they do. Precious.





Yeah, Ryan is playing the guitar by scraping it across the amp. You would think it has the same effect as stopping a wall with your face, but quite a fun way to end the show.

I listened to their album, Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever in its entirety today and I'm loving it. They played "Ancient History," at the show which is slowly growing to be my favorite track. "Shoot the Poets" is another favorite, and an unexpected way to end the album. The acoustic guitars show a softer side to the Jarmans, as if to make the point that despite the hype, their loyalty is to each other, and their hearts lie with Wakefield.

The Cribs- Ancient History (link expired)

The Cribs are playing another show tonight at Union Pool, Brooklyn. If anybody goes, I would love to hear how it went.

NY shame

Just got back from The Cribs at Bowery Ballroom. Is it asking too much of New Yorkers to act a little civilized? Yes, it's a rock concert, but really, I would think us New Yorkers would be better than smacking women in a mosh pit till they got a bloody eye. Or pull their hair, or spit in their face when they push you assholes back and tell you to get the fuck off. We can jump up and down and dance and scream lyrics without getting pushy now. What are we, 15? Boys and girls, handle your liquor like an adult. GROW UP. Seriously, did not have this problem at all in Vancouver.

That said, Sofiblu and I vacated our spots close to the stage for the balcony where people gladly slid over and I watched a very nice man throw ice cubes at the dumbass moshers. And when the said hair-puller/spitter tried to get onto the stage, The Cribs' roadie threw him off. Literally... like into the hardwood floor. Karma? I think so. After the show, Sofiblu and I ran into The White Rabbits who were the second act, and we went up to talk to them. Okay Sof did the talking. I'm into smiling awkwardly and suppressing word vomit. The White Rabbits were fabulous. It's like... indie rock to a cool ocean breeze. Do see them live if you get a chance. They have a show in September with the Kaiser Chiefs, and also a performance at Soundfix in Brooklyn.

Pictures/etc tomorrow. I must wash spit out of my hair.