The 90s certainly did prove to be an interesting time in music.  Please allow me to paint a vivid picture for your enjoyment: 1998.  New York State Fair, Syracuse, NY (Upstate).  Sitting in the grandstand, awaiting a blockbuster performance from the highly regarded Britney Spears and 98 Degrees (Yes, I even stayed the whole time…I DON’T want to talk about it), and with the whole family in tact, I was about as stoked to see this show as, well, someone watching paint dry on a Friday night.  My dad politely asks the guy in front of us, who’s sitting with his wife and daughter, why he’s reaching for his earplugs.  With the simple response “You’ll see,” my heart drops.  The lights go dim.   The next thing I know, my ear canals are filled with the most hair raising, ear drum bursting shriek you could ever imagine, magnified about 30,000 times.  Ah yes, now I see why he brought those ear plugs, even though I will never hear in the same way ever again.  Let that be a lesson people: the 90s were crazy.

Early grunge/punk preceded boybands, teeny-boppers, and pop princesses, which then gave way to the pop-punk era best described by one band: Blink 182.  But as we all know, everybody has to start somewhere-and where better than a nice, friendly, before-they-were-famous collection, all in one place! (in the true spirit of an infomercial!)

Since Blink is the current topic, let’s start there-how about their 1993 demo Buddha?  Pretty good stuff, from before they even added the “182″ to their name!  Then there’s Papa Roach’s 1994 EP titled Potatoes For Christmas, and Green Day’s Kerplunk!, a reissue of their 1992 release that has since gone platinum that includes an early version of “Welcome to Paradise.”  Not to outdo the others, and not to be modest, but lest we forget current idols Coldplay and Death Cab For Cutie??  That’s right folks, and we’re talking the good stuff-Chris Martin and co.’s three song EP Brothers&Sisters, that laid the groundwork for Parachutes, and Death Cab’s pre-Atlantic stuff via Barsuk Records.

Now, sit down, and catch your breath.  Are you ready?  Early stuff from classic acts Bob Marley, Elton John, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Jimmy Page, the New York Dolls, Ray Charles, Ted Nugent, The Donnas, The Ramones, and Steely Dan-before-they-were-Steely-Dan–Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.  What a mouthful!  You can’t even listen to any of it without hearing their pre-fame influences, and the artists in their truly raw forms.

I guess 1998 wasn’t so bad after all, having listened to this stuff.  But just out of curiousity, I wonder how much hearing aids cost these days…

On the weekend of August 7-8-9, the inaugural All Points West Music & Arts Festival will take place at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey . Among the headliners are Radiohead, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson and our cherished duo Mates of States. They’re all great acts, but allow us to direct your attention to the band at the very bottom right of the flyer above.

A 5-piece from Brooklyn, Lowry plays Americana infused folk-rock tunes with harmonica, cello, banjo, and piano — and they’re great. Their sophomore album Love Is Dead isn’t expected until later this Fall, so don’t miss the chance to check out some of the new songs live. Lowry kicks off the festival on Friday the 7th.

The Walkmen have become something of a musical institution in New York City, and the achievement of such popularity should come as no surprise. Their sound has been compared to U2, the Velvet Underground, and The Cure - bold but worthy comparisons. And the new album You & Me, officially being released August 19th, will only strengthen the fan foothold they have thus far established. The album is crunchy, raw, but not overdone. But wait, there’s more…

Starting TODAY, fans, soon-to-be fans, cheap music lovers, and people who support cancer research can purchase You & Me on Amie Street for only $5. For every album purchased, The Walkmen will donate $5 to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in honor of Luca Vasallo, a dear friend of the band who is battling the disease.

So go do your good deed for the day AND listen to great music. And while you’re at it, consider attending one of the upcoming shows The Walkmen have scheduled:

8/18 and 8/19 - The Bowery Ballroom - NYC

8/21 and 8/22 - Troubadour - Los Angeles

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Apparently we’re not the only ones completely enthralled with Pas/Cal’s I Was Raised On Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura . So, check it out for yourself - listen to the full album stream on Spinner and then read the review excerpts below and see if you agree.

Pitchfork says, “Taking seven years to make an album may be decadent, but it’s a decadence intrinsic to PAS/CAL’s music, executed with an attention to detail uncommon in the often-slapdash world of indie pop.”

Metromix says, “Standout “Dearest Bernard Living” recalls Of Montreal (pre-Ziggy Stardust complex) and is completely disjointed, messy, unfocused and awesome.”

Pop Matters says, “PAS/CAL makes the kind of music you don’t hear too much these days. It’s intelligent. It’s full of ideas. It has richly painted, complex characters who you’re more likely to describe as “protagonists” than to automatically assume are projections of the band’s songwriter, Casimer Pascal. And best of all, it’s dressed up in the sort of unexpected pop costume that causes you to catch your breath at the infectious spirit of it all.”

Casimer Pascal says in an Artist Direct interview:

Q: What’s the most dramatic thing you ever did to save money as a starving musician?

A: I purchased my first multi-track recorder by being a look-out for a kid that stole car radios. I still have one of the radios in a drawer somewhere that I had planned on installing in my own car, if I was ever able to steal enough car radios to afford one. It never happened, obviously.

Finally, I hope you’re a devoted Daily Rind reader and already read our interview with Pascal, but if not, here’s a teaser:

Q: How did you feel about your song being in a Saturn commercial? Did you get free cars? Can we have one?

A: I wasn’t happy with it until I received the check. Then it took on a certain unrecognized beauty. Bikes are the new car, I’ll help you finance one.

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Dodo duo Meric Long and Logan Kroeber sure do know how to rock out a crowd, and they proved their abilities to a packed Pitchfork Festival just over a week ago in Chi Town! They’ve been endlessly touring, hitting up all the hot spots, including Cake Shop and the Siren Festival , with Pitchfork being their latest conquest.

Luckily for all of those who were unable to make it, Pitchfork TV is playing host to some fantastic video footage of their performance of "Fools." Long’s dual-mic setup keeps him busy during the authentically emotional flowing tune, while Kroeber turns his modest setup into a completely different kind of instrument. Their energy can be seen in the crowd, who were definitely soaking in the atmosphere of the show and feeding it back to the Dodos, creating a machine of entertainment unattainable for most.

As for now, The Dodos are taking a short but well deserved break before hitting the European road again in early August. They arrive back in the States to their home shores of San Francisco in late September, and will be warmly welcomed back in NYC days later–accompanied by another Rind fave, Au ! We can’t wait!

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You’ve got to love a band that mouths the lyrics along with the lead singer. Ra Ra Riot, now on tour, made their first appearance at Siren Music Festival this past Saturday along with other notable artists Dragons of Zynth, The Dodos, Stephen Malkmus, and Broken Social Scene.

Needless to say, the crowd for the RRR set was on the tips of their toes. There was a buzz in the air (no, not an air-born illness from the beach) and they certainly lived up to it during their dynamic performance.

“Ghost Under Rocks” was clearly a crowd favorite (with most of the audience mouthing the words right along with frontman Wesley Miles and the rest of the band). When a rambunctious Miles jumped the stage/VIP fence during standout track “Dying is Fine,” the polite singer then apologized for pushing people while leaping through the crowd.

In anticipation of RRR’s first full length album The Rhumb Line, set to drop August 19th via Barsuk, most of us here at Rind HQ absolutely Ra Ra rocked out at the show. If you missed it, don’t worry; they’ll be back in NYC October 17th, and just about everywhere else in the coming months.

Pictures after the jump…

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Short notice can often be the best notice; to find out about something awesome is happening and realize you can actually take part is a great feeling. Well! You can achieve that feeling by simply turning on the radio (satellite if applicable…) right now! Backyard Tire Fire are playing their new album The Places We Lived live on WFPK in Louisville starting at 12PM EST today!!!

And of course, the Internet and all its wonders can bring you the show as well-with one simple click of the mouse here! Hurry folks, the great music has already begun!

Okay, so as New Yorkers, we feel as though we are entitled to certain things. Walking fast. Ignoring crazy people. Jaywalking. Honking. And last but not least, complaining about the subway. For those of our readers not from the Big Apple, allow me to paint a quick picture of the New York City subway in the summertime. Imagine your high school locker room after the National Fitness Test that came around in June. It’s hot, it’s stuffy, it’s stagnant, and let’s face it… it stinks. Okay, now take that locker room and pack it full of not just your gym class, but the ENTIRE SCHOOL. Sounds cozy, huh?

So this morning it was raining here in NY, which adds a whole new layer of annoyance, stench and crowdedness to the subway. I bolt towards the stairs as I hear the conductor announce “Dmmmmtwnnnn tmmmm. Fffmmmmst stuueet nesssst.” (translation: Downtown R train, 49^th st next). I try to maneuver down the stairs as quickly as possible, but after nearly getting my eye poked out by the XXXXL golf umbrella the woman in front of me had to keep under her arm (in addition to her newspaper, pocketbook, gym bag and mini dog) I arrive at the train in time to see the doors seal shut in front of me. The next train comes, and this time I make it aboard. 2 stops. I need to go 2 stops. That’s not that bad… until the dude with Bird Flu standing next to me starts sneezing and more or less snoring while he is awake. This entire time, however, I have a massive smile on my face. How is this possible? The Diplomats of Solid Sound featuring The Diplomettes, that’s how.

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Here’s what it is: complex, loud, tight, fun, dreamy, soulful. And what do we call it? “Sleepyhead,” the new single from Cambridge-based poppers Passion Pit, lead by lyricist, beatmaker, and plain-and-simple mastermind Michael Angelakos.

Here’s what it’s not: dull, boring, or anything resembling sleep. In fact, the track, with it’s electro-claps, high pitched vocal loops, and dominant synth melodies will promptly launch your dance-deprived ass out of bed in the morning. I guarantee it - coffee ain’t got nothing on “Sleepyhead.”

“Sleepyhead” is also the bonus track on this five-piece band’s upcoming EP, Chunk of Change. Passion Pit recently signed to Frenchkiss Records (home to Les Savy Fav and The Dodos, among others) and have already made waves by opening for acts like Death Cab For Cutie, Girl Talk, and These New Puritans. And you New Yorkers should pay special attention, because the band has secured a three-date residency at Pianos on the 13th, 20th, and 27th of August. So wake up and mark your calendars!!

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Aesop Rock will be playing a free show at McCarren Park Pool on Sunday, August 17th. Rind frequenters will notice that’s the same day that Sharon Jones plays at Central Park’s SummerStage. We hate when this happens. Oh well, it could be worse - we could be living in Hutchinson, KS.

Aesop Rock’s set is part of the free JellyNYC Pool Parties that occur every Sunday at McCarren Park. The Long Island-born artist is currently touring the U.S all summer, with a notable 3-night-stop at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.

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