The Ruckus

Today is World AIDS Day

Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. The World AIDS Day theme for 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV, including 2.1 million children. During 2008 some 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 2 million people died from AIDS.1 Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.2

The vast majority of people with HIV and AIDS live in lower- and middle-income countries. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.

Learn more at the Greater Community AIDS Project, Avert and World AIDS Day websites. Educate yourself. Act up. FIGHT AIDS.

In Pictures: The Bots

The Roxy | Los Angeles, CA | 13 November 2009 | Flickr Set

I have to admit, when I walked into the Roxy to see Saul Williams, I had little idea what to expect from the bands sharing the stage with him that night. The first one up was The Bots and they did not disappoint. Introduced by the Afro-Punk tour's MC/Krak Attack member Tchaka Diallo as our future, it was easy to see why when they hit the stage.

The punk rock duo of brothers Mikaiah and Anaiah Lei are only sixteen and twelve, respectively, but their youth served to provide them with the energy to rock their set and pump up the audience. The two delivered their music with the poise and polish you would expect from older performers and moved the crowd from an idle, pre-gig waiting temperament to full enthusiasm in no time.

People We Like: Julian Casablancas

Julian Casablancas is a New Yorker unlike any other. First off, he is currently based in Los Angeles, which is a little strange for someone so attached to the city that never sleeps. His youthful, eager, yet slightly confused face first emerged on the scene in 2001 when his equally young and eager band, The Strokes, permeated the surface of what used to be rock'n'roll and left a print that was to be followed by so many peers for the following decade that their beginning opus, Is This It, has been named one of the top five albums of the Noughties. Not bad for a bunch of over-educated white collar Lower East Siders.

Happy Birthday, Tiff!

Folks, our fearless co-leader, Tiff, is having a birthday today. Let's all wish our Chief Good Music Correspondent a day full of awesome. After all, she brings the beats, and what good is a music blog without a beat bringer? WE LOVE YOU, TIFFINY!

In Pictures: Saul Williams

The Roxy | Los Angeles, CA | 13 November 2009 | Flickr Set

Heralded for his spoken word, poetry, and "alternative" hip hop, a term likely needed as much for the depth of substance in his lyrics atypical of popular hip hop as it is for his incorporation of other musical styles into its construction, Saul Williams performed at the Roxy in Los Angeles on a recent Friday the 13th, headlining the Afro-Punk tour.

And he rocked the hell out of the place.

Williams emerged from back stage, feathers in hair and paint covering his face, taking on his 'Niggy Tardust' persona, an obvious nod to David Bowie's glam rock persona with just as obvious racial overtones mixed in, invented for his most recent album. Williams ripped through a set spanning his catalogue, incorporating material as early as "Sha-Clack-Clack," a spoken word piece from the film Slam he starred in ten years ago to new material yet unreleased. Perhaps the biggest surprise of his set was the merging Björk's "Declare Independence" into his own songs, descending into the audience to dance with the moshers.

As if the tour hadn't given us enough art through the music present, Los Angeles-based artist Mear One took up residence in a corner of the stage for most of the night until mid-way through Saul's set. After working on a painting through several acts, he put away his brushes and grabbed a camera for a couple songs, then joined the rest of the crowd in rocking out for the remainder of the concert.

Album Review: Oh, Starling: Joy

Our dear friends, Jessica Sonner and Dan Craig have combined forces to bring you Oh, Starling. I'm not the biggest fan of Christmas music. In fact, those of you who know me personally are probably wondering why I'm even doing this. In addition to being friends, Jessica and Dan are also amazingly talented musicians and I can't believe that anything they do together could be something I wouldn't enjoy. And I do enjoy Joy, very much.

Joy is five traditional Christmas carols arranged and performed with a unique touch. It sounds like "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" was written for Sonner to sing. Craig takes the lead on a darkly beautiful version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman". The stunning piano work and Sonner's harmonies give it an ethereal quality. This EP will be the perfect soundtrack for sitting by the fire with loved ones during the holidays.

I know it is a little early to be thinking about Christmas, but I have my reasons to bring this to you now. This release is a free download until Thanksgiving. Go to OhStarling.com to get yours. Please spread the word.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Oh, Starling will be performing on December 12th at the Gothic Theater in Denver.

Feature Interview: The Gaslight Anthem's Benny Horowitz

I can't begin to tell you how many times I've listened to The Gaslight Anthem's '59 Sound, or about the love that I have for Señor and The Queen, or where to begin with what Sink Or Swim has come to mean to me. I know that every time I see this band, it will be a great show. I'm thrilled to see more and more people becoming aware of and enjoying The Gaslight Anthem. In fact, they're probably not in need of much promotion these days, but drummer extraordinaire Benny Horowitz was kind enough to sit down with me before their show in Denver earlier this year anyway. I had a great time getting to know him, and I know you will too.

What does a typical day in your life consist of?

These days, a typical day usually involves a whole lot of driving. I get somewhere, load and do sound check, and then maybe sit around for a couple of hours-- look around the city I’m in if possible. Then the show starts and I watch all the other bands before warm up, play, break down, and load out. That’s about it. Between all that stuff I might have a couple drinks or a smoke and hang out with some people. That’s the good thing about a tour like this: there are a lot of good people around all the time. I can just jump into any dressing room or any van or something and just say, “Hi.” There’s always somebody cool to talk to and a good conversation waiting. That’s probably my favorite part of touring.

When I’m home I’m really low key. I like watching sports, I like hanging out. I’m not really into crazy partying or anything like that anymore.