IHEARTCOMIX gave us an early Christmas present earlier today with the release of Ocelot’s new single. Well, I suppose it isn’t really new. The track has been floating around in different forms online for nearly two years now. However, this is the finished version that will end up on their debut album called “No Requests.” This is the definitive version of the track, as the production values have increased tenfold and the chopped up vocals making me want to dance even more to it. With the album coming out during the summer, it looks like 2010 will be a big year for the UK-via-Denton,Texas duo. Get down, indeed.
Those of you who are fans of the collectible vinyl toys that Red Hot Robot deals in are fully aware how difficult it can be to get your hands on some of the rarer items out there. So, if you’ve got an itching to blow all that extra cash you get on Christmas, I’d recommend heading over to the shop on Sunday morning. The shop will host a sale of a private collection totaling over 200 pieces. There will be production and custom pieces available, including figures by: 123 Klan, Angry Woebots, Ashley Wood/Three A, Bonus Toyz, Coarse Toys, Kidrobot, Futura, MAD, Mars 1, Michael Lau, Muttpop, Jamungo, Tim Tsui, UNKL, Touma, Kenny Wong and many more. Out of state readers… buy online here!
I fell in love this year. No, it wasn’t with a girl, because my mom was right when she told me they were nothing but trouble. Instead I fell in love with a little band from Brooklyn called The Drums. And while I hope that band is good to me in the forthcoming year and visits Phoenix, I’ll just have to be satisfied with our relationship as it stands now. Which is mostly just me playing their record on repeat and anxiously awaiting anything new the band does. Luckily they were considerate and gave me a Christmas present in the form of the new video for their track “I Felt Stupid.” I suppose I’ll let you in on the enjoyment as well.
Few songs competed for complete control of my brain as much as “Animal” did during 2009. From the first time I heard the chorus, I knew it would remain lodged there for months to come. Throughout the year I listened to countless remixes and variations or the track, but few compared to the original. Luckily Mark Ronson came to the table with a lot of creativity and freshness for his remix of the track. I wasn’t expecting him to flip it into a dubbed out reggae masterpiece, but that’s exactly what he did. And alas, the song has taken over my consciousness once again. Perhaps the remix will do the same to you?
Flying Coffin is back with another collection just in time for the holiday season. It’s never too cold to go without rocking a t-shirt in Phoenix, so luckily these guys have continued to release some of the best graphic tees out there. This collection also features hoodies, caps, and sweaters. Select items are available on their online store, until they sell out quickly as always. Check out some more styles from the Seattle-based brand’s lookbook below.
Local Natives are based in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles and take a lot of influence from the sounds and energy of the area. The band’s sound is comprised of soaring harmonies and orchestral melodies that remind me a lot of the Zombies, combined with traces of Afro-beat and touches of post-punk. Hell, just listen to that Fugazi-lite bassline that takes over “Sun Hands” about halfway through! This track is the lead single for their forthcoming album “Gorilla Manor.” The album is being released February 16th in the States on Frenchkiss. The album has already been released to critical acclaim over in Europe. The band will head there for a two month tour in mid-January.
If you’re like me you probably screamed in joy at the top of your lungs when you heard Phoenix was coming to town. And I’m sure you also started planning and plotting to make sure you got your hands on tickets before the inevitable sellout comes. Well, if you really want to make sure you get your hands on them before anyone else, consider today your lucky day. At 10pm tonight, there will be an online presale at this link. You need to use the password “AMADEUS” to get in.
It’s that time of the year again. You know, the time where you try to buy everyone’s presents and make arrangements for how to spend the holidays a few days before they actually happen? Way to go, Derrick! Anyways, that’s the situation I find myself in this year, so hopefully you’ll be forgiving if this blog isn’t updated as frequently as normal during this week. I do have a gift for all my readers to enjoy while sipping your egg nog and trying to avoid family contact as much as possible. It’s the third edition of the FMF Mixcast, and it’s my favorite yet. I mercifully didn’t include any Christmas music. You can thank me later.
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti- Can’t Hear My Eyes
Memory Tapes- Green Knight
The XX- Islands
Yeasayer- ONE
Jemina Pearl feat. Iggy Pop- I Hate People
Islands- Tender Torture
Mission Of Burma- Possession
Blank Dogs- Setting Fire To Your House
The Drums- Let’s Go Surfing (Knight School Version)
The Strange Boys- No Way For A Slave To Behave
Themselves & WHY?- Canada
Fan Death- Cannibal
The Juan Maclean- One Day (Surkin Remix)
French Horn Rebellion- Beaches and Friends (Hey Champ Remix)
Bjork- Wanderlust (Ratatat Remix)
Karen O And The Kids- Hideaway
It’s been very difficult to remain tight-lipped about this announcement since I found out about it late last week. However, now that the show has officially been added to the Stateside site, I can now make sure all my readers know about this. My absolute favorite band is coming to The Marquee! These guys are world renowned for the incredibly tight and exciting live show that they put on. They’ve been selling out shows all over the world, so a date in Phoenix is both unexpected and sure to sell out. Get your tickets Thursday morning at 10am when they go on sale. The show is happening on Monday, February 1st.
Since I really wish I could have made everyone that entered the last contest a winner, I decided to just go ahead and run another contest starting today. This one wont run as long as the last contest, so you better get your entries in fast! I’ll be choosing the winner for this on Tuesday morning. If you want to be a part of a unique show with some of Phoenix’s best local bands, without blowing that money you need for presents, email derrick@factorymadefuture.com with “Christmas Sweater” in the subject line. Good luck to everyone!
