This DVD made me throw up a little in my mouth when I watched it. I know. I know. Happy Mondays have this huge cult following; I’ve even done research on it to see how there could possibly be more than two people who admire this music and this “band” legitimately. But it’s true. They’re out there. I don’t understand the music, I don’t see any talent, or hear any for that matter, and I’m awestruck that these musicians can actually sell tickets to …

It’s hot. You’re sweaty. Dozens of bands are showing off their raw skills on more than ten stages. A plethora of teenagers and young adults, wearing their punk-or-nothing personas, surround you. A ministry of radio stations has staked out their own spots within the vast parking lot to distribute their hope, wisdom, and free swag to the fastest growing consumer age market in the world.
It’s the only place where a reclusive Misfits fanatic, a Hollister-clad, tennis-playing prima donna and a forty-something business owner …

You can’t find a female anywhere who hasn’t dreamed of being in her own band. Almost every girl I know wanted to be the singer or lead guitarist, and belt it out with a “who gives a shit” attitude. They would write songs about scumbag boys or that bitch in geometry class, and wow the crowd with the explosive energy and talent that few females have been able to master. Personally, I’d always fantasize about wearing fierce heels and fishnets, with crazy-ass rock girl hair, …

For a lot of girls, there is always that one best friend they can count on. The friend who you’ve had since at least high school, who knows everything about you. The friend you’ve done really stupid things with; the friend who, even in the midst of a giant storm of annoyances, you automatically called when everything was going wrong; and the one friend (who you aren’t fucking) that you can stay up all night with and not get grumpy. So imagine a day …

We all know the drill about rarities compilations: they’re esoteric, obscure, often tough listening, little more than grab bags for serious listeners who fancy themselves as musical archivists. “For fans only,” right? And most of the time, frankly, it’s the truth.
But what critics like us rarely acknowledge is that there’s something thrilling about a good odds ‘n’ sods disc, too, even if it’s from a band whose logo we wouldn’t feel comfortable getting tattooed on our asses; it’s the feeling of discovery, of adventure, …

You never forget the moment when you fall in love for the first time. It was a beautiful warm summer night when Suzie and I pulled up to the drive-in in my big brother John’s gorgeous apple-red 1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible. We snuggled close together, and a few dancing junk-foods later, the movie began to play. As she was unwilling to put out even the slightest, I was feeling pretty lukewarm when it came to Suzie. Yet, as I watched the credits roll on …

There are some bands that would become all the more popular if they’d simply change their zip code. Case in point is New York’s The Little Killers. While I’m sure certain dirtier corners of the Big Apple must appreciate this garage rock sludge of a bar band (and I mean that in the positive!), it’s a fact that Detroit would love them more.
Maybe the Little Killers have picked up on that mindset, because they hired trendy Detroit Producer (Ghetto Recorders), former Dirtbomb, and Jack …

Probably because we don’t get a lot of crap records in the mail and we’re all understanding and willing to treat the music we listen to on its own terms, few albums here at the Modern Pea Pod headquarters have received negative reviews. Just check the archive: a lot of digital ink spilled over music that we, for the most part, really enjoy. The Trews’ sophomore album, Den of Thieves, is unfortunately one of those crap records we try to stay away from. It’s …

The Royal Order of Rabbits is a “happy” cult started by Gram Rabbit. The cultists are followers of the band, and you’ll probably recognize them as the people with the sedate grins and bunny ears, if you should ever happen into a Gram Rabbit show. And really, after hearing Cultivation, a listener should be able to understand why the cult of The Royal Order of Rabbits was started. Much like a cult, Gram Rabbit’s second release will only appeal to a select few.
The major …

Okay, let’s all just get it off our chests right now: Interpol is played out. Way back in 2002 and 2003, hipster college kids across the world were losing their virginity to the rainy day gloom of their vinyl copies of Turn Off the Bright Lights. Everyone was cutting their hair asymmetrically and wearing empty gun holsters while playing their bass guitars. But now it’s 2006, and Interpol’s hype has fizzled out. Neither their site nor Matador’s has any information on what exactly …