So let me start off by saying this was one of the longest days in my life as I started off earlier in the day / evening at the N.E.R.D / Common concert at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park and then I had to quickly get my butt out of the Stanley Park area, which wasn’t too bad actually and get to the Commodore Ballroom where the CSS concert was being held. Huge thanks to the crew at Sealed with a Kiss Promotions for allowing us to attend the show and take photos, check out their website for upcoming shows, www.sealedwithakisspresents.com. Now you all know my mind frame as I entered the show, exhausted. I didn’t get a chance to catch any of the openers.

First things first I had to find a good spot for taking photos, which I have to admit I didn’t get that many great shots, but worth checking out nonetheless. The lights came down, the crowd in anticipation started cheering louder and erupted as members of the band came out and got setup on their instruments. The set started off with “Jager Yoga” and goddamn it kicked my ass. Immediately woke me up from my exhausted state and had me wildin’ out. Lovefoxxx was insanely energetic and there was no way that that wasn’t going to transfer to the audience, so in return everybody else wilded out. Gotta say though that outfit choice of hers was f’in awesome, a leotard, sexy that’s all I can say. Fast forward to the third song “This Month, Day 10”, the crowd went crazy again as soon as the melody and drum line dropped. Again Lovefoxxx just killed it, pouring all of her energy into the song. The crowd was singing and dancing along with every hook and lyric.

There was definite interaction between her and the crowd and she even made note that this was the third time they were in Vancouver, having performed previously at Celebrities and Richards on Richards. Offering shots of tequila to the crowd as well, pretty fantastic.

Then the infectious jam “Move” came on and my ass hit the roof. I love this jam and I love the recently discovered Cut Copy remix as well, which is on Killahbeez.com. The drum line, melody and hook, fuck it. Everything about this song just makes you want to, well get up and “Move” and the video for this is pretty hilarious and quite creative. After this song ended there was a bit of a break as a prop was being brought out onto the stage. Whatever it was, it was under a black curtain and soon to be revealed. A few moments go by and Lovefoxxx pulls off the curtain to reveal a huge Britney Spears microphone stand, I was drinking redbull and it all ended up coming out my nose at this point. It was pretty hilarious to say the least, check out the pictures to see it. This lead into the song “Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex”, which the mainstream folks will remember it for being in the Apple iTouch commercial, but the crowd ate this song up, myself included. I love it when they break into the Portuguese rhymes, that shit is hot. The set seemingly ended with “Let’s Reggae All Night”, and the band left the stage. There was about 2 – 5 mins of chanting from the crowd as we clearly wanted more and more is what they ended up giving us as they came back out on stage and did another three songs before ending the night off with their jam “Alala”.

Overall, great concert and it seriously woke my ass up and out of my slight coma and kept me partying the whole time. Great job on Sealed with a Kiss’s part for bringing in another solid act and at a great venue. CSS killed it playing a good mixture of old and new material and great energy on their part in keeping the crowd amped from beginning to the end. Check out the rest of the pictures on our Flickr page.

Complete set list here (big up to my home girl Mae Lynn for lookin’ out):

Jager Yoga
Meeting Paris Hilton
This Month, Day 10
Left Behind
Off the Hook
Rat is Dead (Rage)
Move
Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex
Alcohol
Let’s Reggae All Night
Air Painter
Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death from Above
Alala

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A few of us Killahbeez peoples will be hitting tonights show in Vancouver at the Commodore Ballroom thanks to the hospitality of the city’s beloved Sealed with a Kiss promotions. Anyhow, my man DT put me on to this dope Cut Copy remix of CSS’ “Move”. It has the distinct soundscape of a Cut Copy production with the melodic arpeggio’s and sweeping strings -but is less sweet and more punchy than what you may expect from them. Its quite apparent these guys can pretty much successfully freak anyone’s music. 

Also below is the official video for the said song “Move”, which is directed by Keith Schofield who has also directed videos for Supergrass and Death Cab for Cutie.

Brazilian band CSS is currently on a 20+ tour that will see stops in San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Texas and my home town Vancouver. They’re currently on tour in support of their latest album, Donkey, which was released back on July 21st. I personally have not heard their latest album, but have heard nothing but positive comments about the new project. Definitely another CD on my list to cop before I hit the show. For Vancouver show information hit up www.sealedwithakisspresents.com, or www.ticketmaster.com for ticketing information for all the other shows throughout the world.

GZA will officially be touring in late August to late September to promote his latest album, Pro Tools. This will be his fifth solo studio album and is expected to drop on August 19th. The only Canadian tour date he has right now is for Vancouver on August 27th and is being presented by Sealed With A Kiss. Check out the dates below to see when he’s hitting your city.

August
21 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
22 Santa Cruz, CA – Moe’s Alley
23 Petaluma, CA - Phoenix Theater
25 Portland, OR - Berbatis Pan
26 Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
27 Vancouver, BC - Richards On Richards
29 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
30 Denver, CO - Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom

September
1 Dallas, TX - Palladium Loft
2 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
3 Austin, TX - Emos Alternative Lounge
4 Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze
5 Grinnell, IA - Grinnell College
6 Madison, WI - Willow Island (Southern Comfort Music)
7 Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
9 Oberlin, OH - Oberlin College
10 Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live!
11 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
12 New York, NY -  Irving Plaza
13 Boston, MA  -  Harper’s Ferry
17 Tempe, AZ  -  Clubhouse
18 Flagstaff, AZ  -  Congress
19 San Diego, CA  -  Street Scene

Here’s the latest video and single from french hottie, Yelle. The video, “Ce Jeu”, directed by Yoann Lemoine, features lots of colors as well as Yelle with a two piece band playing out the song. Also I think I noticed a nipple slip, well actually her whole left boob is exposed in one section. Watch carefully. This song is totally infectious and I blame Killahbeez resident homegirl, Michelle for turning me onto Yelle’s music. Her previous video was for “Je Veux Te Voir”, which can be seen here.

Also she’s touring throughout North America over the next few months and may be stopping through your city, so check out her tour page for more info. As for me, I’m looking forward to when she stops in Vancouver, which is being presented by Sealed With A Kiss, again I can’t stop mentioning how dope these dudes are as they continuously bring in some of the best acts.

Visit Ticketmaster.com for more ticket info.

Thursday, July 24 – Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver

Pittsburgh, Pa., DJ Gregg Gillis, better known as Girl Talk, brought the party to the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on Thursday, July 24. The highly-anticipated event was sold out weeks in advance, and it was thanks to our friends over at Sealed with a Kiss that two of us ‘Beez got in.

A long line was formed outside the venue by 10 p.m., and inside, openers Twin Crystals were makin’ a whole lotta racket that the crowd flooding in didn’t seem to be feelin’. I don’t mean to be a hater, but the thrash guitar, almost screamo sounds of Twin Crystals just didn’t seem to be a good lead up to the pop/ hip-hop/ electro vibe of Girl Talk. Luckily, after the band’s question, “So, do you guys want to hear another song?” was met with a significant amount of boos, Twin Crystals left the stage, and a local DJ spun some cool and relaxed reggae beats that got the hipsters out onto the dance floor.

Girl Talk set up promptly. Nothing fancy – just his basic DJ equipment on a single table, and started the show at 11 p.m. The crowd went absolutely wild as he shouted, “What’s up, Vancouver? So glad so many of you came out on a Thursday!” and threw on T.I.’s “What You Know About That.”

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Some random cities around the globe are about to get some love this summer from none other than Girl Talk. The Pittsburgh based DJ is taking his fresh mixes to stops like Seattle, Chicago, Aspen, Stockholm, Sweden, and Vancouver, B.C. And wherever Girl Talk is at, there’s bound to be a rockin, sweaty party.

I’m super stoked for his show comin’ up in Vancouver, presented by Sealed with a Kiss, at the Commodore Ballroom. Last time Girl Talk was here, it was all about non-stop dancin’. Couldn’t even take a break off my feet to chill with a drink! So, I have no doubt that he’s gonna bring another crazy event to the city.

If you need a little more convincing, check out Girl Talk’s MySpace page. He always keeps it fresh and uploads new mixes to listen to. I’m feelin “Set It Off,” mixin’ Jay-Z with Radiohead. Brilliant. Also love “Play Your Part Pt. 2,” mixin’ together Lil’ Wayne with Red Hot Chili Peppers. Both are also on his newest album, Feed the Animals, so cop that up too. For more show info hit up www.sealedwithakisspresents.com.

Last night yours truly was invited by Sealed with a Kiss promotions to check out the RZA show that was held. The show was fiya and the RZA came out hyped straight from the beginning, but more on the review of the show over the next day or two. This week’s Throwback Thursday is one of the RZA’s first projects, Gravediggaz.  The group was formed in 1994 bringing together Prince Paul (The Undertaker) Frukwan (The Gatekeeper), Too Poetic (The Grym Reaper), and RZA (The Rzarector). I know there are a few hiphop heads out there that weren’t feelin’ this group from the get go with their dark sense of humor and abrasive, menacing soundscapes. The video above is for the song “1-800-SUICIDE”, which was the third single off of the debut album 6 Feet Deep.