I finally got to see Double Negative last night at Kings -- but just barely. This is the only band I know that actually starts their shows on time. They were playing when I got there, but I ran to the back of the stage and was able to get three songs (all under 10 minutes!) on video. Got a few less-than-stellar pics. When Jodi gets hers online I will link to them. Scott (not Williams, don't know his last name) also got some professional video which he will put on Youtube. I'll link to that as well. Here's the video of them at Kings. (Video removed)

I have a new favorite band.

I have a new favorite band.
If The Needles are Wilmington's answer to The Hellacopters, then Thunderlip (Myspace)is surely that city's answer to Gluecifer -- with a little Queen and Thin Lizzy thrown in. Strangely enough, I'd never seen the band before, but as I found out last night, all my friends' ravings were correct. They are a fierce rock machine with a wild-ass frontman (who, from what I hear, wasn't as wild-ass last night as he normally is), and two phenomenal guitarists who play blistering twin leads. The highlight of the evening was when Craig Tilley of Birds of Avalon joined them onstage for a dead-on cover of "Highway Star," which is probably my favorite Deep Purple song of all time. Unfortunately I was so excited about them playing "Highway Star" that I didn't think to record it until halfway through. I've included that recording here, along with a recording of "Meet the Snake." Thunderlip performs "Meet the Snake." Thunderlip performs "Highway Star" with Craig from Birds of Avalon. Also, I got a lot of good photos from that show. Check out the Flickr set.

A link to my Hellacopters review on The Red Alert.

Red Smokes White and The Trousers at Kings Last night I had a chance to check out Red Smokes White (their singer is pictured above) and The Trousers at Kings. I'd never heard of Red Smokes White, but I was very impressed with their sludgy, swampy Black Sabbath-meets-Deliverance rock. Their bass player switched between an electric and a stand-up bass, and one of the guitarists also played sax. I found out later that the bass player is Daryl White, who used to be in Trailer Bride, among other bands. I also found out the sax-playing guitarist is his brother, and they both used to live in Havelock, down the road from my old hometown, Morehead City. I always love meeting folks from Eastern N.C. who have escaped. If someone knows who Lee Canipe is, or has been to the Elbow Room in Greenville, I know we'll have a special bond. I got footage of Red Smokes White, but truthfully I didn't like this song as much as the others they did. I plan to see them again and will try to film a different song. I'd heard a bit about The Trousers (above), but apparently not enough because I was expecting a new wave band. Instead, they were more psychedelic British blues. As if to reiterate that, they actually played "Train Kept a Rollin'." Definitely good (their bass player was amazing to watch). Here's a couple of movies. (Videos removed) Also, you can take a look at some more photos from the show on my Flickr stream.

Damn it. I made plans to video and take photos of the innaugural Double Negative show last night, but got to Kings after the band played. I took lots of hilarious pics of Jessica and the gang at her birthday karaoke party (they're on Flickr, but set for friends only) and went home to download those photos before going out. As soon as I got to the club I was greeted by a chorus of wide-eyed punks all saying, "you missed it! That was the most awesome show I've seen in years." Well, anyway. Brian says they'll be playing in a couple of weeks. Will try again then.