I feel like I’m watching a 1980s Sam Raimi film with all of the POV guitar shots. Also, that’s the best drum set ever. If only Children’s guitars were also as cool.

Children – Power Spirit

It’s not like I needed much convincing to fall head over heels for Steel Train. I was already a fan of a good portion of the band’s work. Plus Jack Antonoff is in Fun, after all. I was most of the way there, right?

But Steel Train gave me everything I could’ve wanted — and then some — at Headliners Wednesday night. In addition to being tight instrumentally and vocally, they went nuts on stage. Don’t let the whole Drive Thru Records thing fool you, these dudes are legit.

Steel Train – I Feel Weird
Steel Train – Alone on the Sea

See the Steel Train photos.

It seems Dillinger Escape Plan has severed ties with Relapse. Instead, the band is starting its own label and will be partnering up with Season of Mist to release the next record.

Reports are conflicting as to the name of the new label, though. Some folks are saying it’s called Phonogetic, while the band’s official Twitter account seems to be saying otherwise.

Either way, here’s what puppy-loving guitarist Ben Weinman had to say about the band’s current situation:

It is becoming clear that as the music industry standard continues to morph and change on a daily basis, artistic and operational freedom has become a band’s most valuable asset. 100% free of all previous contractual ties, Dillinger is in an amazing position to collaborate with some interesting partners which will continue to nurture the ethic that we have been doing our best to stay true to for over 10 years now.

Dillinger Escape Plan – Panasonic Youth

There’s a whole lot I could say about Yours Truly, The Commuter, the first solo album from Jason Lytle since Grandaddy bit the dust. Being a big fan of the band, I could drool and/or rant like most fanboys have done thus far.

But instead, I’ll say this: Yours Truly, The Commuter is a great Grandaddy album. You’ve got the bleeps and bloops, swirly guitars, distinct-but-angular pop sensibilities, et. al. So I give it eight thumbs up, plus a slight portion of one more thumb.

Jason Lytle – Yours Truly, The Commuter

Magnolia Electric Co.’s latest album, Josephine, will be out July 21 on Secretly Canadian, and the band has released the title track to whet our musical appetites. It seems to be everything I’d hoped for from Jason Molina’s next effort.

However, this is more than just a musical project. It’s also a tribute to the Electric Co.’s late bassist Evan Farrell, who passed away in 2007. Josephine is an attempt to bring Farrell’s hopes for the record to fruition.

In addition, Magnolia Electric Co. will be touring with The Donkeys in support of the record throughout July into early August. I’ll definitely be at the Southgate House for that. July 14, here I come.

Magnolia Electric Co. – Josephine

See the Magnolia Electric Co. and Donkeys tour dates.

When I think of what a video for an angry (but pseudo-posi) punk song would be, this is it.

Anti-Flag – This Is The First Night

Jenny Owen Youngs – Transmitter Failure
Release date: May 26, 2009
[amazon.com]

Diagrams and schematics overlaid on top of photos were big in the late 90s… or I just noticed them more then than I do now. I did a few of those when I started out with graphic design, but it didn’t turn out anything like this… mostly because I’m from a future where everyone shaves their head.

This faux-infomercial from The Gossip is quite possibly the least heterosexual thing I’ve seen in some time. Well, except for this, of course. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Some folks I talked to over the last couple of days were wondering how I could turn down a chance to see the Meat Puppets. It’s not every day you get to watch a band that started almost 30 years ago and influenced a few of your favorite bands, not to mention countless others.

As it happens, I couldn’t turn down that chance. So I went to two shows Wednesday night. Two great shows. Gomez and Steel Train coverage later.

Meat Puppets – Rotten Shame

See the Meat Puppets photos.

When They Might Be Giants found out about a Seattle T-ball team with the same name, the band decided to take a proactive stand. Instead of just giving the team a pat on the back, the Johns made it their mission to sponsor 10 little league baseball teams. Here’s what guitarist John Flansburgh had to say:

If a pizza parlor or a super market can sponsor a team, why can’t a rock band? We’ve posted a free shirt offer on our web site, and as new teams form we’re going to post their group photo alongside the Seattle team. We only have t-shirts to offer right now, but if we can get hats too, we’re up for that.

Hey guys, what if it’s an adult team that’s so bad they have to play against little league teams? Because Team Buzzgrinder could use some shirts and hats, too. So let me know.

They Might Be Giants – Birdhouse in Your Soul
They Might Be Giants – Robot Parade