These United States released a new album today, Everything Touches Everything. And not only did the band allow Buzzgrinder to stream the whole thing today, but the guys were also kind enough to take over posting duties for the day.

For some reason, I now feel aesthetically compelled to create a “Top Seven” list, a la my dear friend and colleague Tom Hnatow. We play in a band together, along with Robby, Justin, and Colin. It’s called These United States. We spend a lot of time together. Some would say too much. We start to smell the same after a while. That is strange, but mostly true.

One point of much debate we don’t ever seem to converge on, though, is: Whom’re the rockingest musical artists we get to share the stage with along the way? There’s just too many of ‘em. There’s too much great music out there, really. Which means my list, then, is by no means comprehensive. Consider it a sampler platter, culled just from our last couple tours across these here States. I’ve included the venues and cities because — well, a show is just not a show without a city and a venue behind it, see?

1) Auld Lang Syne | Rochester, NY | Bug Jar
These guys n gal’re not unlike the Fleet Foxes, but with a bit more … how you say in polite company? Jutzpah?? If there is any justice in this world, and of course there is not, they will become thrice as far-flung as them vital vulpines.

2) The Daredevil Christopher Wright | Milwaukee, WI | Club Garibaldi’s
These guys come from everywhere — the heart, the head, the guitar, the drums. We’d played with ‘em the night before in Rock Island, seen ‘em stagger an entire pizza joint with next to no sonic enhancement. Don’t think we were even ready for ‘em on a serious system.

3) Red Cortez | San Francisco, CA | Hemlock Tavern
The first night together, we knew it was love. They prowl, princely. They know they’re s’posed to be up on that stage, that they’ve earned your love. And they carry soldering guns and get in there, down and dirty, when someone’s equipment needs repairing at the very last minute. Superman, they are — if he’d read more Whitman.

4) And the Moneynotes | Scranton, PA | The Bog
There are musical brothers, and then there are musical brothers. And the fine folk of Scranton have found a way to take this to the next level. They are a self-contained artistic megahub — they can do it all, most of all make amazing orchestral rock ‘n’ pop musics.

5) Vetiver | Brooklyn, NY | The Bell House
Pure beauty, straight and true. I roll my eyes, slowly, heavily, every time I hear some music critic say these folks bring nothing new to the table. They bring everything. They will change you. Sometimes all you need is one single sound from Cabic to remind you of everything you ever missed or loved.

6) Tom Inhaler | Lewiston, ME | She Don’t Like Guthrie’s
This man is a wild man. You ought keep him at a safe distance from your children. He will make them want to express themselves in gorgeous and groundbreaking new ways. A serious and seriously passionate young entrepreneur in this crazy mixed-up music biz, to boot.

7) Vieux Farka Toure | Quincy, CA | High Sierra Music Festival
Tom sat in with Vieux and his crieux at High Sierra, dueling guitars with him as the rest of us stood — huge wet summer tears in our eyes — on the side of the stage. We invited them over for our set. They accepted, and rocked us hard. These are men who travel around the world to bring incredible music to people. Wow.

3 Responses to “Seven of the Best Bands We’ve Recently Rocked With”

1. On 09/1/09 12:50 PM, Colin Palmer Kellogg said:

   

   whooooooaaaaaaaoooowwwww i agree dawgsmun! couldntaputit better me pirate self.

2. On 09/1/09 12:58 PM, Scott said:

   

   I totally agree with Daredevil Christopher Wright!! AND they are playing in Lexington on Sept 9th!

3. On 09/2/09 8:32 PM, Disappointed in Providence said:

   

   Tom is a chump so it’s disappointing to see him listed. Red Cortez though…stellar!

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