Blog: The Modern Age

Another photo from the Strokes November 29, 2001 show at the Vanderbilt on Long Island . This one is of Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti . I feel like this photo is classic Fab, with his style signature of a Coca-Cola tee in full force. Lovely! Every day in March I’ll be posting something from my Strokes archive. Please tweet or FB like if you enjoy where this is going.

Dear A&R folks looking for the Elle Fanning of music: 11 year old Anna Graceman could sing circles around Lady Gaga AND she writes her own music. Seriously, can anyone who's actually gotten their period make it in showbiz anymore?

On November 29, 2001 The Strokes played a headlining show at a now defunct music venue on Long Island called The Vanderbilt . The openers were The Moldy Peaches and The Realistics and tickets were a whopping $16.50. According to a diary entry I wrote at the time, the crowd was very young due to the fact that it was an all-ages venue. I remember the crowd was pretty intense, with huge dudes pushing tiny little girls in the front into the [...]

If you were a pre-teen girl in the early 1990s, then you probably were in love with the Disney movie musical Newsies . Since then it's kinda become this cult classic musical theater nerd favorite - trust me, if you mention it to women in their late 20s/early 30s, they'll probably squeal with delight. Well it looks like a bunch of musically-inclined folks in Wisconsin have used the pro-union Newsies anthem "Seize the Day" to get their point across to legislators who want to pass a bill that would [...]

When worlds collide! Jack White and Julian Casablancas share a few words (and a kiss) at NYC's Bowery Ballroom back in the day.

This is an interview with Nick Valensi from October 2001 in Newsday .

In 2001, The Strokes offered fans a way to ring in the new year with them with a special pair of shows co-headlined with Guided By Voices at the world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. I remember going to the Dec 30th show and totally freaking out over Ryan Adams being there with Meg White . That's right - The Strokes, Ryan Adams, and Meg White all in the same room . It's [...]

For the Village Voice 2002 Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll , artist Chris Sickels did this rendering of the five guys from NYC playing in front of an adoring crowd.

I took this photo on October 31, 2001 at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom. The Papaya Kings (featuring JP Bowersock ) and a costumed Moldy Peaches opened up for this Halloween show. The tickets were $20, and Julian Casablancas was sporting a military jacket and a Joe Camel t-shirt. He also had eyes made of laser beams.

The Strokes March Madness continues with this great concert listing from January 2002. Scan the list of names of the bands playing the Mercury Lounge and does one stick out? Who were The Shitty Beatles ? On January 18, 2002 they were Julian Casablancas, Albert Hammond Jr., Nick Valensi, Fabrizio Moretti, and Nikolai Fraiture .

Sorry, but I actually kinda love "Under Cover of Darkness" now that the video (by Warren Fu ) is out:

From TheStrokes.com , video with "You're So Right" off the new album, Angles : It's a bit more of a low-key song, with a few dashes of classic Strokes blazing guitar solo mid-way through. I'm kinda digging Julian's sparse vocals and precision drumming by Fab. The song has a bit of a dark, menacing sound, with an unnerving tension present during the verses.

Ladies and gentlemen, for the next 31 days I'll be posting something from my Strokes archives to honor the band's return to the New York City stage on April 1, 2011 at Madison Square Garden . Join me on this walk down memory lane... Here's a keeper from the New York Post , June 29, 2003. In an article explaining why Friendster.com is so cool, it name-checks Albert Hammond Jr. as a member of the social network [...]

As I was taking a 1 am snack, I managed to catch the last 10 minutes of Graham Norton . Luck for me because I was able to witness the wonder that is Hurts performing an amazing song called "Sunday." HOW HAVE I NEVER HEARD OF THIS BAND UNTIL NOW? They are so '80s-licious. So poppy Interpol meets Depeche Mode meets Johnny Hates Jazz. Love it! It looks like their only American date listed so far is at Coachella. [...]

This amazingly awesome shot of The Strokes by famed NYC-based photog Ryan McGinley is single-handedly fulfilling my life at the moment. (from Fuck Yeah, Ryan McGinley tumblr ) Perfection!

So while I was on vacation a lot happened... Arcade Fire won Album of the Year (waaahhht???) The Strokes released "Under Cover of Darkness," their first single from their upcoming album, Angles . (Which pretty much sounded like a good ol' Strokes song.) And announced they would make their return to the New York City stage with a show at Madison Square Garden on April 1st ... ...and [...]

Sorry for the lack of posts, but I've been busy this month... Running around Chinese New Year parades Attending Super Bowl parties And visiting the most magical place on Earth !

More shots of last night's Best Coast + Wavves "Summer is Forever" tour stop at Music Hall of Williasmburg: Best Coast: Bethany led a clap along to one of her songs. And flexed some amazing arm muscles covered with tats. Those barre classes are doing your body good, girl! But you know what I just realized that just got me super excited? Bethany was wearing one [...]

UPDATE: Catch more photos in PHOTOS: Best Coast + Wavves post So after yesterday's White Stripes shock, I decided I should probably do the opposite of what I was going to do - you know, sit at home and cry and listen to White Stripes albums all night long. So against everything my heart and body was telling me, I decided to haul my butt out to Williamsburg to catch the Best Coast + Wavves love bug tour at MHOW. Surprisingly, it was just [...]

Letting go of the past and looking toward the future can sometimes be a really tough thing to do. I know because I've been doing a lot of that recently. As I get older I see how important it is that we keep moving, keep changing, and not let fear or familiarity prevent us from doing something new and exciting. When you've had special times in your life - days, months, even years of happy moments, events, or milestones - you tend to put them up on this pedestal. Some of us like to think fondly upon those times [...]