Guided By Voices announced a last minute show at Maxwells the day before their sold out New Years Eve performance at Irving Plaza. The “classic lineup” was in perfect form playing somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 songs (writing out their set lists must be a bitch). Bob Pollard pulled off his signature high kicks throughout the night even after polishing off a bottle of Tequila and a large portion of Bud Lights that were in a ice-filled trough behind Mitch Mitchell, who apparently does not breathe oxygen, only cigarette smoke. Check out the photos below.

Doug Gillard opened up for his former band Guided By Voices at their intimate pre-New Years Eve show at Maxwells in Hoboken New Jersey. Doug played a mix of tracks spanning his solo career and tracks from Gem and Lifeguards. Check out some photos below.

Liz Phair played a fan pleasing set of mostly older jams like “6’1″, “Extraordinary” and “Supernova” to a sold out crowd at Maxwell’s. Liz was in good spirits joking with the crowd in between songs and the band sounded tight. Opening the show was Kate Sikora who showcased her sweet voice with a 4 piece backing band playing songs from her album Grace In Rotation as well as her new EP Aparto. Check out photos of both below.

Mp3: Liz Phair - 6 1'


Mp3: Kate Sikora - Cocoon

Kate Sikora

Liz Phair

Kate Sikora makes indie-pop music on par with the likes of Jenny Lewis and Neko Case. Her new 6 song EP Aparto is out this week on cassette with digital download via Phantom Signals and we definitely recommend it. Check out the mp3 below or stream the album. Check out Kate opening for Liz Phair on 12/12 at Maxwell’s in Hoboken.

Buy the album.

Greg Cartwright (or Greg Oblivion if you prefer) currently of Reigning Sound and Coco Hames of the Ettes released a record under the moniker The Parting Gifts called Strychnine Dandelions on In The Red in November. The band is coming around the area with shows at Maxwells in Hoboken on 12/2 and Union Pool in Brooklyn on 12/3. As to be expected this is a straight up rock and roll jam.

After playing ATP this past weekend, Fucked Up came down to Jersey to play Maxwell’s. As per usual they slayed and lead singer Damian Abraham found all sorts of ways to entertain the crowd. He climbed the bar, stuck empty cups of root beer on his head and even struck what he referred to as his best Morrissey pose (pictured below). Read on for a ton of photos.

Cloud Nothings were the sole opener for Fucked Up’s show at Maxwell’s. The band played a real energetic set of garagey-pop-rock with a great drummer who beat the shit out of the kit throughout the whole set. Read on for more photos.

Future of the Left simultaneously sound heavy, dancy and evil. The band’s played an intense set at Maxwell’s as one of the first shows on their current US tour in support of their fantastic new record Travels With Myself And Another. On most tracks the band played 4 string guitars (E-D-G-E strings) which explains the unique guitar tones they have on the record.

The band went on many rants throughout the including topics such as the death of Michael Jackson and educating Americans with the correction pronunciation of the word twat. They also dedicated the song “You Need Satan More Than He Needs You” to the “fuck-twats” in Trivium. Click next for more photos.

Screaming Females are a super talented rock band from New Brunswick with a lot going on soon which includes opening up for bands like Dinosaur Jr and The Dead Weather. The front woman has amazing guitar chops, a great voice and she puts on a really captivating performance. You can check out an mp3 for their song “Bell” at Don Giovanni Records. A few more photos after the jump.

Photos of Coliseum slaying Maxwell’s in Hoboken when they opened up for Baroness.