[If you missed this caveat last time, the difference between this format and other music items we run is that you cannot solicit your way into the Beat Laboratory. I just pick things I think are great and tell you guys about them. In fact, new rule: anyone who tries to solicit their way in gets barred for life! I'm stern. Stern but fair.
Also worth mentioning - some of the people I mention here are friends of mine, or at the very least acquaintances - the guys in N.N. are my upstairs neighbours at the space my own band rehearses in - but rest assured, I show no favoritism. If I wouldn't throw down 15 bucks for their CD - because I live in 1999, where people still buy CDs - I won't mention it here.]
What you need to know about N.N. before we get started – they play a brand of hard rock and punk that sounds like sort of a cross between Iggy and the Stooges and the Beastie Boys. They’ve had the same lineup for four years, even though during that time there’s been some shuffling (in the early days, Antonio Ponce – now the drummer – started as the lead vocalist). They’re about to release their first EP and are heading to Tokyo for Japan Music Week this fall. And they have very graciously hooked us up with a few songs for you guys to enjoy – but I am having a hell of a time getting them uploaded. I promise I’ll add them as soon as our Internet woes get sorted out.
Update: All fixed!
BUT! I DIGRESS! Another tale worth telling – I didn’t really know the N.N. guys very well before I dropped in to interview them this past Monday. While we were in their rehearsal space, a giant thunderstorm raged outside (you can see the lightning flashing in the window behind them during the video). Once we wrapped up, we discovered the lower level of the building (where my band rehearses) was flooding. And all five of them got soaking wet (alongside some of our other neighbours) helping move everybody’s gear to higher ground.
Studio City Be Floodin'!
So if you would like to HONOUR the HEROES of N.N. and Van Gohst, I suggest you do so by purchasing a ticket to their Friday show at the Starlite Room.
You can pick up a copy of N.N.’s new EP (FYI, every ticket and EP sold helps fund their trip to Japan!) through their MySpace, or message them on Facebook.
