Last Thursday I was one of the lucky fellows to get to see a show featuring one up and coming pop act, Miniature Tigers, and one very well established pop act, Ben Folds. Mr. Folds put on his usual excellent show of sing-alongs and piano smashing, but I was quite impressed for Miniature Tigers. A few months back I received their debut album, Tell It To The Volcano, in the mail and it completely took me over (check out our review). I was anxious to hear how it would translate live. Lead singer Charlie Brand was smooth and calm as the band took the stage to a packed house and went right to work opening with their single “Cannibal Queen”. They followed that with a lighter rendition of my favortie track off their album “Like or Like Like”. and followed that with an entertaining version of “Dino Damage”. The bad was light hearted and the diverse crowd warmed up to them as their set wore on. The highlight for me was the unveiling of a new high energy song, “Japanese Woman That Lives In My Closet”. Honestly I don’t know how Brand comes up with these songs but their friggin brilliant. The performance was sealed with greatness when they began to play “Tell It The Volcano” and asked if anyone watched the latest episode of Lost. Then Brand pointed out that their T-Shirts for sale featured the Dharma Initiative logo from that fantastic show. Wha? Simon (aka Evilhomer) immediately determined that they were the greatest band ever to make music. Maybe a little over the top, yes? But all’s the same, Miniature Tigers kicked some serious butt last Thursday in Baltimore. If you get a chance, pick up their album, or perhaps try to catch ‘em on this tour with Mr. Folds.
mp3: Miniature Tigers – Tell It To The Volcano
(sorry for the lack of photos – Rams Head Live isn’t a fan of cameras apparently)
Happy Valentine’s Day! If you’re looking for a perfect night out with your perfect mate than look no further that Baltimore’s Talking Head who has The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. Should be magnificent. Other than that I’d suggest motoring up north to Philly where Miniature Tigers and Ben Folds will serenade you and your loved one at the Electric Factory. Or maybe you just want to get down. In that case head over to the Danger Danger Gallery to catch Woodhands. Go romance!
mp3: Woodhands – In The Woods
mp3: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – Teenager In Love
mp3: Miniature Tigers – Hot Venom
mp3: Ben Folds – Army
If you are ready to sing along ’til your hearts content then head on down to Rams Head Live in Baltimore to catch Ben Folds and Miniature Tigers tonight. If you’re looking for a smaller event but still just as solid the Talking Head has one of our favorites Eureka Birds as well as Karmella’s Game, Dead Mechanical, and AV Club. Down in DC the Black Cat has a good one with (The Sounds of) Kaleidoscope and Big Gold Belt. Philly ain’t too shabby either with the French Kicks, Ferraby Lionheart, and Gildon Works at Johnny Brenda’s and Airports., Snakes Say Hiss, Neighborhood Choir, and Anamanaguchi at the M Room. Also don’t forget that Swarthmore College has Titus Andronicus and Los Campesinos!
mp3: Ben Folds – The Ascent Of Stan
mp3: Eureka Birds – The Still Life
mp3: French Kicks – Abandon
mp3: Gildon Works – Wires With Fortune
mp3: Miniature Tigers – Cannibal Queen
mp3: The Sounds of Kaleidoscope – Silver Sk’eyes
Be ready for a catchy pop song overload when this dynamic duo rolls into town. Ben Folds, whom you might have heard of, is pretty amazing live, so if you get a chance go see him on this tour. As an added bonus his opening act is Phoenix’s Miniature Tigers who have just released their debut album, Tell It To The Volcano. If you’ve never heard of them then you’re in for a treat because once their cd enters your stereo, it will be there for a while. Catchy, timeless, well written pop songs in the same vein as….um Ben Folds. Check the dates after the jump (note that they roll through Baltimore’s Rams Head Live on February 12th and Philly’s Electric Factory on February 14th).
mp3: Miniature Tigers – Like or Like Like
mp3: Ben Folds Five – Song For The Dumped
Continue reading ‘Miniature Tigers and Ben Folds On Tour!!’
Arizona born/LA dweller Charlie Brand has me believing (and I’m from Baltimore – the city of BELIEVING) in his band, Miniature Tigers. The debut album, Tell It To The Volcano, is ripe with EXTREMELY catchy and memorable pop songs that had me singing along by the end of the first listen. You could compare Brands lyricism to the likes of Ben Kweller, Ben Folds, or Rivers Cuomo (the younger Rivers of course), but that really doesn’t mean much…the important thing is for all our readers to get this album. Miniature Tigers make my heart and mouth sing, and I’m pretty sure you’ll join along at the chorus.
mp3: Miniature Tigers – Like Or Like Like
mp3: Miniature Tigers – Tell It To The Volcano
bonus mp3: Miniature Tigers – Mamma Mia (Abba Cover)
Buy Miniature Tigers from Amazon
Photo: Heather Hoch
Tonight in Baltimore Rams Head Live has the legendary Built To Spill, Meat Puppets, and The Drones. Down in DC the Rock and Roll Hotel has Throw Me The Statue and The Broken West while DC9 has Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Wild Light. Also in DC is Ben Folds who is playing Constitution Hall. In Philly the Khyber has Mock Orange, Miniature Tigers, and Algernon Cadwallader. The Fire has Bridges & Powerlines, A Zero Complex, and Rita Brega, and finally Johnny Brenda’s has Rachel Yamagata and Kevin Devine.
mp3: Mock Orange – Song In D
mp3: Miniature Tigers – Mamma Mia (Abba Cover)
mp3: Throw Me The Statue – The Old Believer
mp3: The Broken West – Auctioneer
mp3: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Details Of The War
mp3: Bridges & Powerlines – New Mexico
mp3: Wild Light – Red House
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