…From The Stage A South Carolina-based quartet led by Michael Flynn, winner of a John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship, Slow Runner has shared the stage with a number of noteworthy artists, including Built To Spill, Jump Little Children (specifically JLC’s farewell hometown performance), and The Lemonheads.  Opening for Evan Dando and crew at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom, Slow Runner was the first of three on the bill, mostly showcasing selections from its debut full-length, “No Disassemble.”  Although its set was short, with first single “Break Your Mama’s Back” already gaining some exposure from the network TV show “Grey’s Anatomy,” it’s obvious that the group is on its way to bigger and better things.  Check out slowrunnermusic.com for more info… A few weeks later at the Bowery, Celebration played second of third; as slotted between TV On The Radio’s Kyp Malone and co-headliners The Double.  Recent signees to 4AD – a record label that has also brought you noteworthy titles from The Pixies, The Cocteau Twins, and Blonde Redhead – Celebration is a three-piece that transcends genres and expected song structures.

Since Moving In Stereo: Volume 21 hit browsers, shelves, and tables around the world, a lot of worthwhile and attention-worthy releases have reached the office CD player, including: Jenny Lewis w/ The Watson Twins Rabbit Fur Coat (Team Love)   Parry Gripp For Those About To Shop, We Salute You (Oglio)   The LeeVees Hanukkah Rocks (Reprise / JDub)   Wheatus Too Soon Monsoon (Montauk Mantis)   Classic Case Dress To Depress (Fiddler)

Pablo Francisco may be primarily known for his regular TV appearances (“Mad TV,” “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” “Family Guy”), but fans of stand-up comedy ought to be familiar with the comic through his 15-or-so years on the road.  In fact, he was a nominee for Comedian Of The Year by the American Comedy Awards a few years back.  Playing to a capacity crowd at Manhattan’s Gotham Comedy Club alongside Vic Henley and Jessica Kirson – the first of the evening’s three shows – Francisco’s set may have closed with the expected “Little Tortilla Boy” movie trailer (as featured on his “Comedy Central Presents” special), but it was otherwise fresh and heavy on improvisation.  A master impressionist, he lampooned everyone from Gary Busey and Arnold Schwarzenegger to Chris Rock and Aaron Neville.  However, impressions like those were in the midst of character-oriented bits that offered commentary on dating, karaoke, unwritten law between roommates, and observed habits of specific ethnicities.  Pablo Francisco is not your everyday by-the-books comic, not only because of his ability to utilize unbelievably-accurate sound effects to tell stories, but because you want him to stay on-stage even after he’s been up there for 45 minutes.  Do yourself a well-deserved favor and see his show when he comes to your town; tour dates and more can be found at pablofrancisco.com.

…From The Screen

Tom Snyder may not have be thought of as a cutting-edge sort of television personality, but his talk shows in the 1970’s and early 1980’s featured many of punk and new wave’s early legends.  A two-disc DVD set from Shout Factory, “The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave” brings you eight episodes of performances and interviews, including Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Iggy Pop, The Ramones, and The Jam.  Yes, the infamous argument / interview with Johnny Rotten is included within the five hours of content.  A full tracklisting and trailer can be viewed at shoutfactory.com…

One of the more creative DVD titles I’ve encountered in some time, “Starter Set” is a Kill Rock Stars-released disc showcasing the modern dance of troupe members from the Leg & Pants Dans Theatre, Hysteria Dance Co., and 4 Hard Gulps Theater Company, and combining such with new music from players of bands like Liars, Vaz, and Young People.  The end result is a series of lip-synch-free music videos that fall somewhere between ballet, punk rock, and art-school.  Daring to change how regular show-goers feel about modern dance, touring will be done in support of “Starter Set,” including dates in rock shows across the Northeast with Deerhoof and L’ocelle Mare.  Although Volume 2 of “Starter Set” is not yet in pre-production, those looking to find out more about this unique series should visit the MySpace page…

Based on the popular series from The Cartoon Network – in fact, the channel’s number one series amongst boys in the two-to-eleven age range – “Ed, Edd N Eddy: The Mis-Edventures” is a videogame for the PC, Playstation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, and Gamecube platforms.  Entertaining through its colorful and interactive usage of the show’s three Ed’s, yet educational through its incorporation of puzzle-solving, the game is ideal for a young relative; or perhaps even the kid in you.  “The Mis-Edventures” can be samples with a visit to midwaycartoon.com.

If you have news to report for the next edition of Moving In Stereo, press releases
and all other correspondence should be sent to darren.paltrowitz@gmail.com.

© 2005 – Column used with permission from Darren Paltrowitz. All right reserved.

MIS Volume 22 Contest Giveaways The following albums will be given away to readers of Moving In Stereo: The Aquabats CHARGE! (Nitro) Offcutts Offcuts (Rubber) Swims Ride of the Blueberry Winter (Prison Jazz) Three winners, one CD per person, will be selected at random.

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