For almost two decades now indie-popsters The Dandy Warhols have been making genre-bending music for the masses. They've gone from a big music label [Capitol], over-produced music videos directed by slick and controversial directors like David LaChapelle and then back to their indie Portland roots releasing material on their own record label, Beat the World Records. In the process they've transformed from all-night partying, carousing with the celebrities, playing shows in the buff to mom's and dad's that have a mortgage to pay. In the process the Dandy's have become a staple of indie-pop-dom. We took some time to talk to their jack of all trades musician Zia McCabe about life during their rise to fame and what has led them to join the legions of the DIY music scene. more ›

Jay Reatard at The Empty Bottle more ›

Yup, here it is, the inevitable "Best of 2008" music list (a later post centering on the top local offerings is forthcoming). In order to spare our readers the pain of reading through yet another list that tries too hard to impress with obscure releases or toe the party line on Stereogum / Pitchfork approved artists, we continue our personal decade-plus tradition of merely listing what we actually liked in 2008. That means that the albums below are the one we kept finding ourselves turning to when we wanted to kick back and enjoy some tunes. Sure, there was more artistically challenging stuff released this year than some of the selections below -- and we certainly do appreciate that sort of thing -- but our year end list reflects which music ultimately did for us what we think rock and/or roll is ultimately meant to do to any listener: it grabbed us by the heart and/or crotch and wouldn't let go. more ›

Last Friday's show was easily the best we've ever seen The Dandy Warhols play. In the past their shows could be incredibly self-indulgent, but that vibe was completely absent Friday night. The whole band seemed honestly appreciative to be performing in front of a sold-out crowd and all four members were obviously enjoying themselves. Even the usually stand-offish frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor was downright chatty with the crowd. Maybe now that they're on their own, and completely free of Major Label-land, they no longer feel like serfs being sent out to perform their master's bidding, and instead are honestly happy to be in front of their fans. more ›

It's utterly appropriate that Darker My Love is opening for The Dandy Warhols at The Vic tonight. Both bands share a love for all thing psychedelic and '60s, and both groups are handy at transforming drone into hooks. Darker My Love isn't as experimental as The Dandys, and they tend to stick within a single genre of music, but we don't mind that at all since it plays to their strengths. more ›

Add The Dandy Warhols to the ever growing list of established bands adopting inventive new routes for getting their music out to the people. The band has released it newest album, ...Earth To The Dandy Warhols..., under an innovative subscription model for folks that want the album before the physical discs hit the streets. For $34.99 subscribers get a digital copy now, a physical copy in the mail accompanied by a hand silk-screened poster, one year's access to all singles and b-sides the band puts out, and a few other perks like access to pre-sale concert tickets. more ›