The Zildjian company is the oldest family owned business in the United States, tracing its origin back to Turkey in the year 1623. The company was established in America in Quincy, Mass. in 1929 by Aram Zildjian who perfected the art of cymbal manufacturing. Now after many years of making some of the finest cymbals in the world, company is coming up on its 400th birthday. The 14th generation of the Zildjian continue to operate the famous percussion supplier at their headquarters and factory in Norwell, Massachusetts.

As you will learn below, Zildjian invented most of the modern day drum kit cymbals like the hi-hat, crash, splash  and ride cymbals, and famously supplied drummers like Jazz legends Gene Krupa, Max Roach and Buddy Rich. Zildjian was also used by the immensely talented and crazy technical drummer Neil Peart of Rush for most of his career.

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Drummer is the side project of The Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney and four other drummers from Ohio bands. Seeing how The Black Keys are my most favorite living band and all of these guys are from my middlewest motherland, not writing about them was not an option. If you were wondering who plays drums in drummer? It is not Mr. Carney (he’s on bass), the kit is manned by Greg Boyd of Cincinnati’s Ghostman and Sandman.

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Does it really get more American than Ray Charles Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music? Released in 1962 amid the civil rights struggle, the album blends musical styles and got heavy play on both R&B and Country radio. Think about that, R&B and Country are two very different groups of people. Frank Sinatra called Ray Charles “the only true genius in the business,” and I wouldn’t disagree. In producing the album, Ray Charles became the first black artist to demand and get complete artistic control over his music, which would be no small feat today let alone in 1962. Modern Sounds in Country Western gets a lot of play in my life and spans moods like very few can. If you don’t know it, hear it. If you don’t own it, buy it. If you buy it, you will love it.

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Two more weeks and the wait is over; on September 14th Mr. David Gray drops Draw the Line, his tenth album. Our friends in the UK have already been enjoying David’s first album of new material in nearly four years. The first single “Fugitive” is as expected, top notch. Draw the Line is available for pre-order if you are stateside.

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ACL’s favorite band U.S. Royalty teamed up with some downtown New York director kid named Jake Davis (never heard of him), on one helluva cool video for the group’s anthem (”banger” as my buddy Jeff likes to say) “Every Summer.” In true Jake Davis form, the video captures the raw energy of one of U.S. Royalty’s live performances. The fellas were kind enough to send over the sneak peek, first look, advance link whatever you want to call it. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I love it when good things come together. If you don’t own the record and haven’t seen these guys live you are missing out. Link: U.S. Royalty

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It has been a crazy summer in NYC with it raining seemingly every day. And so, fittingly this past weekend’s All Points West music festival was not spared by mother nature. All of the rain led to some cancellations, and also some seriously smelly mud. My buddy Josh was kind enough to extend an invitation to Sunday’s activities and we rallied at about 4pm, hit the ferry and made our way to beautiful Jersey City, New Jersey.

It felt a little odd to be breaking out my LL Bean boots and wool socks in the summer, but they were just what the doctor ordered to keep my feet dry. Just like Lieutenant Dan says “There is one item of G.I. gear that can be the difference between a live grunt and a dead grunt socks. Cushioned sole, O.D. green. Try and keep your feet dry. When we’re out humpin’, I want you boys to remember to change your socks whenever we stop”

I was lucky enough to get on the Bullet stage for MGMT and The Black Keys sets. The Black Keys never disappoint live (so much damn sound for just two dudes) and I have to say the MGMT performance was really good. Much better than seeing them at Prospect Park a few weeks back. It was crazy awesome to see the crowd going nuts for an encore (see video below).

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LP by Discovery (the side project of Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij and Wes Miles of Ra Ra Riot) is to summer what Bon Iver’s Blood Bank was to winter, on repeat. I thought for sure Passion Pit’s Manners was going to make it all the way through the sunny months, but here we are barely past July 4th and I might have over done it. Discovery is a nice mix of electronic and pop that strikes me enjoyably, especially if I am on a beach or en-route to a beach. In addition to lots of great vocals from Wes, the album features collaborations with Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig and The Dirty Projectors singer Angel Deradoorian. LP by Discovery officially drops tomorrow (July 7th), but is available now at Amie Street (see link and preview tracks below).

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When you listen to the soulful harmonies on the new album from the band Dawes you would guess that the guys were from Alabama, not California. Dawes is one part The Band, one part Eagles with a little country mixed in for good measure. Not a bad list of names to be compared to, if you ask me. When my pals Josh Moore and Jason Ross put the record on the other night, Dawes became an instant classic. The good news is the California quartet is out and about touring with San Diego’s Delta Spirit, check them out if you have a chance. (Note to NYers: Dawes is playing Bowery Ballroom on May 22nd.) Two tracks from Dawes’ self titled album after the jump.

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The Band has been on heavy rotation as of late. Two of my good friends (Mark and Ben) have been listening to them a lot too. In fact, Ben blogged about the Canadian / American group not too long ago. In ‘76 the folk rock ensemble assembled an all star line-up for what was meant to be their final performance together. The concert would become an epic 1978 rockumentary — directed by this guy Martin Scorsese — called The Last Waltz. Some of my favorite performances are below.

The Band — The Weight

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Last night I headed out to Union Hall in Brooklyn to see one of my new favorite bands, U.S. Royalty. The Washington D.C. based group first appeared on my radar after I photographed the lead singer John Thornley at South by Southwest in Austin. Let me start this off by saying that I haven’t been this immediately drawn to a band in a long time — one listen and I was hooked. I wasn’t sure what to expect live, but twenty seconds into the set at Union Hall and the deal was done, these guys are good. John was dancing around, rocking the tambourine and the music flowed like the three dollar domestics. What else could one ask for on a Thursday night. The good news is, U.S. Royalty is doing it all over again tonight at Webster Hall. So you don’t have to take my word for it, go see for yourself. If you aren’t in NYC keep an eye out for these guys — worth the price for admission for sure. Two tracks from the band’s self titled EP and more images after the jump.

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My trip to SXSW had three goals. To see a lot of bands, drink massive quantities of beer and to take pictures of cool shit for Men.Style.com. I think my mission was a success. Judge for yourself and check out the photos here.

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READY
STEADY
GO!

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