Obviously lookin good at the Revue

THANKS to Tris McCall for delivering this thoughtful review of HIGGINS’ Straight A’s for the NJ Star-Ledger:

Straight A’s
Higgins
(Serious Business)

Those familiar with the High Llamas will know what I mean when I say that “Straight A’s,” the new disc by Higgins, is to “Zs,” their last, as “Hawaii” is to “Gideon Gaye.” Kevin Fish, Higgins’ principal songwriter, will: He shares with the High Llamas an appreciation of the impressionistic side of the Beach Boys and the impish, provocative side of the Grateful Dead. “Straight A’s” lacks the splashy instrumental rave-ups that made “Zs” so much fun. But by sticking to Higgins’ true strength — subtly magnificent pop melodies, Beatlesque vocal harmonies and graceful arrangements that scream of perfectionism but never sound less than relaxed — the band has topped itself. Every detail is framed for maximum impact: the thumping piano on “Satch Lab,” the portamento synthesizers and fuzz guitar on “Easy Thing,” twinkling music-hall spinet and rich strings on “T and T,” rattling percussion and slow-decaying snare hits by imaginative drummer Brian Kantor on “Never Here.” The productions are grand, but quietly grand; Higgins lets the band’s craftsmanship speak for itself. If you’re the sort of listener who pays attention to detail — and has the patience to let an album unfold at its own pace — Higgins may be the group for you.

— Tris McCall

thanks for the kind words about benji’s “nights on broadway” (bee-gees cover)

bolachasgratis:

Is there a better reason to post about longtime favorite Benji Cossa than the release of a perfect Bee Gees cover song? Don’t think so.

DSS

benji cossa sings THE BEE GEES’ “Nights on Broadway” at the first rehearsals for the serious business rock and roll revue III:NYC. spooky groovin verszh

BENJI COSSA: Annie Delia.

This song is part of Benji’s forthcoming double album II. We recorded this a pretty long time ago now. It still rocks.
Love Benji Cossa the King of Song here:

WHERE ARE YOU? by the Unsacred Hearts

I hope you’re right, I shut the light, I hit the street, and the city is bright
With runaways and throwaways and Lady Days dying day and night
With safe bets and cigarettes and silly bands hauling gear to stage
And silhouettes and jet sets and dirty hands clenched in fists of rage

Where are you? Are you watching TV?
Are you doing drugs? Are you looking for me?
Where are you? Where are you?

It’s like a thrill from the still of a film that you used to love
It’s like a scene from a dream on the marquee sign above
A little king, a diamond ring, a pretty thing when you’re feeling bad
It’s kinda true, it’s kinda sad, because it makes you miss the things you had

fuck yeah @arossexperience

geekspeak1337:

Secret Dakota Ring is the solo project of Andy Ross (OK Go guitarist/keyboard…ist?). ‘Cantarell’ is his second album and it was released in 2008. I’ve just discovered it after watching the video for the album’s first single, ‘The Fade To Black’, on YouTube. It’s quite a bit different from the…

Travis Harrison and Brian Kantor double drumming at the last Serious Business Rock and Roll Revue. (thanks Pascal for the photo!)

HOT PIXX from the Serious Business Rock and Roll Revue at Littlefield on Saturday Night.

HUGE THANKS to Bryan for these fantastic shots.

Here’s the SetList we rocked…

SET1

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Ampeater has delivered another exquisitely written review of some Serious Business. This time up on the golden pedestal is Josh Kaufman’s ROCKETSHIP PARK. This year’s Cakes and Cookies has quietly become a favorite for most of those who’ve come in contact with it’s sweet, melty core. Read here and download the digital 7” combo of “Swan” (“a small masterpiece”) and “See You,”  (“Kaufman delights!”) two highlights from the record.

DOWNLOAD…

SBR44_ROCKETSHIP PARK: Cakes and Cookies
buy 7” vinyl+CD+cookie

THE UNSACRED HEARTS: THE HONOR BAR

@syffaltweets

Our pal Tim at Syffal shouts out tonight’s REVUE at the Rock Shop.

Our friends at Serious Business Records are bringing their unique and delicious brand of music to the Rock Shop in Brooklyn, NY - TONIGHT!

Come see SYFFAL friends Rocketship Park and Higgins, along with Benji Cossa and The Unsacred Hearts who strangers that SYFFAL finds both dangerous and erotic.

You can read up more at Facebook

And you can get tickets here

COME OUT TONIGHT AND HELP US SELL THE BITCH OUT.

LIFEGUARDS co-mastermind Doug Gillard…

seriousbusinessmusic:

DOUG GILLARD - Serious Business on BTR 047

full 70+ minute podcast with complete performances & chat plus my favorite Doug songs and solos.

Higgins main-man Kevin Fish sent out this message to his closest pals yesterday.

Dearest Friends,

As you may know, Higgins has completed its 4th full length album entitled Straight A’s.  In order to give this record a chance to enter the physical world we are trying to raise a few bucks by selling a few digital singles. Available here  http://seriousbusinessrecords.com/releases/show/68-Do-You-Still  is the first attempt at this.  This song was written by me (KP) and recorded at home with BK in the grand old Higgins tradition.  It was then completed at Serious Business Studios in Manhattan with Josh Kaufman on Lap Steel and Travis Harrison on the Mix. The Artwork was put together by Kara Smith and Brian Kantor.  Have a listen and if it pleases you as it pleases us…  Have it.

HIGGINS - Do You Still by seriousbusiness

Our second attempt will be out on October 25th and it features not one but two new recordings!  http://www.seriousbusinessrecords.com/releases/show/72-Slap-or-Pinch-I-Wonder-What-Dudes-Are-Doing
This one boasts my favorite cover to date, picked out of the Village Voice by Billy Filo and fine tuned by Kara and Brian to suit the needs of Higgins.  Both songs are very special to me and “I Wonder What Dudes Are Doing” is one of the rare crop of songs that came out of the band “The Banged Up” which was a collaboration between me and the Lyrical and Musical Genius of Billy Filo!  It was an Impromptu version that we did in a live session at Serious Business Studios.  One of the few songs I’ve ever heard that truly captures a man’s love and appreciation of his dude’s. 

Also,  Higgins will be part of the first ever Serious Business Records Revue!  My favorite people in the music world will all be there and share in a great night of celebrating the music we have been making and covers of the stuff that has inspired us over the years.  Benji Cossa, Rocketship Park, The Unsacred Hearts along with us Higgins.  This will be on October 28th at the Rock Shop in Brooklyn.  Check it Here  http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/69167?__utma=1.2145050613.1318271212.1318271212.1318271212.1&__utmb=1.1.10.1318271212&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1318271212.1.1.utmcsr=seriousbusinessrecords.com|utmccn=%28referral%29|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/venues/show/462&__utmv=-&__utmk=160573117


Come out and celebrate with us, it is sure to be a blast!  Be well.
Love,
KP