tomorrow is Daphne Brooks' reading at Cake Shop, NYC. 7pm. As Alf said, be there or be square.

Just saw Progress Plus at the Boho Beer Hall in Queens, a most wonderful experience - sadly there were only about 20 people there, but the band played a full set going from insane post-Bryne funk-synth "Africa" to quasi-industrial backed darkwave "Válka je Vul" (War is a bull). Actually, they sort of sounded like solo-era Steve Winwood, and as a three-piece, carried most of their weight in their intense Korg workstation.

Just listened to Nouvelle Vague's "Love Will Tear Us Apart," (umm, what's the big deal, the season of the coy, half-interesting chanteuse), which makes me want to dig out my red clear vinyl version of that song by the Swans. Heresy, I know, but I actually prefer that version to the original. Michael Gira's blunt, often artless delivery is so sweet and well-timed on that track. Love Will Tear Us Apart is, in fact, the only song that I have entirely heard in a dream, and I was dancing in my dream.

IN OTHER NEWS:

apparently billy joel has gone on a psycho bender.