I know that everybody likes Nada Surf now because they’re indie heartthrobs equally at home soundtracking a scene on The O.C. or spinning out lonely, pretty melodies while you drink wine straight from the bottle at 2am. But I originally liked Nada Surf back in the ’90′s, when they released “Popular.” (For those that don’t remember, there is YouTube.) It seemed like these guys were going to be the next Weezer, but instead they ended up being more critically-respected, if not commercially successful, than that band -- although, to my knowledge, they’ve never collaborated with Lil Wayne. So for the moment I’ll continue to call the advantage Weezer’s, but whatever. Nada Surf is rad too, and this video is proof. It’s for the song “Electrocution,”  originally by Bill Fox, and before you ask me “Wait -- who’s Bill Fox? Why is Nada Surf playing his song,” just hold up and let me look at the press release. OK: This is from guys’ new record if i had a hi-fi, which features Nada Surf exclusively playing other people’s songs. And Bill Fox is “a Cleveland musician.” It all makes a little more sense now, eh? if i had a hi-fi drops June 8, and here’s the video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdzUi4IeMXw

LCD Soundsystem are releasing a new record this year on May 18th called This Is Happening. I have heard this record, and it is my favorite of the year so far. It is seriously batshit crazy good, even better than Sound Of Silver and miles ahead of their self-titled debut. Anyway, I recently got an email hipping me to some “making-of” videos that LCD main-man James Murphy is posting on YouTube. This particular installment finds Murphy crafting “Dance Yrself Clean,” the album’s huge (like Batman-huge) lead track -- a track that contains my hands-down favorite pop moment of 2010 (it’s when the beat drops around the two minute mark [SPOILER!]). The video is notable mostly for giving us a peek inside Murphy’s studio (which features a very prominent American flag and a lot of cool-looking instruments). I also like the part where Murphy “talks about [his] feelings while floating around a fucking pool in Hollywood like an asshole.” Check it below:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N8rBWI9BLI

BONUS: For extra credit, watch the official video for “Drunk Girls,” the album’s rambunctious first single:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdRaf3-OEh4

I hope you’re starting to get excited!

LCD Soundsystem:

• Official Site
• MySpace
• Last.fm

I hate music videos. Honestly, I do. I think they’re dorky, and unless you don’t mind hitting YouTube to mingle with twelve-year olds and mouth-breathers, there’s no good place to see them. But Chicago indie-rockers Welcome To Ashley have released one of the first really good examples of the form that I’ve seen in ages. The “Nothing But Gray Skies” clip steers clear of obviously fake performance footage and overwrought imagery, instead just presenting a simple, goofy storyline with a unique old-timey look. Plus, the song’s a real winner in and of itself: jangly pop with some raw energy, kind of like The Walkmen and Gaslight Anthem meeting at a leather bar and really hitting it off. The band’s recently-released Absent Man EP is currently streaming at their MySpace, and you don’t have anything better to do right now (trust me) than checking it out. But first, peep this shit:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8yJSjfh42E

This video of AssaultBLOG favorites (and all around pop-punk heartthrobs) the Swellers recently surfaced on YouTube; it’s a live performance of “Dirt,” and it obviously pwns. Give it a listen if you’re not already in love with these dudes, and also pick up their excellent new(ish) record Ups & Downsizing. And, if you’re in the Chicago area, catch ‘em opening for Less Than Jake at the Metro tomorrow (11/23/09). Third World Timmy and myself will be there will bells on – just listen for the jangling sound somewhere near the front of the crowd.

Friend of mine sent me this, and I must say it’s been awhile since I’ve been able to enjoy some real heavy death metal, but I sincerely enjoyed this song/video by Dagoba called, “The Things Within”.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbZCZ8Hp9iY

This particular song is off of Dagoba’s, “What Hell Is About” album that they released in 2006. I like the song so much I think I’ll make it my alarm clock.

UPDATE: It appears as though this lovely video has been removed by the Nazis at Viacom. Those fuckers.

Mr. 51% and I were considering running a promo at our live events where we’d give you a shirt half off if you gave us your shitty Ed Hardy shirt that you paid too much for and put on our shirt instead… I’m not a fan of rap generally, but I couldn’t agree more with Dirty Nasty on this one:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgXEHqELT7A

Boomtown Rats - I Don't like Mondays

If you’re anything like me, you don’t like Mondays….or any weekday for that matter.  In honor of this super crappy day, I want to share the following video with you (along with some play by play highlights by yours truly).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yteMugRAc0

This guy REALLY doesn’t like Mondays.  Don’t get me wrong, I feel his pain; however, starting each week off by watching this video helps me feel a little better about myself – and the upcoming week.  Really, anyone who not only spends their time and talent (I use this word loosely) to not only write this song, but also to make a fully produced music video about their hatred of Mondays has some serious issues.  Anywho, its a totally sweet video, and here are some of my favorite parts:

00:06 This intro reminds me of a early ’70′s TV show, a la HR PuffnStuff  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-yLYz6ejqw / Pink Floyd music video  (sweet facial expression shot @ 03:44

01:17 This girl obviously loves Mondays and is disgusted by this song…..

01:43 HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!

01:50 Those dudes scared the hell out of him. WAIT!!!  They did it again. AND AGAIN!!!!!  Will he ever learn?

02:11 Whats happening off screen that we aren’t seeing???

I’m gonna stop my commentary here.  Leave a comment with your favorite part and ENJOY!!!!!!!

A pretty cool summary as to how Mode Chicago came up with the concept for the Obama 08 Campaign

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rADuB2Vzbc

Here at Assault we’re always trying to stay up to date with the music scene, and I thought it was time to share with you my most recent rocker chick lead singer crush. Paramore is by no means small/underground as they’ve been just about everywhere lately, but I’m fairly sure most people don’t know how talented they really are outside of normal studio rock.

I highly recommend downloading some of Paramore‘s music off of iTunes. They’re some of the most talented rockers around right now. (Plus they’re all in and around 20 years old!) Check out a few of their other videos at the links below the video.

Here’s a video of Hayley Williams of Paramore singing “Misery Business” acoustically at 97X in Tampa, Florida.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiR838VOCrA

Paramore Related Links

• Paramore -- Hayley Williams sings Misery Business on acoustic guitar
• Paramore -- Videos of acoustic songs from the album Riot!
• Tim’s email in case Hayley Williams would like to go out sometime

Just got a chance to see the Lakai Fully Flared skate video intro on youtube. It’s about 5 minutes long clip with a badass soundtrack coupled with some awesome pyrotechnic explosions courtesy of Spike Jonze. The video was directed by Ty Evans and features M83 -- “Lower Your Eyelids to Die With the Sun”. It’s a great song that I’m putting on my iTunes as we speak. Check out the vid below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHX8jezNBTk