When 9/11 hit, Jonah Ray was attending community college, but the catastrophe of that one September day made him drop out, move to LA, and pursue a career in comedy. Since then, he's become a fixture of the Los Angeles's alt comedy scene, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, written for the Andy Milonakis Show, played the role of Clancy Mole Man on Adult Swim's Saul of the Molemen, and......

Thousands of people line McCarren Pool on Sundays, standing in place of where water used to be. This summer JellyNYC's Sunday Pool Parties are continuing, in what has become an instant summer tradition. We headed over there for the first time this season on Sunday to see Man Man, Illinois, Dengue Fever and enjoy some ice cream. We chatted with some of the folks involved, too. Check it out. And be sure to check......

It's a big outdoor weekend, so good thing there are 51 outdoor pools opening up for the season around the city today (here's a "best of" list). If you prefer to stay dry, here are some options... EVENT: The Afro Punk series begins at BAMcafé tonight. The series kicks off with a spotlight on the Black Panthers, including "an Opening Night discussion with Black Panther co-Founder Bobby Seale, Gloria Rolando’s Eyes of the Rainbow (1997),......

Spankrock, Ghostface WTF the Highline We've never handed our tickets to the door guy at a show before and been asked if we wanted to get a table and buy a bottle. But this, I suppose, is what you get when you go see a show on 16th street and 10th ave. Our experience at the new High Line Ballroom felt as if we were living the opening scene of a Law and Order episode,......

Photo by Heart on a Stick O'Death came to our attention because of, what else, blogs. The band brings us an eclectic brand of americana folk. Their often haunting songs seem to channel bands like Man Man, yet with a big more of a bluegrass feel. Their album, Head Home, was released this year - and we liked what we heard so much we booked them at our Movable Hype show, which is tonight......

O'death is: Greg Jamie, Gabe Darling, David Rogers-Berry, Bob Pycior, Captain Newman M.D., Dan Sager and Euphonium. This is a band that, when listing the instruments each member plays on their MySpace page, states the drummer also plays "whoopin it up." That might give you a clue what to expect. This is not your typical New York band. Not your typical 21st century band, in fact. They keep it real old school. Like, depression......

Siren is always a half-empty/half-full type situation. On one hand, you're getting top tier indie bands playing in New York City for free. On the other, you know going into it the sound will be lousy, the crowds unbearable and the heat incapacitating. Depending on how you play your expectations, it can be a great day or a miserable one. This was my 4th Siren, and while always prepared for the worst, it turned out......

Tis the season for hibernating and canceling plans 'cause it's too cold to go out. Here's what could, possibly, maybe get us out from under the covers this week: Things admittedly start off kinda slow. We might recommend Koufax at the Knitting Factory, but we're not really into their piano- and synth-driven pop so much. Our ex-roommate swears by them, however. Tuesday boasts an interesting non-show at Mo Pitkin's: Author Simon Reynolds hosts a panel......

On Presidents' Day, we are going to exercise our executive power to tell you what shows to go see. Here's our vision of the state of the rock 'n' roll union this week: Tonight Gothamist will be at the Mercury Lounge, grooving to Australian band Wolfmother's heavy, heady mix of Queens of the Stone Age psychedelia and White Stripes rawk. They're pictured at left in all their wolfy glory. Garage rockers Black Lips open. Tuesday......

We were really knocked out by Mazarin at Pianos last week. Very fun band. One can only hope that this week holds such surprise awesomeness. Some potential candidates: Party-pop masters Ok Go (at left) made a hilarious choreographed dance video in their backyard that captures the energy and fun of their live show. Plus, ladies may just fall in love with frontman Damian Kulash's gigantic Mick Jagger lips. With dance punks Controller.Controller and spirited psychedelic......

The Reputation’s lead singer Elizabeth Elmore is one of those amazing people who can not only boast a law degree and a fabulous indie rock band, but can probably outdrink you and outtalk you. She’s a smartypants wordsmith who references Sinclair Lewis’s Elmer Gantry and called a song on her latest album "Cartography," but knows when it’s time to simply rock out. She started off in the indie rock band Sarge, then moved on to......