the muslims :: live at red rocks (photo / click for larger image)

Day one of the Monolith Festival was a rousing success, thanks in large part to the unreal weather and spectacular views at the impossibly picturesque venue. There were bands, too: highlights from yesterday included Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Holy Fuck, JV, Blitzen Trapper, Cut Copy, and White Denim (not necessarily in that order). But the best set from a band I hadn't seen before was delivered by San Diego's the Muslims. The Strokes comparisons kept popping up all day, mostly due to frontman Matt Lamkin's detached, almost bored stage presence, but the band's best, most raucous moments recalled a surf-punk version of the Monks, which is the highest compliment I could pay these dudes. Great band, and I highly recommend picking up their badass bullethole-ridden 12" before it's gone. Here's a Spaceman 3 cover the band played, taken from their upcoming Parasites 7", which I just pre-ordered here:

(mp3 via the finest kiss)

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Today's stacked Monolith lineup includes Justice, TV On The Radio, Sharon Jones, Band of Horses, CSS, Akron/Family, and more. See you there.

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