Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make.

This weekend (and Thursday) was a fantastic combination of shows, shopping, bars, and movies. Thursday, I was able to catch Longwave at the Bowery Ballroom. Good set, including songs from both the RCA debut The Strangest Thing and the follow up full length, There's A Fire. Sad to say, the room was half full and definitely lacked any enthusiasm. The band braved on, playing their hearts out. Of course, the crowd reacted best to the more upbeat songs from the first album, including the closer of the night, Everywhere You Turn.

Friday night I had the pleasure of seeing Bauhaus for the very first time. Seeing the forefathers of the Goth rock movement was a huge treat. The venue where they played was not. If you're a touring band and are playing large venues, do yourself a favor and avoid the Nokia Theater in Times Square. One of the worst venues I've ever been to, and remember folks, I'm from New Jersey! Horrible sight lines, even worse sound. The actual venue is confusing to navigate around. Bathroom's impossible to find. The bars are outside the main stage area, and impossible to get to, once you're packed inside. Regardless, Bauhaus destroyed. During their brief career, Bauhaus explored many a different sounds, metal, glam, industrial, post punk and even early electronica , and displayed many of them during their hour and a half set Friday. They played a ton of songs from all their albums, including the hits like, "She's In Parties", "Kick In The Eye", "Passion of Lovers", "Spirit", "Burning From The Inside" and their "Ziggy Stardust" and "Telegram Sam" covers. Daniel Ash contributed vocals on "Slice Of Life" and kicked out the saxophone on "In Fear Of Fear". Of course, people lost their shit for Bela Legosi's Dead. I mean people lost it. Shit, I almost lost it. The lights were great, minimal, mostly black background with spurts of white light, reds and a vertical stream pointing at Peter Murphy. To put it simply, it was an amazing show. I joked with friends on the subway ride down to Lit in the East Village. When said Bela Legosi is Dead, Dead, Dead, Dead. I reminded them, he's not dead. He's the Undead. I'm hoping my friend Jenn snapped some good pictures before they asked her to check in her camera. I'll try to get one up soon.

Laura Cantrell played a great set at the intimate Mo Pitkins in the East Village on Saturday night. A really cool spot to see a show, I'd only been to the bar there once, and didn't even know they did shows there. A wonderful set, playing with another guitar player, upright bass, and a mandolin. Her songs are really pretty and sit somewhere between country and Americana with sweet southern vocals. She sings lots of songs of her own, and some, "captured" as she likes to call it.

Right after that, I went to see Jarhead . Good movie, that explores the other things that happen war and the effects it has on the young soldiers. The loneliness, desperation of those that join the army. Also, really goes into the relationships with those still at home, and how sometimes being away can break up those relationships. Of course, it also goes into the first Gulf War a bit. Jake Gyllenhaal was really good, as a new recruit, sort of learning about life, himself and war. Peter Sarsgaard was great, in that role he always seems to play, as the cynical best friend of sorts. My least favorite character was Jamie Foxx. To me, he just didn't seem right for the part. I couldn't take him seriously enough.

Also managed to finally check out Lords Of Dogtown last nightl. Good movie about the Zboys skate team in the 70's, and a good portrayal of the young stars. Alva, Peralt and Jay Adams, all well played by young actors. Heath Ledger was super annoying as Skip. I enjoyed the excellent storytelling, and in-depth look into the begginings of the skating craze and these pivotal characters and talented skaters. I was really surprised with the actor's skating too. I wonder if they took lessons or just used really good cuts of doubles.