Ratatat is a dance band. A melodic, guitar-driven, videogame soundtrack dance band, but a dance band all the same. It took a while, but last night at a sweaty sold-out Neumo’s, the New York electro-rockers had asses shaking and all the kids jumping around. On the eve of their third album’s release, multi-instrumentalist Evan Mast and guitarist Mike Stroud (along with some guy and his damn big fro) kicked off their US tour with a smoke machine and tight tracks from new album LP3, along with all the hits from their previous releases. more ›

• Gothamist watched a series of civil disobedience events, protesting the Sean Bell shooting verdict, unfold across the city--over 200 people, including the Reverend Al Sharpton, were arrested. Somewhat related, on behalf of a black freelance reporter for the NY Post, the NYCLU sued the city and NYPD for racial profiling.
• Phillyist took a look at how city employees are bankrupting Philadelphia. Not that they need more cops on the streets there or anything.
• Seattlest wondered what it means when we see shoes flung over power lines.

The unfortunately named Grand Ole Party opened for Rilo Kiley Saturday night to an audience presumably not too familiar with their work. GOP have a strong, simple, raw kind of sound, not unlike White Stripes or Sweet 75, kind of directionless and inert, but impressive and energetic nonetheless. They ended the set with the first song on Humanimals, "Look Out Young Son," which after a couple of listens sounds like the strongest effort on the disc. more ›

Celebrities, they are good looking, rich, and if you believe what you read in US Weekly, are just like us (they check their mail). More and more, however, celebrities are also making our laws. Why vote for Stuffed Shirt McPolicy when you can vote for karate-chopping superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger? People like voting for faces they recognize; our own city council has former Seattle Times columnist Jean Godden and former TV reporter Jim Compton. more ›