Video: KEXP Interviews First Communion Afterparty

After a brief discussion about vegetables, Seattle-based radio tastemakers KEXP interviews nu-gazer/neo-psychedelic collective First Communion Afterparty about the Minneapolis scene (which the band members note has really taken off in the last three years), amongst other topics. The interview was shot at SXSW, and you can watch the video of it at the top of the post.

Up next for the First Communioners is more live activity, including playing the 10th Anniversary show for their label, MPLS Ltd., on April 18th at the Turf Club .

First Communion Afterparty MySpace Page

(Jon Graef)

Vita.MN Announces "Are You Local?" SXSW Send-Off Concert @ First Ave.

Star-Trib entertainment offshoot vita.mn has announced its SXSW sendoff concert called "Are You Local?"*, the purpose of which is to send off local musicians headed to ye ole' South-By-Southwest music conference in Austin, TX.

Judging by the flyer posted above, the line-up is a doozy: Recently Forkcasted dream-pop trio Gospel Gossip, neo-psychedelic collective First Communion Afterparty, synth-dance-pop trio Solid Gold, and Sims of hip-hop nonet Doomtree are but four of all the excellent acts playing this show. Check out the rest of the lineup at the top of the post.

Here are the deets:

"Are You Local?"
March 14th @ First Avenue
$3 advance, $6 at the door

There will also be hot dogs. Check it all out at the top of the post.


*Well, no, not really. But it's cool if I do this, yeah?

Show Announcement: First Communion Housewarming Party

Having just barely snaked onto the Top 77 Albums of 2008, MPLS-based psychedelic collective First Communion Afterparty are probably in the mood to do some celebrating. After all, in addition to apologizing for the vocal capabilities of Mondays, the band has new digs to christen with the mighty power of rock. Also, a birthday! And so, the group is holding a party on Jan. 24th. Email the lads and lasses to get the address.

Tonight: Darker My Love @ 7th Street Entry

First Communion Afterparty Make, Star In Short Film

First Communion Afterparty star in a homemade short film entitled "Le Meurtre et le Merlot", which, if my rudimentary French is correct (and it probably ain't) translates to "The Death of the Merlot". Shot in glorious black and white, and spotted at the band's MySpace Bullentin.

First Communion Afterparty MySpace Page

Flyer: First Communion Afterparty @ Club 416

Show Announcement: First Communion Afterparty @ the Nomad

Show Announcement: Solid Gold, First Communion Afterparty @ Club Jager

Saturday, Sept. 27
6-10pm bands
10pm-2am Attitude City DJs
Solid Gold
First Communion Afterparty
Bella Koshka
Beatrix Jar
$5, includes Summit Octoberfest
@ Club Jager

CD Release Party: First Communion Afterparty

Download: First Communion Afterparty - "The MiniApple"

First Communion Afterparty''s CD release party is an event that we have told you about before, but with a flyer that nice, I think we should tell you again. The psychedelic collective's first full-length record, Sorry For All Mondays, And To Those Who Can't Sing (which follows an EP released on 4/20 of 2006), will be released a week from this Saturday, on July 12th. Opening for the group will be Gospel Gossip, who've got some new material of their own; Fellow psych-soundscapers Flavor Crystals; and DJ Dig Dug.

Show information is on the flyer above. Sorry For All Mondays, And To Those Who Can't Sing is out July 12th.

First Communion Afterparty MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

First Communion Afterparty Announce New Album Info, CD Release Party, New Drummer

Download: First Communion Afterparty - "The Mini-Apple

They say that the only thing that doesn't change is the nature of change itself. With this aphorism in mind, we can't say that we're surprised at the news of a First Communion Afterparty member (drummer Kiernan) exiting from the MPLS-based psychedelia revivalists, what with their extensive history of personnel changes and everything. But based on what's written online, this split sounds more than amicable.

From the band's MySpace Bulletin:

Our drummer Kieran has left FCAP to consentrate on Strange Lights (who if you havent heard yet then do so) and we are happy to announce that Justin of Huge Rat Attacks (who also if you havent heard yet then do so) has joined FCAP in his place. We are now working on material for the new new full length to be released in early winter. Our new album "sorry for all Mondays, and to those who cant sing" will be out on July 12th 2008 and an album party will be bringing down the house at the 7th Street Entry that night ...18+ btw. Other than that we are going on hiatus for a month or so to write more music and iron out the kinks with our new line up.

That's a lot of bands to check out! Sorry For All Mondays, And To Those Who Can't Sing has to be one of the better non-sequitur album titles out there. Although I'm sure Liars will come up with something quite memorable for their next record, unless they decide to title all of their future release eponymously.

As far as a label for distribution is concerned, the Afterparty hasn't named any names. However, given their history of freely giving away songs on their MySpace Page, we would be none too surprised if the band kicked it Radiohead style. Obviously, that's speculation. As soon as we have the facts, we'll vote yes, we'll let you know what's up. Ditto for any new songs.

If the band sounds as good as they do on these remastered recordings of their demos, or live in Wisconsin, then Mondays should be a very promising record indeed. At the top of the post, you can check out the *potential* cover art for the album, designed by head Party member Liam Watkins.

Sorry For All Mondays, And To Those Who Can't Sing is out July 12th.

First Communion Afterparty MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Video: First Communion Afterparty - "Green Turns To Gold" (Live in Lacrosse, WI)

Download: First Communion Afterparty - "It Goes To You"

MPLS-based psychedelic revivalists First Communion Afterparty have posted two new live videos from their March 29th performance at the Bluffland Bloom and Brew in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, a place you better know as the hometown of one Bon Iver. Unlike the king of bedroom sad, FCAP specialize in the kind of mind-blowing, trans-inducing musical transubstantiation that causes many a jaw to drop. Check out the band in their element by watching the group play "Green Turns To Gold" at the top of the post.

Watch the video for "Cross Me", here

First Communion Afterparty MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

First Communion Afterparty Post New Songs on MySpace

(pic via MinnPost)

Download: First Communion Afterparty - "It Goes To You"
Download: First Communion Afterparty - "The Mini Apple"

Before they head out to perform what will surely be a rockin', life-changing set for the festival-goers at SXSW, Minneapolis psych-rockers-cum-neo-hippies First Communion Afterparty have posted four new demos on their MySpace page--those being "Green Turns To Gold", "It Goes To You", "Lyra", "Muse" and "Like A Fire". That's a lot of music, for sure, but if all goes well for the band--as well as any other MPLS/St. Paul group who travels down to Austin--curiosity about their music will surely be piqued. Gotta hit them with their best shot, no?

As for the tracks themselves, "Green Turns To Gold" has a little bit of a Jefferson Airplane-covering-Norwegian-Wood feel to it, with a chanty lead vocal and a sitar being prominently featured. There's also a nicely kaleidoscopic jam at the end; Meanwhile, "It Goes To You" should please fans of The Brian Jonestown Massacre (a small note: I have to question how "new" this song is, seeing how I found a demo of it on FCAP's old website); "Lyra" starts off with a sitar and keyboard fueled intro before trailing off into more atmospheric and textural territory. "Muse" is the kind of song which would have fit in nicely on the Easy Rider soundtrack between "The Weight" and "Don't Bogart Me"; And finally, "Like A Fire" (the best of the bunch, IMO) neatly uses abrupt transitions to create a sense of psychedelic euphoria and confusion. It's also the most potential for being a straight-out sing-along classic.

Stream all of the songs at the band's MySpace Page, linked below.

First Communion Afterparty MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Tonight: Daughters Of The Sun, Magic Castles, First Communion Afterparty At The Turf Club

Daughters Of The Sun

Download: First Communion Afterparty - "Bait Upon The Drum"
Download: Daughters Of The Sun - "Follow Smoke"

Should you decide to go out this evening, you could do a lot worse than see three of Minneapolis' most psychedelic bands in one place. Tonight at the Turf Club, First Communion Afterparty, Daughters Of The Sun and Magic Castles all share one bill. The show is 21+ and doors are at nine.

Daughters Of The Sun are still riding local buzz from its self-released album Visions Of The Oceans Head, while First Communion Afterparty have been lumped in with groups like Gospel Gossip and Mouthful Of Bees who play "refreshingly ageless rock music". Magic Castles are in the same neo-psychedelic vein as the aforementioned groups.

Listen to MP3s at the top of the post. For Magic Castles, head to the band's MySpace page.

First Communion Afterparty MySpace Page
Magic Castles MySpace Page
Daughters Of The Sun MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Tonight: First Communion Afterparty At The 7th Street Entry

Download: First Communion Afterparty - "The Mini Apple"
Download: First Communion Afterparty - "The Ebb"
Download: First Communion Afterparty - "Twenty Five"
Download: Tremble And Shake - "King Cobra"
Download: Cortez The Killer - "Brian Jones Haircut"


First Communion Afterparty, Minneapolis' young answer to The Brian Jonestown Massacre, are playing a show tonight at the 7th Street Entry. Doors are at 8 p.m. for a 21+ show that will set you back 8 bucks. The gig tonight is one of only three that the band has planed for January, but the spring should be much busier for FCAP. In March, the group will be appearing at South By Southwest, as well as the SMU Music Industry Show later in the month. So catch them now before they make every party a First Communion Afterparty!

Also playing are International Espionage, Tremble And Shake, and Cortez The Killer. Listen to MP3s of all the bands at the top of the post.

Buy tickets here.

First Communion Afterparty MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

April 28 at the Organ House

On Saturday, First Communion Afterparty, Mute Era, Gay Beast, Reverse Church and Teen Eagle all played at the Organ House in Minneapolis. I've been feeling lame all week having missed this show. So, in hopes of rebuilding this beautiful experience, here is a wonderful picture, a few mp3s, and links to the band's respective MySpace pages:

First Communion Afterparty
Gay Beast - Download: Gay Beast - "id politic"
Mute Era
Teen Eagle

(Ian Anderson)