Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
2010-2011 "Congratulations (2010)" - Writing, Realeases, Charts, Song Listings, Ranks, Performances, Tours, Cover Art
Congratulations is the
second major label studio album released on April 13, 2010. The band, including
Matthew Asti, James Richardson, and Will Berman from the live band. The album
is a departure from the synthpop style that first brought the band acclaim on
their major label debut, Oracular Spectacular, and features a more progressive,
guitar-driven sound. There were 66,000 copies of the album sold in its first
week of release in the UK, making it the best sales week ever for the group. In
the 18 months since, however, the album has only sold another 11,000 copies (in
the UK).
They began writing the
tracks in early 2009 in a "small cabin in the woods" in upstate New
York. They eventually headed to a Malibu studio to work on the album with
producer Pete Kember. VanWyngarden has stated that the album is influenced by the
band's massive rise in popularity since Oracular Spectacular's release. "It's
us trying to deal with all the craziness that's been going on since our last
album took off. Sometimes it just doesn't feel natural."
On January 12, 2010,
Andrew Van Wyngarden declared the album finished in an interview on the Spin
Magazine website, saying: "It's mixed and mastered, and now we're just
working on presenting it to the world"
On January 18, they
stated that they would prefer not to release any singles from the album. In an
interview with NME, they explained their reasoning behind it—that it's meant to
be a complete body of songs rather than an album with standout singles. "We'd
rather people hear the whole album as an album and see what tracks jump out
rather than the ones that get played on the radio – if anything gets played on
the radio!" Goldwasser explained. He added: "There definitely
isn't a 'Time to Pretend' or a 'Kids' on the album. We've been talking about
ways to make sure people hear the album as an album in order and not just
figure out what are the best three tracks, download those and not listen to the
rest of it. They were also
nominated for (Best album artwork) at the NME Awards 2011
On February 5, 2010, a
countdown clock appeared on the band's website alongside a short still of a
beach. The clock would eventually count down to 12:00 AM (EST) the morning of
April 13, 2010, hinting the new album would be released on that day.
On March 20, 2010, the
band made the album available for streaming on their official website. They
also stated that they "wanted to offer it as a free download but that
didn't make sense to anyone but [them]."
Charts (2010) Peak Position
Australian Albums Chart 9
Canadian Albums Chart 4
Danish Albums Chart 19
French Albums Chart 7
Irish Albums Chart 5
UK Albums Chart 4
US Billboard 200 2
Scottish Albums Chart 6
Track Listings:
All lyrics written by
Andrew VanWyngarden, all music composed by Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben
Goldwasser.
No. Title Length
1. "It's Working" 4:06
2. "Song for Dan Treacy" 4:09
3. "Someone's Missing" 2:29
4. "Flash Delirium" 4:15
5. "I Found a Whistle" 3:40
6. "Siberian Breaks" 12:09
7. "Brian Eno" 4:31
8. "Lady Dada's Nightmare" 4:31
9. "Congratulations" 3:55
Total length: 43:53
The album was released
onto iTunes with an additional track for those who pre-ordered the release
digitally. The bonus track "Inbetween the Liners" consists of an
instrumental outtake from the Congratulations sessions, with producer Peter
Kember reading the album's liner notes out loud.
Andrew VanWyngarden has
stated that "Siberian Breaks" is his favorite track of the album.
The cover art is done by
Anthony Ausgang, known for his kitschy Lowbrow art style, his favorite song of
the album being "Song for Dan Treacy".
On March 15, 2011 they
released an EP of remixes of three songs from the album
("Congratulations", "Siberian Breaks" and "Brian
Eno") entitled Congratulations Remixes.
The album received
mostly positive reviews upon its release, and a 72/100 metascore at Metacritic,
based upon 39 reviews. Pitchfork Media deemed the album "Audacious,
ambitious, and a little fried." NME got a first listen of the album
and described it as a mix of "Frenetic, brief psych nuggets...
echo-drenched mini epic tendencies" and some "classic MGMT". As
previously indicated by its creators, the review went on to say the album
contained nothing in the way of "Kids-esque pop singles," adding
that "It instead delves deeper into the sprawling, psychedelic sounds
that characterized the second half of Oracular Spectacular." The
article mentioned that "Flash Delirium" was being considered as a
taster for the album, which the band had stated would not have any singles
released from it in order to solidify it existing as a single body of work. It
should be noted here that over the course of 2010, the band did eventually
release several singles and EPs with songs from the album. MGMT have described
the album as "A collection of nine individual musical tours de force
sequenced to flow with sonic and thematic coherence." Writer Shelby
Powell noted the group's homage to British rock musicians Dan Treacy of Television
Personalities singer and song writer. And Brian Eno, (Inspired by the English
musician, Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno) complete
with faux accents in MGMT's delivery on a few songs. Eno, described the work as
"Very flattering", and added: "I appreciate the way
they managed to make the song both fond and tongue in cheek at the same
time." Also apparent on the album was the group's discomfort with
their newfound mass acceptance, citing "The cryptic lyrics bemoan the
façade of the pair's new superspectacular poplife." What's more, The
Boston Globe noted that "Perhaps most telling is the title track, which
closes the album on an introspective note. A relatively straightforward coda,
the song ends with a gesture the album rightly deserves: the sound of
applause."
Rolling Stone (pp.63-64)
- 3 stars out of 5 -- "The album testifies to MGMT's restlessness as
songwriters and human beings....The set closes with the title track, a spangled
folk rocker about the weight of success..."
Entertainment Weekly
(p.70) - "This odd little sonic onion ultimately rewards those patient
enough to peel the layers." -- Grade: B
Billboard (p.32) -
"The album blends psychedelia with elements of post-punk, surf rock and
even folk. The track 'Someone's Missing' begins sparsely with soft guitars and
sitar-like effects that echo the falsetto vocals before swelling into an
easygoing funk jam."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.96)
- 5 stars out of 5 -- "The album explodes with the colour of British
psychedelia and bulges at the seams with irresistible melodies....A weird,
wonderful, complete work..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.57)
- Ranked #3 in Mojo's "The 50 Best Albums Of 2010" -- "CONGRATULATIONS
was elegant, tuneful and mind-blowing..."
Paste (magazine) (p.89)
- "In between enlightened ramblings, the band interjects a refrain that
bursts forth brighter than a July sun and cues up psychedelic moments that wash
ashore like the calmest of waves."
Uncut (magazine) (p.87)
- 4 stars out of 5 -- "This is a willful and lovably eccentric second
album from a band who've decided they'd had a sniff of being pop stars and
decided they'd much rather be weird and esoteric, thanks all the same."
MGMT started their
Congratulations Tour on April 12, 2010, in San Francisco, California, at The
Fillmore. They performed on April 23 at Brown University's Spring Weekend; on
April 27 at Yale University's Spring Fling; on April 30 at the University of
New Hampshire's Spring Climax; and on May 1 at Fordham University's Spring
Weekend.
They performed on Saturday
Night Live on April 24, 2010, and on the Late Show With David Letterman on May
11 to promote their new album, and on June 11, MGMT played their largest
headlining show anywhere in the world with a sold-out, 9,500 capacity gig at
the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. On June 25, MGMT performed on
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and on July 23, they were the musical guests on
the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
On March 9, 2010, the
band released the song "Flash Delirium" as a free download. The video
premiered on MGMT's website on March 30, 2010.
The video for "It's
Working" premiered on June 15, 2010 on their website.
On August 25, 2010, MGMT
released a music video for "Congratulations", the third video of
their second album. MGMT was one of the third tier bands for the 2010 Coachella
Festival in Indio, California. The event draws nearly 120,000 attendees
annually. On October 31, 2010, the band performed for the Voodoo Experience in
New Orleans, Louisiana. The band decided to dress as the main characters from
Scooby-Doo for Halloween; Andrew dressed up as Daphne and Ben dressed up as
Velma. They headlined at Fun Fun Fun Fest which was held at Waterloo Park in
Austin, Texas on November 6, 2010. The performance was the last show in the US for
MGMT in 2010. Their first 2011 gig was at Mar del Plata, Argentina, in front of
a crowd of more than 40,000 on the beach in a free event which they headlined.
MGMT began their first
Asian tour on February 22, 2011.
On September 22, 2011
MGMT performed the Pink Floyd song "Lucifer Sam" during Late Night
with Jimmy Fallon's "Pink Floyd Week".
Interview in Athens, Greece about the release of "Congratulations" with Performance clips from "Climbing To New Lows" and "Oracular Spectacular"
Concert Performance clips from the album "Oracular Spectacular" With an interview with Andrew and Ben about "Congratulations" 2010
Personal Interview with Andrew at NME 2011 (Part 1)
Part 2
Album Art
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
2010 - 52nd Annual Grammy Awards Red Carpet pictures, and video interviews
TV Guide
Notes from me: It's weird, because The Grammy site states the 52nd was in 2009. But all the uploads on YouTube say 2010, and were both posted 1/31/10. So I'm not sure. I am also surprised they didn't get and nominations in 2011. for "Congratulations" :( I hope they are this year!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Time To Pretend (Live on Late Show with David Letterman) 1/08
Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
"Art is Everywhere" From the Yo Gabba Gabba! Season 2 episode, Art. 2008
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
MGMT live @ the Granada Theater in Dallas Tx 2007
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
' Time To Pretend' Debut Single and 'Metanoia'
"Time to Pretend" is the debut single (in the UK) from MGMT's album Oracular Spectacular.
The single was released as a 7" and CD featuring the b-sides "Weekend Wars" (BBC Radio 1 Session) and "Metanoia" respectively. In early 2009, the song was re-released in the UK.
The track was originally recorded for the Time To Pretend EP (2005). It was re-recorded for the Oracular Spectacular album.
A quote from Ben Golswasser live at Abbey Road:
"We wrote Time to Pretend our senior year of college, and the music was inspired by a praying mantis we had in our house. She laid eggs and it died, and we laid the egg case on this kinda model pirate ship on the mantle piece, and the eggs hatched and all these baby praying mantises were climbing up the rigging of the ship, and it was pretty crazy...uhm so the music was inspired by our praying mantis that liked to dance to the Clash {laugh} and the lyrics are just about us imagining being rock stars....and yeah, fantasy rock star life."
It was the iTunes Single of the Week for the second week of January, 2008. It was made available as a free download on iTunes during that time. The song subsequently hit #38 on the Mediabase Alternative chart.
Time critic josh Tyrangiel named Time to Pretend the #8 song of 2008. The song was #3 on Rolling Ston's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008, #4 on NME's Best Singles of 2008, and came in at #18 on Australia's Triple J Hottest 100 countdown for 2008. Bringgoodstuffbout writer Kason Hudman listed it as the third best song of the 2000s. Rolling Stone placed "Time to Pretend" as the 12th best song of the 2000s. The song is also 493 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. NME ranked "Time to Pretend" as the 2nd best song of the 2000s. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 12 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years"
"Metanoia"
Is the special limited edition single release that was originally a b-side on MGMT's debut CD single "Time To Pretend". It was released August 18, 2008, available in 10" etched vinyl "Metanoia" was named "Song of the Day" on September 16, 2008 by Rolling Stone, describing it as a "14-minute opus, which ranges from
Donovan-ish acid ballads to interstellar synth-powered dirges to falsetto-laden theater rock."
"Metanoia" peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot Singles Sales chart in September 2008.
Psychology:
Psychologist Carl Jung is the "mystic referee" referred to throughout the song. He is pictured wearing a referee's uniform on the title cover. Metanoia is also a psychoanalytic theory developed by Jung himself.
Religion:
Religious teacher Swami Satchidananda is also referenced several times throughout the song's entirety.
Satchidananda means:
Sat = existance, truth, real.
MGMT - Metanoia by Jon Patton
The single was released as a 7" and CD featuring the b-sides "Weekend Wars" (BBC Radio 1 Session) and "Metanoia" respectively. In early 2009, the song was re-released in the UK.
The track was originally recorded for the Time To Pretend EP (2005). It was re-recorded for the Oracular Spectacular album.
A quote from Ben Golswasser live at Abbey Road:
"We wrote Time to Pretend our senior year of college, and the music was inspired by a praying mantis we had in our house. She laid eggs and it died, and we laid the egg case on this kinda model pirate ship on the mantle piece, and the eggs hatched and all these baby praying mantises were climbing up the rigging of the ship, and it was pretty crazy...uhm so the music was inspired by our praying mantis that liked to dance to the Clash {laugh} and the lyrics are just about us imagining being rock stars....and yeah, fantasy rock star life."
It was the iTunes Single of the Week for the second week of January, 2008. It was made available as a free download on iTunes during that time. The song subsequently hit #38 on the Mediabase Alternative chart.
Time critic josh Tyrangiel named Time to Pretend the #8 song of 2008. The song was #3 on Rolling Ston's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008, #4 on NME's Best Singles of 2008, and came in at #18 on Australia's Triple J Hottest 100 countdown for 2008. Bringgoodstuffbout writer Kason Hudman listed it as the third best song of the 2000s. Rolling Stone placed "Time to Pretend" as the 12th best song of the 2000s. The song is also 493 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. NME ranked "Time to Pretend" as the 2nd best song of the 2000s. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 12 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years"
 |
| Time To Pretend Single album cover |
"Metanoia"
Is the special limited edition single release that was originally a b-side on MGMT's debut CD single "Time To Pretend". It was released August 18, 2008, available in 10" etched vinyl "Metanoia" was named "Song of the Day" on September 16, 2008 by Rolling Stone, describing it as a "14-minute opus, which ranges from
Donovan-ish acid ballads to interstellar synth-powered dirges to falsetto-laden theater rock."
"Metanoia" peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot Singles Sales chart in September 2008.
Psychology:
Psychologist Carl Jung is the "mystic referee" referred to throughout the song. He is pictured wearing a referee's uniform on the title cover. Metanoia is also a psychoanalytic theory developed by Jung himself.
Religion:
Religious teacher Swami Satchidananda is also referenced several times throughout the song's entirety.
Satchidananda means:
Sat = existance, truth, real.
Chid = consciousness
Ananda = bliss.
conscious, blissful, existence, truth, knowledge, believe.
 |
| Metanoia Vinyl Cover |
MGMT - Metanoia by Jon Patton
2006-2009 "Oracular Spectacular (2007)" Record Signings, Nominations, Awards, Charts, Openings, Performing headline tours at venues and festivals, Album Art
In the autumn of 2006, Maureen Kenny signed the band to Columbia Records. When they got a phone call from the A&R department of Columbia Records saying they were interested in their music, they thought it was a joke. The duo recorded with Dave Fridmann in 2007 for their major label debut Oracular Spectacular, which is the first major label studio album by MGMT, released digitally October 2, 2007 on Columbia Records, available in CD & LP formats from January 22, 2008 by Red Ink Records. The album, which has sold over 1 million copies worldwide, was nominated for best international album, and best international group in the 2009 BRIT Awards. It features new versions of both "Kids" and "Time to Pretend", songs from their previous release, Time to Pretend EP (2005), the opening track serving as a "mission statement" and theme continued through the proceeding tracks. Though Oracular Spectacular never sold more than 17,000 in a week, it has been a consistent seller since January 2008, selling at least 2,000 copies per week.
The Brooklyn duo were presented with their prize at the O2 Brixton Academy by members of the cast of Channel 4 series 'Skins'.
"Here's my speech, its a gummy spider," the band's Andrew VanWyngarden declared as he took the stage, referencing the free sweets given out to guests, before adding: "Fuck yeah!"
A better view of the gummy spider. Haha
The duo then swiftly headed back stage. Watch exclusive video interviews with them now:
The album debuted at #12 on the UK Album Chart and number six on the Australian ARIA Charts, and hit number one on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. It has also been named the 18th best album of the decade by Rolling Stone magazine.
MGMT also appeared prominently in Australia's Tripple J Hottest 100 in 2008, coming in 2nd with "Electric Feel", 5th with "Kids" and 18th with "Time To Pretend" At the 2009 Grammy Awards, the Justice remix of "Electric Feel" won the Grammy for Best Remixed Recording, Non Classical. The music video for "Electric Feel" was also nominated for Best Art Direction in a Video.
MGMT opened for of Montreal on tour in autumn 2007 as a five-piece touring band including Matthew Asti (bass), James Richardson (drums), and Hank Sullivant (guitar). In November 2007, they performed for the first time in Europe, supporting the band Samantha and The Courtneeners at Koko in London.
After March 2008, Hank Sullivant left the band to pursue his own band, Kuroma. Will Berman joined as the new drummer, James Richardson switched from drums to guitar, and Matthew Asti remained on bass.
They played at Hovefestivalen in Norway June 2008.
They went on a headline tour of the UK during November 2008, playing at venues such as Manchester Academy and Shepard's Bush Empire.
They appeared at the 2008 and 2009 editions of the Bonnaroo Music Festival. Bruce Springsteen was in attendance during their 2009 Bonnaroo late-night set, which followed his headlining appearance on What Stage.
They also played a show at the Virgin Music Festival on the Toronto Islands on September 6, 2008, playing nine songs off their Oracular Spectacular album. Also in 2008 they played the Street Scene Festival in San Francisco. They were also one of the headlining bands for the Treasure Island Music Festival on Treasure Island in San Francisco, California, on October 17, 2009.
In January 2008, MGMT played 'Time To Pretend' on The Late Show With David Letterman. As a result, the track shot to number 19 in the American Alternative chart.
"Time to Pretend" has featured in a number of TV shows, including HBO's show "Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7", Episode 2, which originally aired on April 18, 2009, the Season 1 finale of Gossip Girl on May 19, 2008, it featured prominently at the end of the second series finale of popular UK teen drama Skins but was later omitted from the DVD release of the series due to issues acquiring the rights. and in the series premiere of 90210on September 2, 2008.
As for films, "Time to Pretend" has been used in the 2008 films (or for its trailer) Sex Drive, How to Lose Friends& Alienate People, and Eagle Eye, an early trailer for the Tim Burton film Alice In Wonderland and the 2011 film Warrior.
"Time to Pretend" was also used on the Exitosos Pells (Argentine) in Chapter 100, showing bloopers from the series
"Kids" was chosen to feature in a snowboarding movie entitled That's It, That's All, as well as the sixth episode of Survivors on the BBC in 2008.
Also in 2008, MGMT opened for Radiohead in Manchester as part of Radiohead's world tour. In November of that year, MGMT undertook their first headline tour of the UK. They were also selected to play at the highly influential SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas. In the summer of 2008, MGMT played a number of festivals, including Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Coachella and T In The Park. When they played at the Oxegen festival in Ireland, their performance had to be halted for 20 minutes because their fans began to climb the rigging structure inside the tent. This, however, did not stop the organizers from asking the band to play again in 2009.
MIA also selected MGMT to support her when she played Vasser College as part of her 2008 tour and they also opened for Beck on several dates of his tour. They also toured Australia with a headlining spot on the Meredeth Music Festival line-up.
On February 27, 2009, MGMT performed alongside Spectrum at The Dome in Finsbury Park, MGMT also played another show in Australia at the 2009 Splendour In The Grass Festival. MGMT headlined this music festival along with other well known bands such as Bloc Party, The Flaming Lips, Happy Mondays, and Jane's Addiction.
MGMT opened for Paul McCartney, an admitted fan, at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 5 and 6, 2009.
On August 15, 2009, MGMT played in Hamburg, Germany at the Dockville Festival and performed several songs from their upcoming album.
Legal proceedings:
In January 2009, MGMT demanded compensation from theUnion For A Popular Movement(UMP) Party, headed by thePresident of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. The song "Kids" was used on several occasions without permission (in 2008) at a party conference and in two online videos.
At first, a 1 Euro compensation was offered to the band by the UMP,
but MGMT refused that offer. Finally, in April 2009, an amicable
settlement was decided and the UMP agreed to pay MGMT around 2,500 Euros
for legal fees and 30,000 Euros for copyright piracy, which were
donated to an organization that supports copyright law.
Peak Position Certification Sales
Australian ARIA Albums Chart 6 Platinum 70,000+
Belgian (Flanders) Albums Chart 10 Gold 15,000+
Belgian (Wallonia) Albums Chart 55
Canadian Albums Chart 24 Gold 50,000+
Croatian International Album Chart 34
Dutch Albums Chart 45
French Albums Chart 22 Silver 65,480
Irish Albums Chart 5 2× Platinum 30,000+
Italian Albums Chart 85
Japanese Oricon Albums Chart 161
Mexican Albums Chart 74
New Zealand Albums Chart 13 Gold 7,500+
Swiss Albums Chart 68
UK Albums Chart 8 Platinum 567,696
US Billboard 200 38 Gold 596,000+
Year-end chart (2008) Position
Australian Albums Chart 16
French Albums Chart 77
UK Albums Chart 65
Track List:
All songs written and composed by Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Golwasser, except where noted.
No. Title Length
1. "Time to Pretend" 4:21
2. "Weekend Wars" 4:12
3. "The Youth" 3:48
4. "Electric Feel" (VanWyngarden, Goldwasser, Will Berman) 3:49
5. "Kids" 5:02
6. "4th Dimensional Transition" 3:58
7. "Pieces of What" 2:43
8. "Of Moons, Birds & Monsters" 4:46
9. "The Handshake" 3:39
10. "Future Reflections" 4:02
Total length: 40:30
Album Covers:
Best New Band goes to MGMT at Shockwaves NME Awards
Brooklyn duo take one of this year's most hotly-contested categories.
MGMT have won Best New Band at the Shockwaves NME Awards tonight (February 25 2009).
The Brooklyn duo were presented with their prize at the O2 Brixton Academy by members of the cast of Channel 4 series 'Skins'.
"Here's my speech, its a gummy spider," the band's Andrew VanWyngarden declared as he took the stage, referencing the free sweets given out to guests, before adding: "Fuck yeah!"
The duo then swiftly headed back stage. Watch exclusive video interviews with them now:
The album debuted at #12 on the UK Album Chart and number six on the Australian ARIA Charts, and hit number one on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. It has also been named the 18th best album of the decade by Rolling Stone magazine.
MGMT also appeared prominently in Australia's Tripple J Hottest 100 in 2008, coming in 2nd with "Electric Feel", 5th with "Kids" and 18th with "Time To Pretend" At the 2009 Grammy Awards, the Justice remix of "Electric Feel" won the Grammy for Best Remixed Recording, Non Classical. The music video for "Electric Feel" was also nominated for Best Art Direction in a Video.
MGMT opened for of Montreal on tour in autumn 2007 as a five-piece touring band including Matthew Asti (bass), James Richardson (drums), and Hank Sullivant (guitar). In November 2007, they performed for the first time in Europe, supporting the band Samantha and The Courtneeners at Koko in London.
After March 2008, Hank Sullivant left the band to pursue his own band, Kuroma. Will Berman joined as the new drummer, James Richardson switched from drums to guitar, and Matthew Asti remained on bass.
They played at Hovefestivalen in Norway June 2008.
They went on a headline tour of the UK during November 2008, playing at venues such as Manchester Academy and Shepard's Bush Empire.
They appeared at the 2008 and 2009 editions of the Bonnaroo Music Festival. Bruce Springsteen was in attendance during their 2009 Bonnaroo late-night set, which followed his headlining appearance on What Stage.
They also played a show at the Virgin Music Festival on the Toronto Islands on September 6, 2008, playing nine songs off their Oracular Spectacular album. Also in 2008 they played the Street Scene Festival in San Francisco. They were also one of the headlining bands for the Treasure Island Music Festival on Treasure Island in San Francisco, California, on October 17, 2009.
In January 2008, MGMT played 'Time To Pretend' on The Late Show With David Letterman. As a result, the track shot to number 19 in the American Alternative chart.
"Time to Pretend" has featured in a number of TV shows, including HBO's show "Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7", Episode 2, which originally aired on April 18, 2009, the Season 1 finale of Gossip Girl on May 19, 2008, it featured prominently at the end of the second series finale of popular UK teen drama Skins but was later omitted from the DVD release of the series due to issues acquiring the rights. and in the series premiere of 90210on September 2, 2008.
As for films, "Time to Pretend" has been used in the 2008 films (or for its trailer) Sex Drive, How to Lose Friends& Alienate People, and Eagle Eye, an early trailer for the Tim Burton film Alice In Wonderland and the 2011 film Warrior.
"Time to Pretend" was also used on the Exitosos Pells (Argentine) in Chapter 100, showing bloopers from the series
"Kids" was chosen to feature in a snowboarding movie entitled That's It, That's All, as well as the sixth episode of Survivors on the BBC in 2008.
Also in 2008, MGMT opened for Radiohead in Manchester as part of Radiohead's world tour. In November of that year, MGMT undertook their first headline tour of the UK. They were also selected to play at the highly influential SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas. In the summer of 2008, MGMT played a number of festivals, including Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Coachella and T In The Park. When they played at the Oxegen festival in Ireland, their performance had to be halted for 20 minutes because their fans began to climb the rigging structure inside the tent. This, however, did not stop the organizers from asking the band to play again in 2009.
MIA also selected MGMT to support her when she played Vasser College as part of her 2008 tour and they also opened for Beck on several dates of his tour. They also toured Australia with a headlining spot on the Meredeth Music Festival line-up.
On February 27, 2009, MGMT performed alongside Spectrum at The Dome in Finsbury Park, MGMT also played another show in Australia at the 2009 Splendour In The Grass Festival. MGMT headlined this music festival along with other well known bands such as Bloc Party, The Flaming Lips, Happy Mondays, and Jane's Addiction.
MGMT opened for Paul McCartney, an admitted fan, at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 5 and 6, 2009.
On August 15, 2009, MGMT played in Hamburg, Germany at the Dockville Festival and performed several songs from their upcoming album.
Legal proceedings:
In January 2009, MGMT demanded compensation from theUnion For A Popular Movement(UMP) Party, headed by thePresident of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. The song "Kids" was used on several occasions without permission (in 2008) at a party conference and in two online videos.
No. Title Length
1. "Time to Pretend" 4:21
2. "Weekend Wars" 4:12
3. "The Youth" 3:48
4. "Electric Feel" (VanWyngarden, Goldwasser, Will Berman) 3:49
5. "Kids" 5:02
6. "4th Dimensional Transition" 3:58
7. "Pieces of What" 2:43
8. "Of Moons, Birds & Monsters" 4:46
9. "The Handshake" 3:39
10. "Future Reflections" 4:02
Total length: 40:30
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
(2002-2005) College days. First demo album. Time To Pretend EP
In 2002, MGMT were originally named The Management. The two
members, Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWynggarden met in their first year
at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. They both shared an interest in similar music,
and they experimented with noise and electronica before settling into
their psychedelic pop sound through out the years. "We weren't trying to start a band," remarked Goldwasser. "We were just hanging out, showing each other music that we liked." Ben and Andrew both graduated from
university in 2005.
"Climbing to New Lows" was a demo album, that inadvertently became the first full album release of The Management. It was also their last release as The Management. In 2004. It was intended only as a demo album, but leaked on to the Internet in 2005.
The group had changed their name to MGMT, since The Managment name was already being used by another band. They signed with Cantora Records for their first official release, the Time To Pretend EP on August 30, 2005. They toured extensively in support of the Time To Pretend EP by opening for the indie rock band of Montreal. They toured as a five-piece, with Matthew Asti, James Richardson and Hank Sullivant making up the touring band.
A track entitled "Kids (Afterschool Dance Megamix)" appears on the album Climbing To New Lows (2005). Which was later put on their album "Oracular Spectacular" (2007) It was instrumentally altered, and named to just "Kids" and put on the Time To Pretend album, along with the song itself Time To Pretend.
Ben and Andrew performing "This Must Be The Place" (Talking Heads) Filmed 4/20/03 on Zonker Harris day at Wesleyan University.
Kids (Afterschool Dance Megamix)
Time To Pretend on Jools Holland (2008)
"Climbing to New Lows" was a demo album, that inadvertently became the first full album release of The Management. It was also their last release as The Management. In 2004. It was intended only as a demo album, but leaked on to the Internet in 2005.
The group had changed their name to MGMT, since The Managment name was already being used by another band. They signed with Cantora Records for their first official release, the Time To Pretend EP on August 30, 2005. They toured extensively in support of the Time To Pretend EP by opening for the indie rock band of Montreal. They toured as a five-piece, with Matthew Asti, James Richardson and Hank Sullivant making up the touring band.
A track entitled "Kids (Afterschool Dance Megamix)" appears on the album Climbing To New Lows (2005). Which was later put on their album "Oracular Spectacular" (2007) It was instrumentally altered, and named to just "Kids" and put on the Time To Pretend album, along with the song itself Time To Pretend.
Accidental Mersh
Moving on away from Glitter Penis. Starting 'Accidental Mersh' was remarkably popular in the Memphis area around 2000,
packing venues around the city touring on a regular basis. They had 2 albums
"Mirror Isaeli" and "Accidental Mersh" (self-titled)
The band had two lead singers, Andrew VanWyngarden who went on to form MGMT, and Hank Sullivant who went on to form The Whigs. Sullivant also played second guitar for MGMT before James Richardson (who was playing drums at the time) switched to take Sullivant's place as the second guitarist.
Accidental Mersh performing - Joan
The band had two lead singers, Andrew VanWyngarden who went on to form MGMT, and Hank Sullivant who went on to form The Whigs. Sullivant also played second guitar for MGMT before James Richardson (who was playing drums at the time) switched to take Sullivant's place as the second guitarist.
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| VanWyngarden and Sullivant performing |
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| Sullivant |
Glitter Penis
In High School, Andrew VanWyngarden had a music project in Memphis. He and his buddy Dan Treharne did two entire albums of parody tunes.
They created and recorded parody songs but did not perform live.
Glitter Penis wrote two full length albums, "River Offices" and "The Greatest Hits".
Here is picture of VanWyngarden, and Treharne, along with one of their songs "Hippycrit:
Glitter Penis wrote two full length albums, "River Offices" and "The Greatest Hits".
Here is picture of VanWyngarden, and Treharne, along with one of their songs "Hippycrit:
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