JDUB Records Word from: Mordy

The Forward writes about Balkan Beat Box this week. Their new album has been released in Israel, and JDUB Records is going to be the label releasing it in the US. It sounds good to me. Also, I've got tickets to see Mattisyahu this Motzei Shabbos in Philadelphia at World Cafe Live. sigh. I remember hanging with Mattisyahu in Crown Heights and now he's playing huge venues. Gotta shep some nachas.

There's been some controversy over Mattisyahu playing with Trey during the Nine Days; Orthodox Jews generally don't listen to music (or at least live music) during that time period because of its significance historically. (The Holy Temple in Jerusalem was burnt down on the 9th of Av, so the nine days preceding it have special status).

And I've gotta mention how awesome the Von Bondies show last night at the piers was. The venue was great and "Come On, Come On," is still glorious rockn'roll. Plus, I promised Lilit I'd rub it in Jake's face that he couldn't make it. And if you're wondering what makes it Jewish, let me quote: "Some people say art needs to explicitly be about Jews to be Jewish. Others say it only takes a Jewish artist. I say, the moment I arrive at an event, regardless of the circumstances, it becomes Jewish." That said, I was shmoozing with Sarah "Ultragirrrl" about the show and bemoaned the fact that she didn't get to see any frummies. (She claimed in her bio in an old Spin magazine that she's Orthodox.)

For my last cultural remark of the week: For anyone who caught the premiere of Carl0s Mencia's new show on Comedy Central knows that he started the show saying, "No matter what ethnicity you are, I am going to offend you sometime tonight." He then completely slighted Jews by not mentioning us once during the entire half an hour episode. I am offended by having not been offended. The New York Times still thinks humor like this is edgy, but honestly? I was a little bored.