Preview addition: Greg Fox & G Lucas Crane, Sat 16th

This came in just today and is definitely worth mentioning: 

Greg Fox (ex-Liturgy, now Guardian Alien) will be playing at West Germany on Saturday 16th together with G. Lucas Crane. If you missed Greg's last solo drum performance at bei Ruth earlier this year you might want to take this chance because that last show was really really great. This time he will be collaborating with mentioned Lucas Crane who you might know from his other projects Nonhorse and Time Life and also as the guy who does the crazy tape loop noises on the last Woods records. Watch a video of the both playing together below. In addition, Rinus van Alebeek will also be playing the tapedecks.

Rocking out in my living room to this.

When searching for Metz videos for our preview, I came across this classic. There are a lot of various associations you hear about Nirvana. I suppose "fantastic performers" is a seldom one. Yet when watching this, one is reminded of their live power and maybe also of the less comfortable fact that Dave Grohl has always been a rockstar kinda drummer. I have a soft spot for rockstars.

Competition: John Wizards

Still need a gig to go to this week? Can't make up your mind? We may as well take the choice off your hands by giving you free tickets to John Wizards at Kantine this Thursday (see preview!).

The usual gist: Email us to win at the craze dot de by 9 am this Wednesday, 13 October, and tell us a band that reminds you of wizards or related magic themes. The winner gets to take a friend and do some minimalist analogue dancing like this:

Preview: the week ahead (11th - 17th Nov)

November in full swing. Don't you love it?! Well, make sure to deny the fact that supermarkets are selling Christmas chocolates already and head to one of 4 (!) very promising shows tonight and a host of good gigs the rest of the week.

Monday

• Cheap Time and Canoyn Spree at bei Ruth: This is your last chance to visit a show at bei Ruth before they are taking a winter break. If you’re in the mood for snotty garage punk this might be worth your attention.
• Metz and Chetahs at Bi Nuu: The hip noise rockers of Metz are returning to Berlin again. For fans of Shellac and the like and for C*. Wichita protegée Cheatahs are a worthy support.

• Jacuzzi Boys and Jackson Scott at Privatclub: Read C*’s enthusiastic review from last time and make sure you bring your punk dance spirits with you! Great support from the new kid on the scene, Jackson Scott, who has recently been signed to Fat Possum Records and, I predict, has a shining career ahead of him.
• Bill Orcutt at Monarch: Another “Since The Devil Is Gone I Mostly Feel Lonely” - event, which means freaky and weird folk tunes are waiting for you. This time featuring Bill Orcutt who used to play in Harry Pussy.

Tuesday

• Lee Ranaldo & the Dust and Magik Markers at Lido: For fans of Sonic Youth this is probably a must-see show but Lee Ranaldo is not only worth mentioning for his work with Sonic Youth. This time he’s being supported by Magik Markers, whose now-wave inspired noise rock sounds a bit like a mix between Sonic Youth and Deerhoof.

Wednesday

• DEATH at C-Club (moved from Bi Nuu): DEATH (the metal band, not the proto-punk band) formed in 1983 and their take on Death Metal inspired countless bands after them. They departed after the death (no pun intended) of their founding member, singer and guitarist Chuck Schuldiner in 2001 and reunited with their former band members. Word on the street is that this is an amazing live experience. (PS: I really wanted to give you a video and a band link for this but you try and internet search Death...)

Thursday

• OM and Pole at Volksbühne: After their last show at Berghain, OM return to another nice Berlin venue and play Volksbühne this time. They started as a “side project” to Sleep and combine heavy and distorted bass lines with rhythmic drumming and elements of drone and ambient, making their music meditative and heavy at the same time. J’s gig of the week!
• John Wizards at Kantine: Though the name sounds like something from the 70s with long beards, this group actually plays analogue minimalist dance music. Watch out for a competition later on today!

Friday

• Felix Kubin at West Germany: We announced one of Kubin’s last Berlin shows as follows and we still mean it: Felix Kubin has been around for like 20 years and by now he could easily be seen as one of Germany’s most well-known artists in several fields of electronic music, theater, performances and radio plays. He combines intelligent content with moments of dadaistic humour and his live shows usually turn out to be amazing parties. This time he plays as part of a two-day (actually three but the third one not in Berlin) event on Friday AND Saturday. Have a look at the facebook event page here, there are lots of other nice bands playing (Les Trucs, Gelbart) plus some lectures and performances going on.

Saturday

• Destruction Unit at Auster Club: Destruction unit really convinced C* and Gary at West Germany the other week. So it is neat that their European tour includes a second Berlin stop. Highly recommended. The review from the other week will follow before this Saturday, to help you make up your mind. Promise!
• Weekend at Monarch: C* is reportedly a fan of these shoegaze rockers (and not the German wanna-be-rapper). Read her review from the time they played Comet to an empty room or the time they supported The Kills to 1,500 people.

Competition: Orchestra of Spheres + High Wolf

Another week, another competition. Don't you love it?!

This time, we give you the chance to take yourself and a friend to the sought after experimental electronica gig by Orchestra of Spheres and High Wolf at Urban Spree this Thursday, giving your autumn bones some booty shaking.

Tell us by email to win at thecraze dot de by 9 am Thursday, 7 November 2013, a song or band you like that has got wolves, hounds, or dogs in it. There must be a million out there!

Then, dance the night away to this:

Preview: the week ahead (4th Nov - 10th Nov)

Whoa!! It is November, it is busy in our calendar. Get the party clothes on, it’s going to be a wild week. 

Tuesday

• Body/Head at Bi Nuu: XNormanX was a little disgruntled after their last show in Berlin. But we are convinced: it’s Kim Gordon with a guitar and it can only be good. See a legend do experimental guitar music.

Wednesday

• Holograms at Monarch: Holograms delivered one of the best albums of 2012, in C*’s view, and they played one of Berlin’s worst gigs of 2012, in C*’s view. Smaller venue, same great songs - this could be great if they try harder this time.
• Warpaint at Heimathafen Neukölln: C* has got her ticket at the ready. A special treat that gets her tingling. Meet her indie dancing at Heimathafen this Wednesday.
• Molly Nilsson and Beaver Sheppard at SHIFT: C*’s firm favourite giving one of her legendary Berlin performances. You really should not miss out.

Thursday

• Cassie Ramone & O.J. Xray Eyeballs at Grüner Salon: A Vivian Girl on a solo tour, O.J. of Xray Eyeballs in tow. I bet this is going to be special. Cannot wait!!
• Orchestra of Spheres and High Wolf at Urban Spree: We have praised both experimental electronic dance outfits on this blog before. This is going to be a high quality evening of mind-blowness. Play along.

Friday

• Baths + Dam Mantle + Freddy Knop at about blank: Baths plays very nice experimental beat based indie hip hop and recently released his second record on Anticon records. His music is the perfect combination of weirdness and pop and his live performances are supposedly spectacular. Support will be Dam Mantle, playing poppy electronic music and Berlin based Freddy Knop who used to play under his moniker pOnk before.
• Scout Niblett at Privatclub: Many indie fans will have waited for this for a long time. Scout Niblett in a venue the size of my living room. What a treat for fans of the singer’s wonderful tunes. 

Saturday

• Gary War and Purple Pilgrims at Team Titanic: Gary War makes an appearance in Berlin once a year and it’s always a nice rencontre. Read our review from the time when he supported John Maus.

Sunday

• Dent May at Monarch (Matinée show): If you gladly miss out on Hurts and Glasvegas at Velodrom (and we gladly do), then a sweet dance afternoon at Monarch must be your dream (it is ours). Dent May may have shed his Ukulele but he still sings a sweet tune. Read our last review of Dent May at Monarch and join us for afternoon tea this Sunday at 4 pm.