By Daniel Jumpertz
Special to DNAinfo
Wednesday, April 11
It's hard to believe Pulp formed way back in 1978. Playing a fusion of David Bowie and early Roxy Music-inspired tunes, Pulp struggled doggedly without much commercial success throughout the 1980s. Their persistence paid off, however, when the Sheffield, UK, band enjoyed their first hometown success with the 1992 album "His 'n' Hers." For the next 10 years they were one of Britain's biggest bands, and their "Common People" single from 1995 remains one of the Britpop era's most enduring anthems. Their most recent studio album was 2001's "We Love Life," after which they disbanded. Pulp singer and songwriter Jarvis Cocker released an acclaimed solo album in 2006, and also sang on tracks for French band Air. Reportedly Cocker is writing new Pulp material, so hopefully a new album may be on the horizon. At Radio City Music Hall.
Also tonight: English indie poppers The Ting Tings play Webster Hall and Kraftwerk's sell-out residency at MoMA continues. Wednesday they perform "Radio-Activity".
Thursday, April 12
Chickfactor was a small but influential magazine that published from 1992-2002 before becoming a website focusing on indie, chamber and twee pop music and culture. Chickfactor is celebrating it's 20th anniversary this year with gigs in London, Portland, D.C. and Brooklyn — at The Bell House. Featuring The Aislers Set, Pipas, Bridget St John and The Legendary Jim Ruiz Group.
Kraftwerk's sell-out residency at MoMA continues. Thursday they perform "Trans Europe Express".
Friday, April 13
Yorkshire, UK, band The Cribs is a family affair, featuring twins Gary and Ryan and their younger brother Ross. Their first gig was at a family party (when Ross was just 5) in the late '80s, and after such a long creative partnership, their musical communication often borders on telepathic. The Cribs have attracted support from some of the UK music's biggest names: The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr joined the band in 2008 (leaving in 2011 to commence work on his solo projects); Edwyn Collins produced their second album "The New Fellas"; and Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos worked on their breakthrough album "Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever." The Cribs play anthemic and edgy indie rock, and Friday's show will feature tracks from their soon-to-be-released album "In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull." At Music Hall of Williamsburg.
Also tonight: The Vijay Iyer Trio fuse jazz and instrumental hip-hop. Catch them at at Birdland (April 10 through 14). Kraftwerk's sell-out residency at MoMA also continues. Friday they perform "The Man Machine".
Saturday, April 14
Up for dancing tonight? Athens, Georgia's groove machine Reptar — named after a character from the animated children's show "Rugrats" — have what you need. "I first tried to name the band Invisible Boyfriend," singer-guitarist Graham Ulicny says on their website. "And everybody goes, 'that is the stupidest name I have ever heard in my life." So why Reptar? "It is the second stupidest band name we have ever heard." At the Bowery Ballroom.
Kraftwerk's sell-out residency at MoMA continues. Saturday they perform "Computer World".
Sunday, April 15
Kraftwerk's sell-out residency at MoMA continues. Sunday they perform "Techno Pop".
Monday, April 16
NY-based indie shoegazers Asobi Seksu play a Planned Parenthood benefit at Highline Ballroom.
Kraftwerk's sell-out residency at MoMA continues. Monday they perform "The Mix".
Tuesday, April 17
German hardcore electronic music pioneers Atari Teenage Riot let loose with some intense sounds at Highline Ballroom. Led by producer and DJ Alec Empire, the band released a new studio album in 2011 (after a break of nearly 10 years) titled "Is This Hyperreal?"
D.C's original hardcore punks Bad Brains play Irving Plaza. Look out for a new album from the Rastafarian punk crew this summer.
For more Gigs of the Week, follow @bandupdate on Twitter.
