Yeah Yeah Yeahs Play SNL and Santos

Despite a staggered start with the release of It's Blitz, which resulted in a rushed digital release pushed out to compete with the leaks, the band's schedule seems to be back on track now. The physical release of the critically acclaimed album hit last week, and this weekend, the band is making two strong local plays to both hardcore fans and the general public. Tonight the band will appear on Saturday Night Live for the first time (Zac Efron hosts) to perform two songs off the new record. Then, on Easter Sunday, it's being reported that the trio will grace the stage at Santos Party House for a (not so) secret show. No word on tickets for Santos yet, but odds are you'll have a better chance sneaking onto Studio 6H than seeing them there. UPDATE:More details on the show here.

Dead Weather to Debut at Bowery
Jack White apparently has a thing about debuting his new projects in New York City. The Dead Weather, a new band he formed alongside Alison Mosshart of the Kills, will play its first public show ever at Bowery Ballroom next Tuesday. The band, which is actually based out of Nashville, played a small private show at White's new label's office last month, but this will be the first time the band is available to the masses. Jack's last Stripe-less sideproject, The Raconteurs, also launched their career downtown, playing their first show at Irving Plaza exactly 3 years ago to the week in April 2006. Tickets went on sale earlier this week and promptly sold out, but Bowery always seems to find a way to squeeze a few extra fans in the day of, if you're feeling lucky.

Black Kids, Mates Graduate to Webster Hall
On Monday, the Black Kids played a co-headlining set alongside the Mates of State at Webster Hall. The once hyped, then often maligned Florida indie-pop Cure-worship band has done a fine job establishing themselves over the last year and a half into a somewhat mainstream success, landing several national TV appearances and successful tours. Despite reports of light attendance at other stops, Webster felt pretty packed, especially considering they played the more intimate Music Hall of Williamsburg the night before. The two bands wouldn't seem to have much of a crossover appeal at first, with the far more established Mates usually playing to a less trendy and of-the-moment audience that the Kids attract. Their music was surprisingly compatible, however, with fans of both bands seemingly excited about the other.

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