Vensaire at Brooklyn Bowl

Brooklyn Bowl has a a big sound system. Vensaire have five instruments plus electronics. I was expecting something louder, but it turns out they are indie rockers with a folky, introspective bent. All that equipment just makes their musical palette more varied than most. For example when they do use their electronics they use them subtly. The digital sounds don't stand out or seem like a gimmick. The result is catchy, perhaps a bit mellower than I prefer but certainly intriguing.

Posted: 9/27/2012 at 8:25pm     Tags: Brooklyn Bowl  Vensaire 

Bad Sports at Living Bread

I overheard someone saying that it was "like CBGBs out there" towards the end of this show. In terms of the energy of the audience and the bands and the piss-poor lighting, yes it was. And seriously, a show on a plywood stage after hours at a deli is about as punk as it gets. However I do seem to recall that CBGB had a reliable sound system (ahem!) Bad Sports sounded awesome but only when you could hear them.

Posted: 9/22/2012 at 12:50pm     Tags: Bad Sports  Living Bread 

Total Slacker at 285 Kent

I hadn't seen Total Slacker before. They were awesome. What, you want me to write more?

EDIT: Well I guess there is something more to add. The fellow playing drums in these photos is named Terence Connor. He was killed in a hit-and-run two weeks after these photos were taken.

Posted: 9/8/2012 at 1:55pm     Tags: 285 Kent  Total Slacker 

The Othermen at The NYC Vintage Motorcycle Show

When last we saw The Othermen they were, well, men. All of them, I mean. Actually I believe they have two lineups (depending on whether Rico is in town) which we shall call lineups X and Y. This would be Othermen X. But whatever, they're both good, just catch them if you can.

Posted: 8/26/2012 at 8:45pm     Tags: NYC Vintage Motorcycle Show  Othermen X  The Othermen 

Bloodshot Bill at Union Pool

Bloodshot Bill is the black hole of rock-n-roll (in a good way). He is all of the rock-n-roll in the universe (all of it!) compressed into one guy. I have to say, though, the Hugh Hefner outfit creeped me out a little bit. Maybe the point is that he gets as much rockin' done as Mr. Hefner? Think about it.

Posted: 8/19/2012 at 1:55am     Tags: Bloodshot Bill  Union Pool