A Place To Bury Strangers at Music Hall of Williamsburg

This show was the biggest pain in the ass yet. For one thing lighting came entirely from four projectors and two strobes. For another the mosh pit started about two feet behind me and ended up about two feet in front of me. It was surely worth it to hear the beautiful sonic attack of A Place To Bury Strangers. Less of the physical attacking next time would be nice though. 18+ shows tend to be that way. At least I didn't get as messed up as that amp!

Posted: 7/28/2012 at 2:16am     Tags: A Place To Bury Strangers  Music Hall of Williamsburg  ow  strobes 

Dum Dum Girls at House Of Vans

Boy they really turned the lighting up for Dum Dum Girls, didn't they? This was just an awesome show in every way... except for the video guys who kept getting their heads in my shots (grrrr!)

Posted: 7/22/2012 at 4:36pm     Tags: Dum Dum Girls  House Of Vans  Vans Classic Series 

Widowspeak at House Of Vans

Widowspeak have added a member since the last time I caught them live. They do sound good as a four piece, though they did not play this gig with their regular drummer (who I see is explicitly described as "African American" on Wikipedia, perhaps because you can't tell from the photo of the band on Wikipedia?) While for the most part these guys just stand there and play, guitarist Robert Thomas really took advantage of the huge stage, possibly to train for the New York City marathon?

Posted: 7/22/2012 at 2:17pm     Tags: House Of Vans  Vans Classic Series  Widowspeak 

Jeff The Brotherhood at Santos Party House

Jake, the guitarist of Jeff The Brotherhood, plays a guitar with only three strings and I swear to you it sounded out of tune. It's only three strings! Tune it! This made a few of their slower songs sound a bit strange. Fortunately every time they picked up the tempo (which was most of the time) they definitely rocked. Meanwhile, I was worried that the lighting in the basement of Santo's would be too dark. Ha ha on me.

Posted: 7/19/2012 at 7:42pm     Tags: Jeff The Brotherhood  Santos Party House 

The Henry Clay People at Brooklyn Bowl

what is it about California which inspires so many kids to form pop-punk bands? They don't like their pop too light, but they don't like their punk too serious either. The Henry Clay People are definitely not serious. In fact they're goofy as hell on stage and quite a lot of fun because of it. And when the band (and audience!) are having fun and the venue has good lighting the result is some great photos.

Posted: 7/3/2012 at 11:21pm     Tags: Brooklyn Bowl  The Henry Clay People