The Black Lips at Webster Hall

Going to a Black Lips show is the funnest form of outpatient surgery in existence. The music is way better than any doctor's office for one thing. As for the hour-long procedure whereby dozens of elbows are inserted into your ribs and guts... well, it's worth it. I do wish the venue had turned on the audience lights though. I guess they were trying to be "spooky" for Halloween or something. Yeah right. The only frightening thing at this venue is the cost of a gin-and-tonic.

Posted: 10/30/2011 at 6:57pm     Tags: The Black Lips  Webster Hall 

The London Souls at Brooklyn Bowl

The lighting at Brooklyn Bowl is infinitely better than Saint Vitus. And the bands! The London Souls play a brilliant mix of rock and funk and blues. It's rock-n-roll you can dance to just like this evening's audience did. This particular show was the last night of a month-long residency. I'm kicking myself for missing their other three nights.

Posted: 10/25/2011 at 8:40pm     Tags: Brooklyn Bowl  The London Souls 

Gary War at Saint Vitus

I promise never to take photos when they "turn down the lights" at Saint Vitus again. Way too dark. Anyway, I heard someone say that Gary War sounded like Devo. Odd considering the locale but not completely wrong. More like Killing Joke, really. Dark but not particularly hard rock with a bit of electronic sound. This particular performance included a drunken pseudo-rapper who I will call Mr. Crack for reasons which have nothing to do with drugs (don't worry, the photos are safe).

Posted: 10/22/2011 at 8:24pm     Tags: approaching total darkness  Gary War  red  Saint Vitus 

Nicole Atkins and The Black Sea at City Winery

Having only a passing familiarity with Nicole Atkins's music I was expecting something... quieter? Only when she performed a self-described "old" song, or a solo, was as poetic and soulful as I was expecting. The rest was surprisingly close to being a rock concert. Funny, most musicians do the opposite: they mellow out over the years. At this rate in ten years she'll be singing death metal.

Posted: 10/11/2011 at 10:16pm     Tags: City Winery  Nicole Atkins  Nicole Atkins and The Black Sea 

O'Death at The Bell House

Know when is the best time to see a band play? At the end of a tour. Usually they're sharp as a blade. O'Death sure was! Thanks by the way to The Bell House for turning up the lights. Take a look at my last set of O'Death photos if you want to know what was wrong with the place before. Way, way too dark.

Posted: 10/9/2011 at 3:28pm     Tags: O'Death  The Bell House  turned up the lights