Buzzed Bands Podcast, Ep. 2 w/ Cold Blood Club

Friday, December 31, 2010

Rock In The New Year (Shows Tonight)

  • X-Ray Eyeballs, Food Stamps, Reading Rainbow & more @ Cake Shop, $12.
  • The Detroit Cobras @ Maxwells, $25
  • The Butthole Surfers @ Music Hall, $55
  • Sounds Of Kaleidoscope, Rifle Recoil & more @ Party Xpo, $10
  • Stalkers, Kid Congo, K-Holes & more @ Home Sweet Home, $10



If I wasn’t avoiding Manhattan tonight this is where I’d be. Mr. Toubin does it again.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Personality Crisis 2-Year Anniversary w/ Team Robespierre, SHAPES & More.

Personality Crisis is a rad DIY party that our friend Fanelli of SHAPES throws once a month at Shea Stadium. PC is celebrating 2 years of raging on Jan. 29th. We kinda sorta helped out with the anniversary party and as such Brooklyn Ski Club is the presenting sponsor for the party! The always awesome Team Robespierre will be headlining the show. Check out the flyer for the rest of the lineup.





Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Team Robespierre Played Bruar Falls

Last night King Kog, the bike shop, threw a holiday party at Bruar Falls. Team Robespierre headlined the show. The crowd was a little lazy the first couple of songs, which is really weird for a TR show. The mic kept cutting out early on so that probably had something to do with it. But after a couple of tunes and with the sound sorted out shit went into high gear and stayed that way for a the rest of the show. As always Team Robespierre was awesome and we had a little mini-riot going in Bruar Falls.







Tonight: Shark? + Bottle Up & Go @ Glasslands

Whatever Blog put together a show tonight at Glasslands.



Chairlift Playing Free Show Tomorrow.

If you haven't split town for turkey and presents yet then you're in luck. Chairlift is playing a free show at the Knitting Factory tomorrow night and all you have to do to get in is RSVP.

Details & RSVP:
Still in NYC? Chairlift is playing a free show at the Knitting Factory tomorrow night. RSVP here.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Tonight: Team Robespierre @ Bruar Falls (Free Show)

The bike shop, King Kog, is throwing a holiday party at Bruar Falls tonight. There will be bands, burlesque, raffles and a photobooth. Team Robespierre will be headlining the party and it's all totally free...except for the beer, you'll have to pay for that.



Sunday, December 19, 2010

SHAPES & Jangula Played Shea Stadium

Once a month the band SHAPES throws a party called Personality Crisis at Shea Stadium, which is a DIY venue hidden away in the Williamsburg Industrial Park. Fanelli, who is the singer for SHAPES and the promoter of the party, invited us to out. We love SHAPES and I've been wanting to see Jangula (also on the bill) so we made a point to stop by. Plus Fanelli cooked up a batch of homemade Four Loko and there was no way I was missing out on that (Fanelli's Four Loko recipe coming soon to BSC).

Shea Stadium is in my neighborhood so we all met up at Lady Jay's, the best bar in Brooklyn, for a few drinks before the show. After a couple of cans we hiked up Grand and through the desolate blocks of the industrial park to Shea.

When we got to the show some band called Night Eyes (I think) were about to go on. We went over to the home brew table and Fanelli hooked us up with a sample. It wasn't so bad but I'm pretty sure it was at least semi-poisonous, I guess all booze is to some extent. Night Eyes got started while I was sippin' on my bathtub Loko. They played some sort of dark techno synth music. Not my cup of tea but the kids were dancing around like crazy so hey, that's cool.

Did I mention the kids? Personality Crisis brings in an extremely young crowd. If you're over 25 they probably think you're a

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Tonight: SHAPES & Jangula @ Shea Stadium

Our homies SHAPES are throwing their monthly party, Personality Crisis, at Shea Stadium. They also have Jangula playing who are an awesome Brooklyn band. We told you about those guys back in August but haven't had the chance to see them live yet. Let's party!



RIP Captain Beefheart



Captain Beefheart died yesterday from multiple sclerosis, he was 69. The world just got a whole lot more normal.

Link:




Friday, December 17, 2010

Tonight: Wild Yaks, Bottle Up & Go, Steel Phantoms @ The Studio



The Dirtbombs Covering Detroit Techno

db


I don't know shit about Detroit techno but The Dirtbombs cover techno tracks in general is pretty interesting. A whole album of this stuff comes out in February, more below.




Nearly ten years after their acclaimed Ultraglide in Black helped kick-start a renewed interest in all things Detroit and rock-and-roll, The Dirtbombs are releasing the de facto companion piece, Party Store.

Ultraglide was a covers collection of 60's and 70's soul gems centred on the ideas of African-American identity and politics of the era (see Curtis Mayfield's "Kung Fu" and Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City"). All of the songs made an impression on a young, pre-musical Mick Collins as he listened to them on 45's in the family basement.

Party Store is an assortment of live band interpretations of classic Detroit techno music of the 80's and early 90's. These are songs Collins digested when they were originally released - at a time where he was already making waves with garage-punk legends The Gories. Songs that run the gamut of subject matter from materialistic future-disco braggadocio "Sharevari" (originally by A Number of Names) to cold, post-industrial isolation of "Alleys of Your Mind" originally by Cybotron) through the instrumental optimism of a worldwide house classic, "Strings of Life" (originally by Derrick May)... ALL these themes encapsulate the climate of Detroit both now and at the time of their initial release. Let it be said clearly...this is a record that addresses, at the same time, both the past and the future of Detroit.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Tonight: Free Williamsburg Holiday Party (Free + Open Bar)

Free Williamsburg has been one of the best NYC websites over the past few years. Tonight they're celebrating the holidays with Spin Magazine and Newcastle at DBA. The Newcastle is free and so is entry, if you RSVPd.

Link:



Netherfriends Cover Ice-T's "Cop Killer"

I'm not joking with that headline. Listen to the Netherfriends take on the Ice-T classic, "Cop Killer". It's not at all what you would expect.




Wanna Be In A Cerebral Ballzy Video?

Our homies, Cerebral Ballzy, are back from conquering Europe and looking to shoot a music video. If you want to be in it just show up at the Morgan L stop around 2:30pm today, bring your skateboard.



Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Rock N' Roll Circus

I'm not really sure where to begin here. Basically a bunch of bands are playing the Big Apple Circus tent. It's a two day event and the first night is free. Night one includes Japanther, The Pharmacy, Voxhaul Broadcast, The So So Glos and Electric Tickle Machine. Night two, which is not free, features OK Go, Amazing Baby, Saint Hotel and Nick Zinner. There are also tons of sponsors involved who may or may not be dishing out free booze and food. They don't specify any freebies but it seems to be alluded to.

Link:

Picking up where the best of 1968's legendary rock superstars left off, the all-new ROCK & ROLL CIRCUS is a cutting-edge marriage of the best of circus spectacle with today's top musicians, creating a multisensory, explosive experience unlike any other live event available today. One of the longest running and top cruelty-free circuses, Big Apple Circus, recently featured in PBS' "Circus" documentary, will be hosting the event at Lincoln Center in the 40,000 square foot tents (used previously by New York Fashion Week). The spectacle is a rare event that brings unity to the progressive music community. Set for January 3rd and 4th - doors will open at 7pm and the show will start at 8pm on both days.
The original RNR Circus w/ The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jethro Tull & More.

  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Tonight: Food Stamps, My Teenage Stride, X-Ray Eyeballs & More @ Bruar Falls (Free Show)



Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Radical Outing Presents: Never Forget (Four Loko Tribute Album)

Brooklyn's own Radical Outing have put together some tracks to commemorate the fallen, in this case Four Loko. The booze that has been fueling the DIY party scene for the past year has been banned and the company that makes it is removing the caffeine.

When I heard these tracks were being worked on I thought it would be some bullshit that got slapped together and might be funny but wouldn't be very good music. Well, I have to say some of these tracks are killer. I've listened to "I Drink Four Lokos In The Rain" at least four times today and "Sippin" is just a killer little punk track. And the artwork is pretty classic.



Video: Smith Westerns "Weekend"

Smith Westerns - Weekend from Fat Possum Records on Vimeo.


Thursday, December 09, 2010

Tonight: Impose Party @ Shea; Bikes In The Kitchen Party @ Lone Wolf (Both Free)

Impose Magazine is throwing a holiday party at Shea Stadium with a bunch of bands. It's free but suggested that you donate $5, which you should do. Elsewhere the Bikes In The Kitchen crew are breaking in the new version of the old Bodega space with a dance party. Bodega was once one of the best DIY spots in Brooklyn but got shutdown. Now it seems that it's been converted into a proper bar called The Lone Wolf.


Das Racist Was On No Reservations With Anthony Bourdain

If you follow Heems from Das Racist on Twitter he's been hinting at a collaboration with Anthony Bourdain for some time now. Well, it's official folks - Das Racist is on No Reservations, the best food show ever (maybe). Well done, sirs.

Link:


RIP Ariel Panero

Lots of people die (Leslie Nielsen most recently) and we put up our RIP posts and say a few kind words. But ultimately those posts are about celebrities that we really didn't know at all. They weren't part of our community and while it's sad when they pass it ultimately has little effect on our day-to-day lives.

This week the news began to spread that local promoter and musician, Ariel Panero, passed away. I met the dude several times and he was a really nice guy. He put together some of the best events in NYC and everyone knew that. Less Artists More Condos reached a legendary status in the DIY scene and yet he remained a pretty humble dude.

The few times I got to hang with him we talked about putting on some shows together. He seemed really into collaborating, despite the fact that he was much better at it than I am. The thing is, he initiated those conversations. I never would have because that dude was on another level and I just didn't think I would have much to offer from a creative standpoint. Unfortunately, nothing ever came of those chats.

He was also a musician and played in Tough Knuckles with one of my dear friends, Jamen. The funny thing is I didn't even know about this until reading about his passing. Jamen is in a new band every week so it's hard to keep up and Ariel never mentioned it to me but that's probably how I met him in the first place.

Ariel is not the first person in the DIY scene to pass but the hole this is going to leave is simply staggering. The creativity that went into a Less Artists More Condos show was second to none and cannot be replicated. New York City just got a whole lot duller. RIP Ariel Panero, I wish we got around to doing that show together.

Link:

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Tonight: Hard Nips & Juiceboxxx @ Cake Shop

Hard Nips are awesome. They're releasing some new shit and this is the release party. Go.


Impose Was At Our Party, "Highest Quality Show...This Year" (Photos)

On Saturday Brooklyn Ski Club threw it's 5 year anniversary party with The Beets, Wild Yaks, Gunfight!, Spirit Family Reunion and Raccoon Fighter at Don Pedro's. The show started around 9:30pm and it was packed all night long.

I was running around like a maniac the whole night making sure the bands were all set and the door had change and what not. But everyone else there seemed to be having a hell of a good time.

We started promoting the show very late. Hell, we didn't even announce two of the bands until 4 days before the party. Needless to say I was a little worried about the turn out. But damn! People came out of the woodwork for this one.

Impose Magazine sent one of their photographers to the party and he said it was "the highest quality show I've been to this year"! I would be proud to hear that if it was January 5th but to get a compliment like that with only 3 weeks left in 2010 - well shit! I'm blushing. Thank you for the kind words Impose. And thank you to all the bands that played and everyone that came out.

Link:




20 seconds of Spirit Family Reunion

New Screaming Females, "Wild" (Free MP3)

sf

Screaming Females have a new track they want you to hear.



Monday, December 06, 2010

Map Of Metal

This thing looks amazing and is mostly accurate. I'm not sure about the hardcore punk to black metal connection but otherwise I mostly agree with the lineage.

Link:

Video: Motorhead "Get Back In Line"

New video from the mighty Motorhead!

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Tonight: The Beets, Wild Yaks, Gunfight! Spirit Family Reunion, Raccoon Fighter @ Don Pedro's (BSC Anniversary Party)

Brooklyn Ski Club is celebrating 5 years tonight at Don Pedro's! The Beets, Wild Yaks, Gunfight!, Spirit Family Reunion and Raccoon Fighter are playing. Tom from Radio America is DJing. It will be $6 to get in and we've got drink specials all night. $1 & $2 beer 8:30-10pm plus combo deals all night.

We love you, come party with us. It will be totally awesome.

RSVP & More Info:

Friday, December 03, 2010

Brooklyn Ski Club 5-Year Anniversary w/ The Beets, Wild Yaks, Gunfight!, Spirit Family Reunion + Raccoon Fighter


Details & RSVP:

Tomorrow night Brooklyn Ski Club is celebrating 5 long and grueling years or party hopping, heavy drinking, bands, shitshows, dance parties, nudity and general debauchery. It's been rough but we've survived.

We've asked some of our favorite bands to come to Don Pedro's tomorrow night and celebrate with us. For a measly $6 you get to see The Beets, Wild Yaks, Gunfight!, Spirit Family Reunion and Raccoon Fighter. If someone else put that show together I would happily pay $10+ to see it and when you factor in the $1-$2 beers, well it's a steal! It will be sweaty and boozey and the next day you'll tell your friends who stayed home that they're huge assholes for missing it.

Lady Bree will be bartending, Impose Magazine will be photographing, Tom from Radio America will be DJing and I will be drunk...we all will be drunk.

Not convinced? Well, here are some other people & blogs that say you should be there:
But ultimately the reason to come out is the amazing bands. Brooklyn Ski Club turning 5 is just a great excuse to get some of my favorite bands in one room together. Hopefully you all will have as much fun as I will. 

The Beets

Wild Yaks

Gunfight!

Spirit Family Reunion

Raccoon Fighter

Tonight: Sounds Of Kaleidoscope & Los Toughfists @ The Church (House Party); So So Glos @ Showpaper Gallery

BSC favorites, Sounds Of Kaleidoscope, are in town and playing The Church. It's that DIY joint in Williamsburg on Manhattan between Meserole and Montrose. I've been to a few shows there and it's always fun. If you're more of the Manhattan island (as opposed to avenue) type then another BSC favorite, So So Glos will be playing the new(ish) Showpaper Gallery on 42nd St.

house party this friday in bushwick! Four bands, two djs. $5. Cheap beer available. All Ages. 

Vote For SHAPES.


Our pals SHAPES are up for band of the month on Deli Mag. They're already in the lead by about 100% percent but you should go vote for them anyway. We've been telling you chumps about SHAPES for over a year now so you should be familiar with their sound but if not check them out now. SHAPES has played a couple of Ski Club shows and their singer, Fanelli (who is one of the best frontmen in NYC, I might add), has also DJ'd our dance party, Smell The Glove.

Link:


Deer Tick, Holy Shit It's Christmas!

Deer Tick recorded a couple of Christmas tunes and you get them for free anytime you purchase a Deer Tick product from the labels store. Which means it's not really free but close enough I guess.

Link:

dtxmas

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Billboard Launches Social 50 Chart


Billboard just launched a new chart which ranks artists based on their social network popularity. The rankings are based on friends/fans/followers, page views and song plays from MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and iLike.

Overall, I like the idea of a social chart since that clearly plays a large part in the success of an artist these days. My issue with it is that it's fairly easy to game the system and artificially boost any of the numbers which the rankings are based on. I just don't know how accurate they can keep this chart. 

Link:


The Vice Guide To Everything

Last night we attended the screening of the new MTV/Vice series The Vice Guide To Everything (premiers Dec. 6th, 11pm on MTV). The show goes all over the world exposing weird customs and debunking myths. I love the VBS documentaries so I was looking forward to seeing what this new series was all about. The show is much like the documentaries but much lighter. It's the Vice attitude and boldness but with an MTV sense of humor.

Of course, I had my concerns about MTV being involved but about 5 minutes into the first episode all concerns were put at ease. Frankly, it's one of the best travel shows I've ever seen and that's because they go places every other show wouldn't dare - North Korea for example.

Things I learned: North Korea is just as weird and scary as you would expect, maybe even more so. Yemen on the other hand looks like a rad place and now I want to visit. The Russian Mafia is even more terrifying than you thought. And finally, the coolest dude in America lives in Detroit and his name is Jay Thunderbolt.

Speaking of Jay Thunderbolt, the man himself was hanging at the after party at Lit. We over to say hello and ended up partying with the guy all night. He's one bad ass dude! We started talking music and turns out he loves Van Halen and hard rock. Carlos (who I throw Smell The Glove with) showed Jay a picture from Smell The Glove, it was of one of our go-go gals with her boobs out. Jay then one-upped Carlos and busted out his camera and proceeded to show us about 100 nude pictures of girls who dance for him doing all sorts of weird shit. We also hung out with one of the producers of the show and he told us that when they talked to Jay about flying to NYC he asked how many guns he could bring onboard and if they could book him a smoking seat. Apparently he hasn't left Detroit in 20 years. After his episode airs I have a feeling Jay might become a bit of celebrity.

We had a killer night partying with the Vice crew and especially Jay Thunderbolt. Thanks for all the free booze Vice!

Link:

Episode 2:






Video: Unstoppable Death Machines "Slumlord" (Free MP3 Too)

I'm still trying to figure out if I dig this band or not but I think they're onto something either way. Unstoppable Death Machines kinda sound like Unsane jamming with The Death Set, maybe a little Fiasco too. That is definitely not something I ever thought I'd be writing. Anyway, check out the video and snag the MP3 for "Slumlord".

Link:



UNSTOPPABLE DEATH MACHINES - "Slumlord" OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO from Scott Cramer on Vimeo.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Beets Playing Our Anniversary Party

I told ya there would be some good news coming on Tuesday. The Beets will be playing the Brooklyn Ski Club 5-Year Anniversary at Don Pedro's with Wild Yaks, Gunfight!, Spirit Family Reunion and Raccoon Fighter. Now that there is one hell of a bill.

The Beets played the very first Non-Worker Party I put together with The Music Slut back in May 2009. They were totally awesome and I'm psyched to have them playing again. Check out their Daytrotter session.

RSVP for the party:


Monday, November 29, 2010

Spirit Family Reunion Playing Our Anniversary Party, Dec. 4th!

We told you guys to keep an ear out because we had some more bands to announce for our 5-year anniversary show. Well, here's another one for ya! The amazing Spirit Family Reunion will be joining the lineup (Wild Yaks, Gunfight!, Raccoon Fighter) this Saturday at Don Pedro's.

The very first band I saw after being bedridden for two months after my surgery was Spirit Family Reunion. I went to see Morgan O'Kane and these guys opened for him. I'd never even heard of them before that night but they've been one of my favorites ever since. The first show was a block away from my place but I dug them so much I crutched my way down to Zebulon a week later to see them again. I recently had the pleasure of seeing them in an intimate 50 person loft and it was killer.

Will there be more bands announced in the next few days? Maybe. I suggest you RSVP on the old Facebook page as we'll be updating there first.


Trailer Park Boys Live Tour Coming To NYC!

Canadians are the funniest people on Earth (after Jews, of course) so it's no surprise that what may be the funniest damn TV show ever happened on Canadian television. Unfortunately, roughly 1.3% of Americans have ever even heard of it and only half of them get it.

Trailer Park Boys might be my all-time favorite comedy television show, top-3 at the very least. The show came to an end a couple years ago but Bubs, Ricky and Julian are bringing the show on the road and hitting Mason Hall in NYC. Tickets will range between $25-$65 and go on sale this Thursday. This is fucking awesome!

Link:

GWAR Disembowels Sarah Palin (It's About Damn Time)

Oh, GWAR...

Link:

Tonight: Benefit Party For Jessie Lee

Porn star and Burning Angel, Jessie Lee, was recently in a really bad car wreck. The story, from what I've gathered, is that she does not have insurance and needs to raise money to pay the bills. Her photographer friends and Burning Angel are throwing an art show fundraiser at Beauty Bar tonight to help her out. Go get drunk and look at photos of naked girls...for charity.

Link:

Ride The Nostalgia Train

The MTA is putting all that new fare hike money to good use by resurrecting a bunch of old ass trains and running them on the lines. While I like the idea in theory I'm kinda pissed off that the MTA has time to fuck around with bullshit like this when they apparently can't get shit else done. This is NOT what I want the money I'm paying to go towards. The MTA is hiking fares and they actually think it's a good time for this nonsense?

Oh, and those old cars were hot as fuck. Remember?

Link:

The Death Set Release New Mixtape, Release Party Tomorrow (Free, Open Bar)

The Death Set have released a new mixtape called Artificially Sweetened. You can download it from the Mishka blog. There's also going to be a release party tomorrow at The Cove. The party is free and has two 30 min open bars plus $3 Jameson shots and $3 beer all night!

Link:


New Cerebral Ballzy Video

Street Carnage has a new Cerebral Ballzy video posted. It's for the tune, "Don't Tell Me What To Do". The Ballzy bros are currently on tour in Europe but should be back in town soon.

Link:


Leslie Nielsen Is Dead (Surely, You Can't Be Serious)

The great Leslie Nielsen has passed on. He's best known for his comedic roles such as in Airplane and the Naked Gun series. However, Leslie had a long and successful career as a dramatic actor on both television and film dating all the way back to 1950.

One of the greatest lines in movie history:


Sunday, November 28, 2010

Ritz Riot! "Black Ink" (Free MP3)

I randomly stumbled upon Ritz Riot! a couple days ago and have listened to this track about 6 times since. The song is called "Black Ink" and was released back in July. It's a little Matt & Kim and a little Team Robespierre, maybe some Death Set too. I guess you could call it electro-punk if you want but I just say it sounds like Brooklyn.

The bands only seems to have a few properly recorded tracks (here's another) and based on the live videos seem to ditch the keyboards when they play live. I haven't seen them yet though so maybe I'll check them out at Lit on December 2nd and report back. I hope they have the keyboards.





Friday, November 26, 2010

Tonight: So So Glos & The Rassle @ The Studio

Killer show with two really good NYC bands. The Rassle are half ex-Young Lords and half ex-Virgins (I think that's the equation). The So So Glos are one of the best bands in Brooklyn and are long time favorites of BSC. This is great show so don't stay home tonight.





Friday, November 19, 2010

Tonight: The Beets & Total Slacker @ 285 Kent; Raccoon Fighter @ Shea

Good show at that loft space next to Glasslands tonight.


-Todd P Presents-
::The Beets
::::Total Slacker --- Emilys 21st B-day !!!!!!
:::::::The Babies --mem's of Woods,Vivian Girls and Stupid Party

::::::::Eternal Summers

:::::::::::::Night Manager



But I suggest hitting Shea Stadium first for Raccoon Fighter


Thursday, November 18, 2010

MiniBoone Are Awesome, Huh?

Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by the bombardment of bands that a really fucking good one slips right through the cracks on me. I've been hearing about MiniBoone since October or so but just never got around to checking them out. A couple weeks ago I was finally able to give them a proper listen and holy shit, they're awesome!

I'm a sucker for a band that plays uptempo, fun music and MiniBoone seems to specialize in it. There's an obvious Talking Heads influence but way less arty and way more party.

Link:

Shows:
Dec 15th - Rock Shop, Brooklyn
Dec 16 - Bowery Electric, NYC


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Video: Holy Grail "My Last Attack"

The first time I heard Holy Grail I was a little unsure about them. There are tons of revivalist metal bands these days and frankly most of them suck. But Holy Grail had something legit going on and even though I wasn't totally impressed with their early stuff you could tell they had something going on. They recently released a new album called Crisis In Utopia, which you might have heard at our party Smell The Glove which was the official listening party for the album. The new album is fucking awesome and Holy Grail might be one of the best metal bands out there right now.

New Track From The Death Set w/ Diplo

The Death Set recently teamed up with Diplo on a new track called "Yo David Chase! You P.O.V. Shot Me In The Head". Check it out on that fork site.

Link:

"Yo David Chase! You P.O.V. Shot Me in the Head" [Ft. Diplo]

Brooklyn Ski Club 5 Year Anniversary, Coming Soon

Believe it or not it's been 5 years since Ski Club got started. Of course, there will be a party because that's what we do. I can't reveal all of the details just yet but mark the date (December 4th) and enjoy these videos.

River May Come from Matt Goldman on Vimeo.



Raccoon Fighter - "No Lover" - Studio Session from Blake Johnson on Vimeo.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

New Tracks From Ben Talmi

Back in August, while I was bedridden and recovering from surgery, I took some time to dig through some emails and listen to some new submissions. I got lucky on my first try and put up a post about Ben Talmi. Since then Ben has played CMJ and got some attention from other blogs out there.

I was excited to see another email today from Ben with a couple new tracks. Check them out below and let us know what you think. If you want to download them they will be available tomorrow here.


Saturday, November 13, 2010

Spirit Family Reunion & Listenlisten Loft Show

On Tuesday (I know, sorry it took so long) I went to a private loft for a show that Spirit Family Reunion was playing. The loft was on S.5th and Bedford and you had to RSVP to get in. When I go there I chatted with the dude who lives there and was throwing the party. He said the show was the first of many to come. The loft space itself is huge room with a kitchen off to the side. It's a great spot for shows and can handle about 50 people or so pretty comfortably.

We got to the show kinda early and brought with us a bunch of Bud and a flask of vodka (it's BYOB). It was a little awkward at first because there weren't all that many people there and those who were there all seemed to know each other. That's what the booze is for though.

The first performance was by Redding Hunter (from Peter & The Wolf). He played most of the set solo and on piano with the occasional back up vocals by two girls standing by. It was good but I didn't love it. Towards the end he switched to guitar and played an absolutely amazing song. I'd see this guy all the time if the whole set was similar to that song.

Next up was a band all the way from Texas called listenlisten (yup, all lowercase and one word). They started off kinda rough but after the first song they hit their stride. Halfway through the set I made up my mind that not only did I like these guys but they're pretty damn good. The vocal harmonies were impressive to say the least. The music itself is kinda country but as Tom put it, "I feel like I'm about to go to battle at Gettysburg." And while that might not help out anyone reading this, if you were there you would agree with that statement.

After listenlisten we went for a bodega run and grabbed a couple of 40's of Bud. When we got back Spirit Family was started to get ready. I've seen SFR twice before and they were amazing both times. In the setting of a small loft I could only expect them to be even better. In my experience rowdy country in a Brooklyn loft means good times.

Spirit Family Reunion came out with guns blasting Tuesday night. The whole place erupted into a arm-hooking, foot-stompin' dance off. The stomping got so intense that the neighbors downstairs complained. So the band simply took off their shoes and the crowd followed suit. The dancing continued on, sans shoes.

Spirit Family Reunion is one of those bands who make you feel like your part of something bigger when you see them play. This might sound weird but their music really captures that raw feeling of being alive. Really! It's that feeling that you used to get all the time when you were a kid which has since become unfamiliar but all the more appreciated when you do feel it.

They played some of my favorites like "100 Greenback Dollar Bills" and "When My Name Is Spoken." Most of the crowd seemed to know at least the choruses to the songs so there were some nice country sing-a-long moments. The dancing never stopped until Spirit Family did and then the loft emptied out and the patrons went their separate ways. It was one hell of a show.





Spirit Family Reunion




listenlisten
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