Tonight: Wild Yaks, Unstoppable Death Machines, Violent Bullshit at 285 Kent

Great fucking show in Williamsburg tonight! Wild Yaks, Unstoppable Death Machines, Habibi, Violent Bullshit play live and Dirtyfinger is on the wheels of steel. This will be fucking madness. 

RSVP:

https://www.facebook.com/events/531231320221347/

Wild Yaks On BTR

Great interview with some song clips thrown in.

Wild Yaks Played Grand St. Bakery (Video)

The Yaks are back after taking a short hiatus to record their new album. On Friday they played the backyard of the Grand Street Bakery, which is a killer space. They should have more shows back there. Despite being completely shit-faced the set was pretty killer. I took a bunch of pics and shot some video of it. I still need to upload the pics but check out the sweet HD (make sure to toggle it to 1080p before viewing).

Tonight: Wild Yaks, EULA, Ritz Riot, Spirit Family Reunion

If you wanna run around town you can see Wild Yaks and Spirit Family Reunion twice tonight! Early on Wild Yaks are playing The Grand St. Bakery on Grand St. in Brooklyn. Also early, Spirit Family Reunion (who recently opened for the legendary Levon Helm) are playing the Invisible Children event at Big Screen Plaza. Later on Wild Yaks are playing with EULA and Ritz Riot at Tommy's Tavern! A shitty dive bar with three of my favorite local bands, yes! Elsewhere, SFR is playing the MeanRed party at DROM which is a weird combo of band/venue/promoter but good for them. 

RSVP & Details:

SFR Early Show

SFR Late Show

Yaks Early Show

Yaks, EULA, Ritz Riot Show

Today: Bushwick Block Party

Wild Yaks, Team Robespierre, Roberta's Pizza...Yes please! 

Let's ignore the fact it's not actually in Bushwick.

Wild Yaks Have A New Song, "Million Years Old"

As you've noticed I haven't been posting much as of late but a new Wild Yaks songs certainly warrants a post. The track is called "Million Years Old" and I remember the first time I heard it. I was at Legion, I think it was someone's birthday party. The Yaks played a couple new songs all of which were good but this one in particular was like a punch in the face. It just fucking floored me. There was a level of intensity to it that was shocking, even for the Wild Yaks. I'm happy that I can now listen to it at home. The recording is great but for the true impact of this tune you have to see performed live, perhaps tomorrow at Rock Beach.

Wild Yaks, "Million Years Old" by The FADER

Tonight: Wild Yaks & McDonalds @ Union Pool; Ritz Riot @ Legion; Spirit Family Reunion & Morgan O'Kane @ Zebulon

Some of my favorite BK bands are all playing tonight.

Link:

Wild Yaks & McDonalds @ Union Pool

Spirit Family Reunion & Morgan O'Kane @ Zebulon

Ritz Riot @ Legion

Tonight: Wild Yaks @ Coco66; SHAPES & Raccoon Fighter @ Shea Stadium; TSOK @ Loft Party; So So Glos, Darlings, Sundelles @ 285 Kent

Lots to do in Brooklyn tonight. I will be at Shea Stadium for sure and will likely be hitting the loft party as well. The Wild Yaks show has a solid lineup but I think it's too far off from the rest to swing by. Bummer.

RSVP & Details

RSVP & Details

RSVP & Details

***Update: Forgot about this one & it's killer
RSVP & Details

Tonight: Wild Yaks, Scary Mansion, Friends @ Cameo

Wild Yaks are playing with Scary Mansion, Chica Vas and Friends. Have you heard Friends yet? I just listened to them a few minutes ago and my brain is still tingling. They're really, really, really good. I mean, I haven't seen them live yet but the songs they have online are beautiful. Go.

Link:

Yaks @ Cameo

Tonight: Wild Yaks @ Legion

Wild Yaks are playing a show at Legion Bar tonight. I think it's free but that could be false, it'll be cheap at most.

More Info:

Yaks @ Legion

Tonight: Shilpa Ray, Headless Horseman, Popo @ Piano's; Wild Yaks @ The Gutter; Darlings & Regal Degal @ Shea

Plenty of good shows tonight! I will be at Brown Out at Piano's which features Shilpa Ray, Headless Horseman and Popo. I've been trying to catch Headless Horseman for quite a while and Popo is rad. Somehow this is my first time seeing Shilpa Ray, which seems impossible.

If I wasn't at Piano's I'd be catching one of the other shows here. I'm really bummed I can't make it to the Wild Yaks show.

Link:

Brown Out

Link: 

Wild Yaks @ The Gutter

Darlings & Regal Degal @ Shea Stadium

Tonight: Wild Yaks @ Zebulon (Free Show); Dirty Fences Playing House Party

Wild Yaks are playing a free show tonight at Zebulon. They go on around 11:30. Elsewhere, there's a house party on Marcy and the Dirty Fences are playing. I don't think there's a cover but not sure.

Details:

Wild Yaks @ Zebulon

Dirty Fences House Party

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



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:

Impose Photo Set (15 Pics)

More Pics On Facebook

20 seconds of Spirit Family Reunion

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:

Brooklyn Ski Club 5 Year

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

Details & RSVP:

Brooklyn Ski Club 5-Year

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:

• The Culture Of Me
• The Music Slut
• New York Rock Market
• Shaw Promotion
• Nicks & Dimes
• WFMU
• My Free Concert
• StereoactiveNYC
• Eardrum NYC
• Ode To Awe

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

 The Beets - What Did I Do?  

Wild Yaks

 Wild Yaks - River May Come  

Gunfight!

 Gunfight! - Woof/Howl  

Spirit Family Reunion

 Spirit Family Reunion - 100 Greenback Dollar Bills 

Raccoon Fighter

 Raccoon Fighter - No Lover 

Tonight: Wild Yaks @ K&M (Free Show)

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.

Last Night: Wild Yaks, Regal Degal, Cerebral Ballzy & Black Lips

I woke up yesterday hungover and never really recovered. I was dragging ass all day and spent a good majority of it on the couch resting up. But evening came around and things did not get much better. Too bad because a whole lot of fun was happening in a few hours.

First up was Van-efit, which Wild Yaks and Regal Degal were playing. The show was a fundraiser for some dude who's van broke down in Ohio and he needed money to get back out there and get it fixed...something like that. I got to Good Co for the show right around 10pm. Regal Degal was on while I was walking through the door. 

One of my good friends is the drummer for the band so I was glad I made it in time. I've only seen them play one other time, a few months back at Don Pedro's. That show was so insanely loud that I honestly couldn't even figure out if I liked them or not. Last night, however, they sounded great. The vocals were a little low in the mix but overall it was awesome to hear them at a bearable volume. I was at the show with Tom from Radio America who was seeing them for the first time and pointed out a resemblance to Television. 

After Regal Degal played we worked on a few beers and waited for Wild Yaks to set up, which seemed to be taking a very long time. Finally the Yaks got started and the fun began. The room was totally packed and it seemed like everyone there knew the words to every song. In fact, a few times Rob backed off the mic and let the crowd take over vocal duties. 

As with any Yaks show it was awesome. It was also far from flawless. Rob managed to break a string on two songs, which happened to be back-to-back. The singer/guitar player from Regal Degal (who is also in Dinowalrus) decided to just let Rob use his guitar to speed things along. After that things went swimmingly. The set was damn good and they closed with my two favorites, "Blood Red Field" and "River May Come." 

The second they finished we rushed out the door and headed towards The Shank. The show at The Shank was a late show, so it was just starting, but we already had friends there waiting for us so we hurried over. On the way over I desperately started texting and calling friends because I had an extra ticket and didn't want to eat it. But it was too late and I got to pay double admission to get in. An awesome start.

When we got inside some band was just starting up and the venue was filling in. There was already an obscenely long line for the two port-o-potty's conveniently located right next to the bar. If you haven't been to The Shank it's a massive open space covered in graffiti with 50-foot high ceilings and no rules. It's about as DIY as you can get in Williamsburg these days. 

The first band finished up and we headed upstairs to the balcony-esque area which overlooks the main floor. The upstairs area was cloudy from all the smoke. We managed to snag two of the five seats available in the entire venue. We heard the K-Holes starting up but didn't want to lose our seats so we stayed put. I love the K-Holes but I was tired and hungover and that seat was comfortable, especially since my bum knee was acting up. 

While we were sitting there a bunch of dudes started pissing in the corner to avoid an hour wait for the crapper. The corner turned into a lake of piss and spilled beer. A couple of girls, who may or may not have been aware of the source of this lake, started jumping around and dancing in this massive piss pond. It was totally fucking gross. 

Eventually we noticed that the Ballzy dudes weren't hanging upstairs anymore so we figured they must be setting up. We abandoned our post and headed downstairs for the show. Just as we got down on the main floor they started up. Immediately everyone in the room noticed how awful the sound was. You could not hear the vocals at all and the guitars and bass were super muddy. It sounded like shit. 

Nonetheless, Ballzy kept on trucking along. Honor kept grabbing different mics in an attempt to find one that would actually project his voice, that didn't really work out. Then he started climbing the walls and speakers. At one point he leaned on the monitor and it buckled. One of the sound guys had to grab it and he spent the rest of the set holding this speaker in place. Meanwhile the kids in the pit were going apeshit. The crap sound seemed to actually fuel the madness as punk kids were diving into the crowd. At one point someone started carry around a massive cross made out of skateboards. 

I give Ballzy credit for playing through what must have been the worst mix ever. They didn't let up at all but it was painful to listen to and in no way was it their fault. I know it's a DIY joint and all but I've been to tons of DIY shows and that's right up there with the shittiest sound quality I've ever heard and that's including basement shows in high school. 

Towards the end of the set I headed to the back of the room in hopes that the sound might be a little better further back - it wasn't. While back there I noticed that the floor was soaked. I looked along the dark wall and I could make out a ton of people, male and female, pissing along the wall. A good quarter of the venue was flooded with piss, spilled beer, cigarette butts and Four Loko (which they were selling for $10, yikes!). It was fucking gnarly and I'd hate to be the guy who has to clean that shit hole in the morning. 

After Ballzy finished up the crowd was getting noticeably antsy. It was about 2am at this point and the smoke cloud, urine and lack of seating was getting to people. As such it seemed like they rushed the Black Lips on stage to keep people sane. Surprisingly the Black Lips sounded pretty good. The vocals were audible and everything else sounded pretty decent, not great but for a lo-fi band in a DIY space it wasn't bad at all. I'm convinced they did a sound check for the Black Lips and just left the board set up for them and the other bands had to play through their sound settings.   

All of the bullshit scared my friends off. The sound issues made them all abandon ship either during or after Ballzy but I hung in there and I'm glad I did. The Lips made the hellish atmosphere all worth it. Within minutes of the start of their set people just started climbing on stage and dancing. Halfway through the set the stage was so jam packed full of dancing kids that you couldn't even see the band up there. Even with all the commotion they were still able to play an awesome set. At one point I think the power strip for the amps went out because they did two or three songs acappella.

The whole place was dancing and singing along towards the end, it was great. The set was pretty short but it was so late at that point that I don't think anyone minded. If I recall correctly they announced they had one more song and went into "Bad Kids" to close it out. Immediately after the song some drunk dude started yelling at the top of his lungs, "turn up the vocals! turn up the vocals." Sorry dude, shows over. 

Tonight: Black Lips & Ballzy @ The Shank; Wild Yaks @ Good Co; Tigersapien @ Glasslands

Lots of good music tonight in the Burg. The big news is the JellyNYC party with the Black Lips and Cerebral Ballzy. The show is only $5, which is awesome considering the average Lips show these days is like $20. Putting Ballzy with the Black Lips is pretty much perfection in the world of show promoting. The crowd is going to be foaming at the mouth by the time the Black Lips hit the stage.

The show at The Shank starts at 10pm so I suggest either hitting Good Co for Wild Yaks and Regal Degal or Glasslands for Tigersapien and French Horn Rebellion first.

Links:

Black Lips Tickets

Tigersapien & FHR at Glasslands

Wild Yaks & Regal Degal at Good Co