At last night’s opening night gala for the Sundance Film Institute at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), they started things off with the NY premiere of the documentary film American Teen, written and directed by Nanette Burstein. Following the day-to-day lives of five very different teenagers in the small-town of Warsaw, Indiana in their senior year of high school, she uses interviews and even animation to vividly update the common struggles teens go through in this day and age, that are emotional and awkward.
While it can be argued that every teen movie portrays the same adolescent stereotypes, American Teen is a film that shows, without trying, the vulnerability of being young and the struggles that they go through to fit in, while being funny and poignant. It's a good film with people you can relate to and care about as they find their way out of the cliché’s of high school and into their adult lives.
In this exhibition, Japanese photographer Keizo Kitajima shows a selection of c-prints that document artist Henry Darger’s one-room apartment in Chicago that he lived and worked in for some 40 years. Cookshop offers American fare blending fresh and healthy ingredients. Try the Five Grain Risotto with Oregon black trumpet mushrooms, crème fraiche, and fried sage ($20). All wood and brick, The Half King is a great bar in Chelsea, minus the attitude its neighboring bars have. Grab a draft beer for $7 or a burger among other great menu items. If you’re fanatical about your coffee, Café Grumpy is your place to get some of the city’s best. The coffee’s are brewed to order and the espresso drinks are out of this world. I highly recommend this place.
Los Angeles indie pop band The Submarines have been getting their name out there by having their songs appear on cable shows like Nip/Tuck, Grey’s Anatomy, and Weeds. Check them out live before they blow-up. Pukk serves up some delicious vegetarian Thai food. With a futuristic design, plastic and green tint everywhere, the menu offers everything from Pad Thai to Spicy Watercress Duck, only the duck, like all meat here, is made of vegetarian soy. A chill bar to go for a drink and not be bothered with loud, annoying drunks is The Magician. This place, which has no visible name, is across the street from Welcome to the Johnsons. With a southern theme, the draw at Mason Dixon is being one of only two bars in NYC with a mechanical bull. For $10 you can ride it. Expect to be thrown off in 5 seconds, if you can stay on that long!
With a new disc out called Do It!, Clinic stay glued to their eclectic indie rock sound infused with surf guitar, making a great new album. For the record, their doctor’s masks still remain on. Joining them is one-man-band BBQ. While equally known as a wine bar as it is an Italian eatery, Inoteca is one of the hipper places to eat on the L.E.S. offering a menu of small items like cheeses that are more about sharing with friends than walking away stuffed. An excellent German beer garden, Loreley offers 12 German beers on tap and a menu of German food items like potato pancakes with smoked salmon applesauce and lingonberries ($15). One of the best cupcakes in the city, Sugar Sweet Sunshine has a menu of 10 different cupcakes daily. Try the “Sassy Red Velvet,” you won’t be disappointed.
Folksinger Langhorne Slim is so much more, taking blues and rock and mixing in some punk swagger to create retro sounding songs with soul. Joining him are indie-folk singer Luke Temple and roots rockers The Builders and the Butchers. With one of the best-looking spaces in NYC, My Moon offers a delicious mostly American menu with food like the Tuna Tartar-Yellow fin tuna, tomato jelly, avocado, purple potato chips, chili oil and soy sauce ($12), which makes this place worth the trip. For a drink at a local hang, The Abbey is what you’re looking for. With a TV playing and a pool table in the back, settle in, get one of seven beers on tap and relax. One of my favorite coffee shops to sit by a window and stare out into the sea of Bedford Avenue, Fabiene’s offers exceptional desserts and sandwiches on top of beer and wine.
Indie power pop sensation What Made Milwaukee Famous, who oddly enough are based out of Austin, Texas, stop by Union Hall to perform. Joining them are the NYC based Hymns. Taking the pressed sandwich to the gourmet level, Press 195 offers 30 kinds of hot pressed sandwiches that make this place hard to get tired of. One of the more social bars in Park Slope, The Gate is a great bar with a wide selection of local beers on tap and an outdoor patio overlooking the park. A great little dessert and coffee shop, The Chocolate Room has a menu filled with everything made with some form of chocolate. Try the hot chocolate, you won’t regret it.
Since Then David Crosby & Carl Gottlieb G.P. Putnam's Sons
In his autobiography, Since Then, a follow-up to his 1988 tome Long Time Gone, rock 'n' roller David Crosby is more focused on his own survival then recalling past tales of drugs and debauchery. Told from the point of view of those close to Crosby (his wife Jan) and those who survived the 60s and lived to tell about it (Grace Slick), the book is a kaleidoscope of memories laid out side by side to form a collective picture of how one man battled his demons and came out on top. There are happy memories here including the story of reconnecting and making music with a lost son and finding new joy in performing with former bandmates Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young. The style of the book is a little disjointed at times but it grows on you.
Celebrating the release of Opium Magazine’s new issue Go Green! (But Save Me First) they offer up Literary Death Match, with contestants including Bob Powers (You Are a Miserable Excuse for a Hero), and Garth Risk Hallberg (Canteen Magazine). For fans of macrobiotics, tofu, seitan and even fish, Souen is great for healthy food that won’t have you feeling like you shouldn’t have ordered that. Try the Broiled Tofu Okabe, which sees thick slices of tofu, broiled and topped with a sesame and sake paste ($11). One of the oldest bars in the city, Ear Inn offers cheap pints in a timeless environment. Walk through the doors and it’s like you’re in the early 1900s, though the occasional ringing cell phone will bring you back to reality. Possibly one of the best sandwich shops in the city, Alidoro has 40 kinds of amazing Italian sandwiches, all named.
Flight of the Conchords Flight of the Conchords Sub Pop
Long before Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, or Flight of the Conchords, as they're better known, were the next hip thing on HBO, they were two ordinary musicians from New Zealand. Their musical comedy act took them across the globe and gained them recognition. First came a BBC radio series; then came the break that put them on the map: their HBO series, Flight of the Conchords.
Sub Pop Records, in conjunction with HBO, released an album of all the jams from the series that made you chuckle earlier this year, and they're just as funky and funny off the screen. Here Bret and Jemaine use their musical talent to make you laugh, as well as dance on this funky collection of musical comedy songs. While you may not get all the jokes if you've never seen the show, you'll still rock to the beat all the same.
Acid trips, rainbows and other quirky items have been used to create the most original and complex electro-indie album of the year. Digitalism showcases their brilliant talents in combining hot beats, great guitar solos and an off yet subtly brilliant noise machine on their album, Idealism. The album is sure to leave people wanting more from the band but after listening to the album, you can only ask: What could they possibly come up with next? If you like a subtle brilliance mixed in with an original DIY electro pop ditty then pick up the album.
This 14 piece Athens, Georgia outfit sound like a psychedelic army of freak folk on wax, so imagine how’d they’d come across live. From what I hear, they’re nothing short of spectacular. For vegetarians and those not in the mood for meat, Wild Ginger offers Pan-Asian cuisine in a relaxed earth-toned environment with a menu featuring veggies, tofu, seitan, and soy. The best thing about Teddy’s Bar is that it’s just got this great neighborhood vibe that’s warm and friendly, while also having a great menu of drinks and American bar food favorites like burgers, salads, sandwiches, and steak. A great place to get good coffee, take a seat, and watch the passing hipsters stroll by, Verb Café even has excellent sandwiches and baked goods to snack on before the show.
Martha Wainwright I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too Zoe Records
Singer/songwriter Martha Wainwright's second full-length I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too, picks up where her 2005 self-titled debut left off and then takes a big leap forward. Love is still a sticky situation, full of more barbed lows than euphoric highs. The song titles themselves ("Bleeding All Over You," "You Cheated Me," and "Love Is A Stranger") read like taglines for tales of women scorned. Lucky for Wainwright, the daughter of a musical dynasty that includes brother Rufus Wainwright and parents Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, her feisty take on heartbreak is backed up with a pulsing production and clever lyrics that keep the album fresh and exciting. Switching between raw heartbreak and airy sweetness, Wainwright has more than bettered her first effort and will leave you dreaming of what she has in store for #3. The album also includes a wonderful brightened up cover of Pink Floyd's "See Emily Play."
One great way to lose the winter weight, now that it’s getting warm out, is by taking a dance class at The Ailey Extension. Beginners and non-professionals can get their groove on and learn how to hip hop, samba, belly dance, and more. For fans of fondue, Swizz is where it’s at. Try the Traditional Cheese Fondue (serves two) with Gruyere and Emmenthal cheeses, served with cubed bread ($40). When it comes to making great vodka, at the Russian Vodka Room, the menu says it all, with 53 different vodka’s not including their 10 specially infused flavors like strawberry, ginger, and if you’re feeling bold, garlic, pepper, and dill. If your looking for a burger with lot’s of extra’s, then check out Zip Burger, where their farm-raised, organic/grass-fed meat and poultry create a better burger. Burgers start at a mere $4.50 but can get dangerously expensive depending on your toppings.
Give Your Skin the Shower of a Lifetime With the Satinjet
Beauty Editors know all the secrets of soft glowing skin and glistening hair but sometimes a product comes along that takes even us “cynical souls” by surprise. This one just happens to be a showerhead!
Equipped with a Vitamin C cartridge that eliminates chlorine before it touches your skin, the Methven Satinjet Maia is the low-flow equivalent to showering in pure water. Using twin-jet technology, each drop of water turns into thousands, resulting in a circulation-stimulating waterfall. With the chlorine removed, your skin and hair will no longer suffer the damaging effects of this chemical.
So how can you justify spending $395 on a showerhead? Think of it like this: By using less moisturizer, dandruff control shampoos will be a thing of the past. Most importantly, you will no longer be exposed to harmful chlorine fumes. Worth it? I think so!
Methven Satinjet Maia is available at Barney's New York. Look out for the Plant-Based Shower Infusion Collection for a sensory spa experience, launching in September 2008.
--Michelle McDermott
A former makeup artist for Christian Dior, Michelle McDermott writes about luxe resorts, spas, and hotels for print and web publications. Check out her website at OhSoBoutique
Location: Upper East Side, NYC Art: Action/Abstraction: Pollock, De Kooning, and American Art, 1940–1976 Show time: Sun to Wed & Sat 11:00 AM to 5:45 PM, Thurs 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM Venue: Jewish Museum Food: Brother Jimmy’s Bait Shack Drink: Cavatappo Wine Bar Miscellaneous: Ship of Fools
Probably one of the most inventive times for art, the action and abstraction genres that gained popularity after World War II by Jackson Pollack and Willem De Kooning, having influenced countless others after them, are explored in this exhibition of their work and the leading artists since them, from 1940-1976. Now that it’s getting warmer out, what better way to celebrate than with some BBQ. Jimmy’s Bait Shack is known for their BBQ’d meats, smoked in house. The menu is all Southern favorites like po boys, catfish, fried chicken, along with burgers. Though it’s small, Cavatappo Wine Bar packs a mighty punch, offering an amazing selection of wines from all over the world for under $10 a glass. With more than 40 TVs featuring sports, Ship of Fools also has darts, pool tables, and video games.
What better way to celebrate the 67th birthday of one of folk music’s icons, than with New York’s local heavyweights of the music scene today? Those paying tribute include Adam Green, The Pierces, The Hymns, Tracy Bonham, Nikolai Fraiture, and more. Part restaurant and part club, China 1 serves up more upscale Chinese food than you’re used to. With décor that’s more dungeon lounge than China, this is a fun place to hang. With an MP3 jukebox that has 3000 albums to choose from, nicknamed “El DJ,” Hi Fi is a rock lover’s wet dream. With daily drink specials, this place is cheap, and that’s a rare thing in NYC these days. If you’re still in the mood to party after this early reading, hit up Second on Second for some karaoke, where you can sing till your throat is sore!
Despite cancelled tour dates and rumors of Eddie Van Halen in-and-out of rehab, the reunion everyone’s been waiting for is on for tonight at least, with the original Van Halen lineup playing minus original member, bassist Michael Anthony, which is another story. For a kickass burger or chicken sandwich, Island Burgers and Shakes specializes in making great burgers like the Bourbon Street Burger that’s blackened, with bacon, Jack, bayou mayo, and onion on sourdough. One inexpensive bar in midtown, Smith’s is a dive with cheap booze, friendly locals, and live music daily in the next room. Though the place is way expensive, Colony Music is a fun music store that sells albums and sheet music. You can walk around and check out the entertainment memorabilia. Whether you’re looking for an autographed guitar signed by the Rolling Stones or an autographed 8x10 of Linda Carter, they’ve got it.
With their new album out Arm’s Way, The Islands, a Montreal based indie rock band with former members of The Unicorns, are fantastic live and their songs have plenty of hip hop and calypso influences among other genres, yet the new album is still more down to earth than their previous effort yet just as good. If you like ramen noodles and pork, then Momofuku is your spot for food. The Berkshire pork is the best I’ve had and it’s the only place I’ll eat pork period, which should tell you just how good Momofuku really is! What looks like a neighborhood bar to watch sports actually has three more rooms, where you can order food or find a quiet place to smooch! For dessert a little left of the dial, Sundaes & Cones offers eclectic flavors like wasabi and corn and many more flavors that are familiar.
Saturday May 24
Location: Lower East Side, NYC Band: The Second Annual Olive Juice All Day Independent Music Festival Show time: noon Venue: Cake Shop Food: Pukk Drink: The Magician Miscellaneous: Mason Dixon
Home to such artists as Jeffrey Lewis and Schwervon!, Olive Juice is a label that many of the anti-folk scenes quirky artists call home. Cake Shop plays host to this all-day festival. Pukk serves up some delicious vegetarian Thai food. With a futuristic design, plastic, and green tint everywhere, the menu offers traditional Pad Thai to Spicy Watercress Duck, only the duck, like all meat here, is made of vegetarian soy. A chill bar where you can have a drink and not be bothered with loud, annoying drunks is The Magician. This place, which has no visible name, is across the street from Welcome to the Johnsons. With a southern theme, the big draw at Mason Dixon is being one of two bars in NYC with a mechanical bull. For $10 you can ride it. Expect to be thrown off in 5 seconds, if you can stay on that long!
For those that don’t know of Sun Ra, he put the cool in avant-garde jazz and made sense of the ununiformed honks and beeps that free jazz was stuck in. Longtime original Arkestra member Marshall Allen leads this amazing group, showing audiences why some jazz is still great. A little known sushi joint, Koo Sushi offers affordable and fantastic fish with an impressive number of specialty rolls. For a bar that looks like any other, Blind Tiger Ale House offers an impressive number of beers including draught, bottled, cask and one called Louise’s Bloody Beer. Try it if you dare! If you’re in the mood for some comfort food, Peanut Butter & Co., offers some PB heavy hitters like the Elvis, a PB, banana, and bacon sandwich that tastes better than it sounds.
America at Night: The True Story of Two Rogue CIA Operatives, Homeland Security Failures, Dirty Money, and a Plot to Steal the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election- by the Former Intelligence Agent Who Foiled Their Plan Larry Kolb Riverhead Books
If you've ever dreamed of being a spy, this book could be as close as you'll ever get. Larry Kolb is a retired CIA operative who worked extensively in the Middle East, Central America, and South Pacific as well as serving as an advisor to Muhammad Ali. His first book, Overworld, effectively ended his CIA career as it, according to him, intentionally blew his cover.
America at Night is the personal account of Kolb's pursuit of two former CIA officials attempting to smear Jon Kerry with a connection to al-Qaeda during the 2004 presidential election, giving readers an inside look into the inner circles of Washington’s National Security.
Kolb holds no punches as he takes readers through his life on a day-to-day basis, working in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security to catch two rogue spies before they pull off their sinister plot.
Despite critics and fans expecting the worst, go out and see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and judge for yourself. Besides, it can’t be as bad as Star Wars Episode I. Anyone remember Jar Jar Binks? With an upscale lounge setting, the food at Eatery is also dressed up, with entrees like Pan Roasted Atlantic Salmon with sweet corn relish, baby basmati rice and seven vegetable slaw ($19.95). A great place for mixed drinks with an inviting atmosphere, Zanzibar specializes in inventive cocktails like the Rejuvenation with Grey Goose Vanilla, and cucumber, muddled with sugar and sour mix ($13). A fave of mine in the area for burgers, Island Burgers and Shakes offers one of the best burgers in the city that isn’t $80! Try the Princess Grace Burger with ham, boursin, mushroom, onion, and peppers on ciabatta ($7.50).
I saw Dark Meat live before I'd heard them recorded or read much about them. The acid riddled 14 plus-piece band took up a large stage and much of the floor space in the venue. It was a barely controlled mess of face paint, brass instruments, streamers, and confetti. The audience including myself looked on with curious glee.
Universal Indians saw VICE Records sending the Atlanta based band to New Orleans to live in a house, do drugs, and record. What could have been a disaster somehow ended up perfectly capturing the vibe of the Blues Brothers meets Captain Beefheart outfit. Vocals mimic a ghostly Appalachian croon, a myriad of marching band instruments swirl around each other chaotically, blaring with a confidence that ties them together. If you're one for pitch perfect melodies, start with the pop minded "Angels of Meth" and work your way into the record from there.
--Chris V
We Are Scientists Brain Thrust Mystery Virgin Records
The dance-pop scene keeps sending release after release but how do We Are Scientists (pioneers of the present scene) stand up to it? With tracks like "That's What Counts," where dance meets a lush brass section sound; "Lethal Enforcer," where the 80's meets the band Men, Women & Children and; the mostly electronic ballad "Spoken For," the band does pretty well to keep their billing as supreme. However, the album is not without it's kinks. Noise-ridden and overproduced "Dinosaurs" is the most skip-able track on the album and "Ghouls" is a ballad in the same formula as "Spoken For" but not done nearly as well. Overall, with stand-out track "Altered Beast," the band will keep you on your feet just as easily before but—as a whole—you may have to skip a few songs here and there to stay on your toes.
With 81 artists involved across every artistic genre you can imagine, The Whitney Biennial surveys the landscape of what American Art is today. If you like your burgers big, Jackson Hole is where you want to bring your appetite. Home of the 7oz. burger, you can get a beef, turkey, or the veggie kind prepared in a number of ways. Try the Eastside, a bacon cheeseburger topped with ham, mushrooms, tomato and fried onions ($12.50). For drinks on top of the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Balcony Bar and Roof Garden has an amazing view of the city and some delicious cocktails. Located in the Museum of German and Austrian Art, Café Sabarsky offers a menu of traditional Austrian delights like strudel and linzertorte while it’s design is straight out of Europe’s 1920’s.
A New Album, A New Tour, and The Duke Spirit Keep Getting Better
The Duke Spirit is one of the most up-and-coming acts on the indie rock scene today. They came to the Bowery Ballroom and upheld their reputation as a dynamic live act last month, and lead singer Leila Moss was gracious enough to sit and answer some questions after the show.
You guys played at South by Southwest this year, how did it go and who were some of the your favorite acts you caught?
Leila Moss (LM): The south by southwest gigs went really well this year, we did three shows all in all, good. SXSW is generally a bit weird for bands to play, I don't necessarily think it's the best place to see bands either. A lot of the music industry folks just come and stand around and chat while you play. Give me the Bowery Ballroom instead anytime!
You've been playing together for about five years. What's it been like to grow together as a band while watching your fanbase multiply?
LM: There is always a lot of proximity with a band playing/touring/recording together which is hard to get away from. Its like, you see each other so often, you don't notice the little changes in each other. None of the band have turned into divas from whatever success we've had. Yet! I don't feel we've got particularly different ideas musically than when we started, to be honest. There isn't a lot of chronology to our songs in many ways; they could have appeared at any time of our existence. The songs on 'Neptune' are just a better group of songs and recorded in a way we are happier with. It is very exciting to get some recognition for what we do, it's such a tenuous thing to do for an occupation. I suppose on a purely selfish level you can talk to people like your folks about your successes in playing to a packed-out venue in LA or New York and they can relate to that and get all proud and soppy!
What are your favorite tracks off the new album?
LM: I like "You really wake up the love in me" for general bombastic rockin' duties, but also "Dog Roses". I feel that song was snatched from the jaws of defeat when we recorded it, it didn't have a lot of interest in it around when we were choosing what to record but its gone on to be a little beauty.
What was it like working with James Lavelle on the UNKLE album?
LM: He was very in tune to the music he wanted to make, a real music fan, obviously. I liked how him and Rich would get enthused and passionate about fuzz tones from guitars, or whatever, having come from what's perceived to be a more 'electronic', sort of, area of music. They totally knew what worked for them and that's admirable. I think they got a really good, eclectic selection of collaborators for their record and it shows.
You play all over the US and UK, how much has the quality of your live shows contributed to the growth of your fanbase, and how does NY as a city and the Bowery Ballroom as a venue stack up?
LM: Our live shows have given us a great reputation, its been a big part of whatever success we've had. I think its got to be a combination. To be a really great band, your records have to be really exciting, too, not a damp squib compared to your live show. I hate it when that happens. New York is a great place to play, obviously, and the bowery ballroom is easily my favourite venue . I like the size of it, and the layout. Maybe its an aesthetic, architectural or spatial thing, but its great.
Do you have any favorite venues, bars, places to eat when you make it to NY?
LM: I've found a place recently called Great Jones Cafe on Great Jones Street, serving creole/cajun food, which I could visit everyday I believe, and another taco stand called La Esquina near there too, which is great. You don't get much Mexican/Latin American food in the UK, it's a bit of a rarity generally, so I load up whenever i'm here. I do like a big proper vodka martini, clean, with an olive, so I might end up going to a posh hotel bar to get one of those, like the Tribeca Grand. Its just medicinal, you know!
Curated by Swiss artist Urs Fischer and gallery owner Gavin Brown, Who’s Afraid of Jasper Johns? is motivated by two themes, one being a mix of modern art, installations, and sculpture, the second, photos of Tony Shafrazzi being arrested in 1974, after spray-painting “Kill Lies All” over Picasso’s painting Guernica in the MOMA. If French cuisine is what you’re after, Pastis, a French bistro run by Keith McNally, offers some of the best classic French food and bistro fare in the city. Usually crowded, it’s not known for its intimacy. Also not known for being quiet, Red Rock West Saloon is a biker and blue collar bar where you can throw back a beer and listen to some Southern rock. What’s a night in NYC without a great cup of coffee in a low-key café? Ninth Street Espresso offers that kind of setting and a well-chosen selection of coffees.
Colorist to Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Lindsay Lohan to name a few!
I had the privilege of meeting Tracey at the Park Avenue Hotel in NYC at an event held by Redken. She sat down for an interview to discuss the summer color trends and gave a sneak peek into the fall color trends.
“This summer, grown-in roots are hot,” Tracey said. “Consumers want to look natural and feel sexy with their haircolor.” Darker roots, with the rest of the hair one, two shades lighter, portray a natural, edgy look, and exude a beach-feel, perfect for summertime unwinding.”
When I spoke to Tracey about what we can all look forward to in the fall, she said "Blondes will feature low lights, soft shades, and natural looking blonde tones similar to Cameron Diaz. Brunettes will be after true brown earthy shades full of life and shine. Think Kate Beckensale. Redheads will depart from strawberry red tones and go towards deep red shades similar to Lindsay Lohan. Tracey's favorite products are Redken. Her tip to keeping hair it's best is to use Shades EQ Crystal Clear Gloss in between your regular hair color treatments.
On a personal note, I spoke to Tracy about my hair and she was warm and honest. If only I lived in California, I would be seeing her every four weeks faithfully to have my hair colored!
--Meryl Hartstein
Not just a beauty writer, Meryl Hartstein also runs Re-Vamp Cosmetic and Image Counseling. For more info see her website Re-Vamp Counseling
With the power of blogging finally being taken serious these days, Click Critics takes a look at fansites and how they affect the programming that they worship. A panel of bloggers will discuss this including Kevin Croy (Lostpedia), Remona Outar (Ugly Is In), Dan Manu (Television Without Pity), Damon Schmidt (Whedonesque), and more. For great Irish food, one of my faves is Pig N’ Whistle in midtown. Serving traditional Irish fare like Steak and Kidney Pie and American. A great Irish pub in Hells Kitchen, The Irish Rogue has live music and sports playing on TVs, so you know this bar will be a party all day. If Irish food ain’t you thing, then head over to Island Burgers & Shakes as the menu is stacked two pages deep of some of the most intense burgers and chicken breast sandwiches on the island of Manhattan.
It may be aggravating to see the Tribeca Film Festival’s huge black SUV’s cruising around Manhattan constantly, but they definitely know how to throw a party. Last Friday’s Breaking the Band Showcase made a local rock show into a full red-carpet event. Webster Hall’s labyrinthine faded opulence and an upstairs VIP lounge definitely added to the experience.
The Republic Tigers were Tribeca’s Next Big Thing in unsigned bands, and they definitely look the part. Unfortunately, they sound like a mumbly, over-amplified Interpol, but may grow out of that. In person they are easy-going and quite comfortable talking about what they need to do to grow as a band.
I wanted to blame the RT’s murky sound on Webster Hall, but The Virgins who played immediately after, totally shot that theory out of the water. The Virgins are my new favorite band, taking the best parts of early Cars and early Stones without sounding like a hackneyed tribute.
The Hold Steady closed out the night, and from the crowd’s response, they were clearly the big draw. They are decent and a lot of fun live, but seem to think being headliners gives them license to be dicks off stage. Still, they’re paid to put on a good show, not be our friends, and it’s hard not to have a good time while they’re on stage.
A Jazz titan who made the avant-garde cool, having developed his sound with the legendary John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders has played with most of the relevant free jazz players like Cecil Taylor, Sun Ra and more. In other words, if you love music, catch this show if you can. Fat Annie’s Truck Stop offers truck stop style food oddly positioned in Herald Square. Burgers, chilli, po boys and pie are some options in this fun restaurant. Right next store, Stout may look like a sports bar but it has one of the largest selections of dark stout beers in the city. Yeah, it’s a 99 cent store but Jack’s is more like watching a train wreck happen slowly. The place is packed with people trying to get by, yelling, and elbowing each other. True the deals are great, but you’ll either find it hysterical or swear you’ll never go back.
A godfather of free jazz, Sunny Murray is one of the best drummers ever. Don’t believe me? Check out his classic recordings with Cecil Taylor and Albert Ayler to see how good he was and still is. Tonight his trio consist of Michael Bisio on bass and Louie Belogenis on sax. If you’ve never been to Minca for dinner, go right now! This small noodle bar makes some amazing ramen noodles from scratch. Try the Minca Ramen, a mild broth with pork, chicken & d
