Tokyo Police Club @ Pianos 08/07/06
Last night Dankster swung by LES standard Pianos to check out Tokyo Police Club, a band that hails all the way from the indie tundras of Canada. The young quartet put on an energetic show that consisted of much waiving of flags and signs.
The music was good (think the Strokes with lead synth instead of guitar), and made good use of empty spaces. Although some of the songs tended to blend into each other after a while, you could definitely see that there’s some real potential there.
We’ll be looking forward to some future releases from these guys.
Click Read More for more pictures…
Flaming Lips at Webster Hall, 3/31/06
This one goes up to eleven…
Dankster Rating: 11/10
Check out some videos from the show…
Metric, Islands at Webster Hall, 3/10/2006
It was a moment of intense personal drama for all of us when we arrived individually outside Webster Hall Friday night. A few hours earlier we had discovered that Islands were to go on at 7:30 sharp, a slot that was considerably earlier than we had previously anticipated. Dankster #1 had to cut out of band practice early and hightail it over from Brooklyn. Dankster #2 bounced prematurely from a lease signing that had taken a unexpected turn for the worse, causing him much anxiety. Dankster #3 had to courageously accept taking out his sushi instead of dining in because the line at Tomoe was too long. Nevertheless, we all three managed to catch the majority of Islands’ set.
For those who don’t know, Islands is a group that is made up of the former guitarist and drummer of the Unicorns, now backed up by two extra guitars, two Asian kids on keys and violin, and a black dude on bass. The music is bigger and more drawn out than you might expect from retired Unicorns, but still sounds similar enough to draw comparisons. Islands’ set was interesting and fun to hear but not all that inspiring.
I first became aware of Metric when I saw them open for Broken Social Scene at a small club in Nashville in the Fall of 2003. They quickly won my friends and I over with their bombastic dance-punk grooves tempered by front woman Emily Haines’ sometimes-sweet-sometimes-ironic vocals, combined with her ability to connect intimately with her audience. That show was part of the Old World Underground tour. Last weekend found Metric supporting their latest effort, Live It Out, fresh off their somewhat surprising stint opening for the Rolling Stones.
Metric’s set kicked off mostly with songs from the new album and managed to be largely average sounding. Some songs, such as “Poster of a Girl” and single, “Monster Hospital,” were able to get the crowd rocking, but the performance didn’t really take a turn for the better until the old gems like “Succexy,” “Wet Blanket,” and “Hustle Rose,” were broken out. Metric closed with an energetic rendition of “Combat Baby,” and for the encore served up a very drawn out and broken down version of “Dead Disco.”
It wasn’t the best Metric show I’ve ever seen, and I kind of wish the new material had been more inspiring, but it’s always good to see them in action. You can tell the band is just as happy to be there as their fans are, and if all else fails you’ve always got Emily’s nipplitis (which lasted the entire show) to get your spirits up.
Dankster Rating: 7/10
Film School, The Big Sleep at Mercury Lounge, 3/11/2006
Swung by Mercury Lounge Saturday night to check out the first of Film School’s two night stand there. Although the show was “sold out,” four of us still managed to get in pretty easily. It could have been because we arrived early enough to catch Brooklyn’s mostly instrumental noise rock trio, the Big Sleep. This was a good thing. The Big Sleep powered almost non-stop through their set, made up of some straight ahead guitar-bass-drums post-punk rockers and a few, more melodic, keyboard driven tunes. The show was highly energetic and fun to watch.
Film School was pretty good as well. I’m a fan of the album and the sound that made it cool came through nicely in the live show, but I think the guy on the board needed to crank the master volume a few levels. The band was going pretty crazy on stage but the sound in the club somehow didn’t reflect the visual. Still, it was a enjoyable, and I’d recommend checking out both bands if you get the chance.
Dankster Rating: 6/10
Matisyahu at Hammerstein, 3/7/06
Being at Hammerstein twice in the same week is a slightly unsettling thought, yet that’s what had to be done as team Dankster made its second foray to the Ballroom Tuesday to check out Jewish superstar Matisyahu. A lot of people think of Matis as sort of a novelty act, and the reviews his latest album have been getting tend to bolster those claims. Still, everyone who sees the guy live raves about it. After Tuesday night, I can see why.
As soon as we got to the venue and double fisted some champagne, it was time to be led brazenly through the packed crowd to a better spot towards the front. Since Dankster.org has a policy of anonymity, I will only refer to the man leading our little column through the crowd as “Prince of Wooks.” Prince was significantly lifted which I dare say led him to be extra forceful in our push through the mob. Apparently, Jews are as unhappy to give up spots at a concert as they are settlements in the West Bank. Still, we fought our way in regardless of the jeers and yenta cries that assaulted us at every step. When we could simply not go any further, we planted ourselves firmly where we stood. At this point a kid with a jewfro went into a tirade about how Prince of Wooks was like Moses leading us through the deserts of Egypt. He then asked us what camp we went to.
Soon enough a giant psychedelic Star of David backdrop descended from the rafters and the Jewoks went crazy. Matisyahu strode out amongst a hanging cloud of pot smoke and broke out Hebrew style into that Jeruuusalem, if I forget youuu, let my right hand forget what it’s supposed to dooo song from the new album. Being in a club packed with our fellow Jews was a novel sensation and being rapped to about the power of Israel and the Torah with crazy lights, beatboxing, and extended reggae jams made me feel like I could take on the entire Middle East with my hands tied behind my back, but putting that aside, the show was just a lot of fun. There was a level of energy way above what we say at the Strokes show last weekend, even leading to some crowd surfing and similar antics later in the show. For the encore we were even treated to some special guests, including an MC from Westchester and an old dude with a huge grey beard and yarmulke who wailed on guitar. I’ve never been more proud to be a money grubbing Jew bastard.
Dankster Rating: 8.5/10
The Strokes at Hammerstein, 3/3/06
It’s been about a year and a half since the Strokes played a show in their hometown, and a lot has changed since then. Several members of the band are married and there are even a few babies in the picture. Julian stopped drinking, the band shed long-time producer Gordan Raphael (of Unisex Salon fame), and released their third LP, First Impressions of Earth, an effort which, for better or worse, went in several directions other than the one most people expected.
By the time openers Eagles of Death Metal took the stage, Hammerstein was packed with a somewhat younger crowd than we’ve seen in years gone by. Now, this band is confusingly not a death metal band. They’re not even metal. What the are is absolute crap. I don’t know how these washed up blues rock fags got the opening slot for a band as big as the Strokes, but hopefully it involved the cute drummer chick performing special favors for Albert Hammond Jr.’s afro backstage before the show. Considering that in the past I’ve seen bands like the White Stripes and Kings of Leon supporting the Stroksies, it was a big let down to be confronted by a bunch of rejects from Electric Six to get me pumped up. Not surprisingly, it was a huge relief when Eagles’ set ended, and an even huger relief when the 30-40 minute wait in between bands came to an end.
The most noticible change in the Strokes’ live show is probably related to the fact that Julian doesn’t performe smashed out of his mind anymore. The band was much tighter than in previous years, and they remained so for a considerably longer set than we were used to. Although songs from all three full lengths were played, the younglings in the audience seemed to get the most fired up for the new tracks. I guess this isn’t surprising, since in their minds First Impressions is probably the Strokes’ Sergeant Pepper’s, but for us quarter-lifers it felt kinda strange.
All in all the show was tight and cool to watch, but it just seemed like something was missing. Maybe it was the fact that guitarist Valensi looks like a woman with his ridiculously long and flowing hair, or the fact that you just knew Drew Barrymore was watching from somewhere in the upper tiers. Most likely however, the newly found sobriety has taken away that slightly-sloppy, but super energetic edge we came to love from the original Strokes. In any event, if you’re a fan it’s probably still worth checking the guys out when they come to your town (not like you could still get tickets). Just don’t expect the party you might be used to.
Bye now
Dankster Rating: 7/10
The Plastic Constellations at Knitting Factory, 1/31/06
I have to admit, standing outside the Knit Tuesday night I was getting a little concerned when I noticed three girls who were definitely too young to legally hook up with getting turned away from the door. Looking around inside the club I realized I was close to being the oldest guy milling about waiting for the show to start. Still, we had paid 10 bucks each for that shit, so we sucked it up and strolled easily up to the front of the room and watched as four nerdy but somehow cool looking guys (well three, the bass player was just nerdy) took the stage, joking around and awkwardly setting up their gear. It wasn’t looking good. But as soon as the opening riff of “Phoenix and the Faultline,†the opening track off Crusades, the Constellation’s third and most recent effort, my reservations immediately began to melt away.
I was first turned on to the Constellations when I heard their second album, Mazatlan, a few years back. This record was released after a four year hiatus, during which the band went to college. By that time, they had already released an EP and a promising debut album called Let’s War. Who would’ve thought a bunch of kids from Minnesota knew how to get all post-punk on our asses and shit? In Mazatlan, the Constellations demonstrated some really interesting guitar work and complex song structuring, but their greatest quality is clearly their ability to create awesomely catchy anthemic choruses.
All of the albums’ technically proficient structure and performance shined through in the live show, and the high energy level remained constant throughout, fueled by both guitarists’ urgent back-and-forth vocal work. It was impossible to discern any kind of lead singer or front man persona; the vox were there to drive the songs forward and they certainly got the job done.
Don’t get me wrong, we’re not talking about Radiohead here. These guys aren’t gonna be opening for the Killers at Jones Beach anytime soon, but if you’re looking for an indie rock show in a small venue that kicks some fucking ass and briefly transports you back to a bitchin high school party, then check the Plastic Constellations out when they swing by your town.
More @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/dankster/sets/72057594057607485/
Dankster Rating: 7.5/10
MF Doom at Nokia Theater, 1/26
We rolled to Nokia Theater Thursday night to check out a night of hip-hop headlined by MF Doom, known for such dank albums as Madvillainy, 36 Chambers of Doom, and most recently, the collaboration with Dangermouse known as Dangerdoom.
This was our first time at Nokia and, although located in the cesspool known as Times Square, it was a pretty cool place. There were multiple bars located outside the main theater area which made for short waits even though the venue supports a very large capacity. Drink prices however, remained characteristically high. The actual theater consisted of a large pit area directly in front of the stage, as well as an stadium style seating area and two platforms located off to the sides of the stage which allow for some good alternative viewing options for those who don’t want to watch from the press of the main floor.
The show was pretty awesome. There were a number of supporting acts, the highlight being Little Brother, which consisted of two dope MCs and a DJ. Doom himself put on a hell of a show, rocking his trademark metallic mask. Our account will have to end there, since we were all very, very drunk.
Dankster Rating: 8/10
Nine Inch Nails at MSG, 11/3
Last night was about the closest thing to a religious experience we’ve had in or out of temple. It was the kind of show that makes you question why you even bother to go to any other shows.
The first half of the set completely rocked, including explosive versions of “Closer” and “You Know What You Are?” The onstage lighting was so intense it reduced Trent and the rest of the band to black silhouettes, patroling the stage like caged lions. When NIN slid into “Right Where It Belongs” a huge shroud was dropped over the stage and we were treated to a visual and musical experience that lamented the death of the American dream and exposed our transformation from independent republic into the global empire we’ve become. From that point on the entire arena was on its feet for the rest of the set and it seemed like the whole crowd sung every word of every song along with Reznor. “Wish,” “Only,” and “Reptile” were energetic mind fucks and when the band busted into “Hurt,” a song which was artfully recreated by Johnny Cash shortly before his death, it was like we had finally reached the top of the mountain.
Ending the night with fantastic fist pumping anthems “The Hand That Feeds,” and “Head Like a Hole,” Nine Inch Nails drove home their point: the king is back. And picturing a crowned (with thorns?) Reznor standing triumphantly over the mangled, wrinkled corpses of Bono, Jagger, and Tyler, I believed that, for now at least, he really is.
If you get the chance to check out any shows during this tour….FUCKING DO IT
Set list:
1. pinion
2. love is not enough
3. you know what you are?
4. terrible lie
5. the line begins to blur
6. march of the pigs
7. something i can never have
8. the frail
9. the wretched
10. closer
11. burn
12. gave up
13. eraser
14. right where it belongs
15. beside you in time
16. the collector
17. wish
18. only
19. reptile
20. hurt
21. suck
22. the hand that feeds
23. head like a hole
Dankster Rating: 10/10
Creamed at MSG, 10/25
25 October 2005
Madison Square Garden, New York, US
Cream
Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals
Jack Bruce – bass, vocals, harmonica
Ginger Baker – drums, vocals
Walking to our seats through the halls of Madison Square Garden last night there was one thought that kept running through my mind: God old people are lame.
They were everywhere. Grey haired, mortgage having, middle aged ex-hippies. A large majority of them were overweight, and they were buying beer, and booze, and they were singing at the top of their lungs before the show had even started. It was as if they hadn’t been to a concert in 30 years. And for a while, things didn’t get any better. When Baker, Bruce, and Clapton took the stage, the crowd went wild…and stayed that way for about half a song. After that we were yelled at repeatedly for standing by fogies, angry because they couldn’t see.
However about half-way through the set things started to change for the better. Now, maybe it was that joint we managed to light up even while surounded by grandpas and little kids, but when “Crossroads” was busted out the show became the religious experience of intense jamming and rocking it had been touted as by reviewers in the past few days. The energy finally began to take root in the majority of the crowd, and by the end of Baker’s upwards of 20 minute drum solo (fucking amazing) the entire arena was on its feet screaming.
Cream closed out with a solid “White Room” into a fucking hot “Toad” and when they left the stage the applause and shouting didn’t cease for the 5-10 minutes they took before going back on to blow us away with “Sunshine of Your Love.”
What we learned from last nights show was this: old people are lame and extremely embarrasing, but hey, we’ll all be lame one day, and Cream reminded us that we truely did miss our time, and that the Rock and Roll Generation may get old and buried, but it’ll never die.
-a view from the floor
Last night after work I walked over to MSG and checked out the scene not really expecting to get in. Got a poster and listened to some of the scalpers do their rap. This one guy was trying to sell these tickets that were BEHIND the stage. He was telling this story that there was a black tarp over this section and that these tickets got you access to some other seats.
No one he was talking to believed him…so I talked to him and he got really excited and angry that no one believed him and swore his story was true and offered to let me take a picture of his drivers license so I could track him down if he ripped me off.
He wanted 100 bux for the ticket and I thought I would just buy a ticket and meet my friends at the show so I offer him 50 bux. He said I will take 60 bux. So I pay 60 bux and go in and I got the section and there really is a tarp and I ask the usher what to do.
He tells me to go to the relocation table and talk to them. So I do that and they RELOCATE ME TO THE FLOOR. Directly in front of the stage!
It was an awesome show and soooo much fun. I didn’t even mind that I was surrounded by rich old people! BEST SHOW EVER!
Setlist
I’m So Glad
Spoonful
Outside Woman Blues
Pressed Rat
Sleepy Time Time
Tales of Brave Ulysses
NSU
Badge
Politician
Sweet Wine
Rolllin’ & Tumblin
Stormy Monday
Deserted Cities
Born Under A Bad Sign
We’re Going Wrong
Crossroads
Sitting On Top Of The World
White Room
Toad
Sunshine Of Your Love
Dankster Rating: 9.8/10
TV On The Radio at MSG Theater, 10/17
Last years MTV2’s Shortlist music award recipients TV On The Radio, opened for Franz Ferdinand last night (10-17-05) at the Theatre at MSG. TVOTR is one of our favorite bands and we were really excited to see them.
They took the stage and seemed to set up all their gear themselves (no crew?) They opened the set with Young Liars which is an awesome track from their debut EP Young Liars. The lights during the first few songs were awesome. I love a good light show when im seeing music and they seemed like they had it going for them.
The rest of the show was pretty good. We got to hear 2 new tracks introduced by Kyp the guitarist. Kyp is very soft spoken and the sound guy didn’t have him mic’d up enough and it was hard to hear him. It seems the sound guy was really drunk or just plain sucked because the mix was awful. Tunde’s vocals were either inaudible or extremely loud. This made enjoying the melodic heavy riffs from David (other guitarist) hard to enjoy.
The drumming was tight and the bass player (who didn’t face the stage at all) was good. The new songs were pretty good and I’m SURE the new album will sound better then the live versions did.
All in all, I was happy they played, but was unhappy that the vocals sounded like shit. Also, there was NO merch for the band at all. Even that band Cut Copy who opened for TVOTR had shit for sale. I would have picked up a t-shirt or something….but didn’t get the opportunity.
P.S.
Here is a new track from TV on The Radio for your listening enjoyment. TV On the Radio – Dry Drunk Emperor.mp3
dankster rating 5.5/10
Franz Ferdinand at MSG Theater, 10/17
Longest dance rock song…ever. The high school girls flocked to the Garden last night to catch Scotish dance punks Franz Ferdinand at the peak of their "You Could HAve It So Much Better" tour. The best thing we can say about the set was that it was highly energetic. The worst…it was FUCKING LOUD. The sound in the theater was like one giant mess of guitar riffs and screaming. Still, there were a number of crowd-rocking highlights, inlcuing singles "Take Me Out" and "Do You Want To," as well as "This Fire," "The Fallen," "Darts of Pleasure," and a version of "Outsiders" that had three guys playing on the same drum set.
Still, the problem with a Ferdinand set is that eventually it just starts to feel very repetitive. The songs start to blend together and by the end its like, if that drummer plays one more disco beat you want to puke. Then again, Franz’s sophmore release is receiving somewhat adoring criticism for being another platform for radio dance singles that, while fun to listen too, are far from ground breaking. So what can you really expect, I suppose? In any event, FF did manage to get a shit load of people jumping up and down so hard the floor threw me up in the air against my will. Plus we heard Bowie was backstage but, then again, when is he not these days? I’m sure a lot of money was made and groupies were fucked last night so, you know, whatever. Keep wearing those tight pants guys.
Dankster Rating: 6.5/10
New Pornographers at Webster Hall, 10/12
Nerds playing finely honed indie rock…gotta love it. The Pornographers know how to put together a pop song, as demonstrated by latest full length release, Twin Cinema. With a boyish AC Newman and a Stevie Nicks-looking Neco Case in flowing robes at the helm, Webster Hall was treated to a damn fine set Wednesday night. Still, the show was far from spectacular. What was memorable however was how my voice cracked while ordering a jack and coke from the very attractive bar tenders, and how they and everyone at the bar had a good laught at my expense. Still, being that we were clearly the coolest people in the audience, it wasn’t so bad.
Dankster Rating: 6.5/10
Beck at Hammerstein Ballroom, 10/7
The only thing we can really say about this concert was that it fucking rocked. Why is that all we can say? Well, to put it simply, we were drunk. Very, very drunk. We met up for dinner before the show at HK on 9th ave where we consumed many half off martinis and for some reason all I had to eat was escargot. After "dinner" we head down the block a bit to The Door, a pretty decent hookah bar, where we consumed more booze before finally heading to Hammerstein. Once there we enjoyed a kick ass Beck perforamnce. The only thing I remember for sure is that there was at one point multiple people on stage sitting at a table eaing dinner and drinking. So, the moral of this story is, go see Beck.
Check out the pics from the show!
Check out this cool videoclip from the show! (right click and save as)
(you need the divx codec)
Dankster Rating: 9/10
White Stripes Live, 9/24/05
Friday night dankster.org hit the shores of Brooklyn en force for the first of a two night White Stripes/Shins stand at Keyspan Park in Coney Island. We kicked off the night with some all-you-can-drink wine at Laguardia Grill, a Vietnamese restaurant just south of Washington Square Park. We then hit up the N train for a 40 minute Jack Daniels supported trip out to Coney. When we finally reached Keyspan the Shins were already onstage and the field level was steadily filling up. Even though the lead singer looks disturbingly like Chris Parnell, arguably the worst member of the cast of Saturday Night Live, the band still sounded pretty good.
When the Shins finished our fairly large group fought our way to the center of the swelling crowd and staked out a solid area to await Jack and Meg’s appearance. We were already blessed with a gorgeous night and when the Stripes finally hit things only got better. We were in for a full two sets of both the hits like "Seven Nation Army" and "Blue Orchid," as well as the somewhat rare "The Union Forever," and crowd favorites "The Hardest Button to Button," and "Jolene." They even busted out a Tegan and Sara song, "Walking With a Ghost.
I think everyone would agree that live White Stripes is a completely different experience than listening to the album. Even Meg’s singing was impressive. Overall the concert was practically a religious experience. Clearly Jack runs the show, and as one dankster remarked, we were witnessing a great in his prime.
Click here for pictures from the show
Dankster Rating: 8.5/10
Shouting Out Loud, 8/8/05
Sunday night we went to go check out the Shout Out Louds at Mercury Lounge on East Houston. We arrived too late to catch openers, the Harlem Shakes, but, after spiking our bar-bought cokes with a little too much Crown Royal from our flask, we did manage to get there in time for a few songs by mid-bill experts, The Red Walls. Imagine the Beatles with updated haircuts but not so updated riffs. The first song we caught was sung by the bassist, next one by the guitarist, then back to the bassist, then back to the other guitarist, and then back to the bassist again. We could see some potential in the quartets stage show, but they weren’t remarkable enough to keep us from heading back to the bar for another drink before the set ended. You can catch the Redwalls October 2nd at Across the Narrows in Staten Island. When the Shout Outs came on stage the crowd began to get very into the show considering the usual shoe-gazer crowd that frequents the Merc. The band is made up of four large and long-haired Swedes and one not-so-large and not-so-long-haired swedette keyboardist. The five members of the SOLs didn’t display much individual prowess on their instruments, but together they created a coherent and excited sound that the girls, as usual, ate up. “The comeback,” the band’s first single off their latest album Howl Howl Gaff Gaff, was an obvious crowd pleaser, although the opening keyboard riff, that the band denies having ripped off from Pole Position, (beep…beep…beep….beeeeeeepppp, ) was barely audible, even from the front row. Bodies were instinctively responsive to the blaring rhythm, and the songs were delivered with enthusiastic Scandinavian gusto. After the show one of our party, a dankster of the female persuasion, attempted to get something going with the hot keyboard chick. Unfortunately, her entourage of hipster girls, who we learned had been following the band since Canada, seemed to have already claimed her booty for the night. One rejection, one slice of Famous Bens, and one hangover later, the ultimate conclusion was the Shout Out Louds certainly have some room to rise before they fall.
Dankster rating: 6.5/10
The Bowery Presents: The Kaiser Chiefs at Webster Hall
One of the latest British rock sensations to sweep America, the Kaiser Chiefs, played at Webster Hall last week, so we sent a representative along to check it out. The scene was chill and relaxed. The doors opened at 7 and the Redwalls went on shortly after that. Considering that we have never heard any of the Redwalls music, we didn’t make it in time to see them perform. However, we did catch the next opener, The Cribs.
This power trio hails the UK as well and has just released a new album entitled The New Fellas. They sound like the fallout from a death match between Bloc Party and The Strokes. They kind of sound like “blur” meets… well whatever, it doesn’t matter because here are some links to some mp3s of their music and you can judge for yourself. Here , Here and Here
Anyway, we have been listening to the Kaiser Chief’s freshman effort, Employment, for quite some time now and we think it’s awesome. It manages to avoid being your typical pretentious Brit Rock. We have seen the Chiefs once before at a private acoustic set at SPIN magazine HQ in NYC and that was fucking dope. The songs really held up when played in an intimate setting with almost no amplification and very little percussion, which speaks volumes.
Still, it didn’t compare to seeing them fully hooked up at Webster Hall, which was brilliant. The volume was cranked and the band was really on point. They got the crowd moving (which is sometimes hard to do in NYC, fucking shoegazers) and it seemed that everyone knew at least some of the words. At one point the lead singer dove into the even dove. At one point he dedicated a song to some chick in the front row, and when it was time for the instrumental part, he brought her on stage and danced with her.
The singles from the album were big hits and got most of the crowd jumping up and down. We also got a chance to hear some of the new songs which remain unreleased, and they sounded very promising. Definitely check these out if you get the chance.
Dankster Rating: 8/10
Wish We Were There
From the moment the cameras panned in on the glowing pink stage surrounded by hundreds of thousands of people, I knew I was in for something special. And lo, on a classically overcast London evening, Pink Floyd delivered a truly special performance in front of the whole world.
Although the day-long MTV/VH1 coverage of Live 8 was largely drab, disappointing, and cheesy, the Floyd’s set soared like a pig high above those of their peers (although the Who were great as usual). The set began with Breathe featuring Gilmore on slide guitar, and was followed by Waters ripping up the bass on Money, both from the Dark Side of the Moon album. Waters then picked up an acoustic guitar, and after a brief but touching dedication to Syd Barrett, led the band into the title track off Wish You Were Here. The set concluded with The Wall’s Comfortably Numb.
All in all MTV’s camera work was pleasing, and they even panned quickly to the oh-so recognizable factory used for the photo on the cover of Animals. It was also pleasantly surprising to see that they stuck with Floyd for the entire set, unlike most of the other Live 8 acts. In typical MTV fashion however, they couldn’t resist pulling away in the middle of Comfortably Numb to make us listen to a couple of idiot VJs talk about a t-shirt some random fan had made.
Is this the last we’ll hear from the Floyd? According to the NY Post, Steppin’ Out magazine’s Chaunce Hayden reported that Gilmour and Waters “wouldn’t even look at each other backstage. They refused to talk to each other.” We’ll just have faith in the Post’s entertainment news track record…
It was clear from the expressions on Water’s face that he was enjoying himself, and Gilmore looked like a kid in a candy shop, but whether this event bodes well for a major U.S. tour, we danksters can only imagine, and say…
One of these days I’m going to cut you up into little pieces.
Dankster Rating: 10/10
Wall of Sound
Saw Longwave perform Wednesday night to an enthusiastic crowd at Bowery Ballroom. The group retreated to Woodstock late last year to record their new LP, There’s a Fire, after losing half of the original members of the band. Longwave has been in the public eye since they were asked to tour with the Strokes a few years ago to support their last album, The Strangest Things.
The set was surprisingly un-popish and powerful and kept the fans entertained throughout. Watching Longwave perform, you got the impression that they continue to be a very promising band that has still not quite taken it to the next level. However, they remain an act worth keeping your eyes and ears on.
Dankster Rating: 7/10
Upcoming Concerts
If you have a gig coming up or want to add something to this list? Contact Us dankster.org@gmail.com
Upcoming Artist: Say Hi To Your Mom
Ok, so I wanted to like these guys…I really did. I downloaded the album, Numbers and Mumbles, a couple of days ago after running into some buzz about the band on various websites. Say Hi To Your Mom is a Brooklyn-based (how hip!) trio consisting of drums, guitar, and a tiny-ass keyboard of some sort. Their music has been described as “lo-fi bedroom pop,†and that’s essentially accurate. It’s pretty much music for making up with your girlfriend or boyfriend to. I gave the record a few listens and liked it, in fact I like it enough that even after last night’s disappointing performance I think I’ll refrain from dragging it to the ol’ recycling bin. However I will not be exerting the effort to attain the band’s latest effort, Ferocious Mopes. It’s ironic that a band with absolutely no stage presence would include the word “ferocious†in their album title. How bout just “Mopes†guys? Let the people know what they’re really getting.
Say Hi To Your Mom opened for the Wrens at Bowery Ballroom (a truly dank venue) Friday night, but as I was too busy sitting in a room full of people stoned out of their faces that evening, I decided instead to catch them Tuesday night for their CD release party at the Mercury Lounge on E. Houston at Avenue A. I was psyched going in because entry was only 8 bucks and as anyone who’s been to Mercury knows, the room is intimate and the sound is great. It didn’t occur to me that I’d soon find myself drunkenly stumbling down Ludlow St. searching for a cold beer barely halfway through the set.
Although we missed the first two bands we did arrive early enough to catch local act the Fatales. These guys were pretty good I must say, considering they looked about old enough to have just received their SAT grades. All five members were clad in shirt and tie and carrying very nice instruments, likely purchased by mommy and daddy, and the keyboardist was rocking a Mac laptop as well, which I thought was pretty dank. Although the songs seemed somewhat over-thought and pretentious, it was clear that these guys have a lot of potential, and for their ages they are definitely sophisticated songwriters. If they can stick it out for a couple of years, I predict the Fatales will have a bright future. For now they will have to settle for pulling a lot of prime, prep school box.
When Say Hi To Your Mom finally strolled on stage we were ready to be indie popped, but were in only for disappointment. The only member of the band who had any energy whatsoever was front man and guitarist Eric Elbogen. The drummer and the chick playing keys, though seemingly technically adept, added nothing whatsoever to the performance. On top of that, it quickly became apparent that every song was blending into the next, and I honestly did not recognize a single track off the album I own, though many were probably played. After a while I realized that I was paying more attention to my Maker’s and Coke than the band. I turned to my date and recognized the same blank stare on her face, and we simultaneously agreed to seek out the bottom of a bottle elsewhere.
The night was effectively summed up by a friend of mine whom I ran into in the bar room. “When does this fucking band go on?†he asked.
I replied, “This is the band dude.â€Â
“This is the band?? They should’ve gotten the fucking 8 o’clock slot.â€Â
Indeed they should’ve buddy. Indeed…they…should’ve.
Dankster Rating – 3/10