Sadly, my camera is still broken, so I can't publish pics from the A Place to Bury Strangers show from last week (opening for Black Angels at Bowery Ballroom), or the Witch show at Luna Lounge, also from last week. Or the pics from the Damo Suzuki show a couple of weeks ago. Meh, so what, so be it, fuck it. This week's shows deserve attention, too.
Monday, November 12th
Show: Pipettes with Nicole Atkins at Gramercy Theater
Why I'm not going: Well, first off, the show was yesterday so attending this show would require some severe metaphysical tinkering. I have a serious soft spot for classic era Motown and girl groups but the Pipettes really are somewhat of a poor facsimile of what I truly dig. Plus the "I like to disco" verse of "Pull Shapes" reminds me too much of an unironic update of the Muppet Babies theme song ("I like adventure/I like romance/I love great jokes/ANIMAL DANCE!"). And Nicole Atkins and the Sea, who I saw opening for the Raveonettes at both of their recent NYC shows, are just too middle-of-the-road to hold my attention. Pass.
Tuesday, November 13th
Show: Battles with A Place to Bury Strangers and White Williams at Webster Hall
Why I'm going: Can't beat Battles' in the live setting. Sure, Mirrored may be overrated, but their live show is fucking fantastic: energetic, sweaty and precise. Plus I have a semi-sexual man crush on John Stanier, the sweatiest man in show business. I've seen them twice already this year but it's been awhile since I headbanged so hard my glasses fell off (AKA the Battles show at Studio B in July) so that should be fun. Also, I've already gone on record several times as having totally drank the Kool-Aid on A Place to Bury Strangers, so their opening set is icing on the cake.
Show: Van Halen (with Diamond Dave!) at Madison Square Garden
Why I'm not going: Van Halen has finally reunited with the erstwhile lead singer of the band's formative years, showman galore, "Diamond" David Lee Roth. That's all well and good, but when you think about it, the main reasons for wanting to go to this and not wanting to go pretty much hand in hand: major trainwreck potential and unintentionally self-parodying arena rock misery. And, of course, the reviews from the tour up to this point have been rife with accounts of Eddie Van Halen's petulance and pomposity (throwing equipment at his guitar tech, pitching a monitor into the crowd, playing full songs out of tune, and getting caught air-guitaring to pre-recorded rhythm tracks). The way I see it, if they're going to have a legendary meltdown, where better than The World's Most Famous Arena?
Wednesday, November 14th
Sorry folks, no interesting shows. Move along, nothing to see here.
Thursday, November 15th
Show: Japanther Dinosaur Death Dance Show at PS 122
Why I'm not going: Hold yer horses, this sounds pretty fucking bizarre. According to PS122's website:
Williamsburg's favorite noise-rock band Japanther (Ian Vanek and Matt Reily) unveils a new comedic rock-opera of unpredictable scale, repercussions, and decibel levels. Using a high-energy multi-media format - their "tool kit" integrates live music, dance, an interactive set, video projections plus an animatronic robot dinosaur - the band and their collaborators create a full-immersion theatrical concert experience that sports a a sharp political edge and an equally edgy heart.
What starts as a post-modern funeral becomes an uplifting and entertaining ceremony. The set, designed by conceptual artist Dan Graham, becomes a canvas for simultaneous stimuli: a large optical glass wall not unlike his "pavilions" is situated next to a circular band stage, a la the Rolling Stones on Ed Sullivan, where Japanther works their musical magic. While Sonya Robbins and Layla Childs dance up a storm, an animatronic dinosaur narrator, designed and built by industrial artist Doyle, inhabited by the text and voice of peace-punk Penny Rimbaud (spoken word artist and the co-founder of anarchist punk band Crass) lies on his deathbed recanting his belief systems. Darkly humorous intersticial commercials advertise the sunny plight of the American Indian and advocate arresting those who feed the homeless. By daring the audience to laugh at sad truths, Japanther opens up a door to hope and makes it cool again.
Uh, wow. You can catch this show from the 15th thru the 19th at PS 122.
Friday, November 16th
Show: Aloke at Matchless
Why I'm not going: I have some incredibly uninteresting family shit to take care of. But I saw Aloke at the "old" Northsix sometime last year, and I was impressed with their brand of dissonant, noisy, emotive, catharsis-mongering. Good shit, check these kids out if you have a chance.
Show: Tommy Ramone's Uncle Monk with Used to Be Women at Knitting Factory
Why I might go: Well, Tommy Ramone's the last surviving original Ramone, so that's cool. His Uncle Monk project, according to the Knitting Factory website is
an alt-country indie-bluegrass duo featuring Tommy Ramone on vocals, mandolin, guitar, banjo and dobro, and Claudia Tienan on vocals, guitar and bass. The duo’s music is rooted in old-time and bluegrass influences, to which they have added unique musical textures to create a sound with a new sensibility.
Sounds pretty lame. But Used to Be Women, as I've written here before, are among my favorite Brooklyn bands: gritty and grimy with a distinct '60s R+B/garage flavor. I dig 'em and so should you.
