by Kate Hoos | Jul 6, 2022
Los Bitchos at Music Hall of Williamsburg (photo by Kate Hoos)
It’s not an exaggeration to say that this show was one of the ones I was looking forward to the most since the return of live music. Los Bitchos first grabbed my attention in 2020 on the strength of their excellent performance for KEXP as part of Trans Musicales 2019 and it was love at first listen. Deep in the throws of lockdown and full of despair from the uncertainty of the early stages of the pandemic, they were like a breath of fresh air during a pretty bleak time. I’ve always been a fan of instrumental music which is what first attracted me to them, but admittedly heavier, mathier and more morose bands are my norm when it comes to that (think Russian Circles, Pelican, Kerretta). But then Los Bitchos came along and shattered that, bringing a much needed ray of sunshine into my life while also sparking an interest in more upbeat styles of instrumental music.
Flash forward to 2022 and Los Bitchos released their highly anticipated, genre smashing debut full length, Let The Festivities Begin!, (read my review) and announced a US tour. I immediately marked the date on my calendar and awaited the day of the show, beyond stoked to finally get to see the band play live. I listened to the album on repeat in the months leading up to the show and when the day finally arrived, I was like a little kid in a candy shop, feeling a pep in my step as I walked up to the venue; I was more than ready to have some fun and see the Bitchos let loose in person.
While the wait to see them play was admittedly annoyingly long because of the pandemic, it was totally worth it to finally see their exuberance up close and in person. Not to mention I picked a good spot to watch the show, being right in front of lead guitarist Serra Petale, who had no lack of shreds to spare, her spitfire guitar (and percussion) skills leading the charge and keeping the celebration going all throughout the night. The band was firmly anchored by the rock solid rhythm section of drummer Nic Crawshaw and bassist Josefine Jonsson, (and joined by touring rhythm guitarist Ryan Fitzgibbon), with Agustina Ruiz providing the accents and flair on keys to make for a nonstop party on stage from start to finish. The band is an instrumental act first and foremost, and I hope this is something they keep with as this is where their strengths lie, but I knew from videos that shouts and yells and occasional lyrics do find their way into the live set, and seeing it in person, it really did add another layer of fun to the already lively mix.
It was clear that the band was over the moon to be there, this being their first headlining show in New York and in fact only their second show here (they had opened for Belle and Sebastian at SummerStage a few days prior). They played the entirety of their album and rounded out the set with three covers: “Trapdoor” by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, “Yulele” by Uruguayan songwriter Eduardo Mateo, and fittingly closed the night by passing around a bottle of tequila on stage before launching into an amped up, punky version of “Tequila,” the 1950s party classic by The Champs, complete with added lyrics by Ruiz. The crowd ate every single song up, cheering, dancing, and of course joining in with the band’s signature hand moves on “Pista (Fresh Start),” a big highlight of the evening for me and I’m sure for most other fans. “I Enjoy It!” was another highlight for me, as it is one of my favorite tracks on the album, showing off the Turkish psych side of the band and the way they so seamlessly move between various styles/genres and blend feels from song to song.
Before they kicked into “Lyndsey Goes to Mykonos,” they took a moment to check to see if Lindsey Lohan (who inspired the song) was in the audience to invite her up to join them on stage. Sadly she was not, but perhaps next time they hit New York Ms. Lohan will come forward to dance among the Bitchos.
As if this night already wasn’t exciting enough for me, one my local favorites and some of my very good friends, Nevva, opened the show. While different from Los Bitchos sonically, the two bands were a perfect pairing attitude and style wise, with Nevva’s healthy helping of snarky, irreverent riot grrrr inspired punk songs bringing plenty of their own party vibes and expertly setting the tone of the evening. With songs like “Black Leggings,” “Sober Vegan,” and my personal favorite, “Boyfriend’s Band,” this feisty trio has more than enough of their own brand of sass to spare.
In addition to the good times on stage, the members of Los Bitchos were all very friendly and engaging with fans, posing for Polaroids outside and chatting. When I ran into Petale at the downstairs bar, she was nice enough to chat for a few moments (about her past band, Kid Wave, and Crawshaw’s punk band Dead Arms who are one of my favorites) and thanked me for coming. Later when I was invited up to Nevva’s green room to take pics, Los Bitchos also very graciously gave me a few moments of their time for a few portraits before heading out to keep the party going at another location in Brooklyn—gotta keep it on brand after all!
As the old saying goes, good things come to those who wait. Good things indeed and party vibes forever with Los Bitchos as the soundtrack. And I can get behind that, any time, any place.
Scroll down for setlist, fan shot videos and pics of the show (photos by Kate Hoos)
Nevva
Los Bitchos
Los Bitchos Setlist: FFS, Change Of Heart, Good To Go!, Lindsay Goes to Mykonos, The Link Is About to Die, Tropico, Tripping At A Party, Yulele (Eduardo Mateo cover), I Enjoy It!, Trapdoor (King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard cover), Try The Circle, Pista (Fresh Start), Las Panteras, Tequila! (The Champs cover)
NEVVA
LOS BITCHOS
by Kate Hoos | Jun 29, 2022
Vacant Company at Catfarm (photo by Kate Hoos)
There’s few things I love more in this life than a killer house show. There’s just something about being in those intimate, most DIY of spaces that is like nothing else in the world for me. Vacant Company is a band that I first heard at another house show just about a year ago (see pics) and this is what I had to say then: Vacant Company…played a set that was nothing less than explosive from start to finish. They hail from Raleigh, NC (though their singer splits time between BK and Raleigh) and were unflinchingly political and beautifully intense. With hints of early Fugazi, and the clear influence of Slint in their sound, they also very much reminded me of that particular style of 90s post hardcore that had a bit of an artcore bent ala a band like Swing Kids. This band would have been right at home on Dischord in that era—hell they still would be today! And I still stand very much behind that assessment.
Ever since that first show I’ve been wanting to see them play again, but given that 3/4 of the band lives in another state, they don’t play in Brooklyn a lot. My schedule also tends to be pretty packed in advance and the show was only announced a week ahead of time which is usually a no go for me on such short lead time, but by some miracle, I magically had a window where I wasn’t working or otherwise committed to something else. Even in a week where big indie rock stars were in town aka Phoebe Bridgers—who yes, I did see play and yes, she absolutely does put on a great show—there was still nothing else I was more excited for than seeing Vacant Company.
Almost no one puts on a show as powerful as this band does, not even indie rock royalty (sorry Phoebes), and their set was just as incendiary as it had been the first time I saw them play. This time being even better given that I was very familiar with a lot of the songs already and with the added bonus of several new songs in the mix too. While I do wish I could see this band play regularly, I think part of what makes their shows so special is probably because there are long gaps in between when I can see them play so I savor it more and I find myself locked in in a way that I don’t always find myself with bands I get to see all the time. I got chills during the first song of their set, the blazing condemnation of our current society and the lasting toxicity of colonization, “Decolonize,” and that pretty much set the tone for the rest of the night. I was excited to hear a good amount of new material as well, and the band tells me that they are hoping to get into the studio this year to lay the tracks down. I’m very hopeful for that too.
Noise punk band, Gun, kicked off the show and they had been totally unfamiliar to me before the show. But bands like this are the exact reason I push myself to always make it on time to things because I always end up discovering the best new music that way. I very much enjoyed their noisy approach and the drummer nerd in me couldn’t help but marvel at their drummer who plays traditional grip which is a definite rarity for punk drummers and not something I usually see in someone who hits so hard! Afterwards we chatted for a few minutes and they told me about their jazz background which totally makes sense (I have a marching background which is why I used to play trad grip too) and I think really adds to the noisy quality of the band, with fills that a more rock oriented drummer without jazz training might not think to employ. In any case, I really dug this band and I’m very much looking forward to seeing them again, as well as hearing the new material they mentioned they are in the process of recording. They have a three song EP out currently that has been a nice holdover for the time being.
Thanks to the good fortune of working in music venues, I get to see A LOT of live music, almost every night of the week. It ranges widely on who/what I may see on any given night (pop or jazz or EDM or indie or hip hop or really anything under the sun if I’m working; generally punk or noise or indie if I’m going to a show for fun) and I always enjoy getting to check out new stuff on the job or getting access to a big show everyone is excited about. But while all of that is cool—I’m forever grateful for it, and would never take that for granted—I think it’s no surprise at all to anyone who reads this blog that my heart and soul is with the punk bands at the house show and it always will be.
Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kate Hoos)
GUN
VACANT COMPANY
by Kate Hoos | Jun 22, 2022
Official Punk Island 2022 artwork (art by Kaitlyn Chen)
Punk Island is a free, all ages punk fest in NYC that has traditionally happened every June. The pandemic unfortunately kept the fest from happening since 2019, but this year the fest is back and slated for Saturday 7/23, in a new location, Maria Hernandez Park in Brooklyn. This will be the first year the fest will be held in Brooklyn—having previously been held on Staten Island, Governors Island, and most recently, Randall’s Island. The fest will be scaled down from previous years, with the organizers telling fans on their Facebook page “As a collective, we decided that we wanted to come back at a smaller scale and work our way up to what we once had pre-pandemic. We hope you understand and hope to see you in Brooklyn this summer.”
Lead organizer Antonio Rodriguez further elaborated saying “After the last two years, we are happy to announce that Punk Island is back!” going on to say “In an effort to renew and regrow our community, we are turning our focus over to a more streamlined music and zine festival. The day fest will feature two stages as well as a variety of zine vendors and workshops. This will be followed by a robust after party at nearby venue, Rubulad”
While the fest is smaller than in past years, there is still a wide variety of artists performing, with 31 acts on the bill. We have your very first look at the full lineup which will feature:
Baby B and the Back Up Plans, Boss Selektah Diana, Chumhuffer, Depresión Tropical, Dino Skatepark, Dishonest Escape, DJ *chicklet*, DJ Sugarfree BK, Exit 17, Jerry Ex, Jo Mercado, Kartel, MAAFA, Macho, Moms Against Punk Rock, Mosey Jones, Motel Portrait, NCM, Non-Residents, Pancho Villa’s Skull, Paragnosis, Pinc Louds, Ratas En Zelo, RBNX, Shut Up!, Silence Equals Death, Skappository, The Dilators, The Loneliers, Tits Dick Ass, Winterwolf
Punk Island will take place on Saturday July 23, 2022 from Noon til 7pm; it is all ages and free to all. An after party will take place at Rubulad (details still forthcoming).
Scroll down for pics from past years (photos by Kate Hoos)
Perdixion
Trashy
Winterwolf
The Loneliers
Punk Island fans
The 1865
Slashers
Skullcaster
Punk Island fans
Nihiloceros
Nevva
Mice Infestation
Hysteria
Pancho Villa’s Skull
Human People
Punk Island fan
Hekla
Fat Chance
Disposable
Punk Island merch
Daze N Days
Daze N Days
by Kate Hoos | Jun 22, 2022
Ratas En Zelo at Wonderville (photo by Kate Hoos)
Punk Island is an all ages DIY punk fest/community in NYC that is very near and dear to my heart. I say this because I worked on the fest as an organizer for nearly six years before officially retiring from active involvement earlier this year. But while I may have stepped back from organizing, I’ll never be far away and am always down to support when I can.
The PI collective has been staging a series of benefit shows to help raise funds for the 2022 fest which will be happening on 7/23 in Maria Hernandez Park and I was able to catch the tail end of the latest one held at Wonderville the dive bar venue/video arcade in Bushwick. I ran from Market Hotel (where I had just shot Bass Drum of Death) and made it just in time to see the last three song of BLK VAPOR‘s set and I am very sorry I wasn’t there for more of it. Because even in three songs, they absolutely floored me with the intense sonic wave radiating out from the stage. As I said about them in our June picks for Bandcamp Friday: “There’s a lot to BLKVAPOR’S sound—emo, punk, noise—and it all coalesces into something that is uniquely them. This Baltimore based outfit also puts on an explosive and enthralling live performance and are without a doubt a band you need to be keeping your eyes and ears on.” I for one can’t wait to see this band play again.
The show was closed out by Ratas En Zelo, long time PI supporters and family. They always put on a set that gets the whole room moving and shaking, and not one person was able to stand still, dancing and singing along to every song. It was a fitting end to a really fun night, the summer time crescendo we all needed.
Rounding out the bill were acoustic singer songwriter Jo Mercado, and electro artist Ultra Deluxe, both of whom I unfortunately missed but will be keeping on my radar for sure to catch at a later date.
I hosted numerous Punk Island benefits myself over the years and as I always said at them “Help keep DIY culture alive and thriving in NYC,” there’s no better way to do so than through events like these and the main fest itself and by donating if you have the means. DIY always has and always will be what we make of it, so be sure to keep your attention focused on this vital organization and what they are doing.
Scroll down for pics of the show (photos of Jo Mercado and Ultra Deluxe by Eamon McMullen; photos of Blk Vapor and Ratas En Zelo by Kate Hoos)
JO MERCADO
ULTRA DELUXE
BLK VAPOR
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RATAS EN ZELO
by Kate Hoos | Jun 21, 2022
Bass Drum of Death at Market Hotel (photo by Kate Hoos)
Fuzzy garage punk greats, Bass Drum of Death, are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut album GB City, which came out in 2011. As with many anniversary celebrations that were forced to be pushed back because of well…you know…things were delayed by a year. But they were finally able to hit the road in 2022 to properly honor the occasion and play the album in full, making for a raucous good time. I really loved that they played the album in order, because I’ve seen other anniversary album tours and I’ve been disappointed every time a band plays the songs in a random order and/or with other album tracks mixed in the middle. I do get the impetus to mix things up, but it just takes me out of the experience to not hear it in order because after all, isn’t that the point of playing the full album in the first place? And of course I want to hear other stuff too, but I am definitely a fan of playing through the album and adding in the other stuff after.
This was also my first time seeing the band play live, somehow always missing all of their pre-pandemic NYC shows. It was worth the wait though and they had the room in a sweat soaked frenzy from the first notes rang out til the final ounce of fuzz was wrung out of the chaos. After playing the entirety of GB City they hit other songs from their catalog, including my personal favorite “Lose My Mind,” from 2014’s Rip This. At the end of their set the crowd screamed for an encore but the band left the stage and that was as they say, that.
The evening was opened by Brooklyn locals, Dead Tooth, who were a perfect match sonically as well as energy wise. They got the crowd very riled up and ready for the main act, taking command of the room with their sax fueled garage jams.
At the end of the show the sweaty crowd happily slipped out into the night air which was somehow cooler than the air in the room, the perfect beginning to the long hot summer.
Setlist: Nerve Jamming, GB City, Get Found, Velvet Itch, High School Roaches, Spare Room, Young Pros, Heart Attack Kid, Leaves, I Could Never Be Yr Man, Religious Girls, Head Change, Just Business, Too Cold To Hold, Shattered Me, Lose My Mind, Crawling After You
Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kate Hoos)
DEAD TOOTH
BASS DRUM OF DEATH
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