by Kevin McGann | Jun 5, 2022
Grace X Church at Arlene’s Grocery (photo by Kevin McGann)
Last week I got to cover Grace X Church at one of NYC’s Lower East Side staples, Arlene’s Grocery, and right from the start I could tell this was a different kind of show. A sonic assault of guitar and electronics that was accompanied by ethereal vocals creating a sound all their own.
Grace X Church is a Lower East Side rock band featuring Lily Lange-McAteer (vocals) & Charlie McAteer (guitar). They describe their sound as a ‘sonic exploration of minimalist maximalism’ that ‘creates highly original post-punk dreamscapes that reflect New York’s angularity, its drama, and its poetry.’ And these soundscapes are clearly created and driven by their respective classical backgrounds.
Fans of guitar driven shoegaze music from the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, The Cranes, and most recently Just Mustard would be wise to check them out. But really anyone who appreciates music with a mix of styles that bridges the divide between classical and futuristic will dig it. GXC is just getting started and we’ll watch to see and hear what’s next for them.
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GRACE X CHURCH
by Kevin McGann | May 26, 2022
Dry Cleaning at Webster Hall (photo by Kevin McGann)
Not only was Dry Cleaning’s New Long Leg (4AD) one of my favorite albums of 2021, but halfway though 2022 and I’m still listening to it frequently. And ever since the Market Hotel shows at the end of 2021, I’ve been counting down the days to their NYC return. Last week’s show at Webster Hall did not disappoint.
The first few songs came from Leg, and included “Leafy”, “Unsmart Lady” “Strong Feelings” and “Her Hippo.” “Hippo” is where they really hit their stride as Tom Dowse’s guitar screeched and wailed over Lewis’ Maynard’s propulsive basslines and Nick Buxton’s infectious beat. And of course, Florence Shaw letting us know that ‘An electrician stuck his finger in the plug hole And shouted “Yabba”’
The rest of the set was a mix of tracks from Leg as well as older tracks from their 2019 EP Sweet Princess, like “Traditional Fish” and “Magic of Meghan” which was also their debut single. And tracks “Viking Hair” and “Sit Down Meal” from the Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks EP that came out a few months later that same year. Despite the smoke filled, dimly lit stage atmosphere you could see they were having fun and feeling the energy radiating from the crowd which broke into a mosh pit by the end.
Opening for Dry Cleaning was Fake Fruit from Oakland, CA. They put on a fun show with shorter, more garage rock and punk inspired songs. Most of their set came from their 2021 self-titled debut Fake Fruit (Rocks in Your Head).
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FAKE FRUIT
DRY CLEANING
by Kevin McGann | Apr 29, 2022
Fontaines D.C. at Brooklyn Steel (photo by Kevin McGann)
I’ll always remember exactly where I was in early 2019 when a friend told me to get a ticket to Fontaines D.C. at Union Pool in Brooklyn. Don’t wait, don’t put it off because this band is gonna be big! OK, pun intended. But seriously, I’m so glad I listened and went to what was their US debut show. And it was epic. The intensity of that performance, in that small intimate space was one I’ll never forget.
Fontaines made their way back to NYC this week for the release of their third album, Skinty Fia on Partisan Records. After the Philly show on April 22nd, the day of the album release, it was iffy as to whether it would happen. That was another small, rowdy, packed club show that saw singer Grian Chatten standing over the crowd and belting out every lyric with a ferocity that unfortunately left him without a voice for the next few days and a few cancelled shows. Another epic performance I was lucky to attend.
But the New York shows went off without a hitch this week and the larger 1800-person capacity at Brooklyn Steel showed how much they’ve grown as a band and as performers. I’m sure it’s not easy to bring that small venue intensity to a large stage but they killed it on Tuesday. And while Skinty Fia is racking up 5-star reviews across the board, they didn’t load the set with just new material. Fan favorites from the debut album Dogrel were scattered throughout the set, including “Sha Sha Sha,” “Too Real,” “Big,” “Boys In the Better Land,” and “Hurricane Laugher.” Mixed in were tracks from their second album, A Hero’s Death, that included the title song along with “I Don’t Belong,” and “Televised Mind.” Not surprisingly, the tracks they did play from the new album had the crowd going crazy and singing along like they were old favorites as well. Those included “Jackie Down the Line,” “I Love You,” and show closer “Nabakov.”
In possibly the best pairing I’ve witnessed in years, Just Mustard from Dundalk, Ireland opened the show. Their album is not even out yet and based on released tracks it’s hands down going to be a 2022 fave. While they remind me of early 90’s favorite The Cranes, bassist Rob Clarke told me after the Philly show they were not even familiar with them. Regardless of influences, they create a wall of sound that is heavy, experimental and thanks to singer Katie Ball’s vocals, hauntingly beautiful. I’ll just say for fans of My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, and shoegaze music in general, give them a listen and pick up their new album Heart Under on Partisan Records when it comes out on May 27th.
Fontaines D.C. setlist: A Hero’s Death, Sha Sha Sha, Jackie Down The Line, I Don’t Belong, You Said, Chequeless, Televised Mind, I Love You, Too Real, Big, Boys In the Better Land, Hurricane Laughter, Nabokov
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JUST MUSTARD
FONTAINES DC
by Kevin McGann | Apr 21, 2022
Pillow Queens at Mercury Lounge (photo by Kevin McGann)
Hot on the heels of their sophomore release, Leave the Light On (Royal Mountain Records), Dublin’s Pillow Queens made their New York debut last week to a sold-out crowd at Mercury Lounge. And from the moment they took they stage you could feel the energy in that room. Excited fans cheering, calling out band members by name, requesting songs and then singing along to every verse. The Queens have already built a strong base here and again, it was their first NY show!
It was a fun set too. While they tackle some weighty topics on their recent release they still manage to rock out and keep the mood light. Even offering up some funny stories from the road in between songs. Like how they discovered that day, on the second to last day of the tour, that the seats in the van recline. The set included a number of songs from Leave, among them, “House That Sailed Away”, “Well Kept Wife” and “No Good Woman”, as well as a cover of Sheryl Crow’s “If It Makes You Happy.”
Also on the road with them was friend and labelmate, Deanna Petcoff, who offered proof that you never skip the opener. Playing tracks from her recent release To Hell With You, I love You, Deanna and her band also had a fun upbeat show while offering up lines like ‘I’m sorry I’m pathetic, I think I need a medic, to help me put my shoes on’ from “Trash Bag.” I can relate!
I don’t know if I’ll get to see Pillow Queens and Deanna Petcoff play together again but I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing what’s ahead for both.
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DEANNA PETCOFF
PILLOW QUEENS
by Kevin McGann | Apr 12, 2022
Mogwai at Brooklyn Steel (photo by Kevin McGann)
Last week Mogwai made their way back to NYC in support of their latest Temporary Residence Ltd album, As the Love Continues. And true to form, they went on to blow the roof off Brooklyn Steel with a blistering set that left fans screaming for more.
I probably started seeing Mogwai back in the late 90’s/early 2000’s at NYC’s now defunct Brownies on Avenue A. Even then they would hit you with a wall of sound you could feel in your toes and you’d be transported to some other world during their set. While their sound has evolved over the past two decades, that feeling hasn’t.
The set featured a lot of material from the new album, like beautiful opener “To the Bin My Friend, Tonight We Vacate Earth” to the electronic beats/sounds of “Here We, Here We, Here We Go Forever,” and “Dry Fantasy,” to the vocal driven “Ritchie Sacramento,” as well as rocking versions of “Ceiling Granny” and “Drive the Nail.” Those songs all fit in nicely with a set that included older songs like “How to Be a Werewolf,” “New Paths to Helicon Pt.1” and 2017’s “Old Poisons.” They closed the show with fan favorite “Mogwai Fear Satan” from 1997.
The night also included two great openers. First up was Ye Gods (Antoni Maiovvi) who brought an industrial, beats driven set that reminded me at times of Nitzer Ebb. Whether behind his keyboards or out-front screaming on a mic, Ye delivered an intense set that I hope to get to experience again. Next up was Nina Nastasia who brought an acoustic guitar driven set to support music from her upcoming new album, Riderless Horse. I’m not familiar with her catalog but based on her songwriting and pure voice I’m excited to work my way through it.
The night of course though belonged to Scotland’s best, Mogwai. Check their tour schedule and grab a ticket to any show you can!
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YE GODS
NINA NASTASIA
MOGWAI
