Last year I discovered NYC’s GIFT when they opened for Frankie and the Witch Fingers and was instantly hooked (see pics). A few months later I was there to celebrate the release of their debut album Momentary Presence (Dedstrange) which wound up on my list of Favorites of 2022 for FTA (see pics). And this past weekend I was lucky enough to catch them once again as they kicked off their tour at Baby’s All Right along with fellow psych rockers, LA-Based Hooveriii (“Hoover Three”).
GIFT—TJ Freda on vocals/guitar, Kallan Campbell on bass, Justin Hrabvosky on guitar/keys, and Cooper Naess on drums tore up the room as they journeyed through their dream-like psych pop found on Presence. But while it was a great show that had one of the most packed rooms I’ve ever seen at Baby’s, there was one member sorely missing. Guitarist Jessica Gurewitz was there but not feeling well and unable to play. But Freda and gang never let her forget she was missed as they had the crowd scream “We love you, Jessica!” throughout their set. And apparently the good mojo worked as they were all on board the bus the next day to continue the tour.
GIFT at Baby’s All Right
Opening the night was NYC based Customer, an up-and-coming indie/post-punk 4-piece featuring Nicola Leel, Mallory Hawk, Dave Medina and Greg Rutkin. They kicked things off with a fun, upbeat set that perfectly led into Hooveriii who took it to another level. Like their most recent full length, 2022’s A Round of Applause (The Reverberation Appreciation Society), Hooveriii brings so many elements into their sound. Sure it’s got the reverb, fuzzy guitar sound you’d expect from psych-rock artists, but its also got 60’s pop sensibilities, it’s funky, it’s hard hitting and band members Bert Hoover, Gabe Flores, Kaz Mirblouk, James Novick, and Owen Barrett, can get lost in a jam session that you wish would go all night. It was a blistering set and a perfect pairing for this tour.
Speaking of which—make sure to catch one of the few remaining dates on this tour and watch two of the best bands out there on one bill.
Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)
This past weekend, Racket NYC was transported back to the rocking glam 70’s thanks to the one-two punch of Mac Saturn and opener Billy Tibbals. Currently on the Until the Money Runs Out tour, both bands share an affinity for that classic rock ‘n roll sound along with a style to match and the sold-out crowd loved every minute of it.
I’ve covered countless shows over the years, but I’ve never experienced one like this before. I walked up to the recently opened venue only to find a long line of fans who had braved the barely 20-degree weather that day for a chance to be up at the stage. It reminded me of footage where you see die-hard fans lined up outside say a Bowie concert like was shown in the brilliant Moonage Daydream doc, except this is Mac Saturn’s first national headlining tour. And that’s in large part due to the massive success of single “Mr. Cadillac,” which has had countless plays on streaming services.
By the time the Detroit, Michigan natives took the stage, the crowd was so amped, so excited, a girl just a few feet to my left fainted. And credit to the band members who went over to check on her and make sure she was ok before they jumped into a rocking set. Last to take the stage was lead singer Carson Macc who walked out in all his glorious swagger. Colorful, retro patterned shirt with hip hugging pants and white rimmed sunglasses, Macc was every part the rockstar the crowd came to see. At points he would dig into his suitcase of tricks and come out with maracas and even a cowbell, strutting around the stage as he played them.
Mac Saturn at Racket
The setlist contained all of the tracks found on their EP, Until the Money Runs Out, as well as a number of new songs written since it came out. Highlights included set opener “Diamonds,” “Persian Rugs,” “Mint Julep” and a rollicking version of “Plain Clothes Gentleman.” And of course, what will undoubtedly be a signature song years from now, “Mr. Cadillac.”
Opening the night was Billy Tibbals who moved to Hollywood back in 2014 after growing up in London. And the influence of both cities was on full display as Tibbals and band rocked through a T-Rex meets Bowie inspired set of songs. Like Mac, Tibbals embraces all the excess and grandeur that you used to expect from a live show. And his recently released, Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes) produced track “Hollywood Baby” perfectly showcases his songwriting style and influences. Likewise, tracks like “Onwards and Upwards” and “Lucy” show what he and his band are capable of, balancing a sound that is both retro and modern at the same time.
Catch this tour if you can—just make sure to get there early! I expect long lines outside every venue going forward.
Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)
This past Friday, 1/20/23, long running New York City based band We Are Scientists were back in action to celebrate their eighth and latest album, Lobes (read our review), to a packed house at Brooklyn Made. And with a line that went down Bushwick’s Troutman Street before the show, it was obvious that people were stoked to see and hear what their favorite scientists had been cooking up.
As soon as guitarist/vocalist Keith Murray, bassist Chris Cain, and drummer Keith Carne took to the stage, they kicked the party off with new jam “Lucky Just to Be Here” from Lobes. From there they mixed it up with tracks from their 2005 debut With Love and Squalor (“This Scene Is Dead,” “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt,” “Inaction”), 2008’s Brain Thrust Mastery (“After Hours”), 2010’s Barbara (“Rule’s Don’t Stop”), 2016’s Heltzer Seltzer (“Buckle,” “Too Late”), and 2018’s Megaplex (“Your Light Has Changed”).
No We Are Scientists show would be complete though without the between song banter these guys are known for. And always over a drink while also interacting with the audience, making it feel like as much a house party as a concert. You get the feeling listening to them that truly feel “lucky just to be here.” But they didn’t let it go too long as even they remembered at one point their manager was there and going to kick their asses if they didn’t announce and promote the new album that had been released earlier that day. But safe to say we all knew why we were there and the reaction to Lobes that night shows that the album speaks for itself.
Other new songs from the album included “Operator Error,” “Human Resources,” and “Settled Accounts,” as well as “Less From You” that kicked off the encore which included “Dinosaurs” from Brain Thrust Mastery, and “Too Late” from Helter Seltzer.
Opening the night was another New York gem, Public Practice. Fronted by Sam York, the quartet brings back the rock disco swagger of late 70’s Blondie when Debbie Harry declared “once I had a love and it was a gas”. It was a lively set that found York, guitarist Vince McClelland, bassist Drew Citron, and drummer Scott Rosenthal reuniting after some time apart but sounding like they never missed a beat. And while they certainly have a danceable beat, there’s some intricate guitar and bass play between McClelland and Citron that propels them beyond simply revisiting the past. Retro and modern at the same time, Public Practice creates an exciting new style all their own.
We Are Scientists are embarking on an extensive tour to promote Lobes so look for available dates and join the party if you can.
Scroll down for setlist, fan shot video, pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)
Setlist: Lucky Just To Be Here, This Scene Is Dead, Contact High, Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt, Operator Error, Rules Don’t Stop, Settled Accounts, You’ve Lost Your Shit, Inaction, I Cut My Own Hair, Turn It Up, Textbook, Human Resource, Buckle, Your Light Has Changed, The Great Escape, After Hours Encore: Less From You, Dinosaurs, Too Late
Last week, Snotty Nose Rez Kids were happy to shout, “Brooklyn’s in the house!” as they took to the stage at Purgatory for an all-out assault on the NYC venue. It was the culmination of their hard work and perseverance during the last few years that found SNRK releasing I’m Good, HBU? the week before and hitting the road to promote it. And as they told me after the gig, they were stoked to have had the chance to play to a smaller, more intimate crowd to launch the album. A trend more and more bands are taking advantage of these days. As someone who lives and shoots in NYC I’m all too happy to see it.
The duo, Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce, moved to Vancouver in the late 2010’s when they released the self-titled debut, but they actually originate from the Haisla Nation in Kitamaat Village, British Columbia. It’s there they met and would start writing together, fusing their styles of poetry and storytelling. That and their love of hip hop led to them to start recording together and laid the foundation of what would eventually become the Snotty Nose Rez Kids.
One of the first things I noticed when they walked in the bar that night, aside from their sick style, was Trybez’ Iron MaidenKillers shirt. When we spoke after their set, he explained that Maiden, as well as Black Sabbath, were big influences on him growing up and you could sense that when he performed. Like one of their hip hop idols, Cypress Hill (who would later infuse a more rock/metal approach in their music), their style of hip hop I can feel when listening to SRNK. Beyond that though, there is also the Beatles inspired “Damn Right” video and a Queen intro during their set, showing they have a broad range of styles and influences.
The set itself was a mix of songs from the last few years of their career. Highlights from the new album being “Trendsetter,” “I’m Good” and the aforementioned “Damn Right” which had the crowd chanting along. Other highlights included “If I Die Today” and “Sink or Swim” from 2021’s Life After, “Real Deadly” and “Peaks & Valleys” from the 2020 EP Real Deadly, and “Rebirth” and “Boujee Natives” from 2019’s Trapline. During the upbeat, raucous set both Metz and Nyce took advantage of Purgatory’s space, getting the crowd down on the floor one minute and moshing the next. But they obviously care about their fans at the same time, reminding them if someone falls in the pit you pick them up, and emphasizing self-love and taking care of yourself. These are two guys who appreciate where they’re headed and the people who are helping them get there.
Opening the night was Brooklyn’s favorite “noise rock noise” band and identical twins, Venus Twins. Originally from Denton, TX the brothers, Jake and Matt Derting, have been a regular fixture on the NYC scene for a while now. I caught my first show at the beginning of 2022 and was blown away that this drum ‘n bass duo was creating as much sound as they were. I also quickly learned that night that you have to keep up with them if you’re going to try and get a shot. Jake is just a blur of motion as he destroys his kit, while Matt can be found on his mic, on the floor, in the crowd or climbing a wall. Wednesday’s show was no exception as he took to the floor, then up the stairs to Purgatory’s loft, hanging off the rail all while he riffed. All the while, Metz and Nyce looked on smiling and realizing what a great fucking pairing it was with their two bands. Anyone in the NYC area on December 18th would be wise to grab a ticket to the Twin’s next show at The Sultan Room to experience the mayhem for themselves.
Snotty Nose Rez Kids and Venus Twins
Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)
Madison, Wisconsin’s Disq made their way to Baby’s All Right last week in support of their sophomore album, Desperately Imagining Someplace Quiet (Saddle Creek). And while I’m sure everyone in the room was happy to have two albums worth of material to draw from, it was a long wait for band and fans alike. After their debut album Collector was released, the world went into lockdown and abruptly ended their chance to promote it and connect with audiences.
With Baby’s small intimate setting, connecting with the audience would not be a problem last week as Disq played to a packed house. The group, led by founding members Isaac deBroux-Slone (vocals/guitar) and Raina Bock (bass/backing vocals), bring a playful intensity to their songs. Whether it’s the more 60’s guitar-strumming pop nugget “Prize Contest Life’” with its noise-rock attack ending, “Cujo Kiddies” with its upbeat electronic yet cool, casual, whatever approach, or the Weezer tinged “This Time,” they manage to marry all these diverse stylings into one that is truly their own.
Rounding out the band is Logan Severson (guitar/backing vocals), Shannon Connor (guitar/keys) and Brendan Manley (drums). Having three guitars and multiple people on vocals, all of whom contribute to the songwriting, helps expand their sound as evidenced on Desperately Imagining’s mix of styles. Yet the set’s closing tracks “Communication” and “Daily Routine” show there is a core sound that runs throughout their music, so it will be exciting to see how they continue to evolve and expand on future albums.
Disq live, summer 2022
Getting the crowd to a fever pitch before Disq took the stage was Toronto’s Ducks Ltd. with their brand of fun jangly alt-pop. Songs so catchy that in between verses, co-founder Tom McGreevy (vocals/rhythm guitar) was himself swaying to the beat and clearly having a great time. McGreevy and fellow Ducks co-founder Evan Lewis (guitar) have crafted a beautiful throwback 80’s sound without ever sounding dated as evidenced on their 2021 album Modern Fiction (Carpark Records). Fans of the Cure will certainly appreciate the guitar and bass melodies, and they even a brilliant cover of “In Between Days” that came out in August with Jane Inc. That cover and others are part of Ducks Ltd. new cover series, The Sincerest Form of Flattery.
Scroll down for setlist, pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)
Setlist: Civilization Four, Prize Contest Life, Cujo Kiddies, This Time, The Curtain, The Hardest Part, If Only, Charley Chimp, Tightrope, (With Respect To) Loyal Serfs, Meant To Be, Hitting a Nail with a BB Gun, Communication, Daily Routine
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