5 BUX GETS YA IN TA SEE 8 (PUNK, BLUES AND ROCK) BANDS

I couldn’t exactly sleep (how can you “couldn’t exactly sleep” hah, okay) so I now have the time to sit, think and write about this blog. However thinking about writing the blogs is something that I start doing mostly on the train, or before bed at night. I just go with what struck me the most, the cool bands I heard, the pictures I took, and who I was wherever with… Then I usually record the beginnings of what I though onto my iPod touch in the notes app. Funny that reminds of an article on I read on Lenny Kravitz awhile back that stated that at one point in time he explored the city freely, riding the transit system purposefully, gathering lyrical and musical inspiration from the atmosphere and surroundings. That feature comes to mind. I feel less original now but…”Imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery.” That being said let’s go to the Delancey.

5 bux gets you in to see 8 bands Feb. 7th…I avidly read on Facebook from Mr. Frank Wood’s update. Frank’s a hardcore booker/promoter/manager in NYC for over thirty years. …seen him at a few shows so he wasn’t a stranger to me.

Frank Wood and the Blue-Collar Blogger

So after finishing up posting a blog at the library, shameless plug for my page, I made my way to the Delancey to meet up with a great friend of mine, Nancy. Thanks for coming out with me Amiga!

Nanc and the Blue-Collar Blogger

The bands killed.

Knuckle Children!!

Knuckle Children-straight forward ol skool punk with the appearance, attitude and sense of humor to back it up.

Biting Saints

Biting Saints-Metal and proud of it, crushing twin-attack riffs and good vox.

The Mess

The Mess-decent blues with the talent and creativity to compliment it.

Cruel Shoes

Cruel Shoes-making their NYC mark.

Low Society

Low Society-Punk/Blues done the right way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kill the Band!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kill the Band-theatrical, dynamic, punk/rock.

All of the bands and Frank Wood are on Facebook so if you have a minute increase your fav pages meaningfully you’ll receive updates on shows they have coming up!!

Have a great weekend and if you like or have any interesting thoughts, feel free to comment and also like and subscribe, cheers and have a rad weekend!!!

http://www.mrfwood.com/

dude take a look at Ace Preston’s words on Frank Wood, its pretty good…

http://www.mrfwood.com/news/preston_wood.htm

 

BLUE COLLAR BLOGGER IN WILLIAMSBURG STILL!

Black Sheep Bar

Wall Photo

Months ago I met Morgan and visited his bar, Black Sheep for the first time. He greeted me with the same pleasantness and humility when he and his dad opened the bar back then. Remembering having the Lion’s Head Brew I did again with the shot of Jack, took a seat and had a chat the owner.

He again reminded me of great drink specials and the new 50 cent wings at his spot. The alternative, blues and rock was still pushed on the sound system. A particularly cool thing about the space is that the skateboard decks, pictures, concert posters and memorabilia on the wall all have a small story behind the…both Morgan and his dad took time to take me through a time warp of simple and meaningful memories.

Lou

The Entrance

I’ll definitely pass by again when I’m in the neighborhood, and you should too, lol. But seriously, cool drink specials, pool table, pleasant atmosphere, tryit!!!

wheels!?!

Heaven!!

Many longboards mirror each other on the walls of Bustin Boards Longboard Shop in the area. Alberto snuffed this shop out awhile back and brought me over to take a look.

Fully stocked with completes, decks and hardware varieties for the old/new school enthusiasts. But the shop also puts together annual longboard races in the summer in the city. These races attract many skaters that love the sport and want to have fun.

 

Tough Choices

 

The employees Meribeth and Adam are super friendly and were gnarly enough to brief me on the company website, store info and to give me the go-ahead to take pictures of the store. Dude if you longboard add bustin boards on your facebook, there’s plenty of opps to hookup with like-minded cruisers and be updated on the what’s current with bustin.

 

Bustin Boards

 

 

Please take a peek at

http://www.Bustinboards.com

add them and Concrete Kings on Facebook too!!

BLUE-COLLAR BLOGGER IN WILLIAMSBURG!

PUBLIC ASSEMBLY!!!

Recently I was updated on Facebook from the “Public Assembly” of the event called The Future of What?: A Panel on Punk Rock in the 1990s. In my head I was already there. Not only for the fact that it was about punk rock in the 1990s but it featured Eric Davidson from the New Bomb Turks.  Little did I know this trip would be a two-day outing and would be an excellent opportunity to do two things. Spend sometime in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and visit a couple of my fav places to play live – the Public Assembly and the Trash Bar!!

Okay, if you don’t know Williamsburg it is very, vivid, hectic scene that is maintained and upheld by many bars/event spaces. And also by many stores including hipster, artist, fashion, vintage, healthy food, wine, cds and records scattered all through out, hahaha…I love it, its like a whole other little planet.

straighten me out

Back in the winter of 2006 was when I first went to the Public Assembly. Then it was called the Galapagos.  Their spacious and appealing surroundings have been an outlet for musicians, artists and many performers for over ten years. Its main space is a very cool area to take video if you’re performing, because of the elevated stage, big sounding acoustics and decent lighting. Play there!!!

Panelists for the Future of What...

The Future of What? which was put together by VOL. 1 Brooklyn, was a panel discussion on the effects of punk rock on pop culture, politics, the record industry, musicians and their results on punk rock. The panel consisted of four writers/musicians which were Eric Davidson, Maura Johnston, Norman Brannon and Sara Marcus.  I was interested mostly in Eric Dav…comments… because I was mostly familiar with him and his music. The lead singer The New Bomb Turks are/were  a 90′s punk band on one of my fav record labels, Epitaph. The frontman had a blue-collar musician, edgy/witty type of feel to his responses. Talking about playing in the indie scene and its ups and downs, the difference of attitudes of punks from different locations, the elaborate, rock/alternative rock budget releases acquired in the period and  shifts of the industry… Very studied. The other participants portrayed intelligent point of views on these matters and other issues also. Having come from different physical backgrounds and musical/entertainment histories it was interesting to hear the multi-dimensional responses. Please if you have a chance and you write/read about music or punk rock, check out these guys. They have sites, write articles and have released books*

 

Wombat in Combat at Trash!!

 

!!!Open bar from 8pm to 9pm, hence whiskey and coke tip included, five punk/hardcore bands, girls moshing, pool table, tater tots($2) every night all for six bux. Holy moly…this is the TRASH BAR, Thurs the 6th of Jan and every night. Punk bands may not be included but bands nonetheless.

The gritty, seedy looking audience area and small stage smells of beer and whiskey. The walls are covered with paintings, posters from past performers and many stickers. There’s even a cigarette vending machine. Here at the Trash Bar is where I took a lot of hints on live sound and performance from many, many indie bands. Bands from NYC, Tri-State, Texas, Wisconsin, you call it…!!! It’s also a cheap place to come and catch shows after a skate or surf session in warmer metro life days. Such an awesome place to have a few drinx and see some music. I hopped at the opp  to come and see my Smash Rehearsal/Recording Studio friend, Sam play in the hardcore band, Wombat in Combat.

love and violence

violence and sound...

Quick, interesting, funky/chunky guitar work. Entertaining and smart stage banter/vocals and a good rhythm suit to back it all up is Wombat. I remember one of their fans placing a drum throne in the center of mosh pit area and spinning himself around, we all know it would be soon go downhill for him. After he was jump kicked of the chair, a girl sat and spun herself around (see pics above) Punks have so much dedication to their bands and the fun of it all. …Bat blasted through a set of about eight songs before the tidy whitey wearing vocalist and his hardcore team called it. Notable mentions the played that night include The Choices…providing consistent gnarl, and crowd energy and Retro Viral…guys were young and intent.

…please stay alert for the second installment to this blog!!!

Keep your eye open and live, then the magic happens!

Have a great weekend all!!

SENTIMENTAL NOTES, MICROTONAL WHAT? AND CLASSICAL MUSIC!!

I hadn’t been to my old college, Queensborough Community in sooo long. I did graduate in 2004 with an Associate Degree in Music Electronic Technology/Audio Engineering went onto study Stage Technology and become a Freelance Stage Technician. Beyond the academics at that time I gained an integral part of me being a musician at that institution. That being I met musicians there that shaped my early approaches to playing music in rock bands and doing business in the indie NY music scene. Some of these guys I still perform with to this day, one in particular is Erick Britton (MindStep, Transcend the Core). Personal anecdote over, now off to the content.

the indigo children!!

Skate and Nanc

My friend Nancy invited Alberto and myself to the Queensborough Youth Conservatory of Music, Student’s Recital last December in Queens, New York. Her friend Sten Hostfalt (Jazz Performer/ NYC Guitar Studio Founder and Director) was participating on classical jazz guitar in the performance. So she invited us to enjoy some classical and jazzical musicianship.

Nancy, Alberto and I met pretty early in the morning to take pics at the college and to meet Sten before he performed. On the bus ride to the school while taking impromptu pics I inquired to Nancy what was Sten’s music like. She mentioned jazz, classical and also…microtonal, which not only confounded her but aroused both of our imaginations. Micro…mmmh, tonal…mmmhhh (insert speculatory conversation on bus here). Where’s my text-book, hah.

Sten Hostfalt Performing

Sten is a very pleasant, friendly and funny person. And even though he had a jazz background, as I mentioned bands like Bad Religion and Tool as creative influences he referred to bands like Black Flag and Fugazi in our first conversation. But then he got I had to investigate the factor of “microtones.” Which looks at the idea that he use notes other than the ones that most western musicians use in the 12 intervals of the octave. Oh how I remember my music classes at Queensborough now, lol! But Sten is very known in the jazz community for exactly his non-contemporary tonal path and his works in that direction. He is mentioned in many staple Jazz magazines* And he also has an instructional guitar school that also has a focus on microtonal studies.

Wonsun Bae the director is a world-wide known pianist, adjunct professor at Queensborough, the progenitor of the Queensborough Youth Conservatory of Music and  a performer at the recital. She proceeded with many kids between the ages of six and thirteen performing classical and familiar children’s songs on violin and piano with and without their tutors. These tutors included the sophisticated and beautiful Ms. Bae and the skilled Violist/Violinist Luis Casals who is a Violin and viola instructor at Queensborugh Community College and the Vice President of the Sinfonia Concertante Foundation of Panama and Sten.

Sten performed with one of the students, in which they played a three song performance. It’s not an easy task to teach and Sten definitely knows the ins and outs of it so much that it reflects through the confidence of his student on his solo piece. Later on Sten was featured in a personal performance.

His songs were three classical and jazz pieces. The prior two intermediate and the last piece was more technical. He held his head toward his instrument that brought him his unconventional fame and fell into a solitude of subtle, song and sound while he performed.

impromptu!

Another surprise at this show was the rock quartet who played an original that they conceived the night before. The players were also enrolled in the Music Electronic Technology Program that I was involved. And the vocalist/acoustic guitarist was the vocalist, and very nice, Narina from the NYC band NoirceuR.

The show was a cool, inspiring, experience for me. Being a musician I have a lot of respect for musicians, their performance and I love to hear of the path they took and are going in the field. It also gave me the opportunity to further look forward to my show in “MindStep” that was imminent. But having the chance to “hangout!!” with Nancy and Alberto was the most important, man. Without love and friendship there would be no true journeys in any field in life!

Journey...

TO ALL OF MY FRIENDS, LOVED ONES AND ALL WHO READ THIS, HAVE AN ENLIGHTENING AND MAGICAL NEW YEAR, MAY ALL OF YOUR IDEAS COME TRUE!!!

*Please take a look at Sten Hostfalt’s site, hear music and see more cool things at

http://www.sonusrex.com

Also his microtonal guitar site

http://microtonalguitar.net/

NoirceuR’s facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/NoirceuR/8955787513