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!!
