Hi, it’s almost SXSW which means one of two things here in New York City– either slim pickins, or the bands who are playing locally right now are either sleepless wack jobs or simply way too cool for such frivolousness as SXSW. And hey, we agree with them. Why would we ever want to spend time in Austin? Sure, it’s warm and beautiful and currently we live in a grey hell wash but, like, Texas smells like Rick Perry, which is to say freaking awful. So if you were thinking about packing up and heading south, don’t.
Creep in the Cellar
Suicide, The Vacant Lots, Pharmakon
Saturday March 7, 8:30pm at Webster Hall: $25
There are so many bands in the city that, honestly, don’t sound like they’re from the city. They sing about not wanting to grow up and I imagine them sitting around a well furnished living room in the suburbs (or more likely, a nice apartment somewhere off the L train). It’s so far from the sweaty bus rides, mountains of trash, and utter shit that you have to deal with living in New York City. Both Suicide and Pharmakon grew out of the city’s dark side: rotting away in cold lofts and dingy basements. It’s cathartic to hear Pharmakon let out a blood-curdling scream like you’ve wanted to do so many times on a crowded subway. And what’s more seedy than New York in 1970s– the setting that inspired Suicide to craft their eerie and fractured electronics. Obviously, Webster Hall isn’t quite CBGB’s, but you’re still gonna get the creeps. [Sarah Lutkenhaus]
Primal Electronics
Thursday March 5, 8pm at Palisades: $7
EULA Album Release w. No Bra, GULL, Martin Bisi, Algis Kizys, Bob Bert, Ian Campbell
Everyone remembers the first time they see Gull. For EULA’s Alyse Lamb, it was at the Ran Tea House. For me it was years ago at Death by Audio. He’s a multi-instrumentalist who stops people dead when they catch him playing drums, guitar, and singing simultaneously. It’s a combination of awe and a beautiful primal energy that’s mesmerizing. When I spoke to Gull, Nathaniel Rappole, years ago he told me about spending weeks playing on streets corners up and down the East Coast, the West Coast, and villages in Africa.
For the last decade, Susanne Oberbeck, aka No Bra, has been a gay icon in East London creating a unique brand of industrial pop and folk. Like her androgynous appearance, her music is wonderfully odd. She delivers extremely biting lyrics in a deadpan voice over very danceable upbeat arrangements.
Eula’s performance of their new album will tie the bill together nicely with theatrical force. Exhibiting their ability to go from calm to destructive, in a matter of seconds. They have a fluid dynamic and it goes without saying Alyse has a captivating (and sexy) stage presence. Often, they are accompanied with the incredible woodwind talents of Kate Mohanty. She can run the scales and improvise like nobody’s business. And of course, their high profile friend Martin Bisi will open the show with help from members of Swans, Sonic Youth, and Pop 1280. Who doesn’t want to know what’s kicking around in the head of Martin Bisi (who recorded Sonic Youth, Swans, John Zorn, Material, Bill Laswell, Helmet, Unsane, The Dresden Dolls, Cop Shoot Cop, White Zombie, Boredoms, etc, etc)? YAY. [Sarah Lutkenhaus]
Ice Cold Pop
Pop. 1280, Pawns @ Nothing Changes
Wednesday March 4th, 10 pm at Home Sweet Home: $9
Unfortunately headliners HTRK from Ghostly International had to cancel last minute because apparently the vocalist lost her voice performing last night. Wah wah. Well lucky for you the show must go on. Never fear for it appears local post-punks Pawns have jumped on the bill joining Sacred Bones darlings, Pop. 1280. If driving to Roswell to scope out some UFOs and throw empty beer cans at aliens sounds like something you’d be into– this is the band for you. Is that David Yow on the mic? Not quite, but throw in some analog synths and a cyberpunk sensibility and you’re dead on dude! Goths love em! You will too!
Have Olds Near? Take Em Here
Philip Glass, The Flaming Lips, Tenzin Choegyal, Patti Smith, Debbie Harry, Devonte Hynes, & more @ Tibetan US House Benefit
Thursday March 5th, 7:30 pm at Carnegie Hall: $35-$200
This annual benefit concert might have the feel of some exhaustive foreign variety show where fat ladies literally sing for like 50 straight hours, and it’s definitely happening at Carnegie Hall which means if you so much as sneeze you’ll find yourself locked in their gilded dungeon guarded by teething Suzuki violin students armed with daggers and polo clubs. So don’t do that, don’t sneeze. And definitely don’t bring your scumbag friends. Bring like your aunt or something and forget FOMO for the night because this will be a quality star studded affair fit only for music lovers and one that (hopefully) brings great fortune to the Dalai Lama’s cultural center.
Listening To Soft Music To Take Soft Drugs To
Modern Rivals, Twin Wave, Walking Tree
Le Poisson Rouge: $10
Remember what summer feels like? Me neither. It’s almost as if it never existed, am I right? The only signs that such a thing exists anywhere else in the world right now are Instagram and bands like the ones found on this lineup. Beachy. Ass. Vibes. Take Modern Rivals– these dudes are totally influenced by all things beach: dune buggies, corn dogs, ice cold Cokes, the Beach Boys, power boats, piña coladas, boat shoes, dock boys, swim trunks, and Beach House. It’s all there. Just listen closely and believe in the power of the solstice. Twin Wave brings more heat wave jams: smooth sailing psych-pop and sticky teeth vibes. Go if you hate winter.
Teen Dream
Trash Talk, Ratking, Lee Bannon, Show Me The Body
Wednesday March 4th, 9 pm at Webster Hall: $15
Hey Hungry Foodies we’ve go a killer combo for ya right here we’ve got here. New School NYC rappers just a hair over high school, West Coast space-goth trap, and… sludge metal? All happening at Webster Hall of all places. This show can’t not be rad for the ADD, slice eating club kid in ya.
So Hot Right Now
THEESatisfaction, MoRuf Record Release Party
Friday March 6th, 7 pm at Santos Party: $13 advance/ $15 door
Check out this record release party at Santos Party House for THEESatisfaction‘s latest Earthee out on Sub Pop. You might remember this hip experimental R&B duo from their collaboration with Shabazz Palaces. Their meandering, soulful songs are anything but structured so be prepared for some surprises. And we’ve heard these kids know how to throw a party, so come prepared to get down. Speaking of soulful, joining them is MoRuf whose super chill, well crafted hip-hop songs recall A Tribe Called Quest and summer time stoop hangs.
Night of the Barbarians
Couch Slut, No Way, Bardus, Grizzlor
Friday March 6th, 8 pm at the Acheron: $10
The ladies of Couch Slut can seriously rip out some filthy nasty tunes. Though it’s annoying they’ve gotten so much attention for having a cartoon penis ready for a sex act on the cover of their album. Frankly, we’ve seen much, much worse and their music warrants more attention than the possibility that they are “naughty” women. Last we checked, fellatio was not all that subversive. But you know what is? Unapologetic rage vocals and the fact that we’re seeing more and more women in metal and punk and noise and rock and all of it. So let them have their fellatio cartoon, OK? Joining them is Grizzlor, a snotty thrash rock band from New Haven who, frankly, Couch Slut could rip into a million pieces.
Hope These Guys Are Still Marxists
Gang of Four, Public Access TV
Saturday March 7th, 7 pm at Irving Plaza: $25
Yes we know the dudes from Gang of Four are old as fug, but they’re still the coolest Marxist post-punk band ever. So what do you they sound like now? Well, you’re not allowed to be surprised that their new shtick bears little resemblance to their classic albums from the early ’80s, but you are allowed to be hurt. Whoever produced this new album should literally be drawn and quartered. I will personally captain one of the pulling horses. Just PM me. But seriously whatever these dudes are still legends. Just hope and pray your little heart out they play all of Entertainment! So what if it’s been almost 40 years?!
Dunno if Alison Mossheart from the Kills will show– she’s on a few of the tracks. But that might be #cute gesture. Joining the Gang are the garage-pop monster children of Public Access TV. They legit have a photographer following them around right now with strict orders to only take photos of them from angles that make them look like the Ramones or something. So please report back and let me know if they actually look like Ramones IRL, otherwise send that photographer along to me.
