LIVE JOURNAL
JezebelMusic.com @ The Studio at Webster Hall
May 20, 2010 | Atomic Tom, New Politics

You know those neighborhood bands that rehearse in garages and there’s always that one cool mom who doesn’t mind the noise and just wants them to play music whenever they want? And once in a while she pops her head in with lemonade and cookies and tries to sneak a listen but they aren’t really ready to be heard and they kind of just want to eat their cookies and have her go away until they’re ready to perform? And then suddenly they’ve gone and gotten signed to Universal Republic and have a single out on iTunes and are playing some of the most respected venues in New York City?

That’s the best way I know to describe my relationship with Atomic Tom.

I’ve been following this band for four years, partially because I liked their music when I first heard them, and very much because their bassist, Phil Galitzine, is one of my closest friends. Three years ago going to an Atomic Tom show meant going to support him, not necessarily going for “the show.” That’s all behind me now. For the past year, I’ve watched Atomic Tom transform from a group of guys who really liked playing rock shows to a band that knows how to play rock shows. So when I asked if I could write a review for last night’s headlining set on Webster Hall’s Studio, I didn’t do it for my friends. I did it to see a rock show.

Cut to the last Thursday.

More on Atomic Tom, New Politics @ The Studio at Webster Hall | 5.20.10

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT NYC

Listening to the Maine Coons is like never getting fully dressed in the morning, marching down to McCarren Park to meet some friends, getting well-oiled on Tecates in 65 degree weather, calling it a day, crashing in a San Loco to eat a burrito the size of two hamsters, and stealing a garden ornament on the way home.

The Maine Coons are the one man band of lead singer anonymous, and they have been very busy this weekend. In the last two days they’ve trailblazed Williamsburg and Greenpoint, playing Glasslands, Joe’s Fresh Pad, and Coco 66.

The Coons sound like a philandering cousin to local favorites The Beets. The Coons’ songs with shouted vocals and tom and snare drums chronicle lazy playboyism and being a causeless, incorrigible musician. For instance, “My Kind of Luv” sounds like an early Starlight Mints song, replete with xylophone, whistling and melodic cadences. “Ghetto Queen” plays like the park bench observations of the fairer sex belted out above overdriven guitars.

The Maine Coons sound very Williamsburg-now, drenched in reverb and sing-songyness. You’re likely to see them alongside the Beach bands of the moment. Maybe you’ll even see them in a San Loco.

By Thomas Wilk

The adventure brings us to Union Hall, land of unisex bathrooms and Bocce ball jokes, like, what did the Bocce ball say to Mick Jagger? Or what did Mick Jagger say to the Bocce ball when they were hanging out with the Pope? Sadly, no, I can’t tell you.

Side swerving to the front of the stage, the unfortunately named band, I’m In You, starts playing. Stodgy blond guitarist flaps at his SG, and a late ‘80s post-punk sound referencing Pere Ubu flares out. Violin, trumpet, and bassist, whose five-string bass is malfunctioning tonight, evoke a violent and irritated sound. Something made me uncomfortable about this band, similar to looking at the back cover of Big Black’s “Songs About Fucking,” where you meet the gaze of the man victoriously going at it with a squinting female who’s clenching her teeth—an image of pure violation which brought me to terms with man’s animal instincts. This feeling lasted for a second while the lead guitarist delivered vocal lines with gruffness. Then a song passed and he announced that the audience should buy an I’m In You tote bag. They’ll look great at the Park Slope Co-op.

More on Wild Yaks @ Union Hall | 1.27.10

Around the coldest January corner in Williamsburg nests Glasslands, a barn full of glitter and darkwave music. On January 26th, 2010,  local arts impresario Todd Pendu brought DJs from Chicago and two local bands, Omega Jarden and Mirror Mirror, to Glasslands.

On this evening, the stage at Glasslands looked like the underside of a prom dress, or like a snug womb, depending on your life outlook. Ladies with cokebottle glasses boogied and waify boys sashayed across basslines played by DJ Harrison as the party warmed up.

More on Mirror Mirror & Omega Jardens @ Glasslands | 1.26.10

SEE IT LIVE
JezebelMusic.com @ The Bell House
August 8, 2009 | Harvey Danger, John Hodgman, Jukebox the Ghost, Valley Lodge

[All images copyright 2009 Jessi Bautista]

Valley Lodge

Jukebox the Ghost

John Hodgman

Harvey Danger