These days, it’s pretty easy to get bored of the same old indie rock scene. That’s why I’m grateful for bands like Ansambl Mastika.
Put together by Greg Squared (Zagnut Orkestar, Hungry Marching Band), Ansambl Mastika is best listened to while watching belly dancers and smoking a hooka. Luckily, such a place exists, Maia Meyhane in the East Village. I won’t pretend to know anything about Balkan music; so I don’t really feel qualified to critique the CD. But I can tell you that the show was great. There was no pretention, anyone, even a complete outsider to the scene like me, could walk in and enjoy.
This weekend began the four-show run at Hammerstein of Guns ‘N Roses. While each show was sold out in minutes, and a barrage of press hyped the triumphant return of this generations greatest rock band, it was unclear if Axl and company could reclaim their previously held stature. After GNR 2.0 in ‘02 ended in disaster, much was at stake as the curtain lifted on Friday night.
And did they perform up to the standards of greatness? Yes. What we saw was a vintage rock show - an amazing performance by an iconic frontman, backed by an incredibley skilled band playing geniusly crafted songs. Was it the Guns ‘N Roses that we came to know, love, and sometimes hate? Not at all. As with many fallen dynasties, the differences are in the subtitles. Guns ‘N Roses (the original), was so appealing because they captured the essence of every great act since the invention of the distortion pedal. From Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, to Deep Purple, Aerosmith, and Guns ‘N Roses, it was a formula of their bluesy guitar playing and loose rhythms that made these larger-than-life bands more than the sum of their parts. Axl’s decision to replace the ever melodic Slash’s with the more technically proficient Buckethead, (and now Ron Thal), and the loose feel of original drummers Steven Adler and Matt Sorum with the more punchy and cerebral Brian ‘Brain’ Manita of Primus has erased the bluesy-throwback aesthetic which was the impetus for the original lineup’s superstardom.
Fear not, Guns fans, for an alternative exists to Axl’s cover band. Mr. Brownstone, who, unlike Axl, actually claim to be exactly what they are: a Guns ‘ N Roses tribute band. At new LES hotspot Fontana’s on Saturday night, this collection of clowns recreated what I’m sure every GNR fan hopes to see: a drunken rock mess that both delights, entertains, and leaves you with a wicked hangover. Be sure to see them at Bowery on Sat June 10th!
“Winner gets a trip to vegas, the chance to perform at our big Rock Honors show, and a spot in the US Air Guitar Championships in NYC. (we have some hott Gibson guitars up for grabs, too. kinky mirrored Gibsons, i might add.)”
Check the site for all the details and some funny videos.
Although the quality is bad, you can get an idea of their sound from the video. They are trip-hop, with overlaying guitar and violin and the haunting voice of lead singer Ali Rogers. Arlene’s Grocery is always a great venue, and it was packed for this show. Rogers obviously had some friends in crowd based on the friendly heckling, but overall it was a tight and professional show.
They’re playing again at Tonic on May 3rd, and I would definitely recommend going.
Photo by Jen Maler
And this is just one chapter! There are 12 chapters (so far; the saga hasn’t ended yet.)
And as if that wasn’t funny enough, on Saturday night, at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Ulysses S. Ferrero (Aziz Ansari) and Eliot Rosenblatt (Eric Appel) put together a group of experts to watch and comment on this great masterpiece as it was inducted into the Smithsonian. The panel consisted of a hip hop safety expert, the head of craft services from the filming of TITC(Nick Kroll), the token lesbian, the everyman (Todd Barry) and special guest star, The Closet (David Cross). Read the rest of this entry »
I just got back from the ’secret’ (and free) Franz Ferdinand show at Hammerstein Ballroom. It’s really weird going to a matinee concert. I thought that knowing it was daylight outside would keep me from enjoying it, but once inside, it was impossible to tell I wasn’t at a regular evening performance.
I was told that we might just be going to a sound check. But it wasn’t, it was a full set. In fact it was better then a regular show. There was no pretense. Franz Ferdinand came out. Some of them looked amused, some of them look tired. They started to play. They started to have fun. One of them took off his shoes. They took requests from the 500 person audience, which was full of die hard (and young!) fans. They let a bunch of people get on stage and sing along. They did NOT play Take Me Out. Three of them started playing the same drum kit at once. They finished their set and left the stage (they had to go rest for their show tonight). All in all, it was pretty awesome.
The concert was a ’secret’ because in order to get in you had to add them to your MySpace friend list. The genius who came up with this should get a promotion. I’m sure hundreds of people joined MySpace yesterday, just to get a ticket. But I was pretty impressed that no advertising was shoved down our throats once we got there, just a couple of simple banners on the side. There was a massive line to get in, but inside there was room to move around (it was only about 1/3 full on the floor and the mezzanines were empty). Even though I know it’s a terrible marketing ploy, I was really happy with it. I would recommend one of these shows to anyone in a position to go (they are supposedly having them all over the country, just add MySpace Secret Shows to your friend list to find out where and when).
[I also got to use my fancy new camera to capture some video, which will be posted soonish - check back for it this weekend]
“Starting this Monday, the CakeShop is beginning late night free dance parties after the bands perform, (approx. 12am-4am+)
Every night will have a different flavor.
The Beat Club’s own PappaWheelie will innagurate the events this Monday (01/16), and he will hold down every Saturday night.
Please come out this Monday, and every Saturday for old school Paradise Garage deep Disco, Miami Bass, Freestyle, Italo, Acid House, etc.
Speculator from the shortbus radio on EVR will be gracing us with his master song selection every thursday night! You can what he plays here”
I don’t know if this sounds like UNCOOLKIDS kind of music, but we’re always in favor of free dance parties. Plus Cake Shop has REALLY DELICIOUS vegan brownies.
I just found out that Quo is gonna be playing tonight at 8pm at Arlene’s Grocery, Stanton between Ludlow and Essex.
Anyone who has not seen him play live should go check out this show.
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And as if that wasn’t funny enough, on Saturday night, at the 
“Starting this Monday, the 