Phew. I can now sleep soundly tonight. Another anniversary show went on without a hitch. Not even an outbreak of swine flu can stop the rock.
Let's go through all my thanks:
- It all begins and ends with the staff of Maxwell's, who take care of everybody and are just decent people. The cornbread and pie was flowing tonight. Todd-Phonic Todd throws his support behind my annual show and I can't have them without his guidance.
- All of the bands, I bow and genuflect to them. I am their huckleberry. Thankfully, people filled the joint tonight not because my name was on the bill, but because they want to see kick ass bands and hear their music. I'm humbled that they crossed state-boundaries for the show.
- Even though I'm not the most popular music blog in the internets, I tip my hat to the music labels and PR firms who appreciate my efforts and philosophy by hooking me with shows, advance music and interviews.
- My friends are always understanding that I spend my free time in a room with strangers wearing a trilby or behind a laptop typing up posts. Dyn-O-Wright designs the posters and took the photos tonight, DJ John of Y-Rock on XPN helped me promote it, BrooklynVegan for mentioning the show plenty of times and my hung-over friend A.D. for printed out the posters.
- The myriad of bands that appear on this site. That's why I do this. At first, I started this contraption to meet girls. Then when I read other music sites, I felt they weren't representing my tastes in music, but the tastes of fashionistas, scensters and whatever the major labels were pushing. Now, I run this site because I love so much music and want to people to know about it. Along the way in these four years, many of these musicians became my friends and have my back.
- Thanks to you, the reader, for coming to this site. You deserve to come to a music site that is free of advertising, sponsorships and contests. I hope you found what you're looking for, whether it be your new favorite band or something along those lines.
Now the show. How awesome is Crystal Stilts? Friday they played on the West Coast. Saturday they're back in NYC to play for TopShop (motto: Please don't shop in our stores if you are over 22). Then Sunday, they came to Hoboken for their Maxwell's debut.
As I said on stage, Maxwell's is a special place because you see bands play early on, then they become a big deal. In my lifetime, I've seen Ben Folds Five, Franz Ferdinand, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kaiser Chiefs, etc. play the stage and go onto greatness, Thus, I had Stilts headline because I fell they'll be a big deal and make a lot of people lifelong fans. There was a bunch of high school kids at the show and I'm sure when Stilts became a popular band, the kids will tell all their friends that they saw Stilts play a small venue.
The Stilts was amazingly upbeat and rocking. That psychedelic vibe mixed with classic 50s/60s rock is right up my alley. I don't understand when people think Brad looks bored on stage. Do they expect him to knock over things? They let the music do the talking, although my new BFF keyboardist Kyle told plenty of T.M.I. stories about his Bergen Co. upbringing. Tonight, they debut a new tune that's more romantic than you are used to from them. They also threw in a cover of Gun Club's Mother Of Earth.
It's been too long since Mahogany has been on this space. Thankfully, for the rest of the world, they are about to record their follow-up to 2006's Connectivity. They are aiming for a Rock-tober release. The new material has sex appeal in spades. It's a little more dance rock than their more electronic-based previous work. To me, they are like the perfect band. Each song is well-crafted, from their big-sprawling wall of keyboards rave-ups to their dream pop ditties. There's always something to pick-up on. Even my crew members, who don't follow music as closely as I do, were saying, "Those guys know what they are doing."
One of the things I'll remember about the show was when I left the stage after introducing them. I jumped off and didn't get a chance to put my ear plugs in. The band tore right into Supervitesse and it was fucking loud. It's was like a sound bomb exploded behind my back and I was thrust forward. Now that's how to kick off a set.
Yeahs!!!!! for Motel Motel. They owned that stage tonight and got some people paying attention to their take on classic southern/country rock. I always admire a band who doesn't phone in a performance, and they put a lot of energy and expression into their set tonight. What I hope you discover is that music has great personality and a sense of spontaneity. Trust me, you're going to hearing a lot about Motel Motel. They should have their second album out before the end of the year.
That's it gang. Thanks again coming out on a school night. See you at the 5th Anniversary.
Comments