Chrome Cranks at Mercury Lounge

The Chrome Cranks sound like the meanest, hardest blues group ever. Their intensity level varies from menacing ramble (on the mellow end!) to audience-crushing aggression. These particular photos may give you the impression that lead singer Peter Aaron is demonically possessed. I'm not gonna argue with that. It would explain a lot.

Posted: 8/17/2013 at 4:19pm     Tags: Chrome Cranks  Mercury Lounge 

Nothing at Saint Vitus

I suppose I should write something about Nothing (yes, the lineup of this particular show had a "Who's On First" quality).

Nothing are not as mellow as I had expected. You know how some bands, especially some psych/shoegaze bands, rock harder on their albums (because it sells) but are relaxed or almost sleepy on stage? Nothing are the opposite of that, closer to A Place To Bury Strangers or Nightmare Air without being consistently as loud. Unlike those bands Nothing's songs do have dreamy parts, but when they get to the rock parts these guys get aggressive. I think one of their guitarists did some real damage to his equipment, and he lost his shoe too. I like that level of intensity.

Posted: 8/14/2013 at 3:54pm     Tags: black and white  Nothing  Saint Vitus 

The Skins at Brooklyn Bowl

Someday people will stop introducing The Skins by pointing out how young they are buuuuut... not just yet. When the band formed they were all teenagers, and even now nobody in the band is over 21. So yeah, they're a young rock band, specifically hard rock with hints of funk and metal. But that's not such a rare thing as of late, is it? It seems to me that I keep hearing about really young rock bands. Wasn't there a 11-year old metal band in the news recently?

Instead, let's talk staying power. When I saw The Skins a year ago (at the Brooklyn Bowl in fact) they sounded good but were awkward on stage. Some of 'em just stood there and played. Since that time they have gone from opening to support spots with the occasional headlining gig. They toured Europe and the U.S. with The Heavy. They have spent another year on stage and it really shows. Now they know how to grab the audience's attention. Now they know how to show off during a solo. Plus they sound even tighter than before.

For some reason The Skins haven't released a full album. Getting your finances together is not one of the advantages of being young. But I get the feeling it'll happen right around the time they schedule their first solo tour. Most likely next Summer because, you know, classes and all that.

Posted: 8/13/2013 at 4:16pm     Tags: Brooklyn Bowl  The Skins 

100% Black at Shea Stadium

Okay, there are these three guys in terrible drag, and one of them looks like Charlie Chaplin. I just had to shoot this in black and white. As it happens their look seems to be more Twin Peaks inspired. Someone book these guys at The Flat, pronto!

I believe 100% Black only did three songs. They were long, they were atmospheric, in a sort of angry gothic style. Even their cover of Bela Lugosi's Dead was more aggressive than the original. Yet it is noteworthy that the band rarely (if ever?) looked at the audience. The drummer actually performed with his back to the crowd. So the aggression was not directed at the crowd. It seemed to be something more internal, seething up inside but not (yet?) spilling out.

Posted: 8/11/2013 at 11:24pm     Tags: 100% Black  black and white  Shea Stadium 

The Cambodian Space Project at The Rock Shop

I believe that only lead singer Srey Channthy of The Cambodian Space Project actually managed to get a visa, so technically this is her performing the band's songs. I have to say, though, this was a pretty sharp backing band. Aside from the fact that some of the instruments are missing they sounded like the real band.

Their sound has been called psychedelic, surf, and garage, and surely it is influenced by those styles. More than that they are part of a musical tradition which developed in Cambodia in the 60s and 70s and more or less died out (literally). Radio station WFMU's website has a lot more info and some mp3s you can listen to. The point is that these folks are the next generation, taking that Cambodian musical style forward.

Posted: 8/11/2013 at 1:58pm     Tags: The Cambodian Space Project  The Rock Shop