Posts tagged concerts

One of the joys of growing up in New Jersey is its thriving music scene. Although it has seen a dip in open venues (RIP Bloomfield Ave. Café), it is undeniable that the Garden State’s most known spots have an abundance of loyal, lifelong followers. From the Wellmont Theater to the Meatlocker and the Stone Pony, there’s a place for people of all ages, musical tastes and economic standings. However, it seems my current fave is Teaneck’s Mexicali Live, where you can munch on burritos and get buzzed on margaritas while enjoying some of today’s most promising talent.

This past Friday, I decided it was time that I trek the sports and movie-loving boyfriend out to a show that didn’t include friends of ours on the bill. I figured what night would be better than to see Waking Lights, one of the tri-state area’s top up-and-coming bands. I’ve seen the indie/folk five-piece on a number of occasions in the past, and gave the group some coverage in William Paterson University’s Pioneer Times. After I heard their debut LP, The Rabbit Hole, I knew that they were an act to look out for. And as entertainment editor at the time, I strived to find talent in their prime – and in the least likely of places. But I digress – they were playing a show with girl-power trio Banditas and pop/rock troupe I Am Fighting, and I was more than excited to see what the night was going to hold.

Matt and Kyle of Waking Lights. Photo Courtesy: Henry Baum

As waitresses scurried around the room to serve drinks to the thirsty and down-to-party crowd, Hayley Thompson-King, Molly Maltezos, and Alec Tisdale aka Banditas took the stage. With an intriguing fusion of country harmonies and the grimy and chunky instrumentation of garage, the Bostonites stood their ground as concertgoers loudly made their way through the entrance. Thompson-King and Maltese hypnotized listeners with their harmonies as they belted out tracks from their debut opus Get Behind Us. Their cute outfits and petite frames were more than misleading as they belted tracks about shooting their men dead. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!

Next, the great wall of guitars that is I Am Fighting played a set filled with catchy guitar hooks and rhythms that could induce the need to head-bop in even the stiffest of characters. The Kearny, NJ band gave a grand performance in celebration of their new album Mesmerized, which was released today. Each member seemed absolutely enthralled in the performance as the crowd pogoed and sang along to every word through the set’s entirety. Although lead singer Joe Gehrmann admitted that their shows are few and far between, they’re definitely a band to check out live when they make their random stops around Jersey. Alongside Gehrmann is Dominick Gaglio who shredded on lead guitar, Dan Tretola on rhythm guitar, bassist Walter Dicristina, and drummer Joe Hughes.

Waking Lights’ Nicole jamming out. Photo Courtesy: Henry Baum

It was around 10 p.m. and I was still stabbing at my chicken burrito and slurping down my second magarita. As I began to sink my she-claws into my significant other’s half-full beer, it was time for us to experience Waking Lights in a packed house. This time the band was geared up with a smoke machine to give the crowd a performance filled with gritty passion and a distinct camaraderie that is only seen in the most rare of performances. The band, who humbly only go by their first names on their band bio – Matt (vocals), Dana (drums), Tommy (keyboards), Kyle (bass) and Nicole (violin) – played majority of their debut album, including the twangy “Where It All Began,” the sultry, R&B-infused “Never Meant to Hurt You,” and the harmonic indie gems “We All Die Alone” and “Lady in Rincon.” The band also previewed two new songs that will be on a new, currently unnamed, album. Each member of Waking Lights looked as if they were playing and singing with every bit of their strength. No one stole the show. Instead, they were one complete element, fueling each other until the very last note. Check out this great interview with the band and some bits of their set with the Aquarian Weekly’s Brian Schantz for the publication’s Project Greenroom and download The Rabbit Hole on iTunes.

After funnyman Conan O’Brien and music mastermind Jack White made subtle hints of “working together” at White’s record label headquarters in Nashville, fans began to line up around the block, eagerly awaiting a legendary event hours before it was even expected to happen. But the excruciating southern heat wasn’t taken in vain, for the patient people found themselves witnessing a rock show featuring the unexpected friends inside of Third Man Records.

O’Brien and White, best friends forever. Photo Courtesy of Team Coco

O’Brien and his backing band played a number of tunes from their current “Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour.” White then joined the former-late-night host for their interpretation of Eddie Cochran’s “Twenty Flight Rock” and O’Brien’s rendition of Radiohead’s “Creep.” Fans who were lucky enough to witness the event got first dibs on a pressed recording of the show.

I’m intrigued to hear from witnesses what the full show was like. O’Brien is known for his passion of rockabilly and has put on some decent performances during his late night run. Surprisingly, his voice isn’t bad…at all. Him and White have carried a steady friendship, he appeared in the White Stripes music video “Denial Twist,” and the band performed on the finale of O’Brien’s run on “The Tonight Show.” White’s known for his somewhat sadistic and overall enthralling performances, so their onstage chemistry is something I’m interested in hearing about. There are a few videos on Pitchfork’s web site, and Team Coco has all of the details.

The Strokes make a rocking comeback.

It seems like the music gods have finally delivered in response to the constant praying I’ve done. Now, don’t get my wrong — I was quite the fan of lead singer Julian Casablancas’ solo endeavor and found his performances full of spunk and eagerness…almost like a toddler going into the world for the first time.

But it seems redundant to say what a prominent figure the Strokes are as a collective unit. As a band. As the forefathers of indie-garage rock in the New York scene. Personally speaking, they were one of the first bands that got me into said scene, and encouraged me to be more excited to musically explore. And I digress with sappiness…

The Strokes banded together again last night for the first time in four years at a small club gig in London’s Dingwalls. Under the pseudonym “Venison,” they played a hearty catalog of hits for shocked fans and lovers of the five-piece. They performed tracks like “Reptilia,” “Last Night,” “New York City Cops,” and “12:51.” The secret show for less than 500 people is only the beginning for the group as they begin their venture on the festival circuit, including a headlining set at Lollapalooza.

“Holy shit-fuck,” Casablancas mumbled after concluding “Reptilia.” Well, yeah, that about covers it.

For decent videos of three of the performances, check out Rock it Out! Blog