Thursday, May 2, 2019

Girlpool Played Asbury Lanes with Hatchie and Teenage Halloween, 4/27/19

Girlpool by Rose Lamela

Change Is Unavoidable

Words and Pictures by Rose Lamela

Asbury Lanes has a special place in my heart for different reasons. Many of us went there when it was an old bowling alley with a stage right smack in the middle of the lanes. I remember going there to see a band (I have no idea who) and thinking, "What a cool place! A bowling alley that has remained untouched since the 60s with live music."

There was this one time during one of Asbury Lanes' renovations or closures where I drank free beer at the bar with a few friends. We knew the guy who cleaned the beer lines and thought we were super cool and connected. It was dark and gloomy; and I remember thinking, "I hope they get this place back up and running."

Many of us feel conflicted about the changes in our old neighborhoods or stomping grounds. I am a very nostalgic individual, so the conflict always resides. As for Asbury, the new changes are hard to swallow sometimes, but I'm slowly embracing going there to see bands that I love. Change is unavoidable and I am always trying to not be so fixed in my ways. I try to be open to new possibilities that come into some of our cities as the generations come to pass.

Girlpool brought me to the Lanes on Saturday for the first time since its last update. I have heard various accounts of the new look and sound, but I was ready to walk in and develop my own feelings about it and try to do it with an open mind. Girlpool was a great introduction to the new, happening venue.

I pulled up, took a deep breath, claimed my ticket and went in. At first, I could not remember what it looked like before; and I could not make out what changed. It was a completely different venue. It has a pretty hip look to it, and the stage is pretty roomy. It was hard to absorb that the stage was not sitting in the middle of the lanes. The place itself was polished and brand new. The American flag made up of bowling balls was a sweet touch. The makeshift brick walls might have been an attempt to to preserve some of the original edginess, but it was very consistent with the new facade. 

Ok, back to the actual show. Teenage Halloween started the set off with they describe as "flaming queer pop." Their sound definitely has a hint of angst that gives their songs a punk flavor, which I can always appreciate. They put on a good show much like my past experiences of seeing them. I do find some of their lyrics endearing and relatable.

Teenage Halloween
Teenage Halloween
Teenage Halloween
Teenage Halloween

Hatchie was a group I actually never heard before entering the lanes Saturday. I am also learning specific genres like "Dream Pop" which Hatchie labels themselves as. It's very reminiscent of 80s "New Wave" with the synths in the backdrop. The song "Stay with Me" stuck out the most to me as the melody literally stayed with me. I know. That's kind of corny, but it's true. I swear!!

Hatchie
Hatchie
Hatchie
Hatchie

Girlpool took on the Lanes as the main act and gave us plenty of love and funny banter as singer Cleo Tucker commented on the peculiarity of hearing people bowling while performing. They played a few tunes that I became familiar with before the show like "Cut Your Bangs" and "Hire." I was happy I got really into their music a few days before the show as it gave me a better appreciation for their live performance.

Girlpool
Girlpool
Girlpool
Girlpool
Girlpool
Girlpool
Girlpool

All in all, I was impressed with the renovations to Asbury Lanes. The lighting is great for photography. There's a photo pit, and the sound was pretty good. The combination of bowling ball crashes and rock music was reminiscent of the good ol' days, and the ambiance still consisted of the Jersey Shore feel to me. These might all be biased interpretations coming from a photographer and from someone who is showing some grays underneath the beanie. Maybe younger me would not have approved. Change is unavoidable, and I think I am OK with this one for now.

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