Growing up, I had many female idols that contributed to the music I loved as lead singers and songwriters. Their posters filled up my bedroom walls. Even though I looked up to them, there were always more male-dominated bands that I was drawn to. I spoke of all my favorite male guitarists and drummers. I also had a habit of calling all female bands "girl bands," but I never called some of my favorite bands "guy bands."
Today, I find myself going to tons of shows that have more women on stage. It was noticeable to me at first, but I realized this year that I have become desensitized. I expect to see women in most bands and not just singers, but shredders and drummers too. One of those bands is the Philly trio Cayetana. It helped that they wrote a break-up song called "Scott Get The Van, I'm Moving" which joined me for car rides with the windows down and yelling lyrics into the North Jersey traffic. I was inspired to attend one of their live shows that ended up being one of their final shows. They are not a "girl band" either. They are an indie rock band!!
I drove to Brooklyn with a great co-pilot that made the hour drive go as smooth as the organic conversation. We laughed and talked about things that we feel passionate about and the crazy world we live in. We got to know each other better. We have been seeing each other at shows over the years and bonding through social media, but the car ride solidified our friendship. Mr. Hoboken Jack was around when I first started this journey during my days as a volunteer at WFMU -- my journey into finding the great indie scene within the walls of small intimate venues.
We got to Williamsburg, and I had the opportunity to be introduced to Bacchae's music. They played their swift and fast DC punk music. They woke me the hell up as I was chugging some caffeine on the way in to make sure I was present for a much-anticipated show. I especially liked the songs "Dig" and "Prick." I love when opening acts start the show off with a rush of noise.
Bacchae
Bacchae
Bacchae
Katie Ellen followed with her stories weaved into lyrics and music that hit those frequencies that make your heart buzz. She shared a story about meeting [Cayetana vocalist / guitarist] Augusta Koch at a music festival and their conversation about forming bands. She expressed her appreciation for Cayetana and getting to be part of their farewell tour. Katie then closed her set with a song that escalated towards the end for a little bit of a jam session. I regret to report that I do not know the title to that tune even though I really enjoyed it. It was a nice intro to what would come next. The final Cayetana show in Brooklyn.
Katie Ellen
Katie Ellen
Katie Ellen
Cayetana took the stage and the crowd at times yelled, "Get back together!" and "Don’t go!!" Their fans expressed their disapproval of the band's announcement to break up. The show was packed with attentive listeners that sang along to Cayetana's sometimes painful lyrics. It was a packed show, but everyone was incredibly mellow, and it felt like a reunion at times. I saw people finding each other in the crowd and talking about the last Cayetana show they went to. I was so happy to hear songs like "Am I Dead Yet?," "Bus Ticket," and "Hot Dad Calendar."
Cayetana
Cayetana
Cayetana expressed their gratitude to their fans for being there at every show and supporting their music. They came back and rocked out "Scott Get the Van, I'm Moving" as their encore; and I actually got a little emotional. That song should be the anthem for anyone who has felt it is time to hit the fucking road on a relationship!!
Cayetana
Cayetana
We picked up an extra body for the trip back and walked back to the car to find a ticket on the dash. The parking Gods were not on our side, but the banter and stories were plenty. When there is a car full of music lovers and humorous expression, things can only go right. Friday nights in Brooklyn will never get old. Friday nights with friends will always make life feel new again.
It's a long weekend. The cooldaughters have a half-day at school today. CoolAunt is bringing her kiddos down from Buffalo. I'm going to see the Yankees tomorrow. It's our wedding anniversary on Sunday. The weather sucks! Yeah! Memorial Day Weekend 2017!
Here's a bunch of stuff that came across my virtual desk this week, from some of my current favorites.
Cayetana, "Bus Ticket"
Earlier this month, Cayetana released the follow-up to their much-loved debut album Nervous Like Me. New Kind of Normal finds the Philly trio coping with the idea of pursuing their dream as a band, while people around them "grow up" and start doing adult-type things like getting engaged.
Single "Bus Ticket" is ultimately inspiring. Singer / guitarist Augusta Koch sings of hitting rock bottom before finding that she has the strength and toughness to turn things around.
Director Adam Peditto uses the metaphor of having the band play through a rainstorm that ultimately gives way to the sun, and the clip looks beautiful.
New Kind of Normal is out now on Cayetana's own Plum Records.
White Reaper, "The World's Best American Band"
Louisville's White Reaper just released the Simon Young-animated video for the hyperbolically-named title track from their latest album, The World's Best American Band. The song opens with the sound of a cheering crowd; and the band lay all of their stadium-sized, classic rock influences out there.
Having seen the band play to about 12 people at Asbury Lanes and, maybe, 212 people at Barracuda in Austin, TX, I can attest to the fact that they do play every show as if they're in front of a stadium full of adoring fans.
The World's Best American Band is out now on Polyvinyl.
Single Mothers, "Leash"
London, Ontario's Single Mothers didn't even have any songs when they decided to start recording their sophomore LP, Our Pleasure. Songwriter / vocalist Drew Thomson and drummer Brandon Jagersky booked studio time on a whim, assembled a band, wrote and recorded a new record which comes out on June 16th via Dine Alone Records.
The latest single from Our Pleasure is "Leash." It's more melodic -- with a sing-along-able chorus -- than lots of Single Mothers' other stuff, but it retains the edge that permeates many of Thomson's musings. He sings of being tethered to events from the past, being the subject of someone's grudge, maybe. "That was just so long ago, man. I thought that you could let it go, man."
Philadelphia pop punk trio, Cayetana, are back with new music today in the form of "Mesa." The band also announced their long-awaited (by me) follow-up to 2014's Nervous Like Me. They're going full-on DIY this time by self-releasing New Kind of Normal via their own Plum Records on May 5th.
"Mesa" and its accompanying video fit nicely with the idea of striking out on your own and taking control of things. Cayetana have, up to this point maybe, been trying to make the best of less than ideal situations ("Together we make flowers out of weeds / We dance in garbage instead of leaves"). The video has the threesome wandering individually through a shared dreamscape before finding each other again. In the final scene, they wake up, share a knowing glance, and get back to work.
That work takes the form of building bass-driven, infectious, (truly) indie pop punk around Augusta Koch's empathy-inducing lyrics; and I'm (still) looking forward to the rest of this album.
3 nights. 15 sets. 14 different bands. I got tired. My feet hurt. I went through a few camera batteries. It was that kind of exhaustion, though, where you feel fully satisfied. The kind that follows something like Thanksgiving Dinner. From Thursday through Saturday, I got to see some of my favorite bands for the umpteenth time; and I got to see several other bands for the very first time. Each night felt like a celebration.
Thursday, 7/28: The Bouncing Souls, Beach Slang, Cayetana at The Stone Pony What: "The Bouncing Souls Stoked for the Summer: Night 1"
Why: It was the eve of The Bouncing Souls' album release. Simplicity is the band's 10th studio album, and they planned two days' worth of shows in Asbury Park to celebrate.
Favorite Moments:
Running into Beach Slang before the show and getting to chat with frontman James Alex about how excited he was to be playing that night, for the band's new record, and for their upcoming European tour.
Cayetana's entire set. I just love this trio from Philly. They played a few new songs set to appear on their upcoming record, and I can't wait for it.
Beach Slang's appearing almost "professional" during their set. I think there was only one deviation from the setlist with James Alex shouting, "OK. 'Dirty Cigarettes' for that guy over there!" Afterwards, bassist Ed McNulty brought Alex over to his own copy of the setlist and jabbed his finger at what was written.
Just the overall sense of family and community of every Bouncing Souls set. This culminated when the band brought a young girl -- 4 or 5 years old, maybe -- onstage to sing "Lean on Sheena."
Seeing all the familiar faces from Asbury Lanes and around the city. Getting to chat and catch up at the end of the evening.
Friday, 7/29: The Bouncing Souls, Rocket From The Crypt, The Explosion, The Flatliners, Creeper, Restorations, The Vansaders at The Stone Pony Summer Stage
What: "The Bouncing Souls Stoked for the Summer: Night 2"
Why: Celebrating the official release of Simplicity, celebrating friends and family, celebrating Kate's birthday
Favorite Moments:
Being pleasantly surprised by British horror punks, Creeper, whom I'd never heard before.
The incremental ratcheting up of energy with each successive band. Toronto's The Flatliners have a solid Asbury Park following. The Explosion were making a rare live appearance, and the crowd up front were obviously thrilled.
Rocket From The Crypt. I know several people who are deeply devoted to this band. They have the tattoos and everything. I'd never seen them. They blew me away. Ass kicking showmanship and rock and roll. Amazing.
Again, the love and camaraderie that just oozes from the stage and from the crowd during a Bouncing Souls set in Asbury Park. There must have been 100 or more friends and family members onstage with the band. Frontman Greg Attonito led the entire audience in a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Kate Hiltz, the hardest-working person in all of rock music.
Getting to hear "Ghosts on the Boardwalk" and "Moon Over Asbury" while standing "where the city meets the sea" in Asbury Park.
Sticking around for the after-party inside The Stone Pony with Restorations and The Vansaders. Both bands were great, and The Vansaders absolutely brought it in front of a big crowd of friends.
Saturday, 7/30: Colton Kayser, Lowlight, Cranston Dean Band, We're Ghosts Now, Cold Weather Company at Wonder Bar
What: Record release party for Colton Kayser's Place to Settle
Why: see above
Favorite Moments:
Colton Kayser is absolutely one of the nicest people in the Asbury scene, and it was great to see a packed out Wonder Bar for his record release.
All of the bands turned in excellent sets. Cold Weather Company and even Colton Kayser in a full-band configuration were firsts for me. The Cranston Dean Band and We're Ghosts Now both energized the crowd. I love Lowlight, plain and simple.
Watching Colton Kayser just enjoying every moment of his band's set while friends and family sang and danced along.
I'm going to admit, with so many sets from so many bands, I had brief moments where taking pictures at all of these shows and then going home to edit them felt like work. But they were fleeting. Mostly, I just found myself thinking about how much I love doing it. More than a photographer or a blogger or whatever, I'm a fan of live music; and just being there for all of this over the weekend was really as much as I could have asked for.
Click on all the links above to check out the pictures. I'll also dump them over on the Facebook page if you prefer that.
I've been waiting for a while for new music from Philadelphia's Cayetana. Nervous Like Me is still in heavy rotation for me, and the new songs I heard Augusta Koch perform at Russo Music had me looking forward to something from the band.
Today, Cayetana premiered a couple of tracks over at Noisey. They make up the 2-song Tired Eyes EP. The first, "Freedom1313," contains a sentiment I know all too well: "Doing what you love won't make you money, and doing what you hate will make you full." Like many of the songs on Nervous Like Me, "Freedom1313" rides on top of Allegra Anka's swirling bass. It was that bass that had me thinking of New Order more than once over the course of listening to Cayetana's debut. And, wouldn't you know it? The second song here is a cover of my favorite New Order song of all time, "Age of Consent."
Philadelphia's Cayetana were back at Asbury Lanes.
Five Spot
I'm gonna be straight with you. Sometimes, I see five-band bills; and I'm like, "Really?? C'mon." CoolMom always makes fun of me for how early I get to shows; but I've always felt that, if you're in, you've gotta be in for the whole thing. There's definitely a little "for better or for worse" aspect to that sometimes. I had absolutely no reservations about last night's five-band lineup, though.
Top to bottom -- Cayetana, Chumped, Worriers, Thin Lips, ROMP -- last night's show was either bands I'd seen several times and loved (Cayetana, Worriers, ROMP) or bands who came highly recommended from people I trust (Thin Lips, Chumped). Top to bottom, nobody disappointed.
ROMP have tightened up (ha!) considerably since I first saw them this past winter. Lucas Dalakian is still non-stop motion on stage; and, last night, he was playing a vintage 1968 Mustang that looked pretty damn cool.
Thin Lips were without their bass player, but still managed to impress. They brought a version of pop punk that kept reminding me of their City of Brotherly Love brethren Swearin', who I love.
This was my third or fourth time seeing Worriers, and I'm becoming a bigger and bigger fan of their sing along political pop punk anthems. The band are touring in support of their recently-released and Laura Jane Grace-produced Imaginary Life. I've spent a lot of time with that record over the last several days, and the songs had just as much punch live.
New York's Chumped are a band I've heard a lot about over the last year or so, but never actually heard. I've, apparently, been missing a great deal because their set last night kind of blew me away. They live somewhere in the spaces between 1990s indie rock and pop punk. I even heard them getting a little shoegazy at times, which -- obviously -- works for me. Singer / guitarist Anika Pyle has a warm personality and appeared genuinely moved by the crowd and by the opportunity to tour with the other bands on the bill.
I first saw Cayetana on singer / guitarist Augusta Koch's birthday at Asbury Lanes back in 2013. The band played that night with Laura Stevenson and our friends in Dentist and Paper Streets. I was immediately a fan. Their 2014 Nervous Like Me is a favorite of mine, and all the honesty and emotion on that record comes across during the band's live show. Like the other bands before them, Cayetana seemed pleasantly taken aback by the response they got at Asbury Lanes. They peppered a few new songs into their set, and I'm excited to hear their next effort.
No matter how you slice it, five bands makes for a long evening. It was a long evening, though, of getting to chat up some of the artists I've admired for a while now between sets of great music. It went by effortlessly; and, when Cayetana announced their last song, I couldn't believe it was already over.
Here are some highlights from all of the sets. Head over to Flickr for the rest of the pics.
I'm gonna be straight with you. Doing Northside on Saturday and Sunday this year is pretty iffy for me. CD1 has a two-day swim meet. CD2 has softball and other activities. CoolMom leaves for an international business trip on Sunday afternoon.
Here's a preview, though, of the stuff I would love to see if everything goes perfectly and I'm able to head up to Brooklyn. Several of these bands play New Jersey -- even Asbury Park -- often; so, if you can't get to Brooklyn yourself, keep an eye on the listings here for your chance to catch them when they come around.
Saturday, June 13th Bully, Alvvays at 50 Kent
I've been absolutely loving what I've been hearing from Nashville's Bully as they get closer to the June 23rd release of their debut LP. I tried to make it to Baby's Alright when they last came through NYC, but that show sold out quickly. Alicia Bognanno writes raw and emotional songs delivered in a package of 90s-infused rock.
The self-titled debut from Toronto's Alvvays has been my obsession for the last few months. It's one of those records that I just automatically turn to when I can't think of anything else. "Archie Marry Me," "Adult Diversion," and "Party Police" never get old for me.
Throw in the fact that Built to Spill and Best Coast headline this bill, and this is a can't-miss.
A Deer A Horse at Bar Matchless
I met A Deer A Horse singer / guitarist Rebecca Satellite back in February, and she gave me a download card. I've enjoyed the band's "urgent rock n roll" ever since. There's a strain of that late 70s New York poetry punk running through A Deer A Horse's DNA. This is an early show, so a tough one for me.
Lazyeyes at Black Bear
I went to The Saint for a last-minute show by Jersey City's Overlake and noticed that Lazyeyes were on the bill. You may remember that they were part of the Hearts Bleed Radio Brooklyn mixtape that I shared here a while back. The band do that jangly, reverby thing that I like and I'd love another chance to see them live.
Against ME! / Mitski / Cayetana in McCarren Park
What can I say about this one? This is the free show in McCarren Park on Saturday afternoon. Seeing Mitski has been a goal of mine for a while now. Cayetana made one of my favorite records of 2014. Against ME! are Against ME!
Hey Anna / Coastgaard at Knitting Factory Brooklyn
Despite having many, many opportunities, I've only ever seen Hey Anna one time. It was a late, end-of-night set at Asbury Lanes. They blew me away. Their brand of pop has a tropical feel to it, and they do it so well.
Now, if I do manage to head up to Brooklyn on Saturday, Hey Anna and I will probably pass each other on the road. They play a 1pm set at Knitting Factory (no chance I'll be there early enough), and then they head to Asbury Park for an evening set at APYC.
Also on this bill are Coastgaard. I reviewed the band's beach-tinged self-titled EP for Speak Into My Good Eye, and their live show at Shea Stadium lived up to the sounds of that set.
Viet Cong at Music Hall of Williamsburg
This Canadian quartet plays complex and intricate psychedelic post-punk. Viet Cong sound like they'd be a pretty wild act to see live. They're playing two nights at MHOW.
Toy Cities at Pete's Candy Store
Toy Cities played that same show at Shea where I saw Coastgaard. They do their own take on the post-punk / indie aesthetic. There are a few shoegazy elements here and there, and I remember being pretty impressed by their set. I'd like to check them out again.
Nude Beach at Union Pool
Nude Beach put out a ballsy record in 2014. 77 is an 18-song, 68-minute collection that mines some of the late-70s and early-80s sounds of classic rock and power-pop. Nude Beach bring a punk, DIY attitude to the whole thing; and audiences have responded extremely positively every time I've seen the band play. Some sounds never get old.
Sunday, June 14th The Brooklyn What at Union Pool
I saw the Brooklyn What with CoolMom at Maxwell's as part of The Everymen's last show there. They put on a fantastic show, and some of the tracks from 2013's Hot Wine ("The Basement," "Punk Rock Loneliness") are actually quite brilliant. It's rock, pure and simple, rooted in The Replacements and Hüsker Dü; and it's a ton of fun.
Whiskey Bitches / Haybaby at The Gutter
More gritty garage rock with Whiskey Bitches. 2014's Never Enough is 4-tracks of bouncing, buzz saw punk.
Haybaby are another of those bands I saw at the Hearts Bleed Radio Showcase last year. They've since signed to Tiny Engines. Their debut LP Sleepy Kids is due this summer. Based on what I saw last year and what you can hear on Superpresent, Haybaby touch on quite a few classic indie rock sounds that I love.
Big Quiet at Black Bear
On Big Quiet's self-titled LP, Marisa Cerio's guitar and Mitch Easter's production yield a sound that blends shoegaze and southern gothic pop into something that was a wonderful discovery for me earlier this year. Big Quiet put their own stamp on some classic sounds by incorporating some noise and Cerio's unique vocals.
So that's it. Like I said, Saturday and Sunday are going to be gametime decisions for me, but head over to the Northside Festival website and make up your own schedule. Feel free to let me know on the Interwebs if you see anything really great.
Someone asked me recently, "What are you listening to these days?"
I struggle with that one a lot. As I've started receiving more submissions for the blog and as I've, basically, ended my running career, I've spent less and less time just throwing on some record because it's what I want to listen to in the moment or while I'm lumbering around the neighborhood.
One of the exceptions to that has been Nervous Like Me from Philly's Cayetana. I listen to it during my many drives to and from Asbury Park. I put it on while I'm cooking dinner. It's been my goto album since I got it when it came out. I've also been talking up the band here and to anyone who will listen since seeing them for the first time in 2013.
So I'm going to tell you that they just released a video for Nervous Like Me track "Scott Get the Van. I'm Moving." It's one of the best songs on an album with few, if any, low points.
If you read a lot of music-related posts, tweets, write-ups, whatever like me, you always see silliness like "This band destroyed / wrecked / tore down / annihilated such and such venue." Well, that type of hyperbole would be totally accurate in the case of this video. Check it out and go find this damn record.
OK. Full stop. Straight up. I didn't make it to the Stone Pony last night. Instead, CoolMom and I headed to our friends' holiday party which was pretty great. I did want to make sure that I at least got to see Cayetana's set during the after party at Asbury Lanes, though, so we excused ourselves after a few hours and headed down to Asbury Park.
Then I started getting messages from my friends who were at the show.
"Pete's got the CoolDad Music T-shirt on!"
Such an awesome guy, Pete Steinkopf. Lifetime member of #TeamCDM.
Anyway, we got into Asbury Lanes just after 11; and I could tell that CoolMom was already fading. I love bringing her to events like this, though, because I just find it so great to be able to introduce her to all of my friends. She's a trooper and puts up with it for me, even though I caught her nodding off in her seat a few times.
Cayetana, whom I'd been trying to get out to see again since they passed through here with Laura Stevenson last year (Philly and Brooklyn just never worked out for me.), took the stage at about 12:30. They did about 30 minutes from 2014's fantastic Nervous Like Me. CoolMom had gotten up from her seat and was bopping around right up front. I was screaming along with singer / guitarist Augusta Koch from behind my camera. It was cool to see that so many people in the crowd had moved up front for their set, and I hope Cayetana come back again soon.
I think CoolMom called on her final reserves of energy to make it to just after 1 AM, so Spraynard wasn't gonna happen for us. We said our goodbyes and headed back to the car so that we could relieve the babysitter.
Last night was kind of the point of Home for the Holidays, even though I couldn't get out to see The Bouncing Souls' set. It was the reason that I could take CoolMom out to see some friends and a band I've been loving for the whole year.
I should be at The Stone Pony tonight to catch Night 3 with The Souls. Maybe I'll see you there. If you don't have tickets or can't make it, make sure you come to Asbury Lanes afterwards. Worriers and Roger Harvey and The Wild Life. Should be another great time.
Here are some shots of Cayetana. The rest are at Flickr.
Philadelphia's Beach Slang at Asbury Lanes in October
Philadelphia
You'll remember that Allyson Dwyer and I had a less than wonderful experience seeing the Slowdive reunion at NYC's Terminal 5. That left me trying to find alternative locations where I could see bands who were too big for a 500-capacity venue and too small for, say, Madison Square Garden. I posted a question on Facebook about Philly's Union Transfer, and the feedback was uniformly positive. I'll have to think about it the next time a band I want to see announces that they're playing Terminal 5. I'll scan the tour announcement for Philly.
I've lived in New Jersey since I was 5, and I've only been to Philadelphia maybe a half-dozen times. I know we went there on a 5th grade field trip -- the day Ronald Reagan was shot, as it turns out. I endured a few Phillies games at The Vet with my friend and his Phillie Phan dad. We've taken a few flights out of the Philadelphia airport, and I think we spent the day there with my father-in-law once. That's it. This is made even stranger by the fact that CoolMom graduated from the University of Pennsylvania; and, save for the times mentioned above (airport, dadinlaw), I don't think she's been back there.
Take my vow never to set foot in Terminal 5 again and pair it with the great music coming out of Philadelphia, and I think my relationship with the city is about to deepen.
Beach Slang
Maybe my favorite song of the year comes from this new band made up of Philadelphia punk vets. That off-kilter, pulsing guitar sound, the Smiths references, the -- as aptly pointed out by Scotch LaRock in his review -- Replacements meets Psychedelic Furs meets Jawbreaker sound of the band, and the go-for-broke live performance all combine to make "All Fuzzed Out" a song that I can listen to over and over while singing along, bouncing my head, and pumping my fist as I drive.
Cayetana
OK. Maybe this is my favorite song of the year. Philly's Cayetana won me over when I saw them open for Laura Stevenson, and their record Nervous Like Me definitely wins my "Most Listens Of 2014" competition. The record is strong throughout. I love album-closer "South Philly," but "Hot Dad Calendar" has this great video, so...
Radiator Hospital
The prolific Sam Cook-Parrott of Radiator Hospital put out another record of quirky, lo-fi pop gems in 2014. "Cut Your Bangs" exemplifies that whole punkier version of Elephant 6 thing he does so well.
Mumblr
I used the word "uncomfortable" to describe Mumblr's Full of Snakes quite a bit in my review of that record. "Sober" is one of those uncomfortable songs about being young and powerless against your own feelings of jealousy and insecurity. It's also got some sonic references to music that I love, like Modest Mouse.
Those, and that whole Terminal 5 thing, are just a few of the reasons why I've gotta get to Philly more. I mean, I know we'll see all of these bands in Asbury Park at some point; but it doesn't seem fair to make them keep coming to me. And I think it would be good to get out there and see them in their natural habitat.
Beach Slang at Asbury Lanes. They played the Brooklyn Vegan CMJ Showcase on 10/25.
Saturday Night's Alright
Ah the ghosts of CMJ past. Fitting memories during this Halloween season. I’ve been rocking the CMJ tradition for 20+ years; and, for the first time in many moons, I was only able to attend one day of craziness. Being the CoolDad is a tough biz, and Jim was double-booked. So as He and Allyson professed their love of Terminal 5 and Slowdive, I covered some tix for the Saturday night showcase from the kids at BrooklynVegan.
I managed to get to Baby’s Alright early and catch the end of Titus Andronicus tearing the back room down. "Werewolves of London!!!" Yes, they did, aaaah-oooh child!
As the day show switched on over and a sweaty herd of college kids exited, I caught up with my friend Stephanie. It was my first time at Baby’s Alright, so I took myself on the walking tour. It’s a great space, with a few rooms to hang in. Food and drinks up front, and the back room separated by what I can only describe as a limo privacy divider. Excellent lay out. I set up shop at the bar near the sound booth and proceeded to dig into a night of rock.
My man from WashedUpEmo.com, Tom Mullen, was the resident DJ for the night and dropped classic emo/punk/hc/whatevs tracks all night long. Check out his podcasts for some history lessons.
First up was Sport from France. Unfortunately, one of the members was under the weather after a week in NYC; so they pieced together their set. Being a man down didn’t slow these punks down. They tore through their set as the back room began to fill. 90s punk in all its glory has been a great influence on these kids.
Next up was Cayetana, a band I’ve been interested in seeing based on CoolDad’s excitement. Singer/guitarist Augusta commented, "We’re from Philly and so are Beach Slang. This is the first time we’re sharing a stage." I was stoked. Short, tight songs about longing and wearing your heart on your sleeve. The stand out “Serious Things Are Stupid” puts me back in my 20s. They have a new LP out called Nervous Like Me. I’ll be digging deeper.
The crowd was beginning to pack in tight for my new favorite obsession, Beach Slang. I get a real kick out of James Alex’s Angus Young-esque stage wear. It just reminds you that the rock is coming. Beach Slang ripped through songs from their first two 7-inches (which you should pick up) as the CMJ crowd shouted along, fingers pointed skyward. I can’t say enough about this band. So, all I will say is if I can make it out to their shows at Brooklyn Night Bazaar on November 8th and Trenton's Mill Hill Saloon on November 14th, I will. After their set, I caught up with bassist Ed McNulty and I may have gushed a bit. See them.
This is where my night of drunken college music directors and scenesters switched gears. Pity Sex was not the band I needed after the back to back punk rock of Cayetana and Beach Slang. As I exited Baby’s Alright, I ran into Augusta from Cayetana; and she told me they’ll be at the Lanes for a Home for Tte Holidays after party. Cool.
I stopped in at Norman’s Kil, an amazing whiskey bar on Grand St., to see my buddy Ben and for a Salona grilled cheese (Jalepeno Jack, hot sauce, diced tomatoes, cilantro on sourdough).
About a year ago now (September 20th, 2013), I went to Asbury Lanes to see Laura Stevenson. I'd really been loving her record, and the show just kind of turned up on the schedule. Our friends Dentist and Paper Streets were also on the bill, so attending was a no-brainer. Also on tap for the evening was a Philly trio called Cayetana. I'd never heard of them before; and, I'll admit, I had one of those "Ugh. Did we really need four bands? Let's just get to the headliner" moments going into the night. Pretty soon into Cayetana's set, though, that transformed to one of those "Wow. I just heard and really liked a band I didn't even know about until a few minutes ago" moments. Those are fantastic and beautiful moments. I've been waiting for Cayetana's record ever since.
Cayetana's debut LP Nervous Like Me came out yesterday on Tiny Engines and quickly vaulted itself to a position among my favorite records of the year. Maybe it's the fact that, according to the band's press materials anyway, the members came together with very little experience playing in bands or even playing their instruments, but there's this feeling of honesty and sincerity that blankets the whole record. And whatever level of musical experience each member originally brought to the table, they all -- special mention should go to Allegra Anka on bass -- perform more than admirably here.
Opener "Serious Things Are Stupid" starts off with a simple chord progression before we hear Augusta Koch's vocals for the first time. "I came here alone, and I'm gonna leave that way." Not quite snotty. A flutter here. A crack there. Totally endearing and one of the highlights of this band's sound for me. The chords get bigger. Anka and drummer Kelly Olsen come in to make things just a bit more thunderous.
"Dirty Laundry," one of the album's early singles, adds keys and bounces on top of Anka's bassline like some 80s post-punk passed through the filter of 2014 DIY. "Mountain Kids" reveals some of the same influences, I think, with its distant, shimmery guitars and rolling drums.
Things get slightly more manic on "Scott Get The Van, I'm Moving." You can almost see Koch straining as she screams "The hardest part of moving out is that I remember moving in!" Koch goes for broke again on another early single "Hot Dad Calendar," bursting as she sings, "And I know. You really wanna make it out alive." The song reminds me of Cayetana's (at least partial) Philly brethren Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and their own 2005 stroke of brilliance.
Album closer "South Philly," at about three and a half minutes, is the album's longest track and a major standout. I remember being struck by it during Cayetana's live set. I even went out and found it on the band's early demo release. Here it gets a sweeping almost epic treatment. That bass again as Koch sings, "I watch you daydream about God. Are you daydreaming still? But what has He done for you?"
I've seen a lot of press about Cayetana the last few months. They're definitely making a splash, but there's always so much floating around on the musical side of the Interwebs that I'm not sure I would've necessarily paid attention to it had I not seen Cayetana play that night in Asbury Park. It would have been really sad if I missed this one. Make sure you don't.
Oh, and happy birthday to Augusta Koch on September 20th.
