Tommy Stinson's Bash & Pop Played The Saint with The So So Glos, 1/20/17

Tommy Stinson of Bash & Pop

Friday Was Killing Me

I'm just gonna come right out and say that Friday was a tough day for me. The pendulum swings back and forth. I get that. But something about this time feels more ominous and depressing.

Anyway.

Music -- especially live music -- often serves to pick me up at those times when I'm feeling most down. I understand that rock or pop music isn't going to save the world; but it's one of the things that, even just for a few hours, can make you feel like you can do anything. And, sometimes, I think it can give you that little push you need to get off your ass and do something. That's how I felt on Friday night anyway.

This was advertised by The Saint as an early show, and openers The So So Glos did hit the stage at just about 8:20. They're a band I've loved for a lot of years, and it had been a while since I'd seen them. The three founding members -- Ryan and Alex Levine and Zach Staggers -- are joined now by Davey Jones of Lost Boy ? on guitar; and, on Friday night, the band were as tight as I'd ever seen them.

The So So Glos

Their set included songs from their latest album, Kamikaze, which is just a really good rock and roll record. It covers many of the same themes that The So So Glos have been hitting on for their whole career, the most important of which is to make sure you live in the real world -- the here and now -- and make human connections. That was a hugely important message for Friday and for every day.

The So So Glos also played several songs from 2013's BLOWOUT, an album I list as one of my absolute favorites of recent years. I think I may have shouted into the mic for the appropriate-for-the-day "Son of an American." They closed with a version of "Eve of Destruction" for which they had written some new lyrics of their own.

There was a bit of a wait before Tommy Stinson's Bash & Pop started their set. The 10pm curfew was obviously out the window. There was some rustling for about 30 minutes behind The Saint's red curtain, and the crowd grew a little bit restless. But then Stinson said, "Let's do this!" into the mic, the curtain opened, and we were off.

Bash & Pop

There was a setlist at Stinson's feet that included just about every song from the two Bash & Pop albums, 1993's Friday Night Is Killing Me and the just-released-that-very-day Anything Could Happen. It turned out that the "setlist" was more of a crib sheet from which Stinson called out songs mostly at random.

Bash & Pop traffic in pure, twangy, whiskey-soaked (yes, Replacements-style) rock and roll. From rowdy songs like "Unfuck You" or "Fast & Hard" to quieter numbers like "Nothing," Stinson's songs hit you with a "Let's do this" immediacy. The only thing between Stinson's guitar and his amp is a tuning pedal, and all of Bash & Pop's songs reflect that plug in, fire it up, and let it rip attitude.

The sold-out crowd at The Saint did get a little grating at times, shouting at the band to "move it along" or incessantly calling out requests. After justifiably warning, "If you talk to me like that again, I'll walk right the fuck out of here," Stinson took most of it in stride and tore through a beautifully ramshackle set.

At the conclusion of the main set, the band exited the stage door as the crowd chanted for them to return. Once they finally came back out, there were some problems with Stinson's amp. Ad-libbing, as he had been all night, Stinson grabbed his acoustic and climbed up on The Saint's bar for an unplugged encore that included a rousing and cathartic sing along of "Friday Night Is Killing Me." One of my favorite live show moments maybe ever.

I walked out of The Saint feeling energized. Energized for what exactly, I don't know. But I felt less hopeless than I did as I walked into the place. The show was a combination of community and an unwillingness to take any shit that was flat out inspiring. As I scanned my social media feeds and read the news the next day, I could see that those feelings weren't confined just to The Saint. They were everywhere, and they're just what we need.

All of the pictures from Friday night are in the Flickr galleries.

A Couple of New Videos This Week from The So So Glos and dollys

Friday Video Post

I used to post a video every Friday and tell you all to "Rock on!" Not sure when or why that stopped, but a couple of interesting videos came out this week. It's Friday, so...

The So So Glos, "A.D.D. Life"

If we've learned one thing from the candidacy of Bernie Sanders, it's that message discipline can take you far. My Bay Ridge, Brooklyn paisanos, The So So Glos, appear to be big believers in that. Songs like "Xanax" and "Speakeasy" from 2013's BLOWOUT are commentaries on the dominant role that technology has assumed in our lives. Even their band name is a reference to the subtle glow of a smartphone screen on a user's face.

Their latest single, "A.D.D. Life," stays pretty solidly on message with lines like, "I'm a too much information generation cliché" and a video that's as frantic as the life they describe.



dollys, "friendly"

dollys display a discipline of a different sort. They stick pretty tightly to a strategy which I'm beginning to believe is a really good one for new bands. Rather than releasing an album and then waiting until they have enough new music to put out another, dollys have gone with releasing a couple of singles every few months accompanied by a video or two. It allows an up and coming band to stay out in front of people and to keep adding new music to their sets.

It's been about two months since dollys' last singles; but this past Tuesday, the band released a video for "friendly," one of the songs they put out towards the end of last year. The video compiles footage from one of dollys' semi-regular trips to Virginia (Establishing kind of a "home away from home" area to tour: also a good strategy.) into a simple but effective montage.

And now that dollys have enough singles out there, they're combining them into a full-length called Low Year that they'll be releasing next Friday, February 26th, as part of a joint record release with Lost In Society. That show takes place upstairs at Asbury Park's Convention Hall and also includes gods, Kyle Trocolla, and Derek Rossi.



This may or may not be the last you hear from me today, depending on how things go, but...

Rock on!

Swami John Reis and The Blind Shake Played Brooklyn's St. Vitus Bar w/ The So So Glos, 2/25/15 (PHOTOS)

Modern Surf Classics

John Reis was an amiable host for the evening. He acknowledged to his fans, many of whom were probably there because of his other projects, that surf music wasn't everybody's bag. He asked that we indulge him and The Blind Shake for about 45 minutes, though, and encouraged everyone to dance. Then, he and the relentless Minneapolis band proceeded to reel off selections from their recent Modern Surf Classics collaboration.

About three-fourths of the way through the first song, I think surf music -- at least of the Swami John Reis and The Blind Shake variety -- became everybody's bag. The Blaha brothers went absolutely crazy, the beads around their necks bouncing against their Hawaiian shirts. Drummer Dave Roper was a force of nature behind the drums. The sounds they put out were a combination of surf rock and garage rock, and they rarely let up for even a second. People danced. Someone jokingly shouted, "Hey! How about playing something aggressive for a change?"

Between songs, Reis smiled, wiped the sweat from his hands, and sheepishly apologized for having to tune so often. He passed out PBR tallboys to the audience from a six-pack onstage. But once the music started up again, it was all out craziness.

Brooklyn's So So Glos started things off (significantly later than the advertised 9pm. Not their fault, probably; but it did mean that Rocket From The Crypt superfan, Scotch LaRock, would miss the headliners since he had to go to work.). They played a set heavy with new songs that also included most of the standout tracks from their most recent effort, BLOWOUT. The band mentioned that they were working on a new record.

This same combo hits Manhattan's Mercury Lounge tonight and Swami and The Blind Shake take on The Black Box at Philly's Underground Arts on Saturday. If there's any chance for you to catch either of those shows, don't blow it.

Here are photo highlights from last night. There are more, as always, at Flickr.

So So Glos' New Video Is Perfect for Watching on Your Phone

"Speakeasy"

The So So Glos' 2013 album BLOWOUT was one of my favorites last year. We're just about a month shy of the one-year anniversary of the album's official release, but the band have made the record a gift that keeps on giving with the new video for album cut "Speakeasy."

If The So So Glos have a band anthem, then "Speakeasy" is it. In about three minutes, the song and video hilariously capture quite a bit of the band's philosophy regarding technology and its effects on human interaction.

Not only do I love BLOWOUT, but the Labor Day So So Glos' / Diarrhea Planet show that CoolMom and I attended at Asbury Lanes in September stands as one of the best times we had last year. I hope we can get my Bay Ridge, Brooklyn brethren back through here sometime soon.

So So Glos' Video / Short Film for "Wrecking Ball"

Spoiler Alert: They Keep Their Clothes On

Songs called "Wrecking Ball."

You've got your defiant football stadium, destined for demolition, exhorting, "Come on. Take your best shot. Let me see what you got."

You've got your pop starlet singing emotionally -- and nude -- about her broken relationship.

And you've got The So So Glos.

This action / adventure short film from the Brooklyn punks leaves you wondering: What "great powers" does guitarist Matt Elkin actually possess?

You know. I think if we work really hard, we can get this up over 100 million views by the weekend. Easy.

The So So Glos and Diarrhea Planet Played Asbury Lanes with Elevator Art, 9/2/13 (PHOTOS)

BLOWOUT

If you think of the summer as the year's weekend, then Labor Day is like the mother of all Sundays. Folks are winding things up after vacations, relaxation, or constant partying. It may be a little difficult, then, to get worked up for one, final party on the day that you're loading up the car in preparation for your return to reality. But those of us who found that last reserve of summer energy and made it out to Asbury Lanes on Monday night got an evening that I'm pretty sure we won't forget for some time.

Except for a little humidity, it was really a beautiful evening on the boardwalk after a dreary, rainy day. CoolMom and I had some pre-show drinks, and the beautiful evening kind of had us lamenting the fact that we hadn't spent more time on the beach this summer. September is here, though. It's usually a beautiful beach month, so we've still got our chance.

We walked into Asbury Lanes just as last minute fill-ins Nick Berry and Darrin Bradbury were concluding their set. I'm sorry I missed them, but I'll make sure to check out Bradbury's Ka Kool EP. As the acoustic duo stepped down from the stage, Elevator Art began setting up for what would be their last local set before calling it quits.

A crowd of fans, friends, and family filled the floor for the Toms River six-piece. They did an emotional set that included fan favorites "Lesbian Father," "Tent City," and recent single "Bear 141." CoolMom turned to me several times to remark on the band's great energy and, especially, on vocalist Maureen McGowan's performance. Each of the members displayed some significant musical chops and showed why this band has become so popular on the local scene. Good luck to all of them in whatever comes next.

I love it when CoolMom comes out with me because, well, I love her with every fiber of my being; but it also means I get to have a few drinks. While we do get some great shows in our area, the fact that we live out in the 'burbs means that we almost always have to drive. That can present a few issues for those of us who are responsible, but enjoy an adult beverage now and then. It can also present issues, in New Jersey at least, for minors who drive to all-ages shows like the one last night. More on that in a moment.

Nashville's Diarrhea Planet took the stage at around 9:30. Unlike the show I reviewed as this blog's first post, the band were at full four-guitar strength on Monday night. They played a set heavy on selections from their just-released I'm Rich Beyond your Wildest Dreams like "Separations," "Babyhead," and "Kids." Old favorites like "Ghost With a Boner" also made the setlist.

Diarrhea Planet are, quite simply, a great rock band. Their four-guitar assault references hard rock, arena rock, metal, 90s alt rock, punk, and pop punk. They bring an energy and abandon to all of their shows that infects the entire audience, whatever its size. We can only hope that Diarrhea Planet see fit to make our area a regular stop on their East Coast swings.

The Brooklyn-via-Brooklyn So So Glos, whose Blowout could be my favorite record of 2013, closed out the evening. They opened with "Diss Town" from that album, and got the crowd -- especially two seventeen year-old guys up front -- moving immediately.

"You know," said lead singer / bassist Alex Levine, "we played a show at Shea Stadium last night. Sold out. Boston the night before. Sold out. Night before that, Boston. Sold out."

Referencing the less than sell-out Mother of All Sundays crowd, he said that the band were getting back to their DIY roots on Monday. He said he looked forward to an intimate evening. The band took every advantage of their ability to interact with the crowd, talking with individual audience members and choreographing audience participation.

At one point, one of the seventeen year-olds, citing New Jersey's "probationary driver's license" restrictions, asked if the band couldn't finish in time for him to drive himself back to Middletown before his state-imposed curfew. Levine had the young man call his mother; and, from the stage, promised to make sure that her son got home safely and legally, getting the entire band's agreement to drive him home.

That problem resolved, the band completed a fantastic set heavy on Blowout tracks like "Lost Weekend," "Xanax," "Blowout," "Wrecking Ball," and main set closer "Son of an American." They also included Tourism / Terrorism standout "My Block." For the finale / encore, The So So Glos brought Diarrhea Planet back on stage for a version of the Beastie Boys' "Fight for Your Right" during which just about every member of the audience got a chance on the mic.

I went into yesterday with those typical Sunday-type blues about having to return to the aggravation of being a corporate lackey in the morning. For a few hours, though, music and a sense of community washed over me and took my mind off of anything other than just having a great time out with some great bands and the lovely CoolMom.

Thanks to Speak Into My Good Eye and Asbury Lanes for making the evening possible.

Enjoy your fall. And if you ever see that The So So Glos or Diarrhea Planet are coming to your town, make sure you get yourself out there. You won't regret it, no matter what night of the week it happens to be.

Final Summer BLOWOUT with The So So Glos and Diarrhea Planet at Asbury Lanes

Asbury Lanes. Tonight.

It's been a weird summer here at CoolDad Music HQ. Lots of time spent at the beach, but not much time spent on the beach. CoolDaughter #1's trip to Eastern Zones and CoolDaughter #2's tonsillectomy meant that we didn't do our usual road trip this year. And since that heatwave in July, it's pretty much felt like fall for the last five or six weeks.

In another week or so, school, swimming, soccer, etc., etc. will be upon us. But before all of your schedules fill up, there's one, last chance for some summer fun at the Shore.

Thanks to our friends over at Speak Into My Good Eye, The So So Glos and Diarrhea Planet are bringing their co-headlining tour to Asbury Lanes tonight; and both of these bands are fantastic live acts. I can honestly say, having met members of each band following area shows, that they're also a bunch of great guys. Local bands Ba Babes and Elevator Art (who will be playing their last local show prior to disbanding) will be providing support.

I did a review of The So So Glos performance at Maxwell's a few months ago along with write-ups on the latest albums by each of the headliners over at Speak Into My Good Eye. You can check those out before the show.

The So So Glos Played Maxwell’s With The Everymen & Kid Karate
Album Review: The So So Glos – Blowout
Album Review: Diarrhea Planet – I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

So study up. Suck it up and come out on a work night to say goodbye to summer. Come find me.

I'll buy you a beverage.

3-Day Weekend Edition

Labor Day 2013

It's taken me a lot longer than I expected to shake off the dust (literally) following my trip to LA for FYF Fest. If you haven't already, you can check out my recaps and some pics of:

Day 1
Day 2

I've got several hundred pics I never posted in the interest of keeping CoolDad Music load times manageable. Still trying to figure out what to do with those.

Anyway, to the business at hand.

Summer's ending, and we've got a huge Friday night of music ahead of us to kick off the holiday weekend followed by a Monday BLOWOUT.

Bergen County Folk Pop / Pop Punkers, The Front Bottoms, are playing a sold out show tonight at The Stone Pony.



If you missed out on those tickets, though, there's still plenty to do.

Later this evening, you can head over to Langosta Lounge if you'd like to catch The Ribeye Brothers.

Langosta's sister location, The Berkeley Bar, will be hosting The Riverwinds and Harper's Fellow.

And the Brighton Bar in Long Branch has got New Brunswick's Sink Tapes. I'm going to see if I can't make it to that one following the Front Bottoms show.

The big event of the weekend for me, though, will be taking place at Asbury Lanes on Labor Day when The So So Glos (from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn just like yours truly) and Nashville's Diarrhea Planet send Summer 2013 packing with a punk rock bang. That bill will also feature the last local performance by area favorites, Elevator Art.

I hope your summer was everything you wanted it to be. Start sharpening those number 2 pencils and...

...Rock on.

New So So Glos Video

"Lost Weekend"

I've been trying to run more regularly lately. This weekend I did my usual 5K while listening to one of my favorite albums of 2013, BLOWOUT by The So So Glos. When I came back, I sat at my desk and searched for a video for album standout "Lost Weekend" to share with all of you. Well, it wasn't out yet.

It's out now.

Boys from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The Mets. This one's for my Dad.

And do not -- DO NOT! -- miss The So So Glos when they play Asbury Lanes with Diarrhea Planet on Labor Day.

Home From Italy

Getting Back After It

CoolMom and I got back from our extended weekend in Italy yesterday. It was a great time. We did Florence and a day in Siena. I ate some great steak; we both gorged on pasta and gelato and made a serious dent in the Italian wine supply.

I love going to churches and basilicas in Europe to see the architecture and the art, but I mostly love checking out whatever creepy and weird stuff they have inside. Santa Croce in Florence has some very important tombs like Michelangelo, Dante, Machiavelli, Galileo, and Marconi. Those, though, really just look like plaques on the wall. San Miniato al Monte, which sits on a hill overlooking the city of Florence, has a fantastically creepy cemetery containing many busts and statues of those buried there.

Siena is where things get serious. The Museo dell'Opera of the Duomo in Siena has a room full of relics from various saints -- teeth, digits, full skeletons. In the Basilica of San Domenico, they've got the head of Siena's (and one of Italy's, along with St. Francis of Assisi) patron saint, St. Catherine.

On the secular / scientific side of things, you can see a couple of Galileo's fingers in the museum dedicated to him back in Florence.

Obviously, if that kind of stuff isn't your thing then there are many, many other wonderful things to see in those two cities -- Michelangelo's David and a beautiful synagogue in Florence, Caravaggio's John the Baptist in Siena just to name a few -- and we saw them all. I got more exercise than I've had in a while; and I'm ready to get going again.

I've been obsessing on The So So Glos new album, Blowout, a bit lately. Through the magic of robo-posting my review of that record went up over at Speak Into My Good Eye just as I was leaving for Italy.

I'll be back to driving swim carpool this evening, and LiveNation just informed me that my tickets for Johnny Marr at Irving Plaza are for tomorrow night. I've also got a few EP's and LP's that I'd like to write something about; so watch this space if you're interested in any of that.

So So Glos / Everymen Review at SIMGE

Regional Pride

Despite what Lou Barlow thinks of regional pride, I'm often guilty of it. Last night presented an excellent opportunity for me to revel in geographic connections as The So So Glos (Bay Ridge, Brooklyn-born, just like me) and The Everymen (pride of the Jersey Shore) joined forces at Maxwell's in Hoboken last night.

I wrote a review of the show, which you can find over at Speak Into My Good Eye.

As my friend and I chatted with Alex Levine of The So So Glos on the way out, he was quick to point out that there are plenty of lousy people in great places and vice versa. I agree whole-heartedly, but it's still fun to talk to someone you don't really know about the places and experiences that you have in common.

So So Glos Do a Song from BLOWOUT

"Diss Town"

Brooklyn punks, DIY and all-ages advocates, and "Shea Stadium Underlordz," The So So Glos have released a video for the latest track from their next LP, BLOWOUT.

Titus Andronicus frontman and part-time Shea Stadium doorman, Patrick Stickles, has called BLOWOUT "a flawless classic," while listing The So So Glos' lack of a label as one of the biggest record company fails of 2012.

I absolutely love the band's last LP Tourism/Terrorism, along with their Low Back Chain Shift EP.  It's not just because they're from the neighborhood in Brooklyn -- Bay Ridge -- where I was born.  It's the way in which their brand of pop punk maintains the rough edges of 70's and 80's Brit punk.

Check out the video for "Diss Town."  The song is also available as a "Name Your Price" download at the Wreck Room Records Bandcamp site.

You can also download two additional BLOWOUT tracks, "Son of an American" and "Lost Weekend," for free at The So So Glos' Bandcamp site.