It seems like a lot of the local news is on a bit of a downer this week, neighbourhood bars are closing while Starbucks gets an alcohol licence, and then of course, there is this; it’s enough to make you question humanity. However, just like the fact that we’re actually living in the most peaceful time in human history is a hard one to accept before looking at the cold, hard data, this city we call home still offers great excitement as opposed to a gloom of lost opportunity. With plenty of summertime left to enjoy/endure, make the most of it by catching some shows!
5) Literature, Expert Alterations, The Hairs at Cake Shop
It has been a little while since I went to a stacked jangle-pop show, but that will change tonight as Literature make the shortish journey from Philadelphia. The band are writing new songs after last year’s rather lovely album, Chorus, so maybe we’ll get some previews. Cake Shop’s treble-friendly PA system should be perfect for fellow janglers Expert Alterations and The Hairs; there won’t be a show that sounds this pretty all weekend. Literature and Expert Alterations also play at Shea Stadium on Friday along with Kissing is a Crime and Wildly. The Cake Shop show is Thursday 8pm.
4) Exploding In Sound’s “Thank You For Being A Friend” extended weekend
I’ve already given you the details for this run of events here. Suffice to say, the strength of the label’s roster is out in force and while many of the bands play locally with some frequency, there is something nice about them being bundled together. Thursday through to Monday
3) Sannhet, Uniform, Alberich at Saint Vitus Bar
I recently saw Sanhet during the Northside festival opening with Viet Cong and Girl Band, and they threatened to steal the show with their post-everything sonic onslaught. I couldn’t help but think that it would be great to see them at Saint Vitus and obviously I wasn’t the only one! It’s going to be a suitably noisy night in Greenpoint as Uniform and Alberich also give your senses a pounding. Friday 8pm
2) Colleen Green at Cake Shop and Palisades
Colleen Green is playing with a full band on this current tour which sees her hit Cake Shop on Saturday and Palisades on Sunday. Green is promoting this year’s I Want To Grow Up, which is a little more produced than her previous efforts but has made the jump from lo-fi with great aplomb. Joining her at Palisades is also one of my favourite bands of recent years, Tweens. Cake Shop’s website indicates Tweens are also playing the show on Saturday, but Tweens’ own tourdates puts them at Starlab Fest in MA that day, so I don’t know what to tell you there (though suspect the band are more likely to be right). However, Tweens play their own headline set at Cake Shop on Monday the 24th, so start next week off right by going to that. Mannequin Pussy also play both shows with Single Lash opening at Cake Shop while Larry & the Babes do the honours at Palisades.
1) Fly Ashtray, Octagrape, Silk Purse, Hamish Kilgour at Cake Shop
Fly Ashtray gigs are rare (featured image is by me at Cake Shop in 2013), coupled with the band’s weird and wonderfully concocted jangle-infused tunes, this simply has to be the number 1 show of the weekend. Formed in The Bronx in 1983, the band’s sporadic output seems to have landed them firmly and unfairly into the realm of being largely off-the-radar, but New Yorkers can help celebrate a local treasure on Sunday. The bill also features Octagrape and Hamish Kilgour of The Clean. Sunday 8:30pm
