After a long weekend we’re back to a regular schedule and I hope everyone had a fulfilling Thanksgiving, whether you were with loved ones or just found a rare moment of tranquility when the city got a little less intense.
5) Narc Twain, Norwegian Arms, Lithuania at Knitting Factory Brooklyn
Tommy Siegel’s clean, soft vocals gives Narc Twain an accessible mask to what is musically a more angular, DC-hardcore influence. Knitting Factory plays host to the band’s EP release party with the sunny pop of Norwegian Arms and the garage rock and roll of Lithuania (band name, not the whole country…). Thursday 7pm
4) Grooms, Solvey, Drawing Boards at Palisades
Just over a year ago, Grooms played the last ever show at Death By Audio, and the band have since released the excellent Comb the Feelings Through Your Hair in February and toured around Europe. This show will be their last of the year before writing some new material. Support comes from Drawing Boards, whose shimmering guitars are well suited to the headliners, while Solvey will deliver the sort of delightful pop music that seems to have unfortunately been lost for many a year. Saturday 8pm
3) Lame Drivers, Dares, Big Quiet at Union Pool
Anyone who misses REM would do well to check out this jangle-infused bill at Union Pool on Thursday night. Lame Drivers have been a band for over a decade but are just about to release their debut album, Chosen Era, via Bleeding Gold Records (vinyl) and Jigsaw Records (CD). Big Quiet wear their influences on their sleeves but with songs like Why Do We Bother? when the pop hooks are that strong it just doesn’t matter. Dares are sandwiched in the middle of the jangle with their scuzzier blend of indie rock. Thursday 8pm
2) Dinosaur Jr at Bowery Ballroom
Little can be said about Dinosaur Jr that hasn’t been said before, and the band are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut album, Dinosaur, by playing it in full. The trio are playing at Bowery Ballroom seven nights in a row, and every single one is sold out; no mean feat at all. The shows will also feature an additional set covering their discography with some special guests each night in what promises to be a special series of dates. Thursday through to Wednesday.
1) Superchunk, All Dogs at Baby’s All Right
Superchunk are my favourite band that I haven’t managed to see live before (not for the want of trying, I’ve even had tickets to shows before…) so barring some catastrophe, I’m thrilled to finally get to see them. Frontman Man McCaughan was here back in May (review) in support of his excellent solo album, Non-Believers, but it’s been a couple of years since the band played in New York until they were part of the Ground Control show at Webster Hall last night (feature image). The show sold out in a matter of minutes, which is not surprising for a band that sells out multiple nights at Bowery Ballroom. All Dogs open the show, and the Columbus, OH band will be a more than suitable appetiser. You should recognise Shea Stadium in the video for Void from Superchunk’s last album, I Hate Music. Thusday 8pm
