With almost the entire city having a “snow” day on Tuesday, the feel of the week is skewed. Thursday feels like Tuesday, which will feel pretty good when the realisation hits. Here are some ideas for the impending weekend that don’t involve watching oversized men throwing a ball around for about 3 seconds then taking a break for 2 minutes, and people have the temerity to call it football.
5) Big Muff Radio, Slonk Donkerson, Sofa Club at Baby’s All Right
Big Muff Radio will be celebrating their latest offering, the synth-tinged Life is Easy, which you get on cassette for free with the cost of admission ($8); not a bad deal even if I’m suspicious of anyone who plays cassette tapes. Also be sure not to miss the rather criminally underrated Slonk Donkerson,if you like power trios and don’t know Slonk Donkerson, check them out and thank me later.
Saturday 11:59pm (Sunday then…)
4) Beverly, Honduras, Christines at Alphaville
This is the first ever show at recently opened restaurant/bar Alphaville, and they’ve pulled together some great local bands to celebrate. I’m not sure anyone released a better than song than Berverly’s Honey Do in 2014 and the rest of Careers isn’t half bad either. Drew Citron and co are ably supported by Honduras and the Swervedriver-esque Christines.
Friday 8:30pm
3) Crocodiles, Lazyeyes, The Teen Age, Shark Week at Brooklyn Night Bazaar
The idea of watching bands in a food court whilst browsing various craft vendors always seems so absurd, yet Brooklyn Night Bazaar was one of the best-booked venues in the last year and looks set for another good one with bills like this. Crocodiles really upped their game with 2013’s Crimes of Passion, focusing the band’s strong pop sensibilities and expanding their sound beyond 80s shoegaze/noise. Supporting cast includes local bands Lazyeyes and The Teen Age, with Shark Week making the short trek from Washington DC. As is usually the way, it’s a free show and you can RSVP to skip the line if there is one.
Saturday 9:00pm
2) Horrendous, Artificial Brain, Throaat, Kosmodemonic at The Acheron
I could never describe this stacked metal show better than what has already been posted here. Needless to say, some of Free Williamsburg’s finest will be in attendance, and I will be there too.
Saturday 8pm
1) Viet Cong, What Moon Things at Mercury Lounge
Stretch things out a bit and start your weekend early, or not, since this show is sold out. Viet Cong’s self-titled album is the release of the year so far and if I hear a better song than the 11-minutes of closing track Death I’ll be pleasantly surprised. If you can beg, cheat or steal your way into the Mercury Lounge tonight you’re sure to be rewarded (actually don’t do those things since they’re unethical, but maybe they’ll release some tickets near showtime). Aural consanguinity comes from openers What Moon Things, who make similarly moody-but-sparkly songs.
Thursday 6:30pm
Honourable mentions
I Walk Alone: Hamilton Leithauser at Bowery Ballroom
A Bean Grows in Brooklyn: Sunflower Bean record release show at Baby’s All Right
Recycling is good here’s the same tip as last week: Dave Gorman at Subculture.
