By Rozlyn Smith
“We are Semi Precious Weapons and we hope you all get laid”.
Sold out read the words on the Bowery Ballroom’s website underneath the link for Semi Precious Weapons’ April 26th show. Semi Precious Weapons, a glam rock band from NYC, who a few years ago could not even get an opening slot at the Bowery Ballroom SOLD OUT the Ballroom. The band formed when Justin Tranter, Cole Whittle and Dan Crean met at music school in Boston, Massachusetts. With Justin’s voice, combined with the rest of the band’s musical talent, how could anyone not get pumped up by this band?
What amazed me was not just the show being sold out, but the fact that it was a Monday night. You know, the first day of the week where college students (like myself) are normally sulking over a textbook, working on last minute papers or cramming for that exam that we just had to put off till the night before, or the day of the week where some people are getting over their weekend hangovers.; but, to top it all off it was raining ,yet so many people made their way to the Bowery Ballroom and crowded towards the stage, dancing to the music that DJ Starlight was spinning patiently awaiting Breedlove, Nico Vega and of course, Semi Precious Weapons to take to the stage. The crowd was loud, and when I say loud I mean it was equivalent to thunder echoing off the sides of a mountain loud; whether they were singing along to the '70s and '80s throwback songs that DJ Starlight spun, yelling marriage proposals at Breedlove, singing along to some of Nico Vega’s songs and lets not forget screaming Semi Precious Weapons’ lyrics and telling Justin how much we all love him.
When Semi Precious Weapons took to the stage, the crowd went ballistic! Then Stevey Pyne played the familiar guitar riff that starts off the band’s self titled song “Semi Precious Weapons,” and the crowd screamed, waiting for Justin’s voice to come booming through the venue. “I can’t pay my rent, but I’m fucking gorgeous” the crowd yelled in unison with Justin, as the band fed off the energy the crowd was producing. Following the song, Justin began to talk about how a few years ago Semi Precious Weapons couldn’t even get an opening gig at the Bowery Ballroom, but now they were performing a sold out show there. Justin also went on to talk about how the band was on tour with a fellow New Yorker, and friend of the band, Lady Gaga, when someone in the crowd yelled out “Fuck Lady Gaga!” in which Justin responded with something along the lines of: Sir, I still love you. But for your safety if you say 'Fuck Lady Gaga' again, a group of teenagers are going to come after you. After Justin’s banter, the band went into their song “Her Hair is on Fire,” in which the crowd grew even louder. The fun didn’t, stop there, after some more banter and laughs, Justin whipped out a bottle of “champagne” and the band performed “Sticky with Champagne,” while Justin poured some of the beverage into cups, mouths and onto the crowd and also began to change on stage into a pair of very tight pants, a vest and some gorgeous boots. During another break between songs, the band threw some shirts into the audience, gave away the champagne bottle and Justin even gave a fan his necklace.
Semi Precious Weapons also debuted a song that will be off their album titled “Statues of Ourselves,” (which is to come out at the end of June) that is about how the band’s New York City friends and fans are cooler than anyone else. After the song, Justin told the crowd that the next song was the band’s last of the evening and the crowd was very upset. However, he did explain / give away the “secret” that if after the song the audience chanted “one more song” the band would indeed play another song. So for their final song before the encore, the band played “Magnetic Baby,” and everyone (including myself) started to dance. And as promised after the crowd chanted “one more song” Semi Precious Weapons played their final song of the evening, “Rock n Roll Never Looked so Beautiful,” during the song, Stevey Pyne climbed from the stage, onto the balcony that hung above still playing guitar, it was truly a sight to see! Before the band left the stage, Justin’s final words and wishes for the audience were: “We’re Semi Precious Weapons and we hope you all get laid!”
Before Semi Precious Weapons even graced the stage, there were three openers; DJ Starlight, who spun some real throwback songs that everyone knew the words to despite the year you were born, Breedlove, who entered the audience with his paradoxical songs and of course Nico Vega, who proved that chicks can rock...and rock hard. Personally, the only opener I heard of before the show was Nico Vega, but I quickly started to dance and sing along to the songs DJ Starlight was playing. Then when a strange looking man took the stage I thought he was part of the set up crew, but then two dancers dressed in bright floral bodysuits took the stage with him I knew he was another opening act. Breedlove amused the crowd with songs such as “Ok by Me,” “Love on the Telephone,” and “A Date with Myself.” The crowd loved him so much, one fan actually yelled out a marriage proposal in which Breedlove responded, “It would probably work out, I have incredibly low standards” and the crowd burst into laughter. The two dancers were entertaining as well. I give them credit to be able to move like that and be able to hit each cue when they’re supposed to.
After Breedlove, the trio, Nico Vega performed a great set. I’ve listened to them before via Myspace, but I’ve never seen them live and I was impressed! Front-woman, Aja Volkman had such a fantastic amount of energy and was dancing around even while singing. When she first came out on stage in a kimono type of robe wrapped around herself only to reveal a long sleeved black shirt, and a black sequined flapper inspired skirt. The band’s set list included “Living Underground,” “Burn Burn,” “Beast,” “Gravity,” and played a new song as well! Their high energy set kept the energy up while the crowd waited for Semi Precious Weapons to go on.
Honestly, this was probably the best concert I’ve been to, and that is saying a lot. I danced, I sang, I laughed and just had one hell of a good time. If you have yet to see either DJ Starlight, Breedlove, Nico Vega, or Semi Precious Weapons you’re really missing out on some amazing musicians and fun ones at that.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
the photographer has talent. would love to see more of their work in the future.
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