New Brunswick shows are not just about the music. It's about the excitement of the moment, dripping in sweat, the people you know, the ones you encounter, the flyers you pick up, the sore subjects, football, etc. Ok, two band references at the end there. But the point is that these shows are more than just music, it's about the experience you gain from it, the people you speak to. Talking to Kate of Big Eyes/Cheeky and reminiscing about the awesome sold out Bomb the Music Industry show at Knitting Factory in 2008, talking with Mercy of Football, Etc about the music scene, and getting merch from Football, etc, being remembered by P.S. Eliot, and meeting new New Brunswick kids, the dancing and being excited about this line-up with other fans was the thrill of what made this night a good one, not simply the great tunes.
It was my first New Brunswick, NJ show since seeing The Measure (SA) in December, mostly because of the recent NJ Transit fare hike (it costs $18 roundtrip to commute from Newark to the hub city). But I didn't want to pass up the chance to see 5 exciting bands, including 3 I haven't seen before. Kicking Spit from New Brunswick, 1994 from Lancaster, Big Kids from Oakland, Football, Etc from Houston, and P.S. Eliot from Birmingham performed.
Guitar riffs, fast drums, toned out bass, and somewhat low but urgent vocals could be heard coming from Kicking Spit. This was my second time seeing them. The first was the band's first show at the last New Brunswick show I attended. Since then the band has released a tape, went on a spring east coast tour, and is already planning for national tour in August. The band seem to be moving quickly. Singer Mark B's other band Seasick is playing their last shows before hiatus this weekend, so Kicking Spit seem to be a priority right now. I think it's so easy or at least easier to book these kinds of shows because the member's of the band know so many friends and bands who have connections to show spaces. This is important. The contacts.
1994 and Big Kids also played. They had a somewhat tingly punk sound with post-hardcore leanings. Like is a constant problem with these shows, the vocals could hardly be heard and the mix was too loud. Football, Etc and P.S. Eliot made out better. The guitars weren't as loud, so the vocals could be heard better. The two bands complimented each other nicely. Football, Etc had an emo/indie rock sound reminiscent of Rainer Maria. Bassist Mercy looked like she was having a great time. Two fans up front were completely into. it One of them had what I like to call the "New Brunswick dance" going on where you bend over a bit, shake your head, dance around, and motion with your hands like you're air drumming or something. There's always been someone at these New Brunswick shows that dances like that and she was the one. It was a fun albeit somewhat short set. Next was P.S. Eliot who has really come into their own. I love their slight punk/indie rock flavor. Last I saw them was in March with The Two Funerals. Here they played a bunch of older songs, a brand new unrecorded song, and their latest 7-inch song "Bear Named Otis." Everyone gathered around together up front, dancing, and singing/screaming along to the songs, especially "Like How You Are." I just loved hearing the lines: "you're pretty in the kind of way the compliance is dull" and "you're beautiful to me." Heartfelt. Uh, it just got me and the whole set was great. The crowd called for one more song, so they played "Sore Subject." It was nice to be greeted with welcome, friendly words, and smiles.
--Star Child
P.S. Eliot setlist and Football, Etc photos below.
Football, Etc
P.S. Eliot setlist:
1. Tennesse
2. Tonight
3. Brand New Song
4. Entrende?
5. Like How You Are
6. Bear Named Otis
7. Troubled Medium
Encore:
8. Sore Subject
It was my first New Brunswick, NJ show since seeing The Measure (SA) in December, mostly because of the recent NJ Transit fare hike (it costs $18 roundtrip to commute from Newark to the hub city). But I didn't want to pass up the chance to see 5 exciting bands, including 3 I haven't seen before. Kicking Spit from New Brunswick, 1994 from Lancaster, Big Kids from Oakland, Football, Etc from Houston, and P.S. Eliot from Birmingham performed.
Guitar riffs, fast drums, toned out bass, and somewhat low but urgent vocals could be heard coming from Kicking Spit. This was my second time seeing them. The first was the band's first show at the last New Brunswick show I attended. Since then the band has released a tape, went on a spring east coast tour, and is already planning for national tour in August. The band seem to be moving quickly. Singer Mark B's other band Seasick is playing their last shows before hiatus this weekend, so Kicking Spit seem to be a priority right now. I think it's so easy or at least easier to book these kinds of shows because the member's of the band know so many friends and bands who have connections to show spaces. This is important. The contacts.
1994 and Big Kids also played. They had a somewhat tingly punk sound with post-hardcore leanings. Like is a constant problem with these shows, the vocals could hardly be heard and the mix was too loud. Football, Etc and P.S. Eliot made out better. The guitars weren't as loud, so the vocals could be heard better. The two bands complimented each other nicely. Football, Etc had an emo/indie rock sound reminiscent of Rainer Maria. Bassist Mercy looked like she was having a great time. Two fans up front were completely into. it One of them had what I like to call the "New Brunswick dance" going on where you bend over a bit, shake your head, dance around, and motion with your hands like you're air drumming or something. There's always been someone at these New Brunswick shows that dances like that and she was the one. It was a fun albeit somewhat short set. Next was P.S. Eliot who has really come into their own. I love their slight punk/indie rock flavor. Last I saw them was in March with The Two Funerals. Here they played a bunch of older songs, a brand new unrecorded song, and their latest 7-inch song "Bear Named Otis." Everyone gathered around together up front, dancing, and singing/screaming along to the songs, especially "Like How You Are." I just loved hearing the lines: "you're pretty in the kind of way the compliance is dull" and "you're beautiful to me." Heartfelt. Uh, it just got me and the whole set was great. The crowd called for one more song, so they played "Sore Subject." It was nice to be greeted with welcome, friendly words, and smiles.
--Star Child
P.S. Eliot setlist and Football, Etc photos below.
Football, Etc
1. Tennesse
2. Tonight
3. Brand New Song
4. Entrende?
5. Like How You Are
6. Bear Named Otis
7. Troubled Medium
Encore:
8. Sore Subject
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