Live Review: Semi-Precious Weapons @ Best Buy, Union Square (photos)

Photos & Words by Rozlyn Smith

Glam-rockers Semi Precious Weapons made an appearance at the Best Buy in Union Square on July 9th to support their recently release album, You Love You. What was supposed to be an acoustic performance turned into an electric one, due to some technical difficulties. Even so, it was another amazing performance.  

Starting out with one of their most well known tracks, “Semi Precious Weapons” had the very diverse crowd of parents and their children, young adults and even a few middle-aged men singing in unison, which set the tone for the laid back and intimate performance. Also spotted in the crowd of people were Breedlove and Lady Starlight, who performed at the band's Bowery Ballroom show. SPW played another fan favorite, “Put a Diamond in It” and had the sea of people dancing, bopping up and down, singing and just having a great time. 

In an attempt to slow the tempo down guitarist Stevy Pyne picked up an acoustic guitar. While Pyne tried to get the acoustic to work, Tranter talked to the crowd about how much he loves all those who were there, how he can’t curse at Best Buy, and how Stevy is picky on how his guitar sounds. He also thanked the Best Buy staff for letting the band perform there.  

After a ton of effort, the acoustic still wouldn't work, so that idea was retired. Picking up his electric guitar, Pyne and Tranter performed the final two songs as a duo--a modest attempt to bring a  lighter tone. What was in store for everyone was a very emotional performance of “Look at Me” and “Leave Your Pretty to Me." Tranter’s voice sent chills up my spine, and in this intimate environment you could feel the same emotions pouring off of Tranter and the audience. Just hearing two of the Precious Weapons gave me an idea of how the band would sound acoustic. Though the duo could not perform “Leave Your Pretty to Me” acoustically, it was enough to have some of the audience teary eyed.  Following their set, the band signed cd's, meet with fans, and took picture with fans. 

More photos below.

Semi-Precious Weapons announce 2 new NYC appearances

Semi-Precious Weapons is hitting the road with Lady Gaga this summer for what's sure to be a wild time. They'll be celebrating the 4th of July at Broadway Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, then playing three dates at Madison Square Garden July 6, 7, and 9. 

Even with all that going on, SPW has announced a July 7th MSG after-party/album release show at The Hudson Hotel's Good Units. Then on July 9th at 1pm the band is at Best Buy, Union Square for an in-store signing and acoustic performance. 

Semi-Precious Weapons Appearances:

7/4 @ Broadway Hall, Atlantic City, NJ

7/6 @ Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

7/7 @ Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

7/7 @ Hudson Hotel's Good Units, New York NY 

7/9 @ Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

7/9 @ Best Buy, Union Square (in-store signing and performance)

The band's new album You Love You is out everywhere now. 

Live Review: Semi Precious Weapons, Nico Vega, Breedlove @ Bowery Ballroom 4-26-10 + Photos

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.