Live Review: Titus Andronicus, Free Energy, & Screaming Females in NYC

 photo by kolored for BrooklynVegan
story by star morales

Luck had it that two of my favorite New Jersey punk rock 'n roll bands would be playing together at the spacious Webster Hall and I would get to see them with a good friend. Titus Andronicus hailing from Glen Rock and Screaming Females from New Brunswick would unite for a rockin' evening with Philadelphia's Free Energy. This night would cap off Titus Andronicus' tour with Free Energy and was probably the biggest show of the tour. What's cool is that there seemed to be more people in attendance than when I saw the band opening up for Man Man at this same venue in 2008. This is certainly a testament to how far the band has come in just a few years and only two albums. The band's epic qualities, intelligent lyrical themes, and grand musicianship is what makes the band exciting for me. I saw Titus and Screamales at the beginning of their tours, but why not see them again? Seeing this show was a great way to spend my Saturday night. 

Screaming Females nailed it with their punk driven, heavy, rock 'n roll set. They played a nice mixture of new songs from their latest album, Castle Talk, as well as older songs. They kicked it off with the catchy, quick poppy "Bell," and then hit a few newer songs, including "I Don't It," "New Kid," and "Sheep." They played older song "Stave the Beat," with its insanely driving beat, delicious shredding guitar, jammy edge, and screamy vocals. What's neat about seeing Screaming Females live is the improvisation in the guitar playing! It's wicked cool. They closed with the stellar "Lights Out," prompting me to two-step, air drum, air guitar, headbang, and dance around. It wasn't the typical Screaming females crowd I'm used to, but I didn't care, I still danced. I didn't care I was only. The sound was great, the band was great, and I had fun. Thanks, yet again, for a great time Screaming Females.

Free Energy, who brought a poppy feel good rock flavor to their music,  was next. Many of the people I was around seemed to be familiar with the band. They danced, sang, and had a good time. I enjoyed "Free Energy" and "Bang Pop," for their fun, catchy rock. Titus' Amy Klein played guitar with the band for one of the songs. Jumping up and down with a smile, she added some extra flavor to the song. I've sadly forgotten which one.

Titus Andronicus got Webster Hall rockin' with their hour and a half long set. Highlights included, opener "A More Perfect Union," "Four Score and Seven," "The Battle of Hampton Roads," "Theme from Cheers" and "Titus Andronicus." Goodness this band sounded great. Their performance speaks for itself. They closed with a cover of AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock n' Roll)" featuring Free Energy. They called themselves "The Temporary Tattoos," which seemed to be a joke since Amy Klein had gotten everyone temp tats. I want to try and say more, but truly I'm near speechless. I've written about them before here and here. If you care about good, passionate rock, then check out any of these bands.

See below for setlists and links to other coverage with photos. 

Live Review: Civil Twilight, Company of Thieves, & AM Taxi @ Bowery Ballroom 3-8-10

There was a magic in the Bowery Ballroom on Monday night, like there often is when I attend shows there that I'm hard pressed to find elsewhere, except for probably Music Hall of Williamsburg. Maybe it's the beauty of the crowd who love music, or the top notch, diverse set of bands that are booked at the venue, or the quality sound, which gives me energy from all three. The night featured Wind-Up Records artists Civil Twilight and Company of Thieves and fellow Chicagoan's and friends of the latter, AM Taxi.

Civil Twilight is a rock band originally from South Africa, but is now based in the U.S. The band is touring with labelmates Company of Thieves for a short 7-date tour with the band. The night was the kickoff show. It's always great seeing the first show because the band's not worn out at that point, they just started tour. The trio  played an impressive 7-song set that drifted from intense and moody to sharp and beautiful. It was great seeing singer Steven move from bass to piano. The band performed songs from their self-titled debut album. The second song was the hit single “Soldier.” They also played the sweet  and vulnerable "Next to Me." They closed with their lead single “Letters from the sky,” which was beautifully delivered. The lush piano and guitar coupled with just the right amount of drumming made the song sonically pleasingly. The repetition in “You're coming back for me,” is passionate and driving.

Unite and Conquer Tour 2008 @ The Starland Ballroom 11/2

photos by Stephanie Rademacher



















The tour visited The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ for a night of madness, fun, and some political ranting. Four local bands opened the show—Chronic D, Lamps Burning, Red 13, and Castronate. Unfortunately, I missed them, but check em out! The rest of the bill was rounded out by Sister Sin from Sweden, Walls of Jericho from Detroit, OTEP from Los Angeles, and Ill Nino from “dirty Jerz.” I had an awesome time and this show was great.

The tour comes to NYC's Blender Theatre @ Gramercy on Nov. 4!

Sister Sin was a female fronted hard rock band with ‘80s metal influences. The band even played a Motorhead cover. Having heard their songs I was able to get into the music, but the crowd either seemed unimpressed or was too unfamiliar with the band to give a reaction just yet. The band’s single “On Parole” was a good one. They clearly have a defined sound—all the songs are in the same vein. By the end of the set I think they won a bunch of people over.

Walls of Jericho owned. I hadn’t seen them since they played with Kittie at B.B. Kings Blues Club a few years ago. They played a number of songs off the new album like the title track “The American Dream,” and “The Prey,” as well as “All Hail the Dead,” “A Trigger Full of Promises,” “I Know Hollywood and You Ain’t It” and I think “Playing Soldier Again.” Candace was brutal and commanded the mic amazingly as always. She kept inciting the crowd to surf, saying they should make the security guards do there work.

After Walls of Jericho I went to the merch table to try to meet the band. While I waited, I noticed that Sister Sin was at their merch table, so I went over to say hi. I spoke with the lead singer and told her: great job and that I worked at a radio station and have played the band before and she hands me the band’s sampler cd. All of a sudden this woman with Rock Eyez asks me if I’d like a picture with the band. The band autographed the cd and I got in a photo with the band. It was pretty neat.

Candace finally came by the table and I told her how much I enjoyed the performance and again that I work at a radio station and have been playing the new album. She was appreciative and she said thanks and we shook hands. It was cool.

I was excited to see OTEP because they would be getting an hour set, as opposed to a 35 minute set when they opened WSOU’s 60th anniversary show back in April. The band kicked it off with “Battle Ready,” the perfect opening song. I started moving around like crazy, went into the mosh pit and even crowd surfed. I remember being up in the air and seeing Otep and she smiled at me. Next, was the heavy “Blood Pigs.” I was actually singing along, something I usually don’t do because I don’t like how my voice sounds—but not mouth lyrics this time. After was “My Confession,” the poetry that proceeded was a great intro into the song- Evil Jay’s bass started and I knew things were going to get nuts. “You’ve got to push, push…you’re way out,” Otep sings. It was impressive to hear them play three songs off “Sevas Tra” and then follow with nothing but new songs. Though, I’m not sure what the closing song. When the band started introducing the second to last song and I heard “Kurt Cobain” I immediately went back to the middle of the crowd. “Nirvana means freedom from pain, suffering and the external world.” That riff would start—I would jump up and move around, probably the most during this song than any during the set. I crowd surfed again. It was fun.

It’s funny, every time I remember seeing OTEP live, Otep has always said that she thinks this is the best show of the tour—I think artists say that every show, ha. This probably was my favorite OTEP show of my 4 or 5!

Ill Nino played a tight set with their heavy Latin percussion beats and hardrock sounds. They got on stage at 10:17pm. Christian got political at one point talking about war, government, and the election. He said fuck school, fuck work, fuck politics, and fuck war. During the set I was in the back, just rockin' out and still recovering. I didn't want to ware myself out. But I did go into the crowd during "I am Loco"--on of my favorite Ill Nino songs. I heard most of the bands set before I decided to call it a night.

OTEP- Setlist:
8:50-9:50pm (in order)

“Battle Ready”
“Blood Pigs”
“My Confession”
“Confrontation”
“Ghostflowers”
“Crooked Spoons”
“Breed” (Nirvana cover)
?? Song off the Ascension. It might be Milk of Regret

Walls of Jericho- Setlist:
(not in order and there were more songs)

“The American Dream”
“The Prey”
“All Hail the Dead”
“A Trigger Full of Promises”
“I Know Hollywood and You Ain’t It”
“Playing Soldier Again”

Ill Nino- Setlist:
10:17pm-? (in order, but missing a bunch of songs)

“This is War”
“If You Still Hate Me”
“Finger Painting with the Enemy”
“My Resurrection”
“I am Loco”
“Corizon”
“How Can I Live?”

NaNuchKa @ Crash Mansion, NYC, 7/6- Review

I saw NaNuchKa for the first time yesterday at Crash Mansion in New York City for a special 18+, usually it's 21+, show with Lunic and Strange Things Done in the Midnight Sun. The night ended later and plans changes because Lunic got stuck in traffic. NaNuchKa played second, instead of last, which seemed to be good for the folks that came out to see them. Most of the crowd left before Lunic came up, which was a shame but understandable. Who can blame them when the next was Monday.

Commentary and setlists when you click "Read more..."

Strange Things Done in the Middle Sun was up first to entertain with their alternative/post-punk sound. Lead singer John's vocal are impeccable. He can pull off falsetto/ opera-esc vocals and has a somewhat deep style. This Jersey four piece has a sound I haven't heard and it's hard to classify, but I enjoyed it. They also through something into the audience, but you'll have to catch them live to see what it is. It was fun. I caught this group back in January at Maxwell's when they played with Frank Nicolay, Emilyn Brodsky, and Whack.

NaNuchKa, what many would call "gypsy-punk" started off with a jammy, dancey number, "Good Well." The crowd danced around and smiles filled the room. It was lovely to see pretty much everyone on the dance floor. "One of Us," and "Wonderful" were other songs they played. The band is fronted by Yula Be'eri, the ex-bassist for World Inferno/ Friendship Society. She was enteraining and got into a "laugh attack." Very tight set.

Lunic, an alternative 6 piece with two violinists, one being vocalist/pianist Kaitee Page and the other one Megan Leach, performed a solid set that included songs from their Splinter EP. "The Killing Time" and "Invisible" were notable tracks. The lyrics are often dark, as the singer noted during the show. Apparently she only has one nicer song. The band also performed a cover of "Everlong," by Foo Fighters. What I like about her lyrics is that she speaks with sincerity and despite the somber tone of the lyrics it speaks truth and is something that many would be able to connect with.

I grabbed setlists, here is what they said.

Strang Things Done in the Midnight Sun Setlist:
Lonely Nights
99 Cent Girl
Petrol
Cemetary Hill
Dear Ol Dad
Perth Amboy Blues
Nomi
Parallel
Killing Wall
Carousel

NaNuchKa Setlist:
Good Well
One of Us
Thumb Cinema
Satie
Wonderfull
Oh Yea?
Mediterranean
Red Ripped Shirt
Kay
Sahbak
Red