One thing never lacking in New York is noise. Continuous traffic (from my apartment window I can hear the Bee Gees blaring from someone’s car stereo on the highway a few blocks away), honking horns, helicopters and jet planes flying over head, the screeching of metal on metal as the subway train pulls into each respective station (heard from street level), never ending construction replete with orchestras of jack hammers, dump trucks, cement mixers and workers yelling commands to colleagues and pedestrians alike, not to mention the odd crazy and or homeless person squawking like a chicken or begging for money. It’s enough to make your head spin, or at very least turn your iPod up a little. In an effort to regain a little sanity and perhaps feel a little more in control of my listening options I trot myself down to Webster Hall for a night with Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club. I was not disappointed. For an hour and a half, give or take, I basked in this guitar saturated aural glory at decibels high enough to certainly damage my hearing even more. Smoke machines blasting out enough smog to make you think they might’ve lifted the smoking ban we all left smelling and feeling like the old days when rock shows weren’t so “clean and safe” (Ha!).
The band, with an added guitar player on a few tracks, were better than expected playing many of their older hits as well as lots off the new album, “Baby 81”. Receiving mixed reviews on their latest release I have to say live there’s no room for discussion. They are great, old and new alike! My recommendation is get your tickets and judge for yourself. Check out www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com for tour dates and new.
Loney, Dear came home, I mean back to NYC, this past week and graced us once again with their dreamy, melodic, euphoric presence. Someone said seeing Loney, Dear is like going to church as they inspire something of a little higher power in all of those who experience them. Earnest and unjaded (if that’s a word) their zest and passion for what they do, along with the ability to write brilliant songs, puts a little life back into us cynical New Yorkers. Knowing them as well as I do they seemed a little tired after being on our hard, American roads for over 3 months but fear not! Emil and his band of merry Swedes did nothing but make us smile, dance and sing along. Ett sådant uppträdande! Tre skål att Loney, Dear! Hip, Hip Hooray! Hip, Hip Hooray, Hip Hip… Go to www.loneydear.com for more about this wonderful band.
The Loney’s are finishing their US tour tonight at Union Hall in Brooklyn, with the Silent League. I’m sure it will be a night to remember. ‘Til next time, vi ses senare!
The all new TLOBF message boards are now open..Sign up now and join the TLOBF.COMMUNITY
Don't miss a thing on TLOBF ever again! Sign up to our weekly newsletter here
