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Dominick Mastrangelo

The Drums wowed Popfest (pics), playing 5 more NYC shows

words and photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

The Drums

Nobody knew what was in store; not the band and certainly not those in attendance. But the first-ever show by Florida’s The Drums (Jonathan Pierce of Elkland and Jacob Graham of Horse Shoes) was arguably the highlight of the final day of NYC Popfest (5/17). Playing shimmery, surf-pop with a bit of post-punk bent, The Drums charged through an all-too-brief performance that set the tone for the second half of a marathon day in which 12 bands performed at Cake Shop on the Lower East Side. There was bouncy, jubilant pop from Vermont’s The Smittens and a thoughtful, stripped down set from ex-Softie Rose Melberg early on; quirkiness from Casper and The Cookies (who managed to knock out the string lights during their set) and dreamy pop of the Burning Hearts (comprised of members of Cats On Fire) later; and a raucous end to Popfest by Sweden’s Suburban Kids With Biblical Names. But wedged in between was a killer seven-song salvo by The Drums who follow up their Popfest success with a show on May 30 at Union Hall with Pelle Carlberg (tix).

If you miss them, don’t worry, they also have four more NYC shows at the Annex scheduled in June – the same month their debut EP, Summertime, will be released. Listen at their website. All dates, and more Popfest pictures below…

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

The Drums

and a video…

The Drums – 2009 Tour Dates
05.17.09 @ The Cake Shop in New York, New York (DEBUT PERFORMANCE) (NYC Popfest)
05.30.09 @ Union Hall in Brooklyn, New York (w Pelle Carlberg)
06.03.09 @ The Annex in New York, New York (residency)
06.10.09 @ The Annex in New York, New York (residency)
06.17.09 @ The Annex in New York, New York (residency)
06.24.09 @ The Annex in New York, New York (residency)