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words & photos by Andrew Frisciano
The Babies
Real Estate and The Babies (formerly "Babies"?) played the third "Fader Bowl," a series of free monthly shows at Brooklyn Bowl, last night (Tuesday, January 5th). The gig was a a victory lap of sorts for Real Estate, who had a huge 2009 (which frontman Martin Courtney reminisced on to BV). They managed to fill up the sizable space with both familiar and curious faces. The Jersey (or Jersey Shore-loving) contingent was strong - mentions of both the state and the show drew roars from the crowd. Real Estate's "singles," like the upbeat "Beach Comber," fit nicely into the headlining set that also included a new song and plenty of album cuts. Longish, laconic "Suburban Beverage" dragged late in the set, but by "Fake Blues" (probably their best) they were back on point - they even managed to sneak in an encore.
The Babies opened strong with a two-vocal approach that didn't skimp on pop hooks or atmosphere. I felt slightly guilty for not catching them at either of their more intimate shows the day before and tonight, but the tight BK Bowl set established Babies as a band approaching or on par with its members' full-time gigs. It was over too quickly - hopefully the Babies have more to come soon.
The last of the Babies' three-night run is tonight (1/6) at Glasslands with Beach Fossils, Total Slacker, The Sundelles and True Womanhood. Real Estate go on to play Philly, tour Europe and, in March, travel across North America with Woods (Kevin from Babies plays bass in Woods). The Woods/Real Estate tour kicks off with a hometow show at MHOW on March 12th. the Bitters open. Tickets are still on sale.
More pictures are below...
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The Babies
Real Estate
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Don't bands do google searches before chosing a suitable moniker??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Babys
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 1:56 PM
fun times
Posted by anon | January 6, 2010 2:20 PM
I can understand why people would be in a big rush to dismiss this band, but holy shit, are they ever great. They really showed up Real Estate last night, as well as VGs and Woods, and I like all those bands too! Babies are the one.
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 2:43 PM
the babies are awful....nice space
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 2:45 PM
the babies were good, better live...
like pixies or something 90's and catchy
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 3:49 PM
Thought the Babies put on a much better show than Real Estate. RE sounded fine, but had zero energy on stage. Maybe they need a swagger coach.
Also, loved how the show got progressively emptier as the Best New Music scenesters started to file out once the band actually started to play music.
Posted by shawon | January 6, 2010 3:56 PM
The love for Real Estate is mystifying; I'm even from New Jersey, and don't get it. You went down the shore, ran through lawn sprinklers, and drank Sunny D. Good for you. This band sounds like summer all right: summer in an iron lung. I was hoping they would be decent live, but no, the animatronic rats at Chuckie Cheese exhibit more spontaneity and charisma.
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 4:30 PM
i moving from brooklyn to nj...real estate prices are better there...i get a whole house!
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 4:40 PM
what a boooooring night..........each song sounds the same. Boring sonically and visually. What was Fader thinking?
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 5:00 PM
"like pixies or something 90's and catchy"
Hilarious. On what planet do the Babies' lazy songwriting and tuneless, lethargic singing -- not to mention their amateurish and loose (in a bad way) playing -- sound like the Pixies' intelligent, complex, precise, expertly-played-and-sung music?
(By the way, 'amateurish' and 'loose' can be great if done right -- see the Vaselines, Guided by Voices, or early Pavement. But the Babies don't have any of those bands' gift for turning such qualities into something lively and interesting, let alone their pure songwriting talent.)
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 5:16 PM
hate!!! I hate!!! I am anonymous and I HATE!!!!!
arghhhhh!!!
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 5:52 PM
i don't think anyone that was at this show can deny that it was super packed and super fun.
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 5:53 PM
anyone bitching that real estate is boring live clearly *IS* one of those "best new music scenesters" who never saw them rock the fuck out at market hotel to much smaller crowds
babies are just another lo-fi ramones retread, who cares
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 6:05 PM
Everything was swell with the exception of the 45 minute lull between bands. That was bullshit.
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 6:07 PM
bbowl gotta make dat beer money
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 6:22 PM
gag me with a spoon
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 6:25 PM
90% of the haters weren't even there, it was a lot of fun
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 7:50 PM
"They really showed up Real Estate last night, as well as VGs and Woods, and I like all those bands too! Babies are the one."
Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Let me get this straight: The Babies showed up Vivian Girls, Woods AND Real Estate?? The Holy Triumvirate of Totally Objective Greatness?!? I can't believe it.
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 8:15 PM
cheapest beer is a 5 dollar lager? that is some bullshit
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 8:16 PM
it's gentrified wburg, what do you expect? it was a free show. get liquored up beforehand.
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 8:19 PM
there were lots of hot babies there
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 9:19 PM
$50 bowling is for chumps
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 10:57 PM
Sunny Day Re--wait, whoa. What the fuck is going on here? Derivative name, sound, etc.
TRUST NO ONE UNDER 90 YEARS OLD.
Posted by NIGHTGOAT | January 6, 2010 11:20 PM
pictures look like a point and shoot standing way in the back. what a bust
Posted by Anonymous | January 7, 2010 1:46 AM
(By the way, 'amateurish' and 'loose' can be great if done right -- see the Vaselines, Guided by Voices, or early Pavement. But the Babies don't have any of those bands' gift for turning such qualities into something lively and interesting, let alone their pure songwriting talent.)
Posted by Anonymous | January 6, 2010 5:16 PM
That doesnt sound like hate, that sounds like a good critique. After all the Vivian Girls are pretty sloppy but not in a good way also like
the Vaselines which is a good example.
Its a shame to see all those factories go over seas in Brooklyn and Queens when they could provide nice honest jobs.
Posted by Anonymous | January 7, 2010 4:26 AM
"anyone bitching that real estate is boring live clearly *IS* one of those "best new music scenesters" who never saw them rock the fuck out at market hotel to much smaller crowds"
The sign of greatness: the inability to "rock the fuck out" at Brooklyn Bowl. Sorry I haven't seen this turgid snoozefest more than once, what was I thinking.
Posted by Anonymous | January 8, 2010 12:07 PM
They where amazing! I watched and heard the future that night! Real Estate is the Real Deal
Posted by Dean Pagliei | January 8, 2010 8:40 PM
Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Let me get this straight: The Babies showed up Vivian Girls
Posted by clothes online | April 30, 2010 3:22 PM