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Self Defense Family, Walter Schreifels & Deep Pockets played the Iron Pier/BV showcase at Acheron during CMJ (pics)

photos by Amanda Hatfield

Self Defense Family / Walter Schreifels & the Dead Heavens
Self Defense Family
Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

“We’re competing with Obits,” Self Defense Family lead singer Patrick Kindlon proudly declared last night on stage at The Acheron. “You don’t know them? They’re ex-members of that other band I don’t give a shit about.”

Never afraid to talk some shit and drop some names, Kindlon’s onstage rants are what audiences have come to expect from Self Defense Family’s live shows. Acutely aware of his niche (between DIY post-punk and 90s experimental rock) and the fact that their Brookyn Vegan/Iron Pier sponsored CMJ showcase was technically unofficial, Kindlon stood at the crossroads between criticizing the things other bands would deem off-limits, and defensively throwing himself under the bus before anyone else could. Unlike bands on official CMJ shows, Self Defense Family, also known as Self Defense and formerly known as End of a Year, did not come to a tiny room in Brooklyn to become the next big thing – truly, they were there for the music alone.

…”The Family comprises a collective, with myriad members contributing to the incessant cycle of releases and ever-changing live lineup. One never knows who to expect to see on stage, nor can they predict how familiar songs will be interpreted for that specific lineup. Using a model of improvisation, even tracks like “Tithe Pig” and “Turn the Fan On” from the band’s latest full-length, Try Me, felt unfamiliar live. [Cultivora]

The Iron Pier showcase during CMJ week (co-presented by BrooklynVegan) went down at the Acheron this past Thursday (10/23), headlined by the eclectic post-hardcore collective Self Defense Family. It also featured post-hardcore veteran Walter Schreifels‘ (Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, etc) new blues rock-inspired band The Dead Heavens, and an opening set from locals Deep Pockets. If you made it out, what did you think?

Pictures of the show are in this post and continue below…

SDF

Deep Pockets

Deep Pockets

Deep Pockets

Deep Pockets

Deep Pockets

Deep Pockets

Deep Pockets

Deep Pockets

Deep Pockets

Deep Pockets

Deep Pockets

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Walter Schreifels and the Dead Heavens

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family

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Self Defense Family

Self Defense Family