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Tits of Clay (indie-connected Hedwig Broadway band) making an LP, played guest-filled shows, playing benefit tonight w/ Michael C Hall & more +++++ John Cameron Mitchell returning as Hedwig!!!

photos by Amanda Hatfield

Tits of Clay (w/ guest Stephen Trask) @ Mercury Lounge – 10/27/14
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Tits of Clay played small NYC club Mercury Lounge three times already. The first show completely slipped my radar until I heard afterwards that Neil Patrick Harris performed multiple Hedwig songs on stage with them in the very small space, to warm up for his role as Hedwig on Broadway (watch video below). That was when Neil was still rehearsing for the role which which he went on to win a Tony for. He was since replaced by Andrew Rannells (Girls) who was replaced by Michael C. Hall who continues in the role until January 18, 2015. Michael was originally scheduled to end January 4th, and…

The extension announcement comes hot on the heels of [NOW COMFIRMED] rumors that John Cameron Mitchell, who created and starred in the original off-Broadway production, might return to the role on Broadway.

“We are exploring multiple options beyond Michael C. Hall’s run in the show,” said Hedwig producer David Binder, who recently chastized the fan who swiped one of Hall’s wigs from the stage. [Advocate]

John Cameron Mitchell returning as Hedwig!!

Bob Mould w/ Stephen Trask & 1/2 of Tits of Clay backstage on Broadway – 8/9/14
Bob Mould and Hedwig

The cast of Hedwig & the Angry Inch is small. It’s basically a one-person show, though Hedwig’s husband Yitzhak also has a notable role. Both actors are backed by Hedwig’s four-piece rock and roll band whose Broadway version has an off-stage alter-ego Tits of Clay. That’s the name they use when they sometimes play Mercury Lounge with special guests, including the time Neil showed up, and the time we took the pictures which are in this post. Tits of Clay play mostly covers at these shows, but also do an original or two from the PledgeMusic-funded album they’re recording.

Tits of Clay‘s members were cast by Hedwig co-creator and composer Stephen Trask, and some of those musicians have appeared on the pages of BrooklynVegan before they landed this sweet job. That includes Justin Craig who plays the role originally played by Trask in the off-Broadway Jane St Theater production. Justin is also a member of These United States. Tim Mislock is a sometimes-member of the Antlers and plays as Holly Miranda‘s guitarist, and solo as Abandoned Lighthouse. Drummer Peter Yanowitz you’ll recognize from Morningwood, The Wallflowers, Natalie Merchant’s band, Exclamation Pony, and more. The fourth member is Matt Duncan (who also makes his own music).

Tits of Clay
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Tits of Clay’s next not-Broadway performance is TONIGHT/Sunday (12/7) at the venue formerly known as Don Hill’s where Hedwig all started, and lots of guest are lined up for the pricey ticket benefit…

On December 7 Hedwig and the Angry Inch composer/lyricist/co-creator Stephen Trask and punk rockers Tits of Clay (the off-stage alter ego of the band performing as the Angry Inch in the current Broadway production of the show) return to the site of the show’s genesis–the world famous Don Hill’s, soon to re-open as The Hills NYC–to play a special Hedwig-themed tribute to legendary booker, promoter and club owner Don Hill. Special guests will include Broadway’s current Hedwig, Michael C. Hall, Broadway’s current Yitzhak (and frontwoman of The Deafening) Lena Hall, rocker David Johansen, The B-52’s Fred Schneider and Hedwig’s original Yitzhak, Miriam Shor, plus an opening set performed by OURS. The show benefits Road Recovery, a New York-based nonprofit dedicated to helping young people battle addiction and other adversities by harnessing the influence of entertainment industry professionals who have confronted similar crises and now wish to share their experience, knowledge, and resources.

Tickets and information available HERE.

Hedwig

As mentioned in that blurb, Lena Hall also plays in the Deafening who have their own show coming up at Highline Ballroom on January 26..

You also could (and should) get tickets to see Hedwig on Broadway.

Tits of Clay have played Mercury Lounge three times. The first one was the time Neil showed up and sang eight Hedwig songs. The second one was less-star-studded, but included guest vocals by Shannon Connelly of Lez Zeppelin who is Yitzhak understudy on Broadway, original Yitzhak Miriam Shor, current Yitzhak Lena Hall (who also won a Tony for the role), and Stephen Trask. At that one they played a set of covers (Lou Reed, Roxy Music, Gang of Four, Joan Jett, etc), a great original, and two Hedwig songs in the encore, most notably “Random Number Generation” with the original and current Yitzhaks singing together (video below).

The third Mercury Lounge show was a Lou Reed tribute and featured Lena Hall, Shannon Conley, and Stephen Trask, but added Chantal Claret (Morningwood frontwoman) and Theo Kogan (Lunachicks) to the mix. More pictures from that, along with the above-mentioned videos and stuff, below…

Random Number Generation,’ Lena Hall, Miriam Shor, Mercury Lounge, NYC

Angry Inch Tits of Clay w/Stephen Trask Miriam Shor and Lena Hall

Tits of Clay @ Mercury Lounge – 10/27/14

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2014-10-27 TITS OF CLAY @ Mercury Lounge, New York (Transformer – a Memorial for Lou Reed)

Neal Patrick Harris w/ Tits of Clay @ Mercury Lounge – 3/15/2014