Crystal Stilts, Cheap Time & German Measles @ Less Artists More Condos, NYC - pics

November 24, 2008

The show had a late start and sold out just about as the second band started. The space, Less Artists, More Condos was weird in a fun way, or fun in a weird way. It’s a strange feeling to go to a show and realize in line for the bathroom, that you’re really in someone’s house as you stare at their kitchen shelves full of jars of tomato sauce and whole wheat pasta.

German Measles were fun and sloppy, not exactly rockabilly but definitely something the greasers would’ve listened to post-Elvis. And you have to love a drummer with a barely stuck on fake moustache, and a bass player who is a dead ringer for Buddy Holly.

When you see a guy in a band wearing bright red lipstick and guyliner, if you’re me you hope they are more like the New York Dolls and less like Fall Out Boy/the Killers, and Cheap Time (from Nashville) were thankfully definitely more David Johansen than Brandon Flowers. For one brief moment I thought they were opening their set with a Ramones cover, a couple of chord changes and the vocals started, and it turned out I was wrong, but the energy was definitely good ol’ three chord early garage punk.

It was my second time seeing the Crystal Stilts, and for a second time I was surprised by what a great, dance-y party band they actually are, despite all appearances to the contrary.

Tickets are still on sale for the show Crystal Stilts are playing with Love is All at Bowery Ballroom on December 7th. All tour dates HERE. More pictures from Friday night (11/21) below…