photos by David Andrako

Gabriel & the drummers of Takka Takka & the National

A>G>E opened the early show at Mercury Lounge on Tuesday night (Valentine's Day). A>G>E is the project of Josh Wise (formerly of French Kicks), and drumming for him was Nick Stumpf (French Kicks drummer, Caveman producer). Walt Martin from the Walkmen was playing bass.

As advertised, headliner Gabriel & the Hounds (aka Gabe Levine of Takka Takka) was joined by many friends during his new-record-celebrating set including Bryan Devendorf of the National & Conrad Doucette of Takka Takka on drums, and a horn section featuring members of the National & Beirut (Kyle Resnick on trumpet, Ben Lanz on trombone, and Michael Atkinson on french horn). Phil Palazzolo, who engineered the Hounds record, was playing guitar (you also know him from the bands of Neko Case & AC Newman and elsewhere). Nate Lithgow, who also plays in My Brightest Diamond & other bands, played bass.

Here are some pictures from the show. More of them, including a shot of the setlist, below...

Continue reading "Gabriel and the Hounds, A>G>E & friends played Mercury Lounge (pics)"

words & photos by BBG

8PM marked the start of two killer back to back shows at Knitting Factory on 10/30, the first of which featured crusty Japanese hardcore band AGE with Hellshock, Atakke, Perdition, and Cervix. The show was one of two that night for AGE/Hellshock, as the pair ended up playing a surprise show later at Acheron with Kakka Hatta 77 and Acid Reflux.

Of the touring parties, Hellshock crammed the most kids into the room, but it was AGE that impressed me the most with their wildman hardcore antics and foul riffs. Hellshock's death metal vocals over thrash-y d-beat were also well executed, as was the always dependable Atakke. Perdition was probably the single most violent set of the night. They inciting frenzied moshing to go along with their vocalists' out-of control stage antics (whipping around the stage, swinging the mic stand and smashing things with its base).

It was an awesome (Mischief) night of crust-y punk extremity that continued as the clock struck midnight and it turned Halloween. That's when Krieg & Woe took over the venue to darken things a bit... More about the late Krieg/Woe show is on the way, but for now dig on the moshpits, the costumes, and the massacre that was AGE & Hellshock, below...

Continue reading "AGE, Hellshock, Attake, Perdition & Cervix played Mischief Night @ Knitting Factory (pics) "

by BBG

Dan Lilker and Kevin Sharp on stage with Brutal Truth (more by Samantha Marble)

Dan Lilker and Kevin Sharp just played Europa with Brutal Truth. Now the grind band has scheduled a new show with Venomous Concept, their side project with Shane Embury and Danny Herrera of Napalm Death. Europa gets the look on September 23rd, tickets are on sale. The show is the lone US date thus far, with a string of dates in Japan currently on tap for the weeks prior. So far, no word on the upcoming Wolfbrigade and Bruce Banner splits or the upcoming album the the band discussed late last year.

Just a few weeks before that Europa will also play host to Japanese hardcore badasses Systematic Death, who will take the stage with the mighty Dropdead (!) for a show at Europa on September 18th. Tickets are on sale. The show is so far the lone date for Systematic Death, though Dropdead has a local show at AS220 in their native Providence, RI on 8/14.

And while we're on the subject of Japanese hardcore, A.G.E. are scheduled to tear down Knitting Factory with the freight train known as Hellshock (!) with support from Parasytic, Cervix, Perdition. The show goes down on devil's night (Oct 30th, how appropo) and tickets are on sale. Hellshock's They Wait For You Still dropped in the tail end of last year. Again, no other US dates for A.G.E. so far.

All Venomous Concept dates and some video below...

Continue reading "Venomous Concept schedule a NYC show, Systematic Death, Dropdead, A.G.E. & Hellshock too (dates) "