"When I stopped into Black Betty last night [June 15th] around 8:30pm, there was an eerie sense of calm and night-like-every-other-nightliness in the air. The kitchen was smoky, the waitresses conferring about honoring reservations, and the tables populated, but not overly cluttered. It was hard to believe this place that embodied so much of Williamsburg's spirit would never again open its doors.

About two months ago, partners Bud Schmeling and Sandy Glover were given the sad news that they would not have the opportunity to renew their lease on Black Betty (366 Metropolitan Ave), the restaurant/music venue that has become a beloved neighborhood institution. Despite holding fundraisers in preparation to meet the rising rent of the neighborhood, and operating a business that, even in the worst of economic times, has flourished, Schmeling reports his landlord signed over the space to another restaurateur without notice or explanation, leaving Black Betty and her devoted patrons without a home." [Williamsburg Greenpoint News + Arts]

Rev. Vince Anderson and his Love Choir played the final show at the Brooklyn venue. Jonathan Toubin was in the house during that performance and tweeted that "Reverend vince and his love choir are breathing fire!" After the show, Chris said, "Closing night at Black Betty with the Rev was one of the most amazing musical experiences I've ever heard." Reverend Vince himself says, "Thanks to everyone that came to the show last night. I love you all."

According to Brooklyn Based, "Stephen Tanner, currently of Egg and formerly of Pies'n'Thighs, will take over the Black Betty space." The above picture is an actual screenshot of what Black Betty's website looks like today.

Video of the Rev performing in 2006, and other videos shot at the club, below...

Continue reading "Black Betty, RIP "

photos by Tim Griffin

"Child Ballad w/ Tiger Saw, The Wailing Wall and Emilyn Brodsky (EARLY SHOW) We ( Stewart S. Lupton and a Couple of Pirates) are boarding the ship , the lip, the the cape of the stage around 9, maybe 9:30, pirate time. Take the N & the ARRGHH. This show is dedicated to the BALLAD'S new god daughter, one beautiful BEATRICE BLUE COE MULLIN. May she grow up to be a cowboy, lawyer, or some other form of outlaw. Haven't played in N.Y.C. in some time. Been spending most of time assembling the final galleys of 1st poetry book, illustrated by Dame Darcy of Meat Cake ( Fantagraphics) and Gasoline (Merrill) fame, Jamie Hince from the Kills, and Jennifer "J.J."Herrema of Royal Trux, RTX, among others, not the least of whom is BEATRICE'S FATHER, best of brothers blood , KEVIN Regan MULLIN, American Artist / Actor and Professional Best Friend. If you haven't heard of him yet, you will, mark my scars. In the mean times, The Ballads have grown in scope, wrotE some new songs , stole even more. Come with cheap wine for yr playtime, hickeys and scurvy, and tread the boards lightly, and make out to sea shanties penned for a one year old.. see you @ the naughty nautical nite.... keep a weather eye on the horizon." [The Childballads]

That's how The Childballads described Saturday night (4/25)'s show at Public Assembly in Brooklyn. It was an early show. They were the headliners and went on around 9:40, and were finished about 45 minutes later which was when the laser lights came on for the dance party happening right afterwards. Besides breaking the smoking-indoors law, no crazy behavior by Stewart to report. More pictures below...

Continue reading "The Childballads @ Public Assembly, NYC - pics "

DOWNLOAD: The Child Ballads - Cheekbone Hollows (MP3)

First The Hives and The Vines, and now The Kills announce tour dates. If The Thrills come out with any tour dates, then I will be officially be beyond confused. For some reason I have trouble keeping track of which of these bands is which in my head.

In March the Kills play SXSW. Then they take a long break. Then the UK band start touring at the end of April with Brooklyn band Telepathe. That includes a show May 1st at Webster Hall. On May 14th opening duties are taken over by The Child Ballads - a NYC band that features Stewart Lupton of Jonathan Fire*Eater. All tour dates below....

Continue reading "The Kills - 2008 Tour Dates w/ Telepathe, Child Ballads"