words by Alanna Wray, photos by Deneka Peniston & Jason House

Dick Dale on a boat (by Deneka Peniston)

Last Sunday (one day after the Kvelertak show), backlit with our lady of liberty and the east river's special scum, The King of the Surf Guitar, Dick Dale played the perfect venue-- on the water. The Jewel, one of the illustrious Rocks Off Concert Cruise's fleet, is an intimate, rocking (from side to side) host to a plethora of shows "that don't suck". Dick Dale, the Jewel's latest jewel, graciously glutted his steadfast fans with all the classics: from a blistering "Miserlou", to the anthemic "Let's Go Trippin'" and back to a virtuous version of "Amazing Grace" (which filled the East River with more righteousness than the Slocum Ferry Disaster.)

At seventy four years old, Dale plays with the antics and agility of a rock n' roll wood sprite. His seamless set moved with the graceful fluidity of 60 years of refinement, grooving through his time honored originals into epic covers of Rumble, Hava Nagila and House of the Rising Sun.

Jimmy Dale, Dick's fresh-faced nineteen year son, backed on set gyrating the double bass like an arena heavyweight. Bassist Sam Bolle of Agent Orange fame played a soulful House of the Rising Son solo smokey as slow sex. The vibe was fuzzy, the sound was wet, the energy was slap happy, the crowd was authentic. After the show Rocks Off bossman Jake Szufnarowski had Dick Dale sign his arm, which has since become his latest tattoo. Dale ended with a "thank you for being my medicine"... and if Dale's got a musical prescription that good, we're glad he's sharing.

Here are some pictures from the show. They continue below

Continue reading "Dick Dale played a Rocks Off Cruise (pics & review)"

by BBG

Dick Dale shows his MLB colors

Surf guitar great Dick Dale is currently on the road and will swing by NYC for a pair of area dates in late October, none of which are CMJ related. Look for Dale on 10/20 at Maxwell's in Hoboken and 10/23 aboard a Rocks Off Concert Cruise. Tickets for both Maxwell's and the Rocks Off show are on sale. Coincidentally, the film that arguably recharged his popularity, Pulp Fiction, is on blu-ray today.

Just one day before that boat show will be another, more insane boat show with the previouslay announce lineup of Skeletonwitch, Kvelertak, and Tombs, plus new addition Psychic Limb (the BV-BBG/Rocks Off official showcase!). Tickets are still available, or get in with your CMJ badge.

Psychic Limb also play Acheron on Saturday (10/8) with Defeatist (who have a new album), Regents (a new 7"), and the newly added The Year is One (who played Union Pool last week).

And so concludes the world's first Dick Dale/Defeatist/LA Dodgers post. All tour dates and some video is below.

Continue reading "Dick Dale on tour, playing Maxwell's & a boat (one day after Psychic Limb play a boat) ---- dates"

Ani Difranco, RZA & Steve Albini @ 2005 New Yorker Festival (CRED)

The eighth annual New Yorker Festival happens in NYC from October 5-7, 2007. Though not completely announced yet, this year's lineup will include all of those you see in the title, and more....

Continue reading "Diplo, Fiona Apple, Sigur Ros, David Byrne, Roseanne Cash, Yo La Tengo & more for the 2007 New Yorker Festival"