photos by Justina Villanueva, words by Black Bubblegum

Napalm Death

The Aquarian: What's the difference in doing a tour like this one with Kataklysm, Trap Them and Abigail Williams --different kinds of bands--as opposed to all grinders?

Barney Greenway of Napalm Death: I think it's good that it's a mixed palette. Let's be honest, for a lot of people that go to gigs, they might not miss it, but do you really want to see almost in some ways a carbon copy of the same thing over and over, even though it might be--depending on your perspective--varying quality within a bill, do you really want to see the same thing over and over? Some people might say yes, but I think for the most part people don't.

I like doing different stuff. I like differences. Coliseum are on there, and they are really quite different certainly from what we do in a lot of ways, but that's a good thing. On a personal level, as a music fan, I appreciate differences. It's nice to have that. I know what I want to do in Napalm, and what I do in Napalm hasn't changed drastically down the years, what I enjoy doing with Napalm, but that doesn't mean to say I don't appreciate other things to complement a bill or whatever. As long as it's exciting to people, it doesn't really matter to me what bands are on the bill, really.

Another rager of a tour that hits Deathfest... Mayhem with Marduk, Cattle Decapitation, Cephalic Carnage, and Withered hits Irving Plaza on 5/21 with Lair Of The Minotaur also on the NYC bill. Tickets for that are still available.

More pics of Toxic Holocaust, Kataklysm, and Napalm Death (didn't take pictures of the rest), below...

Continue reading "Napalm Death, Kataklysm & Toxic Holocaust @ Gramercy Theatre, NYC - pics "

words, by Andrew Frisicano, photos by Fresh Bread

[The Dead's] three performances explored the various sides of the group's persona: the Angel Orensanz Society gig stripped the group down to the trio Lesh, Weir and Haynes and focused on some of Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia's most beloved songs. Fans could both feel the group's fraternal nature and its frailties (the room was so small that when a fan screamed "we miss Jerry" Lesh shot back with "and you think we don't?").

The band's slightly larger show at the Blender Theatre showcased what happens to that chemistry when keyboards and drums are added to those skeletal song structures. In many ways, the middle gig felt the most like Weir's longtime band RatDog -- the most solidified off all The Dead's current side-projects. The 65-mintue show opened with an extended jam that segued into a continuous set of music hinged on "Playin' In The Band," "Good Lovin,'" " The Wheel," "Franklin's Tower" and the encore of "Touch of Grey." "The Wheel," in particular, symbolized the evening's theme as Weir, Lesh and Haynes sang the line "bound to cover just a little more ground" to a room of people scurrying across town to make it to all three performances.

While the night's two preceding performances were limited to a shade over an hour, the group's Roseland gig clocked in at over 100 minutes and had the feel of one of the group's trademark, exploratory second sets. Like both of The Dead's earlier performances, venue staff also let in ticketless fans as the show drew near. [Jambands.com]

The Dead tour this spring with 4 NYC-area shows, visiting Nassau Coliseum, Madison Square Garden and the IZOD Center. The tour will be their first in five years, and includes a July 4th Rothbury, MI Rothbury Music Festival

Pictures from the band's Gramercy show, with all three set lists, below...

Continue reading "The Dead played Angel Orensanz, Roseland Ballroom & Gramercy Theatre - pics & setlists"

Your Chance To Win Tickets to The Dead

The Dead today confirmed they'll perform three shows on Mon., March 30 in NYC at 3 different venues: an acoustic set (Bob Weir/Phil Lesh/Warren Haynes) at Angel Orensanz (showtime 5pm), an electric full-band (incl. Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Jeff Chimenti) set at The Gramercy Theatre (showtime 8pm) and the electric finale at Roseland (showtime 11pm).

Here's your chance to win tickets to one of these shows! Enter your information below and the lucky winners will be randomly selected and then notified via email. Some restrictions apply, so please click the link at the bottom of this page for the official rules.

This sweepstakes begins at 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time (12:00:00 noon Pacific Time) on Friday, March 27, 2009 and ends at 6:59:59 PM Eastern Time (3:59:59 PM Pacific Time) on Friday, March 27, 2009. Good luck!

The Dead are also playing The View on the same day, and going on tour in April.

We have formed a recording unit Called BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE. We intend to put out different types of my music - from industrial to meditative to songs and all subway stops in between. Our first release is a live recording of 2 great nights live at the REDCAT in L.A. THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE. You can download it at various qualities as per your download taste. We include some pics by me. We will be putting it out as A2X CD soon - CREATE!
--Lou Reed

These two special live concert recordings of non-vocal music featuring Lou on guitar and electronics, Ulrich Krieger on tenor sax and live-electronics, and Sarth Calhoun on live processing and Fingerboard Continuum are available EXCLUSIVELY from THIS website. You can purchase both concerts in a variety of digital and physical formats, including a limited edition Deluxe Package featuring photography by Lou Reed.

You can stream some Metal Machine Trio, below...

Continue reading "Lou Reed is making noise with METAL MACHINE TRIO - playing 2 nights @ Gramercy and/or Blender"

Opened in 1937 as the Gramercy Park Theatre, a name it kept into at least the early 1950's. The Gramercy Theatre was recently used for the Museum of Modern Art's films. It was also the location shoot used in the Fugees video "Killing me Softly".

Since closing for movies it has re-opened in 2007 as the Blender Theatre at Gramercy, a concert venue operated by Live Nation. [Cinema Treasures]

photos by Leia Jospe

During the Cool Kids' set Mickey Factz came out for one song.

They had a dance contest to win copies of their album and a "best joke" contest to win two NBA xbox 360 games. Jokes included: "So a mushroom walks into a bar and the bartender goes, 'hey! we don't like your kind around here.' the mushroom replies, 'but i'm a fungi!'" He won for "having the balls to come up and say that on stage"....So many fangirls..." -Leia

The Cool Kids are going on tour with Q-Tip. More pictures from Tuesday night's show below...

Continue reading "the Cool Kids & the Carps @ the Gramercy, NYC - pics"

My Brightest Diamond @ Gramercy Theatre, NYC - Nov 17, 2007 (CRED)

It's that time of year again!! This year we will be having a combined celebration for the staff of Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza and Blender Theater at Gramercy. Here's the important info:

When: Friday, December 7, 2007 from 8PM-11PM

Where: Downstairs lounge at Gramercy (127 E. 23rd just in case you didn't know...)

What: Karaoke!! And other good times...

Drinks: BYOB- sorry guys, this is a no-budget party, not to mention you people drank a warehouse worth last year... Seriously, please bring a bottle of your favorite booze or wine or a six pack o beer (or your fave Snapple drink if you don't drink alcohol.)

Snacks: Some will be provided BUT if you feel like baking (Jesse Bellin), we all love treats!!

After Party: TBD (but you know there will be one!!)

I think that about covers it! Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Looking forward to having a cup 'o holiday cheer with all of you!!