Monochrome-Set-3

The Monochrome Set played 1st NYC show in 30 years (pics), play Maxwell's tonight, Popfest on Friday

photos by PSquared Photography, words by Bill Pearis

The Monochrome Set @ Bowery Electric, 5/27/2013
Monochrome Set

Arch, erudite post punks The Monochrome Set played their first NYC show in over 30 years on Memorial Day (5/27) at Bowery Electric with the pounding drums of their titular theme song leading the charge. Their opening trifecta hit with some of their best-known songs, “The Lighter Side of Dating” and “The Jet Set Junta.” Featuring original members Bid (vocals, guitar) and lead guitarist Lester Square, plus longtime bassist Andy Warren and a fez-wearing drummer, the band and their music — a melange of Spaghetti Western twang, gypsy carnival music and pre-Smiths jangle — have aged gracefully.

Over for NYC Popfest and a few other shows, The Monochrome Set are also plugging a new album, Platinum Coils, which details Bid’s 2010 brush with death via a brain aneurysm, albiet in the band’s typical jaunty, witty style. Songs from the record were sprinkled throughout their set and fit nicely alongside classics like “B-I-D Spells Bid,” “Jacob’s Ladder” and “Eine Symphonie Des Grauens.” After their initial 17-song set, they returned for two encores, playing “Goodbye Joe,” signature single “He’s Frank,” another new song and finally the cowboy-themed “Cast a Long Shadow.”

Though I would’ve liked at least one of their many great instrumentals (“405 Lines” or “The Etcetera Stroll”), it was a pretty satisfying setlist which you can check out below. Plus, Bid promised to mix things up across their three NYC-area shows, the second of which is tonight (5/29) at Maxwell’s (tickets). Their Popfest appearance is Friday (5/31) at Knitting Factory with Math & Physics Club, Cassolette and The Very Most. Tickets are still available for that one too.

Also on the bill were Dot Dash who are made up of mostly DC indie pop vets and will open for The Monochrome Set tonight too. Last year’s Winter Garden Light is quite good and you can stream a track from that below.

Psychedelic locals Your 33 Black Angels were on the bill too. More pictures from Monday’s show below…

Bowery Electric
Dot Dash

Appearing Tonight…
Dot Dash

merch…

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash…

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Dot Dash

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

Your 33 Black Angels

The Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

Monochrome Set

SETLIST: The Monochrome Set @ Bowery Electric, 5/27/2013
The Monochrome Set
Lighter Side of Dating
The Jet Set Junta
Alphaville
Hip Kitten Spinning Chrome
Cauchemar
Streams
Walking with the Beast
Expresso
B-I-D Spells Bid
Forever Young
I’m Happy to Be Here
Waiting for Alberto
Wallflower
Cowboy Country
Jacob’s Ladder
Eine Symphonie Des Grauens

ENCORE
Goodbye Joe
He’s Frank
– new song –
Cast a Long Shadow