The Menzingers, Big Eyes & Cheerbleeders played Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ (BV-RB #SoundSelect pics)

photos by Drew Gurian

The Menzingers / Big Eyes / Cheerbleeders – 4/11/15 in New Brunswick
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The Menzingers and Big Eyes played their first of two BrooklynVegan-curated Red Bull Sound Select shows on Saturday night (4/11). The next one is at Baby’s in Brooklyn on 4/14. This one was at New Brunswick, NJ’s Court Tavern. Menzingers’ Philly neighbors Cheerbleeders were also on the bill.

Court Tavern is a pretty tiny place for The Menzingers, whose last headlining NYC show was the much bigger Webster Hall last year, and the show got as nuts as you’d expect it would. Pretty much 90% of the room was a constantly moving pit with moshers, pushers, crowd surfers, and almost all of them yelling along. The band seemed like they were in a great mood too, and gave us favorite after favorite like “The Obituaries,” “Gates,” “Casey,” “Irish Goodbyes,” “In Remission,” and plenty more. Plus they ended their set with a cover of Rancid’s “Roots Radicals” (something they’ve been doing a lot lately), which was as fun as their originals. Just about everyone walked out of there smiling and a sweaty mess.

Big Eyes, despite their van breaking down on the way to the show, were as tight and technically flawless as ever, and hopefully happy to be back in one of their old hoods. The three piece indie/punk rock band, now living in Brooklyn, has lived in Seattle, NYC, and New Brunswick.

Cheerbleeders, with a bit less material to work with, were the perfect opener, charming and fun (they even told jokes). Summer Rice has a great voice, and the crowd was into their varying punk rock style, Bikini Kill cover and anti-cop song included. They expressed their excitement at sharing a bill with the Menzingers, and showed their excitement for Big Eyes when at least two members were rocking out front row. At the merch table, where they encouraged people to come say hi to them, I heard them say that they’re playing the next seven Saturdays in a row, starting with a free Record Store Day gig (presumably all in their hometown of Philly)

Brett Davis (as a Rutgers liberal arts professor), who recently took over Chris Gethard’s time slot on public access TV, recited poems and introduced the bands. (except for Menzingers because they went on early).

BV’s Andrew Sacher DJ’d a night of punk songs in the upstairs bar and downstairs between sets — you can browse the playlist for that below.

If you missed it, or you need round 2, The Menzingers and Big Eyes do it again in Brooklyn on Tuesday (4/14) at Baby’s All Right, this time with Crazy & the Brains on the bill too. Brett’s hosting and Andrew’s DJing again. The 18+ show is $3 with RSVP ($10 without, no advance tickets), and admission is first come, first served, even if you RSVPed. Get there early (you can get a $1 taco while you wait)!

More pictures from Court Tavern below…


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Waiting in line for #menzingers

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More of a jazz guy!

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Menzingers at the Court Tavern. 4-11-15 New Brunswick, NJ #courttavern #menzingers #hubcity

A photo posted by Rob Gnarly (@robgnarlyartwork) on

The Menzingers! #themenzingers #courttavern

A photo posted by Catherina Tucher (@catherinazst) on

#lastnight #undergroundarts #cheerbleeders #pissedjeans

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Beers. Bands. Buds.

A photo posted by Zach Edelman (@zach_edelman) on

#CrowdSurfCam #menzingers #newbrunswick #nj #hubcity

A video posted by Rob Gnarly (@robgnarlyartwork) on

stereotypical "hardcore kid" picture #trapqueen #themezingers #bestfriend #ihateyou #hardcore #scenekids

A photo posted by Becky Florczak (@beckitoflo) on

Hell of a great time tonight! #themenzingers #darkhorsepercussion

A photo posted by Dark Horse Percussion (@darkhorsepercussion) on

Playlist from DJ set
The Lawrence Arms – Porno and Snuff Films
The Lillingtons – War Of The Worlds
Rocket From The Crypt – I’m Not Invisible
Murder City Devils – 18 Wheels
Radio Birdman – New Race
Misfits – Attitude
Operation Ivy – Knowledge
Social Distortion – Mommy’s Little Monster
Agent Orange – Bloodstains
The Germs – Lexicon Devil
Black Flag – Nervous Breakdown
Adolescents – I Hate Children
The Bouncing Souls – That Song
Hot Water Music – Remedy
Samiam – Capsized
Jawbreaker – Boxcar
Rancid – Nihilism
The Sex Pistols – Anarchy In the UK
The Distillers – Drain the Blood
The Damned – Neat Neat Neat
Crass – Do They Owe Us A Living?
Gorilla Biscuits – No Reason Why
7 Seconds – Not Just Boys Fun
Lifetime – Young, Loud, and Scotty
Paint It Black – Pink Slip
Avail – Simple Song
AFI – He Who Laughs Last
The Vandals – It’s A Fact
Descendents – Myage
Bad Religion – Supersonic
Dead Kennedys – California Uber Alles
Dead Boys – Sonic Reducer
The Runaways – Cherry Bomb
The Replacements – Takin A Ride
The Queers – Punk Rock Girls
Vision – Close Minded
Stiff Little Fingers – Suspect Device
The Undertones – Teenage Kicks
Bikini Kill – Rebel Girl
Ramones – Rockaway Beach
Bad Brains – Sailin’ On
Fugazi – Merchandise
Shelter – Here We Go
Alkaline Trio – Madame Me
Hey Mercedes – Our Weekend Starts on Wednesday
Hot Water Music – Freightliner
Title Fight – Shed
Dillinger Four – Doublewhiskeycokenoice
The Bronx – Heart Attack American
Minor Threat – I Don’t Wanna Hear It
Blink-182 – Pathetic
MDC – Business On Parade
Piebald – American Hearts
Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American
New Found Glory – Hit Or Miss
The Hotelier – Life In Drag
Brand New – Jude Law And A Semester Abroad
Sick Of It All – Clobberin’ Time / Pay the Price
Kid Dynamite – News At 11
Modern Life Is War – D.E.A.D.R.A.M.O.N.E.S.
Cock Sparrer – Take ’em All
Buzzcocks – Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)?
Modern Baseball – Your Graduation
Joyce Manor – Beach Community
Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers – Born To Lose
Saves the Day – Firefly
Texas Is The Reason – Johnny On The Spot
Cock Sparrer – Riot Squad
Green Day – Brat
The Offspring – Nitro (Youth Energy)
H2O – Everready
Guttermouth – End on 9
Pennywise – Living For Today
Ash – Jack Names THe Planets
Dinosaur Jr – Grab It
Bad Religion – GIve You Nothing
Nirvana – Breed
Goo Goo Dolls – Long Way Down
Danzig – Twist Of Cain
Quicksand – Fazer
Jawbox – Savory
Ramones – The KKK Took My Baby Away
The Sex Pistols – Bodies
Richard Hell and the Voidoids – Blank Generation
New York Dolls – Personality Crisis
Alice Cooper – No More Mr. Nice Guy
Sweet – Ballroom Blitz
Metallica – Motorbreath