Remembering Cake Shop (pics, video, tributes)
Lower East Side mainstay Cake Shop closed after 11 years over the weekend. Shellshag were the last band to play the Ludlow St venue, as part of the New Year’s Eve celebration that also had owner Andy Bodor performing as well. Andy was the heart and soul of Cake Shop and his vision (and impeccable taste) fueled it and kept things weird right to the end. This was a place named after a Swell Maps song, whose interior featured a giant photo of heroes Ron & Russel Mael of Sparks, and championed the likes of R. Stevie Moore, Eugene Chadbourne, and ’80s Flying Nun. It’s a wonder it lasted as long as it did.
The penultimate night (12/30) was the real last hurrah, with mid-’00s band caUSE co-MOTION and Hamish Kilgour’s Mad Scene reuniting just for the event (Andy played bass on a few Mad Scene songs), plus sets from Future Punx, Cassie Ramone (who pulled out some Vivian Girls songs), Air Waves’ Nicole Schneit and 178 Project (ft. Sal of Liquid Liquid). Andy and his brother (and Cake Shop co-owner) Nick gave heartfelt speeches, saying they hope to open a new spot in Brooklyn in 2017.
Below we’ve rounded up remembrances from friends and artists who played Cake Shop over the last decade, as well as photos and videos.
Cake Shop, you were one of a kind. That tinsel curtain, and the string lights dangling from the foam sound insulation, are as iconic a backdrop as any in NYC. You will be missed, and we look forward to seeing what you have planned next.
—
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOu9hD_gWGp/?tagged=shellshag
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOsnFx9jQUP/?taken-at=268255&hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOqxuV2jYoX/?taken-at=268255&hl=en
Wish I was able to be at the last few nights @CakeShopNYC – threw so many CMJ parties there – thank you Andy for always being rad to us
— Force Field (@forcefieldpr) December 31, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOnSkUdAJRO/?taken-by=ameliaaahh
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOqv4yfDpCe/?taken-at=268255&hl=en
GOODBYE CAKE SHOP @CakeShopNYC @andybodes https://t.co/nF4LsR8P25
— DIIV (@DIIV) December 31, 2016
.@futurepunx playing the last show ever at @CakeShopNYC
I saw their first show ever there three years ago. 💔— MERCURY GIRLS (@MERCURYGRRLS) December 31, 2016
Cake Shop, our home away from home 🎂 pic.twitter.com/3v6pPwCliA
— MERCURY GIRLS (@MERCURYGRRLS) December 27, 2016
Oh man. Bummed @CakeShopNYC is closing! Loved stopping by for a beer when in the LES.
— Matt Braunger (@Braunger) December 30, 2016
@CakeShopNYC 💔💔💔
We love you guys. Won't be the same coming through NYC without ya. #cakeshopforever pic.twitter.com/5PuOPREG2P
— PAWS (@wehavepaws) December 30, 2016
Bye bye @CakeShopNYC 😭 pic.twitter.com/m9x5x1TLJ3
— GIMME TINNITUS 🎶 (@gimmetinnitus) December 30, 2016
Sad that I'm missing the final nights of @CakeShopNYC – Andy Bodor will get sainthood soon enough.
— KEVIVERSE / aka kevinhairs, thelilhospital, hairs (@IAmTheKeviverse) December 30, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOhipmPDmDO3OLKIxTyLlGsoL4qW08s-0a58XI0/?taken-at=268255&hl=en
I will always love you
— Larkin Grimm (@larkingrimm) December 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/ZOLAJESUS/status/814214060564774912
https://twitter.com/ZOLAJESUS/status/814213315299840000
I did shows at @CakeShopNYC yrs ago- always been one of my fave NYC places. Amazing they hung on for so long. @andybodes deserves the rest !
— Todd Patrick (@toddpatrick) December 28, 2016
Sorry to hear @CakeShopNYC is closing. We made this video there 4 years ago.https://t.co/NvaaJ1PZyV
— Jason Narducy (@SplitSingleband) December 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/HeavenlyBeatny/status/813882161812082688
RIP @CakeShopNYC. we might not be a band had it not been for all the inspiring shows we saw there & all the fun ones we got a chance to play
— YVETTE (@___YVETTE___) December 27, 2016
This is just to say @CakeShopNYC is the best, most sweaty spot to enjoy life, & we totally lied about our draw to play there our 1st year.
— 🏳️⚧️ Teen Girl Scientist Monthly 🏳️🌈 (@TeenGirlSciMo) December 27, 2016
Playing at @CakeShopNYC is a singular NYC experience and listening to a band there late at night is only barely less transcendent.
— 🏳️⚧️ Teen Girl Scientist Monthly 🏳️🌈 (@TeenGirlSciMo) December 27, 2016
RIP @CakeShopNYC, no more reason to play LES now. Thnx for giving me my first show ever and letting me play one of your last. see you 12/29
— HOLY TUNICS (@HolyTunics) December 27, 2016
also memorable was the time
I discovered the secret @surferblood show from a twitter clue attended by like 30 ppl.— Michael Lawrence (@MikeWashLaw) December 27, 2016
Sick over news that @CakeShopNYC is closing. My 1st home in NYC. Had my show there for 5 lucky years. Saw R. Stevie Moore & Greg Ginn for $5
— Kate Berlant (@kateberlant) December 27, 2016
Just heard sad news of @CakeShopNYC closing on NYE. To say this venue was important to me is an understatement, go visit before it closes! https://t.co/o7tQkPQXoZ
— Bryan Brinkman (@bryanbrinkman) December 27, 2016
Gonna miss @CakeShopNYC we played so many good shows there. It was one of the few spots in Manhattan that was hospitable to young/new bands
— Dinowalrus (@DINOWALRUS) December 27, 2016
Thankful for 10+ years of @CakeShopNYC
— Ava Luna (@avalunagroup) December 27, 2016
this was like the only place i ever enjoyed playing in manhattan 😿 https://t.co/hUujkDeCmQ
— speedy ortiz ÷ sad13 ÷ sadie dupuis ÷ haunted guy (@sad13) December 27, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Luhsek8VRA4
happy new year 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f_-s80SUMY