Riverboat Gamblers @ CBGB, NYC | pics

June 1, 2006

I walked in just as Austin’s Riverboat Gamblers were taking the CBGB stage for the first time. It was 10:45 pm (May 31, 2006), and I know it was their first time at CB’s because the singer excitedly told us how he made this NYC show happen – despite doctors’ warnings that he shouldn’t tour with a newly broken arm AND despite one band member calling out sick (they had a substitute drummer I think). They knew it was his only chance to play CBGB before it closed forever, and he said it was everything he dreamed it would be (“Thank you NYC!”)

CBGB OR BUST

Arm securely in cast, the singer proceeded to thrash around, and jump and climb on anything he could find. That included the pipes, the top of the crowd, and the stage-right raised platform that was being used as a seat by very enthusiastic members of Peelander-Z (in their street clothes).

WE’RE PEELANDER Z, WE’LL HELP YOU UP HERE

Posturing? Maybe. Fun? Definitely. Short? Maybe, but I guess a 40 minute set is normal. Short Encore? Definitely (they came back out and told the crowd to go nuts and then proceeded to play a song that was about ten seconds long – not as short as some S.O.D. songs, but short).