THE SONS & HEIRS, DEAD LETTER OFFICE- Gramercy Theater

Cover Me Impressed,
By Rich Rickaby

The Sons & Heirs (Smith/Morrissey Tribute Band)
Dead Letter Office (R.E.M. Tribute Band)
Gramercy Theater
07/15/17

Is that R.E.M. on stage at The Gramercy? 

I've heard that tribute bands are big in L.A. I've heard a slew of cover bands just by walking down Bourbon Street in New Orleans but Tributes are different. They're there for us to revel in and remind us how we would act when playing albums and singing/yelling and dancing/performing in our Rock and Roll bedrooms, home alone everywhere to the music they emulate.

I was surprised I didn't hear of this event sooner. The Gramercy has become a bit of a Tribute Band House. Wild Child-Doors, Zeppelin II-Led Zeppelin and I think there's been a Pink Floyd band there as well. The Machine? Brit Floyd?. All have been satisfying and at this point, it might be better than seeing the real thing. Not all rockers keep their chops and even if they still had their chops, I've heard stories about the random success of Doors' concerts, so it's a comfort to know that the show you pay for and made an evening for will happen rather than worrying about which Jim is going to show up.

Dead Letter Office, named for R.E.M.'s album of B-Sides was a 5-man line up so they could draw from a range of R.E.M. eras. That's what it says in their bio at least. I was surprised at some of their selection as I'm a big fan of R.E.M. but I don't know the last time I heard them play 'Radio Free Europe.' They seemed to stay with the catalog up to Document. I'm sure they have plenty in their repertoire but being the opening act will limit your time. Still, they did not play, "Man in the Moon, Losing My Relgion, Pop Song '89, Radio Song, Stand, End of the World, Everybody Hurts, Drive." Don't get me wrong, the set was great, I was somewhat surprised it wasn't a Greatest Hits rundown. This was for fans!

Chris Sanchirico, their Michael Stipe, has the voice, moves and knitted cap of the original. Well done, well sung and lots of fun.

David Sommerville, their Peter Buck, handled all the guitar parts with shimmering clarity.

Chuck Eaton, their Mike Mills, handled the bass with aplomb. Mike was one of the actual trained musicians when R.E.M. started and his bass lines are not to be ignored.

Scott Ryan, their Bill Berry, played the drums that gave away some of the intros or counted out the intro attack.

David Shahin, their Scott McCaughey, brought in whatever was needed for any song: Keys, Guitars, Bass.

All members backed on vocals as well.

If you like R.E.M. see Dead Letter Office.

Setlist from their incredible show:

Begin the Begin
Finest Worksong
Second Guessing
These Days
Fall on Me
Disturbance at the Heron House
Driver 8
Harborcoat
Feeling Gravitys Pull
Life and How to Live It
Gardening at Night
Orange Crush
The One I Love
Radio Free Europe

It's a celebration of the music. 

The Sons & Heirs takes the stage next. If you like The Smiths/ Morrissey, I recommend you see The Sons & Heirs.

Sons & Heirs- They sound as good as they look. 

Ronnissey, their Morrissey, has the moves and the sound down and gleefully, and by gleefully I mean in a Morrissonian way, spars with the audience. Encouragement sounds like a back handed compliment but, like with Morrissey, it's cheeky and if you're offended then you stumbled into the wrong show.

Johnny Marr has some pretty big shoes to fill, I mean, as several shirts displayed, he's "Johnny Fucking Marr," so it's impressive that anyone can keep up with that smokey fingered wonder, but keep up Ravi Marr did, though there were some times when you knew Ravi had to laser in because you gotta be on your toes no matter how well you fill the shoes. Great job Ravi.

Fredo Rourke, these names are from their FB Page, I'm not making them up but as you may suspect, he was their bass player and sometimes you knew the song before the lyrics because the bass line was taking you there.

Flax Joyce drummed away an energetic set.

And yes, longtime Morrissey drummer, Spencer was there.

Special performance by Spencer Corbrin with The Sons & Heirs 

Ronnissey was constantly throwing long stemmed flowers out into the audience. They were eventually being thrown back and there was even one girl who made it up onto the stage to give Ronnissey a peck on the cheek before returning to the crowd. I couldn't tell if that was sincere fun and games or a plant for part of the show. If you've ever seen the real thing then you know that one person is not enough. Morrissey would be swarmed with literal hanger-ons.

The overall show started at 9 so at 12:01 Ronnissey announced, "Well, it's Sunday now." So we went wild, knowing that "Every Day Is Like Sunday" would be next.

Below are songs I remember they played, in no particular order.

Again, if you like The Smiths and Morrissey, skip, don't walk to see them.

Owning it in New York City. 

But if you see any tribute band playing that may interest you, check them out and support the live music scene.

Songs:
Panic
Hand In Glove
How Soon Is Now?
Rusholme Ruffians
Every Day Is Like Sunday
Shoplifters of the World Unite
Is It Really So Strange
Ask
Asleep
The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
The Last of the International Playboy

POORCOLIN- Lovecraft

By Rich Rickaby- Contributing Writer, NYC Music Scene
PoorColin
LOVECRAFT
7/13/17
50 Ave. B

*Quick editor note, the name of the venue is LOVECRAFT, as in, you will love the crafts that they offer, total steampunk! You will dig it, thumbs up!
The name of the band is...PoorColin, and just like the crafts, you will love them too!

PoorColin wows the crowd at Lovecraft!

How Rock and Roll New York Music Scene is this?
You have friends at work and Jodi's one of them and her boyfriend Liam's band is playing this Thursday soooooo.....

I mean, that's it, pure and simple people. Of course we love the tales of Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Ramones, Patti Smith, Living Colour, Beastie Boys, Murphy's Law, Sonic Youth, Spin Doctors, Helmet, TV On The Radio and more but here's a band playing it out for the fun of the rock.

Will Poorcolin become one of these NYC bands of note in the  future? and everyone will be jealous when I tell them how I saw them back in the day? I don't know, they did cover songs, mostly from the '80's and they played to their audience, friends and friends of the band coming up next. Maybe they have originals waiting to bust out, we'll see. But for now...

The cover's $10, tell them which band you are there to see*, pay another $10 for a ticket to prove your 1 Drink Minimum (Hey, fair enough people, you try running the show, let alone performing and also, so you know) and take a seat at the side bench or tables or bar because this is NYC and nobody dances unless they don't live in Manhattan. But some did dance and we all had fun and that's what Rock and Roll is for.

As it goes, (Thanks Kurt) I don't see that they have a web site, I don't think they've played out in over a year>Rockers in the hole>but hopefully, they'll play out sooner than later, if not just to bring friends together. So, with no reference for names until I see Jodi, the line up:

Guy on Bassie was in corner so I couldn't see him but he had some moments of accents, nice.

Drummer Guy was drummer guy but there were moments when you could tell he was in it hard, living it.

Same thing with Singer Vocaletta (I mean no offense if I'm using some language the wrong way here) who was at ease singing and cajolling the rest of us.

To make it theirs, ours, yessss, New York still has some quirk to it, I sh*t you not, they had Blue Shirted Strapped Knuckles Cordie on the Accordion. When's the last time you heard a lead accordion in a basement bar?

Lead accordion in a basement bar. 

On Guy-tar was Liam. I know him through direct association with Jodi, and he shined in some solos when he was living it and cursed himself for some flubs earlier. I know because we spoke and I know because I've been there, we've all been there; everything was perfect but this one thing, and that nags you everafter. I played it perfect a thousand times in my room.... Hey if you're gonna Rock and Roll, you're gonna get hurt but it's on your terms because you entered the ring.

So shout out to Porcolin. Let us know your next date and website address and rock on.

Songs I remember:

Because the Night
Heard this while entering with Rock and Roll Buddy Susan. We love Patti/ Patti's version.

99 Red/Luft Balloons
They joked about not playing this song ever when chided by an audience member but lo and behold, it showed up.

Men At Work song...I can't get to sleep...(ashamed I can't title it now, below is my awareness of the lyrics but I'm not looking it up).

I can't get to sleep
I think of the humiliation
Of diving in too deep
And bllllllimagination

Day after day, we are realllllll
Night after night we are soooooo bvfrstlllll
Overkill and fade away

I'm walking in my sleep...

She Came In Through The Bathroom Window
A great rocking selection, Rock and Roll Tiph asked me Who's This? I told her but if you don't know, though she knew them, just not this song, look it up because they're the band that just keeps giving.

I Think We're Alone Now
Yes, they played that and it's so funny to see who was singing along regardless of loving or hating it back then.

Godzilla
Yes! Bonus points, they closed with Godzilla by Blue Oyster Cult. I mean, come on...

The whole gang's there. 

Shout out to The Earthlings! the band after, with a similar bent but with an eye on the 60/70s.

Look at all the crafts offered at LOVECRAFT, very inviting...

*If you're just dropping into a band bar for the music, ask the gate which band has the least support and tell them your gate is for them. Lugging instruments and more to a gig deserves a cab home in and of itself.

ARGONAUT & WASP- American Beauty

Argonaut & Wasp
American Beauty, NYC
7/8/17
Written by and Photos by Rich Rickaby

Theo & Trey

I never heard of Argonaut & Wasp, I never looked them up on SoundCloud, I just said "OK", when concert buddy Bruce asked, "Do you want to go?"

Bruce does all kinds of things Rock & Roll. I don't know if he heard of this band or knew of another band that knew them but he was in touch with them somehow before we showed up, hence, he brought a pair of custom made pants he designed for a Rock and Roll fitting and we were on the guest list.

American Beauty has been around for a while. I'm told I've been there before but under a different name, one of those places, same location, many names. It's a bar up front, bands in the back with pizza and pool upstairs.

Bruce spotted Theo, the Keyboardist and Singer, one of two, for ArgoW and we immediately started talking. Bruce showed him the pants he brought. All were impressed upon the reveal of black denim with silver, glitter striped pants. These are multi-angled stripes, not one way runners. I shared pix of other pants Bruce had designed. Theo immediately split to the dressing room to try them on.

Trey & Alec

With a beer purchase, we get a ticket to redeem for a personal pizza, upstairs. I don't know if they give you a ticket so you know there's an upstairs or if it's their way of feeding inexperienced drinkers before they have the wrong experience.

Eat before drinking, people!

Wonderments aside, the pizza was cooked to order and quite tasty. A game of pool passed the time until we went back downstairs to the gig space, complete with chandelier, and everything changed. Alec, the Bass player was now wearing the pants because they fit. I took some pix and Bruce became more energized, knowing his pants would be taking the stage with the band.

Argonaut and Wasp took the stage and they were great! Bruce had described them "Clubby, but with guitar." I'd say this is accurate enough and go on the note that there was a touch of New Order, The Cure and Talking Heads in their music.

Chris Corsico, The Drummer, kept things moving steady.
Trey Schibili, Guitarist and Singer was solid forward. He sang well, clearly and coaxed the way with his guitar. He didn't fill all the spaces strumming, he has bits and kicks that created part of the overall sound with Keyboardist Theo Klein. Theo has a bit of a David Byrne approach to singing and playing. Bass playing Alec Donkin held down the rhythm with Chris when he didn't break out with some bad ass bass licks of his own.

The energy was of a working band working together and enjoying the set. They were competent and had the audience dancing, or at least moving, no small feat for a NY audience.

Their new song, 'Paradise,' is the only one I remember by name since they said, "This is Paradise, our new song." You can check them out on Soundcloud here.

I enjoyed their performance so much, I did check out their SoundCloud after the show.

I suggest you too listen to their SoundCloud line up once and you will be an instant fan. They do a great cover of The Stones 'Beast Of Burden' funkified. It will be almost impossible to pick one song to be your favorite with all the choices: 'Paradise', 'Loser Like You', 'The Sneeze', 'Planetary', 'Ever Enough', 'Paisley', 'Higher Ground' etc...

I moved to the front to get some pictures and I kept moving by place-dancing but Bruce was full on joy, dancing, but then again he does that at most shows, that is, if the band is good. And these guys were not just good but fantastic, very electrifying.

If you like electronic music you will love ArgoW.

They'll be touring all summer long, check out their website for a schedule of their upcoming shows.
Argonaut & Wasp Website

JOEY MOLLAND'S BADFINGER- City Winery

Written by Backstage Bruce

Joey jamming

      Good times were had by all tonight at the sold-out show at The City Winery. Badfinger was there. It is the summer of 2017, the 50th anniversary of the 'Summer Of Love'. And who, from then, is still out there doing their thing? Maybe a dozen bands? The Stones, Steve Miller, The Who, Blue Oyster Cult, Fleetwood Mac, Moody Blues, Peter Frampton, Chicago, Dead & Co., The Zombies and Badfinger.

     Handpicked for stardom, this was the very first band that The Beatles signed to their new label, Apple in 1968. Paul McCartney wrote their first hit, 'Come And Get It'."If you want it, here it is, come and get it, but you better hurry cause it's going fast". 

Badfinger, back in the day

   

    There were only a few single tickets left when I went to the box office in the afternoon, day of the show. I purchased a 'Bar Stool' seat, for only $25.00 flat, excellent price for a show in NYC, last minute. I was expecting to sit on a bar stool in the very back, right in front of the window looking onto the street, as far away from the stage as possible. That's fine, as long as I was in I was happy. I prefer last rows sometimes, gives you elbow room and space to dance. 

    The host, Zach, walked me to the bar stools by the window and we passed them by, took a right and started heading right toward the stage. There were more bar stool seats lining a wall. Pleasant surprise, I was escorted all the way up to the very first bar stool, halfway in the middle of the place. I got to sit closer than hundreds of people who sat at tables. 

The album cover for 'Straight Up' 

     And since I was on a bar stool I was overlooking the handful of tables of people sitting in front of me. My view was never obstructed throughout the entire performance! I really felt like some V.I.P. Two hours ago I didn't even know if I was getting in and now I'm sitting here, nice. 

     If you're not familiar with Badfinger's history, there are two great documentaries out there: BBC and VH1 Behind The Music. It is absolutely Shakespearian tragic. Dreams come true, they get signed, have hits, suffer major financial loss dealing with super shady businessmen, Stan Polley (boo, hiss), suicide, remaining members fighting over name, at one point two-dueling bands both using the name Badfinger, more legal trouble, another suicide, it just didn't stop. "These were kids, that were bamboozled." Stan Poses- Former VP. Badfinger Ent.

     Fast forward 2017, the only founding member remaining is Joey Molland and he is still going strong. Asked why he keeps touring, he stated "If I don't do it, then who else is going to do these songs? I get to tell the correct story of exactly who wrote what."

     Words to live by, it's showtime...

     The support act was the band The Cryers, they were great, real fun. They were releasing an upcoming album coming out soon, give their website a peek here: The Cryers Website During intermission, very interesting videos of vineyards and grapes being harvested and other wine making techniques were being shown on the screens, very unique.

Looking good for 70

     Badfinger takes the stage. Tonight they are slated to play the album 'Straight Up' in its entirety, Eighteen songs, plus. "Many reviewers now regard it as the band's best album." David Fricke, from Rolling Stone, "Badfinger's power-pop apex". The album was produced by the great Todd Rundgren.

     In 2013, the smash hit series, Breaking Bad concluded. In the series finale, Badfinger's song 'Baby Blue', from the album, 'Straight Up' was featured prominently, which caused a resurgence in the charts.

     They looked fantastic and sounded better. The show was incredible. It was like going back in time. One song flowed effortlessly into the next. In between Joey would tell a little story here and there to keep the record straight as to who wrote what, it was interesting, a rock history lesson.

Joey telling a story

     The band still has a lot of great energy, you could feel it. Joey and his rhythm guitarist took center stage and together they did this amazing eight-minute jam where they just wailed on their axes, absolutely superb.

      Badfinger straight up played 'Straight Up' and the audience loved every note. It was an experience back in time. "The thousand dollar songs" as Joey jokingly referred to his hits were up next: 'Without You', 'No Matter What', to name a few. 

     The show finishes, band leaves to thunderous applause. They return for their encore, Joey says "I never knew 50-years ago when Paul wrote this song for me that I would be singing it for the rest of my life!" Everyone laughed. We knew what was coming next, 'Come And Get It.' 

Joey Molland, Badfinger, Come & Get It, 6/10/17

     It was an awesome night, terrific show, fantastic place.

* Thanks to all resource references: VH1, BBC, Wiki, Band's websites
** Thanks to Getty Images for the great pics.