Posted by The G on May 23, 2012 under G Reviews | 
Photos by G.
Shirley Manson of Garbage
I am so pleased to utter a sentence I’ve been waiting to say for seven years: Garbage is back! The alt-rock quartet made their return to the New York stage on May 22, 2012, with a way-sold out show at Webster Hall. In the mid-90s when Garbage first hit the scene, they were able to penetrate my ears when I was basically only listening to classic rock, 80s music and R&B/funk. Bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana did nothing for me at the time because I just couldn’t understand the usage of screeching guitars in the music, but Garbage brought me over to the “dark side,” if you will. Also, in the pre-mix CD/iPod era, our musical attention spans were much greater and I remember wearing out (and never skipping tracks on) Garbage’s self-titled debut as well as Version 2.0 (which would rank high on my top albums of all time list, should I ever get around to making one). I mention these two types of feelings because I heard them expressed over and over again at their show.
Shirley Manson of Garbage
At the stroke of 9 PM, the wait at last was over. Garbage hit the stage and for nearly 2 hours, they slayed the audience with a hit-packed set that was anything but garbage. Before the night was over, the band played the first track off each of their 5 records, generous selections from each album, including their new and independently released record “Not Your Kind of People,” their two soundtrack hits (“The World Is Not Enough” from the James Bond movie of the same name and “#1 Crush” from “Romeo and Juliet”) as well as a few non-single gems like “Metal Heart” and “Supervixen.”
Duke Erikson of Garbage
Garbage has so many hits that most bands would have saved tracks like “Stupid Girl,” “Only Happy When It Rains,” “Push It” or “Why Do You Love Me” for the encore, but instead, they were just peppered into the main set, which of course made the crowd go extra wild. Shirley Manson talked about how it was great to be back and in the 7 years that they’ve been away, they’ve gone through a lot personally with new additions to families and many losses as well. She also introduced the band, something very uncommon to see at a Garbage concert (and I know as I’ve seen them many times in many different sized venues).
Steve Marker of Garbage
The show, which will be on my top shows list of 2012 (out of hundreds of bands I will see before this year is up), had so many highlights that it’s hard to even think of all of them. However, the second song of the night “Temptation Waits” with its wonderful lyrics such as “I’ll tell you something/I am a wolf but I like to wear sheep’s clothing” got the crowd revved up and before launching into the lyrics of “#1 Crush,” Shirley sang the chorus of Madonna’s “Erotica.” It was also great to hear “Cherry Lips” from their last album “Bleed Like Me” and the new single “Blood For Poppies.”
Shirley Manson of Garbage
With a 21 song set list, there’s no way to complain about song omissions, but just to show how many great songs Garbage have, here’s s a few singles that were not played: When I Grow Up, Special, You Look So Fine, Androgyny, Breaking Up the Girl and Bleed Like Me. For the fans keeping track of what songs from what albums were played, here’s a break down:
Garbage: Supervixen, Vow, Queer, Stupid Girl, Only Happy When It Rains, Milk
Version 2.0: Temptation Waits, I Think I’m Paranoid, Push It, The Trick Is To Keep Breathing
Beautiful Garbage: Shut Your Mouth, Cherry Lips
Bleed Like Me: Bad Boyfriend, Metal Heart, Why Do You Love Me
Not Your Kind of People: Automatic Systematic Habit, Blood For Poppies, Battle In Me, Bright Big World
Non-Album Tracks: The World Is Not Enough, #1 Crush
Shirley Manson and Butch Vig
Welcome back Garbage! The show was anything but garbage. Although Shirley Manson said that New York crowds are very tough to please, I didn’t hear anyone say one bad thing about the show as I rocked away into the night.
After the jump, see the set list.
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Tags: 2012, Band, Butch Vig, Duke Erikson, Garbage, Images, Live, May 22, New York, Photos, Review, Set List, Shirley Manson, Steve Marker, Webster Hall
Posted by The G on May 19, 2012 under G Reviews |
Photos by G.
Har Mar Superstar (with Father John Misty on Drums)
May 18, 2012 was a night of fun, funk, folk and partial nudity as Har Mar Superstar and Father John Misty performed a sold out show at New York’s Mercury Lounge. Har Mar Superstar (born Sean Tillman) is a singer/songwriter who knows the funk and who knows how to get down! Before his hour long set was over, he removed many layers of clothing (including a shirt from the Purple Rain tour!) and got down in his underwear! It was quite a site! He noticed me taking photos in the front row and told me to keep shooting pics! I did! 
One of the highlights was an impromptu song called “Bring us 4 shots of Jagermeister” whose lyrics consisted of that line repeated over and over again. It worked and moments after the song, 4 shots were delivered to the stage. Playing drums for Har Mar Superstar was the headliner, Father John Misty.
Har Mar Superstar
Father John Misty's CD "Fear Fun" featuring cover art by Dima Drjuchin
Full disclosure: I initially got tickets to see this show based on the fact that Dima (click here to read an interview with Dima in a new window) designed the gorgeous artwork for Father John Misty’s cd without hearing a note of his music. I was not disappointed. Father John Misty (born Josh Tillman) rocked! His music has an Americana/folk/rock element to it and in between songs, Father John Misty was hilarious! He made jokes, told funny stories and reenacted the voices of random characters, presumably created on the tour bus in between cities.
Father John Misty
I was highly amused by Father John Misty’s lyrics that had mentions of Jesus Christ, Joseph Campbell and the Rolling Stones and not in the ways that you might think. Hear for yourself tonight as Father John Misty and Har Mar Superstar play Brookyln’s Knitting Factory on May 19, 2012.
Tags: 2012, Band, Dima Drjuchin, Father John Misty, Fear Fun, Har Mar Superstar, Josh Tillman, May 18, Mercury Lounge, New York, Photo, Photos, Real Name, Review, Sean Tillman
Posted by The G on May 9, 2012 under G Reviews |
Photos by G.
Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine
Florence Welch is a born performer! Her band Florence and the Machine performed a sold out show at New York’s Radio City Music Hall on May 8, 2012. The show was being broadcast on the TV channel FUSE, so Florence asked the crowd during the first song if we wouldn’t mind standing up, and the rest of the show had a festival-like atmosphere despite being in the classy and legendary venue. Florence mentioned many times how great it was to be playing at the famous Radio City and that she feels like New York is like a second home to her. The crowd returned the love and then some!
Rock to the F-l-o!
Before the song “Raise it Up,” she asked the crowd if people would get up on their partner’s shoulders like the do at festivals, and the crowd had no problem complying! She engaged the crowd in many sing-a-longs and ran back and forth (barefoot, no less) across the stage with her flowing dress at times channeling Stevie Nicks and at other times channeling Siouxsie Sioux. Florence’s voice is powerful and booming and I recall from the last time I saw her live, her voice and amazing stage presence flow out effortlessly.
Florence!
My only slight gripe with the show was that it seemed a bit short. She played for about an hour and a half, totaling 13 songs. She did play favorites such as “Dog Days are Over,” “Raise It Up,” “Cosmic Love,” “Shake It Out” and “What The Water Gave Me,” and “Leave My Body,” but considering she only has two albums, it seemed like a bunch of songs were omitted. “Drumming,” “Hurricane Drunk,” “My Boy Builds Coffins,” “You Got The Love” and “Breaking Down” come to mind. However, my thoughts on seeing Florence and The Machine have not change. She’s an electrifying performer and there is no doubt that she will be soon selling out stadiums across the world. And what a sight it will be watching her slay huge crowds with her strangeness and charm.
See the set list after the jump.
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Posted by The G on May 7, 2012 under G Reviews |
Photos by G.
Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters
Let’s have a kiki! It pleases me to no end to say the following sentence: Scissor Sisters are back! One of the most fun bands you will ever see live previewed songs from their upcoming album “Magic Hour” at New York’s Bowery Ballroom on May 6, 2012. I’ve lost count as to how many times I’ve seen Scissor Sisters in concert (and it has to be over 20 times by this point), but one thing always remains – their shows are always a damn good time! Playing a nice mix of tracks from each of their albums (including the non-US album track “The Skins”), Scissor Sisters rocked the socks off the audience at Bowery Ballroom!
Ana Matronic of Scissor Sisters
Jake Shears and Ana Matronic mentioned how Bowery Ballroom is their favorite place in New York to play (and to see concerts as well) and I have to agree. It’s hard to have a bad time at the legendary venue. A great time was had by all tonight which included many familiar faces such as Jonathan Pierce from The Drums, Anderson Cooper, Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos and actress Susan Sarandon. The Sisters played 7 new songs from their upcoming album “Magic Hour” (which will be released at the end of May 2012) including the first two singles “Only The Horses” and the rap-infused track “Shady Love.” The dance party/answering machine message “Let’s Have A Kiki” was also played and included a great choreographed routine with Jake and the back-up singers (see photo below). “Keep Your Shoes On” is a dance track that is destined to become a Scissor Sisters classic. “Years of Living Dangerously” is a slower song that the audience was definitely vibing to and “Baby Come Home” has a groove similar to “Laura.”
Let's Have a Kiki!
A video of another new song “Inevitable” will be coming soon, so please bookmark this site and visit often (shameless plug - however, it’s hard to deny that I provide great and exclusive content 7 days a week!) Sandwiched in between the new songs (all of which made their US live debut), were classic Scissor Sisters songs such as their cover of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb,” “Take Your Mama,” “Mary,” “Invisible Light,” “Skin This Cat,” “Kiss You Off,” “Any Which Way,” “Music is the Victim,” and “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’.”
Del Marquis
I saw a lot of fellow die-hard Scissor Sisters fans at the show and their energy and enthusiasm for this band is unparalleled. In turn, the band returns the love of their fans and I must say that Scissor Sisters are the nicest band in rock and roll. They are always happy to meet fans, sign their stuff, take photos and answer any questions their fans might have. In addition to their great music and their ridiculously fun shows, that’s reason enough to always support and see this band!
Jake Shears and Baby Daddy
Thanks again to Scissor Sisters for another great show and they’ll be back in the States in the summer so do not miss them at any cost when they come to your town!
See the set list after the jump.
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Tags: 2012, Ana Matronic, Baby Daddy, Bowery Ballroom, Del Marquis, Images, Jake Shears, Let's Have A Kiki, Magic Hour, May 6, New York, Photos, Review, Scissor Sisters, Set List
Posted by The G on May 6, 2012 under Encounters with G, G Reviews |
Photos by G.
Brendan Benson
Singer/Songwriter Brendan Benson packed the house at New York’s Bowery Ballroom on May 5, 2012. To say the show was a family affair is putting it mildly. Brendan’s manager greeted fans as the doors opened and Benson was seen in the crowd before the show mingling with fans, rocking out to the music and guesting on drums during the opening band’s (The Howling Brothers) set. Though Brendan Benson is not a household name, his musical resume is very impressive with over 5 solo albums, he’s a member of The Raconteurs and is a frequent collaborator with rock god Jack White.
Brendan Benson's Band at Bowery Ballroom (say that 10 times fast!)
Brendan’s hour long set was a nice introduction to his music, for those that were unfamiliar with his catalog, and he played tracks such as “Good to Me” from his 2002 album “Lapalco,” which brought some of the loudest cheers of the night. Brendan’s latest album “What Kind of World” was released at the end of May 2012 and he played many tracks from the new album to the delight of his fans. You can see the full set list after the jump. Thanks for a great night Brendan!
Brendan Benson
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