Rachel Frothingham
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This installment of Elise Nordling's blog has been taken over by rightround associate editor Rachel Frothingham, reporting on the 2006 CMJ Music Marathon. Go Rachel go!
If you've seen the list of bands that played at CMJ in New York this year, you know the true meaning of the word "overwhelming." As with SXSW, there were just too many good bands to see — it was a whirlwind of shows and late nights. According to CMJ, more than 1,000 bands played during the five-day event. I managed to catch 27 of them, and it's hard to imagine how I could have seen many more.
The first day of the show was Halloween, which made everything just a little more interesting. After picking up my badge, looking around the vendor floor, and collecting as much swag as I could stand, I set off with some new friends for the first evening of venue after venue, band after band.
Mark Aaron James; photo by Rachel Frothingham |
My original plan was to start with Western States Motel at the Rockwood Music Hall, but traffic was slow and we missed them. However, we did get to see Mark Aaron James, who did a great cover of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." I couldn't have imagined an acoustic version of that song before this Halloween — and it was made even better by the fact that Mark was wearing bat wings!
Next we headed off to the Knitting Factory, where we discovered that having CMJ badges did not mean immediate entry to the show of our choice. But lucky us — just as we arrived, they opened 20 more spots to see the Cardigans, who played an acoustic set to a packed house. The lights were low, and it felt like we were hanging out in the band's living room.
Eames Era; photo by Rachel Frothingham |
After a few songs, we headed downstairs to the Knitting Factory Tap Room, where the Eames Era from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, had just started their set. In keeping with the Halloween theme, one of the band members was wearing an assuredly HOT bird costume! Bird costumes notwithstanding, the band's energy was palpable.
The next stop was Irving Plaza, where we arrived just in time to catch the last three songs of hellogoodbye's set. The crowd was loving them, and seemed to know the lyrics of all of their songs. hellogoodbye's music is also very danceable, and kept me going to my final stop of the night, Fontana's.
The line stretched down the Chinatown sidewalk, but I managed to get in with the help of my friend Amy W., who was kind enough to host me that week, and who was also volunteering for CMJ. We Are Wolves, who for some reason told me they are from Australia (they're really from Montreal), were an excellent almost-end to the evening. They were followed by Har Mar Superstar, who is very funny and self-effacing. Whew. At 3 a.m., after seven bands in a single evening, my first day of CMJ was over.
Cold War Kids; photo by Rachel Frothingham |
The second evening, I started out at Delancey's. I was trying hard to see bands from other parts of the world, but I broke this policy for Honeycut, from San Francisco. They were electric, and Bart Davenport definitely knows his way around a harmonica. Next I went to Tonic to catch some of Oppenheimer, a great duo from Belfast. Afterwards I headed to the Bowery Ballroom to see the Cold War Kids, who were a treat — fun to watch, and all over the stage. I ended the evening at a party at Boulevard, where blue lights were fractured by a disco ball as Seth Kauffman and Tyler Ramsey played. I always like to see slide guitar played with finesse.
So much excitement on Day Three! I attempted to go to the Hot Chip show at Webster Hall. But sigh, it was not to be. The line was too long, and time too precious, so I moved on. I was also intrigued by some of the "No Dancing" signs I saw posted in bars about town — I mean, this is New York City, right? Anything goes? I guess dancing is not okay, which seems absurd in a place where DJs and bands all over town are playing ass-shaking grooves. (Apparently it has to do with whether or not the venue has a cabaret license from the city.) I was pleased to catch a set by the Assassins, from Chicago, at the Annex, followed by a much-hyped band called the Horrors. All I remember is a lot of fog and dim lighting. The Assassins and Denver's Photo Atlas, the openers, held my attention so much more.
The Morning After Girls; photo by Rachel Frothingham |
I was determined on Day Four to sample even more of what CMJ had to offer. I attended a couple of panels during the day, and met the legendary George Clinton. The panel was a Lollapalooza reunion, and Donita Sparks (L7), Maureen Herman (Babes In Toyland), Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers), and Duane Denison (Jesus Lizard) also spoke about their experiences. As it grew dark, I set off for the Canal Room, where Astralwerks was presenting a showcase. I was able to see the recently reunited Inouk with Damon McMahon, the Little Ones, and finally, Small Sins. Go see the Little Ones if you have a chance. They do this thing with dueling tambourines that simply ought not be missed. I left after their shows to go to Arlene's Grocery, catching the Androids show and the Morning After Girls from Australia.
I finally took the trip to Brooklyn on Day Five. Bloodshot Records was having a BBQ at Union Pool, and several bands were playing. Once again, the stars must have been aligned or something, because the Meat Purveyors were playing their last show after being together for 10 years, and I got to be there. Bobby Bare, Jr. played just before the Meat Purveyors, and Scott H Biram also performed. Due to the overwhelming enthusiasm of the crowd, the Meat Purveyors played for quite some time.
My friend Amy Butterer (from the Billions Corporation) and I returned to Manhattan to catch Tim Fite's set at R&R. Fite is such a dynamic performer. He and his brother spin stories while they play, with projected images on a screen behind them. Go see them and get your vaudeville on.
The Boggs; photo by Rachel Frothingham |
The Cake Shop is a long, narrow room — if you aren't claustrophobic, you'll be fine there. The Boggs were playing, and I had unfortunately just missed Human Television, but such are the hazards of CMJ. My last stop of the evening was the Mercury Lounge to see the French Kicks. (I had to make sure I went after sharing a cab ride with Aaron the drummer — and besides, they were good!) I was also happy to see some of the members of the Morning After Girls there. We talked about their show at Arlene's Grocery, and their upcoming trip to the UK.
All in all, I had a wonderful week. I was very pleased with myself for taking the subway as much as I could, by seeing as many different bands as I could, and for not being afraid of New Yorkers. Whenever I stopped and asked for directions, the people I asked were courteous and kind. Until next year!
– Rachel Frothingham
Posted November 2006
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natron commented, on November 13, 2006 at 12:28 p.m.:
nice coverage of mark aaron james w/ those stellar bat wings! i'll be sure to check out your recommendations too