New York
The name conjures up so many images in my head. Granted, many are from the movies, but probably more arise from the allure the NY underground music scene holds for me, and the fascinating stories and tragic tales that surround it.
Times Square, New York Dolls, CBGBs, The Ramones, Johnny Thunders, Max’s Kansas City, Blondie, Patti Smith, Suicide, The Chelsea Hotel, Sid ‘n Nancy, Television, The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed…
“New York City is the place where they said: Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side”
Mainstream
In more recent years bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Strokes, The Hold Steady and The National (among many others) rose to mainstream prominence having formed in, played their initial gigs or been associated with New York.
The Underground
I’m glad to say that the alternative underground punk scene is alive and well, with a burgeoning stream of talent constantly produced to delight the eardrums. Bands, venues and labels like Beechwood, The Bowery Boys, Bowery Electric, Pepper Kings, The Carvels NYC, GIFTSHOP and Tarbeach Records are all keeping New York on the map as a hotbed for music.
Ride the 7 Train
Last year saw another outstanding release from one of the premier key protagonists of New York’s music scene. The magnificent “7 Train” from New York Junk. Eight tracks of gutsy primeval grimy New York punk ‘n’ roll.
“I’m going back to Max’s Kansas City…”
…is the cry from Joe Sztabnik on the opening track keeping the history alive. Elsewhere highlights include paean to the NY Subway on 7 Train and an impassioned angry message to shit parents and the long term impact on their offspring on Child in Pain. If you haven’t checked them out – get on it. This album and previous release “Doing Time in New York City are available…
Onwards and Upwards
2019 has started well. If you want to check out some of what the underground punk scene in New York currently has to offer, head over to bandcamp and download the FREE 18 track compilation NYC 2019 Vol 1. Highlights include prime cut Meat Raffle from The Bloody Muffs, “tribute” song Wendy O by The Tracys, Cash Registers rock n roll of What Do You Want? and Bedpan Fight’s Piece of Mind.
GIFTSHOP
Standout band for me though is GIFTSHOP and the brace of tracks offered from them. Stacked opens the album with choppy guitars prefacing the opening line:
“All I know is that I’m better than you…”
I don’t disagree, the chips are stacked in GIFTSHOPs favour. Things I Feel is the other GIFTSHOP offering here, a frantic bass opens the 90 seconds of frenzied playing and machine gun vocals. Phew. The even better news is that they band have an imminent EP due to drop.
The Carvels NYC
Another welcome release (from Tarbeach Recordings) is the 3-track electric blue coloured vinyl 7” from The Carvels NYC.
The Life is Not a Waiting Room EP features Waiting, Fell in Love with a Dead Boy and Scarcity. The two tracks on the first side of the EP are gritty bluesy saxophone infused garage punk complementing Lynne Von Pang’s powerful while deeply warming honeyed vocal. On the flipside, Scarcity has dipped its toes in 1960’s adding an overall Shangri-La’s type sheen to the song. Love them. Get it now from Tarbeach Records
Take a Walk
I’d love to see some of these bands deliver their wares in the live arena. I guess the best way to do that is to be there at ground zero and catch them on home turf. That is one good reason why New York City is most definitely on my bucket list of places I must visit. Sooner rather than later I need to take that walk on the wildside.