CMJ Friday

Wow - Had a blast last night at The Knitting Factory for the Kill Rock Stars and 5RC CMJ night - noisy, energetic new bands, cock-rockin' vet bands, and a whole bunch in between. Loads of photos at Dfactor Flickr Page.

Here's who I managed to see (in chronological order...)

Slumber Party

Walked into the Knit during this Detroit collective's set - dreamy, semi-amateur pop, done up with some synth sounds. One song caught my ear - it went from G to F repeatedly over a cool melody, sung by Alicia Berg (great legs!) and it worked. They finished with a sleepy version of JD's "Love will Tear Us Apart."

Limited Express (Has Gone?)

Massively exciting Japanese power trio, with shrieks, guitar squeals, pounding drums, LOTs of onstage motion, and terrificly enthusiastic smiles and fun. What I heard I loved.

The Everyothers

I like the Everyothers alot. Singer/guitarist Owen McCarthy is a rock star, plain and simple. Skinny legs, snotty voice, good moves, fine chops. The band rocked, especially the kickass bass player. One of their new songs just roared - total cock rock abandon via the Hives. All good.

Sport Murphy

My favorite music act of the night. In a packed Old Office bar, Mike "Sport" Murphy sang songs that just fuckin' touched your heart in all the right ways. Backed by acoustic guitar, piano and light drums, his voice and personality carried through. He sounds like Bob Pollard singing sad, enchanting whiskey songs. Beautiful stuff. All my photos suck, 'cause I couldn't get any closer.

The Makers

What a set - NE rock vets The Makers stormed the stage to a cool, 1:07 music intro and a smoke machine to put the cock into the rock for the next 35 minutes. Fantastic set, marred only by some unruly wenches up front who, after some back-n-forth altercations with the band, threw a full beer all over the bass player and his axe. See the soaked bass here. By the end of the set, that bass was buzzin' like treefrogs. NOT good. The Makers rocked the place.

Off to the Bloodshot Records CMJ Day at Union Pool. Need to get me some Bobby Bare - more pics later.