The Hold Steady, The Big Sleep, The Teenage Prayers

BIG rock show in Brooklyn's beautiful Prospect Park Thursday night, drawing hundreds (nearly 1000?) to the bandshell to Celebrate Brooklyn and watch three fine rock bands twirl their guitars, sing their songs and pump the kids full of beer and amplification. Good times all around.


photo by Dfactor - All rights reserved, all swirly air bubbles imagined in your head)

'Twas a sit down fest for The Teenage Prayers and The Big Sleep (more a result of the summer relaxed evening fun), but a stand-up arena rock show (as the crowd swelled) for The Hold Steady. And rightfully so.



photos by Dfactor - All rights reserved, all wrongs reversed

These guys put it all on the table and showed the crowd why they've been a solid rockin' part of Brooklyn since 2000, and happy they were about it, shaking and rockin' onstage with blast-off abandon. Opening with Stuck Between Stations, they had the crowd in their hand without lifter pulling a finger. Singer Craig Finn even proudly introduced his parents late in the set.

But The Big Sleep kicked major ass as well - guitarist Danny B. is my new guitar hero. Swaggering, strolling and pushing out major amplitude through the Orange head into the Fender cabinet, his sound captured the rush of teenage adrenalin pumped up by Monster drinks and Secanols. They put forth strength and experimentation to a Budweiser-sedated crowd, happy to be outside without rain head hair. (The Big Sleep do it again tomorrow night at FAR smaller surroundings at Maxwells in Hoboken with The Thermals! Great double bill)



photos by Dfactor - All rights reserved, all wrongs reversed

Opening the show was The Teenage Prayers, with songs full of hope and abandon, played out in major chords and minor dramas, to the small but receptive crowd.


photo by Dfactor - All rights reserved, all wrongs reversed

Full pix (inebriatedly affected) at my Flickr page. (Shout outs to Johnny C and Vicky for making the scene, Park Slopers Joanne and Andy, and Nadine and WAMU for keeping the beer flowing. Happy long weekends to all of youse - back next week I'll be)