Frankenpine played Lakeside Lounge in the East Village Thursday and the Brooklyn-based six-piece treated a packed bar to a magical hour of bluegrass goodness. Frankenpine—thoughtfully named for the not-so-subtly disguised cell towers posing as pine trees that have taken root in our green spaces around the country—are a rising folk and bluegrass band that blend traditional Adirondack folk and bluegrass with urban sensibilities to remarkable effect. Watching them last night, my second time seeing them, I was amazed by their commanding presence and incredible sound that they projected so effectively throughout the small bar. This is not just another band that shows some promise; they look the part and are true seasoned musicians who have created convincing and complex compositions that will whisk you away up into the hills, where you’ll probably find a full moon, a campfire, a bottle of moonshine, and these guys and gals waiting to play for you long into the night.
Acoustic guitar, banjo, bass, mandolin, resonator guitar, accordion, hand drum, fiddle, and, lest I forget, kazoo on one song, are artfully and playfully arranged across the band’s impressive set of originals. The only thing that seemed to be missing was a guy blowing on an empty jug or someone playing a washboard. Constant quick-picking banjo, guitar, and that great bluegrass bass groove drive the compositions, but these components willingly take a back seat when appropriate to allow the other parts of the band to take center stage and shine. The chemistry between band members is wonderful, with one member picking up a melody seamlessly where another left off. Occasionally the whole band will join in to reach a crescendo for dramatic effect, and this is where Frankenpine really rocks out.
The vocal arrangements are equally impressive. Front-woman Kimberly Chase sings with a haunting and sentimental wail and croon that is reminiscent of Alison Krauss. She is backed vocally by Liz Bisbee on fiddle for a few songs, but occasionally by Ned Rauch on resonator guitar. Rauch will also take lead vocals on some songs, as will the multi-talented Andy Mullen who plays percussion, accordion, fiddle, and harmonica. The lyrical content is poetic and sometimes borders on a darker side, as in the song “Never Lie to my Guns,” when Rauch menacingly sings, “Lie to the preacher/Lie to the Judge/But Never Lie to my Guns.” My kind of bluegrass tough guy.
Frankenpine have so far released an EP titled “Four Limbs,” but the group was pleased to announce that they finished recording their first full-length, “The Crooked Mountain,” this week and it should be released soon. Expect to hear more from this talented group. They are currently in the middle of a yearlong residency at Lakeside (Ave B and 10th), playing the first Thursday of every month.