(Editor’s note: Chaos almost erupted as over officious members of Lincoln center’s goonsquad security, harrassed and bothered innocent revelers. After bands complained of a lack of energy, concertgoers at last nights Rock And roll Circus Day One were, pushed, shoved and harassed, photographers thrown to the ground. Here, Woody Fuller takes us through the evening’s events. I will be there tonight, and will report of anything further)
As part of a two-day Rock&Roll Circus event, (actually put on in an official Big Apple Circus Tent), last night was day 1, a free night of music featuring . Tomorrow night, again in same location of Lincoln Center, costing $25-95, depending on seats and VIP.
I missed the openers, Electric Tickle Machine, but my friend Brahm whom I was meeting there caught them and had this to say about them, “More then any other band, these guys were a great show band. They all came out in costumes and were really playing to the crowd, embellishing the whole circus thing.
The second band in out free night of music was So So Glos. Old school style in dress; all in suits and tight jeans. They were ok, but lacked much originality and variety in their sound. Brahm pointed out, “Both guitarists were rocking on Telecasters, which then obviously gives off the same tone.” They also needed the help from the crowd, who were helping by spicing up the show a little, as random “carny” peoples dressed in Old Lady Clown masks and Pajamas jumped onstage and acted like, well they were in The Big Apple Circus.
After their fourth song, the lead singer made a small request, it was short and sweet and asked all “to come dance on the empty dance floor in front of the stage.” Within seconds, 20 people were on the dance floor, after a minute, they had it packed with 50+ in attendance. They were quite skilled at rallying their fans, possibly better skilled then playing music.
In between each set 6’2″ trany “Acid Alice” came out for some ‘jokes’ and small talk.. entertaining to say the least, and even more was how much he/she was freaking out the Big Appple Circus security crew.. more from them to come. Seattle grunge band Pharmacy was up to rock next.. Off break their drummer messed up, starting with the wrong song. There was too much lollygagging in between sets, tuning instruments and such spending 1-2 mins in between each song.. Brahm agrees, “the keyboardist is really a drag, can’t even hear him anyways” but also added that they were “the most harmonious and had the most diverse sensibilities.”
After their fourth song, the lead singer made a small request, it was short and sweet and asked all “to come dance on the empty dance floor in front of the stage.” Within seconds, 20 people were on the dance floor, after a minute, they had it packed with 50+ in attendance. They were quite skilled at rallying their fans, possibly better skilled then playing music.
No one in band really blows me away, seemed like the bass player was all particular thrilled to even be, very few people at the Circus were on their feet. They switched up styles of songs so frequently, each was vastly different from the last, very diverse. Maybe should have a more streamlined focus in their creation of songs.
Voxhaul Broadcast hit the final spot before intermission, and before Japanther, ( whom everyone I spoke with was only there to see). Voxhaul, hailing for LA, was by far my favorite, they rocked!! First off, their front man, who played a sick, natural wood Gibson 335 and soulfully belted lead vocals, was completely amazing. He had lots of swag, lots of energy, and lots of confidence, all of which I can immediately sense, and all of which make him and his band put on a better show. I spot a lady moving her hips like I have never seen before; she was thriving off the emissions of the bands energy into the tent.
To compare against the last band, these guys had a mere one second break between songs, cutting off applause and already on to their next song, rocking it harder than the first. They are so LA, just oozing, “we’re from LA yo” all over the stage, and this is not a bad thing, but it was just v
ery evident.
They were very good performers, great use of the stage (dance floor over the sawdust of circus floor) and entire space they had of that circus tent. “They were also great at building tension,” added brother Brahm, “that front man is so captivating.”
I wouldnt add this unless I really felt like you should go; Voxhaul is only on the east coast for the rest of the week until they are going going back back to cali cali, and are playing the Mercury Lounge Thursday, the 6th and then Union Hall on the 7th. Give a listen and go check em out live http://www.myspace.com/voxhaulbroadcast.
Finally, what everyone had been waiting for, Japanther, singing into telephone mics, are up to bat. A drummer/guitar duo from BK, who are punk, and brought a great crowd of their punk friends to come party. They stopped their first song 2 mins in, claiming they weren’t getting enough energy from crowd. Again, the front are of the circus floor gets flooded with people. Big Apple Circus security were freaking the f out!! They are pushing people, throwing official press passed photographers from their perches and eventually stopped the show, because it was getting a bit too rowdy for their liking. C’mon people! We are having a free punk show in a circus tent, and you’re upset and concerned about people acting weird, wild and participating in some weak moshing. It’s a concert in a fucking circus tent for Krustys sake! However, watching an obese 50+ year old square, enter and attempt to break up the moshing was quite amusing. They got so mad they turned on the lights and cut the speakers and mics and ended the most anticipated set 30 mins early. They demanded all the animals get out of the circus tent. Japanther was not having it, and began to pack up all of their things. After some cheers from the crowd, they decided to stay. And to try and make all parties happy, move their drums and other equipment right net to where the seats began in the circus tent. And they started again.. not 7 minutes go by and punk moshers aer punching security guards in the face and pouring beer on them, and they’re were several all out brawls between security and non-security. This show was over. Time for us to leave.
Rock&Roll Circus is a great, even genius idea for a show, I absolutely love it. However this one was set up and run horribly, and i know this was juts the free day-1 show, but personally I could have organized a much better, successful and overall more entertaining night, with better bands, ( I would have kept Voxhaul Broadcast and Japanther), more fun circusqesu things, more art, more freaks, more weird stuff. This is a great platform, poorly executed.
