New Brunswick NJ, and 1 hr train ride later, “Iman, Where the fuck did you drag me to??”
When we arrived to discreetly located house, one in which i can’t even tell you anything about its location or I’d have to kill you, there were mad people outside chillin on the stoop, drinking some beers, preparing for the night of raging mayhem about to take place, all thanks to Don Giovanni Records, ( I can tell you that the lead singer of the Screaming Females live there).
Iman and myself walked down into the basement of the house, “Righteous!” I thought, “a throwback, basement house party, rock concert.” I was paauumped.
Until, Iman walked right into the center of the basement nice and smooth, and I bumped my 6’2″ lanky ass head into the low ceiling.
Back Pocket was the first band to hit the “stage,” armed with a guitar, bass, drummer trio. They were defiantly good, despite the fact that they had only played two, ( basement) shows, before this one. They do have a mini-tour planned in the near future. Back Pocket, had been jamming together since this past February, long enough to establish some sick tunes, as well as print up some sweet pins, ( I got one, with a “BP” on it, not to be confused with the company which is now BFP, Big Fucking Polluters).
Joe Steinhardt, one of the two masterminds behind the creation of Don Giovanni records, which has brought us such greats as For Science, Screaming Females, and The Groucho Marxists, was next up in the basement. Joe did a solo set, just Joe, his acoustic guitar,and a PBR. Now this guys is a genius songwriter, like great stuff. The flow of words, and how he connects them together are amazing. Most of his songs were quite short, abt 1-2 mins, but still very high quality.
If Joe would to get a wicked awesome vocalist to sing what he has written, with him a strumming in the background, he would be the best group in the US of A. I mean, just him alone, ( not ragging on his vocals) in the basement was enough to get the whole crowd into, and score I hottie gf too.
Next, The Measure SA, squeezed into the the basement, and i say squeezed because they were 4 deep in a 3 person area. Consisting of two rocking guitar players, one male and one female, both contributed vocally as well and each brought something to the arena. The dude guitar player, had loads of energy, ( partly fourloco, partly rock star funk), he was jumping and spinning and mid-shred kicking throughout the ENTIRE set and it was awesome.
The bass player, introduced as some guy on the bass, was apparently playing with the band for the first time. Rat tail and all, grooving from his not moving power stance, he did a solid job. The drummer was rocking hard too.
The Measure (SA) gave a great show, and have an even better sound, I would really love to see them in a bigger venue with a bit more space, feel a bit more comfortable not rubbing elbows and stuff.
Bottom line, I was blown away by my night in New Brunswick NJ, but still never going back.