Three Dollar Drinks

So when hip-hop came to the Williamsburg Waterfront last Sunday, there were very few people to witness it. However, when it came back this week, there was barely an inch for the crowd to move. Electronic musician/producer Max Tundra and Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa rallied the troops until it was time for everyone’s favorite mashup (I’m not a ) DJ, Girl Talk. After several minutes of “Girl Talk!” chants, Gregg Gillis jogged onstage in a sweatshirt and trademark headband. He made his way around the photo pit greeting fans and then the mayhem started when he got behind the laptops. With dancers swarming the stage, it inevitably gave way which caused a pause in the festivities while stagehands did their thing and police circulated heavily through the crowd. However, nothing stopped everyone from having the time of their lives.

For the first time in several weeks, the sun was shining down on the East River State Park as hip-hop took over the Pool Parties for the first time this summer. Headlined by Oakland’s Del Tha Funkee Homosapien and featuring a dj set by the legendary Prince Paul, some good old fashioned sexual insanity from Gravy Train!!!!, an experimental rock set by Toronto’s dd/mm/yyyy and newcomer Kenan Bell.

Up first was Kenan Bell, whose day job is teaching kids in California language arts. Backed by members of indie group Bear Hands and others, Bell showcased his own brand of classic sounding hip-hop (as confusing as that sounds) winning over the ridiculously sparse crowd in the park. There were a few more people for dd/mm/yyyy’s set that combined electronic, both quiet and thrashing guitars and pounding drums as the sun beat down.

Next up was Gravy Train!!!!. There’s really not a way to describe them is electrosexpop. I hate labeling but there you go. The quartet booty danced, choreographed some songs, stripped and put faces in each others’ backsides while singing songs about frat houses and some of bands’ hits like “Titties Bounce” and “Hella Nervous”. Gravy Train!!!! Seemed like an odd introduction to Prince Paul, legendary DJ and producer of De La Soul, Stetsasonic, Gravediggaz and countless other acts. Starting with the recent obligatory Michael Jackson tribute, Paul (with his daughter by his side) ripped through classics from A Tribe Called Quest, Naughty By Nature, Black Sheep, M.O.P and more, paving the way for Del.

After a brief delay, Del’s friend and associate Bukue One hit the stage for a few before bringing on Deltron Zero himself. It’s been about 8 years since I’ve seen the two share a stage and they didn’t miss a beat. With the sunset over the East River, Del spat out “Dr. Bombay” and “Mistadobalina” from his debut album I Wish My Brother George Was Here, the title track from No Need For Alarm as well as “Clint Eastwood” from his collaboration with Gorillaz and songs from his newly released free album. The lineup from beginning to end on this perfect day made for the best Pool Party since the season opener.

For the third straight Sunday, Mother Nature threatened to rain on the Pool Parties parade, but we were spared and treated to a bill featuring Simian Mobile Disco, The Fiery Furnaces, Dark Meat and The Netherlands. Athens, GA’s Dark Meat was the first act of the afternoon that I caught. And wow. The 10-or so-piece rocked songs from its Universal Indians record on guitars, bass, drums, quite a few wind instruments and percussion. It seemed like a somewhat controlled anarchy onstage before the set ended with a droning chant filled number while stick like devices littered with streamers were passed through the crowd to the back.

Next up were the Friedberger twins, drummer Robert D’Amico and ex-Sebadoh member Jason Lowenstein, also known as The Fiery Furnaces. The group started with Blueberry Boat’s “Chris Michaels” before running through most of the newly released I’m Going Away. The last few times I’ve seen the Furnaces, Matthew was behind the keyboards for the majority of the show and Eleanor was strapped with her guitar, but this time it was more of a straight ahead rock show. Ending with “Worry Worry” from Gallowsbird’s Bark the Brooklyn transplants set the stage for the dance party which was about to happen.

For the next hour and a half, James Ford and James Shaw, aka Britain’s Simian Mobile Disco, spun records that had most people in the park losing their collective minds. The bass shook and moved everything that wasn’t nailed down and the cloudy skies were merely an afterthought to all.

Sunday brought a quad-headed bill to the Williamsburg Waterfront that made the skies open up with the thunder and lightning mimicking the energy of the crowd, but unfortunately resulting in the headliners cancellation. After an opening set by Austin’s Latin funk band Grupo Fantasma, Health took the stage by storm. The 4 piece from L.A. twisted, contorted and stomped its way through songs from the self titled album. It was my first experience with the band, and I can only describe the music as chaotic, melodic and insane. It paved the way perfectly for Atlanta’s Black Lips.

The Black Lips are known for their 50’s and 60’s garage rock revival type music and live shows that have included vomit, nudity and even live chickens. The crowd, which was about half the number of people from the previous pool party, lost its mind. Crowd surfers were in abundance and the security team had to work hard to keep the barricade even somewhat upright. Playing through old and new favorites like “Drugs”, “O Katrina!” and “Dirty Hands”, the band annoyed security, bitched about the lack of beer and simply owned the park for the duration of the set. It was then that the lightning and rain started and forced the organizers to cancel the headlining set by …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. There were many disappointed fans, but I really don’t know how anyone could have followed The Black Lips’set.

This past Sunday, July 19, marked my first experience with The Dirty Projectors, one of New York’s newest indie heroes. Due to a slight setback with my leg, I unfortunately missed the openers Crystal Antlers and Magnolia Electric Company, both of which would have been first times for me. Around 6:20pm, the Dirty Projectors hit the waterfront stage with “Two Doves” off of the critically acclaimed album Bitte Orca, with only two members (chief songwriter Dave Longstreth and Angel Deredoorian) of the band onstage. After the rest of the group joined in on a couple more tracks from Bitte, they launched into a few songs from Longstreth’s interpretation of Black Flag’s classic punk anthems such as “Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie” and “Rise Above”. The night concluded with the Projectors’ contribution to the Dark Was The Night compilation (sans David Byrne) “Knotty Pine”, leaving the incredibly packed waterfront satisfied with an amazing day of nice weather and great music.

The JellyNYC “Pool Parties” came back into our lives with a bang on Sunday with the quadruple bill of pioneers Mission Of Burma, Canadian hardcore heroes Fucked Up, Baltimore’s Ponytail and Jemina Pearl, formerly of Be Your Own Pet.

It could not have been a nicer day to be introduced to the new, pool-less space at the East River State Park at the Williamsburg Waterfront. The small stage is backdropped by beautiful views of the East River and Manhattan. After hobbling around and exploring the food/beer area, the new dodgeball confines and the half basketball court, it was time to check out the first act of the summer season. Recent Brooklyn transplant Jemina Pearl, former front-woman for the punky Be Your Own Pet debuted her (as yet unnamed?) new band. The quintet ran through roughly 9 songs including “After Hours”, and “Nashville Shores”. At one point, the lead guitarist simply couldn’t tune his guitar so after some banter by Ms. Pearl, the song was skipped. Up next was Ponytail. It was my first live experience with Molly, Jeremy, Dustin & Ken and it was not disappointing at all. The band thrashed and pogoed around for 45 minutes inciting the day’s first pit and crowd surfers, also seeing Molly join in the fun at the end.

Fucked Up stormed the stage after Ponytail, and it was ridiculous. Starting with “Father The Son”, the lead track from Chemistry of Common Life, Pink Eyes (Damian Abraham) and the gang played, sang and growled his way through the most hectic set of the show. With security guards straining to keep the barricade intact, Damian stripped down to his boxers, shared the mic, got beard scratches and helped bring down some crowd surfers while belting out songs like “No Epiphany”, “Two Snakes” and “Black Albino Bones”. It was a perfect setup for one of their influences and headliners Mission Of Burma. Roger, Clint and Peter came onstage in front of a blinding sunset and kicked off with the new track “1,2,3 Partyy!” from the upcoming Matador release The Sound The Speed The Light. Mixing newer song with favorites like Signals, Calls and Marches “That’s When I Reach For My Revolver”, “Red”, “Mica” and “Einstein’s Day” from Vs. the trio (along with Bob Weston back in the soundbooth) proved that they still belong playing aside the younger bands today. Mission Of Burma ended with “This Is Not A Photograph” and the first East River Party came to a close. Though the atmosphere wasn’t quite like McCarren Park Pool, I’m excited as to what the summer holds in the coming weeks.

Wow.  This was the best jam session so far.  The night kicked off with Zoe Kravitz’ band Elevator Fight, and then  Brownsville’s own M.O.P. ripping “Ante Up” and trying to get the crowd pumped up.  The night featured guests such as DITC crew’s A.G. and the highlight of the night, Q-Tip.  Black Thought seemed so humbled to have the Tribe legend on stage.  They ran through some freestyles as well as abbreviated Tribe hits such as “Electric Relaxation” and “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo”.  Another amazing $10 bill show.

Green Day at the Bowery. I couldn’t have imagined them playing at a venue this small the first time I saw them as a kid 15 years ago at the Nassau Coliseum. And after missing its surprise set after a Bellevue gig at CBGB years back, it didn’t disappoint in the least. Still nursing a broken leg, I was in it for the long haul, showing up early for a spot at the front. Billy Joe, Tre and Mike launched straight into material from the newly released 21^st Century Breakdown. Unlike the majority of the crowd, I’d held out to hear the new songs for the first time live and it really was rewarding to experience the frenzy of the tracks in person. The band played 11 of the albums’ 18 tracks such as “Murder City”, “The Static Age”, “East Jesus Nowhere”, the single “Know Your Enemy” and the title track of the new disc.

Then came the encore. Excited Billy Joe, snarling Dirnt and classically hilarious Tre dove into “American Idiot” and “Jesus of Suburbia” from the bands last album. Now when the set list says in bold letters BE READY FOR AUDIBLES! you really have no idea what to expect. After bringing a very well deserving fan up to sing “Longview”, the very old school “Who Wrote Holden Caufield?” and “Going To Pasalacqua” were played, and Tre got his turn center stage singing Kerplunk’s “Dominated Love Slave” while Billie Joe moved to the kit. The night ended with “She”, an incredibly too long but audience inclusive “King For A Day” (complete with the Isley Brothers “Shout” cover) and concluding with Warning’s “Minority”. Despite the lack of Insomniac material, everyone on Delancey Street could have easily stayed around another few hours, but we were all thankful for the show we were given. Green Day really cares about its fans and hasn’t lost a step at all.

Road Recovery is an organization that is dedicated to help less fortunate teens and children who are at risk for drug and alcohol addiction. The staff includes professional musicians and counselors who help the kids express themselves through musical performance as opposed to turning to vices. May 1^st was the second annual benefit show at the Nokia Theater in Times Square. Celebrities such as Guns ‘n’ Roses’ guitarist Gilby Clarke, Alice In Chains’ Jerry Cantrell and the honoree of the night Wayne Kramer (MC5) lent a helping hand to some of the groups performing. After brief sets from Crazy James and a few Road Recovery kids hip-hop acts, the legendary Billy Bragg sang two acoustic songs, including a cover of The Verve’s “The Drugs Don’t Work”. Next up Tom Morello’s new group Street Sweeper Social Club featuring The Coup’s Boots Riley on vocals and guitarist Carl Restivo ripped through its 2 song set. Morello has been active in Road Recovery for years, pretty much running last years show single handedly. After SSSC, Gilby, Jerry and Restivo sang a beautiful rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” that moved just about everyone in the audience. The all-star show was already in full swing. Jane’s Addiction singer Perry Farrell pranced on stage with his wife Etty Lau and sang his newly reunited groups’ “Mountain Song” and “Ain’t No Right”. Handsome Dick Manitoba stormed his way onstage to perform The Dictators’ “Call Me Animal” before relinquishing the microphone to Juliette Lewis for a rendition of “Dirty Deeds” by AC/DC. Lewis fit the role to perfection.

Cantrell started on vocals on Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak”, backed by Kramer, Morello, Clarke and Don Was was soon joined by Evan Seinfeld of Biohazard. Farrell came back for a singalong of The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, and then something special happened. Iggy Pop stormed the stage. Everyone knew it was going to happen, but when it did…wow. He sang “Five Foot One” and “Sixteen” while just being himself. Which includes flailing around the stage, hanging off of curtains and spitting on photographers. The manicness subsided for a few minutes while Mr. Kramer was honored for overcoming addiction for all these years and was given the keys to Sing Sing Prison, where the organization hoped to put on a show the next day. The finale was the MC5 classic “Kick Out The Jams”, where all the performers came back on stage and were joined by Little Steven Van Zandt. Iggy playfully jabbed at Kramer and the two Detroit rock legends embraced. It was an historic night for a great cause.