Modern News

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.