Prospector: Catchy, Raw, Aggressive and Fun

Prospector: May 18 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

It's been a long time since I rock and rolled... with Prospector. As a matter of fact it has been about seven months or some ridiculous amount of time since I've made it out to catch a show! Say wha? It's been that long?! Well, damn! What's happened in that time? They've changed their name from Doppelgänger for one and secondly they're working on a full-length album.

So, there I was over there at Mercury Lounge having taken in an earlier set and thinking, awesome, I get to see Prospector too ... bonus rock 'n' roll jackpot! The band, a minimalist band, Ryan Oh-No (drums/vocals), R. Francis (guitar) and Joey Hamm (bass/vocals) took to the stage turned down the lights and launched into a hard edged, high energy set. One song in and I was happily reminded why I love this band ... roller coaster stomach! You know that feeling of excitement, that fear that you're going to go over the edge ... that I don't give a damn if we crash because it's going to be one hell of a ride kind of thing. That's the feeling they gave me the first time I saw them perform and they still make me feel that way.

They played some stuff I hadn't heard before. See what happens when you miss shows! If you're familiar with their shows then you know they're loud and fun. Wednesday night, they even sounded a little more aggressive than they did the last time I saw them. No complaints here.

I've told you once or five times, this is a band you should go see. It's rock 'n' roll. It's raw. It's catchy. And, it's good!

More photos HERE

Prospector To Play Mercury Lounge, 5/18

Prospector (formerly Doppelgänger), a fave around these parts, will be at Mercury Lounge on Wednesday, May 18. They're playing the late show. Also on the bill are Spirit Animal and New Villager. Doors are at 8:30PM and it'll cost you $10. Hm, it's been a little while since I've had the chance to get out to see them ... sounds like it's time to go do a little ass shakin'.

Wednesday, May 18
Mercury Lounge
217 E Houston Street
NYC
Doors @ 8:30PM
$10

Tuesday Night Fun With Doppelgänger

Doppelgänger: October 12 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Tuesday night, I made my way to Mercury Lounge to catch one of my faves, Doppelgänger, rock out. If you weren't there, you missed a hell of a show. If you haven't made yourself familiar with these guys, you really should. They have an energy that's matched by few on the scene.

More photos HERE

Version 2 for those who have a tolerance for amateur (and some would say, me for example, obnoxious) blogger chick special effects.

Doppelgänger: No Holds Barred Rock 'N' Roll

Doppelgänger: August 23 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

New York rock trio Doppelgänger returned to the scene of the crime this past Monday. It was at LES club Mercury Lounge where I first experienced the band and walked away a fan.

I got there early to check out Vs. Antelope who were good. But, no matter how good they were, I couldn't wait for Doppelgänger to come on. At some point prior to them taking the stage, I was conversing with the young lady next to me. We both agreed that the band, Ryan Oh-No (drums/vocals), R. Francis (guitar/vocals) and Joey Hamm (bass/vocals) have an amazing energy that instantly gets you caught up in their sound and show. They really do have that special something that leads to big things.

Within moments of launching into their first song of the night, the audience was dancing. Song after song, they were cheered on which only fueled them to rock even harder. Their in your face, raw intensity leaves you dizzy and with that tingling butterfly feeling in your stomach that you get when you're taking part in something special. And, the show was something special. I've seen them several times now and after each show you think there's no way they can top that performance but, they do. It's not often that a band can play a new or I believe they said new'ish song and have the audience get into it nearly as much as familiar favorites. Doppelgänger always has an enthusiastic audience but Monday was a whole new level. When the band began their last song, crowd favorite "Red Eyed Love," there was a roar of approval, lots of dancing and a great deal of singing along. At the rate they're going, I foresee Doppelgänger making the big leagues. They're deserving and the raw intensity of their shows alone warrants it.

Now, Monday wasn't just a show. It was in part a celebration of their EP Get It Over With Already. Just like their shows, the record is shake your ass rock 'n' roll. The six song record is raw, also like their shows. It's not often that a record gives you the same excited feeling as a live show, but that's just what Doppelgänger manages. "Breaks My Head" its with surfer punk sound and "Red Eyed Love" are insanely catchy numbers that would both work as singles. The former showcases Oh-No's ability as a vocalist. "Untitled" the song that grabbed me the first time I saw the band play, and became my favorite, is a headphone lovers delight. Francis' guitar work on the song is ferocious.

The albums title can be considered a bit ironic, I suppose. The minute you put the record on, you want anything but to get it over with. When the last song, "The Coast Is Clear" ends, you find yourself looking at your media player accusingly, before telling it to repeat, all the while wishing there were a few more songs on the record. Thankfully, Get It Over With Already isn't some slick, over-produced, stripped of personality effort. Nor is it stripped of the raw, primal goodness that attracted me to the band in the first place. This is a CD well worth owning. I'd suggest getting one before these guys blow up and you have to sell your first born child and your grandmothers dentures to buy it on eBay.

(More photos HERE)

www.myspace.com/doppelganger

Upcoming Shows: The DreamScapes Project, Doppelganger & More

Friends, neighbors and New York peeps in general ... upcoming shows alert.

Our pals The Dreamscapes Project are coming up to do a show at Arlene's Grocery this Saturday, August 14 at 8:00PM and it'll cost you ten greenbacks.

Looking for something to do on Tuesday, August 17? I suggest you check out some live music. Head on over to Mercury Lounge, say hi to the guys who check your ID, give the cool lady at the door ten bucks at 10:00PM and get your groove on with Sean Bones.

Our friends Doppelganger will be rockin' the Mercury Lounge stage on Monday, August 23. Doors are at 9:00PM and it'll cost you $8. This is their CD release party so drop by, rock out and pick up a copy of their record. The record is good, fun, shake your ass rock 'n' roll and so are their shows. Check out both, seriously.

Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast are saying farewell to NYC! Yes, that's right folks, they're leaving NY and heading to North Carolina. Drop by Mercury Lounge, get your party on and help send them off with a lot of love. The deets: Friday, August 27, doors at 9:30PM and it'll cost ya $10.

Doppelgänger, Hot & Sweaty Rock 'N' Roll

Doppelgänger: May 20 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Doppelgänger took to the Mercury Lounge stage Thursday night. I last saw them back in March so I was excited to finally get a chance to catch them again. Since I last saw them, Ryan (drums/vocals) and Rob (guitar/vocals) have added Joey (bass/vocals). The trio put on one hell of a show.

They took no prisoners and rocked everyone in attendance into hot, sweaty rock 'n' roll messes. Every time I see this band, I'm reminded exactly why I like my rock live. They're loud, wild, raw and fun. They're like being in a speeding car on a cliff side road with the threat of careening over the edge at any moment. But, you don't care because you've got that tingly adrenalin sensation running up your spine and burning your gut; you feel impending danger and excitement all at the same time. That's rock 'n' roll and that's how I like it.

I'm sure this happens everywhere at some point but, it happens here a lot. You have so many live music choices you start to feel blasé about the scene. But then you have bands like Doppelgänger and Des Roar, who played before them and joined them for a song, giving a much needed spark. They make rock 'n' roll exciting. You can't help but want to be right up front, shaking your body along with the music which is exactly what I did.

A copy of Doppelgänger's six song EP, Get It Over With Already, landed in my appreciative, quirky little hands. I've been looking forward to this record and I'm not disappointed. The energy they have live translates well on the record.

I had a great night. And in the end, I went home hot, sweaty and giddy.

www.myspace.com/Doppelgangerisyourfriend

Doppelgänger, Des Roar To Play Mercury Lounge 5/20

Oh lookie lookie ... Doppelgänger will be rockin' the Mercury Lounge stage on Thursday, May 20! Also, rockin' will be Des Roar and Shwa Losben & The Good Times. I suggest you go ... guaranteed fun!

www.myspace.com/Doppelgangerisyourfriend
www.myspace.com/desroar
www.shwamusic.com

Doppelganger, Des Roar & Dead Sparrows To Play Webster Hall, 4/5

Doppelganger will be playing over at Webster Hall on April 5 as part of their "No Cover Mondays" happening. Also, taking the stage that night are Des Roar and Dead Sparrows. Go check it out, you won't regret it.

www.myspace.com/Doppelgangerisyourfriend

Doppelgänger Rock 'n' F'in Rolled

Doppelgänger: March 4 @ John Varvatos Store on Bowery, New York, NY

Back in January, I dropped by a club to check out some live music. I didn’t go to see anyone particular I just went to have fun. That was the night I experienced Doppelgänger.

Having experienced the band, I happily hopped on the train and headed down to John Varvatos’ store on Bowery, the former spot of the legendary CBGB’s. Doppelgänger is a minimal two man set up, Ryan (drums/vocals) and Rob (guitar). They’re loud, they’re raw and they rock.

I am officially, completely and totally in lust with them. The minute they start to play you get a shivering tingly feeling. It’s similar to the feeling I got as a kid when I discovered my mom’s Goat’s Head Soup album. I’d open up that album, see the cardboard flat of the goat head in the soup, squeal and run off feeling all tingly with chills. But, I kept going back to look at it. It excited me. Minus the running off part, that’s the feeling I get with Doppelgänger.

They have an EP that’s coming out, I believe, this month. It’s titled Get It Over With Already. Keep and eye out for that. I’m looking forward to getting my quirky little hands on it.

Should they be playing and you’re in the general vicinity, you should go see them. As a matter of fact, if you're in the New York area, they’ll be at Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn on March 18, go check ‘em out.

My camera sound doesn’t do them justice…

“Red Eyed Love”


“Untitled”

www.myspace.com/Doppelgangerisyourfriend

Doppelgänger Unleash A Torrant Of Raw Power

Doppelgänger: January 6 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

New York rock duo Doppelgänger were the third act to take the stage at Mercury Lounge last night. While there were two other bands playing after them, I chose to end my night after their set. And, I couldn't ask for a better closer.

First things first, why am I just now hearing these guys?! Holy cannoli Batman! My mind was on the verge of being completely blown. Doppelgänger, for lack of a better description, tore it up!

How would I describe the band? Doppelgänger are minimal in instruments, guitar and drums, yet colossal in sound. They're full of raw primal goodness that demands you move your body. Going by the incredible amount of blurry photos I took of them, move my body did!

New York, they'll be in Brooklyn on Monday, February 22 at Cameo Gallery. You need to hear Doppelgänger live. When you do, don't be surprised when you find yourself in lust with them.

www.myspace.com/Doppelgangerisyourfriend