Saturday, July 3, 2010

Hot Seconds: Cool, Beastly, Animalistic & Rock Star


Hot Seconds: July 1 @ Mercury Lounge,
New York, NY


After the near year long show drought, those darling rascals known as Hot Seconds, hit the stage for the second time in less than a month this past Thursday night. This time, it was their return to LES venue Mercury Lounge.

The band, James Love (vocals/guitar), Eran Westwood (guitar/vocals), Marcel Simoneau (bass) and Ian Hudgins (drums/vocals) made their way to the stage and delighted those in attendance with a ten song set that included the three new songs they rolled out last month. I'm tellin' you, I'm still in lust with "Die Like A Dog." This has made my list of need to hear Hot Seconds songs. They're working on a new record, hence the new songs ... yeah, I'm waiting.

If you were at the show last month and or have been keeping up with my little corner of the internet, then you know that Simoneau has taken over bass duties. He seemed more than a little anxious last time, understandably, especially the first few songs of the night. But, Thursday, it looked like he had lost most of his nervous energy and is over there slipping into Mr. Cool mode. His rhythmic partner-in-crime is a heavy drummer and Simoneau holds his own quite well, not getting overpowered. Hmm, ya know, this has led me to wonder if Simoneau has past bass experience or if he just takes to it naturally. I'll have to remind myself to ask that next time around.

So, my rock star has come back y'all. Oh he was singing and playing and dancing ... oh yeah, he's got some moves. Love put down his guitar for "Pieces of You" ... think that's the one. Hey, I didn't take notes. What? Y'all think I'm professional or something?! And, he also took it off mid-song during "Helicopter" but let us not talk about that as I got the full memory card message just as he took his guitar off. Now that they've shaken off the bit of stage rust that we saw at the last show, Love is back to seeming more relaxed and began testing his rock star wings out again.

I camped out in Westwood World ... stage right for those uninitiated in quirky speak. It's been awhile since I've visited that side. It's too dark over there. With all of the mood lighting over on stage right, I half expected Westwood to start playing bow chicka wah wah. Really, it's dark over there and strange things happen in the dark, they say. Tall, dark and laid back, took to the stage, put on his intense stony face and proceeded to roar like the beast he has become ... all hail. I wanna know where this guy goes and what he does that has him coming back each show with these guitar deity happenings that manifest themselves on-stage. I've mentioned previously that the harder sounds suit him well. But, let's not neglect those moments when he tosses in a some jangly funk or a little reggae. Yeah, he goes there too.

Of course being camped out in the land of darkness gives you a perfect line of vision for watching the drummer get wicked. Y'all know I have mad love for the skills of Hudgins. Last time I said he seemed a little conservative, which was cool; I'm down with conservative. But, Thursday night he was back to being animal. I like animal, yeah, I do. He was heavy, intense and wild. The kind of wild that made you feel at any moment he was going to go over the edge and take you with him. He literally makes me shiver. Hey, we're talking about his insane drumming ... don't want y'all thinking I'm over here being dirty old lady'ish; I'm a respectable woman people. Anyway, that's the kind of description I normally reserve for guitar playing.

I always have fun at Hot Seconds shows as if you couldn't tell. I look forward to the next one. Check out the video below. Yeah, the camera work is questionable. There was a reason for it and it seemed like a good one ... at the time; I'm just sayin' y'all.

More photos on the QNYC Flickr page HERE.

"Gone To Ground"


"When I Go"


Set List
  • Can't Stop
  • Pieces Of You
  • Excuse me
  • Apathy
  • Clam Man
  • Die Like A Dog
  • Gone To Ground
  • When I Go
  • Went To India
  • Helicopter
www.hotseconds.net

Friday, July 2, 2010

At The Living Room With Adam Taylor


Adam Taylor: June 30 @ The Living Room, New York, NY


One of my favorite musicians, Adam Taylor, rolled through town to put on a show at The Living Room this past Wednesday. With him, his songstress partner-in-crime Kate Young, drummer Jason Hoffheins and bassist Mike Giblin.

I realized something about Taylor's shows. Or, more accurately, I realized something about myself during his shows. I always smile a lot watching him perform. His music makes me feel good.

About three weeks ago, I had the pleasure of seeing a full band show for the first time. I couldn't wait to see another one. Taylor and Young always give it their all when doing acoustic shows but, they seem more carefree with Giblin and Hoffheins on stage with them. It's like an added spark to their already burning fire.

They played a song that I haven't heard for a little while, "Painting Leprosy." It was that song (along with the vast amount of talent displayed by he and Young) that cemented me as a fan back in December 2008. They were opening for Bob Schneider. I had no idea who they were but I captured an extremely dark and grainy video of the song that night and have been following Taylor's career since.

I've watched Taylor grow. That first time I saw him, he and Young were huddled together on a small parcel of stage singing their hearts out. Now, Taylor really starting to own the stage. He's coming into his own and it's been a pleasure to watch. He's a bight shining star waiting for the world to take notice.

I know I've said it before, but I highly recommend you catch a show. You'll be blown away.

Check out videos for "New York" and my new favorite, "Coffee and Cigarettes" below. Video of "Jazzonia" can be found HERE and "Oliver," HERE.


More photos on the QNYC Flickr page HERE.

"New York"


"Coffee and Cigarettes"



Set List
  • Yes/No
  • Jazzonia
  • 12:51
  • Story of the Sea-Green Sky, Pt. II
  • New York
  • Coffee and Cigarettes
  • Oliver
  • No Diggity/Come Together
  • Painting Leprosy
  • Elvis
  • Lucy
  • Cat's Cradle
www.adamtaylormusic.com

Monday, June 28, 2010

Q & A With Alex Kemp

California DIY musician Alex Kemp recently released a new EP, Rat D'Hôtel - Part I - Rat Walks into a Bar, with three more to follow. So, your resident quirky chick set out to find out about this project and what else Mr. Kemp was up to. You know what? He's witty and charming folks. Get the low-down on Alex Kemp below. And, there's an MP3 Grab at the end of the interview ... as if my brilliant interviewing skills aren't enough for you!

Quirky NY Chick (QNYC): First, things first, thanks for taking time to answer some questions.

Alex Kemp (AK): You're very welcome. It was hard to find time between consulting with BP on how to stop the oil spill and trying to talk Kim Jong Il back from the brink of war, but hey- anything for QNYC.

(QNYC): Fans may know you from your work with Small Factory and Chicago electro rock band Assassins; you also do sound design if I’m not mistaken. But, for those that may be unfamiliar with your work, tell us a little about yourself.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Adam Taylor To Play The Living Room, Wednesday, 6/30


He's coming back! Yes, good people of Internet-land, Adam Taylor is making his way back to the fair city of New York once again. This time, he'll be at the cozy LES venue The Living Room for an early set, 7PM, on Wednesday, June 30. He's bringing with him, his band. So, if you missed them earlier this month, you should remedy that and catch this show! They'll skiffle, they'll rock, they'll jazz, they'll pop and, they might even get funky on you. One thing that's guaranteed, they will be good. But, you'll only have my word to go by if you don't go see the show and experience it for yourselves!

I'm personally hoping they'll do "Coffee" this time out ... just thought I'd put that out there!


adamtaylormusic.com
facebook.com/adamtaylormusic
myspace.com/adamtaylormusic
twitter.com/adamtaylormusic

Photo Review: Gerry Perlinski At The Delancey


Gerry Perlinski: June 24 @ The Delancey, New York, NY


Gerry Perlinski and his band, Dan Fabricatore (bass) and Chris DeRosa (drums), took the stage at The Delancey on Thursday night. I was there with my camera taking in the show of good ol' fashioned, straight ahead rock 'n' roll. Perlinski has been hard at work on a record, so visit his online homes to keep updated on that as well as upcoming shows. Check out the photos below.


www.gerryperlinski.com
www.myspace.com/gerryperlinski

Food Stamps & Trojan Warriors


Food Stamps: June 24 @ The Delancey, New York, NY


I was at The Delancey Thursday night. I walked in and the first act was still on stage. All was well and good, the sounds I heard as I entered the room weren't bad. That's always a good thing! It seemed like a normal enough show until I looked up and saw a Trojan warrior. Yeah, you heard me! The band playing, the Food Stamps were on-stage doing their thing. But, on the floor in front of the stage was an older fella in platforms, g-string/cod-piece, Trojan helmet dancing around with a shield and spear. Seriously?! Yes, seriously. After being hit with a major case of WTF'ness and trying my damndest to get a decent shot of Trojan Man, I turned my attention to the duo on-stage. They were rather enjoyable. They have a record, Food Stamps EP. The record samples I listened to on iTunes don't do their live sound any justice.

www.myspace.com/foodstamps



Thursday, June 24, 2010

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Anna Rose Celebrates New Record At Bowery Electric, 6/21


Anna Rose: June 21 @ Bowery Electric, Ne
w York, NY


Monday night, songstress Anna Rose took the Bowery Electric stage to celebrate the recent release of her full-length debut record, Nomad. The tiny power house with the crystal voice led her terrific band through an 11 song set, nine of which were from Nomad. Rose has a bit of a twang to her voice but interestingly enough when she got to her encore, Dolly Parton's "Jolene," there was still a bit of a twang but the legendary country song took on a funky rock vibe with enough bass and dirty guitar to have you thinking about a dance floor. Her other cover of the night, "Manic Depression" ... that one could have used a longer jam! The highlight of the night for me was "The Four Corners" which you can watch below. Rose wrote it about when she and her friends began scattering to different parts of the globe to start their own lives; it's something we've all experienced. Check out photos from the gig below. Additional photos on the QNYC photo page, HERE.


Set List
  • Walk Away
  • Picture
  • The Four Corners
  • Whispers
  • Overtone
  • Wilshire Blvd.
  • Gillian
  • Manic Depression
  • I'll Be Gone
  • You Got It For Free
  • Jolene
MP3 Grab: "Whispers"

www.annarosemusic.com
www.myspace.com/annarosemusic
www.facebook.com/annarosemusic

Monday, June 21, 2010

Kimberly Nichole Shows Off Her Star Power


Kimberly Nichole: June 18 @ Joe's Pub,
New York, NY


This past Friday night, I made my way down to Joe's Pub to catch a performance by songstress Kimberly Nichole. Until earlier that week, I hadn't been in the know when it came to Nichole. Monday and Wednesday of that week, she helped UK band The Heavy kill it at The Bowery Ballroom. So, when I was hipped to who she was and that she had an upcoming show, I had to check it out!

The pub was packed and there seemed to be a genuine buzz of excitement in the room. Nichole, whose tag line is "the puffy-haired tower of power," was introduced. Out she walked wearing a tutu with a matching hat. I thought to myself, "ah hell, we're in for something now!" Tower of power is an understatement. The lady is like a little stick of dynamite. She blew the roof off the joint. Not long into her eleven song set I was wondering why I was just now finding out about this woman!

She sang her butt off all the while striking dramatic poses and contorting her body to the rhythms of the music. Nichole is a big star on a small stage. She was one part diva, one part down-to-Earth girl next door, mixed with a good dash of cheekiness playfully lifting her tutu to show off her granny panties.

Not being in the know about Nichole, of course I wasn't familiar with her songs. That didn't matter. You didn't need to know them to be drawn in and entertained. She did do three covers that I recognized, The White Stripes "Seven Nation Army" which frankly she does better than Jack White ever could. Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana" had the audience up on their feet, dancing and cheering her on. It was an electric performance. She closed with her cover of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" which again had people on their feet. Other than her scorching version of "Dirty Diana" I was grabbed by "Crash & Burn" a song that can be found on her record YBJ Reloaded. Oh, the show by the way, was a re-release party for the record.

Somebody slap some diva wings on her tutu because she put on a show that easily blows the current roster of diva's out of the water. I was blown away by her performance. I generally enjoy the shows I go to; but, once in a while there's a show that makes me say to myself, "I'm really glad I went." This was one of those shows.


More photos on Flickr, HERE.

Set List
  • A Rage in Harlem
  • Johnny Come Lately
  • Seven Nation Army
  • Little Girl New
  • Peace of Mind
  • Crash & Burn
  • Dirty Diana
  • Disconnected
  • Fire
  • The Yellow Brick Journey
  • Crazy
www.myspace.com/KimberlyNicholeMusic
www.theYellowBrickJourney.com


Sunday, June 20, 2010

Hot Weather & Hot Music: Hot Seconds To Play Mercury Lounge 7/1


Hot Seconds return to the Mercury Lounge stage on Thursday, July 1. So, head up, down, over or across to the LES and rock out with the boys. They've got some seriously heavy new songs that you're going to wanna check out or hear again as may be the case. Y'all know that's just days shy of Independence Day; start your partying a little early. Swing by and show 'em some love.



www.hotseconds.net