Crustcake Picks - NYC Shows 2/28 - 3/5

by crustcake gerf (NYC)

New York's Apes and Androids are much blogged about lately, and with good cause. Sonically they're schizophrenic, but never arbitrary-- they just wear many hats. There's a little Freddy Mercury in there, some Bowie, maybe a little Police, and a bunch of shit that's all their own. I can't recommend their debut Blood Moon enough. They're playing a free show tonight at Hiro Ballroom, and all you gotta do to get in is RSVP. I'd recommend showing up early, though, it could be a hustle at the door.

Download: Apes and Androids - "Night of the Week" [MP3] [via]

If you missed Priestbird when they played Mercury Lounge last week, not to worry-- they'll be at Union Pool tomorrow. I never did write a proper review of the Merc. show, but suffice it to say that they played mostly new tunes, and these new tunes were of a bit more personal than much of their past material, particularly the sweeping cinematic tones of Book of Sand. The new songs seem to be lacking the epic feel and grandeur of the old stuff, but I'm excited to hear them again and to eventually hear their recorded incarnations. And tomorrow'll be the second go around for all the new songs, so the band's sure to be a bit more comfortable.

Also this weekend, we've got political hardcore punkers Strike Anywhere, a personal favorite, and drummer-less metallers Genghis Tron, who I've yet to form an opinion on, as well as a sold-out (damn) Roky Erickson gig at Maxwell's.

Tuesday's a big day, with the Beastie Boys at Terminal 5 ($75, ouch) and White Rabbits at Webster Hall. Oh yeah, and fucking Boris at Knitting Factory. You can probably guess where I'll be on Tuesday...

Tough luck if you weren't paying attention before though, as it seems the Boris show has sold out. It may still be possible to snag tickets via the band's special deal with Mondo Kim's and Other Music. Better look into that.

NYC show picks 2/28 - 3/5:

Thursday 2/28 - Apes and Androids @ Hiro Ballroom [free w. RSVP]

Thursday 2/28 - The National, Phosphorescent, Maps and Atlases @ NYU Kimmel Center [sold out]

Friday 2/29 - Priestbird, Matteah Baim, Durty Nanas @ Union Pool

Saturday 3/1 - Strike Anywhere, Paint it Black , Riverboat Gamblers , Pitch Black Blonde @ Knitting Factory [sold out] [Tix]

Saturday 3/1 - Genghis Tron, Aa (aka Big A little a), Ponytail, Shooting Spires, Cheveu, Double Dagger @ Market Hotel

Sunday 3/2 - Roky Erickson and The Explosives @ Maxwell's [sold out]

Tuesday 3/4 - Boris, Growing @ Knitting Factory [sold out]

Tuesday 3/4 - The Walkmen, White Rabbits @ Webster Hall [Tix]

Tuesday 3/4 - Beastie Boys @ Terminal 5 [Tix]

[MP3] Apes and Androids - "Night of the Week"
[MP3]
The National - "Mistaken For Strangers"
[MP3] Priestbird - "Life Not Lost"
[MP3] Strike Anywhere - "Sunset on 32nd Street"
[MP3] Genghis Tron - "City on a Hill"
[MP3] Roky Erickson - "Unforced Peace"
[MP3] Boris - "Statement"
[stream] White Rabbits - "Cotillion Blues"