Caught Live: The B-52s, Baby Acid, Sharkmuffin, Citris

Timing and opportunity is a frequent catalyst leading to attendance at compelling events. Living within a stone’s throw of The Space At Westbury assures that venue’s neon-flashing coming events marquee creates a level of “must-be-there” desire that might otherwise elude. So it stood to reason that the months long lead-up hype to truly legendary band The B-52’s appearance there on February 26, 2016 was certainly not to be missed.

Hailing from Athens, Georgia, the band formed in 1976.

Having paved the way for the entire Athens, Georgia scene that followed them at the moment they broke through the NYC club scene and eventually on MTV, the band carries on with original front vocalists Cindy Wilson (vocals, bongos, tambourine), Fred Schneider (vocals, percussion, keyboards) and Kate Pierson (organ, keyboards, bass, vocals),

The tragic death of initial band visionary (and Cindy's brother) Ricky Wilson and recent retiring from live performing (though technically still a band member) Keith Strickland has the band touring with a compliment of eminently capable long-time side musicians.

Walls inside The Space At Westbury are decorated with album covers from a vintage era of mid-1970's through 1980's that accurately reflects this venue's intended audience .

Since 12'' vinyl albums having emerged as a revived format among many of the current generation of new musicians, perhaps a future wall like this will exist in a venue 30 + years from now.

With its big open space and hanging spiral chandelier lighting, a large concert hall feel pervades the standing room environment.

Popular long-time local DJ "Larry The Duck" - who established his weekly "Party Out Of Bounds" radio show on WLIRR seemed as qualified an MC for this show as any.

What initially propelled this band from obscurity and out-of-the-pack was a visionary combination of kitchy visual styling and a sound blending dance music with surf rock.

Further setting them apart from generic copycat bands were guitarists Ricky Wilson and writing counterpart Keith Strickland's creative approach to guitar tunings.  Much like Keith Richards with The Rolling Stones, Wilson devised his own open tunings, creating a unique sound that can be heard here:




 Grouping the strings of his Mosrite guitar into a bass course (usually tuned to fifths for strumming) and a treble course (often tuned in unison), he removed the middle two D + G strings from his playing entirely, although there were times when he did play with five strings. Since the band originally didn't have a bassist, Wilson unified his tunings with a keyboard bass played by Pierson, creating a solid rock and roll sound without a bass guitar.

There's something about a band still carrying on what originally motivated them to play and perform after nearly 4 decades that is most satisfying to witness.

The current live band is as professional as you'd expect for an act that has had this kind of longevity and mass appeal.

Having over twenty million albums sold throughout their long illustrious career, attendance at their shows is a celebration of one amazing hit song after another.

Here is how they sounded on this very night:

Cindy and Kate took a solo turn halfway into the set, sing middle-period songs like "Revolution Earth" and "Roam."

Fred was his as-expected bubbly self, making funny cracks and telling amusing tid-bit stories along the way.

Including a most entertaining rendition of this song:

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Props to Kate Pierson for still looking hot and in fantastic voice after all these years.

An adoring audience

Cindy + Kate, flower power

Light Beams + Happy Heads

Swirling 52 light surprise

A dazzling, fun, party show!

"Thanks, Westbury!"

Full setlist played

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Social Network Celebration!

Opening the show was Country-rock, husband and wife outfit The Mike + Ruthy Band

Who also double as Kate Pierson's backing band when she plays her solo music.

The keyboard player in this band also played keys and guitar throughout the entire B-52's show as well.

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A week later it was back to the familiar stomping grounds of Brooklyn on March 3rd to check out a show at new club Aviv.

Decorative fan graffiti can often be found places where the public congregates.  All Brooklyn Band's have now been served the "Vince Neil challenge."

Grunge-gaze rockers Baby Acid took the stage early on, proceeding to deliver their familiar heavy bass and effects-layered guitar burst sound.

Vadim and Lindsey continue to provide the driving force behind a sound that combines deep riffs and swirling atmospherics.

Sonic structures run across a spectrum of defined bass-driven melodies and power-gaze guitar figures.

FX'd power force

Swirling in the "beautiful noise"

Photog zoom and fan appreciation

Lindsey delivers her message

Listen to Baby Acid tracks here

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Headlining the night was the garage, punk, glam and grunge hybrid of Sharkmuffin

With this show serving as the kickoff to a March tour that traveled across the country - with a significant stop in Austin for the annual SXSW festival - and then back again.

Led by the unabashed Tarra on vocals, guitar (doublenecked now) and implacable promotion skills, their shows deliver high-energy excitement.

It would be difficult to imagine any other grunge-punk frontperson so casually playing such a conspicuously extravagant guitar.

Bassist Natalie continues to serve as steady foil to Tarra's frequently over-the-top, bombastic charm.

Drummer Kim completes this core trio with capable beat-keeping skills and an overall enthusiastic presence.

For this particular show they brought up a guest guitarists, providing an additional sonic layer.

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Which also allowed Tarra to put her guitar down and go the hand-held mic route

A roam out into the audience led to this eventual mayhem.

Much to the delight of an thoroughly entertained audience.

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Additional live Sharkmuffin show reviews can be found here - live at CMJ,  and here - live at CMJ two days later

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Saturday March 5th brought the live show periscope back into Manhattan's lower east side for a show at Arlene's Grocery.

Though technically it was actually early Sunday morning, the prospect of catching another live show from new found fave Citris was too good pass up.

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Primary songwriter and vocalist Angelina performed a solo electric set for this appearance.

Which she delivered with a seasoned confidence and skill that belie the relatively early stages of her musical career.

 Providing a spaciousness and clarity to the songs, allowing listeners to focus more on the lyrics and stories being told, as opposed to a bigger, full band show.

In addition being featured on the Deli Magazine website (written by yours truly) and Print Issue ad placement, there is also the recent distinction of winning that sites prestigious Artist Of The Month poll.

A true songwriter, Angelina exhibits an apparent natural ability that weaves insightful lyrics with creative chord structures.

Which keeps everything above a level of predictability and common repetition.

The debut album "Panic In Hampton Bays" can be heard and acquired here

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Post-show had a few of us heading over to a local bar to continue the conversation about everything and anything.

City denizens gathering during early a.m hours immediately following just concluded events fosters it's own unique form of interaction.

Doubling down on the experience matrix.

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