CBGB Fest - SummerStage

The later afternoon portion of Saturday July 7, consisted of a large free outdoor concert at Summerstage in Central Park featuring Guided By Voices, The Pains Of Being Pure at Heart, War On Drugs and Cloud Nothings.

After summer concert bud drid and I hoofed it over to the Park from Time Square - and then going through the necessary checkpoints to get wristbands, photo stickers and whatnot - it was time for more music!

First up was Cloud Nothings

Originally conceived by frontman Dylan Baldi as a solo home recording project, the rapid evolution of this band has seen it go from shorter power-pop songs to all out psych jams – especially during the live shows.

The set relied heavily on material from their latest (Steve Albini produced) album 
"Attack on Memory" - much to the delight of an attentive audience.

Baldi is your prototypical twenty-something, slacker-styled frontman.  He has a likeable enough personna, but no one would ever accuse him of a dominant stage presence.

The singles this band has released over the last two years have been catchy and always a pleasant re-discovery when coming across them on my iPod - but it was the live jamming at this show here that really impressed me.

It may be true that this particular extended jam was partly responsible for Dylan needing to swap out a bum amp mid-song - but nevertheless, the opportunity allowed the rest of the band to really stretch out.

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While we waited on the changeover, drid and I attempted to soak in the overall festival atmosphere on what was an extremely hot afternoon.

Soon enough it was time for the next band - War On Drugs

Though often described as "indie rock," they came off more stoner-rock on this afternoon.  This shouldn't have been much of a surprise, as none other than Kurt Vile himself was once a member, before heading out on his own. 

The Philadelphia based band currently consists of frontman/guitarist Adam Granduciel, David Hartley on bass, Robbie Bennett on keyboards and Steven Urgo on drums.

Stoner jams for everyman

Most impressive this afternoon was the bass playing and deep pocket layed down by David Hartley.

Which can be clearly heard in this live clip here:

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Now it was time for the band I was primarily motivated to see - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart

Attending a TPOBPAH show is always a little more special for me, since I'd been following them for well over four years now.

Since those humble beginnings the band has grown into an international attraction and has toured the globe extensively.

Having seen them first as a non-headling act at The Cake Shop; through their dizzying rise in popularity with a featured show at South Street Seaport; then a triumphant headline show at Webster Hall; and featured act at South By SouthWest at that Austin, Texas Festival - made catching their current show here all the more gratifying.

Kip and Alex - the founding members - are strong out front on guitar and bass respectively.  Previous live second guitarist Christoph has moved on and a very capable replacement has been found (former Drums guitarist as well).

The new guitar textures adding a fresh feel to the overall sound.

Kurt and Peggy on drums and keyboards respectively - essential core members as well.

The band played a very energetic set (they actually ran out from behind the stage and grabbed their instruments).  Talking to Kip afterwards, he told me they wanted to play "only fast songs" for this show.

Alex (bass) Kip (guitar) - playing with the relaxed professionalism that can only come with having done so many shows.

Peggy adds the feminine charm to this band of boys.  She sings great, looks wonderful and has a sweet personality that shines through her performances.  Just the right amount of keyboard backing too - giving the band (at times) a "Cure" sound.

Listen to their performance on this day - as they play "The Body"

a premier track from their most recent album "Belong"

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Before the final band was to come on, I checked in on the side stage area - and ran into an artist I've known for a little while - and who's work I really admire.

Hanging out and having a great chat with Eytan of his excellent band Eytan & The Embassy was a great way to stretch out and relax a bit between performances.

You can check out Eytan's music right here:

http://www.facebook.com/eytanandtheembassy

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The final performance of the afternoon was from 80's and 90's college rock pioneers Guided By Voices

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The band rocked out hard, playing over an hour long set.

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A member of the previous band on, taking in the GBV show from side stage

Big Stage - The SummerStage!

CBGB Fest Times Square - Duff McKagan's Loaded

Saturday, July 7 proved to be the most action-packed day of the entire CBGB Festival.  Flush with the knowledge that Duff McKagan's Loaded was set to hit the outdoor stage in Time Square at half past noon, I soon found myself positioned front and center with the other rabid fans.

McKagan hit the stage on time and the scene was quickly transformed to a hard rocking atmosphere in the heart of New York City.

Duff announced the last time he played New York was at The Blender Theater in May 2009
(a show I happened to be at as well - see my coverage of that one here:
http://davecromwellwrites.blogspot.com/2009/06/duff-mckagans-loaded-05192009-blender.html

This time he said he told the Mayor the next time he played NYC they were going to have to shut down Times Square (which as it turns out, is exactly what was happening here).

As expected, the band was super tight.  Leaning heavily on material from the most recent Loaded album.

Duff talked about how special it was to him to be included in this CBGB festival celebration.  How he played  the original club with his first band Guns N Roses back in 1987.

The man sounds and looks better than ever.  He personifies the best aspects of being a rocker - now from the perspective of a healthy adult who's passion for the music has never waned.

The dude in the left corner of the stage there (looking somewhat like a Duff clone) danced through every song played - and eventually made his way into the crowd with us to experience it all from the fans side.

The band ripped out every song like seasoned rockers, pummeling the crowd with it's two guitar, bass and drums attack.

Duff has that easygoing stage presence of someone who's done countless shows.  Here he engages the audience in some amusing participation activities:

To play the classic Guns N Roses song "It's So Easy" - Duff swapped out the guitar he was playing for his trusty bass.

The surprises kept on coming, as original Sex Pistol Glen Matlock joined Duff and the band and proceeded to rock out in true Punk Rock style.

Glen and Duff - two icons from hugely influential bands - mutual admiration.

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Though I was clearly too close to shoot any kind of decent sounding video (and I apologize for the inadequacies of my feeble device - those 'poping' sounds are really annoying) - I enjoyed shooting the images - including getting myself and some of the other revelers in - via the classic 360-sweep view.

Duff on stage - Croms right up front.  Just as it should be.

Glen Matlock playing with Duff McKagan's Loaded at the CBGB Festival.  Celebrate

Getting to meet and chat with Duff afterwards ranks right up there with one of my all time special moments of coolness.  Simply put - the guy is a complete role model.  Cleaned up badboy.  Into fitness, writing and financial advice.  Those three things are a big part of MY life.  Yet he still rocks as hard as ever.  It would be difficult for me to find someone else that so completely mirrors where my priorities are today.

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Totally stoked from this amazing first event of the day, my summertime "show bro" Rob the drid and I hoofed it over to the North Stage at 52nd street to catch 90's alterna-punks Superchunk

The band was already on, raging through their set.  So, we packed in with the crowd and immediately assimilated to the head bopping vibe.

It was a great atmosphere there in the early afternoon.  The band was super tight and the audience seemed to know the words to every song played.

Check out their final song of the set, captured from the proper distance for a better audio experience:

The Saturday portion of CBGB Festival was off to an amazing start!

With the Times Square shows now in the books, it was now off to Central Park and the big SummerStage shows.

CBGB Film Fest - The Ramones Story

In addition to the multitude of music happening all over the city, the CBGB Festival also featured a number of fascinating discussion panels and film screenings.

I caught one such discussion panel called CBGB -Tales from the Club - held at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema on Houston Street. Speaker/Moderator Rachel Felder seamlessly coordinated the informative and witty banter of former Ramones manager Danny Fields and Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh.

Having my passion for all things Ramones now energized, I made sure to attend the screening of "End of the Century: the Story of the Ramones" which was being held at the Anthology Film Archives on Second Avenue and 2nd Street.

Not only was this amazing film being shown, but Special Guests original founding band member Tommy Ramone and their long-time tour manager and author of "On The Road With The Ramones" Monte A. Melnick were to speak and take questions afterwards.

Out front of the Cinema a crowd began to congregate, including members of The Suicide Girls, who were also appearing there as they premiered their own film "SuicideGirls UK"

Quickly grabbing a choice seat in The Maya Deren Theater inside, the packed room settled in for this wonderful Biography on The Ramones.

The band's influence is immeasurable and the film is well worth seeking out.

Afterwards Tommy spoke to the crowd and showed what an articulate and insightful guy he really is.

So much more than just the Ramones original drummer, Tommy produced their early groundbreaking albums and is also an accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter in his own right.

Road Manager Monte Melnick has some interesting and amusing stories to tell as well.

Joey and Johnny Ramone were two powerful forces in the band that did not often see eye to eye on things - yet kept a professional relationship together for decades.  That alone tells you something about the power that this band possessed.

Dee Dee was the creative wild card.  Full of ideas, constantly writing songs.  Provided so much energy in the live performances.

For me - the band will always be Johnny's, however.  The film talks about how Johnny was the band's "inside manager."  How he was the one who made sure they got paid - didn't get ripped off.   Johnny didn't see the sense in taking drugs and getting "stupid."  The worst you could say about him was that he didn't have the best personality in the world.  He wasn't the "fun guy" that Joey and Dee Dee were.  From my perspective, sometimes being the one keeping everyone together and worrying about the details doesn't leave a lot of room at the end of the day to be the "fun guy."  I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for Johnny Ramone.  And oh yeah - he created a guitar style and played with such a force that every band that came along afterwards paid tribute to.

Tommy also had a huge influence in forming and molding the band early on.  Another "ideas guy" it's great to hear him speak about his time with the band - and the legacy that resonates to this very day.

Capturing a moment with Tommy Ramone in 2012 - a true highlight of this CBGB Fest.

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 Listen to this band in their earliest stages - the sheer power and force of their shows is palpable.




Even this raw early "loft" recording (a loft they all lived in with their friend Arturo - as explained in the film) shows just how tight and determined The Ramones were.

 True Rock and Roll innovators.