With the weed smoke wafting around the Lower East Side, as tokers of all persuasions celebrated their high holy day of 4/20, the Bowery Electric was overtaken by a trio of ska/punk bands kicking up the stoner energy.
The NYC-based Butterbrain opened up the show and while sound issues, feedback, and broken mics plagued their set, the musicianship and good times still broke on through. The band mixed horn-drenched reggae grooves (supported by guest saxophonist Raven) and covers like “Love Will Keep Us Together”, with unique originals such as the dueting “Love Letter”. The song found bassist/vocalist Aaron Collins and singer Sally May going back and forth on a breakup as screaming guitars raised the tension. A set-closing, rollicking version of Fishbone’s “Ugly” wrapped up the opening stanza wonderfully as all in attendance sang along.
Hub City Stompers took to the stage next as the New Jersey-based ska outfit got the joint jumping. The band mixed in their punk with straight-ahead jams like the crowd revving “Where’s My Hooligans”, tightening up as their set rolled on via efforts like “Mr. McFeely”. The upbeat skanking of the anti-Emo song “Pants Music” let the brass blare while frontman Rev Sinister told stories and engaged the packed house.
The band’s peak hit with “Phily, What The Fuck” as the group nailed their surprising three-part harmony on the humorous number and a cool, drowning-your-sorrows-in-beer song “Skins Don’t Cry”. They closed the set with saxophonist/singer Jenny Whiskey taking the lead vocals on the heartfelt “Hard Place To Be”, a serious tune that wrapped up a set that bounced and danced all over the LES.
Headliners Mephiskapheles are just starting out on a US tour and took this set as a special showcase for the group’s new tunes that will be recorded in the near future. That said, the legendary ska collective still delivered some old favorites and most importantly, were in tight, top-notch shape. Frontman Andre Worrell whipped the crowd into a frenzy with Satan chants right from the get-go as the horns blared, drums kicked and stand-up bass grooved.
An early set, pumped-up delivery of “The Bumble Bee Tuna Song” had sing-alongs and smiles galore while “Centre Of The…” increased the punk/hardcore side of the band with slamming drums which began the tune and never let up as the horns swirled chaotically around. The skank kept up all night but reached its peak during “Saba” a blast of energy from the band who crashed directly into the speeding, prophetic “Doomsday”.
The night wrapped up with the first song the band released on God Bless Satan as the self-titled jam was fast and furious with 666 gleefully shouting into the herb-filled air. A solid triple bill of ska on the Bowery from three bands, all delivering the skanking goods.
One Response
Hey! Sally May* and Jenny Whiskey* 😉 Thanks for the write up!