Bitch @ Googie's Lounge, 04.08.09

Just back from their recent tour, Bitch (of B+TEC, Shortbus, and Bitch & Animal) along with Gabriel Kubitz (also of B+TEC and The Stationary Set) rocked Googie's Lounge last night! The venue is mediocre, at best--above The Living Room, Googie's Lounge is a tiny space from which the audience can hear the downstairs band. However, Bitch and Gabe took total command of the room and had the packed lounge completely captivated during their entire set.


Bitch has been working on two new albums, both of which may be available this coming fall. The project seems to have been formed around the music of the band, B+TEC (Bitch and the Exciting Conclusion), but in its' creation has spawned Bitch's next solo album, as well.


It's clear that B is excited about these projects, and life in general--she sent good vibes to the entire audience, particularly by playing a new song, "I am Happy." "Happy" includes allusions to everything from "Brooklyn skies" to politics; B sings, "I am happy, a black man's in the White House." In addition to the new material, the duo also played more relaxed versions of songs from B+TEC's EP ("B+TEC=!"), including two particularly resonating performances of "Highway" and "Open Up." A surprise inclusion was the Bitch-blast-from-the-past, "Pacman," which seems to fit better with her new sound than it did on Bitch & Animal's album, "Sour Juice and Rhyme."


All in all, Bitch and Gabe put out a fantastic set that makes me itch with anticipation for B's solo album, as well as B+TEC's fall release--but if you just can't wait until then, check out bitchmusic.com for videos, music, and more!

Review and photos by Laura. More photos are available here.

The Stationary Set @ Arlele's Grocery, 03.31.09

[For background information on The Stationary Set, see this post.













The Stationary Set wowed me, once again, at their show this past Tuesday at Arlene's Grocery. During the show, I realized that there's something unique about the band that keeps me coming back for more--something that makes them different from every other quasi-hipster, Brooklyn indie band. What is that "something" you might ask?

Well, it could be the unique combination of people in the band. As I've said before, each guy throws something different into the mix. Andrew is nothing short of a world-class poet with a powerful voice. Josh H. has a knack for creating an intricately woven ensemble of sound that lays beneath the melody and gives each track a holistic, and thus engrossing vibe. Josh D. can make a guitar do anything he might ever want it to--he can choose the perfect power chord, but he can also come up with complex licks. Gabe throws in an incredibly powerful bassline, but somehow manages to keep it from dominating the song. Logan is an absurdly talented drummer who keeps the beat while still managing to frequently change the rhythym to accompany the evolving mood set by Andrew's lyrics. Though the combination of these talents surely makes for a great listening experience, the band's worth is more than just the sum of its parts.

I could be coming back, show after show, for the songs, themselves. Catchy yet complex, The Stationary Set is able to take the best aspects of pop, like the I-just-can't-get-it-out-of-my-head melodies, and combine them with a much more altrock feel. However, if I only wanted to listen to the songs, I could download the free EP from their myspace page!

Although the band has a number of amazng attributes, the one thing that sucks me in at every show is the overwhelming vibe of excitement and fun that eminates from the stage. They dance, they jump, they just rock the hell out--and you can tell that they're loving every minute of it! During the show, a few random people poked their heads in from the bar on the other side of the venue, and after one song they were up in the front dancing like maniacs--you just can't help but love their music!!! Why? If for no other reason, it's because THEY love it, and THEY have a great time playing it for the audience.


So come to the next Stationary Set show, I'd love to see you there. I'll be in the front, dancing like a maniac . . . with everyone else!

Review and photos by Laura, more photos available here.