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Five Concerts to See This Weekend
Including Frightened Rabbit and cover bands galore!
The Drums (Photo: Kevin Tachman)
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Halloween in New York City is traditionally an excuse for bands to wear the costumes of other bands, and this year is no different. But if tribute bands aren’t your thing, we’ve got some other selections, too. Enjoy the weekend!
Black Prairie
Friday, October 29
Mercury Lounge, 7:30 p.m.
We’re still upset at ourselves for missing Colin Meloy’s solo CMJ set last Friday, when he played the Decemberists’ “Crane Wife” trilogy and three new songs. To make up for that, we’ll be checking out Black Prairie, made up of three of the five Decemberists. Included: guitarist Chris Funk, bassist Nate Query and organ/accordion player, Jenny Conlee. Not included: Meloy and drummer John Moen. $12
Boogie Boarder/Passive Aggressor/Reality War (Michael Jordan)/Freudian Slit/Necking/Zulus/Pygmy Shrews
Friday, October 29
Death by Audio, TBA
Doesn’t matter if you don’t know any of the bands listed above. You’ll know the bands they’re covering. It’s a “Pre-Halloween Cover Show,” and there will be tributes to KISS, Thin Lizzy, Nirvana, Green Day’s Dookie, Black Flag and Babes in Toyland. Then they’ll all come on-stage together at the end of the show to perform either “All Apologies” or “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).” $8
Frightened Rabbit
October 30
Terminal 5, 7 p.m.
Halloween isn’t just for cover bands and side projects; Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit released one of 2010′s best albums, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, which, as you might assume by the title, is going to sound AMAZING when the weather’s cold. $27.80
DOM and Smith Westerns
Saturday, October 30
171 Lombardy, 8 p.m.
If you haven’t listened to the Smith Westerns’ self-titled debut album, go do that now. The guys in the band are still teenagers, but they know how to write one heck of a pop hook. As for DOM, we saw them twice during CMJ, and really liked their “sunburned guitar pop,” as Pitchfork put it, and cover of Polaris’ “Hey Sandy.” $10/$13
The Drums and Neon Trees
Saturday, October 30
Hammerstein Ballroom, 8 p.m.
Devo was originally on this bill—until a glass shard sliced through guitarist Bob Mothersbaugh’s right thumb. So, instead of being a $55 show, it’s now FREE. Having no Devo sucks, but we’re always happy to see the Drums, who we picked as having the best CMJ performance last week. Just hear “Best Friend” and you’ll be hooked. Free (must RSVP)
Robbers on High Street and Blue Album Group
Sunday, October 31
Mercury Lounge, 7:30 p.m.
The fact that an Electric Light Orchestra, a.k.a. E.L.O., tribute band is on the same bill as another tribute group decided to Weezer’s first album is brilliant. Can they please combine forces and become, what else?, Mr. Blue Album Sky. That thing wrote itself. $8