I'm Just Here For the Bands

Putting the "Y" back in DIY www.jasonhousephotography.com

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Radkey at Mercury Lounge, NYC 2/20/14

(all photos Jason House)

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Hey, y’all! While I’m in the midst of trying to think of a new photo project to work on, I figured I’d pop in and make a post on the good ol’ photo blog. I recently saw the Legendary Shack Shakers for what I’m thinking is probably the 11th time. It made sense to bring it full circle since a show of theirs was the last post I made.  It was an unusual show because it was at the recently(?) opened Country Hill BBQ offshoot in Brooklyn and since the entertainment is usually lesser known travelling Americana type bands, there was no opener. It worked out well though because the Shack Shakers bring enough energy to get the crowd going straight out of the gate, kicking it right off with Hip Shake and speeding through a solid mix of old and brand new stuff, the most recent being “Sing a Worried Song” off of their brand new album, After You’re Gone.  Since my last post, long time bass player Mark Robertson has been replaced by former Two Man Gentleman band member Fuller Condon (see photo) who I saw open for them a few years back. He seemlessly transitioned in and this was actually my second time seeing him with the band.  Another planned lineup change actually didn’t happen for this show. Rod Hamdallah had actually gone on hiatus to work on some other projects and had been replaced by Gary Siperko, who a lot of Upstate New Yorkers will remember from his days with Ithaca’s hot rod rock and roll trio, MOFOS. I was looking forward to seeing him, but it was nice to see Rod back at the helm for this leg of the tour. 

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Jello Biafra@ Highline Ballroom, NYC 6/27/14

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Today marks the 3rd anniversary of I'm Just Here for the Bands! I've been spending the day playing catch up. Things have been busy lately. This past Wednesday I hit the road for an EYEHATEGOD show in my hometown of Binghamton, N.Y., then followed it up with Smokey Robinson on Friday and finished off the week with a second EYEHATEGOD show at Club Europa here in Brooklyn. Photo sets on the way!

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The Adicts@ Highline Ballroom, NYC 5/29/14

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Kvelertek@ Terminal 5, NYC 5/15/14

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The Brooklyn Folk Festival, The Bell House, Brooklyn 4/19/14

(all photos Jason House) jam session

Peter Siegel and Eli Smith

Piedmond Bluz

Wyndham Baird

Blueridge Entertainers

Willy Gantrim

The Tillers

East River String Band (feat. R. Crumb)

Tahuantinsuyo

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Radkey@Mercury Lounge, NYC 2/20/14

(all photos Jason House)

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Unlocking the Truth@ Trash Bar, Brooklyn 2/9/14

(all photos Jason House)

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Negative Approach, The Casualties, Lords of Death, Nuclear Santa Claust, and Miscegenator@ Club Europa, Brooklyn 12/6/13

(all photos Jason House) Miscegenator

Lords of Death

Nuclear Santa Claust

The Casualties

Negative Approach

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EYEHATEGOD and Trenchgrinder@ The Acheron, Brooklyn 11/16/13

(all photos Jason House) Trenchgrinder

EYEHATEGOD

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The Business, The Welch Boys, and the 45 Adapters@ Mercury Lounge, NYC 11/8/13

(all photos Jason House)

The 45 Adapters

The Welch Boys (Boston)

The Business

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The Upper Crust@ Bowery Electric, NYC 9/21/13

(all photos Jason House)

I decided to switch things up a little and go for a more traditional rock and roll show this time around. Emphasis on traditional. Emphasis on switch things up.

Boston's 'masters of macaroni', The Upper Crust brought their unique Rococo style rock to Manhattan's Bowery Electric on the city's Lower East Side. The band draws as much influence from Louis XV as they do straight up 70's rock, most prominently early AC/DC (a distinction they're sure to either revel in or loathe by now). The group romped through a writ's worth of colonial era homages such as Little Lord Fauntleroy, Let Them Eat Rock, and a rousing rendition of I'm Finished With Finishing School, much to the delight of the distinctively 21st Century crowd. The coxcomb quartet is comprised of Lord Bendover on lead vocals and guitar, The Duc D'istortion on 2nd guitar, Jackie Kickassis on drums (obviously), and Count Bassie on... bass. I'll let that last one sink in.

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Citizens Arrest, Enabler, Miscegenator, and Dead Serious@ The Acheron, Brooklyn 8/10/13

(all photos: Jason House) Dead Serious

Miscegenator

Enabler

Citizens Arrest

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The Scorpios (A Tribute to Tony Sly)@ Union Hall, Brooklyn 7/20/13

(all photos: Jason House) When I got an invitation to go see Joey Cape (Lagwagon) and Tony Sly (No Use For a Name) almost exactly a year ago today, I wasn't even considering that it might be the last (and only time) I would see Tony Sly perform live, or for that matter that it would be one of his last performances ever. Least expected was the call just days later informing me of his untimely passing. Last night marked Joey Cape's return to Brooklyn with The Scorpios, a project started by Joey, Tony, Jon Snodgrass, and Brian Wahlstrom. The show space of Union Hall was packed, a number of which were friends and family which had come out to see Mike Smith, winner of the local songwriter's contest put on by the band in each city on this tour. It was his first time performing live and I hope to hear more from him soon. The night was divided into sections that flowed from one to the next. Things started off with some Scorpios songs followed by solo sets from Jon (who also played in Drag the River and Armchair Martian) and Joey with the rest of the members taking turns contributing throughout the night. Midway through, the band took a few moments to pay homage to Tony and his music. There was a somber, but celebratory tone to the evening. Energy was high for a mix of songs from both his solo career and different eras of No Use For Name. I would have to say that it doesn't get much more intense than it was in that room during the rousing rendition of Justified led by Wahlstrom. A tribute to it's writer who left us too soon. "Yesterday becomes tomorrow leaves you wanting more..." Tony Sly (Nov 4 1970- July 31 2012) Joey Cape

Jon Snodgrass

Jon Snodgrass, Brian Wahlstrom, and Joey Cape         

Mike Smith