Conspirator’s ConspiraTOUR: Brooklyn Bowl

Photo @ Mackme.com by Mackler Studios

There is something to be said about a pool of interchangeable musicians who can set up their instruments pretty much anywhere, and pack a hall with minimal promotion. If anything, this fact alone is a testament to the golden age we’re experiencing in music today. On January 5th, New York was treated to yet another great combination of musicians, this time under the guise of Conspirator (Aron Magner and Marc Brownstein of the Disco Biscuits‘ side project, for those who are unaware), and were joined on stage by Chris Michetti, (Guitarist of RAQ, and virtuoso in his own right), and Lane Shaw (Drummer of Pnuma Trio, and one of the most precise drummers in the scene today).

Before Conspirator took to the stage, walk-ins were welcomed by the pleasant sounds of Nicos Gun, an interesting band from Philadelphia with a knack for covering Blondie better than Blondie can cover herself. Their 70’s/80’s feel, combined with the cut through sounds that have come to be standard today, made for a great start to the night. Even though I was eating (and yes, for those who were wondering, I did have the catfish again), I had to stand up at points and move my precious body to their beat. I had seen them before on the Rocks Off Boat Cruise and was just as impressed with them this night as I was on the Cruise. You will be seeing much more of them in the future.

Photo @ Mackme.com by Mackler Studios

I was pleasantly surprised to see Bonobo set up on stage for his DJ set between Nicos Gun and Conspirator, as opposed to shacking up in the more impersonal DJ booth. Perhaps this was because of his good looks, but regardless, it does enhance the “show” aspect of a DJ’s performance, and I hope this trend continues at the Bowl. He threw down a very tribal set; I had heard a lot about Bonobo in the past six months or so but had never gotten to hear either his original work, or his mixes. I was happy with his selection, as was the crowd, and it was the first time, out of any DJ set that I have seen at Brooklyn Bowl, where the crowd actually grew in size during the set instead of diminish. I strongly believe this is because of his placement on the stage. He will be traveling to Mexico next week for Mayan Holidaze, and I strongly urge anyone lucky enough to be down there to catch his set.

Photo @ Mackme.com by Mackler Studios

After a well crafted Bonobo set, the crowd was eager to watch Aron, Marc, Chris, and Lane take to the stage. Fresh off the Disco Biscuits’ New Year’s Run, the excitement of getting to see such great players on stage again, and so soon after a run like that, was impossible to ignore. Brownie and Michetti already had the biggest smiles in the world on before they even hit their first notes, so we knew we were in for a treat. What followed was a pretty standard set of theirs, but they moved through it with the intensity, focus, and enjoyment needed to make it feel like a brand new show. Park Ave, Uber Glue, Caves of the East, Liquid Handcuffs, Neck Romancer, and Proper Education were without a doubt the highlights of the set, and they truly tore apart the Bowl.

It seems as if the sound at Brooklyn Bowl has just gotten better and better. Magner was on point as per usual; and although the bass used to have a lot of trouble coming through (probably due to the warehouse ceilings), Brownie’s famous bass bombs were dropped onto the crowd in the explosive style we have all come to know and love, and his signature leg kicks and head bobs were out in full force. Everyone’s sound cut through well, and feeling Michetti lock into the trance grooves was wildly entertaining. Watching his face light up would probably cure most human ailments and illnesses. Lane was also great to keep an eye on, and is a perfect example of a drummer who can take a minimal set and make it sound as intricate as a 10 piece e-kit.

The band encored with a Michetti original, and after watching Brownie tackle Michetti on stage you could really feel the fun that these guys have had, are having, and will continue to have until the end of the tour in March. Do not miss these guys when they roll through your area. You can find their tour dates here.

Horizon

Tourdates:

01/27/11- The State Theater – Falls Church, VA
01/28/11- The Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY
01/29/11- Pearl Street – Northampton, MA
02/04/11- Mystic Theater – Petaluma, CA
02/05/11- Key Club – Los Angeles, CA
02/07/11- Zebra Cocktail Lounge – Bozeman, MT
02/08/11- Top Hat – Missoula, MT
02/09/11- Fez Ballroom – Portland, OR
02/10/11- Club Motor – Seattle, WA
02/11/11- The Red Fox Tavern – Eureka, CA
02/12/11- The New Parish – Oakland, CA
02/13/11- Moe’s Alley – Santa Cruz, CA
02/16/11- The Met – Providence, Rhode Island
02/17/11- Port City Music Hall, Portland, ME
02/18/11- Higher Ground Ballroom – Burlington,VT
02/19/11- Northern Lights – Clifton, NY
02/20/11- The Note, West Chester, PA
02/24/11- Royal Oak Music Hall – Royal Oak,MI
02/25/11- Congress Theater -Chicago, IL
02/26/11- Canopy Club -Urbana, IL
02/27/11- Majestic Theater – Madison, WI
03/01/11- Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
03/02/11- Mr. Smalls Theatre – Pittsburgh, PA
03/03/11- Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY
03/04/11- Gramercy Theatre – NYC
03/05/11- Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

-->