GaragePunkNYC | New York's blog for garage punk news.

I think I can speak for all of us at GPNYC when I say that we think the CMJ festival should go away forever. This rigmarole never pays any dividends for 99.9% of the bands who participate, and those that it does benefit already had blog buzz or a record deal before they got here. In other words, it’s just the exhaust pipe on the hype machine– you knew what was coming and guess what– here it is!

That said, we know some of you are going to some shows, so we picked out the ones where for the most part there might be at least TWO bands you’d want to catch. After all, if I tell you that the Smith Westerns are playing 6 shows tonight, all of them with other bands you won’t like, how will you know which show to go to and when? Given that timing is legendarily dicey at these things. So forget those one-off 10 band bills with ONE band that you’d want to see. Instead, try your hand at these.

For those of you seasoned enough to opt out of this travesty of a “festival”, there are also some non-CMJ goings-down to enjoy.

FRIDAY:

Let’s start with the weird– New York’s own Black on Brown do a pretty goddamned strange version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”. I really don’t know how to classify their music, and I don’t know what it sounds like live, but I think this show will fill your weird quotient. Naturally, it’s at Tommy’s Tavern in Greenpoint– 9PM doors and it’s FREE.

Sticking with Brooklyn, how about a blast from the past– the mighty TRASHMEN make their Brooklyn debut (hard to believe?) at Southpaw tonight. $25, but it might be worth it. Word to the wise: see SATURDAY, cheaper show at the record fair.

Over at Bushwick’s Lake Johnson, NYCSeen / Molly Weiss is hosting her own Anti-CMJ party featuring a number of bands including the Vandelles. I last saw them in 2006 but at the time they reminded me of the Raveonettes’ sound on their first EP meeting Jesus & Mary Chain. Either way it’s helluva lotta noise. $?

Back in Greenpoint, I’m DJing all night at Matchless across from Mccarren Park. I’ll celebrate the lack of CMJ action at Matchless by blasting Garage, Punk, and well, Garage-Punk. Of course there will be time for a short Gospel Set (I’m thinking around midnightish) and some doowop-y Halloween tunes if you haven’t had enough of those yet.

Over in Manhattan, REAL GONE is on a different day this month and features Jay Banerjee & the Heartthrobs (members of the Anything People), the Subway Surfers and GetSet. FREE and Great DJs spinning all nite.

We’re not sure about J. Toubin’s Home Sweet Home gig this week, seems he’s booked into various afterparties. I’m sure you’ll find info on his various sites.

Brooklyn– Electric Shadows @ “Colonel Records” showcase / DON PEDRO (not sure of time or $?); Austin’s Harlem (featuring Jose ex-Gondoliers) and the Dutchess & the Duke @ Vice’s Afterparty Showcase / PUBLIC ASSEMBLY (rsvp only?)

Manhattan– The Bongos (Hoboken power pop) & the Fleshtones at Hiro Ballroom (possibly the lamest “fancy” venue in the world) for the small price of $20…

Here’s a tip. Head over to the WFMU Record Fair on W. 18th st. Admission is $7, there are more dealers here than you’ll ever need (or get to) AND you get two good shows to boot on Saturday: 2PM you’ve got the TRASHMEN assumingly doing “Surfin’ Bird” and at 4PM Jon Spencer & Matt Verta-Ray’s HEAVY TRASH. Just try not to spend all your money. Please. It’s hopeless.

DJs Fine Wine & Jonathan Toubin will be doing a new thing at N8, the new -old- Supreme Trading in Williamsburg on (you guessed it!) North 8th st. Guest DJ Josh Styles. FREE?

Brooklyn– Turbo Fruits apparently at Union Pool; Golden Triangle, K-Holes & more at Don Pedro (“Special Guests” are warned so we’re assuming Black Lips/KK&BBQ)

Manhattan– Golden Triangle & Pissed Jeans @ Mercury? This could be the early show. Just a guess.

CMJ is OVER! Rejoice!

The Dirty Shames certainly will at their interesting on-a-boat gig at OKTOBERSHIP at Pier 40. $10 — 6-11PM.

Also happening, the live debut of the Almighty Defenders, the supergroup comprised of the Black Lips and King Khan & BBQ Show, at Maxwell’s in Hoboken. Not sure if they’ll actually play the Saturday night show at Pedro, so this might be your only chance to catch em. From what I’ve heard of the record, it’s kind of like the Traveling Wilburies but with… the Black Lips and King Khan & BBQ Show. In other words, you won’t hear something totally new but it’s still enjoyable. The price of entry, $17, is markedly less so.

Last but not least, Andy Maltz and/or Dave the Spazz will be helming a post-record fair DJ set at Union Pool in Brooklyn. Thank god it’s free because you’re definitely broke after this weekend.