“Legend” is a term that’s bandied about all too often in our 21st century garage punk circles. How many time have you seen show ads for some totally unknown 60’s garage band with one single under their belt being referred as “legendary” ? Or maybe it was a band like the Queers. Famous, yes; Long-running, yes; legendary, no.
The same cannot be said of André Williams, who returns to New York this weekend to promote his latest project, a BOOK of all things. Mr. Williams, responsible not only for “Bacon Fat” but a host of some of the best r’n'b & soul records from the 50’s to the 70’s, is a legend’s legend. Even Ike Turner might look over his shoulder at André. This is the guy behind “Funky Judge”; “Twine Time” and so many other 45s spun by virtually every r’n'b and soul DJ in this town EVERY weekend.
That he is a legend then, is not in doubt, but can he perform? Well, we’re going to find out this weekend at 3 separate Norton-backed events to push the book (which Nick Tosches also had something to do with)… In case it doesn’t turn out so well, or “Mr Rhythm” gets to that bottle of Bacardi a little too early on, there’s plenty of action to be had elsewhere, so don’t despair. This first weekend of February bodes well for our next 6 weeks of Winter– cold outside, but heating up around town!
TONIGHT (FRIDAY):
The action is beginning at the same time all over town, so try (hard!) to be in multiple places at once.
Our suggestion would be to start off with Andre Williams & Nick Tosches reading at St Mark’s Church on e 10th St. It’s free and should be innarestin’ enough.
Then hop the L train at 1rst ave and take it one stop to Bedford. Over at Williamsburg’s Spike Hill venue, the live 60’s style garage/ye-ye bands Electric Mess & Les Sans Culottes will be putting on quite a show on the narrowest stage in town. Cover is $5 (we believe?) and it’s a hop and a skip (not even a jump) from subway.
After that, you’ve got a choice:
- stay in Brooklyn, heading North on Bedford until it becomes Nassau Ave, turning right at Eckford St and hitting rockabilly dj gig ABC Rebel Night at Greenpoint’s Warsaw (FREE)
- get back on the L train, head BACK to Manhattan, and check out Smashed! Blocked! this month with guest DJ Peppermint Twist as well as a live pantomime performance of André Williams. Will this be any good? Will you be able to see André over the heads of the blackberry/trenchcoat mafia? Hard to say, but it’s free and at Beauty Bar.
SATURDAY:
Even more to do than Friday!
Starting early, check out 60’s soul revivalists the Sweet Divines at BAMCafe in middle Brooklyn. It’s free (we think) and at BAM around 9 o’clock. While you’re down there (heh heh) head over to Tip-Top Bar & Grill for another André-thon, this time with Dave the Spazz as head DJ. Our guess: a way funner event than the sure-to-be-packed S!B! the night before. No cover here either.
Afterwards, think about Williamsburg (HARD!) — there’s a lot going on up here. Over at Public Assembly, you’ve got Heavy Trash (Jon Spencer + Matt Verta-Ray) for $13 if rockabilly is what you’re feeling. OR you could be a little different and check out an interesting-looking DJ party in Bushwick at the “Wreck Room” (haha) on Flushing Ave. It’s called “Space is the Place” and promises 60’s/70’s psych/soul/garage/punk grooves and is no cover. We’re all for NEW nights, so dig!
You can also get freaky at Union Pool on Saturday with Golden Triangle and the K-Holes, the latter of whom are headed south for Mardi Gras. So show your tits and stuff. $?
If on the other hand, you’d like to keep it simple, check out Jumpy’s Soul-a-Go-Go night at Huckleberry on Grand St. It’s also free, and you’ll know how to dance to the usual great grooves.
Well, that’s it for me as Marcus has promised to take over Sunday’s doings. Expect his post earlier than usual tomorrow. See you out there chilluns!
SHIMMY
Tags: andre williams, Heavy Trash, les sans culottes, nick tosches, peppermint twist, space is the place, sweet divines, wreck room
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