Get ready for a long New Years weekend.

The end of the "whatever it's called" decade.
The Naughts? I prefer "The Naught-ies".
But whatever it's called, it's over.

Note: this post is really, really likely to be updated as we hear about more New Year's Eve parties.

Monday

Snow again (supposedly). Warm 'yerself up at Art Land Bar where DJ Knifefight will be spinning all "pre-Beatles" rock-n-roll. No cover, free pool and drink specials all night starting at 10. And no competition, so go!

Tuesday

The Bowery Electric hosts a Gogol Bordello afterparty upstairs, but we strongly recommend heading downstairs to catch Whooping Crane, The Dirty Shames, Daddy Long Legs and The Bowery Boys. Show starts at 9pm and there's a free vodka bar from 9-10. $5 cover. And/or, head over to Lakeside Lounge to catch The Martinets for free at 9pm.

In Brooklyn, check out Trophy Bar for a "Birthday Blow-Out" with DJs Sophie Thunder, Boogaloo Omnibus and Billy Miller (of Norton Records/The A-Bones). It's a party for folks with birthdays between Dec. 24 and Jan. 1, but everyone is invited. Pretty sure there is no cover, but feel free to bring gifts (I do believe myrrh is traditional). Or you could just go to Hot Dog! at Bar Matchless where they'll have DJs spinning Rock-n-Roll, 50's and 60's R'n'B, Soul, Funk, Garage Rock, Punk, and more. No cover, 2-for-1 drinks all night, starts at 8.

Wednesday

DJs and more DJs. DJ Reverend Vince spins Soul, Gospel and R&B at Savalas. New York Night Train Wednesdays at Motor City Bar features guest DJs spinning punk/rock/hard stuff all night. Mr. Fine Wine spins fine Soul music at Botanica. And furthermore... DJs Gregg D and Dave Ready (of Sorceress) will spin glam, rock-n-roll and "teenage boogie" at St. Jerome's (the bar -- it's at 155 Rivington in Manhattan). There's supposed to be a special secret guest live performer at that last one. They're all free, so as long as you go, you can not go wrong.

Thursday

Yeah, there miiiight just be something happening this Thursday. But considering that you'll probably get charged a $5 cover just for stepping outside, you might want to plan ahead.

Our suggestions:

1. Don't plan on taking a cab anywhere.

a. Golden Triangle and Electric Tickle Machine at Glasslands Gallery. Also with DJ Thirwell, a "secret performance", and an open vodka bar from 9-10. $10 cover.

α (that's an "alpha" - all of our suggestions should be considered equal). Your 33 Black Angels,The Hoa Hoa's, Hollands, Hobsons Choice, Apollo Heights, akg's Humboldt Fog, and perhaps more at Don Pedro. $8 cover and free Colt 45 from 11-midnight. Served in champagne glasses. Okay, not really.

ℵ. The Detriot Cobras, The A-Bones and The Underthings at Mercury Lounge. Tickets are... $25 advance, $30 at the door. Oy vey!

$. The Subway Soul Club presents Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and Obits at The Bell House. DJs after the bands include the Boogaloo Omnibus (that guy again!) Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door, though after the bands the cover drops to $5.

Edit: and more... DJ Jahna Rain spins funk and soul all night at The Lamp Post Bar and Grill in Jersey City. New York Night Train is throwing all-night parties at Cake Shop, Motor City Bar and Home Sweet Home. Covers range from $0 to $15, check out their website for more info. The Trash Bar is doing a punk rock New Years with Murphy's Law, No Redeeming Social Value, World War IX, Blackout Shoppers and Skum City. $12 cover includes an open bar from 8-9.

Marcus

PS. Anyone know the story behind all these open vodka bars? There's one every week lately, two this week. Did some company hire a really good rep or what? And also, how did Don Pedro get stuck with those little bottles of Colt 45?

add to del.icio.us to Digg Share on Facebook

It's raining PR men! Hallelujah?

The Angel Sluts play two more shows in town this week.

Yeah, it's CMJ week, but does that really change anything? Believe it or not, connections are not just for sellouts and poseurs. Some of your (and our) favorite bands have connections and can get a gig or two this week. Go out and support them!

Broke? Lots of free shows this week too. Smaller venues and lesser-known bands have to compete with CMJ, right? The booze must flow. Feel free to take advantage.

Monday

Tennessee punks The Angel Sluts are everywhere. For the third of their four consecutive shows in New York they are embedded in a bill at the Trash Bar in Williamsburg. They're on third (of five). Over at The Bowery Electric local garage rockers Dead Phones share a show with Des Roar, Brothers and The Knew. That one is probably a free show.

Tuesday

The big event of the evening is called the Panache Booking and New York Night Train CMJ Showcase (PBNYNTCMJS). It doesn't abbreviate well, at least not in English, but it features some great local bands including Heavy Trash, Stalkers and Golden Triangle spread across both floors of SPH. It's $10 and if you want to go, get your get tickets in advance.

If those bands or that price tag are not your thing you can always check out the Angel Sluts (assuming you aren't sick of them by now) at Otto's Shrunken Head. They're on at 10pm after Meghan Wolf and Living In Polaroids (LIP) This show is free.

The official Anti-CMJ "Panic Room" will be at Bar Matchless this Tuesday night. It is also known as Hot Dog!, and features DJs spinning all sorts of music: 50's and 60's R'n'B, Doowop, Gospel, Soul, Funk, Garage Rock, Punk, and whatever else they feel like, basically. No cover, 2-for-1 drinks all night, from 8 'till late.

Wednesday

Which for today shall be referred to as "Black Hollies Day". They're playing a show, which is free despite being CMJ-branded, at Cake Shop. Why? Well, it starts at noon, though the Hollies are on after 5pm. Show up early to catch Turbo Fruits and many other bands. Or, just be patient and catch The Black Hollies, Nouvellas and more at Knitting Factory Brooklyn in the evening. That show starts at 7pm and Nouvellas are on first. The show is also $10 and has advance tickets available, which once again are a good idea.

In late-night free stuff we've got the usual this week. Motor City Bar hosts New York Night Train Wednesdays, its regular punk/rock/hard stuff night. Botanica has Mr. Fine Wine's night of classic Soul grooves. Both are no cover.

Thursday

Edit: Of course, we forgot about Don Pedro! Impose Records is throwing a party at DP every night of CMJ, but they have an especially good lineup on Thursday featuring Smith Westerns and local garage rockers The Beets and Girls at Dawn.

No way, nothing on a Thursday? Yes, as far as we know there is not one show worth seeing on Thursday. If you think we missed something (which is totally possible) e-mail us at garagepunknyc@gmail.com

Marcus

Anyone know what "CMJ" stands for? It's not "Country Music Jamboree" is it? Terrible acronym! (TA)

add to del.icio.us to Digg Share on Facebook

Short Week

Hooray for short week! In honor of the 4th of July (which is our nation's wedding anniversary or bat mitzvah or something) many of us have Friday off from work. We will celebrate our nation's history by getting bombed on a Thursday.

Also, according to our calendar there's nothing on Monday. Nada. Not even the usual thing at Public Assembly. I asked Captain Heartlock in person and he says they're not spinning Garage and Soul music this week, but may be back the future.

SO, in honor of this very very short short week, and since I'm posting late anyway, I shall hereby do my shortest post ever, starting.......... NOW.

Tuesday

The Vondelles, The Dirty Shames, The Victims at Bowery Electric. All punk, all 3 for $5.

Dance to Soul, Garage, R&B with Hot Dog! at Bar Matchless. 2-for-1 drinks, FREE.

Enjoy Soul, Funk, and Latin grooves with Lost & Found at Savalas. FREE.

Wednesday

Jay Reatard at Stuy Town. Wild, Weird, (New) Wavy. FREE.

Copycat at Otto's. Covers! Hosey! The Dirty Shames again! DJ Allan Dias of PIL! FREE!

Living For Kicks at Satellite Lounge. Where? Here. Soul, Garage, R&B, Rocksteady. FREE!

Mr. Fine Wine. Soul Music downstairs at Botanica. FREE!

New York Night Train at Motor City Bar. Garage, Punk, Ambiance! FREE!

Swimsuit Edition at Savalas! Garage, Surf, Rockabilly. Dress appropriately! FREE!

FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE!

(And suddenly I remind myself of Charles)

Thursday

Heavy Hands, Traveling Circle, Up Died Sound at Union Pool. Trippy! $8

Jay Reatard and TV Smith at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Crazy pop! $15

Thee Oh Sees, Golden Triangle, Beets, German Measles at Glasslands. Catchy punk! $8

The Germs at Mercury Lounge. Classic Punk!

DJs Mr. Robinson and DosPlatos at Heathers. Soul music in Manhattan. FREE.

Boogaloo Shampoo at Beauty Bar NYC. Soul music in Brooklyn. FREE.

Thursday Night Thump at Enids. Punk, Glam, Psych. Dance! FREE.

Done.

Marcus

add to del.icio.us to Digg Share on Facebook

NYC Turns Up The Heat

Judging by the temps out there it's Summer time again kiddies and it's take to take a trip... or maybe a (pub) crawl! Lots of alcoholic fun this weekend, it being Memorial Day on Monday you've got an extra day to recover from "cocktail flu"-- check out these shows, dj parties, and all kinds of good getdown.

Tonight, FRIDAY:

you might want to kick off your weekend with the opening of Littlefield, a new establishment in Park Slope/Gowanus, Brooklyn featuring a performance by Golden Triangle. The space will be a combo art gallery and live show area (like Glasslands used to be?) $?

If you're in North Brooklyn, stop by Williamsburg's Don Pedro and head for the stairs leading down to the basement where DJs Jumpy and Phast Phreddie are going head to head while Bree pours. FREE.

Over in Manhattan, you could get down to soultacular 60's sounds at Chrystie St's Home Sweet Home with Jonathan Toubin presiding. FREE.

OR join myself and Charles for a night of great bands & djing: Hullabaloo! returns to Cake Shop with Nashville's Turbo Fruits headlining plus Jeff the Brotherhood (TN garage/psychers), Love-Struck (New York rockabilly punk) . The Fruits put on one hell of a live show as we found out in March, not to be missed! Plus Charles and I will be djing only the worst, dumbest gutbucket 45s for your dancin' pleasure. Doors at 9, $8.

SATURDAY:

You could start the day off early with the "Games for May" Loft party at "the Church" near the corner of Montrose Ave & Manhattan Ave in Brooklyn-- it starts the rock at 4PM! Tons of bands will be playing throughout the day up til 1AM including: Your 33 Black Angels, Stalkers, Madam Robot, Whooping Crane. I think there's BBQ and I believe there's a cover $?

Over at Don Pedro, it's Bobcat's birthday featuring the Arkhams and the debut of the Othermen featuring local garage/punk/rockabilly cats Rico and Max (on first). $?

At Bruar Falls, the Turbo Fruits do Hullabaloo in an altogether new venue to us: Bruar Falls (formerly Lucky Cat) on Grand St across from Trash. This time in support we've got the amazing CONFUSERS from Montreal who are less confusing and more great punk. Also playing are the Siberians featuring Todd of the Gondoliers and Spinns. And Charles and I will be DJing even worse records than the night before. $8.

At Matchless, "Wildcat" Rachell & Todd Spinn (after his stage appearance at Bruar Falls) will be DJing till the wee hours-- garage, glam & metal! FREE

In case you're in need of some soul, you've got two choices for noises: first off on the waterfront of Williamsburg there's Jonathan Toubin's popular Soul Clap! Dj party & dance off at Glasslands, where the cover is $3 and the winner of a late dance contest takes half the door prize.

Next there's the return of Dig Deeper! at the Five Spot Soul Club down in "central" Brooklyn... this time featuring Renaldo Domino, late 60's Chicago Soul singer who's been MIA for 30 years backed by a giant band comprised of the Sweet Divines and more (including a string section?). $15 at the door.

SUNDAY
being that it's Memorial Day Monday, Sunday is like Saturday in disguise. If you've still got the get-up-and-go required to continue punishing your liver by this point, you've got friends who are willing to join you:

Raunch Hands/Lost Crusaders' Michael Chandler's 48th Birthday is happening at Motor City Bar, 4PM-10PM and features various DJs, Edison Rocket Train and Daddy Long Legs live. FREE.

The K-Holes and the Nymphets apparently liked what they saw of each other at our last Hullabaloo so they're playing a show together at Glasslands (not much info on this one..) $?

Lil' Killers Andy and Dave the Spazz (WFMU) will be DJing Union Pool's front room. FREE.

Enjoy the long weekend!

SHIMMY

add to del.icio.us to Digg Share on Facebook

Fun Fun Friday & Sick Sick Saturday

Despite the rain, I'm freakin' overjoyed it's the weekend. It seems like this was the longest week since like 1998... whatever, take your umbrella with you so only your whistle gets wet (if noone can riff on that one, nyc is a lost cause)....

TONIGHT (FRIDAY)

Jimmy & The Wolfpack (who would DEFINITELY be able to riff on that one, boy-o!) are playing a FREE show at Lakeside Lounge around 10:30ish. Honkin' sax, wailin' guitar, songs about midgets, Coney Island and cannolis in your mouth-- sounds like the start of a good, no, make that GREAT, Summer.

Also going on is a whale of a show at Music Hall of Williamsburg-- King Khan & The Shrines will hit town with their gigantic garage-funk ensemble sound and my personal favorite one man band of all time, Mark Sultan, plus the lovely and spooky sounds of ex-Atlantians Georgiana Starlington AND the sounds of DJ Jonathan Toubin. Looks like $15 at the door (or $12 if you can still do Will Call online?).

We're assuming Sr. Toubin will be doing an afterparty (at Home Sweet Home) ? But we're not sure.

However we're sure Josh Styles is back at Beauty Bar for another installment of Smashed! Blocked! (FREE) - in fact, it's the 7th anniversary of this popular night.

SATURDAY

Don't stop and stare if you see lots of scooters in town this weekend- The Mods vs Rockers Scooter Crowd are in town and the closing night party will be in the back room at Public Assembly on Saturday. There's a few bands, including New York's own 45 Adapters, plus myself and Mary-Clancey DJing. Yes, I know you're wondering why it's me and not Charles DJing the mod thing, but what can I say? I just got a haircut! I'll be doing my best to please the crowd despite owning a grand total of maybe 3 Jamaican records. Instead, expect my HOT ROD records, sounds of Summer, early 60's r'n'b and... punk. $8 for the bands, I think no cover past 12/12:30 ?

Speaking of Charles (update: he also got a haircut!), he's at Bowery POETRY Club (yes, poetry, but less "The White Cliffs of Dover" and more "I once knew a girl from Nantucket") DJing a book release party for Rev Jen. Plus a performance by the excellent 60's garagers Electric Mess featuring the mysterious Chip Fontaine-- they'll make you question your record collection if not your sexuality as well. And it's free!

Continuing with our Mod theme, Brooklyn's GetSet are at Matchless in Greenpoint too.

And King Khan's Shriners roll on with a show at Maxwell's in Hoboken, this time with Golden Triangle as support. $12 advance / $14 day of show.

If you're more in a surf kind of mood, be sure to roll over to Otto's for Unsteady Freddie's night of surf bands & djing.

AND Lynne K and DJ Honky are doing an all soul dj night in the back room after midnight at Union Pool (we think, not able to confirm, but just go and check it out. It's Union Pool so you'll probably get some action on the way to the Taco Truck anyway!). Free.

SUNDAY

The Jadewalkers' Emma Vikingskull presents the first in her new series entitled "HOW SWEDE IT IS" - featuring Swedish band Manikins plus the 'Walkers and Back CCs at Don Pedro. Come out and support this brilliant idea of bringing all the great Swedish bands to NYC.

King Khan & The Shrines, Georgiana Starlington & the Magnetix are at Santo's Party House in the city.

See ya 'round!

SHIMMY

add to del.icio.us to Digg Share on Facebook

SPRING ING ING

Sorry for the long drought between posts, garagepunknycareenos, I was across thee pond in the Burg of Ham, but lo, I hath returned and I bring thee the good word of Alcoholism!

All kinds of goodly getdown (mostly DJ gigs) this weekend but plenty of fun to be had.

Let's start with tonight, shalleth wee?

FRIDAY
DJ Gigs

Shakin' All Over Sideways Down - Jonathan Toubin returns to his weekly 60's gig at Home Sweet Home in the city after a trek down to SXSW in Austin. FREE.Chickaboom! - Melissa-Anne and Jenni's monthly 50's/60's dancey party at Legion in Williamsburg with special guest Charles Gaskins and ME. I'll be slinging lots of fab platters I picked up down in Chattanooga including the famed "Chattanooga Walk" ! FREE.

Real Gone! at Otto's - Kitty Beat and friends return with their monthly party... no band
info as of press time but there will definitely be good dj tuneage. FREE.

Devils' Night - Cowboy Mark and Miss Mary's monthly 50's/60's Garage & RnB Dj gig at the Diamond Bar at Greenpoint. FREE.

Live Shows

The Weakends (France), Golden Triangle @ Don Pedro, Brooklyn -- Golden Triangle is back from SXSW after reportedly (rumor alert) winning some kind of contest down there (label deal yet?) -- The Weakends from France are in town, are on rob's house, I hear they're pretty good. Cheap well liquor til 10. Cover (not sure how much).

The Twistaroos (Norway), The Fleshtones, the A-Bones, The Demands @ Southpaw, Park Slope, Brooklyn -- here's an old school garage night for ya. The Fleshtones' faithful will be there (shoutout Fuzzco!) as will lotsa other folks who like their beer cold and their women easy! $10

SATURDAY
DJ Gig

Soul Clap! Jonathan Toubin's Soul DJ night at Glasslands near the river in Brooklyn is back with the famous dance off contest... whoever wins gets half the door money. $3 cover.

Live Shows
Anabolics, Jesse Bates & His Flying Guitars, Yum Yums, Jadewalkers, Back CCs @ Don Pedro - this is my pick for Saturday if you're still alive after Friday. Here's a fat bill of
garage, punk, and power pop. Yum Yums are ALSO from Norway (ever get the feeling you've been had?) and the Anabolics, 'Walkers and 'CCs will provide the necessary lesson in how to do the "Manhattan Avenue". You know what I'm talking about. Cover... $5,$6,$7?

Delia "Dee Dee" Gartrell with Sweet Divines @ Dig Deeper, Five Spot Soul Supper Club, Brooklyn -- monthly classic soul night returns with another Atlantian soul/funker. (Once) married to Mighty Hannibal, Gartrell fits into that late 60's "sistah funk" genre with mid-tempo sass to spare. DJs Mr Robinson and Honky round out the night with frenetic soul tunes. $15 at the door.

SUNDAY - Weakends & Ex-Humans @ Lit Lounge in Manhattan. Weekend capper!

Well, that's it for me. Hope to see y'all Friday night, wear your dancing shoes and your stovepipe!

SHIMMY

add to del.icio.us to Digg Share on Facebook

Amazing New Blog Wakes Up Slow Week for Good Music In NYC!

Kind of a slow week here in NYC for music, just 7 days after New Years, but let me highlight a couple of live shows going down this week plus some news of our own!

First off, tonight we've got two late-announced shows: Brooklyn's Ex Humans (ex-Carbonas) @ The Charleston and New Jersey's Sarim-fronted-and-excellent Liquor Store at Don Pedro.

Then the live music front is pretty quiet until Saturday when we've got NYC guru Gary Fury at Don Pedro and Golden Triangle and the K-Holes (now with myspace!) at Glasslands.

Next, some news of our own: we've pioneered a whole new way for you to waste time!

It's called Gut Music, and it's our new blog for reviews of local and international bands' releases. Myself and contributor Sofya have already hopped to it and belatedly published our best of 2008 lists, and we've got another 5 contributors lining up to provide eye candy, so click over and enjoy!

SHIMMY

add to del.icio.us to Digg Share on Facebook

Happy Rube Year New York!

The Other Ball Drops this Wednesday!
Hope you had a very Merry Recessmas, because it's time for some serious partying. All kinds of git-down around town this week so check it:

Tonight, as heard on Blair's recent podcast, the legendary Nashville Ramblers are at the Jalopy in Brooklyn. Also a new-ish night of Garage, Punk, Soul & obscuro DJing called "Oz" with Captain Heartlock and Professor Z at Beauty Bar (FREE).

Tuesday the 30th as always it's 2 for 1 drinks all night at Greenpoint's Matchless bar with Hot Dog! night of Soul, Garage & RnB DJs.

Then on Wednesday we're seeing SEVEN ways to ring in the rube year 2009, at these fine (and not so fine) establishments:

Mercury Lounge- A Place to Bury Strangers & the Vandelles will ensure that the ghosts of the Jesus and Mary Chain and the first Raveonettes' EP is alive and well. It's a bit steep at $25 though.

K&M Bar- Golden Triangle & Montreal's amazing Chocolat will rock in Williamsburg along with some (late 70's?) soul DJs. Not sure if this is free or not.

Matchless- The Hot Dog! Dj crew are hosting New Years Rockin' Eve in Greenpoint featuring the Moto-Gators (members of Underthings) live in the main bar area around 11 doing an all instrumental set including some classic 60's covers, originals as well as Auld Lang Syne. Free Champagne toast at midnight and soul, garage & rnb djing until the end of time. FREE.

Cameo Art Gallery- Capt. Heartlock and crew are throwing the Exploding Baby New Years Masquerade featuring Your 33 Black Angels, Madam Robot & the Lust Brigade and DJs at this unknown-to-us space in Williamsburg. Sounds like $10 w/costume, $12 without?

Motor City Bar- the LES institution features Wednesday night regular Jonathan Toubin plus Josh Styles DJing garage, punk & everything that's real and danceable plus the lovely Melissa-Anne hula-hooping and a late night guest spot from Anna Copa Cabanna. FREE.

Bell House- Subway Soul Club temporarily relocates to this new large-ish venue in Gowanus for a special evening featuring hostess Lady Dawn and DJ extraordinaire Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus spinning northern, southern, eastern and western soul grooves plus the fabulous Pontani Sisters Burlesque. $9.

Legion- Barf-o-Rama finds itself taking place in a different part of Williamsburg for this special night featuring the DJing acumen of Dylan "Otto" Bahn and Miss January 1963. We believe this is FREE?

Whew! Don't let me catch any of you saying it was a "dull" new years. I'll be at Matchless of course, spinning right after midnight.

And in case New Years isn't enough for you this week, there's more... although we believe the Thursday NYNT gigs might not happen, we're sure that there's some getdown on Friday the 2nd and Saturday the 3rd.

In fact, I'm at Public Assembly (formerly Galapagos) on the 2nd with Phast Phreddie and special guest GoGo Dancer Ana from 11PM for a night we're calling "SOUL JERKS" (maybe SOUL HANGOVER would have been better).

Anyway, check back on Friday and I'll post more deets about the weekend while pretending to work at my STINGY job.

BEST WISHES FROM GPNYC!

SHIMMY

add to del.icio.us to Digg Share on Facebook