If You Slap Me on Wednesday I'll Cry on Thursday

Yo, I heard they was givin' some free PBR's, Yo.

Hi. My name is Oweinama. You may know me as Captain Heartlock, DJ and multi-instrumentalist in some bands of some sorts. I like long walks on the beach, picking at my aching teeth, drag queen musicals, and being beaten about the head with rock-stale baguettes. But most of all I love 60’s flavored rock and soul, and going to events where such sounds thrive and fill me with feelings, feelings that make me want to dance and to live, as opposed to kill and destroy. I’ll be your man, your Wednesday man and your Thursday lover on this here GaragePunk NYC blog.

There’s something about going out in the middle of the week – often all the big heavies of event-hood save their mojo for the weekends, either because they’re day jobbers or damned traditionalists…but a lot of good stuff happens in the middle. It’s the cream filling in the Ding-Dong of nightlife. Not having to compete so much with the drooling troglodytes who crawl out from their rancid bogs at the Friday 5’o'clock whistle doesn’t hurt either.

WEDNESDAY

This Wednesday night, not a lot of options if it’s live music you’re after, but I’d recommend checking out The Bowery Boys at Public Assembly in Williamsburg. They play a literate yet pretty infectious style of melodic, jingle-jangle punk that reminds me of later period Kinks with a bit of The Raspberries/Big Star. They’re on at 10pm for an $8 cover. There’s TONS of DJ action tonight, though – Brooklyn babies can regale to Reverend Vince and his weekly spin at Savalas. His selections of soul and gospel tracks might be enough to wash the stain of sin off your pathetic backs. Then there’s Living For Kicks at The Satellite Lounge, where DJs Popwell and Bunny Punch spin a bunch of groovy garage, psych, soul & r&b in one of the newest and more understated joints in the hood. Both of these happenings are free and the drinks run cheap. Across the river is Mr. Fine Wine and his unbeatable collection of rare soul 45’s at Botanica on Houston Street, and "The Man Who Need Not Sleep", Mr. Jonathan Toubin for New York Night Train, playing crazy soul, garage and psych at the dangerous Motor City Bar down on old Ludlow Street.

THURSDAY

Thursday’s move for live music is THE RUNAWAY SUNS and their shimmery, pop-tastic psychedelia at CoCo 66 in Greenpoint. If you haven’t caught them yet, do it before everyone else starts telling you how they always thought they were the coolest. I’m pretty sure it’s a free Lady Bree production. Not too far away and also in Little Poland at relatively new joint The Blackout Bar you can check out the infamous Bushwick Ronnie Seward (Whooping Crane), Alex Moyer and Josh Styles (Smashed! Blocked! and The Stalkers) where they will be educating you kids on the finer points of the Jamaican soul and rocksteady scene of the mid-late 60’s. Or, get your soul saved again by Reverend Vince at Bushwick’s Beauty Bar. If you’re off the beaten path and in Manhattan check out one of the last of the real bars on the island (and you can tell it's alright if the neighbors are trying to shut it down), Heathers, where Mr. Robinson, Dos Platos and BamaLama Mike spin 50's and 60's era soul. All of these happenings are free to get in to.

Staying home, my agoraphobic / broke friends? I recommend prepping for this weekends reading and Smashed!Block! sessions by listening to Dave the Spazz’s show on WFMU tonight, as he’s joined by the legendary Andre Williams, who I hear is gonna be on for the full 3 hours.

BOFFO!

-Oweinama

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Ponderosa Stomp in NYC

Did you know they're doing a Ponderosa Stomp here in New York? Yup, and it's this week too. You might want to stop reading this and go buy tickets now. Then come back and read the rest of my post. Please? I put a lot of work into it (sob!)

Monday

What is up with Monday? You used to be so cool! Once again, nothing going on Monday. I guess we're all going to the BBQ at the Soft Spot?

Tuesday

Thank you reliable Hot Dog! (I predict that we will soon be the #1 hit on Google for that phrase.) Once again Bar Matchless hosts Hot Dog!, a weekly night of 50's and 60's R'n'B, Soul, Garage Rock and more. 2-for-1 drinks, no cover, and a rotating cast of DJs tag team style (sorry folks, we're still working on getting the steel cage for deathmatches).

Wednesday

Finally some options! In Manhattan, Mr. Fine Wine spins Soul Music downstairs at Botanica and New York Night Train does its Punk DJ night at Motor City Bar. Over in Brooklyn, Swimsuit Edition at Savalas features DJs spinning Garage, Surf, and Rockabilly music. There's gotta be something you like, right?

Note that despite what our calendar said previously, Copycat is not this week. Unfortunately, Google Calendar ain't all that bright. They'll be doing a Kinks tribute next week, so watch for it!

It may also be time to make a little public confession. Here goes: (ahem) I personally have never been to any of these three DJ nights, just the Tuesday and Thursday ones. Yes, I admit it, I suck. So this week I promise (in public) to hit all three and see what they got goin' on. Who's with me?

Thursday

Did you know they're doing a Ponderosa Stomp here in New York? Yes, by the time you've read this far you probably know that. More info here. Thursday night is Soul and R&B night featuring William Bell, Harvey Scales, and The Bobettes, with The Bo-Keys.

Also on Thursday, the Magnetic Field Reunion Cruise featuring performances by Bunnie England & The New Originals ("The world's best karaoke band") and you.

If you're in more of a dancing mood, you might want to check out Boogaloo Shampoo at Beauty Bar NYC (Soul music at a great venue in Brooklyn for FREE) or Thursday Night Thump at Enids (Punk, Glam, and Psych Rock, also FREE).

I am very proud of the fact that I didn't mention Michael Jackson a single time at any point in the last few weeks, and now that his death is over, I finally feel that it is okay to say: dang.

Marcus

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At night there ain't no Sun, but surely there'll be some Fun.

What a week for dancing and, well, uh, mostly just dancing...

Yeah, it should finally be Summer this week, or at least that's what the weatherman says. But whatcha gonna do once you're done baking yourself? Unless you like to hit the beaches of New York while the Sun is busy lighting up Zimbabwe, you'd better have some other plans. Please allow us to assist you...

Monday

DJ Emma Vikingskull of The Jadewalkers is spinning tonight at Double Down Saloon. She'll be spinning punk, R&B, garage rock and everything in-between, and that there will be no cover.

Tuesday

Going dancing again tonight? Why not head on up to Greenpoint and check out Hot Dog! at Bar Matchless? DJs spinning R&B, Garage Rock, Soul and 60s sounds, no cover and 2-for-1 drinks all night. Or how about giving Lost & Found Soul DJ night at Savalas in Williamsburg a shot? Also no cover (we think).

Free your feet by freeing your wallet... to buy more drinks!

Wednesday

New York Night Train and their weekly guest DJs return to spin Punk, Garage Rock, and who knows what else at Motor City Bar. And once again, Mr. Fine Wine spins Soul music at his regular gig at Botanica. Both are in Manhattan, and admission to both is free.

News Flash - On Wednesday night Stalkers will be playing at the premiere of Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry at Tribeca Cinemas. They're on at 11pm, after the movie, which is about legendary tattoo artist Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins. AND this Wednesday night it's "The Pub" down at Otto's. Performances by Alana Amram and Aunt Fuzz from Sweden, with DJ Emma Vikingskull (who is having very a busy week).

Thursday

If your feet have Soul then head on over to Beauty Bar Brooklyn for Boogaloo Shampoo. The place is brand new and reel purdy. Or if you prefer a night of punk, glam, and psych rock then check out the Thursday Night Thump at Enids. This week featuring DJ Dave of the band Sorceress. Maybe he's also reel purdy, I dunno.

If you hear about any other good stuff drop us a line. Now go on and move those feet! Unless of course you are browsing our lovely website on your iPhone while already dancing, in which case... stop stepping on me!

Marcus

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Sweatin' never felt so cool.

We know very well that you'll all be going to see King Khan and Mark Sultan next weekend. Better get yer dancin' in early!

Additional note: no that's not them.

Monday

Where better to bust some moves than at the Monday Night Burlesque at Public Assembly? DJs Captain Heartlock and Professor Z spin Garage and Soul music for your pleasure.

Okay, there's something (what could it be?!) about this gig which always brings out the worst of my bad punmanship, but I have no doubt that it's a swell place to get down. And even if it isn't, it's the only place to go dance to Garage and Soul music on Monday night, so deal.

Tuesday

Once again Hot Dog! returns to Bar Matchless once again (I said it once again, you got a problem with that?) Once again featuring no cover, 2-for-1 drinks and the finest R&B, Garage Rock, Soul, and whatever else the DJs feel like spinning all night long. I know I'll be there (Ed: no, he won't! Really! We mean it!).

Savalas may be hosting Lost & Found, a night of Soul, Funk and Latin music. I cannot confirm that because once again our calendar says "Unconfirmed". It would be lovely if someone would head over there sometime, confirm that this thing is happening, and then tell us. You can leave feedback on our website, www.garagepunknyc.com.

Wednesday

This Wednesday look for New York Night Train Wednesday at Motor City Bar. This week featuring Micki Pellerano, who appears to be a visual artist of some sort. We're not sure exactly how that's gonna work, but sometimes predictability is overrated.

Also look for Mr Fine Wine at his usual (and we do mean usual: he's been doing it every Wednesday night since 1996 apparently) Soul DJ Night. Head to Botanica in the city and go on downstairs to the room containing the cage they've been keeping him in for the past 13 years and enjoy!

Thursday

If you happen to like live music, this really ain't the week for you. While our calendar mentions a show featuring Mondo Topless and The Anabolics at Crash Mansion, further research suggests that the show is on Friday somewhere in Philadelphia. Needless to say, "oops". The person in charge of our calendar will be sacked. Then we will tie up the sack with a nice sturdy rope and throw it into the East River. Then we will nuke the East River from orbit.

So anyway, if ya' wanna dance you can always head on over to Boogaloo Shampoo, a "soul dance galore" at the Beauty Bar. Or what about shakin' it to the sounds of punk, glam, and psych rock at Thursday Night Thump at Enid's? Oh yeah, no excuse to stay home that night.

(Note to FBI: that was a joke. Although GaragePunkNYC did not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty we are not currently nuclear-capable. We also do not possess the technology to send a craft into orbit although admittedly DJ Shimmy is quite tall.)

First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. After that, apparently they dance with you.

Marcus

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ACTION TIME VISION

Another Spring weekend, another round of higher temperatures... lotsa of youse ought to be out in the streets this weekend and by happy coincidence, there are many ways to get yourself into trouble too!

Tonight, FRIDAY:

First off, two Todd P shows: Pissed Jeans @ Market Hotel in Brooklyn (along with some indie bands) -- now listing their home town as Philadelphia?! Next, Ian Svenonius returns to the stage with new band Chain and the Gang... this one happening at "92YTribeca" which looks pretty swank, on the west Side of Tribeca... we dare you to look for cheap drinks at this place.

Next we've got a run of fun-sounding dj gigs:

Walkin' east from 92YTribeca, you'll happen upon Subway Soul Club as it hosts its last ever night at Fontana's (that is, last at Fontana's... party will return at venue TBA). Featuring hostess Dawn C, DJ Phast Phreddie plus special guests Bossy Boots and Josh Styles. FREE.

From Subway Soul Club you can stumble your way a couple of blocks over to Jonathan Toubin's Shakin' All Over Sideways Down 60's garage & soul night at Home Sweet Home on Chrystie or maybe walk a bit further over to Rebel Night, the 50's rockabilly dj club at Otto's on 14th. All FREE.

SATURDAY

Tomorrow we've got a couple of good sounding gigs:

As Blair mentioned, the Woggles, the Insomniacs & Muck & The Mires are at Maxwell's in Hoboken. That's a pretty darn solid garage - garage - garage bill, and I wish I had booked it. $8 if you grab tix online today, or $10 at the door.

Also happening are Italy's Movie Star Junkies, whose record is on the excellent Voodoo Rhythm label plus local rockers the Hydes at Don Pedro in Brooklyn. Cover $?

Then, if you're STILL looking for dj action, hop on over to Legion on Metropolitan in Williamsburg (a 15 min walk from Don Pedro) for another freebie featuring Mr Fine Wine spinning his amazing mix of old soul & r'n'b plus guest djs Billy & Miriam from Norton.

And, if you're looking for a good time Sunday afternoon, head over to Otto's in the city for the Spines who play at the schoolnight-friendly hour of 6PM.

See ya out and about!

SHIMMY

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Dance the Weekday Blues Away

Did you enjoy your weekend? You did? I'm so happy for you! Now get back to work!

Yeah, we all know Monday is a drag. Tuesday, Wednesday, and the rest of those weekdays too. But the weeknights are filled with musical pleasures, if only you dare to let yourself go...

MONDAY

What could possibly spice up a Monday night? How about the unique blend of soul, funk, Latin rhythms and rock-n-roll known as Garotas Suecas? All the way from Brazil, they will be joined by local blues-rockers New York Howl and DJ Jonathan Toubin. At Zebulon, at 9, cost unknown. My crystal ball says it could be free, but my crystal ball is a filthy liar and anyway it's just an old bowling ball which is why the answer is always something like "three".

TUESDAY

Hot Dog! returns to Bar Matchless on Tuesday night. Featuring some of our favorite local DJs, it starts at 8 and drinks are 2-for-1 all night. That's quality and quantity right there, folks! There are also unconfirmed speculative reports that I just made up right now which say that Lost & Found will be at Savalas. Those of you who want to get your funk on might just want to stop on by.

WEDNESDAY

In Manhattan, our old friend DJ Jonathan Toubin (remember him?) and some of his DJ associates will be at Motor City Bar for New York Night Train DJ Night. And how about this, Mr. Fine Wine of WMFU fame will be spinning soul music at Botanica.

Back here in Brooklyn we're looking forward to catching The Vondelles, The Demands and Casino Evil at Public Assembly. Also featuring DJ Chandler, it should be Mayhem. Chaos! The Rock-n-Roll Apocalypse! Hell, Manhattan's missin' out...

Hey there New Jersey, we didn't forget about you! Check out the garage-rock stylings of The Martinets. They'll be joining the New York Howl to rock Maxwell's starting right around 8:30 or so.

THURSDAY

What, you want more? How about Boogaloo Shampoo at Beauty Bar and Thursday Night Thump at Enid's? And let's not forget Swimsuit Edition at Savalas. That's right folks, if your legs are still working at this point then you will have further opportunities to use them. And that's how to dance the weekday blues away...

Marcus

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Valentine's Day in New York & New Jersey!

Jimmy and the Wolfpack play for free in Brooklyn Wednesday.
The groundhog says we've got (big surprise) more weeks of winter left. Thank god then that we have the annual distraction of Valentine's Day to keep us from remembering that it's going back down to the low 30's soon.

Tonight the Hot Dog! DJs will be blasting the usual stew of amazing garage, soul, rnb and punk 45s from 8PM onwards at Matchless in Brooklyn. Among those spinning are Jumpy, Mary-Clancey, Uncle Heavy, Night Owl and ME. I'll be starting sometime after 11 and doing an unusual late night shift. As always, no cover and 2 for 1 drinks all night long plus the kitchen is open til 2 (I've tried both the Matchless burger and mac and cheese and both are approved).

Tomorrow night there's a fun show over at Public Assembly (ex Galapagos) in Williamsburg featuring New Orleans/Brooklyn 60's r'n'b/rockabilly combo Jimmy & The Wolfpack plus the stomping blues beat of Edison Rocket Train. It's free AND there's free beer from 7 until 9PM. You'll likely find me there wallowing in all my recessioned glory.

Also tomorrow night in Manhattan, Mr Fine Wine is at Botanica, while Jonathan Toubin is at Motor City Bar. Both gigs are no cover.

Thursday night, we've got a new dj gig to talk about! Stroll on over to Savalas in Williamsburg for Andrea's Garage/Surf/Rockabilly gig. It's no cover and I believe there are drink specials; note this gig is every OTHER week, so the next one is the 26th. Also happening Thursday are the twin NYNT gigs-- Boogaloo Shampoo, Toubin's soul gig, at Beauty Bar and Thursday Thump at Enid's (in Greenpoint) featuring.. someone. Again, no cover for these.

Lotsa great Valentine's parties and shows this weekend that we'll talk about on Thursday, but lest you spend your pretty pennies before the weekend is out, let me remind everyone that the Brooklyn Record Riot (record show) is back at Warsaw this Sunday. There'll be DJs, beers on tap and food for sale as well as a bunch of vinyl/crack dealers.

SHIMMY

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YOUR BOYFRIEND IS BACK... LET'S GET IN TROUBLE!

I've returned! While bruised, bleeding, coughing and sneezing from Portugal's Barreiro Rocks festival, where I encountered Andre Williams in the flesh for the first time and made tons of Portuguese, Spanish, Czech and American folks dance to 50's doowop (AGAIN), I came back just so that I could write on this stinkin' blog. Aren't you lucky!

Few would argue (except calendar-sticklers) that we've arrived in full-blown Winter (even if you haven't removed the AC from your window yet, that doesn't change anything). It's shaping up to be a long and cold one but there's plenty of ways to warm up this cold-snappin' week.

You can kick off tonight with WFMU's Mr Fine Wine's longest-running-in-NYC (good) DJ party at Botanica where he'll spin his usual amazing assortment of soul goodies-- it's free and starts around 10pm. Also We THINK there's the usual NYNT gig at Motor City Bar but couldn't confirm...

Tomorrow night, there's... wait, there's nothing! Watch some TV or something ferchristsake.

The weekend easily makes up for this hole in the calendar. I'll just tackle Friday night and leave the best of the rest to Charles to cover (and shamelessly self-promote).

First off, there's the first show of Brooklyn rockabilly/punkers Dirty Work in quite a while at Don Pedro-- this band is NOT psychobilly as you know it-- instead a true fusion of rockabilly and punk and must be seen live!

Sticking with rockabilly, there's also NYC's best rockabilly party at Otto's, Rebel Night, with host Jun, FREE!

AND Subway Soul Club at Fontana's, this week with special guests Ty Jesso and Jennie Wasserman (Sweet Divines) plus the regulars Phast Phreddie and Lady Dawn.

Also happening are Midnite Till Death at Cake Shop with a hardcore theme this time (?) featuring bands and DJs plus the Stick-Ups, 50's-style RNB band at Rockwood Music Hall around 1AM.

And that's just FRIDAY... stay tuned!

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