CMJ Day 2 Highlights
Richie Adomako / October 22, 2009
Starting the evening with two local bands from Brooklyn, we made our way to Cake Shop for the experimental pop/rock of The Depreciation Guild, then Hank and Cupcakes at The Delancey. Hank and Cupcakes took electronic beats and added the nice touch of bass by Hank, drums and vocals by Cupcakes – who showed the many facets of her voice along with her versatility on the drums.
At the Bowery Ballroom, Fanfarlo (from London) played with posture – executing simple good music without any complications in their act. With six members on the acoustic guitar, bass, electric guitar, violin and exchanging places between the horns and strings – the group has a great harmony on the stage.
The catch of the night goes to The Golden Silvers from London and South East, UK. The winners of Glastonbury’s 2008 New Talent competition perform with a warmth of fervent melodies, overlaid with poetry and uplifting lyrics – perfectly fitting for the Bowery Poetry Club. With romantically enticing sounds – it would have been a sore to have missed these guys. They will perform their last scheduled show in the States at the Bowery Electric on October 24th.
At Le Poisson Rouge we took in the musical fusions of Ninjasonik. Wu-Tang had the shaolin, Ninjasonik has “Sonik Ninjas.” Now, whether that means really fast ninjas or ninjas killing with sounds as a weapon, or something completely left field, we have no idea. If one thing is for sure about these guys, they certainly know how to entertain. From crowd surfing, humping girls on the stage, chugging beers, starting mosh-pits, and admitting they love Devo and listen to Morrissey when they are sad, Ninjasonik is a mash of punk and rap infused with elements of crunk-music and pop – get it? With samples from the Lion King, a live acoustic guitar and drums take on Major Lazer’s Hold the Line, and with lines like “we fuck girls, do drugs…” we pretty much got the idea that the unabashed, geeky and raunchy attitude of Ninjasonik can fuel any party, anywhere. As one may suspect, it is probably what “Sonik” Ninjas do.
Click here for photos by Oliver Correa and Kenroy George
