Last night,Matt Reich of Lights Resolve asked me post-Bowery Ballroom show, “So, how was your dream show?” My answer was a simple, “Oh my gosh. Awesome!” I wish I could say more, but mostly I just sit and smile when I try. A celebration of Black Taxi’s newest We Don’t Know Any Better, the band pulled out all the stops, and not surprisingly, played to a sold out venue (It actually OVER sold out, almost 800 tickets sold to the 500 capacity venue. Apparently, even coat check was sold out!)
The Attic Ends started off the night with their atmospheric rock; their lead vocalist’s flowing, white night gown get-up floated over the stage and took on the spirit of their songs. Austin-based Bright Light Social Hour got the dance party going and the sweat pouring, with their contagious grooves and tight jam-outs. NY-born rock trio, Lights Resolve shook the stage with heavy guitar riffs, pounding drums, and dark, melodic tracks from their recently debuted record, Feel You’re Different. (Enjoy the live rendition of “Another Five Days” below.). Reich attached a plastic cup to his head with a rubberband in honor of Black Taxi’s penchant for horned animals (Check out recent Black Taxi posters or the new album’s cover. You’ll see what I mean.) It was a good look. At about midnight, the stage went dark, and the men of the hour snuck on stage. The lights revealed Ezra Huleatt’s body paint of multi-colored hand prints, bold streaks, and glitter (which was later sprinkled over the audience), and feathery accessories, as the band launched into an “oldie but goodie,” “Don’t Count Me Out.” Black Taxi touched on favorites from their first album, Things of That Nature, a highlight being “Up Here for Thinking, Down There for Dancing,” during which two generous Kickstarter contributors smashed guitars on stage (See below!). Happy chaos comprised of frantic dancing, jumping, and shouting (I strained my vocal cords) broke out and escalated when the band performed several already-favorite tracks off the new record, including “Friend,” “Do What you Gotta Do,” “Vultures,” and must-hear title track. All in all, it was an epic evening of friends, fans, and good music, the most essential elements to any “dream show.”
Reminisce!
Rocker Stalker 