Tom Gallo is the host of Look at My Records on Radio Free Brooklyn
Radio Free Brooklyn and Bushwick Daily are proud to announce a new weekly local-music column that will focus on artists that call Bushwick home. Each week, a Radio Free Brooklyn personality will pen a record or performance review of a different Bushwick based artist, with a curated selection of the best upcoming local gigs in the neighborhood for the following weekend.
Bushwick’s Bodega has emerged as one Brooklyn’s most promising bands, but if their debut record is any indication, they’re more than just a band and “Endless Scroll” is more than just a record. Under the backdrop of a strident post-punk sound, Bodega delivers a precisely crafted concept album of sorts that searingly satirizes the grip that modern technology holds over our lives. Just imagine if the danceable punk sounds of Gang of Four were
met with the dry wit of the late Mark E. Smith, or if Television wrote an entire record in 1981 about the rise of the Walkman and cable television. “Endless Scroll’s” overarching lyrical themes and use of computerized samples pull no punches in lambasting the negative impact of technology – be it automated playlists on “How Did This Happen!?!?,” smart phones on “Bodega Birth,” or our constant use of computers in both personal and professional settings on “Bookmarks.”
Heck, the album title even appears to be a not so subtle reference to the endless thumb “scrolling” that regularly hypnotizes us on our personal devices. While the lyrics are caustic and direct in their critique of the power that technology holds, the energy of the up-tempo, sharp guitars and powerful drums conveys the group’s message with a sense of urgency. Staying true to their word, this record was recorded entirely on a Tascam 388 tape machine with Parquet Courts’ Austin Brown at the helm. Their sound definitely has that aggressive, Parquet Courts feel, but the cohesive message of this collection of songs is something that Bodega can claim as uniquely their own.
It’s the middle of summer and the gigs in Bushwick are hotter than ever. Here’s what to check out this week:
A Deer A Horse, Alouette, ESSi, Language at Trans Pecos
Wednesday July 18, 2018 at 8 p.m.
A Deer A Horse make their triumphant return to New York after a month long tour of the U.S. and Canada. In March, the group released a limited edition cassette single entitled “Cold Shoulder” on GP Strips, a blistering song that nicely complements their already solid catalog. Noise-rock duo, ESSi, will bring their tinnitus inducing tunes to the fold, while Chicago’s Aloutte are on tour in support of their new EP “Luna,” a 7-song collection of post-punk gems. Language, who just dropped their explosive third EP “Plymouth” on Good Eye Records, round out what is sure to be a loud one at Trans Pecos.
Body/Head, Gunn-Truscinski Duo at Elsewhere
Thursday July 19, 2018 at 8 p.m.
Body/Head, the project of Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and experimental guitarist Bill Nace, just released their second full length album entitled “The Switch” on July 13th. Fans of Sonic Youth’s early no-wave material will be thrilled with the sonic improvisation on this latest release, as it harkens back to “Confusion Is Sex” territory. Folk artist Steve Gunn and drummer John Trunscinski team up as the Gunn-Trunscinski Duo for some of their more experimental inclinations. Their latest record, 2017’s “Bay Head,” perfectly blends jazz, psychedelia, and folk.
Bee Bee Sea, Jane Church, Hey Anna at Elsewhere
Friday July 20, 2018 at 8 p.m.
Italian psych-rockers Bee Bee Sea are making their first ever appearance in New York City this Friday at Elsewhere. The group was recently dubbed “Italy’s answer to King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard,” and if their live performance sounds anything like their latest album “Sonic Boomerang”, then they’ll be thoroughly melting your faces. Also performing is Jane Church, the newest addition to the Greenway Records roster. His latest single, “Rocket To The Kremlin,” is a sunny, lo-fi dose of 60s inspire pop. Make sure you arrive promptly to this gig because you won’t want to miss the infectious indie-pop of the opening band, Hey Anna! The band has an entire set of brand spanking new songs up their sleeves to supplement their latest single, the dreamy “Garage Queen.”
Reigning Sound, Miriam & Nobody’s Babies, and Soul Clap & Dance Off at Elsewhere
Saturday July 21, 2018 at 8 p.m.
The southern garage rock of Reigning Sound hits the Elsewhere stage on Friday night and they’ll be joined by Miriam and Nobody’s Babies. Jonathan Toubin and Todd-O-Phonic Todd will be spinning all of your favorite soul and funk 45s in between sets and after hours. Make sure you stay late because at midnight there’s a dance contest with special guest judge Lenny Kaye and MC Steve Myers. The winners earn bragging rights and prizes that include gift certificates to Metropolis Vintage!
