All I know is that on the Super Bowl Sunday there were a lot of great things that weren’t sports-related going on, and one of them was a great show at Shea Stadium with Oberhofer, Total Slacker, Shadow Walker, Lodro, and Night Visions. The show had a lot of build-up with its indie star-studded bill, featuring members from Friends, Thee Oh Sees, and more. The venue quickly filled up with friends, fans, musicians and artists alike. It was one of those nights where you felt like you were right at home (if your home smelled like cigarette smoke, beer and sweat). It was kinda like a Super Bowl for new bands.
Night Visions, a new Brooklyn band, opened up the evening with their first show ever! Brady Keehn, Beau Croxton and Timothy Fiore make up this darkwave, noise pop band. Some of their influences include Tones on Tail, Death in June, The Sisters of Mercy, and The Wipers. The crowd made their way to the stage as the trio drew them in with eerie vocals and guitars. The experimental goth band is currently working an LP with Daniel Schlett (who’s worked with DIIV, Total Slacker and Friends) at Strange Weather Recording Studio.
Next up was Lodro, a new project by members of Royal Baths. Lesley Hahn (of Friends), Jeremy Cox and Jigmae Baer (the former drummer for Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees) also made their debut performance among friends. While watching the band play, I couldn’t help but think of The Cramps and The Raveonettes – an excellent mesh of artists from two different eras. They definitely bring a familiar, but fresh sound to the Bushwick music scene. With songs like “Bad Heart Part 2” and “Big Sleep for Alice” it was like travelling back to the ’60s and ’70s to the days of garage rock and psychobilly. If you couldn’t make Lodro’s or Night Visions’ first show, check them out at Living Bread Deli February 16th!
Following Lodro was Shadow Walker, a new band from Tacoma, Washington. Isaac Solverson (who attends Bard) is lead guitarist and vocalist and writes the songs, while Brad Oberhofer (of Oberhofer), Shane Weeks (of Makeup Monster) and Patrick Johnson give killer support on guitar, drums and bass in all out noisy grunge pop fashion.
By the time the three opening bands finished playing, Shea was packed. The smell of cigarettes filled the air and laughter and smiles were everywhere as Total Slacker took the stage. With a smoke machine, some super awesome heavy guitar riffs brought to you by David Tassy and vocalist Tucker Rountree, Emily on bass and vocals, and Zoë Brecher slaying the drums, everyone was dancing. The great thing about Total Slacker, a local psychedelic punk band, is that they always fuel the audience with a plethora of energy. It was an exciting show, as they played some new songs off their upcoming album that they just finished working with Daniel Schlett.
Oberhofer was the last to take the stage. Never a disappointment, Brad and his band delivered in the most upbeat, adorable way possible. With buoyant, carefree lyrics and playful, catchy harmonies, the whole room was shaking their butts and bopping around. This neo-psych indie dance pop band was a great ending to the night and an excellent alternative to the Super Bowl. As John Rambo said, “None of you watch football anyway, why start now?”