Gothamist's Week in Rock, Volume 2

Things are starting to pick up around here. The weather was nice, people were out leaving the cave from the post-New Years hibernation and getting back on their feet. It's still coming around, but the rock scene is starting to show some life as well...

Matt & Kim Shake Up Studio B
There was one show everyone seemed to be talking about this week, and that was the big Matt & Kim homecoming at Studio B. The couple returned home to Brooklyn after a bit of touring to be greeted by a sizable and enthusiastic crowd at everyone's favorite Greenpoint superclub. Nobody seemed to be prepared for the type of reception they received, least of all the band, who played their little twee-punk hearts out to a massive crowd of nearly 500 fans moshing and stage diving like 14 year-olds at a ska matinee. Nobody left without a bruise or two and a smile on their face. The big question now is, where to go from here for these two? They've nearly outgrown the Todd P circuit, and aren't showing any signs of heading mainstream quite yet, despite their obvious appeal. We're excited to see where the M&K show takes them from here. (pic via Amazin' Jane)

It Sure Beats Roseland and Irving Plaza
While nothing is going to match the Arcade Fire in terms of NYC on-sale buzz, a couple other big bands quietly put tickets on sale for somewhat special sets. Bloc Party quietly announced 2 shows at The United Palace Theater on 175th street in Washington Heights. Can't vouch for the venue, but gotta give the band credit for trying to mix it up a bit instead of playing the same stale clubs they've already hit on their first few swings through the states. If you missed out on the extended presale this week, tickets go on sale to the public tomorrow at 11am. We're also hearing rumblings that Bowery Presents is angling to buy this place, and that (who else?) The Arcade Fire could be back to play here when they make their return to New York. So despite all the question marks still lingering, this may not be the one-off rock show it appears to be. Stay tuned...

Another show that snuck on sale without much fanfare this week was The Walkmen playing Bowery Ballroom with acoustic buzz boy Ferraby Lionheart. We hold The Walkmen near and dear to our hearts, and despite their shared allegiances with DC and Philly, few others manage to identify with New York quite like they do. The band may seem to play a lot around town, but it should be a treat to have them at the cozy confines of Bowery rather than the much bigger Webster Hall that they usually hit up when back home. Grab a ticket here.

So Long, Fabbymore
It's worth noting that after 5 years, Drew Barrymore and Strokes drummer Fab Moretti are no more. While it's always a bit of a bummer to see celebrity couples split, this one seemed a little closer to our hearts. Drew and Fab were fixtures of the East and Central Village sidewalks for so long now, it'll be kind of an empty feeling not to see them around together anymore. Whether they were grabbing brunch at 7A or late-night CD shopping at Virgin Megastore, the neighborhood feels a bit more loveless today. We wish them both the best. (pic via ONTD)

Barry Manilow is a Dick
Finally, if you were maybe still on the fence about attending one of those three Bowery Presents (???) Barry Manilow concerts at MSG coming up (We're sure you were), perhaps this unbelievable interview will make your decision for you. Good Grief. (Via Yeti)

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jeff Baum in Arts & Entertainment on January 12, 2007 11:36 AM

Comments [rss]

NWJR

Don't diss the Manilow. 30 years and still going? That's more than Ms. Black will ever be able to say.

janine

Repeat, I'm not a fan of Barry Manilow's music. Moreover, a wittier term would have been "manilunatic" or "manilover."

anonymass

OK, in fairness I reread the article and it is a little more hostile than I took from my first quick reading. It's true - the guy doesn't need to reinvent himself - but I still think that doesn't change two things:

1) He could go the Tony Bennettt route and, instead of reinventing himself, just do an occasional appearance on a hip show (like he did with Colbert) which would spread his appeal.

2) He is still a diva. He just is. I like the guy and grew up with his music, but he has 'drama queen' written all over him.

janelle

"Manilowmaniacs" - ha!

Mary

Does she even know how to do an interview?

I think Mr. Manilow handled it the best way he could have. First, she gives him advice on what he should be doing and then she insults him because she was humiliated! He deserves way more repect.And she needs to find a new career!

Kevin Walsh

"I mean, you’re already associated with kitsch, so I think you could be hipper than ever if you would consider… "

I would have hung up on that idiot myself...

www.forgotten-ny.com

d

I have to say I love TONY, but there's better questions she could have approached him with other then "Why don't you do a Rock record?" and "Why don't you re-invent yourself as a (hipster whatever)?" Manilow probably IS a jerk but I have to side with him here.

d

Jeff, agreed. His publicist should have given Manilow the lowdown. I think it was a combination of getting him at the wrong time and basically suggesting he was 'not hip enough' and having the gall to offer the guy career advice when he's been doing gigs since the 70's. It serves her right and she should not talk smack now (like that updated thread) cause it makes her look dumber then she already is.

Samantha T

I demand that Gothamist re-write the print to convey that Christina Black, rather than Barry Manilow, is a dick!

janine

Basically what adidas nut said. I don't personally like Barry Manilow but I don't see why he should have to apologize for his art. Each question had a not so subtle dig at him (for example, the first question could have been: How dis you choose these songs? or How did you choose this era?) His first reply showed that he's not delusional; he knows who he is and what he does. If he were a real industry whore, he would have been constantly pandering to popular tastes, rather than staying the way he is.

tony suxs

It was for an Events/goings on about town magazine so she should of did a normal interview about what's going on. You want jokes go write for National Lampoon.

That's what Mr. Manilow's PR people should expect.

null hypothesis

oh, and christina-if you're reading this- guess who won't be reading your shite..... boo hooo!

null hypothesis

i completely, totally agree with adidas nut.

wow, that christina black..... she is THE B*TCH!

adidas nut

Manilow paid his dues. You have to respect him for that. unlike you hipsters who want everything handed to them and the snipe about it on a blog.

Mr. Manilow expected some decency and not to be the butt of a hipster joke.

Jeff

Jeez, where'd all the Manilowmaniacs come from??? I can't be the only one who thinks her questions were pretty much in line with what I'd expect a TONY interview to ask. They didn't seem offensive or out of place at all. What the hell did Barry (or, more likely, his publicist) expect?

janine

Wow, how disrespectful was Cristina Black? She even includes more information about what a terrible interviewer she is: http://www.timeoutny.com/newyork/tonyblog/?p=511#more-511.

jammer

what "obvious appeal"? matt and kim are seriously terrible.

d

Seemed like she simply got Manilow at a bad time, and didn't think of anything meaningful to ask. I'd have hung up on the 3rd question too. He doesn't have to pander to the moron-billyburg-hipster contigent anyway. Well, the 'straight' hipster-tards that is.

Samantha T

Sure, he could capitalize on the kitsch thing, but he'd rather not undermine his accomplishments by rendering them "cute." His music isn't for everybody, but he does have a nice, strong voice and was a huge, huge commercial success back in the day. Doesn't really make him a diva, in my mind - he's been around for a really long time (played piano for Bette Midler back when she was Bathhouse Bette) and came from nothing. He's paid dues.

Yes, I just stuck up for Barry Manilow. In print.

anonymass

Samantha, I find the whole thing hysterical. Truth is, she has a point. Denying how the 35 and under crowd sees him doesn't change reality, and I think she's right in that he could capitalize on that kitsch factor if he were so inclined.

I mean if he weren't such a little diva.