Stark Goes Poolside

Ok, so it wasn't McCarren. We knew it was going to be different. Yesterday, Stark ventured to the Williamsburg Waterfront to the first "pool" party of the year hosted by Jelly NYC. Our outing served less as a concert experience and more as a referendum on the new operation in place after the unfortunate reclaiming of the original McCaren Pool site. For the most part, Jelly nailed it. There were familiar vestiges from McCarren (Dodgeball) and some unfortunate new additions (fenced in beer corral). While the drinking area was limited to the sidelines, the sight lines from the lower portion of the beer cage, and from the VIP area were clear. Coupled with the warm salt breeze off the river, the advent of large portions of grass and the NYC skyline as the backdrop of the stage, you really couldn't ask for a better place to spend an afternoon. Of course, the new location doesn't hold the same rustic charm of the old McCarren, yet it does well and provided us with a damn fine Sunday.

We weren't massive fans of the artists yesterday (Fucked Up, Mission of Burma, Ponytail and Jemina Pearl) but next week features the stacked line-up of Dirty Projectors, Magnolia Electric Co and Crystal Antlers (White Denim replacement). Out of the bunch, we GUESS Ponytail was the best. * We missed Jemina. Instrumentally Ponytail are a great band, and their songs are tight - but we're sorry, we know how much everyone loves her - Molly just gets annoying and always seems in the way of the songs. Sorry kids, it's just not our bag. Until next weekend, we sign off, sun-tinged, a little hungover and tired. Photos of the fun after the jump.

Ponytail - Todd P Halloween Party @ Danbro Warehouse

"...if p-p-p-pure energy isn't reason enough for a rock band to exist, check your pulse and/or your stated reasons for liking music (or being alive) in the first place."

- Pitchfork's review of Ponytail's 2006 debut Kamehameha

I'm sorry Matt and Kim but you played way past my bedtime - even for Halloween. OK it wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't been sick and on antibiotics -- thankfully I made it through Ponytail's set.

Coming off amazing reviews of their second EP, Ice Cream Spiritual, the anticipation for Ponytail was felt throughout the costume-clad crowd. Or maybe that was just the booze -- but either way there was quite the rush of bodies clashing as soon as Molly Siegel began to screech and squeal all the while dressed as a punch bowl of red kool-aid.

But yes we all know red is the best flavor of anything and Siegel is the best front woman I've seen in awhile. Her uninhibited body movements weren't sexual ploys to win anyone's affections - they were true movements of expression in a post-modern asexual world. Don't get me wrong - she was cute as all hell smiling and vibrant - but you get the feeling she isn't trying to impress anyone - which is ultimately what won me over.

More with Ponytail and fun Halloween photos after the jump...


And of course the Halloween ambiance just added to the fun - in the crowd of dancing fools was Jem, scary mask man, a cute Asian girl as an Empire State Building, Rosemary's Baby, Where's Waldo, a zombie prom date and Minnie Mouse...

In my sobriety I didn't have much tolerance for all the pushing but Ponytail put a spell on me that held me until their final song. It was musical mayhem - one moment Siegel sounded like she could communicate with dolphins and then the guitarist added in some wailing and cackling.

Later on in the night there was a Japanese rock explosion (DMBQ) who played drums while crowd surfing - so I'm kinda bummed I missed that. And of course Matt and Kim were incredible as always - so I hear...but when Siegel closed the set by saying, "Thanks for being awesome - this is a Todd P holiday!" I took that as my sign to head for the door passing by two blacked out girls near the exit...goodnight Halloween this girl needs her bed.

Photos and words by Lauren Mooney - Stark Contributing Writer

Obama-nation! Voter Withdrawal...Hungover?

Are you as hungover as we are? Are you suffering from voter withdrawal? The celebration of Barack Hussein Obama's presidential victory was well deserved; beers were consumed, his speech absorbed and history was made. We are glad to see there is some good left in this nation of ours.

This morning however, we find ourselves sympathizing with the Hessians at Trenton circa 1776 -- they were hungover from a premature Christmas celebration and as a result, George Washington plundered them.

Well, we may not get plundered by Washington, but our productivity levels will sure-as-hell decrease.

We have some good stuff coming your way music-wise today though...really. Highlights include the Bella Watt release party tomorrow evening, a recap of the Ponytail Halloween Extravaganza and maybe more...productivity levels remember.

YES WE CAN!

November 4, 2008 - Election Day

We, the Stark writers, intrupt your regular coverage to encourage all of our US readers to vote. For Barack Obama -- especially our Pennsylvania readers. We need all of you Bethlehem, PA folks on our side here.

For our UK friends, we know you're all on our team as well.

When we return, look out for coverage from our recent trip to Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble, the amazing new record from Dent May, and an intimate show with McCarthy Trenching. We also weigh in on some larger records including the new Ryan Adams and Lucinda Williams releases. We'll also take a second look at Ponytail via their most recent Halloween show in Brooklyn. Until then...

Vote hard, vote often.

Love,
Stark.

photo credit: Ashley Herriman

Rainbow Arabia - The Basta EP - "Let Them Dance" mp3

Rainbow Arabia "Let Them Dance" - mp3
Coming from the deserts of... Los Angeles, is a new sound and single from Rainbow Arabia. This track plays out like a crazy El Guinchino-style clash of the arid sounds of Tinariwen and Yeasayer, the dance rhythms of M.I.A and the yelping of Ponytail, with a little Of Montreal indie rock thrown in for good measure. Since lengthy comparisons are often the blogger's easy way out (and kinda cliche) - I must make personal note that the sounds of Rainbow Arabia are crisp, unique and highly, highly danceable. I'm also just a little lazy this morning. Rainbow Arabia are currently prepping an October tour with Gangi and will drop their debut EP The Basta on September 2. Play the track loud in your cube this morning. You will be all the better for it.
Thanks to Terrorbird for throwing this our way. They rock.

Titus Andronicus, Ponytail, Abe Vigoda, War on Drugs @ The Mercury Lounge

...Bruce Springsteen comparisons came easy as Titus opened their set with several verses from "Thunder Road." As Springsteen freewheels around the stage and often strays from the vocal melodies, as did lead singer Patrick Stickles. Twisting and writhing, Stickles delivered lyrics in incomprehensible screams and moans. Just as the E-Street band does for the Boss, the rest of Titus Andronicus held tight to the form of every song. They played with a passion and maturity that allowed Stickles to go ape-shit on stage all the while delivering a tight well focused set...
Full review and photos after the jump...

Although surprisingly undersold, the show Sunday night at the Mercury Lounge featured three of the summer's most buzzed about bands. Abe Vigoda and Ponytail delivered energetic sets of noise-filled, punk-rock music, while Titus Andronicus closed the evening by clearly demonstrating how a fully formed band should look and sound. While delivering a great album earlier this summer, the War on Drugs' set failed to capture the record's urgency and passion as most songs dragged along in a sea of messy electronics and languid tempos.

Publications from Pitchfork to Fader have weighed in, favoring Abe Vigoda and Ponytail. Although Abe Vigoda did well to capture the sounds and aesthetics of noise rock legends such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, (one even sported an old JAMC tee shirt,) they failed to deliver the vocal power and melodies of their predecessors. Ponytail channeled a more progressive sound, at times reminiscent of Battles, only delivering their songs in accessible three to four minute pop nuggets. Driven by their spectacular drummer Jeremy Hyman, Ponytail managed an uplifting, positive, and infectious set; yet, the role of "lead singer" Molly Siegel seemed ill-defined, and at least live, she seemed more like an energetic place holder.

Like a breath of fresh air after what was becoming a long evening, Titus Andronicus set up, line checked and were ready to go a half-hour early. It's hard to describe maturity exactly, but Titus looked the part of a real band before even playing a single note. Complete with a self-produced light show, every band member seemed ready to go and conducted themselves with an adult demeanor that belied their real age and level of experience. While Vigoda and Ponytail captured a youthful exuberance, Titus Andronicus' set clearly demonstrated that those bands have some growing up to do before they are counted in the same league as some of their indie rock peers.

Bruce Springsteen comparisons came easy as Titus opened their set with several verses from "Thunder Road." As Springsteen freewheels around the stage and often strays from the vocal melodies, as did lead singer Patrick Stickles. Just as the E-Street band does for the Boss, the rest of Titus Andronicus held tight to the form of every song. They played with a passion and maturity that allowed Stickles to go ape-shit on stage all the while delivering a tight well focused set. Playing the best from their excellent record The Airing of Grievences, Titus Andronicus made their openers look like boys and girls amongst men and women. Titus made the Mercury Lounge their own and showed why they will remain standing long after the summer's hype has faded.
Lovely photos by Karp.