Pop punk is alive and well these days. The fanbase now spans multiple generations who are selling out festivals and reunion tours all while spawning a thriving scene of up and coming bands with a new found energy and creativity. This was all on display on Sunday, November 13th at Brooklyn Steel for State Champs third show of the ‘Kings Of The New Age’ tour. The Albany-based pop punks led a deep quadruple bill also featuring California natives Hunny along with relative newcomers Young Culture and Between You & Me on support.
Fresh off their appearance at When We Were Young Festival (the Las Vegas pop punk festival featuring almost every band you ever heard of) State Champs were in fine form as they celebrated Kings Of The New Age, their fourth LP released back in May. Frontman Derek DiScanio and bassist Ryan Graham bounced from one side of the stage to the other, greeting a relentless stream of crowd surfers rushing the stage. The band breezed through a career-spanning, 18-song setlist with many of the new songs already becoming crowd favorite sing alongs.
Brooklyn Steel was only the third stop on the tour, with North American dates running until mid December. State Champs close out the stretch with a hometown show at Albany’s Empire Live on December 10th. Tickets for that show are still on sale. Check out the full photo gallery from Brooklyn below and from their last performance at Empire Live in 2021 here. Also make sure to listen to the band’s recently released acoustic singles “Act Like That” and “Outta My Head”.
Brooklyn Steel will welcome Swedish punk rockers Viagra Boys, all the way from Stockholm, for their only New York show on Tuesday, October 18. Viagra Boys are touring in support of their third studio album, Cave World, released by Year0001 in July. Written during the COVID-19 pandemic and recorded last winter at Silence Studio and RMV Studio, the album is produced by Pelle Gunnerfeldt and DJ Haydn.
Photo by Ollie Nordh
Viagra Boys, a name chosen as a pun to mans’ failed role in society, have already gained a reputation as being an unapologetically raw live act. They are led by frontman Sebastian Murphy, whose wild and energetic stage persona has led to comparisons with iconic performers Iggy Pop and Nick Cave. The sextet is rounded out by Henrik Höckert (bass), Tor Sjödén (drums), Oskar Carls (saxophone), Elias Jungqvist (keyboards) and Linus Hillborg (guitar).
Cave World Album Art
Joining Viagra Boys on the bill as a co-headliner are Shame, a post-punk band from South London, England. Formed in 2014, Shame are the quintet of Charlie Steen (vocals), Sean Coyle-Smith (guitar), Eddie Green (guitar), Charlie Forbes (drums) and Josh Finerty (bass). Their debut album (Songs of Praise) was released in 2018, followed by Drunk Tank Pink in 2021 – both to critical acclaim via Dead Oceans, an independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana.
The show is at 7:30 pm, with doors at 6:30 pm. Tickets are on sale here.
Viagra Boys Tour Dates
October 2, 2022 – The Observatory North Park – San Diego, CA
October 4, 2022 – Hotel Congress Plaza – Tucson, AZ
October 5, 2022 – Sister – Albuquerque, NM
October 7, 2022 – Fox Theatre – Boulder, CO
October 8, 2022 – Gothic Theatre – Englewood, CO
October 10, 2022 – Red Flag – St. Louis, MO
October 11, 2022 – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville – Nashville, TN
October 12, 2022 – Headliners Music Hall – Louisville, KY
October 14, 2022 – Woodward Theater – Cincinnati, OH
October 15, 2022 – Mr. Smalls Theatre – Millvale, PA
October 17, 2022 – White Eagle Hall – Jersey City, NJ
October 18, 2022 – Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY
October 20, 2022 – Union Craft Brewing – Baltimore, MD
October 21, 2022 – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC
October 22, 2022 – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
October 23, 2022 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA
October 27, 2022 – White Oak Music Hal – Houston, TX
October 31, 2022 – Granada Theater – Dallas, TX
November 6, 2022 – Primavera Sound – São Paulo, Brazil
November 18, 2022 – Festival Corona Capital – Mexico City, Mexico
December 7, 2022 – Astra Kulturhaus – Berlin, Germany
December 8, 2022 – Substage – Karlsruhe, Germany
December 9, 2022 – Paradiso Grote Zaal – Amsterdam, Netherlands
December 10, 2022 – TivoliVredenburg – Utrecht, Netherlands
December 11, 2022 – Bataclan – Paris, France
December 14, 2022 – X-tra Hotel – Zürich, Switzerland
December 15, 2022 – Fabrique – Milan, Italy
January 20, 2023 – Rock City – Nottingham, England
January 21, 2023 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow, Scotland
January 23, 2023 – 3Olympia Theatre – Dublin, Ireland
January 24, 2023 – The Great Hall at Cardiff University – Cardiff, Wales
January 25, 2023 – O2 Academy Brixton – London, England
January 28, 2023 – Annexet – Stockholm, Sweden
February 19, 2023 – Paradiso – Amsterdam, Netherlands
In November and December, LCD Soundsystem will return to Brooklyn Steel for a month-long residency. “We’re not aware that we’re getting older and somehow think that 20 shows is a good idea,” said bandleader James Murphy in a social media announcement.
Murphy wearing a Halloween mask with the face of his friend/collaborator/former bandmate Steve Nebesney.
The band’s concert dates at the venue are as follows: Nov. 18-22, 26, 27, 29, 30, and Dec. 2-4, 6, 7, 9-11, 13, 14, 16, and 17. For Nov. 27, 29, and 30, only American Express card members can purchase tickets.
Amex card members will also get early access to tickets from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 10 p.m. Thursday before the general sale starts the following morning at 10 a.m. Customers can also request “fan presale access” for the opportunity to purchase seats between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday.
The announcement also came with the single release of “New Body Rhumba,” the group’s first song in five years. The track was made for the Noah Baumbach movie “White Noise” which debuted on Netflix in August.
This fall, Secret Machines heads out their first US tour in 12 years, starting on September 24th in Asheville, NC and wrapping up with two nights at Brooklyn Steel over October 27-28. They’ll be joined by Metric for all 24 shows of the tour.
In 2007, co-founding guitarist Benjamin Curtis (who passed away from a rare form of lymphoma in 2013) left his brother Brandon and Secret Machines’ stellar drummer Josh Garza behind to focus on his new project School of Seven Bells. The saving grace of Benjamin’s departure from Secret Machines despite two buzz-worthy albums and years of electrifying live shows together, however, was guitarist Phil Karnats. A fellow Dallas native who played alongside Brandon and Benjamin in the psych-pop band Tripping Daisy, he wasted no time falling into place alongside Josh’s lead-footed rhythms and Brandon’s sinewy, rip-roaring hooks.
Secret Machines’ original label (the Frank Sinatra-founded Reprise Records) never quite got the group. Warner Brothers’ way of supporting the trio’s powerful sound in the four years between their breakout debut (2004’s Now Here is Nowhere) and the Secret Machines sessions wasn’t to try and wrap their heads around it. They’d rather boost the band’s studio budget until it burst and hope a hit would emerge from the ether.
That is until they heard Secret Machines’ third album. Reprise was so perplexed by the bold LP they immediately hit the brakes and refused to promote it. “One particular guy epitomized the vibe,” explains Brandon. “He was obviously unhappy with the record, but the way he communicated his feelings was so convoluted. He asked us to make changes, and as I expressed our willingness to discuss any ideas he may have, he just kept saying ‘no.’ I’m not sure what he was even saying ‘no’ to!”
“At that point,” adds Josh, “the writing was on the wall. They felt like they’d given us a chance and were really upfront. So we asked them to give us the album and they were like, ‘Sure, take the album; no harm, no foul.’”
Reprise’s eagerness to cut their ties from Secret Machines led to a rushed, ill-fated deal with World’s Fair Label Group. While it had already worked with such reputable artists and imprints as Rough Trade, Jarvis Cocker, and Daptone, the part-time PR company shuttered its own label right in the middle of a Canadian tour that was supposed to support the band’s self-titled record. A record it hadn’t bothered to officially release, mind you.
People didn’t even know the album was out. Things got really bad from there and started leaving a bad taste in our mouth. Our problem was never with the music, though; it was with the business itself.
Josh Garza
The good news about Secret Machines’ DOA status is that it’s finally being released as it was originally intended. Much like a long overdue director’s cut, it now features a dynamic sequence that makes far more sense in the long run than the original and boasts the added benefit of hindsight and a renewed sense of purpose within the group’s widescreen back catalog.
Rather than spark the record’s proceedings with the candy-laced chords and immediate hooks of “Atomic Heels,” the power trio now knocks our jowls back like a Maxwell ad with the jarring opening of “The Fire is Waiting.” It’s as if they’re daring us to step one foot closer, only to reward our patience with a subtle recorder pattern from glam-rock demigod Tony Visconti and a windswept, 11-minute sequence Phil rightfully describes as “like being swallowed up by an indomitable, mountainous wave, bated breath and an inevitable end.”
Bringing the record into full relief are crisp remastered recordings by Slowdive drummer Simon Scott, and tracks that have taken on a new life in 2022 — from the torn space-time continuum of “The Walls are Starting to Crack” to the simmering intro and gleaming, rigid groove of “Have I Run Out.”
Tickets are on sale on now and can be purchased here.
Tune-Yards made their way to Bushwick’s Brooklyn Steel last Wednesday, June 15th, in support of their excellent fifth LP, Sketchy. The album was released back in March of 2021 and like most bands today, this is the first opportunity for Tune-Yards to tour behind the record.
The band has released all five of their albums on 4AD records dating back to 2009. Singer and multi-instrumentalist Merrill Garbus took time at the end of the show to personally thank the label for being the backbone of their career.
Tune-Yards is the musical project of Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner and is an eclectic mix of art-pop, worldbeat, lo-fi, and vocal play. Garbus has a history as a puppeteer, and this method of visceral expression comes out in her performance style. Most of the songs have intricate vocal loops and patterns, all of which are recorded and performed live while Garbus bounces around the stage, engaging the fans. She also paraded various signs around stage, serving as introductions for her banter between songs.
Tune-Yards made it a point early in the show at Brooklyn Steel to remind the audience that we are all living on Native American land and that fact must be constantly acknowledged. There was also a long interlude later in the show (noted on the setlist as “extinction memorial”) where Garbus instructed the audience on the plight of the Bramble Cay melomys. The rodent, native to islands off the coast of Australia, is confirmed to be the first mammal to go extinct due to climate change. The rising sea level surrounding the low-lying islands destroyed their habitat and led to the rodent’s extinction.
The music of Tune-Yards is impossibly difficult to categorize. The band performs live as a trio, but with all the vocal and synth looping, once the songs are structured live they feel larger than life. Garbus’ vocal abilities are captivating and have always been a fundamental component of the music. Sketchy track “Hypnotized” is a prime example and has been a mainstay in this tour’s setlists. Garbus delivers a bit of vocal play over a sparse, but deliberate drum beat to open the track, before an array of art-pop synths and a chunky bass line fill in the groove. The band also featured the track “Gangsta” from their second LP, Whokill. The song has been one of Tune-Yards’ most succesful, appearing in TV shows Letterkenny, Orange Is The New Black, Weeds, and The Good Wife.
Tune-Yards’ tour concluded over the weekend, with a final show on Saturday, June 18th, at Union Transfer in Philadelphia. The band spent a lot of time throughout the show thanking the people that have been supporting and enabling them to create their music. Garbus is also a new mother, and she relished in that as her baby was off-stage sharing in the moment. Garbus lamented that she felt that Tune-Yards would never be able to tour again after the pandemic, admitting that these shows were also a celebration of their miniature victory over COVID. Head over to the band’s website to see a handful of one-off shows they have scheduled, and see NYS Music’s full photo gallery from Brooklyn Steel below.
Future Islands played a sold-out three night run at Brooklyn Steel over June 2-4, with support from legendary funk-rock band, ESG. Fans were treated to the driving beats, energetic sets, and the nonstop thrills that have made Future Islands a breakout success.
Future Islands at Brooklyn Steel, Photographed by David Reichmann
Opening for Future Islands, ESG brought the exact energy to their funk-rock set you would expect from a band opening for the famously-animated Future Islands. ESG interacted with the crowd with laughter and enthusiasm. At one point bassist Nicole stopped the show and excitedly asked the crowd, “Is your mom as cool as our mom?” pointing to her mother and frontwoman, Renee Scroggins. The crowd raved throughout their sets, with palpable energy rising as they closed out each night’s set.
Future Islands took the stage each night to wild applause. Frontman Samuel Herring briefly thanked the opening band before declaring, “I’m not going to do too much talking. Let’s shut up and do it.” Samuel brought his trademark highly-animated style of performance that made the band a viral sensation following their network television debut of “Seasons (Waiting on You)” on David Letterman, which would go on to become the most viewed YouTube video in Letterman’s history. The entire crowd was jumping off the floor before the band’s second song concluded. Covered in a thick layer of sweat within minutes, Samuel joked, “It’s getting slippery up here!”
Future Islands at Brooklyn Steel, Photographed by David Reichmann
After Future Island’s third song finished (traditionally when photographers must exit the press pit), Samuel fist bumped a few of the photographers for their enthusiastic capturing of his performance. A rare show of class, as photographers are usually ignored by the talent. But in that brief moment, Sammuel showed a clear respect to the whole crew involved in bringing the show to life. He took every opportunity to interact with the crowd and photographers, leading to a dynamic and powerful show that was a joy to both attend and cover.
Each track on their setlist featured Samuel jumping, crouching, and contorting himself with operatic movement. Their set included several fan favorites, including “Peach,” “Plastic Beach,” “Balance,” “Like the Moon,” and their latest single, “King of Sweden.”
“We are meant to experience these things and remember them,” Samuel told the crowd before introducing “Lighthouse” with the story of the song’s inspiration. He told a heartfelt story of a friend who had lifted him from a dark time, and how he always thinks of them when performing this song.
Future Islands at Brooklyn Steel, Photographed by David Reichmann
Samuel performed high kicks, full body stage dives, locked his piercing eyes with several audience members, and put what seemed like 110% of his efforts into every second of the show. The band played with the same energy, pushing driving beats and deep synths. Each band mate brought something unique to the table. As far as frontmen go, some artists steal the show and some artists are the show — Samuel Herring is undoubtedly a frontman who is the show. And he performs as much for the back row as the front.
Future Islands at Brooklyn Steel, Photographed by David Reichmann
Before introducing their breakout hit, “Seasons (Waiting On You),” Samuel told the crowd, “This song is for people waiting on that special someone, I hope that someone is next to you tonight… if they’re not here that’s okay too. Don’t you waste too much time, now!” The crowd cheered and danced as the song played, reveling in Samuel’s all-out performance.
They closed the first night with “Little Dreamer.” Samuel told a tear jerking story of an old love and a specific room this song always brings him back to. He invited the crowd to remember painful moments throughout their lives, and never forget the most difficult times. “This is a dream. We’ve worked so hard for years to be here. This is a song we’ve been singing for 13 years.”
Future Islands at Brooklyn Steel, Photographed by David Reichmann
Future Islands’ sold out, three night run featured incredible setlists, touching and personal anecdotes from frontman Sammuel Herring, and ESG as the perfect opening act.
Future Islands is scheduled to play one more North American tour date in July, before embarking on their European tour in August. You can listen to Future Islands’ latest single and album here. You can also check out ESG’s music here.
Future Islands and ESG at Brooklyn Steel, Photographed by David Reichmann
France Rocks Summer fest, the largest festival of French music in the United States, have announced their 5th anniversary lineup. Beginning on Saturday, June 4, this month-long festival will feature 15 concerts across Brooklyn and Manhattan, and will culminate with a celebration at Central Park’s SummerStage.
Gracing the France Rocks stage will be legendary French hip hop artist MC Solaar, the Nice-based electro-pop artist Hyphen Hyphen and electro-pop trio Bon Entendeur. Co-presented with FiAF (French Institute Alliance Francaise), the performances on June, 21 will also mark the 40th Anniversary of “La Fête de la Musique”, an International day of music that derived from France.
We are thrilled to celebrate the 5th edition of France Rocks Summer Fest and the return of live music to New York City, which is once again thriving.
I am proud to present this diverse group of edgy, up-and-coming artists and can’t wait to witness the beautiful energy of audiences enjoying this tremendous music.
France Rocks founder, Michele Amar
France Rocks highlights the most exciting music coming out of France today, as well as international artists who draw their inspiration from French culture. Attracting more than 50,000 music lovers across all backgrounds, free and ticketed shows will be held across eight venues throughout the month, including Brooklyn Steel and Blue Note Jazz Club.
This year’s France Rocks festival is supported in part by the city’s programming initiative, NY Music Month, the official celebration of New York City’s vibrant and dynamic music ecosystem. In turn, France Rocks hopes to present its most eclectic roster of music to-date, ranging from gypsy jazz, electro-pop, Latin inspired French music and more.
France Rocks SummerFest is also supported through partnerships with France Rocks, French Institute Alliance Francaise, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, Make Music New York, French Morning, A2IM Indie Week, SummerStage in Central Park, and the Lincoln Center.
Fore more on France Rocks Music Festival, visit their official website. While the entire festival lineup can be found below.
FRANCE ROCKS SUMMER FEST 2022 LINEUP: Sat, June 4 – Las Rubias del Norte @ Barbes – 8PM
Sun, June 5 – La Femme @ Brooklyn Steel – 8PM
Fri, June 10 – Clovis Nicolas @ Blue Note Jazz Club – 12:30PM & 2PM
Parquet Courts, the New York City based post-punk band, finished up a two-night stand at Bushwick’s Brooklyn Steel on Saturday, April 2nd. The band is on tour supporting their seventh LP Sympathy for Life; released last October via Rough Trade Records. The album features the infectiously groovy lead single “Walking at a Downtown Pace” and the psychedelic jam “Plant Life.”
Parquet Courts at Brooklyn Steel, 4/2/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
NYS Music was at night two, which featured a rather unique intro to the show. After the stage crew finished the change over between sets, a woman lit a sage bundle and immersed the stage in the smoke. She stepped to the mic and announced onto the stage, “Clown.” After expecting Parquet Courts to walk onto the Brooklyn Steel stage, the crowd was indeed perplexed, but intrigued as to what was happening. Two people walked on stage, one apparently the Clown in full face paint and a clown suit accompanied by a saxophone player. The two then played a gorgeous cover of Parquet Courts song and Sympathy for Life closer “Pulcinella.” The ambient balled swelled into a mix of sax and guitar loops, coming to a climax as Clown then introduced Parquet Courts to the stage.
Clown at Brooklyn Steel, 4/2/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Once Parquet Courts took the stage, the crowd burst into joyous energy and never let up until the end of the show. The band played a career spanning set, and embellished much of the songs into lengthy live versions with extended jams and improvised movements. The band transforms their energetic post-punk style into a multifaceted live show that keeps even the most devout listener on their toes. Highlights of the show included the aforementioned Sympathy of Life singles as well as “Freebird II” and “Mardi Gras Beads” off the excellent 2018 LP Wide Awake!.
Parquet Courts at Brooklyn Steel, 4/2/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Parquet Courts continue on tour through April, ending the month on the west coast before heading to Europe for a run of dates in May and June. The band sprinkles in a couple of shows in Australia later in the summer. Check out the full tour schedule HERE and see our photo gallery from the show at Brooklyn Steel on April 2nd below.
Tampa, Florida natives and metal-core innovators, Underoath, stopped at Brooklyn Steel on St. Patrick’s Day as part of their Voyeurist North America Tour. Voyeurist, Underoath’s ninth LP and second from Fearless Records, showed the band staying true to the hardcore/screamo sound they helped fashion in the early aughts, while also modernizing the production and adding electronic and futuristic elements. The band refers to this enhanced sound as “high-def violence” and are in peak form on this tour.
Underoath at Brooklyn Steel, 3/17/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Underoath brought some new and long time favorite heavyweights to Brooklyn Steel to fill out an incredible hardcore quadruple bill. Long Island natives, Stray from the Path, opened the show, playing songs from a nearly 20-year catalog including their 2019 LP, Internal Atomics. Next up was Richmond, Virginia band, Bad Omens, who recently released their third LP, The Death Of Peace Of Mind, this past February on Sumerian Records. The penultimate performers were the incredibly exciting, Spiritbox, who released their debut LP, Eternal Blue, last September. Featuring vocalist Courtney LaPlante and her husband Mike Stringer on guitar, the band creates the perfect blend of etherial and melodic post-rock with crushing waves of heavy screaming hardcore. LaPlante stretches the vocal range with stunning beauty on the live stage.
Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox. Photo by Buscar Photo
Underoath were thought to be permanently retired after their farewell tour in 2013. Founding drummer and clean vocalist Aaron Gillespie had left the band in 2010 and the remaining members went on to release a record without him, 2010s â (Disambiguation). Gillespie ended up performing with the band on the last show of the farewell tour in Florida in January, 2013 but the band seemed finished at the time. A few years later, they returned with Gillespie in the lineup and have since released two records, including Voyeurist, which has instantly become a staple in the band’s catalog.
Underoath at Brooklyn Steel, 3/17/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
The show at Brooklyn Steel was Underoath’s first time playing in New York since August, 2019 when the band played in Saratoga and Wantagh with Korn and Alice In Chains. The Voyeurist Tour is nearly complete as they are set to close the run with two hometown shows in Florida on March 26th and 27th. Find the remaining show details on the band’s website. Spiritbox on the other hand have gained so much momentum with this new album that their tour schedule is just beginning. After these shows with Underoath, they have numerous festival appearances and a European tour stretching throughout the summer. Head over to their website for the full dates and see our photo galleries from Underoath and Spiritbox below.
Psychedelic mainstays Animal Collective brought their mind-bending live show to Brooklyn Steel this past weekend in support of their eleventh studio album Time Skiffs. “A thousand wasted Brooklyners, all depressed” sold out the Bushwick venue to see a band that has been on the forefront of modern psychedelic music for more than 20 years. Fans lined up early as the merch booth was transformed into a pop-up record store, selling nearly every Animal Collective album on vinyl including the Merriweather Post Pavilion special edition.
Animal Collective at Brooklyn Steel, 3/12/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Animal Collective play a different set every night, but like every show, Saturday night in Brooklyn featured new tracks and a host of favorites and deep cuts. Time Skiffs featured with tracks “Strung With Everything” and “Cherokee” while Strawberry Jam hit “For Reverend Green” closed out the encore. For this tour the band dusted off deep cuts “Chores” and “Applesauce,” both of which have not been played live in 10 years.
Animal Collective at Brooklyn Steel, 3/12/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Animal Collective are just beginning a very bust tour schedule for the rest of 2022. The US tour is two legs, with March in the east and midwest and May on the west coast. Then the band heads to Europe for two legs in June and November. Head over to their website to see the full schedule and see NYS Music’s photo gallery from the Brooklyn Steel show below, and check out our coverage from their 2016 appearance in NYC.
