The Bowery Presents

The Mercury Lounge upcoming shows

Luke Elliot
10:00

A Family Plot
9:00
Next Tribe
8:00
Beatbox Guitar
7:00

Venue:
The Mercury Lounge
Date:
Sun 1/31
Notes:
21+
Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 7:00 PM
$8
Luke Elliot
myspace
It’s a damn shame that the grinding squeal of metal-on-metal of a train coming into the station, thick steam billowing out through the waiting crowd of gunslingers, priests and thieves is imagery so co-opted by generic Americana bands and Morricone-wanna-be’s, because that is the stuff of poets. Guy Clark’s “Desperados Waitin’ On A Train” and Leonard Cohen’s “Ballad of the Absent Mare.” I’m talking about Nick Cave’s “The Proposition,” (not any of that Young Gun’s shit) the stuff with the kind of grit that stays under your nails when you die. And that brings us to Luke Elliot. This New Jersey native’s first full-length record, “In Our Embrace”, has all of that grit in every crack and crevasse of its runtime. And not in any sort of pedal-steel parody way, but in the way of withered waltzes, barreling ragtime, and hypnotic piano dirges underpinned by literate narrative that coats each melody like chipped paint on a broken down jalopy. There are some easy comparisons to the aforementioned Cohen, and occasional shades of Dylan (Ballad of a Thin Man, perhaps?), and maybe some of those real piano-y Tom Waits’ albums that still haven’t gotten their due (“Foreign Affairs” or “One From the Heart”). But that doesn’t really get to the heart of it. Those guys color the prose of everyone who’s written a song in the last 40 years. He’s channeling something much older and creakier than those guys, and still delivering it a way that connects him with a very short list of modern writers. Jagjaguwar’s Simon Joyner, perhaps, or Josh Pearson since he’s left the cacophony of “Lift to Experience” behind him. Basically, Luke Elliot is creating a sound without a whole lot of direct lineage, yet it still sounds lived in and familiar, the words streaming by as you try to catch up and parse the meaning like you almost knew the song from a dream. You know, the one where you’re being hunted by wolves while your lover calls to you from an impossible distance? For all the delicate intimacy of the record, Elliot’s live show is another beast altogether - backed by Ryan Stokes (drums and accordion), Richard Russano (electric guitar) and Ben Fleisher (bass), they re-engineer the songs into Jerry Lee Lewis piano-wrecking rave-ups, the band effortlessly funneling the brimming intensity under the surface of the record into a full-on euphoric rock show. They’re playing all over the Northeast these days, so make sure to catch them when they roll into town. You’ll know them by the fog of swirling steam and the shuddered shriek of old metal coming to a stop. -Morgan King, President of Yer Bird Records
A Family Plot
official website
myspace
Harnessing the raw energy and honesty of 60s- and 70s-era rock, the Plot boasts a diverse catalog conveying emotion, dynamics, and sophistication – as well as an aggressive in-your-face-punch. Often displaying melodic vocals over gritty, crass chords, The Plot combines ugliness and beauty, with a modern rock sensibility.

Another element that sets The Plot apart is its history. All four band members have been a part of each other’s lives for decades, which amounts to a profound and intangible quality that is ever present in their music. While the Plot is relatively new to the scene, forming in December 2008, its members bring with them a wealth of recording, touring, and industry experience in bands such as the urban-fusion Candiria, Poison The Well, Spylacopa, and performance art project, Black Pig.
Next Tribe
myspace
Born and bred in the basments of Brooklyn, Next Tribe has been pushing the envelope with one of the most original sounds in the NYC scene. From flamenco to punk to psychedelic rock, crowds are drawn in by there diverse sound. 2010 brings Next Tribe out of hiatus, featuring eclectic guitarist/sitarist Rob Mastrianni, bassist James Criscitiello and drummer Phil Scotti.
Beatbox Guitar
official website
myspace
The Brooklyn based duo Beatbox Guitar, create an unexpected mix of flamenco, psychedelic and gypsy punk. Human beatboxer Pete List's effortless flow of beat and breath on the mic showcases Rob Mastrianni's innovative, intricate guitar and electric sitar playing. Their music has become a favorite among belly dancers, and the BBG live show often features captivating dancers interacting with the music. Since the duo formed in 2008, their music has been featured on several belly dance DVD's and in ABC prime time television soundtracks, as well as the subway musician's program 'Music Under New York'. Their debut CD 'Beatbox Guitar' is now available on iTunes and cdbaby.com.
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