RNDM PARTIES WITH NYC FREAKS AT THE GRAMERCY THEATRE

RNDM hit the Gramercy Theatre on the second stop of their tour to promote the Ghost Riding LP, which was released last week. The trio, which consists of Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam), NYC singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur, and percussionist Richard Stuverud (Fastbacks, Tres Mts.), brings a bit of a different vibe to their sophomore effort; more lush songwriting and a bit more experimental in nature, but quite possibly a better album on the whole than Acts.

Jeff Ament

Joseph Arthur

Jeff Ament

Richard Stuverud

Jeff Ament

Joseph Arthur

Joseph, Richard and Jeff

RNDM

Starting with tracks off Ghost Riding, RNDM wasted no time in showing us the new album with “Stumbling Down,” “Comfortable,” and “Ghost Riding.” These three tunes in particular are much different than most of the song’s off their first album and shows the groups dynamic ability to play any style they choose. The title track was an incredible take on the album version and settled the near capacity-crowd in nicely with its swaying groove.

Joseph, Richard and Jeff

Joseph Arthur

Jeff Ament

all smiles

Richard Stuverud

For the next 50 minutes the band would play the new album in its entirety, and hit their stride with “NYC Freaks,” “Kingdom In The Sky” and the frantically paced, “It’s Violence.” Before NYC Freaks, Arthur told the mostly lackadaisical crowd that they had to dig this song, because we all know about those freaks living here, like Joseph does. The audience, in fact, did enjoy the catchy electro-rock tune and had most shaking and dancing. Seeing Jeff Ament play the keys was also a real treat and on “Stronger Man,” his longtime bass-tech filled in on the four-string, while Jeff dazzled us with some ivory finger tickling.

Richard Stuverud

Jeff Ament

Joseph Arthur

Jeff Ament

Joseph Arthur

Joseph, Richard and Jeff

Richard and Jeff

RNDM

After a short break, the band came back on for a feisty encore with selections from their first album and finished the show with”Modern Times,” Disappearing Ones,” “Control” and a lengthy “Hollow Girl.” At this point, the band just seemed as they were hitting their groove, but after a solid 90 minutes of music the house lights came on and we left the building wondering if we could catch their next few shows in D.C., Philly and Boston.