CMJ: PANCAKES AND WHISKEY PRESENTS - AGES AND AGES, FORT LEAN, NEW MYTHS, SPOOKYLAND, BULLY, FISHING + HENRY HALL

Pancakes and Whiskey’s second showcase for CMJ was nothing short of awesome. Pianos can be such a bitch to get into on a normal Thursday, so of course the fans and crowd was filling the downstairs and upstairs stages for a packed showcase lineup consisting of local and international acts in Fort Lean, New Myths, Bully, Fishing, and more!

Henry Hall

The former guitarist/singer of Grand Cousin kicked off the night singing a few songs with his female accomplice and a few by himself. The rocker was covering more of a singer-songwriter kind of vibe. I’ll doff my awesome new fedora to Henry, as a one-man show at a rock venue during a rock showcase isn’t easy when it comes to capturing the crowd.

Fort Lean

A rock band that’s starting to make waves in the New York indie rock scene. The band’s catchy rock tunes make them so easily enjoyable to any music fan. They didn’t seem to have to play to hard to loud to make a statement. The groups melodic vocal and guitar lines are good on the ears and helped everyone get light on their feet. Video

Spookyland

This band came up from down under to bring some southern hemisphere rock music to CMJ. The band’s guitar rock songs told of stories via the piercing vocals of Marcus Gordon. A mix of darker themes and fantastic singer-songwriter rooted songs like ‘Rock and Roll Weakling’ gave those in attendance something that they don’t get to hear very often.

New Myths

This isn’t the first time New Myths have performed for a P&W show, and it certainly wont be the last. Unless the band breaks up tomorrow or something. Barring a breakup though, the three-piece was strutting their modern new-wave style rock fresh off their recent album release. The band always sounds great with their pulsating drum lines and ripping guitar riffs. Watch the live video for “Playing With Fire” here!

Ages and Ages

The big guy and I caught this band playing a set in the downstairs stage before the P&W showcase started and sounded awesome. Fortunately for us, they were able to bring their indie-folk pop party upstairs to our stage a little later. Their sing-along, style music all the way from Portland made for a great set and an awesome new sound to the NYC music mix. Video

Bully

The garage rock band from Nashville had that dirty rock swagger that fits right into the LES music scene. Their throwback 90s alt rock style mixed with modern pop themes made for a great sound. Let’s not forget to mention singer/guitarist Alicia Bognanno’s ability to energize each song like it’s the first time they’re freshly playing it live. Video

Fishing

The first band of the night to bring electronic and synth to the party did so in a refreshing way. The two-piece group was able to fit right into the rock-filled lineup with an electronic sound that had a New York indie sound of it’s own. The second band in the lineup from Australia was able to close out the showcase with style and charisma like they’ve been here for years.

Article by: Tom Shackleford

Photos by: Shayne Hanley