CBGB FESTIVAL - ROCKET & THE GHOST - PARLOUR TRICKS - MOTHER FEATHER

It’s officially fall in New York and if you’re into the local music scene you’d know that CBGB is also in full swing. I’ve been a little under the weather as they say recently so I’ve had to take everything in a little more sober than I would have preferred, but when you’ve got REALLY great acts playing all throughout the city I’ve been able to manage. Night one of CBGB was spent out in Billyburg at the Knitting Factory – always a good time. To make things even better I was able to catch two of my favorites in Lily & The Parlour Tricks and Rocket & The Ghost.

Up first were our good friends at Rocket & The Ghost. In case you haven’t noticed, and judging by our increase in website metrics a growing number of you have, we’ve done a lot with Rocket in the past including a Whiskey Session and a recent visit to a Brooklyn distillery with Kiyoshi – which always makes for a fun adventure. I hate to admit it but this was my first time seeing the band live but I’m glad it was this show because I was blown away from how tight they were. While they played all the material off their recent self-titled EP, my personal favorites were ‘Gold’ and the groups closing number with ‘Goodbye’. I really believe the groups’ strength comes from Kiyoshi’s ability to write a great rock song by getting great tones out of his instrumentation without having to overpower. Well played sir, you’re as excellent of a performer as you are at looking good.

The second band of the night was one of my local favorites. I try not to see the same band multiple times within a season with few exceptions, but PARLOUR TRICKS are definitely one of those. The local indie/pop group have been a favorite of mine since I moved here many moons ago and I always try to catch them any time they’re in the city. As usual the group sounded great mixing newer pop-esque songs with their Americana-based songwriting the group built their foundation on. Their live show is what I think always sets them apart along with the great balance between indie-rock and throwback girl group style they’ve drilled down to a musical science.

The last group of the night, Mother Feather, was another group that I was seeing for the first time but could not have been more impressed with their ability to combine their awesome music with the love for on-stage persona and theatrics. The rock group fronted by Ann Courtney and Elizabeth Carena, the group mixed the power of dark guitar rock with the force of the two female voices up front which were are force to be reckoned with on their own. I loved their dark sound and the energy and attitude they brought with them. Their passion for that character-driven side of rock and roll is something not seen by younger bands today and it was much appreciated.

Article by: Tom Shackleford

Photos by: Shayne Hanley