Monday, August 3, 2009
Music news The Balkans’ Family Vacation tour journal pt. 4
Posted by Elizabeth Shortridge on Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 3:32 PM
We headed out of New York for a “short” two hour drive to Philadelphia for a gig at the Danger Danger Gallery. Massive rain storms, again, and just plain congestion turned our 90 mile trip into a five hour drive each way. We will not have happy memories of the New Jersey Turnpike. Despite the traffic and the warnings that the venue was in a very bad neighborhood, it was overall the best gig yet.
The neighborhood was sketchy, but I found shelter in the Dock Street Brewery with some local friends while the Balkans missed out and ate vegan wraps next door. People actually turned-out for the gig. The Balkans put on a strong show and were dripping with sweat by the end. Stanley did his customary dramatic finish where he abruptly stands up and throws away his drumsticks. The basement had flooded out because of the earlier rain, but the bands were still able to play. The main room hosted three rock bands and the other room had two electronic acts, which seemed to get more of the crowd’s approval. Maybe the Balkans will make it back to the city of brotherly love someday...
We headed back to New York for a show on the Lower East side. Unfortunately the show was shut down after one song by the New York City cops because of a noise complaint. We still got to celebrate Woody’s birthday at midnight, complete with Birthday candles.
While the band has been crashing in the Lower East Side, I have been in Brooklyn with some friends. The Williamsburg area has this “Southern” trend going on. Saturday night I had fried chicken, a biscuit and lima beans, and this morning collectively we had tomatoes, grits, catfish cakes and blueberry-peach pancakes for brunch. Walking back from the restaurant one of my friends picked up a table sitting in someone’s trash and carried it home as a new addition to their apartment. From my brief experience here in Brooklyn I think there’s a good chance that these Southern-loving, DIY spirit people will enjoy the Balkans and Carnivores when they play at the Littlefield performance and art space in Brooklyn tonight. As always, check out the Balkans’ Myspace for more info on tour dates.
(Photos by Elizabeth Shortridge)
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