AUDIO: Penfold Reunion at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ 9.17.11

I came across Penfold sometime in the late 1990's during my drunken college years. It was a demo tape that I played the hell out of. From there, the band released one of my favorite records of that era (possibly ever), called "Amateurs and Professionals." I was a disc jockey at WPSC, the radio station at William Paterson University and we gave the album a great deal of spins. I saw Penfold a couple of times but I don't really recall seeing a complete set. It's a shame too because, for a local-ish band, I really considered the songs to be on par with some of the best stuff national acts were releasing. The band put out another album and over the years, after they broke up, the songs aged gracefully. Needless to say, I was very excited to hear about a reunion show. I was expecting, maybe a 45 minute or hour long set. Maybe 8 or 9 songs. As you can see below, I got more than I bargained for. It was a pleasure to relive and I'm overjoyed to have captured it on tape.

As far as the pictures go, please believe me when I say the audio came out much better than the photos did.

Penfold Reunion: Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ 9.17.11

"Intro/Chapter 2"
"Traveling Theory"
"Sea Of Crisis"
"M"
"The Sound Of Jazz"
"Fate, Coincidence and An Encounter"
"The Secret Nine"
"Microchip"
"Brilliance"
"Kissing the Nightmare"
"Our First Taste of Escape"
"Amateur Standing"
Encore Break
"June"
"Reflexivity"
"I'll Take You Everywhere"

"Our First Taste Of Escape"

AUDIO: Fake Problems at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ 8.3.11

Much like the Lucero show, I walked in as Fake Problems were playing their first song. I need to stop doing that. This is a band I wasn't sure if I liked or not, but from what I heard, they put on a good show. What I heard was right. Now I'm a fan. I had the mic level up a bit too high, but it's not too bad. Still a good recording from a great show.

Fake Problems at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ 8.3.11

"Heartless"
"Soulless"
"Diamond Rings"
"Don't Worry Baby"
"ADT"
"5678"
"Songs For Teenagers"
"RSVP"
"There Are Times"
"Ghost To Coast"
"Heart BPM"
"Encore Break"
"How Do You Spell Hero (E-V-I-L)"

"RSVP"

AUDIO: The Swellers at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ 8.3.11

Second on the bill that night were The Swellers. It was loud as fuck. Impressive to say the least. The audio came out better than I expected too. 12 songs. Just under 45 minutes.

The Swellers at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ 8.3.11

"Runaways"
"Dirt"
"Bottles"
"Sleeper"
"The Best I Ever Had"
"Do You Feel Better?"
"The Damage"
"Watch It Go"
"Vehicle City"
"Parkview"
"Fire Away"
"2009"

"Vehicle City"

AUDIO: Daytrader at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ 8.3.11

Daytrader was the first of three bands to play on this tour. They're from Long Island and some of the guys used to play in Crime in Stereo and Latterman. I don't know who played in what and I don't feel like looking it up right now either. If you're familiar with this type of music, that should be just about all you need to know. None the less, prior to this show Daytrader put out a demo and an EP. They played all the songs from those releases, plus a new one.

Daytrader at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ 8.3.11

"Paper Pusher"
"Living"
"Chromatic Living"
"Firebreather"
"Last Days Of Rome"
"Grey Colored Glasses"
"Slow My Brain"
"Death Means Nothing To Men Like Me"
"Kill My Compass"

"Living"

AUDIO: Lucero at Mercury Lounge in NYC 7.23.11

The show was originally billed as a gig by "Nobody's Darlings." It fell on the same day Lucero played The Warped Tour on Long Island. Things got started late and the band were on stage by the time everyone was let in. I was near the end of the line so I missed the first half of the first song. Shit happens. Overall, it's a great recording. Lucero fans will be more than happy. They played three new songs, including one that apparently had never been played live before. It's more than obvious the band was itching to play more than 30 minutes, which is the usual set length at Warped. Drinks were had, fans got rowdy. Good time had by all. Glad I get to share it with you.

Lucero at Mercury Lounge, NYC 7.23.11

"TMFW (clip)"
"Can't Feel A Thing"
"Nights Like These"
"What Else Would You Have Me Be"
"Across The River"
"Like Lightning"
"Goodbye Again"
"A Dangerous Thing"
"Joining The Army"
"Last Night In Town"
"Sixes & Sevens"
"Chain Link Fence"
"Sounds Of The City"
"It May Be Too Late"
"Women & Work"
"Darken My Door"
"Drink 'Till We're Gone"
"The Last Pale Light In The West"
"Mom"
"All Sewn Up"
"Fistful Of Tears"
"Hold Fast"

"Chain Link Fence"

VIDEO: Riot On The Dance Floor Trailer

This is where I attempt to give back... City Gardens was a club in Trenton, NJ I went to when I was younger. I saw The Ramones, Rollins Band, All, Quicksand and some others play there during my punk rock formative years. It was a dirty, dangerous place in a part of town that wasn't safe after dark. Of course, that was part of the fun.

City Gardens closed in 1994, the year after I graduated high school. Much to my delight, there's now a full length documentary about the club in the works. But the film makers need your help. Watch the trailer. Maybe it'll inspire you to drop a few bucks and help with production costs.

I'm not making any money off this blog, nor do I plan to. All the music I post here is free for anyone who wants it. I just wanted to put up this trailer in the hopes that maybe one person might feel inspired. For more info, visit either the Riot On The Dance Floor Kickstarter page or citygardensfilm.com

AUDIO: Walter Schreifels at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ 6.17.11

One man show. If you don't know who Walter Schreifels is, shame on you. The man has a long, storied history. This was a great, intimate gig in front of a few dozen people. He did songs by Agnostic Front, Walking Concert, Quicksand, Gorilla Biscuits, Minor Threat, and even George Gershwin. Of course there was some solo stuff as well. The audio quality is excellent.

Walter Schreifels: Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ

"Where I'm From"
"Maybe With Some Time"
"She Is To Me"
"Beirut or Bust"
"Arthur Lee's Lullaby"
"Audrey"
"A Lot To Expect"
"Society Suckers"
"Aluminium"
"In My Eyes"
"Through The Morning"
"Too Official"
"Life of Crime"
"Forgotten"
"Open Letter"
"Summertime"

"Audrey"