by audrey.
the captain & i had never been to the knitting factory (74 leonard street, NYC) before. one of our favorite local bands, brooklyn’s night kills the day was opening for fair to midland on sunday the 17th, so of course we had to be there. little did we know that by the end of the night we’d be (literally) locked inside the venue bullshitting at the downstairs bar with a small group of quite obviously interesting characters that included a friend of ours who just happened to be in attendance – and also the lead singer of our other favorite brooklyn band.. but that’s another story. ;D
there was a good crowd packed into the black box that makes up what seemed to be the factory’s main stage. we were second from the edge of the stage, and ghost front was up first – a brooklyn duo comprised of drums and guitar with vocals. i dug their sound, especially since they were only two guys with two instruments and voice – i liked their lyrics (somehow “i don’t know what’s going on” set to upbeat music seems so lighthearted and honest..), the beat of their songs, the tempo changes and contrasts of loud and soft, and of course that the lead singer’s voice kind of reminded me of police-era sting at some points (!!!). in any case, i was definitely swaying the whole time, and grinning especially when i caught a smile exchanged between the two musicians onstage, which always gets me to thinking – why isn’t the rest of the crowd moving?
i know, i know – you’re tired of standing up and you’re impatiently waiting to see YOUR band, but really – how can you be watching human beings playing music right in front of you and NOT be moving? i was watching the crowd and there were more than just a few people staring up at ghost front like they were blankly watching a TV screen. how can you call yourself a music fan if you don’t MOVE to the music, or want to experience new kinds of music from a band you’ve never heard before? i don’t know.. at least for me, it comes down to realizing that, aside from buying YOUR ticket and waiting for YOUR band, there are other people – actual living, breathing, feeling people – who have come to play their music for you. they’re getting up there in front of complete strangers and showing you their work – how would you feel if you were up there and you were playing in front of a crowd of crossed arms or blank stares, people standing completely motionless while you play? they’re humans, not a TV show. this situation can obviously be altered by many factors, ie. if the band is blatantly rude to the audience, or is absolutely terrible and seem like they really don’t care about what they’re doing, but really, in general.. look alive, people. you’re at a rock show!
but i digress. (i’ve always wanted to say that..)
