Live From CMJ: Birdmonster, The Heights and Locksley

Last Tuesday night Birdmonster played a packed show at Pianos on the Lower East Side in NYC.  It seemed like this was one of 15 shows the band played throughout the week long festivities at CMJ, but I am guessing this one was probably the best. Birdmonster have been gathering an increasing buzz in the Blogosphere mainly due to their live performances, and I totally get why.  They are one of the few bands I saw the entire week that actually genuinely looked like they were having fun.  And that fun was infectious as the crowd (in the relatively small room at Pianos) was boisterous to say the least.  I think someone actually hugged me at one point, smiled and said "This is the best night...ever."  While I wouldn't go that far, I will say that Birdmonster are well worth your hard earned dollars and you would be just plain silly to miss them next time they are in your town.  For more info. on the band check out their MySpace page, and if you likey buy the new record called No Midnight. Here are some guilt free goodies for you:

Birdmonster - Cause You Can

Birdmonster - Resurrection Song

After the Birdmonster show I headed over to Fontanas for the Spin party where they were giving away free Sparks.  I have met "the Sparks" before and I knew what it did to me, yet I still found myself somehow downing that orange chemical concoction of crack and malt liquor at a rather alarming rate.  I realize now, in retrospect, that the contribution of the elixir that is the Sparks probably contributed to the high "hyper-level" of everyone at said show.  I regress, Fontanas is a large bar with a lot of rooms, but for some reason the bands were shoved in a tiny space in the basement.  Besides the lack of elbow room and a low ceiling both the Heights and Locksley plowed through tight and catchy sets to the delight of orange toothed gyrating hipsters.  The Heights, a four piece from North Wales/North London, were on first and kicked out some high energy Jam meets Mando Diao influenced Rock.  For fans of bands like Stereophonics and Oasis you will probably be into the Heights.  While some of the songs get a bit repetitive, they make up for it with great harmonies and pretty impressive playing.  For more info. and songs check out their MySpace Page. 

Next up were local (Brooklyn via Madison, WI) boys Locksley who were all donning matching Superhero costumes...or were they under-roos.  Either way it somehow seemed the perfect attire for a group of young men playing Beatles meet Teenage Fanclub with some Libertines thrown into the mix type pop songs.  They can definitely write a hook and got that whole British Invasion thing down real good like.  The show was a bit sloppy, but it was 1 AM on Halloween night, so they had a good excuse.  Watch out for these lads, as they are starting to make some waves and will hopefully re-release their self-titled EP soon.  Check 'em out on MySpace.  For your listening pleasure:

Locksley - Don't Make Me Wait

Locksley - All Of The Time

Oh, and they have a sense of humor...

Locksley - The Wiffle Ball Invitational