Live Review: Zs @ Knitting Factory // 5.11.10
Only inches away from the seated Zs at their record release party at Knitting Factory, I couldn't help but think of John Zorn's legendary band Naked City. Along with Bill Frisell (guitar), Fred Frith (bass), Wayne Horvitz (synth/piano), and Joey Baron (drums), the avant-garde sax player created some of the most original and unpredictable compositions of our time. Nothing ever fit within any confines of a genre classification, and that's the sign of something original.
While Zs aren't quite as all-over-the-map as Naked City, the dynamic nature in which their songs slowly build through textures and then erupt with fury is where I heard a connection between the two bands.
Seated in a circle facing one another, the pair of guitarists and drummer provided an immensely precise platform for the more free form bursts and squeals of Sam Hillmer's tenor. Each member displayed an immense level of skill on their instrument to a level of jaw-dropping proportion.
Zs performance was yet another reminder that Brooklyn's music scene is far bigger than the crop of indie pop and shitgaze that gets all the attention from the indie blogs. We're currently witnessing a movement of adventurous musicians exploring a more diverse terrain of music along the lines of experimental jazz, metal, folk and other genre-less domains. Since the days of birthing Jazz and punk, NYC has always been a place for discovering some of the most audacious sounds, and musicians like Zs, Extra Life, Larkin Grimm, Mick Barr, and Stars Like Fleas are continuing that legacy.
For many bloggers, seeing a band like Zs play 45 minutes of instrumental compositions would be like an 10 year old watching 8 1/2, which is why their incredible new album New Slaves will likely go overlooked by a majority of the industry.
Les Savy Fav to Play First Concert at New Knitting Factory
The Knitting Factory, a leader in the New York arts scene for over two decades, is proud to announce that our new venue at 361 Metropolitan Avenue in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY will be opening September 2009. Brooklyn-based favorites, Les Savy Fav, will perform and host the opening night on Wednesday September 9th. Upcoming shows will feature performances by: Boss Hog, Rasputina, Mayer Hawthorne, Titus Andronicus, The Raincoats, The Spits, Mucca Pazza, Melissa Auf der Maur, cEvin Key, A Wilhelm Scream, Helado Negro, Maps and Atlases, No Neck Blues Band, Dub Trio, Smokey’s Secret Family and much more to be announced. Upcoming special events include this year’s Williamsburg Fashion Week’s Fashion and Arts Premiere, the Miss LEZ Pageant and the Royal Flush Film Festival.
It's about time. Knitting Factory will finally open their new Brooklyn location on September 9th with Les Savy Fav. I can't think of a better local band to turn this into a party. With Brooklyn Bowl also new to the Williamsburg area, it seems that Williamsburg is now a battlezone for music venues with Music Hall of Williamsburg, Knitting Factory, Brooklyn Bowl, Cameo, Bruar Falls, Death By Audio, Market Hotel, Europa, Trash, Spike Hill, and The Shank all now competing with each other.
Let's see if Knitting Factory can survive existing in the same building where Luna Lounge bit the dust.
CMJ 2008 Day 1 in Photos | 10.21.08
- Cloud Cult @ Knitting Factory
- Paramount Styles @ Knitting Factory
