First president of japan caps Show Brain show with a joyous set in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy

If you like your Sunday afternoon concerts fun and unpredictable, first president of japan delivered.

The Brooklyn punk band headlined Sunday's free Show Brain concert in Tompkins Square Park, capping the afternoon with a joyous, high-energy set that blurred the line between performance and audience participation.

Lead vocalist Non Kuramoto (also a comedian and actress by trade) spent much of the set in the crowd — crowd-surfing, dancing and encouraging fans to join the fun as the audience eagerly obliged.

The band's sound blends punk, garage rock and math rock with a healthy dose of absurdity. (Their latest EP, Your Recommended Daily Intake of first president of japan, includes songs featuring humor, heart... and whale facts.) 

And faces in the crowd on this Sunday...

Show Brain Sunday (part 1) with Diary, Tea Eater

Photos by Stacie Joy

We arrived at Sunday's free Show Brain show in Tompkins Square Park just as Tea Eater had audience members ducking under an oversized inflatable stick of butter during a limbo contest inspired by "Butter," a track from the art-punk band's LP, I Don't Believe in Bad Luck. 

We knew it was going to be a memorable afternoon.

Next up, NYC's Diary, which just released an infectious new single, "Keep Comin' Up," that we happily heard on the Morning Show with John Richards on KEXP several times last week. 

The band's first LP, Spiral Bound, is out in September.

Show Brains veterans Pons were next, and they never disappoint...

Then came the headliners — The First President of Japan, who provided 30 minutes of unbridled joy...

To be continued ...

About this weekend's Show Brain show in Tompkins Square Park

Here's the rundown for tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon's free Show Brain show in Tompkins Square Park (with approximate set times)... 

• Seraphine's Cleaver (1:50-2:25) 

• Tea Eater (2:45-3:15) 

• Diary (3:35-4:10) 

• Pons (4:30-5:10) 

• First President of Japan (5:25-6:05) 

It's a nice chance to catch (and maybe discover) some local bands without paying the usual venue cover...

Leftöver Crack returns to Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Tompkins Square Park welcomed Leftöver Crack back on Saturday afternoon for a free, all-ages show presented by Show Brain.

The performance marked the band's return to Tompkins Square Park, where it first played in August 1999 during a Riot Reunion show. In the years that followed, the park also hosted performances by related projects, including Choking Victim reunions and Star Fucking Hipsters. 

Leftöver Crack has been on tour since early May, starting on the West Coast before making its way east. Ahead of Saturday's performance, the band reflected on its longstanding connection to Tompkins Square Park, writing on Instagram: "We all live for music & the power of anarcho-punk activism & to play for free in the park that made us who we are is an honor that we shall never take for granted."

Here are a few scenes from the afternoon, starting with vocalists Scott "Stza" Sturgeon and Tibbie X ... before an enthusiastic crowd...

Band tour manager (and EV resident) Holli P. with the 15-song setlist...

And in the crowd for the show...

Saturday's show also featured the Dollheads, Pilfers, Loosey and Balaclava.

... and a moment with Leftöver Crack right after the show...

Leftöver Crack headlines the lastest Show Brain show in Tompkins Square Park tomorrow

Leftöver Crack is returning to Tompkins Square Park tomorrow for a free, all-ages concert via Show Brain. 

It's a homecoming of sorts for the band, which first played in Tompkins in August 1999 as part of a Riot Reunion show. Over the years, the park also hosted performances by related projects, including Choking Victim reunions and Star Fucking Hipsters. 

Per an Instagram post: "We all live for music & the power of anarcho-punk activism & to play for free in the park that made us who we are is an honor that we shall never take for granted." 

The stacked lineup features (set times very approximate) 

• the Dollheads (1:50-2:20) 

• Pilfers (2:40-3:10) 

• Loosey (3:30-4) 

• Balaclava (4:20-5) 

• Leftöver Crack (5:20-6:10)

 

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Sunday afternoon with Pinc Louds in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Tompkins Square Park hosted a free Show Brain concert on Sunday, with headliners Pinc Louds closing out the afternoon. 

The local band — who were recording a new live album — filled their set with an F train, Christmas tree, inflatables, dancing and the kind of audience-participation-fueled chaos that has become a trademark of their performances. 

Here are a few scenes from the show...

From earlier in the day, here's Show brain founder Ozzie... and some other faces in the crowd...

The show also featured Telescreens, Abbie Roper and, below, Nautics...

The next Show Brain show is June 27 with, among others, Leftöver Crack.