What a swell party this is

 

Heading back to 1990 for this Friday-at-5 selection... with Debbie Harry and Iggy Pop covering Cole Porter's "Well, Did You Evah!" for the compilation album Red Hot + Blue, released as part of a HIV/AIDS benefit project. 

The single was never released in the United States, although it peaked at 42 on the UK Singles Chart. 

Also, HBD to Debbie H. (July 1!).

They all laughed

 

David Byrne recently released the first single from his next album, Who Is the Sky, out Sept. 5 on Matador.

Check out the above video for "Everybody Laughs."

Byrne plays Radio City on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

A band to know: Um, Jennifer?

Photos by Stacie Joy

The playful punk-tinged local duo Um, Jennifer? — Fig on the left, Eli on the right — is on tomorrow's free Show Brain bill in Tompkins Square Park. 

We've had a chance to see Um, Jennifer? a few times, including a record-release show at Night Club 101 on Avenue A this past April 25 (with PMFD)... and we really like them.

Stereogum named them a Band to Watch this spring. Indeed.

Check out their brand new video for "Car Wash" here...

 

A band to know: Bec Lauder & the Noise

 

Last week, Bec Lauder & The Noise, a band said to be born in the East Village, released "Give It." The song — a rhythmic, retro-tinged pop track with a subtle funk groove — is the first single from their debut album, The Vessel, out Aug. 22.

As you'll see, the video was filmed on Astor Place, as well as along Third and Fourth avenues, and features dancers for the Brooklyn Nets. 

On May 11, during the first 2025 Show Brain show in Tompkins Square Park, we had a chance to see the band, featuring Bec Lauder (vocals/guitar/bass), Maggie Bishop (drums/vocals), and Soph Shreds (guitar/bass). 

Pics by Stacie Joy...

You can follow the band on Instragram for updates.

'Girl' trouble

 

The local band Homade just released a new music video ... swinging hard with the sludgy pummel of "New Girl" above.

Follow @homade.nyc for updates about live shows, etc. 

All or 'Nothing'

Sunflower Bean is back with the trio's fourth full-length release, Mortal Primetime. 

The video here is for the single "Nothing Romantic." 

The band is now touring in support of the new record. (Last night was the official release show out at Warsaw.) 

P.S.

As we've mentioned, bassist-vocalist Julia Cumming was born and raised in the neighborhood.

'Fun' was the plan

 

The debut record from Brooklyn’s queer femme punk band SHAGGO has a June 6 release date. (The record-release show is June 12 at Trans-Pecos in Ridgewood.) 

Tbe above video is for the band's single "I Wanted Fun."

What you're 'Feeling'

 

The Brooklyn-based Mei Semones has just released her debut record, Animaru, a dreamy blend of jazz, bossa nova and indie rock. Something we'll be playing all summer. 

The video here is for "Dumb Feeling."

'Star' power

 

On Tuesday, The Slackers released a new single, "My Last Star," a collaboration with and tribute to Greg Lee. The co-lead singer of stalwart L.A. ska group Hepcat died in March 2024 after a brain aneurysm. He was 53. 

As you'll see in the above clip, the NYC-based band filmed parts of the video in the East Village, including the stage at Otto's Shrunken Head on 14th Street.

H/T Jill!

Crossing 'Delancey'

 

Um, Jennifer?, your new favorite "trans slut rock" duo (Eli Scarpati and Fig Regan), releases its debut record, Um Comma Jennifer Question Mark, today. 

The video here for the insanely catchy "Delancey" includes cameos from Tompkins Square Park.

Tonight's record release show at Night Club 101 on Avenue A is sold out. Um, Jennifer? will also play the Mercury Lounge on May 25. 

A good Friday for new music

 

Clutter is a Stockholm-based quartet that just released its first EP, Love You (PNKSLM). 

The above video is for "Jesus," a nice showcase for their 1990s-style shoegaze-y indie pop stylings.

Be 'Afraid'

 

Torture and the Desert Spiders, "a left-field garage project based around the songwriting" of the Brooklyn-based Anna Kunz, has several shows coming up in the neighborhood, including Wednesday at Mercury Lounge and a residency at Baker Falls (April 22 and 29). Check them out.

The video here is for the track "Sinéad, I'm Afraid."

'Rent' control

 

The London-based Snapped Ankles recently released its fourth record, the appropriately titled Hard Times Furious Dancing.

The video here is for "Pay the Rent." 

Tainted love

 

"Liquorice" is the latest single from Freak Slug... on the recently released deluxe LP I Blow Out Big Candles (But with a Cherry on Top). 

You can catch Manchester's finest at the Bowery Ballroom this coming Wednesday. Find tickets here.

Party like it's 2015

 

Brooklyn-based Two-Man Giant Squid (alums of a Tompkins Square Park Show Brain show) has just released a new self-titled LP. 

The video here is for "I was a DJ in 2015." 

You can check out their art-punk stylings on March 29 during a record release show at Market Hotel.

'Swamp' thing

 

Everything Is Recorded (aka Richard Russell, owner of XL Recordings in the UK) is back with his third studio release (on XL Recordings!). 

The above video is for "Swamp Dream #3," featuring Mary and The Junkyard's Clari Freeman-Taylor on vocals.

Damn Damn Damn

 

RIP Brian James, the guitarist and co-founding member of the Damned. He died this week at age 70.

In October 1976, the Damned released their debut single, "New Rose," written by James. The Damned was the first UK punk band to release an official song. It appreared on the Damned Damned Damned record. 

He also played with the Lords of the New Church and Iggy Pop, among others.

   

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• The Damned's Captain Sensible on the return of drummer Rat Scabies, the importance of the Ramones and the legend of CBGB

In the 'City'

We continue to highlight indie acts performing at this year's New Colossus Festival, which will take place in East Village and LES venues from March 4 to 9. 

Here is the darkwave-synth pop of Coatie Pop with "City Song." 

The NYC-based duo will perform on March 8 at 10 p.m. at the Bowery Electric on a bill featuring EVG favorites Genre Is Death.

Find Festival info here.

'Doppler' effect

We continue to highlight indie acts performing at this year's New Colossus Festival, which will take place in East Village and LES venues from March 4 to 9. 

On March 8, there's an all-day shoegaze showcase at Arlene's Grocery. On the bill: Washington, D.C.'s Skymender. The above video is for "Doppler," from the band's debut record. (Skymender is playing first in the afternoon session — $10 to see seven bands.)

Find Festival info here.

Mind the gap

We continue to highlight indie acts performing at this year's New Colossus Festival, which will take place in East Village and LES venues from March 4 to 9. 

Here's NYC-based Mahogany with "A Scaffold." Catch them at the all-day shoegaze party on March 8 at Arlene's Grocery.

Find Festival info here.