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August 28, 2007
Instead of me cracking thru the façade of a band hell bent on keeping secrets and coming out with some juicy, unknown tidbits, ‘off the record’ stems from a comment made earlier in the night as edibleRed got ready play at Highline Ballroom (431 W 16th St, NYC). You see, I’ve kinda pissed a few people off in the past by quoting them when I thought it was cool. So now I preface a night like this where the band gave me full access with one request. If they didn’t want certain things published, all they had to say was, “that was off the record.” So with the search for a bottle opener, rolling paper, a lighter, worries about a stalker and helping singer Collette McLafferty pick an outfit for the show came numerous funny moments when someone would inevitably look at me thru their laughter to declare, “That was off the record.” At times it became almost like a chorus as several people—including me—would belt it out in graveled harmony. But thru the teasing and gests, a show in a killer room was ultimately why I was here. This is an exciting time for edibleRed. Their new CD ‘Welcome to My Bad Behavior’ was released earlier this year on Select Records. Among other things their video for ‘Sugar and Spring’ has been in rotation on MTV Latino and they’ve even ended up on the cool new mobile game show ‘Cash Cab’. I’m especially thrilled because we go way back in the seedy depths of live gigs in NY and NJ. In fact I was there in April of 2001 to see the addition of cello to their sound. The cello remains in the skillful hands of Dave Eggar who is but one in a fantastic array of seasoned players. Sean McMechen on guitar, Marty Osterer on bass and Tom Papadatos on drums. Not merely journeymen who can and have sat in on many other various sessions, but true band members whose camaraderie is obvious both on stage and here in this hot room drinking cold beer waiting for the show to start and confessing to the dangers of leaving the band with two hours of idle time. And of course there’s the well-crafted songs and Collette’s ever full of life and passionate delivery. Paul Marmo of Select Records and Collette were taking care of some last minute business as the rest of us continued to take advantage of the complimentary beer. We thought it odd that there wasn’t a bottle opener to be found. My eyes caught the many chips in the edge of the Formica counter in front of the large mirror. At that point I announced, “Hey kids, I think I found the bottle opener,” and proceeded to use a clean section of the edge to smack off a bottlecap. A few more ‘off the record’ comments and in came a few members of the band The Restless. I liked these guys even before I heard them play because they took the time to hang out, have a few drinks and joke around. Then they went into the smaller room that had a door to run thru their pre-show routine. Vocal exercises and such to loosen them up. Around this time, edibleRed got some very surprising but pleasant news from the club. Earlier, Collette and Paul were worried that there were too many people on their guest list and didn’t want to anger the club management. They actually said not to worry about it and even offered to increase the list. How cool is that? Seriously, how many clubs would offer to increase a guest list? I was impressed to say the least. In the end, however it was a mute point as the band would wind up pulling about one hundred paid customers thru the door in addition to their fifteen or so guests. This is unheard of for an indie band in NYC on a Tuesday. The Restless took to the stage first with a command over the audience that I wish I had back when I was performing. But then again I didn’t have the stockpile of cool that these guys have. Seriously, I’m jealous. Besides that, their songs were filled with atmosphere and emotion with harmonies to die for and guitar solos that just worked to further my jealousy. If you can get the chance to see them, do it. edibleRed’s performance was chock full of the exuberance I’ve come to expect. At one point we noticed an peculiar group of hecklers sitting off in a dark corner. They made comments, flipping Collette the bird to which she pointed them out to the rest of the crowd. We booed and she flipped them off in return. Without missing a beat or wasting any fuel, the band kept on pushing thru their set which included a rousing rendition of ‘Hey Ya’ and my all-time favorite edibleRed song ‘Purify’. A song whose title Collette immortalized in a tattoo. Last up for the night were headliners ZO2. Honestly, I wasn’t really feeling their over-the-top eighties hair metal vibe. But they churned out an energetic set to a small but feverishly loyal group of fans. So I give them kudos for playing to the upper tier as it were and giving it their all. After all, music may be subjective, but a strong live performance is a strong live performance no matter what my taste may be. More about the club; it’s named after the High Line which is a 1.45-mile-long elevated rail structure which used to move freight around the Meatpacking District. No trains have run on it since 1980 and the nonprofit group ‘Friends of the High Line’ have been working diligently to create a new, green oasis out of this steel girder wasteland which was donated to them by New York City. It’s another example of the recent and welcome change in attitude when it comes to real estate development in this and other cities. It is set to open in 2008 as a public open space. The club itself opened its doors on April 30, 2006 with a performance by Lou Reed. In between its massive stage and warm, wooden décor there is a welcome feeling of intimacy which is unusual for such a large space. They boast a fantastic sound system as well as a highly attentive crew, especially when it comes to the impressive lighting. These guys don’t miss a beat. A portion of the clubs ticket sales gets donated to the ‘Friends of the High Line’. The night slowed to an enjoyable end as I discussed music and the show with Paul. The backstage was filled with good spirits and laughter especially around an odd bit of hand gymnastics that involved Collette, Tom's friend Chris, an emptied shell of a cigarette and a coat hanger. It seems our lovely and most courteous waitress inadvertently threw away the much valued rolling papers from earlier in the night. But this was a resourceful bunch and I knew my departure would not stem their ability to continue the party. Before I knew it I was standing in the Port Authority waiting for my bus listening to the dulcet tones of the high-pitched static of their PA mixed with the drunken murmur of my fellow commuters. Links:
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