by marissa bea
This year I wanted to make my celebrations well worth it. As my first New Year spent in NYC, what better way than to take in some great shows? Because after all, there is nothing like a New Year’s show in the Big Apple. Well, I technically failed this goal because my Eve show was actually in Hoboken, but I figure it’s close enough.
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Maxwell’s was my home on NYE, where I was lucky enough to see two amazing performances, the first from the Boston-based garage rock band Muck and the Mires, and the midnight show starring Roky Erickson. The show started late, probably because the weather was horrifying, and the crowd was already passing out on the floor. But Muck and the Mires began the night with one of the most fun, happy, and somewhat-nostalgic sets I’ve seen in a long time. Complete with their matching red and black outfits, Muck’s sunglasses, and their hammy personalities, I was just waiting for a drunken, Jersey version of Beatlemania to occur.
Roky came up on the stage minutes before midnight, and the crowd counted down the seconds for him to start, which was a very sweet, simple way to welcome him. Even though he is a relatively unknown gem, Roky’s fans were not scarce. Those who love him, really do love him, and as well they should. His easygoing, no-frills show was just what we all needed. The music speaks for itself; glitter and glam aren’t his style, and making a big impression is moot: there were not many in the crowd who didn’t already know every song by heart. Roky was backed by three spectacular musicians, and the crowd (myself included) loved every second of it. He still has the effortlessly perfect rock ‘n’ roll pipes, and I swear there was a sparkle in his eye each time he finished a guitar solo.
I’m new to Roky (and happily falling for him), so for myriad reasons, I decided I wanted to see him play again. I got myself a ticket for his January 1st show at Southpaw, which also featured the legendary Fleshtones. They began the night showing off their wireless guitar technology by playing their first song from the middle of the crowd (to everyone’s pleasure except perhaps security). The night only built from there. From laying on the ground, to playing two guitars at the same time, standing on chairs, and eventually on each other, these guys don’t really know HOW to stop rocking. They’ve been around for 30+ years, and they run around like they’re 20. Actually, they perform better than most any young band today.
After Southpaw was now about 100 degrees and the crowd was all pumped up from the antics of the Fleshtones, Roky came onstage and regardless of his much lower-key set, I think he just made the place get hotter. Sweat was pouring off faces, off the band, off the instruments, and the show was that much more amazing for it. The man is a legend.
Roky was back at Maxwell’s on the 2nd and will hopefully be coming back to our area soon, soon, soon. Muck and the Mires are everywhere, just coming off the tail end of a European tour, and they will be playing SXSW this coming March. The Fleshtones will be making the rounds in Europe this coming spring. Their home is NYC though, so don’t doubt you will see them back here soon. For all the cold, long walks, and drunken crowds, I can’t think of a better way to have spent the 48 hours surrounding the new year.
