11.1 A wknd w/ Superswell
The band on nightmare-fueling fruit, session-powering pizza and their Halloween show TONIGHT at Our Wicked Lady (costumes encouraged)
Holy hell: November. Now that’s spooky 👻
Halloween has lasted approx 1.5 thousand weeks this year (and is somehow still not over??), so without further ado—or, for the love of god, any loud noises—let’s get into it.
Beyond ghosts and pumpkins and the one night a year a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it, this weekend we’re also celebrating Images of New Violence— the new EP from BK heavy-alt-rock band Superswell, just released last week!
“Images of New Violence is our first cohesive body of work,” Superswell told us over email. “We are really proud of how much we’ve grown during its creation. Whereas in the past we were attached to the idea of minimalism, our vision for this EP was so much more than what we could ever do live as a traditional 4-piece rock band. We were glad to have Brian DiMeglio at Brooklyn Recording Paradise who welcomed experimentation.”
Now for a little name-dropping. The album was produced and mixed by the aforementioned Brian DiMeglio (Superbloom, Stay Inside, wakelee) (+ general BdBK fave) and mastered by Grammy-nominated Will Yip (Title Fight, Turnstile, Soul Blind). Not bad! Now let’s get you properly pumped for the album with… information. Courtesy of who else but the band.
Images of New Violence—TRACK BY TRACK
1. “Like A Dog” - “If you ever wished you could have a Limp Bizkit instrumental without the Fred Durst rapping parts, this one’s for you. The verses are slanky, the pre-choruses are spooky, and the choruses bring unexpected sunshine to an otherwise dark, heavy song about becoming a werewolf. Also features banjo.”
[Editor’s note: ALSO FEATURES BANJO!]
2. “Be There Soon” - “It has the most intimate vocals on the record. Also our smoothest chord progression. It’s a slow burn, but bursts into a shoegazey wall of sound at the end.”
3. “I Don’t Want The World (Shuffle)” - “This is our band’s ode to NYC! One of the things that I like about this track is the transition from the poppy pre-chorus into a blood-curdling scream to bring us into the chorus. Harrison’s hi-hat work in this one is legendary as well.”
4. “Wax Poetic” - “We were heavily influenced by Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory for this one. Industrial drums. Baritone guitars. Church organ. It’s an epic finale about climate doomerism.”
Now that you know about the songs, sing along to them LIIIIIIVE at Our Wicked Lady TONIGHT, where the band will be hitting the stage with Le Boss, Candy Ambulance and Blanket Approval.
…Then keep on reading for a super swell itinerary from Superswell—aka Dan Avedis Masotti (vocals/rhythm guitar/keys), Harrison Kravis (drums), Robbie Woll (lead guitar) and Desmond Smith (bass).
Woo! Have a great weekend! <3
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
Your Halloweekend plans from Superswell:
FRIDAY
Let’s kickstart the weekend with a coffee and a sweet treat from Topos Bookstore in Ridgewood! If you’re not in a rush to get back to work, spend some time looking for your next read. I’m personally still working on Jurassic Park.
For dinner, we’re getting a burger and a beer at The Johnsons before heading to our Halloween Rooftop Show at Our Wicked Lady! We can’t wait to play our debut EP live and in costume. We’re joined by Le Boss, Candy Ambulance, and Blanket Approval. Doors are at 7 PM and costumes are encouraged!
SATURDAY
Harrison is starting his Saturday with cottage cheese for breakfast and a matinee showing of the original Ghostbusters at Nitehawk Prospect Park. Afterwards, he recommends heading across the street to Prospect Park to shake out the legs and have a lovely stroll along the bike path.
On Saturday night, some of us are catching NYC hardcore band Show Me The Body at Knockdown Center. Desmond and I caught them opening for Knocked Loose a while back and we’re looking forward to seeing them again after they released a new album.
Alternatively, head back to Our Wicked Lady and catch P.H.0 and Alchemy’s set. These bands are making really interesting heavy music and we had the opportunity to play with them at a Pride show. We’re proud to call them our friends and cannot recommend them enough.
SUNDAY
Anyone who grew up in NY knows that Sunday morning means bagels. Head on over to your local bagel spot, schmear that thang with cream cheese, and pour yourself a cup of joe. If you’re Italian, Sunday also means spending most of the day cooking Sunday gravy for pasta dinner with loved ones. Alternatively, we highly recommend F & F Pizza in Carroll Gardens. Specifically, get the Partana slice! It has powered us through many recording sessions.
If you’re in Lower Manhattan, I also recommend grabbing a pint at Malt and Mold. There’s usually beer tastings on Sundays and you’ll get to try beers that folks have brought from their travels.
Finally, you need to end Halloweekend strong with a scary movie. If you can stomach body-horror, some of us are catching The Substance at Syndicated on Sunday night. If you prefer staying at home with a classic, we can’t recommend the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre enough. Be sure to eat a banana before bed to make the nightmares more potent.
Itinerary above written + submitted by Superswell. Follow the band at @superswellband, buy merch here and add songs to your Spotify playlists now!
Feature image (provided by the band): Michelle LoBianco
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
FIRE UP THAT VCR because Bands do BK Presents: The Music Matters NYC — Live at Arlene’s Grocery — ft. footage from three nights of concerts with lil interview bits in between — is OUT NOW! And, naturally, available only on VHS. Snag your copy at Arlene’s Grocery or Village Revival Records (and never fear — there’s a QR code on there too for a more modern and… accessible… viewing experience).
Just 15 DAYS til this year’s TURKEY SLAMDOWN, featuring GODCASTER, MY SON THE DOCTOR, WETSUIT, ACRYLIC GESSO and a very, very special headliner (TBA, BABAY). As always, all proceeds to go to Make the Road New York—an organization dedicated to “building power of immigrant, Black, and brown communities to achieve dignity & justice.” November 16th at TV Eye! Grab your tix here.
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love… listed in no particular order whatsoever — & now embedded 4 extra watching/listening ease.
“I Loved Everyone” // Superbloom
“Doll Song” visualizer // Pom Pom Squad
Brand on the Run // BODEGA
“Videos” music video // Strawberry Launch
“do you miss her” // Colatura
“Wallflower” // Seán Barna, Mirah
THE SETLIST by Bands do BK is a reader-supported publication that’s freeeee. BUT! If you want to become a paid subscriber to show some love and support the work BdBK is doing… well, hey. That’d be pretty rad of you. <3