4.12 A wknd w/ Puzzled Panther
The band on boob bars, the top Tony's and their EP release show TONIGHT at Heaven Can Wait
They say don’t meet your heroes…
But maybe, sometimes, it’s okay to make an exception.
As Puzzled Panther’s bio puts it, “NY psycho gen Z’s Victoria Espinoza (lead vocals) and Kay Bontempo (guitar, vocals) were bought up on a steady diet of Sonic Youth, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gogol Bordello & Ramones.” Fast-forward to adultishhood (it’s a moving target in NYC), and the duo aren’t just loosely acquainted with their idols but have also recruited them for their backing band, playing shows around the city with Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hütz on electric guitar + beats and Brain Chase of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on drums (the fivesome completed by composer/songwriter/producer Alex Ryaboy on bass).
As in any pinch-yourself, the-world-is-weird, only-in-New-York situation—the kind we all experience in some capacity, if we live here long enough—one of the sweetest parts of this experience is imagining going back to float above your foolish little past self… a cute lil human full of hopes and dreams and fears and doubts… and whispering in their ear about the (sur)real shit to come. Just dropping down for a sec to say hi and maybe clue them in with a Dude, just WAIT!
In some part of the universe… some quantum-level layer of time… a past that is still percolating somewhere out in space… Mini Kay and Tiny Victoria are still just kids, mainlining earlier eras of the NYC underground via ear and singing/screaming/shredding in childhood bedrooms and basements.
Meanwhile, in our current reality, the artists’ future (now present!) (soon past?) selves have become a real, true part of today’s NYC music scene and have just dropped their debut EP Puzzled Panther — described by the band as a “rebirth of all the coolest sounds of New York, powered by five die-hards”—on Casa Gogol Records.
Even better, they’re getting ready to celebrate said record TONIGHT.
SO! Get properly pumped via video…
And prepare to soak up what a writer for Inside Hook recently described as the “New New York Sound.”
When it comes to the rest of the weekend… no need to be puzzled, panthers. For the band has outlined a full-on itinerary for the next three days below. Read on, rock on and please remember: In this ridiculous city, anything is possible.
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
You wake up at 2pm because you were probably out late at last night’s Ghost Funk Orchestra show at Brooklyn Bowl, right? RIGHT?? If you weren’t, we forgive you. Tentatively. Head over to Cafe Pri for a coffee, and a tapsilog (traditional Filipino breakfast, their specialty) if you so desire.
For lunch, get a slice from Tony’s at 443 Knickerbocker. The address is crucial, because there are two Tony’ses in this neighborhood. We can’t speak to the quality of the other, but this Tony’s has some of our favorite pizza in Bushwick plus a full line of Italian desserts. If you see a surly Sicilian grandmother sitting in one of the booths and glaring down at her tea, that’s Anna. Say buonasera to Anna. She’ll become one of your dearest friends.
Boobie Trap, possibly my favorite Bushwick bar, is a loosely boob-themed bar also known for its drag bingo and bombastic bartender, Holden. Stop by for a Tecate or four before our show.
And now…the time has come to step into the gonzotronic alternate reality that is the Puzzled Panther show at Heaven Can Wait. Board the L train to Manhattan and come by at 9pm—this all-night extravaganza is to commemorate our recent, eponymous EP release. Eccentric synth-pop duo Bubbles will open up, followed by the inimitable DJ Hütz. Will you discover an enduring love for post-punk Renai-dance that destroys your ability to appreciate other musical genres, leaving you a hopelessly single-minded Puzzled Panther fan with utterly superior taste? Will a bloodthirsty Aztec demon named Tzitzimitl spring from the drumset, enslaving most of the audience and dooming them to an inevitable human sacrifice? Will Tzitzimitl’s teachings help bring you to an epiphany, namely that the single-bullet theory implies both the trajectory and relative damage of the bullet that supposedly killed president JFK would defy the laws of physics as agreed upon by much of the scientific community? We can’t promise anything, but you’re sure to have a blast.
SATURDAY
If you did Friday night with us correctly, and you will, you’re likely waking up Saturday morning lost, confused, and wrapped in a pile of police caution tape in the furthest recesses of Bushwick. By the time you’ve extricated yourself from that situation, it’ll likely be just in time for a meal.
Santa Salsa is Brooklyn’s best spot for Venezuelan-inspired food combined with very loud cumbia beats. The split-pea burger is one of our favorite vegan meals in NYC—but for omnivores, get the ‘Criminal’ or the ‘Especial.’ Wash either one down with a Venezuelan beer.
After lunch, hit up Brooklyn Museum to check out Utagawa Hiroshige’s 100 Famous Views of Edo, a series of prints originally published in 1856–58. The exhibit illustrates mid-nineteenth-century Edo and juxtaposes it with photographs of modern Tokyo.
While you’re out and about, check out the Return of the Red Umbrella Festival at Gansevoort Plaza, and make sure to catch Bombo Box, NYC’s premier “CosmoTropical” duo, at 3 p.m. Soak in their post-tropical electronic cumbia as the neighborhood’s iconic red umbrellas make a reappearance.
SUNDAY
You made it to Sunday. Let’s round out your weekend with a Moroccan-inspired breakfast at Cafe Mogador, a LES staple since 1983. Grab a seat, order your favorite coffee beverage or mint lemonade, and a hot breakfast meal anytime before 4pm. The comforting murmur of the lazy Sunday crowd might even inspire you to turn inward. Use this time to look back at your weekend with an introspective lens. The chaos, the ceiling boobs, the abrasive synthesizers—try to view them all as milestones in your personal growth journey.
Skip down half a block and find yourself a seat at Tompkins Square Park to enjoy some sunshine and people-watching. It's also a great spot to write some lyrics, read a book (current recommendation is Thurston Moore's Sonic Life: A Memoir), or to ponder if there was a flash of malicious intent behind the beady eyes of the squirrel that hopped onto the seat next to you.
Before heatstroke gets the better of you, hop onto the F train due west and stop by Generation Records. You’ll find a wide variety of great records like the first album of the newly debuted The Last Dinner Party. Don’t forget to take a look downstairs where you will find rare 7inches and more underground artists.
You’re probably craving a bite by now, and why not balance out your Friday and even Saturday of joyous (and perhaps substance-fueled) merrymaking with an organic and vegan meal at Organic Grill. The cauliflower bites, sandwiches and desserts are sure to leave you feeling like a fitness guru, but did I mention they have all-day breakfast as well? Round two.
Your next and final destination is the Metrograph movie theater located on 7 Ludlow St. At 9:20pm you will enter into the universe of David Lynch with the film Wild At Heart starring Nicholas Cage and Laura Dern. Kickback and relax into “Lynch’s fever dream road trip through a sleazy South of stick-up men, heavy metal concerts, and pornos, Texas-style, all infused with a gaudy, grotty grandeur by DP Elmes”. Who doesn’t love the sound of that!
Itinerary above written + submitted by Puzzled Panther. Follow the band at @puzzledpanthernyc, buy music on Bandcamp and add the songs to your Spotify playlist
Feature image provided by the band.
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thrilled to announce THE MUSIC MATTERS - NYC, a three-night event at Arlene’s Grocery with perhaps the most absolutely fucking insane set of bills we’ve ever ever booked — this evening, all filmed and recorded to document (some of) the sickest bands in our scene and create an epic time capsule of this community. Don’t miss the opp to get your claps and woo-hoo’s on the actual record and BE A PART OF HISTORY. Tickets for all are on sale now.
Huge thanks to Ryan Laetari for the flyers.
SEE YOU THERE BABEZ <33333
NEW CLASSIFIEDS ARE UP! Two Headed Girl is looking for a drummer, Lem Lom needs a bassist, Safe Houses is on the hunt for a keyboard player/vocalist, The Shining Hours also want a bass player and vocalist and more more more! Check out the full database with details and contact info here.
Prepare to savasana to the dreamiest of soundtracks on Saturday 4/13! It’s LIVE MUSIC YOGA with MADDIE + OFER (of O. Wake) at Kalā Yoga: “Join us for Live Music Yoga - a unique yoga experience where tranquility meets harmony in this Special Class led by Maddie, accompanied by the soulful live music of Ofer. Immerse yourself in the soothing flow of Maddie's guided yoga practice while Ofer's mesmerizing melodies uplift your spirit and deepen your connection to each pose.This harmonious fusion of movement and music promises an unforgettable journey of wellness and serenity. Open to all members.” SIGN US UP!
And finally, a moment to honor one of our own. We recently lost a member of our community in Left Bank Magazine founder Kristyn Potter — a total powerhouse who never stopped working, never stopped creating and was constantly pushing forward new ideas and building new tools and platforms to assist in her mission (one we understand and appreciate more than any other:) helping artists.
We first (digitally) met and worked with Kristyn in the first weeks of lockdown back in 2020 when—in the immediate wake of venues being shuttered and shows being canceled—she stepped up, organized and mobilized, drawing on her talents and connections to pretty much instantly throw together a three-day live-streamed music festival featuring artists from all over performing from their personal spaces. It was a total gift to so many in a truly strange time, and just one example of her make-it-happen way of working and living. We’re so thankful for the work she did, so lucky to have known her and so sorry to have lost her. Check out the beautiful tribute put together by Rebecca Sansom (of Blonde Records and The Wavy Awards) here. Sending all our love to Kristyn’s family, friends and everyone who’s hurting right now.
💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love, listed in no particular order whatsoever:
“Wish Me Away” // GIFT
“Berate Me” video // Razor Braids
“Eat Your Heart Out” video // SKORTS
“I.S.M.” // The Gasoline
OUR BRAND COULD BE YR LIFE // BODEGA
“helicopter” // samkae
IT’S HAPPENIN’
4.19 O. Wake, Sunglaciers, Smith Jones, Sam Zalta @ Alphaville - tix here
5.11 Alive with the Glory of Love Fest: BdBK and All Killer No Filler Present Live Band Pop-Punk/Emo Karaoke @ Rubulad - tix here
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