THE RIDER: Mary Shelley's Top 10
The band on the best pedals, the dumbest hats and a Subaru ~en bleu~
HAPPY WEDNESDAY! (WHAT?!)
As mentioned in last week’s SETLIST, this week we’re stoked to debut THE RIDER—a featured band’s top 10 necessities (products/practices/etc. that they’re living/loving right now) and a soon-to-be weekly supplement to the Bands do BK newsletter!
As for our first featured act (and official group of guinea pigs), that would be the genre-hopping, instrument-swapping, post-punk band o’ Brooklyn farmers Mary Shelley—who just dropped their newest single “She’s a Star” last Friday!
Of the brand-new song, Mary Shelley’s Sam Pinson says:
“The whole song is a metaphor for pouring your heart out. I think in today’s world there’s so much talk about how rewarding and important it is to be open and honest, true to yourself. But what if doing that is the very reason a relationship is ruined? The character in the story is standing up against their own impulse to close themselves off to the world, and questioning that Bukowski meme ‘Find what you love and let it destroy you,’ because it did.”
Plus a very important follow-up:
“I promise the song is a lot more fun to listen to than this explanation…”
CAN VOUCH!
This is the second single from Mary Shelley’s forthcoming record (👀 stay tuned for more in 2024 👀), released on the sandy heels of the sweet summer anthem “Goin’ to the Beach,” which is not only a certified banger but (probably) the only song that includes dolphin noises on your playlist.
Probably.
Mary Shelley will be celebrating their new single TONIGHT at Our Wicked Lady at what is also the first of two BdBK holiday parties and sock drives.
Go forth and grab those tix here, baby. Come early, stay late and please bring a new, unworn pair of socks to donate to Knock Knock Give a Sock, who will distribute them to those in need.
Now without further ado—straight from the brains of one of our fave BK bands—we present…
MARY SHELLEY’S TOP 10
1. Jackson’s pre-show Thai food run
Can’t find Jackson after sound check? He’s probably being a total hero to get us some pre-show thai. He swears it’s the only thing that settles the stomach. We’ve had some bad run-ins with spicy pizza and tacos in the past, and Thai never fails. Go to Win Son if you’re feeling real fancy, but we often opt for Eim Dee Thai by the Montrose Ave L train.
2. Charlie’s tip-off speeches/huddles
Perhaps our most consistent feature of the live shows. We can’t play a show without Charlie’s calming words and centering group deep breaths. We’re sensitive.
3. Taylor’s on-stage cheapest lager available
Just give her your drink ticket. She won’t ask what it’s good for, whatever it’s good for, is good for her. It’s more of a prop than a refreshment most times.
4. Dumb hats
Yeah … we have a lot of stupid hats. Mostly of the cowboy variety. Occasionally a hot pink newsboy hat. Being someone else is easy.
5. Sam leading Youtube vocal warm-up sessions
These magic pipes won’t lube themselves! Anytime you hear us belt a fierce vibrato or let out a gravelly scream, thank Sammy P. for his insistence on warming up. Find us in the alley behind the venue gracing the surrounding neighborhood with bountiful A capella.
6. Earthquaker devices FX pedals
This is a big one for us. We’d be nothing without EQD Pedals. Highlights of the discography include: the Sea Machine chorus, the Aqueduct vibrato, and the Plumes overdrive (tryna get that sponsor okay).
7. Dirty sneakers (they'll only get dirtier)
Don’t wear your shiny new 11s to the gig, man. Regrets will come tenfold.
8. Throat coat tea
A true God-send for touring folks. A singer’s best friend, a tastebuds-haver’s worst enemy. If you love the taste of hot black licorice, this tea is for you. If you don’t love the taste of hot black licorice, congrats, you’re normal.
9. Charles's GF's Subaru Outback (en bleu)
Our googly-eyes always come out for Charles and his girlfriend’s car. Give us a ride back to the rehearsal space please please please please please please
10. Frisbee
Any love for the beautiful game? It’s easy to get lethargic on tour. Keep your guns shining and blood pumping! Find that big empty field. Smell that hot wet grass. Smell the morning dew. Remember why you’re alive.
The top 10 above provided by Mary Shelley. Follow the band at @maryshelleyband, buy their music on Bandcamp and add their songs to your Spotify playlists! Subscribe to Mary Shelley News here.
Feature image: Michelle LoBianco
Thanks for reading! Let us know what you think, and if you want to participate, shoot an email to bandsdobk [@] gmail.com.
This week’s SETLIST from Redbud is coming your way on Friday. We’ll meet you here, then. <3