Wire at Maxwell's (06-12-1987)

On June 12, 1987, Wire played at Maxwell's! At this gig, the band debuted several songs that would appear on their 1988 album "A Bell Is A Cup Until It Is Struck."  The balance of the set mostly consisted of songs from 1987's "The Ideal Copy."  Unfortunately, no tracks from "Pink Flag," "Chairs Missing," or "154."  Nevertheless, this tape sounds really great!

Set list:

1. Intro
2. Silk Skin Paws
3. Advantage in Height
4. Come Back In Two Halves
5. Cheeking Tongues
6. Madman's Honey
7. Ahead
8. Kidney Bingos
9. Over Theirs
10. Still Shows
11. A Serious of Snakes
12. It's A Boy
13. Ambitious
14. Drill I
15. A Vivid Riot Of Red
16. Drill II

Sun Ra at Maxwell's (06-10-1989)

On June 10th, 1989, Sun Ra & His Interfalactic Arkestra played at Maxwell's! This is an incredible set occuring a few years before Sun Ra passed away.

Sonic Youth at Maxwell's (06-09-1988 and 06-10-1988)

On June 9th and 10th of 1988, Sonic Youth played at Maxwell's! The band played these gigs right before releasing their magnum opus, Daydream Nation, in July of 1988.  Their sets on both nights previewed songs that would appear on Daydream Nation, including "Candle, "'Cross The Breeze," and "Teenage Riot!" "Total Trash" and "Totally Trashed" from the Daydream Nation deluxe edition were also played on the 9th. 

Set list - June 9th:

1. Candle
2. Silver Rocket
3. 'Cross the Breeze
4. Rain King
5. Teen Age Riot
6. The Wonder
7. Hyperstation
8. Eliminator Jr.
9. Total Trash

Set list - June 10th:

1. Candle
2. Silver Rocket
3. 'Cross the Breeze
4. Rain King
5. Teenage Riot
6. The Wonder
7. Hyperstation
8. Eliminator Jr.

Sonic Youth at Irving Plaza (06-09-1998)

On June 9th, 1998, Sonic Youth played 2nd of a 3 night run at Irving Plaza in support of their 1998 album, "A Thousand Leaves."  The band's setlist consists mostly of songs from this new release, but also features two songs from their "SYR" series, "Anagrama," and "Stil," which they performed during their encore.  For the balance of their encore, they performed "Shadow of a Doubt," and "Death Valley '69," from their classics "E.V.O.L.," and "Bad Moon Rising!"

Setlist:

1. Karen Koltrane
2. Female Mechanic Now on Duty
3. Sunday
4. Anagrama
5. Hits of Sunshine (For Allen Ginsberg)
6. The Ineffable Me
7. Hoarfrost
8. French Tickler
9. Wildflower Soul
10. Heather Angel

Encore:

1. Stil
2. Shadow of a Doubt
3. Death Valley '69

Palace Brothers at Tramps (06-06-1997)

On June 6, 1997, Palace Brothers played at Tramps! In April 1996, Will Oldman released "Arise Therefore," his last album under the moniker "Palace Brothers."  Steve Albini produced this record! Later in 1997, Will Oldham would release Joya under his own name.  Thereafter, he would go on to release his work under the name Bonnie "Prince" Billy, including 2017's "Best Troubador."

Thank you to Scott Brown for the set list and band info:

Band : Will Oldham, Jack Carneal, Willy MacLean, Ned Oldham, Aram Stith, Jason Stith

Set list:

1. Ohio River Boat Song
2. Riding
3. Valentine's Day
4. Trudy Dies
5. Come In
6. Little Blue Eyes
7. Horses
8. Stable Will
9. Untitled
10. West Palm Beach
11. Gulf Shores
12. Marriage
13. O How I Enjoy The Light
14. (End Of) Traveling
15. Lost Blues
16. I'm On My Way Home Again (Everly Brothers)
17. Green River (Everly Brothers - NOT CCR)

Sonic Youth at Paard Van Troje in The Hague, Netherlands (06-06-1986)

On June 6, 1986, Sonic Youth played at Paard Van Troje in The Hague, Netherlands.  The group released their third LP "EVOL" in May 1986 on SST Records, and followed the release with a European tour.  Their setlist on this night featured mostly songs from this new release but those in attendance also got a sneak peak of "White Kross," a song that would appear on their next record, "Sister." Sonic Youth made appearances in two other Dutch cities, Groningen and Lindhoven, before returning for a performance at CBGB's on June 13th, 1986.

Set list:

1. Marilyn Moore 
2. The World Looks Red 
3. Shadow Of A Doubt 
4. Starpower 
5. Death To Our Friends 
6. Tom Violence 
7. White Kross 
8. Secret Girl 
9. Burning Spear 
10. Green Light 
11. Brother James 
12. Flower 
13. Expressway To Yr Skull 

Bonnie Prince Billy at Bowery Ballroom (06-03-2000)

On June 3, 2000, folk singer-songwriter Bonnie Price Billy played at Bowery Ballroom!  In 1999, Will Oldham released his first album under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy entitled "I See A Darkness."  This was Bonnie Prince Billy's second ever appearance at The Bowery Ballroom and he treated the crowd to a lengthy set. 

Set list:

1. The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
2. One With The Birds
3. O Let It Be
4. Nomadic Revery (All Around)
5. A Minor Place
6. A Sucker's Evening
7. Rider
8. Little Boy Blue I
9. Madelein-Mary
10. West Palm Beach
11. Another Day Full Of Dread
12. I See A Darkness
13. The Gator
14. Death To Everyone
15. No Gold Digger
16. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
17. Little Boy Blue II
18. The Weaker Soldier
19. Werner's Last Blues To Blockbuster
20. Cat's Blues
21. We Are 138
22. Meaulnes

The Feelies at Maxwell's (06-02-1986)

On June 2, 1986, The Feelies returned to Maxwell's for another gig! Following their performances on May 9 and 10th of 1986, the group returned to their home venue to film a live performance for a Japanese documentary.  A portion of this documentary can be found on YouTube.  In this short interview clip, the band describes what they love about playing at Maxwell's, their performance in "Something Wild," and their cult following in Osaka, Japan.

As it turns out, The McKenzie Tapes has an actual VHS tape of this documentary, which I will post as soon as I either bring it to Staples or digitize it myself.  Enjoy!

T Model Ford at Knitting Factors (05-31-1999)

On May 31, 1999, blues musician T-Model Ford appeared at the Knitting Factory! Born James Lewis Carter Ford, T-Model Ford released his 2nd studio album entitled "You Better Keep Still" in 1999 on Fat Possum Records.  He would release another six studio albums, the last in 2011, before sadly passing away at the age of 90 in 2013.

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion at Tramps (05-30-1998)

On May 30, 1998, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion played at Tramps! In late 1997, the band began recording their sixth studio album, "Acme," by cutting a few tracks with Calvin Johnson at his studio in Olympia, WA.  Following a New Year's Eve performance in Chicago, the band visited Steve Albini at his Electrical Audio studio. While in Chicago the band recruited Andre Williams to provide guest vocals for the track "Lap Dance."  He joined the Blues Explosion on stage to round out this set at Tramps!

Set list:

1. Wait a Minute
2. Afro
3. Dynamite Lover
4. Give Me a Chance
5. High Gear
6. Greyhound
7. 2Kindsa Love
8. Flavor
9. Attack
10. Magical Colors
11. Confused
12. Get With It
13. Fuck Shit Up
14. Calvin 

Encore:

1. ’78 Style
2. Bellbottoms
3. Wail
4. Full Grown
5. All Aboard
6. Chowder
7. Chicken Dog
8. Lap Dance (with Andre Williams)

Adrenalin O.D. at Maxwell's (05-26-1988)

On May 26, 1988 Elmwood, NJ based punk rockers Adrenalin O.D. played at Maxwell's! Fresh off the release of their third record, "Cruising With Elvis In Bigfoot's U.F.O.," A.O.D. came into this gig and played loud, fast, and hard! The band disbanded in 1990, before reuninting in 1999, 2005, and 2007. 

The Godfathers at Maxwell's (05-23-1987)

On May 23, 1987, U.K. band The Godfathers played at Maxwell's! The band was formed in 1985 by brothers Peter and Chris Coyne after the demise of their former project, The Sid Presley Experience. Their sound notably blended elements of punk, new wave, and R&B. In 1987, the group embarked on their first ever U.S. tour in 1987 and signed to Epic Records. They would release their major label debut, "Birth, School, Work, Death," in 1988. The record achieved some modest success on college radio and MTV. The group disbanded in 2000, but reformed in 2008 and remain active. They've since released two LPs, "Jukebox Fury" in 2013, and "A Big Bad Beautiful Noise" in 2017.

Marshall Crenshaw Interview on WRNU Rutgers University - Newark (05-22-1981)

Check out this really fun interview on WRNU Rutgers University - Newark radio with Marshall Crenshaw from 38 years ago!  In the start, you can actually hear a ROTARY PHONE being dialed.  The discussion wraps up with Mr. Crenshaw doing a station ID for WRNU.  Listening to this was a ton of fun!

Pixies at Maxwell's (05-21-1988)

On May 21, 1988, he Pixies made their second ever appearance at Maxwell's! This gig comes at a watershed moment for the band, as they had just released their seminal album, "Surfer Rosa," in March of 1988. Their set includes many classic songs including "Where Is My Mind?," "Bone Machine," and my personal favorite, "Gigantic!!" The show ends with a Beatles cover! Enjoy - the sound quality is excellent!

Set list:

1. The Holiday Song
2. Nimrod's Son
3. Bone Machine
4. Break My Body
5. Isla de Encanta
6. Broken Face
7. Ed Is Dead
8. Where Is My Mind?
9. Something Against You
10. Hey
11. Gigantic
12. I've Been Tired
13. Vamos
14. Caribou
15. Tony's Theme
16. Wild Honey Pie (Beatles Cover)

Ass Ponys at Mercury Lounge (05-18-1996)

On May 18, 1996, Ass Ponys played at Mercury Lounge! Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Ass Ponys developed a sound that combined rock and country into an off-kilter blend of Americana music.  In 1996, the released their fourth studio album (their second on A&M) entitled "The Known Universe." 

Violent Femmes at Stache's in Columbus, OH (05-15-1984)

On May 15, 1984, the Violent Femmes played at Stache's in Columbus, OH! 

R.L. Burnside at The Cooler (05-14-1996)

On May 14, 1996, R.L. Burnside played at The Cooler in New York City.  An accomplished blue guitarist, Burnside got his start in rural Mississippi before relocating to Chicago after World War II.  He eventually moved to Memphis in the 1950s and then back to Mississippi.  He recorded and played music sporadically over the course of the next few decades, but achieved more significantly notoriety in the 1990s after being signed to Fat Possum Records. In 1995, his playing attached the interest of Jon Spencer, who recruited him for his touring band that same year. The 1996 album "A Ass Pocket of Whiskey" was recorded with Spencer's band.  Burnside would go on to collaborate with the likes of Kid Rock and the Beastie Boys in the late 90s and early 2000s.  He passed away in 2005 at the age of 78.

The Grifters at Maxwells (05-12-1996)

On May 12, 1996, Memphis indie rock band, The Grifters, played at Maxwell's! The group had just released their first album on Sub Pop entitled "Ain't My Lookout" in February of 1996.  he band originally formed in the late 1980s as A Band Called Bud with vocalist/guitarist Scott Taylor, bassist Tripp Lamkins, and drummer Dave Shouse. After being renamed the Grifters, the group recorded primarily at Easley McCain Recording and were closely affiliated with Memphis's Shangri-La Records label for a time. The late Jeff Buckley was a vocal supporter of The Grifters and was close friends with the band.

Meat Puppets at The Ritz (05-10-1987)

On May 10, 1987, the Meat Puppets played at The Ritz!  The Asbury Park Press published the following regarding the show, and the group's fourth LP 'Mirage,' in their May 10, 1987 edition: 

[The Meat Puppets] are scheduled to headline tonight at the Ritz in New York, their biggest gig ever in the city (opening is Soul Asylum, a sizzling Husker Du protege). After the unfocused "Up on the Sun" in 1985 and last year's harder-edged EP "Out My Way," "Mirage" is a return to form. It has the juiciest bunch of hooks the band has strung together on one album, along with some of the prettiest West Coast guitar lines of any record in 1987. Brothers Cris and Curt Kirk-wood formed the Meat Puppets with drummer Derrick Bostrom in Arizona. Their first album was pretty much a thunderous rush of blues-influenced rock that sounded a bit like the laid-back music of the Grateful Dead. There were other Deadheads at SST, notably the members of Black Flag, but none dared to commit punk's cardinal sin of laying back quite so openly. Who would have thought of punks in the 1980s wearing long hair and colorful T-shirts and playing serious two-steps? Nowadays, a number of bands are doing the same thing. The Meat Puppets haven't been put out to pasture, though. They're still making sparkling records, like the new "Mirage" (SST, P.O. Box 1, Lawndale, Calif., 90260), their fourth full-length.

Edit: Thank you to Gerald Schumacher for the set list-

1. 1. Not Swimming Ground

2. Lake Of Fire

3. Quit It

4. Leaves

5. Get On Down

6. Beauty

7. Out My Way

8. Plateau

9. Swimming Ground

10. A Hundred Miles

11. The Mighty Zero

12. Love Our Children Forever

13. Lost

14. Mirage

15. I Am A Machine

16. She's Hot

17. Liquified

18. Bad Boy

19. Up On The Sun

20. I'm Bad I'm Nationwide

21. Burn The Honky Tonk Down

22. I Just Want To Make Love To You

The Feelies at Maxwell's (05-09-1986 and 05-10-1986)

Time for a tape from my favorite band!

On May 9, 1986, The Feelies treated an eager Maxwell's crowd to two sets of magical tunes!  This Maxwell's gig captures the band at a pivotal point in the career, as the group released their second LP, "The Good Earth" in 1986 - six years after their debut, "Crazy Rhythms."  In the six years between releases, members of the Feelies and their friends would play Maxwell's countless times under several different monikers, including Yung Wu, Speed The Plough, and the Trypes.  1986 also marked the band's big screen debut, as the group (credited as "The Willies), appeared in Jonathan Demme's "Something Wild" in 1986! 

The Feelies are playing BSP Kingston in Kingston, NY this Friday May 11th and World Cafe Live in Philadelhpia this Saturday May 12th.