Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment is partnering with The Bowery Presents — AEG Presents’ regional partner — to acquire the operating rights and assets to Webster Hall, the legendary music and entertainment venue located in Manhattan’s East Village. The parties will assume the long-term lease to the building, which will continue to be owned by current owner, Unity Gallega.
“We are excited to build on the iconic history of Webster Hall,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “Webster Hall provides us with an extraordinary opportunity to connect with artists early in their careers and expands BSE’s venue footprint into Manhattan. We appreciate all that the Ballinger family has done to make Webster Hall an industry leading venue and we are looking forward to working with them, The Bowery Presents and AEG Presents to make it an even greater destination for live music.”
“Partnering with The Bowery Presents and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment to program and operate this iconic live facility will continue to enhance Webster Hall’s worldwide reputation as one of the industry’s most important venues,” said Jay Marciano, Chairman and CEO, AEG Presents.
Webster Hall has undergone several waves of transformation throughout the past century. In the 1920’s, Webster Hall notoriously held masquerade balls and was nicknamed “the Devil’s Playhouse.” RCA Records purchased Webster Hall in 1954 and renovated the venue to include a state-of-the-art acoustically-treated ballroom. Notable artists who recorded in Webster Hall’s studio during this time included Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan (his recording debut), Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett, and Julie Andrews.
Beginning in the 1980’s, Webster Hall reemerged as a leading rock venue in the City, hosting artists such as Eric Clapton with Keith Richards, U2 (the band’s first-ever U.S. show), Tina Turner, The Beastie Boys, Prince, Sting, Metallica, Aerosmith, KISS, B.B. King and Guns N’ Roses. The Ballinger family began running the venue in 1989.
Downtown was on-site at the pre-event Black Carpet, which was hosted inside The Sports Bar on East 11th. As touring musicians are known to dine out regularly, we asked Epiphone Revolver Music Awards attendees about their favorite New York City restaurants. The owners of Vandal and Mira Sushi ought to be very pleased.
Jesse Leach, Killswitch Engage – Cookshop, 10th Avenue and 20th [Street]. It’s farm-to-table, legit. I’ve seen them driving the truck up to the place and taking the animals and veggies off the truck. That place is amazing. Super-good food.
Ann Courtney, Mother Feather: First thing comes to the top of my head is Yakitori Taisho. But I’ve gotta give some love to Chris Santos and Vandal. Vandal is outstanding.
Mina Caputo, Life Of Agony – I don’t know, there’s so many of them. It’s so hard to choose. That’s like asking me, “What’s my favorite artist?” Maybe Cafe Orlin, right over here.
Shaun Morgan, Seether – Ballato’s, it’s down on Houston [Street]. It’s a nice little Italian place, only five or six tables. Good place.
Elias Soriano, Nonpoint – Right now, the 5 Napkin Burger. It’s probably the best burger in the city right now.
Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Art Of Anarchy – One of my favorite restaurants was a place called Resto on 29th [Street] near Lexington and Park, but unfortunately they closed down. I would love going there and getting the deviled eggs and getting their pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich. It was delicious comfort food that just made you feel good.
John LaMacchia, Candiria – I’m going to say Vandal by Chris Santos. That’s my favorite spot right now.
Carley Coma, Candiria – Vandal as well. (laughs)
Danny Grossarth, Candiria – I don’t want to double-pick. (laughs) My favorite restaurant is Mira Sushi in Flatiron.
Leon Lyazidi, Cilver: I eat really late at night and there’s a place called L’express. It’s a 24-hour three or four-star French restaurant. Republic’s also awesome.
Uliana Preotu, Cilver: Mine is definitely by far Totto Ramen. I will stay in line for that ramen soup and I will eat it all because you cannot take it home. Go to Totto Ramen.
Ben Flanagan, Black Map: Sbarro’s. I wouldn’t go anywhere but Times Square for my pizza. (laughs) There’s a pizzeria called Nick’s that one of my best friends has worked at for years that I go to every time I’m here. That’s not the most sophisticated answer, but it’s better than Sbarro, right? (laughs)
Sarabeth Linden, Tower – My favorite restaurant is Sarabeth’s Kitchen, because I was named after Sarabeth’s Kitchen.
James Danzo, Tower – My favorite restaurant is Minitalia Pizza on Fresh Pond Road, owned by Rocco Labianca. The best slice you’ll ever have.
Philippe Arman, Tower – My favorite restaurant is a tiny place called Smile To Go. It is amazing.
Dylan Kirouac, The Wild! – I’ve only been here three times, and every time I see a radio station, a venue and a hotel. But I know you’ve got some good pizza, so you’ve got to show me where the best one’s at.
Matt Helpern, Periphery: Mira Sushi. Chef Brian Tsao. We’re big foodies, that’s a great spot to go.
Dave Davidson, Revocation – I just tried this placed called The Bao down the street. I’d never been there before. It was really, really good. I’ll tell you my favorite donut spot is Dough in Bed-Stuy. That place rules.
Frankie Palmeri, Emmure – Shout out to Nagoya on Kings Highway in South Brooklyn. That’s my favorite place to go to in all of New York.
Casey DC, 9ELECTRIC – Rizzo’s Pizza in Astoria, Queens.
Vanishing Life is a new band, but its members are hardly new to music or to playing out in New York City. Walter Schreifels has been involved with a lot of influential New York City bands over the past 30-something years, including Rival Schools, Quicksand, Gorilla Biscuits, Youth Of Today, CIV and Walking Concert; he is also a co-owner of Some Records. Autry Fulbright is a member of …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. Jamie Miller plays alongside Autry in …Trail Of Dead, besides drumming in Bad Religion and being the guitarist and co-founder of theSTART. Zach Blair, meanwhile, plays in Rise Against.
Surveillance, the debut full-length album from Vanishing Life, will be released through Dine Alone Records on Nov. 11. In support of Surveillance, Vanishing Life will be hitting the road for a week and a half of touring, including a Nov. 13 stop at The Studio at Webster Hall. Downtown caught up with Walter, Autry and Zach for some Q&A, and in the process got some great restaurant picks.
I’ve heard that Walter lives in Germany, I know some of you live in Los Angeles although you’re frequently on tour with your other bands. How many times have all four of you been in the same room?
Zach Blair: Actually, quite a lot considering. We’ve all been really excited to do this and made time for it — although I won’t be taking part in the November tour, dangit.
Walter Schreifels: I lived in Berlin for a few years, I love that city and still have tons of friends there. I kept my apartment there and go back for summers, sublet otherwise. I’m living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn — hipster capital, gentrification ground zero of New York City. Still has a vibe though, lots of great people here, tons of new venues too, lots popping off in Bushwick, Brooklyn too, just a few stops away. We have been in the same room at least 15 to 20 times, maybe more. Each time is very productive and significant, quality over quantity, VERY modern.
Prior to this album being made, had you played with any of the other Vanishing Life members on another project?
Autry Fulbright: Jamie and I have played together ever since he joined …Trail Of Dead nearly six years ago, and have worked on music outside of the band often. I made a short film several years ago following a Trail Of Dead tour with Rival Schools, one of Walter’s bands. I asked him to star in the film and our collaborative relationship began. Touring with Trail was collaborative as we shared the same bus, which is a real world situation, you become family quick. Being in Autry’s movie was a blast, showed me what a creative and prolific artist he is. I like to be around people like that, brings the best out of me.
WS: I’ve been seeing Zack around for years, all over the world. He’s famously nice and a great guitar player, having him join the band was a no-brainer, I looked forward to getting know him better, we got closer fast.
ZB: Nope, and I was so flattered that they asked!
Vanishing Life / Photo: Cecilia Alejandra
What do you remember about the first gig you ever played live in New York? Where was it?
ZB: CBGB! It was 1995 and I was with my band Hagfish, it was a surreal experience. It was pre-Giuliani and it was amazing!
WS: Mine was CBGB, too! Gorilla Biscuits opened for JFA in ’86. I could barely sleep the night before
When playing at Webster Hall, what’s to be expected? Any songs from your other projects besides Vanishing Life?
WS: We’ll most likely do the album, the album is really strong in my view but is meant to be played live, very psyched to let it rip. Vanishing Life is its own free-standing structure it doesn’t need the support of our past resumes. I think people will figure that out soon enough, which might sound cocky. but just a subjective opinion.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
AF: New York has too many amazing restaurants but among them I am fond of Diner and Marlow & Sons in Williamsburg, where I actually used to work in another life. Great French and New American-style food
WS: My fave for Italian is Adelina’s in Greenpoint, lot of vegan options and amazing wine curation, affordable. My favorite Japanese is Skyway in Bushwick, okonomiyaki done authentic Osaka-style – not a sushi spot, love it.
WS: We’ll be touring in Europe in February on Together Fest with American Nightmare, The Bronx, Trash Talk and I’ll be doing double duty with Youth Of Today, gonna be sick. We’re also looking for more touring in 2017 in the U.S. once we can sync our schedules up.
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
WS: I want to be spending my non-touring time with my family, I’m married with an eight-year old daughter, the only activity I find more interesting then music is spending time with them.
ZB: Normal junk. Wife, dog, house. I still play a lot of guitar, though. Actually, I’m never not busy with music, which is a good thing.
AF: I really don’t have any free time as I work for a music managing company when I’m not playing music, handling tour logistics for artists like Flying Lotus and Thundercat.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
WS: Don’t worry about staying in school so much, it’s overrated, overpriced and you’re actually being just indoctrinated most of the time. Educate yourself, believe in yourself, do what you say you’re gonna do, build trust, take care of your friends, your family, don’t believe the hype.
If you ask five people what they are doing on Halloween, you are likely to get five different sorts of answers. One person may be staying in give out candy to the local trick-or-treaters. Another person may be hosting or attending a costume party. Another person may be going to a traditional annual event like a movie marathon. Another person may be concert-bound to see an electrifying live show. And maybe that fifth person wants nothing to do with the holiday, staying away from Halloween at all costs.
For music fans looking for something to do on Oct. 31 in Manhattan, there are plenty of options. The Interrupters, a Los Angeles-based ska-punk band on Hellcat Records, will be at The Highline Ballroom. The band — as comprised of vocalist Aimee Interrupter, guitarist Kevin Bivona, bassist Justin Bivona and drummer Jesse Bivona — formed in 2012 and is currently touring in support of this year’s Say It Out Loud. Every Time I Die, a metalcore quintet that is on Epitaph Records, will be headlining at Irving Plaza on the 31st. EITD formed in 1998 — vocalist Keith Buckley and guitarists Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley have been in the band since formation — with bassist Stephen Micciche and drummer Daniel Davison joining up in recent years.
Justin Bivona of The Interrupters: In 2014, we played a pool party for Fest 13 at the Holiday Inn in Gainesville, FL. It was a lot of fun!
Andy Williams of Every Time I Die: Chicago, like four years ago at House Of Blues.
Any plans for a Halloween costume this year?
JB: We’ve been tossing some ideas around, but we don’t want to give too much away. You’ll have to come to the show to find out if we pull it off.
AW: We haven’t talked about it. It’s in New York City this year. Maybe I’ll just dress up as me from 2001.
Do you have a favorite Halloween costume from your childhood?
JB: I was a ninja for like four years in a row when I was little. I have no idea what the inspiration for that was, but it was always the go to costume.
AW: I was a clown for the first five years of my life. That was cool.
Every Time I Die / Photo: Joshua Halling
What do you remember about the first show you ever played in New York City?
JB: The first show we ever played in New York City was at Webster Hall in July 2015 with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Street Dogs. It was an amazing night! It had taken us so long to play a show in New York, to finally be on-stage playing for the people of this great city was kind of a dream come true.
AW: It was a super long time ago. I think it wasn’t even with ETID. It was Dec. 12t, 2000 and I played at CBGB, on second guitar for Blood Has Been Shed
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
JB: I know it’s not the type of restaurant you can sit down for a nice meal at, and it’s probably cliché to pick a pizza place, but Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn is the best I’ve ever had. Or if you can consider the Comedy Cellar a restaurant, we’ve had a couple great nights there laughing and eating mozzarella sticks.
Is playing in New York City any different for you than it is in other cities?
JB: Of course! Obviously there’s no other city like New York City. The atmosphere, the energy, the people, and the overall vibe is always something we look forward to.
AW: Just a lot more hassle ’cause there’s really no place to park. The shows are great, but the city is just complicated.
The Interrupters / Photo: Ethan Edwards
What’s coming up for you after this tour wraps?
JB: In January and February, we’ll be supporting Green Day on their Revolution Radio Tour in the U.K. and Europe.
AW: I wrestle a few matches in Toronto and then we head over to Europe for a tour with ’68 and Drug Church.
When not busy with your band, how do you like to spend your free time?
JB: What is free time?
AW: I love training for wrestling and wrestling. Working out. That type of stuff. I’m old, so I’m also getting my bucket list stuff out of the way.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
JB: Don’t take candy from strangers, unless it’s Halloween.
AW: Always do what you do, like you mean it. Be you.
One of the biggest dance-oriented indie-rock bands out there for over 15 years, The Faint has a long-standing history with New York. The Omaha-based group makes its long-awaited return to our area with an Oct. 6 performance at Webster Hall. Co-headlining with the legendary Gang Of Four, The Faint is currently on the road in support of its career-spanning compilation, Capsule:1999-2016; Capsule features a new recording, “Young & Realistic.”
Downtown caught up with frontman Todd Fink, who is also an acclaimed DJ and designer. Beyond talking about what is ahead for The Faint, he explained the band’s history with record labels, which has brought them back to original home Saddle Creek Records. He also kindly entertained some Nebraska-related questions.
The Faint — which guitarist Dapose, drummer Clark Baechle and new keyboardist also includes Graham Ulicny — can be visited online at www.thefaint.com. The quartet can also be followed on Facebook and Twitter.
I had the pleasure of seeing your band at Webster Hall when you guys not only opened for Bright Eyes, but also served as the backing band for Conor [Oberst]. Was that the most tiring tour you’ve ever been a part of?
Todd Fink: Yes, it was a lot to take on each day for the three who did it. I wasn’t one of them though.
What do you remember about your first show in New York?
TF: The first show I remember in New York would’ve been at the all ages punk/art space called ABC No Rio. Booking and communication was foggier in those days. Apparently it was a matinee, so we missed it. One of our first trips out of town was when we drove to New York to play CMJ, in 1998. I don’t remember the first place we played, maybe CBGB Gallery? I do know that some of our first shows in the city were at Brownies and then Maxwells in New Jersey.
Now that The Faint has more than 15 years of music to choose from, any idea what your setlist will look like at Webster Hall this fall? A career-spanning selection of songs, or more from the latest album?
TF: The album we are out touring in support of is a collection of a bunch of the songs we usually like to play live plus three new songs. Almost everything we’ll be playing is from Capsule:1999-2016. We’ve had fun relearning some of the old jams and we’re super psyched to play a couple of new ones.
Will this tour be the first time you’ve played alongside Gang Of Four?
TF: Yeah, we haven’t met them yet. I’m pretty excited to meet Andy Gill hear some of those Gang Of Four classics! We all went to see ’em at the Fillmore a while back. They were great.
The Faint has been a variety of record labels over the years, including some time with American. Is the plan to keep releasing music through your own label or imprint?
TF: We did have a lot of meetings with American back in the day, but after talking with them — and a bunch of other major labels — we decided to stay on our hometown label after all. Then in 2008, for Fasciinatiion we wanted to see what it was like to put out our own record. After that experience, we decided that it was more work than it was worth, so for 2012’s Doom Abuse, we went with a label that our old assistant manager was running. But unfortunately, they folded around the time we finished the tour. Capsule:1999-2016 is coming out on Omaha’s Saddle Creek Records. Now all of our records will be available from one place which is nice and tidy.
“Young & Realistic” is more dance-oriented, closer to the original direction of The Faint. Do you like to dance outside of performing live?
TF: Oh yeah, I love to dance. Underground techno is my main dance music, but when I DJ as The Faint, it’s more of a synthpop/minimal wave style. Come to think of it, “Young & Realistic” is a pretty good representation of what a Faint DJ set is like.
Dancing aside, what do you like to do in your free time when not busy with touring or recording?
TF: I make hats, shoot billiards, sometimes I sew clothes. I like to do graphic design and make videos when I get the chance. I’ve recently started a duo with my wife Orenda that we are calling CLOSENESS. Graham Ulicny — Faint keyboardist and of Reptar — and I play live hardware based dance music as Channel Pressure.
The Faint is undoubtedly one of the most famous bands to come from Nebraska. Have you guys encountered 311 over the years?
TF: Most of us went to the same high school they did, but they’re all a chunk older so we didn’t know them. Actually, I was in Jamaica last year and I met them while I was swimming in the ocean. I guess they host one of those huge boat cruises.
Johnny Carson had Nebraska ties. Any idea if anyone from your band, or any of your parents, ever encountered Johnny Carson in some capacity?
TF: Nope, I’ve never known anyone who knew him. I’ve met some people who grew up around Nick Nolte, though. I think my uncle and mom went to high school with him. I guess Malcomn X is from here, too.
Is there anything you wish more people knew about The Faint?
TF: Well, our new keyboard player is Graham Ulicny. He sings in Reptar, who we toured with in 2012.
SonReal may be new to the United States as a touring major label artist, but he has been at it for a decade in his native Canada. The Vancouver-based artist’s career really took off in 2013 when his video for “Hometown” was nominated for Much Music Video Awards’ Hip-Hop Video Of The Year and his recording “The Closers” came up for a Juno Award for Rap Recording Of The Year. Additional high-profile nominations followed in 2014 and 2015, and a writer at MTV News referred to SonReal as “Drake’s Biggest Competition at the Juno Awards.” Now signed to Capitol Records, SonReal recently released his The Name EP and its single “Can I Get A Witness” has already sold gold in Canada.
In support of The Name, SonReal will be in town for an Oct. 9 gig at The Emporium, touring alongside Mike Stud. SonReal — whose civilian name is Aaron Hoffman — caught up with Downtown about The Name, his show in Patchogue and plenty more.
SR: I took my time and took all the steps to building the songs the way I saw them in my mind. But at the same time, some of the songs were the fastest tracks I’ve ever written. I wanted to have fun with this EP and show my listeners a new side of me so I approached my writing and recording with that in mind.
Did you write the songs in a series of sessions over time?
SR: Yes — over the span of one year!
Was the creative process more improvisation-based?
SR: Yes! On many of the songs, I did the scratch vocal first take to a piano melody or whatever, and that’s what we ended up using for parts of the actual song! Funny how sometimes your initial instinct is sometimes the best.
Where was your first-ever performance in New York City? What do you remember about it?
SR: Yeah, I headlined at Studio Room at Webster Hall and there was like 100 people there. It was actually really fun.
Did you ever travel to New York before your career took off?
SR: No, but I always wanted to and dreamed of performing in New York. All my favorite rappers were from New York: Nas, Capone-N-Noreaga, Mobb Deep…I loved New York rap growing up
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York City? Or if not, is there one you hope to go to while you’re in town?
SR: I had some good sushi there once that was really good, but I forget the name of the restaurant.
For someone thinking of coming to see you on Long Island, what should be expected from your live show?
SR: A roller coaster. My music is all so different — there are emotional moments to turn up loose your mind moments. You just have to see it! I love performing, it’s one of my favorite things about my job.
Do you perform any music besides what’s on your recent EPs and mixtapes?
SR: Yeah, for sure. Lots of other stuff.
How did you hook up with Jon Bellion, who’s also on Capitol? Did your label introduce you two?
SR: His manager actually knew about my stuff for a long time. I never knew Jon before the tour, but that guy is one of the realest people I’ve met in this industry, and he’s someone I call a good friend.
