The Death of Williamsburg
285 Kent. Zebulon. Monkeytown/La Sala. The Pool Parties. This week, it's Death By Audio, soon to be followed by Glasslands. Times are a-changin' in Williamsburg, as some of NYC's best music venues get razed, replaced with glass and steel condos for Wall Street dickheads and their hangers-on. Pretty soon, it'll be nothing but Starbucks and Bowery venues in Billyburg. Sigh.
Another soon-to-be-casualty of this Williamsburg "renaissance" is the Brooklyn Rod & Gun Club: the private social club on Kent and N. 10th that's been hosting country, bluegrass and old time music since 2008. I squeezed into the tiny space last Friday to hear rollicking sets by Alex Battles and the Whiskey Rebellion and The Flanks. It was hot, loud, and cozy - just like your mama's basement during one of those late night parties you shouldn't be having. $10 gets you a temporary membership and two drinks, including beer, wine, or the house cocktail, The Motherfucker (Rye, Ginger Ale, Bitters). I mean, where else are you going to find this in NYC? The Brooklyn R&G's last day will be New Year's Day; info about other upcoming shows on their Facebook page.
Details about this week's final shows at Death By Audio are a bit sketchy, but there's some basic info here. If you've never been, do yourself a favor and get yourself there at least once this week. And, stop in at Glasslands while you're at it. You'll be glad you did.
More pics from the Brooklyn R&G below and on the photo page.