Farewell To The Knitting Factory plus Top Ten of 2009
A FAREWELL TO THE KNITTING FACTORY
October 25, 2009, we all said our goodbyes to the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. The club had been open for nearly a decade with its three rooms filled with the very best of live talent. The club was certainly bustling at their last hurrah, with Hit The Lights and Sparks The Rescue co-headlining the Main Room. In the tiny Alterknit Lounge, local act Cue The Crickets was ripping the place to shreds with their fierce brand of apocalyptic post-hardcore. They certainly had a slammin’ pit going within the small confines of the lounge.
The Church Of The 8th Day booked the middle room with a tremendously memorable metal show. There was a feeling of loss that a truly great venue was closing, but the party was on as both Letum Ascensus and Crematorium delivered outstanding sets of death metal. Daniel Dismal, frontman for Crematorium (and Church Of The 8th Day founder) took the time to eulogize a place and a scene that we had all come to know and love. Dismal’s comments on the final night were humorous, ironic, deeply moving, and well thought out.
The first band I ever saw play ar the Knitting Factory was The Dillinger Escape Plan with SHAT back in January of 2001. The last would be the mighty Crematorium. And all the bands and shows in between are many that I, and the community at large, will remember forever. RIP The Knitting Factory. You don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it…
THE HIGHWIRE DAZE TOP 10 of 2009
Well here it is, Editor Ken’s Top 10 list for 2009. Once again, a very strange and eclectic selection – in alphabetical order with brief explanations…
The Best In Town by The Blackout (Epitaph Records) – Breakout band of the Warped Tour 2009 from South Wales. Save Ourselves (The Warning) is definitely the rock anthem of the year.
Lost & Found by Corey Crowder (Self-released) – Country and blues mixed with acoustic and classic intimate vocals. Crowder is an astounding yet underrated singer / songwriter.
Sleepwalkers by Dead Swans (Bridge 9 Records) – Best debut album of the year hands down. This UK-based band breathe new life into the hardcore / metal genre. Expect great things from Dead Swans!
With Thoughts But Not Regrets by 5 Years and Counting (In Vogue Records) – Sean McDonald is finally getting the recognition he deserves – now signed to a label owned by Before Their Eyes front man Nick Moore. Timeless and profoundly. moving, Best tracks: Seattle and Closer. Plus a super-cheeky cover of Poker Face by Lady Gaga.
The Pendle Witch Trials by I Shalt Become (No Colours Records) – Ambient, relentlessly bleak and weaved with Black Metal undertones. Read up on the actual Pendle Witch Trails and get to know Alice Nutter and the gang using this CD as the soundtrack.
Djinn – Les Mystere Des Chats by Louisa John-Krol – Romantic pop / ethereal faerie music in the grand tradition of Loreena McKennitt and Kate Bush. A journey through the secret life of mystical cats. Blue Beyond The Sky and I Am The Djinn are among the magical stories this artist weaves
New Shores by Lunatica (Napalm Records) – Female fronted power metal in its finest hour. Dramatic, sweeping in scope, and socially conscious – here’s hoping this Swiss band make it here to the States in 2010!
Yes by Pet Shop Boys (Parlophone Records) – The comeback album of the year. This highly influential electronic band can still write a tremendously infectious song. Their show at the Greek Theatre in September was one many will remember for a long time!
Monolith by Sights & Sounds (Militia Group) – Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid and company deliver the most progressive album of the year. Imagine Cave In mixed with Nirvana and you are only just beginning to envision the wondrous masterworks of Sights & Sounds. A stunning debut.
The Clearing by Sleep For Sleepers (Dreamt Music) – The most underrated band on the Los Angeles music scene today. Dream-like, visionary and adventurous. An important work from a band we’ll be hearing a lot more from in the future.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL
