The Hoboken Sound

Benefit for Terry Karydes featuring: Georgia Hubley and Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo, Glenn Mercer of The Feelies, Dave Schramm, Ron Metz, and Al Greller of The Shramms
September 5, 2008
Maxwell's
Hoboken, NJ




According to the 1985 documentary "The Hoboken Sound," one of the markers of the scene is that "Hoboken bands seem to smile on stage. You don't see that across the river in Manhattan." Maybe that explains why I always get so giddy when going to a show at Maxwell's. Something about the venue makes it seem like more of an authentic rock show experience free of any attitude or bullshit you encounter in the clubs in NYC. For one, it's probably the most intimate space to see top shelf acts and it really does feel like it's all about the music. The band tonight was definitely making true on the claim of a greater happiness present in Hoboken , as everyone seemed to be having a great time on stage, playing really loosely, and eating up the opportunity to play with one another. Attending this show felt like crashing a party of old friends. If there is a "Hoboken scene" I was definitely knee deep in it. Despite the number of heavy hitters on stage, the show seemed to be only attended by friends and family of the musicians and Terry Karydes, for whom the event had been organized to raise money for medical bills associated with her recent diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease.

The band played an assortment of Yo La Tengo (eg The Summer, Stockholm Syndrome), Feelies, and Schramms songs, plus a number of classic covers by bands like The Rolling Stones (eg Stupid Girl voiced by the hammy song stylings of Tammy Faye Starlight, who dedicated the song to Sara Palin and her daughter, Bristol) and The Velvet Underground, providing an audio tour of the commonalities in influence that unite the sounds of the musicians' respective bands. Dave Schramm (original bassist of Yo La Tengo) tore it up on guitar and once again the Chocco Salo adage, "bands with 2 drummers shall always rule," was proven true .

Musicians in attendance: James McNew, creating a somewhat awkward moment (for me, probably not for him) when they played Stockholm Syndrome, which he usually sings, with Dave Schramm on lead vocals. My thoughts during the number: C'mon guys, just invite him up on stage why doncha?!