Morning Glory, formed by Ezra Kire (Leftover Crack and Choking Victim), are a group of New York City musicians brought together by their love of making music fun for themselves again.
In September they’ll be bringing their killer brand of punk rock down under to play a run of co-headline shows with local favourites The Bennies.
With the band’s roots running deep in the politi-kil punk scene of the Lower East Side and Brooklyn, we thought who better to guide us through best punk rock from New York than NYC punk legends themselves? We chatted with Ezra, Adam and ‘Heavy Metal’ Chris from Morning Glory, who gave us a run down on everything we should know about NYC punk rock.
Band Everyone Should Know
Ezra: “I liked Julian Casablancas’ last solo record. He’s got a tune on there about the gentrification of our neighborhood called Ludlow St. Most of The Strokes are Lower East Siders and we share the same guitar tech (Richie).
Early NY/Toronto outfit Metric (when they were still a punk band) were awesome. I don’t usually list or promote bands where I actually know members anymore. They either think you’re using them to garner attention for yourself, or it sounds like I’m name-dropping, or they put out a shitty record, or they get pissed that you didn’t mention them. You just can’t win.
I think Australian kids are much more open to music and ideas than we are here. The NY scene is very secular and can even be snobby at times. There are so many bands and so much music going on every night that it’s easy to be exclusive about what you’re into.”
Adam: “The Ramones have always been special to me because they were my first punk show. They played at a community college near me, and although I’d only heard of their name, my best friend and I went. I think we were the youngest people there because guys kept coming up to us telling us that we were lucky because they wouldn’t be around much longer. They were so loud and fast for my tween years. I was hooked.”
Album Everyone Should Hear
Ezra: “Beardo by Beardo… He used to hang out in the park dressed like a wizard and do bizarre ass shit. However, this is not really in the same sense as everyone must hear Dead Prez’s Let’s Get Free, or KRS-One’s Spiritual Minded, or Gravediggaz’s 6 Feet Deep.”
Adam: “The New York Dolls’ self-titled album. You gotta watch old footage of them live to get it. They look ridiculous, the songs are great and the guitars… wow. Johnny thunders is a huge influence of mine in a lot of respects. They dressed in drag but even some old school NYC hardcore tough guys i’ve known would still give The Dolls respect.”
Heavy Metal Chris: “The last Night Birds’ full length Born To Die In Suburbia is sick. They just did an EP of instrumentals. Can’t wait to hear their next LP. I think they’re from Jersey. Maybe not anymore. Everyone moves to NYC eventually. If you want to move here I have room in my new place for you. Hit me up, I’ll make you some souvlaki or something. We can listen to records. Bring beer.”
One Song Everyone Should Listen To
Adam: “‘New York Bells’ by Morning Glory of course. Hehe. It’ll likely be on our next record and it’s one of my favorite tracks at the moment.”
Ezra: “The Dead Milkmen’s song ‘Punk Rock Girl’ is still the greatest NY/Philadelphia punk rock tunes ever written. It referenced a ton of local haunts which are now defunct, but old East Coast heads know. Joe Jack opened for my old band once with an acoustic set at a tiny club show in Philly. I barely remember it tho. I think I was busy in the bathroom.”
Heavy Metal Chris: “Dude, The Dead Milkmen are so totally a 100% Philly band. People from Philly get really defensive about that shit.”
Ezra: “It doesn’t matter, Philadelphia is still the 6th borough of New York City. And neither place is New Jersey so who cares?”
Heavy Metal Chris: “The 5th borough I’d say… Staten Island doesn’t really count.”
Ezra: “True. ‘New York Bells’ is definitely one of the best tunes written about being lost and found in the city. You’re welcome.”
Heavy Metal Chris: “That song is really good. I like the bass line and the chorus. It’s like that Jay Z song or that Billy Joel tune but totally better. Did I just compare us to Jay Z and The B.J.?”
Ezra: “No you compared them to us. That’s different. And more appropriate.”
Best Live Band
Ezra: “While I have always been partial to live punk shows because of the sing-along style camaraderie (much like a football match), but to answer this question I would have to include genres outside the punk rock arena. I love all kinds of music and I feel blessed that as a musician, songwriter and performer I can almost always find something to appreciate about every live act I see, whether it’s a classical orchestra or just one DJ with a Macbook.
Even if the music is not my thing I can always appreciate if they are talented. And if they are not talented I can always appreciate it if it comes from a genuine place. (I’ve seen plenty of these acts). For example I saw Ed Sheeran do a private acoustic performance last year at a small record label summit. His music is not my type of thing at all, but what did impress me was that instead of playing on the stage he walked to the center aisle, collected the only 40 people in the room in a cluster, (all major label execs), and then played 2 tunes entirely without any microphones or amplification. It was an amazing display of command. He knew how to own a room and that made for a great live show (he was given a standing ovation). But to answer your question, of the thousands of live music shows I’ve seen during my lifetime (and not including my own) I would have to say the best NY show was by far Staten Island/Brooklyn’s own The Gravediggaz, who I got to see perform two nights in a row at a tiny old jazz venue in SoHo. I could tell you why but I used up too much space talking about Ed Sheeran. Sorry.
Oh, and I have to mention that as far as sheer chaos and total insanity goes Missing Foundation take the New York cake of live “performance” for years. They were capable of an unchained madness which has never been repeated in our scene since. They’re still marked by the CIA as a threat to society, mainly due to the riots they would cause.”
Best Upcoming Act
Adam: “I expect big things from Kiss Slash Crooked Smile, Yula Beeri’s new act. Her earlier stuff with The Extended Family is was good too. Watching Yula play bass is mesmerizing and she writes catchy songs that have awesome grooves. The band is amazing as well. There are all kinds of unique things going on and I’ve even seen the horn player blow fire out his instrument. Fire!”
Heavy Metal Chris: “Runny is the greatest band of all time. They are also all amazing lovers. Seriously, b. Seeing them live is the way to go though. The singer, Lemon Cookie, is a maniac.”
Morning Glory & The Bennies Co-Headline Tour
SEPTEMBER 2014
12th The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
w/ Bitter Lungs & Jack Flash
13th The Lab, Brisbane ALL AGES
w/ Luca Brasi, The Gifthorse & The Decline
13th Crowbar, Brisbane
w/ Luca Brasi, Army Of Champions, Bitter Lungs
14th The Time Machine, Sunshine Coast ALL AGES
w/ The Decline & The Dumpers << NEW SHOW ADDED
17th Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
w/ Ben Elliot, ExciteBike, The Decline
18th The Beachcomber, Toukley
w/ The Dirty 8’s, Kinnection Overload, Driverside Airbag, La’range Bucket
19th Valve Bar, Sydney
w/ Ebolagoldfish, Topnovil
20th Black Wire Records, Sydney ALL AGES
w/ Capa Capo, Chaz H Skally
20th Corrimal Hotel, Woolongong
w/ Steel City All Stars, Wolfpack, UTI & The Acid Monkeys
21st Magpies, Canberra ALL AGES
w/ Mucho Sonar, Wolfpack, Revellers
22nd Captain at Mariner’s, Bateman’s Bay
w/ Lathan’s Grip << NEW SHOW ADDED
24th Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong
w/ Phat Meegz & Nathan Seekts Band
25th Karova Lounge, Ballarat
w/ Phat Meegz & The Savages
26th Gasometre, Melbourne All Ages
w/ Rockenspiele << NEW SHOW ADDED
26th The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
w/ Phat Meegz, Foxtrot, Wet Pensioner
27th Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
w/ Hightime, Fresh Killz
28th Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
w/ God God Dammit Dammit, She’s The Band
For tickets and info visit: www.thedrunkpromoter.com
