Rejected Unknown
•Daniel Johnston
Bang on a Can All-Stars
Legendary Stardust Cowboy
Highline Festival
Highline Ballroom
May 17th
I knew that last night was going to be like no other. It didn’t hurt that it started with David Byrne walking into the same E subway car as me and ended with David Bowie walking right by me as he made his exit from the wonderful new Highline Ballroom venue. As for what transpired in between? Well, if yer one of those people who have to ask, do you call this music? like I did for the first two acts, then you and I were in for a night of a thousand headaches. And by headaches I mean a a triple bill that’s more queer than a three dollar bill, including and limited to a warbling psychobilly cowboy who may have been the name inspiration for Ziggy Stardust, a gaggle of musicians who redefine the word ‘cacophony’ with every single note they poot, and a bipolar pregnant male who may be the bestest and oddest music genius since Brian Wilson
Headahces and earaches aside, that BPM (bipolar preggers male), Daniel Johnston, was the sole reason for my appearance, more out of curiosity than for gettin my rocks off. While I’ll admit that I’m no long time listener, I will now and forever be a lifelong fan of Daniel J’s. To appreciate his music, which is a lot to ask of anyone, you really need to appreciate Daniel and his thumcredible life story. And there’s no better way to get yer learnin’ on than by watching one of the greatestist music docs of all thyme and our pick of Bestest Moooooovie of ’06
Daniel’s set was short, but it was mos certainly sweet. It was more like an experience than a concert, but one worth experiencing for any new or old comer, cept for my gal pal K-Dawg who said that ‘If Daniel Johnston were playing on the street for change, I wouldn’t give him any.‘ Ouch, but at least she was write on about Bang On A Can, who ‘sounded like a middle school orchestra warming up, only they never actually performed– just warmed up.‘
•DJ image, more of dem and review of that show and the Warsaw gig over at Vooklyn Bregan