REVIEW: My Son The Doctor, Candy Ambulance, and More Rock (Cathartically) at No Fun
6/6 @ No Fun, Troy
Photos by Pete Perry
“The stable of local promoters working at and with No Fun do amazing work bringing in all kinds of music to the area, from bigger touring bands performing in a more intimate setting than usual to some of the 518’s best lineups, combining local and touring independent artists from all over the world.”
When you’re looking to kick off your weekend and treat yourself to a sampler of some of the highest quality live music out there right now (with the ambience and energy to match), rest assured that there are few better places for you to go than No Fun in Troy.
The stable of local promoters working at and with the venue do amazing work bringing in all kinds of music to the area, from bigger touring bands performing in a more intimate setting than usual (like Cursive’s recent visit) to some of the 518’s best lineups, combining local and touring independent artists from all over the world. This offering from Byrdhouse Records on the first Friday of June was no exception, and delivered a pair of hometown heroes in Precious Metals and Candy Ambulance (both based in Troy), hosting formidable downstate duo Dead Tooth (Queens) and My Son The Doctor (Brooklyn).
Precious Metals got the night underway, and frontman J. Lee White immediately formed a connection with the assembled crowd. “We’ve got a great show for you tonight,” he began. “It is Friday after all. Make some noise for us.” Aside from appearing very comfortable onstage, he’s got a distinct and powerful vocal range that makes Precious Metals instantly recognizable to anyone who’s heard them before, while leaving an instant impression on anyone that hasn’t. The band slides through funk, indie pop, glam metal, and hard rock among other genres with impressive versatility, forming a sound all their own that the crowd couldn’t help but groove to. It’s no secret to any show organizer that a good opening band is as important as a good closer, and Precious Metals really brought it with this set, creating a strong tone for the rest of the night. Their connection with the crowd was solidified when, leading into their song “Tequila Dreams,” the band offered a free t-shirt to whoever brought a round of tequila shots to the stage—this led to three rounds of shots being delivered.
Dead Tooth were the next band to take the stage, and they were quick to pick up the energy right where Precious Metals left off. The first of the two touring bands on the night, they brought a tight blend of fast-paced indie rock with some grit; their groove-driven songs frequently exploded into a cacophony of sonic energy. They brought a wild presence to the stage, with pronounced and moody lyrical delivery combining with expert musicianship that had everyone in the room along for the ride.
Coming up next were the second half of the touring part of the lineup, My Son The Doctor. It was not their first time at No Fun, and they bonded with the crowd over how they’ve come to think of it as one of their favorite places to play when on the road. They arrived this time with a fresh batch of new music just released this past spring. These were songs from their newest album Glamours, a well-balanced mix of infectious pop-punk and indie rock, and their delightfully chaotic energy led to the opening of the first mosh pit of the evening.
Closing out the night were none other than Candy Ambulance. Their set started with some words of caution from frontwoman Caitlin Barker. “Every good rock show needs a preface,” she said before explaining that she had been dealing with some personal grief leading up to the performance. “Grief is weird,” she continued, “Sometimes you feel good enough to go and play a show, and sometimes it evolves… but maybe screaming will help?” The crowd responded with spirited applause, and the band launched into the beginning of their set. Visceral vocal delivery accompanied driving punk rock melodies as those in attendance rallied around the band for a memorable set that even included a cathartic group scream to exorcise any and all bad energy. It was a triumphant demonstration of how we can find healing and community in musical expression; nothing is more punk than community.
All in all, that’s part of what makes the shows by Byrdhouse Records and at No Fun so special: a sense of community. Friday night was another in a long line of amazing and successful shows put on by one of the fastest rising promoters at one of the fastest rising venues in the 518, featuring excellent performances from some of the fastest rising bands in New York. With a community like this at the core, it will be far from the last. To find out more about what’s next, follow along on social media (@byrdhouserecords and @nofunshows, respectively).
