The Giraffes... one LAST time! (though I hope not...)

I am officially the saddest girl in Brooklyn. The Giraffes, my absolute FAVORITE Brooklyn band, "supposedly" played their "last" show (**fingers crossed** that it's NOT true...) at Mercury Lounge in late August. I wont lie, I think the bands' Jim Morrison-esque lead singer Aaron Lazar is the hottest thing in Rock N' Roll. The Giraffes played a fast, wet and memorable set for an excited audience that went crazy at the sound of the first note.


Dry Aaron... Mercury Lounge, Aug. 22, 2010

Their set list (which of course I snagged at the end of the show, as usual...) was loaded with crowd favorites including "Done", "Prime Motivator" and the never-boring and always ironically relevant in NYC, "Medicaid Benefit Applique."


The Giraffes performing "Medicaid Benefit Applique" at Mercury Lounge on Aug. 22, 2010 **WARNING: I am NOT a film maker OR sound engineer (phone camera), but I had to get this song live. Apologies for the poor quality in advance!

My friends and I have been seeing Aaron, Paris, Jens and Andrew for years now and have come to adore them. One of the many reasons is of course their us-against-the-world energy, but primarily because they encourage their audience to pelt them with beers. Axl Rose they are not: you are guaranteed to be just as drenched as the band once the booze starts flying. They WILL throw drinks right back at you. They WILL flip you off (see Aaron in the video) and maybe, if you piss them off enough, they will even SPIT at you.


Wet Aaron, mid-show... Mercury Lounge on Aug. 22, 2010


Andrew drummin' away as the beer cups accumulate... Mercury Lounge, Aug. 22, 2010

It is horrible to think that on the verge of exploding, this awesome band may no longer play as the group we know today. Let's hope that these rumors are just rumors. In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy these images (and video, though horrific in sound) of what many consider to be the Best Band in Brooklyn for the last decade.


Post-show debauchery... Mercury Lounge, Aug. 22, 2010

Another Debaucherous Night with the Giraffes

On Thursday June 3, my friends and night saw the Giraffes on a boat. On a friggin' BOAT. As one of the rowdiest bands in NYC, I must admit that I was slightly frightened of my adventure out on the Hudson River. It is barely safe to find yourself in the pit of a standard show but this was just outrageous.


Me passing the Brooklyn Bridge.

The moment we boarded, the drinking began. In fact, I'm pretty sure that the band was as hammered as their fans before the show even started!


ME with "Captain" Aaron Lazar.

Seeing the NYC skyline from the water is truly spectacular. However once the sun sets, it becomes even more beautiful.


Statue of Liberty at night... from the boat!

The band came on shortly after 9 (I think) and proceeded to play for almost 2 hours. Pretty much until we got asked to leave the boat by the crew. It was not very long until the booze was flying towards the stage, soaking everyone and everything in its path.


Pic of the entire band (for once)... you can see Paris on the end there... really..

The most awesome (but incredibly annoying) scene was all of the new sluts and groupies who found their way to the show! While I am all for the Giraffes exploding, I do not appreciate drunken females fawning all over the band and actually distracting them from the task at hand... however falling down and making asses out of themselves was VERY amusing!


The crowd holding Aaron up as he hung from the ceiling.

As usual, the show was loud, fun and very much the hell-raising experience we've all come to expect from the Best Band in Brooklyn that No-One Knows About.


Aaron drinking away as the show went on...

If you missed it, it is your loss =)

Set list from the 6/3 Giraffes show (the only copy that survived... I snagged it from the drum kit!).

The Giraffes... AGAIN!

Well it's official: if you do not go see the Giraffes play, you are uncool. Seriously guys, this is the BEST band in the world that no one seems to know about. If you need proof of the type of band these guys are, read my previous blog posts!

In late January, an email went around inviting us to see the Giraffes headline another night at Mercury Lounge. Those in the know filled the room (Max. Capacity 200) for what is ALWAYS an incredibly fun show. From the very start, as the beers flew on stage the band didn't flinch and continued playing hard. Being a smart-ass, I decided to fling the remnants of my beer at Aaron Lazar, the band's gorgeous lead signer, only to have him throw one back at me. Of course THAT was followed by a lovely spitball directly at me (once again, Aaron... who can get away with murder if he wanted to...)


The Giraffes on stage at Mercury Lounge, NYC, January 2010

The drinking and debauchery was endless and my friends and I, as always, had a blast with our fellow rock n' rollers who know how to have an incredible New York time. After the show, we visited Aaron by coat check where he was selling the bands' merch. We hung out for a bit, bought the bands ridiculously good album "Prime Motivator" and were gifted with awesome Giraffes buttons... I don't have the set-list for the show, but it was GREAT!


Aaron feeding Damien some of G-Ds nectar ;-)

Next time, do yourself a favor, and COME TO THE SHOW! You will not be disappointed =)

Another Giraffes Night!

On Friday, August 28 I was privy to another awesome Giraffes show - not much to say except check out the video I took of their great song, "Prime Motivator"!

Summer with My New Favorite Band: The Giraffes

Yes I am still alive. Finally done with school and soon to be in the nasty job hunt, I did get a chance to see one AMAZING show this summer: In mid-July (I believe the 17th or 18th) I attended The Giraffes show in Brooklyn where they shot video for an up-coming DVD release. The band was, as ALWAYS, a force to be reckoned with and the show was a blast.


Paris (and Aaron) killin' it.

My friends and I stood at the stage (where I snagged the set list!), joining in the ruckus of beer throwing, boozing and overall splendid debauchery. Seriously everyone, this is THE BAND TO SEE if you have yet to see them =)


Madness at the end of the show!


Set list is as follows:
1) Smoke machine
2) Done
3) Prime Motivator
4) Honest Man
5) Power of Fatherhood
6) Medicaid
7) Border
8) City
9) The Kids (two heads)
10) Sickness
11) Assholes
12) Clever Boy
13) Sugar Bomb
Encore:
- Man U
- Louie Guthrie
- Million $ Man
- 21 R Overture

Plus, as a total bonus to me, I got a picture with the band's lead singer Aaron Lazar. I couldn't decide which I like better so I am vainly posting both!


Bless his heart...


Oh yea.

A Night of Debauchery with The Giraffes

After an exhausting weekend of class and working the Mastadon show at Irving Plaza, I got a ride down to E. Houston and the Bowery and set off on a short stroll to Mercury Lounge, where I met up with friends for The Giraffes album release party. Having seen them once before at McCarren Park in Brooklyn during the International Kickball Tournament last summer, I knew that a great show was ahead of me! They are certainly, in my opinion, the hottest band in NY at the moment.


(pic by Joe)

Throughout their energetic performance, all I kept thinking was how much of a showman frontman Aaron Lazar is - his stage presence is very much rockstarworthy and the entire set fired up the (mostly) hipster crowd. The band encourages fans to throw beer at them during the show and when booze starts flying at the stage they don't flinch...

A great night all around =)


Me with Giraffes guitarist Damien Paris on stage after the show!
(thanks for the pic Joe!)