#36 - 2012 April

By Sarah L. Myers
Editor-in-Chief
New York, USA

It's my favorite New York City bar, my favorite New York Dolls song, and now it's my favorite way to get trashed.

Just when we thought the clouds had shifted and nothing but sunshine would deliver the spring, a week of cold rain set in over New York. I’ve not spent more than one full month in my city since late last year. When you come back from Chicago with a tan, something in the environmental cosmos is awry! We soaked up what we could. The city’s warmer days held a type of anticipation, hinting we’re going to blow the top of the summer when it finally arrives. I’m already thinking Mermaid Parade, patio cocktails, and rooftop parties…

Glamdammit Trash…

(credit: Michael Alexander, TimeOut New York)

When I dreamed of moving to NYC at age 14, I pictured getting dolled up in sequin miniskirts and dancing the night away to Iggy, Bowie, and the New York Dolls. Glamdammit is basically a public version of my bedroom dance parties from my middle school years! I donned my sequins and fur and hit the floor with the usual crew. I’ve gotten the hang of how to do Brooklyn now – you just stay for the whole weekend – so there was no hurry as The Nuclears ripped up the joint. The stage seems to electrocute singer Nick Vivid, as each time he touches it his powers recharge and it’s right back into the crowd again. I wasn’t sure what to make of Breedlove, the Terry Richardson look-alike whose lounge-lizard performance evokes Bill Murray at times. But the energy was catching and I was on board by the end of the night. Williamsburg’s Grand Victory is ever so conveniently located across the street from Trash Bar, so you can guess where we squinted once the house lights came on. Maybe a Thirsty/Glamdammit pairing in the works? Stay tuned!

St. Patty’s Trash…

I’m not even a hint of Irish but when you’re plans are to spend Patty’s in Chicago, you get in the game! It was back to my old home for the week. I was in town less than 24 hours before it was off to Liar’s Club with Jason, Matt, Spencer, and my girls Jen and Erin. It still looks (and smells) the same, but maybe it’s losing its charm. Who decided to do an electronica night at Liars? That place is strictly garage pop and ironic 1980s. Soon it was off to Late Bar, where DJ Scary Lady Sarah packed the dance floor with dark, romantic tunes. Roses and broken baby dolls lined the tables, some with added appendages and all with Sharpie tattoos declaring “love will tear us apart.” The plan was to head to Exit but on the advice that it fills with fraternity brothers on Friday night, we simply went home. Frat guys at Exit? Again, isn’t this the same hole once splattered by GG Allin? My old home has definitely changed! But I can always count on the Twisted Spoke, where we held it down for the Patty’s long haul. I’ll never lose my affection for the Spoke, which still hosts “Smut and Eggs” (that’s porn with brunch) on Saturdays. If there’s anything about Chicago I miss more than my girls, it’s Jimmy Johns, so that was our last mandatory stop for the trip. You can have Steak n’ Shake and the Coffee Bean, New York, but you’ll never get our Jimmy…

Thirsty for More?

Jack White - Blunderbuss (2012)


The Killing Floor

Trash is going international yet again! I can’t believe next month’s column will be reporting from the streets of London and Glasgow. I’ve got nothing planned other than shopping, eating, and laughing with my pack of goofball Brit boys. I’ll still experience a piece of home – the Legendary Shack Shakers are performing while I’m there! Getting to see my friends in all their Americana glory, being celebrated in a foreign country, is too much to think about right now. It couldn’t be farther from the Abbey in Chicago, where I first met them almost seven years ago! Also on the radar is “Blunderbuss”, Jack White’s solo debut. I love anything this man does, and if “Sixteen Saltines” is any indication, I have a new summer soundtrack. “She’s got stickers on her locker” is quite simply one badass opening line… And last but not least, we begin April with a much-anticipated night as friends The Killing Floor join Marky Ramone’s Blitzgrieg at the Bell House! It’s a great way to kick off the season and a wonderful send off to England.

Until next time...

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