The Subways / The Five O’Clock Heroes – Rothko, New York City – 6/12/05
4/5
By: Joshua K
After a triumphant year in the UK, rock-n-roll young-ins' The Subways set their sights on US domination. The goal: trying to achieve the American success that criminally continues to elude their pop-punk forebears, Ash.
First up was a November appearance on tastemaking primetime teen drama 'The O.C.' Then, Billy Lunn and his gang rumbled into town for a quick, pre-Christmas jaunt. The results bode well for next year, when LP 'Young For Eternity' gets Stateside release and a broader slate of dates beckon.
Dingy Lower East Side haunt Rothko was packed, with the parka-clad crowd brimming with enticement on this wintry night - and literally jammed into every available space. The Subways didn't disappoint, enthusiastically banging through a high-energy set of (soon to be) hits, capped by a blistering take on signature song 'Rock & Roll Queen.' It was a powerful debut; a getting-to-know-you that left the downtown hipsters enthused, and equally sweaty, as they spilled into the night.
Support on the night came from neo-New Wavers The Five O'Clock Heroes (pictured above), who got the gig off to a strong early start. Their tight musicianship and Costello-esque vocals (on tracks such as 'Head Games') provided a cool antithesis to the ongoing punk-funk revival - and stake the band a strong claim on 'Ones to Stalk In 2006' status.
2006, NYC. It's looking to be a special one, already.
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