When it comes to music, I love all kinds of bands and artists, but I have to say I have a special place in my heart for chicks who absolutely rock. Why? Because they inspire me to live my everyday with the confidence to kickass and go after my dreams. When I heard that two of my favorite women of rock in this generation were playing a show together in NYC, I knew I had to go. Those rock goddesses are Volcom Girls’ own Jennifer Herrema from Black Bananas and Alison Mosshart from The Kills. Both bands were set up to play Converse City Carnage, along with Viva Viva, a band I never heard before and left loving. My journey started in Philadelphia where I caught the bus and started my two hour journey to NYC. After finally locating the venue which was right on the water, I found my open spot just on the left side of the stage. I got there early enough to claim my spot against the bar that denies you from being any closer to the stage and just enjoyed the gorgeous sunny day with a perfect breeze as the crew set up for the first band of the day Viva Viva. Viva Viva not only had some handsome badass men that could really sing a gritty, hot, and catchy rock n roll, but they also had a girl keyboardist which made me even more stoked on the absolute girl power of the whole event. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I think NYC kids need dancing/concert attending lessons from me, because when most are too cool to move, when I hear bands like this I can’t help but get my dance on, and Viva Viva did an excellent job of getting my dancing shoes warmed up for an absolutely epic night of rock ‘n’ roll. They absolutely ruled and you can watch their whole set below. I can’t wait to hear more from them!
After their set, there was a short wait for the crew to set up for Black Bananas. The band walked on stage and it might as well have been in slow motion, Black Bananas wreak of rock. From Jennifer Herrema’s oversized plaid shirt, hat and sunglasses, raccoon tail, and signature snakeskin boots you know this girl doesn’t mess around. The keyboardist was wearing an incredible shirt that told fans to “Smoke Beer” on the back and was 1000% wearing pajama pants with money on it. Then your eyes go to the guitarist who has the long blonde hair California dreams are made of. They played a high energy set that was impossible not to move to and threw a giant inflatable banana out into the crowd to kick things up another notch. Their music gives off an incredible, bad ass energy that makes you feel like you can do anything. They had an incredible set list with some of my favorite songs off their recently released LP, Rad Times Express IV. I can’t wait for a chance to see them again live!
The sun was setting and I knew it was time for The Kills. When the night hit, the stage lights transformed the entire stage, and out walked Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart of The Kills, with a well-coordinated standing drum team of four, who also worked as background singers, wearing matching black outfits with red bandanas. Mosshart took the stage with gorgeous blonde and pink hair, was wearing an oversized buttondown, tight skinnys, and the raddest pair of platform wedges which I was envying the entire show. Most importantly, Hince and Mosshart had their contagious adrenaline that they bring to all their live shows. The crowd couldn’t keep quiet or still the entire time. That’s easy when you know you love every song, and when a band just (no pun intended) kills it when it comes to playing live. They are one of my favorite duos in the history of music and their witnessing their intense friendship is as moving and badass as the music they create. I can’t wait to get my hands on Dream & Drive a new book of photographs highlighting their longtime friendship through years on and off the stage and road taken by Kenneth Cappello. I love them both so much, they are definitely one of my biggest inspirations in music and life. I hope I get to see them again soon! Watch their full set below and check out some photos I took during the show!
xx Cher
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