Joanie Lynch - American Ocelot

Even with Chelsea Curve's much anticipated big Rumble night (yes, they won!) the shows at The Jungle and Sally O's in Union Square are jumping. A handful of intrepid rockers made the scene at both joints. The Captain covered Sally's so I'll stick with The Jungle.

Galaxy Cake, Happy Little Clouds, American Ocelot and Kingshot pulled in a crowd. Holly Cantor got plenty of love from her friends. Rah, rah ziss, boom, bah for pulling together a cool band, the bass and the snazzy out fit. It was more or less first gigs for Galazy Cake and American Ocelot. Kudos to Joanie Lynch and Sara Billingsley for pulling rock vets Kevin James (lead guitar), and Charlie Sullivan (bass) into the fold to give a shine to the songs. It will be cool to hear where both bands go.

Happy Little Clouds bring the experience. Jac Mestel's vocals are assertive, clear-eyed and catchy in there assessment of interpersonal politics. The rhythm section had a tight aggressive edge that propelled the tunes forward. Reminded me that it's good to check out a band's tunes pre-show!

Kingshot are an outlier on the bill. They are a talented group of instrumentalists. The vocals dip in and out of the melodic emo continuum. They pick and choose their twists with a flare for a hook and a hint of shinny pop. I dug them most when they broke out their prog metal alter ego. Great solos all around.

American Ocelot

Joanie Lynch - American Ocelot

Keven James - American Ocelot

Joanie Lynch - American Ocelot

Charlie Sullivan - American Ocelot

Sarah Billingsley - American Ocelot

Holly Cantor - Galazy Cake

Holly Cantor - Galazy Cake

Meredith Bee - Galazy Cake

Molly Murnane - Galazy Cake

Derek Bergstrom - Happy Little Clouds

Jac Mestel - Happy Little Clouds

Jac Mestel - Happy Little Clouds

Jess Townsend - Happy Little Clouds

Kingshot

Charlie Costa - kingshot

Charlie Costa - Kingshot

Nick Brozak - Kingshot