December 2, 2011
My friend Jon Hammer plays in a band called Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. and I’ve been trying to see them live for quite a little while now. Jon and Karen McBurnie are the publishers of the fine online publication, Grade “A” Fancy (they have a wonderful new edition out, check it out here: “Algebra of Ordering.” Well, tonight Jon has informed me that Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. are playing a gig at the Manderley Bar in the McKittrick Hotel, which is hosting a theater production of, “Sleep No More.” I’m working too late to attend the play, but I should be able to catch the band’s show, which starts at 10:30 pm. According to the band’s website, “ballads, boogies and blues,” is what they do. So let’s go see them do these things they do.
The bar is on 27th Street between 10th and 11th and it sounded like a short walk from where I work, but I rarely venture westward past 9th and realize that this is a little bit of a haul. At least it's not freezing out, so far we've been lucky this winter.
And here we are at the Manderley Bar. It's a little swanky here complete with a doorman who told me I could take a picture of the sign, but once inside, there's no pictures allowed.
Sheesh, kind of a "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service," moment. Looks like I'll have to keep the flash off of the camera.
Wow, the place is packed and it's really dark in here.
The walls are draped in red linen and the lighting is low. At first I had a mini panic attack as I didn't see a bar.
Aaahh, here it is. It's about three deep, so it took a little while to get a beer, but finally I got one, it's pretty crowded in here and a little rough to maneuver around.
So I found a corner of the room near the bar, drank beer and stared at this lamp that reminded me of the Christmas hats they wore in the film, "The Ref," which is more than ironic if you read the first reference to the IMDb information about that movie.
After being tranced out by staring at that light and drinking beer, I'm awakened by the entrance of Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co!
Nice to see I'm not the only one breaking the "no photos" rule.
From left: Garth on doghoue bass and harmonies, Michael on lead guitar and vocals and Jon on rhythm guitar and harmonies. They're a tight band, but lots of fun as well.
Chrome dome alert!
It may seem like a lean line up with only three instruments and no drums, but this rockabilly boogiefied trio really packs a punch. Michael is a funny and witty, carnivalesque front man, a great singer and plays stinging solos. Jon and Garth are a powerhouse rhythm section and add whomping, stomping harmonies to the mix. Check the dates on their website and see them if you can, you won't be disappointed.
The Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. Great show, guys! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.
Further reading: Jalopy, Reverbnation and facecrack.
15 Comments
Reader Comments (15)
S.I.T.D.Co. has some good drinking music !
Chrome dome alert, indeed! With Dr. Evil right in front of you, Mini Me has got to be around someplace...
More than anything I like the red linen walls, the darkness, a place to enjoy live music for sure, and get sloshed, I can see how you could enter the Twilight Zone in there.
@GENE: Great drinking and dancing music, they put on a wonderful show!
@Jaws: I think I stepped on Mini Me in the darkness, so much for the next Austin Powers sequel!
@Al: I think you'd like this place for sure!
Thanks for coming to the show, buddy!
@Ned Sparks: Thanks for the invitation, it was a blast! Great tunes, can't wait to see you guys again!
Did any other nitwit read the musician as "Jan Hammer"? (Composer of the original Miami Vice Theme)
Looks like fun was had, despite the lack of '80's synth instrumental anthems.
they scream shot and beer to me. What fun! and you're a good friend Marty. thats nice to know. (chrome dome - still laughing about that)
question... any logic behind the name. I grew up near the susquehanna river (not that I can spell it).
@csp: csp: I saw Jan Hammer open up for Fleetwood Mac in Glen Oak Park in Peoria in 1976! It was right as their self titled album before Rumors was taking off. Needless to say, they never came back!
@Green Monkey: I was just drinking beer, but a shot would've worked too! I'm not sure about the name, maybe Ned Sparks will chime in about that.
@MAD: What a random freaking line-up. I wouldn't have paired the two together in a thousand years. Good night Peoria.
yeah appears that MAD had another great time...'cept maybe for all the other folk...should hve sent them home or...hey S.I.T.D.Co has a...let's say puts it together...grabbed their downloads...a couple words 'bout them (another day perhaps)...damn they do "otto's" MAD could kill two birds w/ one visit...i mean like ah see S.I.T.D.Co again and whittle away at he drink menu that he was going complete—somewhere earlier in this venture—ah but left by the wayside hell perhaps nobody would realize that it was orphaned after a couple chillmaster dance parties...fuck rambled on too long... S.I.T.D.Co seems like a good time...thanks...
And then as we played more and more as a trio, it became more and more of a situation where we realized we really knew how to use the fourth member of the group - that space. The thing about the trio is that it's the biggest sound you can have with the smallest unit.
Charlie Hunter
rr
Live music rocks!!!Keep those venues occupied and vibrant.
@csp: I was right up by the stage and high on angel dust, quite an evening!
@rr: It's tough for me to see them at Otto's because of work, but that could all change next year, something for a future post. Great quote from WKOQ!
@Melanie: Agreed! Nothing like seeing a live band!
That looks like a show I'd love to see! And nice reference to "The Ref!" One of the best movies I've ever seen. And I despise Kevin Spacey.
@Biff: They're a great band! I too love the Ref, I need to watch it now that it's Christmas season.