KID CONGO POWERS DOUBLE RECORD RELEASE PARTY Tonic, March 3, 2006
Kid Congo Powers is celebrating the release of two albums on March 3, 2006 at Tonic.
The first, Solo Cholo, is a career-spanning compilation focusing on the legendary guitarist’s work as a vocalist and songwriter from 1985 to the present. The second, Philosophy and Underwear, is the debut recording of his current New York band, Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds - in which Kid not only sings, but also plays blistering dual guitars with ace Jack Martin (Knoxville Girls, Honeymoon Killers, etc.). After twenty-five years in the recording business (The Cramps’ Psychedelic Jungle was 1981), these two albums are the first full-length recordings that focus on Kid’s songs. The event also marks New York Night Train webzine’s debut as a record label. For this momentous occasion Kid has gathered an all-star cast of collaborators, friends, and favorites that will amount to one of the most unusual assemblages of underground figures in downtown history.
The headliner is of course Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds. The Birds will also back up Thalia Zedek (ex-Come, Live Skull, Uzi, etc.) on a few Gun Club numbers (Zedek is the vocalist who reminds Kid most of Jeffrey Lee Pierce).Another highlight of the evening is the reunion of the original New York version of Congo Norvell – Kid, Sally Norvell (actress, ex-Norvells, Prohibition, etc.), Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Vanity Set, ex-Sonic Youth, Cramps, etc.), Paul Wallfisch (Botanica, ex-Firewater, Love and Rockets, etc.), and Brian Emrich (film composer, ex-Foetus, Toasters, etc.). In addition to the pairing of both a current and former member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, the show is also significant in that it marks this acclaimed ensemble’s first performance of the 21st Century. Kid will also join German experimental musician/producer/arranger Marcus Schmicklr (AKA Pluramon) in providing the accompaniment for Twin Peaks diva Julee Cruise. The Electroputas (Social Registry Records!), Botanica (Paul Wallfisch’s project), and Stu Spasm (ex-Lubricated Goat, Crunt, etc.) will perform short sets. A final significant musical event will be the New York debut of a brand new downtown supergroup, Size Queens - featuring Jack Martin, Bob Bert (International Shades, ex-Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, etc.), Ron Ward (Speedball Baby, ex-Blood Oranges, etc.) and Sean Maffucci ( Icewater Scandal). The night’s master of ceremonies is none other than Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers), and the evening’s DJ is the eternal sassiest boy in America, Ian Svenonius (Weird War, ex-Make-Up, Nation of Ulysses, etc.). A few unannounced special surprise guests will make appearances as well.
TONIC IS AT 107 NORFOLK ST. BTWN DELANCY AND RIVINGTON .. LOWER EAST SIDE
