A blog about music, pop culture, the Strokes, Jack White, and NYC at large.
Just getting this one in under the wire for Strokes March Madness month.
Back in the early 2000s, The Strokes had a paid fan club that you could join and receive mailed newsletters from the band.
Here’s the “ace” of a cover of the fourth newsletter from Winter 2003.
Love the slogan, “Forget What You Heard”!
Here’s another shot from the October 31, 2001 Hammerstein Ballroom show of The Strokes.
Julian Casablancas is so boss in this photo.
Here’s another photo from that glorious night at The Strokes show in November 2001. This time it’s a photo of a young Nikolai Fraiture — clutching a beer, sporting a workman-style outfit, and donning that classic pageboy haircut.
Continue reading “March Madness: Nikolai Fraiture @ The Vanderbilt”
Another photo from the Strokes November 29, 2001 show at the Vanderbilt on Long Island.
This one is of Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti. I feel like this photo is classic Fab, with his style signature of a Coca-Cola tee in full force. Lovely!
Continue reading “March Madness: Fabrizio Moretti @ The Vanderbilt”
On November 29, 2001 The Strokes played a headlining show at a now defunct music venue on Long Island called The Vanderbilt. The openers were The Moldy Peaches and The Realistics and tickets were a whopping $16.50.
According to a diary entry I wrote at the time, the crowd was very young due to the fact that it was an all-ages venue. I remember the crowd was pretty intense, with huge dudes pushing tiny little girls in the front into the barricades. I also distinctly remember feeling a sharp pain around my buttocks during the show, and only later that night did I realize the vicious girl that was standing behind me had actually stabbed me with a broken drumstick that she caught during The Realistics’ set.
During the show things got even more rowdy and Julian Casablancas had to tell the crowd to “stop the fighting” and Fab Moretti stage dove into the audience… twice.
I was at the show with a couple friends, one of which was this crazy French girl I became friends with via the Internet. After the show she decided we were all going to sneak backstage, which we did with moderate ease, and while back there we managed to snag some shots with some of the band members.
Here’s a photo that was taken of guitarist Nick Valensi that night. He looks so young in this photo… and all sorts of confused.
Continue reading “March Madness: Nick Valensi @ The Vanderbilt”
When worlds collide! Jack White and Julian Casablancas share a few words (and a kiss) at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom back in the day.
This is an interview with Nick Valensi from October 2001 in Newsday.
Favorite pull quote: “It was never our intention to be the saviors of rock and roll.”
In 2001, The Strokes offered fans a way to ring in the new year with them with a special pair of shows co-headlined with Guided By Voices at the world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem.
I remember going to the Dec 30th show and totally freaking out over Ryan Adams being there with Meg White. That’s right – The Strokes, Ryan Adams, and Meg White all in the same room. It’s a miracle my brain didn’t explode right then and there.
For the Village Voice 2002 Pazz & Jop Critics’ Poll, artist Chris Sickels did this rendering of the five guys from NYC playing in front of an adoring crowd.
I took this photo on October 31, 2001 at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. The Papaya Kings (featuring JP Bowersock) and a costumed Moldy Peaches opened up for this Halloween show.
The tickets were $20, and Julian Casablancas was sporting a military jacket and a Joe Camel t-shirt. He also had eyes made of laser beams.
Continue reading “March Madness: The Strokes @ Hammerstein Ballroom”