Words by Willa Rudolph / Photos by Layla Blue Rudolph (sister piece, yay!!)
Last Friday, December 12th, young New Yorkers traveled through the biting cold to see NYC-based indie rock outfit The Dutch Kills launch their brand new single “Molly Screams” at Mercury Lounge, supported by fellow-NYC bands Veronica and Boxxer.
The show was rowdy, lit, and an incredible way to send us all off for the holidays. Bookended by icy cigarette breaks, the show was hot, and the vocal performances of each band stood out most to me. (Maybe that’s just ‘cuz I’m a singer, too, but the guitarists were also insane.)
Sofia’s been leaning more and more numetal these days with the wall of distorted guitar and the strong female vocal–sometimes they almost have an Evanescence vibe to them, but her stage performance usually involves an understated, cute lil’ outfit, and crawling around on the floor. Zarzuela did not disappoint, singing her heart out and captivating the audience with her raw emotion. I truly don’t get sick of watching them play!
Veronica opened, playing mostly new and unreleased songs–”Groupie,” “Lick the Star,” and I didn’t catch the other one’s name, but lead singer Sofia Zarzuela called it her “lesbian song.” The set also included a cover of Lana Del Rey’s “Put Me In A Movie.” They opened with crowd faves “Pleasantville” and “Tangerine.”
Guitarist Dylan Hamburger has a couple stellar moments and as the sole guitar in the band, always makes it sound super full. Their new bassist Kelsey Kussman holds it all down so well alongside drummer Billy Hay (kind of the backbone of it all), and with her long blonde hair, she’s kind of like the “Betty” to Sofia’s “Veronica” (Archie comics are a huge touchpoint for Zarzuela).
Read our past pieces on Veronica:
– Sunday screams: Veronica, Epoxy & Gertie at Night Club 101
– Out TODAY! Veronica’s New EP Rottweiler
Next was Boxxer, and by now the classic venue had really filled out. I’d never seen Boxxer before, but I’m a convert now. At times they reminded me of The Verve, having long jams in their songs, and loud but distant vocals from lead singer Max Lavinsky. Other times, they reminded me of new mega-band Geese. But, Lavinsky’s style was clearly so authentic to him. He wasn’t trying to be anything, just was showing up and doing his thing.
Boxxer injected static electricity into the room, and Lavinsky’s vocal performance was beyond words. His control is something to behold. Lavinsky will take the mic closer to his mouth, then further, holding a note or even screaming one, controlling exactly how the vocal will sound to the room. It was awesome to watch. Other than The Verve, and Geese, I was reminded of Oasis, The Stone Roses, even Blur.
Boxxer is Christian Noll (guitar), Chili Hopkins (guitar), Heather Jensen (bass guitar), Archer Carr-Engler (drums), and Max Lavinsky (vocals).
Finally, it was time for The Dutch Kills to take the stage. The room was shoulder to shoulder, the excitement radiating off the crowd. Their single “Molly Screams” had already dropped earlier that day and had proven to be catchy and memorable instantaneously, upon listening to it.
They played “Ew,” and a couple others, sticking “Molly Screams” smack dab in the middle, followed by “Counter” and more. (Sorry I don’t remember the exact set, plus some of the songs sounded new to me since I hadn’t seen them in a minute)
BUT!!! Needless to say, they totally shredded!!! Lead singer Julia Von Dutch would slam on her guitar, shimmying back and forth with bassist Maxine McCormick, then scream her resonant raspy voice into the mic, then turn around and jump up and down with lead guitarist Alec Berry. The band’s chemistry with one another is so engaging, and they’re so fun to see in the flesh.
“Molly Screams” is an infectious track about a girl who just screams being her authentic self. It begins, “Molly screams in the middle of the night / Nothing’s wrong, she’s just doin’ alright / That’s what I like.” Von Dutch launches into the most catchy chorus a girl could ask for on this wintery day. I just want to jump and scream and bang my head around even while listening to it right now, on my living room floor.
If I had to choose one band that reminds me most of The Pink Slips from Freaky Friday, it’d for sure be The Dutch Kills.
Appearing on the cover of the single is artist and photographer Molly Johnson a.k.a. Dream Gal. The song also seems to completely describe her, citing her freckles and tattoos and accents of pink. Molly the muse!! She also appeared on the single cover for The Dutch Kills’ “Cheap Love.”
Also, sue me, I can’t help thinking of “Molly Smiles” from Uptown Girls.
The show was such a blast, I highly recommend streaming these artists over your holiday breaks! From shoegaze grunge leaning towards nu-metal, to alternative rock with hints of britpop and shoegaze, to Bikini-kill meets Sleater Kinney meets pop-punk, the throughlines included thoughtful songwriting, insane vocal performances, and wildly energetic sets that sent electric shocks through every viewer.
Keep up with “The Dutch Kills” here.
The Dutch Kills are Alec Berry (guitar), Maxine McCormick (bass), Heather Jensen (drums), and Julia Von Dutch (vocals, guitar).
Read our past pieces on TDK:
– EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: The Dutch Kills drop new single “Ew!”…Official release show caps off Deli’s 20th ‘Deliversary’ celebration @ Arlene’s Grocery (Sat. 12/14)
– Rotten Apple To The Core – The Dutch Kills’ Debut EP The Rot
– Happy Birthday To Us! A 20th “Deliversary” Report (live review, photo essay)
– Sleazeball: Le Bang’s Single Release Show for “Wannabe”
Keep up with “The Dutch Kills” here…