Kid
Congo Powers is celebrating the release of two albums
at Tonic
on March 3, 2006. 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 the songs of Kid Congo
Powers. The event also marks New
York Night Train webzine’s debut as a record
label. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Kid has gathered an
all-star cast of collaborators, friends, and favorites that amounts
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 significance of the pairing
of both a current and former member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds,
the show will also mark 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 (The Social Registry
records!), Botanica
(Paul Wallfisch’s project), and Stu
Spasm (ex-Lubricated
Goat, Crunt, etc.) will perform short sets. An final significant
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.), Sean
Maffucci (Icewater Scandal), and Patrick Holmes
(avant jazz clarinetist). The night’s master of ceremonies
will be none other than
Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers, His Problem,
etc.), and the DJ for the entire evening will be the eternal sassiest
boy in America, Ian
Svenonius (Weird War, ex-Make-Up, Nation of Ulysses,
etc.). Unannounced special surprise guests will make appearances
as well.
Press
Release w/bio(pdf)
Kid Congo Powers
hi-res press photo
Pink Monkey Birds
hi-res press photo
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