SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS

with BLACKPOOL (featuring Melody Bleak)

(Page 1 of 4). December 7, 2007; Rebel; NYC

Voted NYC's Best Band in the 2007 Village Voice Readers Poll, Semi Precious Weapons definitely keep good company. I'd seen them twice before this show at Rebel on December 7th which found them on the bill with Melody Bleak's band Blackpool. The first time, they were playing at an afterparty for a fashion show on the same bill with ex-Sex Pistol Glen Matlock (photo gallery forthcoming) and, the next time, they were opening up for oldschool punk pioneers The Vibrators (for a gallery of that show, click here). They're managed by photographer, writer and rock 'n' roll veteran BP Fallon. There's a fun scene surrounding the band, they strike me as nice guys, I always have fun at their high-energy shows, and (most importantly) their female fans are gorgeous and really make the whole thing what it is. Above, this pixie-esque SPW fan models my beret, which she had just swiped off my head prior to my taking this picture.

Jenny Brown, fashionista, friend and fan of Semi Precious Weapons, dressed to kill.

Hardcore SPW fans. On the left is Platinum Ann who is something of a muse for the band. On the right is Kellie, who told me she'll be traveling to England to see the band’s shows there in early 2008.

Opening up for Semi Precious Weapons are Blackpool, fronted by the exquisite Melody Bleak.

Blackpool’s bassist, Graham vanderVeen, used to play with former Misfits Michale Graves and Dr. Chud, the later of whom was in the audience. Following Blackpool, another band played called Action City Blackout. One of the members of the band started their set by yelling something like, “Are you ready to go to Action City, baby?!” I thought to myself, "Balls to that" and I went to the bar instead of photographing them. I wasn't impressed with their sound. Once they finished their set, I went back up to the stage and…

Semi Precious Weapons went on. Here’s a fly’s eye-view of flamboyant frontman Justin Tranter, shot through a kaleidoscope filter.

Above: bassist Cole Whittle, in stereo.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW