Hebrew School

Sunset from Manhattan Bridge via subway, en route to gig

Getting a call on a Sunday morning to play at Webster Hall the same evening would seem like a rare thing. But somehow the day began to acquire its own unusualness. It was unseasonably warm and sunny, to begin with, and I got all caught up in the historicity of it for me. Besides, Hugo Chavez was deploying troops on the border with Columbia, further driving up the prices of oil (and cocaine). And mother Russia was holding an election.

above, L to R: myself, Tim Monaghan, Alicia Jo Rabins, Annette Ezekiel, Taylor Bergren-Chrisman, Aaron Diskin

So the various members of Golem, who had spread themselves out for a hitherto quiet weekend, hurriedly drove, flew, and paddled back to the city for a show with Leningrad, an energetic, 17-or-so-piece ska/rock band from– as you might guess– St. Petersburg.

Me, I took the R train (rerouted over the Manhattan Bridge, see above).

Leningrad at work. The band drew a very enthusiastic crowd, mostly seeming to be Russian or Russian ex-pats. A barrier was erected in front of the stage prior to their set.

“Полный Пиздец”

“Charalatan-ka”

“Bublichki”