The James Rocket/Curtis Suburban/St. Divine @ Young Ethel's, Brooklyn, NY 1/5/25

My A Bunch of Girls/Saint Bastard co-hort James Roy put together a great show featuring his band The James Rocket at Young Ethel in Park Slope on a Sunday afternoon. Perfect for a first weekend in January and he had a nice full room. I got there roughly mid-set for St. Divine, an excellent Americana band with Emmylou Harris-style harmonies from Judy Ann Nock along with Will Croxton. They have other bands she has Psych-O-Positive and is part of Ivan Julian and the Magnificent Six. Will is in DT and the Shakes, Idle, DriverX, The Habit, They Royal Wylds and Them Sinners. Prolific!

James Rocket played the middle set and previewed their new album recorded by Martin Bisi that is being pressed up as we speak. Martin was in the audience, so there you have it. My favorite track has an ending that almost sounds like Neil Young's Crazy Horse, which is unlike anything else James has done over the years.

Closing it out were Curtis Suburban. They reminded me of a Boston Rock 80's bar band that would play the Rat. They also reminded me of the Volcano Suns when their drummer was doing harmony vocals with the guitarist. They passed out some cigarette boxes, one of which was full of roasted cashews that were delicious, and the other was full of Hershey Kisses which I dutifully got out of my pocket when I got home because you know how given out Kisses have a way of turning into melted glop in warm pockets.