Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Opinionist: The Earlies @ Mercury Lounge
By
Jeff Baum
Published Dec 18, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jeff Baum
Published Dec 18, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A few times a week, Gothamist publishes music reviews by our contributor Jeff Baum. The opinions below belong entirely to the author.
I had read about The Earlies a few months back, when Arctic Monkeys fever was sweeping through downtown Manhattan. Some had claimed that these guys would be the next "band of the month" that everyone would go balls out crazy for once the hype had moved on. They certainly have the set up and the back story to get peoples' attention. The band is composed of 8 members, with 6 from London and other two, (including the lead singer) hailing from West Texas. They are signed to an ambitious indie label, Secretly Canadian, who has recently been known to take chances on some unconventional success stories (think Antony and the Johnsons). On Friday, they were finishing up their first North American Tour ever at the Mercury Lounge. While the hype never really reached the point some had predicted, I was still excited to see how this band would look and sound live, especially after a few weeks on the road.
They all piled on stage a little after midnight. 8 members indeed, as promised. They looked and sounded like a hybrid of The Drive-By Truckers and Elbow, with the slightest bits of Sigur Ros and Arcade Fire dramatics thrown in at crucial points. It was interesting to see the Long-haired, Jack-Daniels-t-shirt clad frontman with the very British seeming backing band. Despite their various backgrounds, and the fact that they were just finishing up what was most likely the longest amount of consecutive time they had all ever spent together, they seemed to get along with each other nicely, playfully teasing each other at times between songs. Their musical influences blended just as well, creating an impressively unique, yet familiar sound.
A few of their songs were truly remarkable, including the showstopper ' Wayward Song', which seems destined to be the future background music to your favorite scene in your favorite movie. The most interesting dynamic of their set was when the sitar player from the opening band The High Dials came on and plinged along to a couple songs, effectively substituting the electronic sounds that appear on the album. It was a nice treat. The kind of surprise that makes a live show stand out from the recorded material.
All in all it was an excellent set. They are the type of band that could really open up on a larger stage. I hope the next time they get together and come through town they get the opportunity to fill a worthy space.
Have a listen to some of their songs at their Myspace page.
Tagged
arcade fire
Arctic Monkeys
By Truckers
downtown
fire
General Admission
gothamist
Jeff Baum
live show
london
manhattan
mercury lounge
Music
myspace
North American
On Friday
opinions
review
secretly canadian
Sigur Rós
texas
The Earlies
the future
tour
West Texas
Jeff Baum
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 23, 2026
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .