Glamdammit: Walk on the Lower East Side
Show Review ★ Hadley Balser ★ @hadleybalseronpitch ★ 3 Minutes
At a music venue in the Lower East Side, a group of like-minded music lovers gathered to celebrate one of the most important NYC musical icons ever: Lou Reed. Located underneath a bar on East 2nd Street, the entrance was a long staircase leading to a darkly veiled room with a bar, a stage, and a back room.
This event was organized by Glamdammit, the longest-running NYC event that honors glam rock, power pop, and punk music. Founded in September 2004, this event is curated by NYC local nightlife icons DJ Twig the Wonderkid (“Drive-In Saturday,” anyone?) and Michael T.
As a recent resident of NYC, I had little idea of the legendary event I was stepping into, just excited to witness and cover a Lou Reed tribute. Standing at the bar with my Midori Sour, I surveyed the scene. A mix of seasoned vets and young music enthusiasts alike filled the small venue. The space around me was a sea of leather jackets and berets, no doubt a nod to the name of the venue, Berlin.
In between sets, the DJ Twig the Wonder Kid played songs ranging from “Never Tear Us Apart” to “Raw Power,” interspersed with glam rock like “Metal Guru.” In other words, at Glamdammit, they know their fucking music. Most of the time, when I’m in public, I wish I was the one on the aux, but this queue was unbeatable.
The first act, band The Saint Mark’s Saints, is a rock group with an engaging frontman and lots of coiled-up energy. Their set spanned covers like “The Devil’s Right Hand” and “Got My Mojo Working.” The Saints are grounded, earthy, and real, without sacrificing fun. A perfect opener.
Berlin itself was decorated for the occasion, with deep red glowing lights and videos of Lou Reed and Nico flashing on the projector. It was surreal, looking at the images of Lou Reed and knowing he started right here in NYC, just like me. So many legendary artists have played right here in the Lower East Side. It felt like I could blink, and the New York Dolls would be performing “Personality Crisis” right before my eyes.
The second group, Black Light Bastards, featured Ingrid Larsen with insane vocal range and incredible power behind her performance. While they were on stage, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. She sang a song titled “Lions Ate The Poachers”—what is more punk rock than that?
One of the things that struck me most about the tribute night was the sense of community felt between everyone in the room. People from fellow bands stuck around to watch each other perform, and it felt like everyone around me was hugging or talking animatedly with an old friend.
By the time the third band, Push!, came on, people were dancing and clapping along. The first song, “No Self Control Tonight,” caught my ear in particular. The mix of keyboard and synchronized vocals only added to the track's 80s new wave rock sound. After the bands performed, a burlesque dancer known as Venus in Pleather performed to the Velvet Underground’s “Venus in Furs.” A perfect way to honor the song.
By the time the tribute started, my feet hurt and my train was on the way, and it seemed I’d been standing forever. None of that mattered, though, when Richard Dev Greene stepped onstage. Greene looked more like David Bowie than anyone I’d ever seen, with a loose button-down, lightning bolt necklace, and hair red like Ziggy Stardust.
Immediately, the energy was different. The audience was waiting with bated breath, seeming to know something I didn’t. When the band launched into “I’m Waiting For The Man,” I understood why. Each song was performed with a mix of loyalty and ingenuity. Greene nailed Lou Reed’s classic sing-talk depth. He delivered the lines in Reed’s deadpan way while the band performed a sped-up, punk version of “Femme Fatale.” To my surprise and delight, the band performed classics from one of my favorite albums, Lou Reed’s Transformer. I never thought I’d be singing along to “Vicious” or “Hangin’ Round” at a music venue in NYC, but it turns out the city brings you dreams you never thought to have.
The encore proved to be the greatest treasure. The crowd cheered for more, and the band began “Walk On The Wild Side.” I was swaying next to strangers, singing in one collective chorus about Holly, Candy, and Jackie. It felt magical to be among them, all of these fans of different ages gathered to celebrate Lou Reed.
That wasn’t the end, though. Almost as if they knew me, the band began to play “Rebel Rebel” by David Bowie, with Michael T joining in on vocals. Greene’s likeness to the great musical icon meant I was the closest I’d get to hearing this song from Bowie himself. It was a pinch-me, unbelievable moment.
Richard Dev Greene is returning in a tribute to the beloved rockabilly band The Cramps on October 28 at Bowery Palace in NYC. Get tickets here, and stay tuned for all things Glamdammit!
