We Saw This: Merchandise

Tampa Bays’ Merchandise played Wierd night in NYC to a pleased and packed house. I usually have no trouble weaseling to the front at Wierd, but an eager crowd had already formed more than a half an hour before their set. Elbowing past a sea of girls who want to have singer Carson Cox’s babies, I managed to get so close to the stage I got slammed onto it in just a few minutes into their set.

Merchandise plays pretty music, even when it is wrapped in noise. The boys took the stage and after a quick huddle, began to play as the entire room erupted. Crowd surfing, broken bottles, and fist-pumping singalongs are all things you may have associated with their former projects, Cult Ritual or Neon Blud, but boy did it get wild. I thought the iconic Wierd disco ball was coming down for sure, but thankfully it was not moshed to the ground.

Carson swung from the ceiling and was passed around the venue, mic still in hand. Dave and Pat strummed along intensely, and you could not help but feel that you were witnessing something pretty fucking magical. Merchandise didn’t just fall out of the sky last night though, so after more than seven years of molding their unique sound it they’ve finally gotten the respect and love that they deserve. It also helps when you make an outstanding record like Children of Desire too. Good job boys!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Merchandise after their Philadelphia show, read it here .

Bonus Points for the night: Long time Flordia friend and former Diet Cokeheads member taking the stage as the bands unofficial backup dancer. Points subtracted for the night: I was too busy taking pictures to notice my boyfriend making out with a boy right behind me.