Afro Punk Fest: Featuring Death – Living Colour – and more – at Commodore Barry Park – Brooklyn, NY

In Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park, I had the privilege of seeing two bands, each of which have punched racism through its ugly face! When Detroit based punk band Death (1973-1980) recorded their first album in the summer of 1975, no one was playing like they were. And African Americans “weren’t supposed” to be playing rock or Punk.

 

But led by their visionary brother, David Hackney II, Death did just that. Nearly 35 years later, their music is finally being given the respect it deserves and its rightful place in the annals of punk history.

So when Death walked onstage, dreadlocks and all, electricity coursed through the crowd. What would it be like hearing one of the progenitors of punk? The photo pit was packed and ready. As soon as they got on stage, Drummer Dannis Hackney, singer/bassist Bobby Hackney, and guitarist Bobbie Duncan dove right into “Keep on Knockin” and Duncan’s guitar solo was raw. People couldn’t believe they were hearing Death play live!

They followed with “Rock and Roll Victim”. But before they played “Let the World Turn”, Bobby dedicated the song to their late brother and band member Danny Hackney II. Bobby said he was looking down at them from the heavens. Then they played and Dannis treated us to a drum solo. Having a blast up there, Bobby couldn’t help beaming and jumping joyfully throughout the set.

Next was “You’re a Prisoner” at the end of which Bobby said “Yes, we’re Death from Detroit. We have a way of rising back up or as we liked to say in 1975…” and then he screamed “Death!” and they played “Freakin Out”. “Where Do We Go From Here” was next with its bass intro.

Finally, Bobby told us “This is the one that started it all for us in 1975. This is called ‘Politicians In My Eyes’.” As they finished the song, happiness radiated from brothers Bobby and Dannis and from Duncan too. They thanked the audience. Everyone cheered. Their story blows me away – see the moving documentary “A Band Called Death” to find out more. Also, listen to their first album DEATH…For The Whole World To See (2009) out from Drag City Records!

Living Colour, an entirely African American band, also challenged racism when they lit up the music world in 1988 with their funk metal album Vivid and hit song “Cult of Personality”. The crowd was psyched and the photo pit was all cameras. W. Kamau Bell did stand up, cracking us up, while Living Colour helped set up equipment (yes, they actually helped the crew!). Soon, Corey Glover joined Bell at the front of the stage and Bell enthusiastically introduced the band. 

Living Colour slammed into “Cult of Personality” – which was awesome to witness live (since I grew up with it)! Then Glover was in the audience, screaming and climbing the stage! Next, they rocked through “I Want To Know” and lead guitarist Vernon Reid killed his guitar solo so hard. Glover ended the song hitting crazy high notes that blew everyone away with the range of his voice - because it’s still totally intact!

Vernon Reid, his face expressive with emotion throughout the show, looked out over the audience arms open and said into the mic, “I’m fucking overwhelmed”. Then he dove into “Middle Man” with blazing guitar work. Glover told us “I used to get into a lot of trouble in this park, I did shit my parents still don’t know about.” Then he went backstage and reappeared with a video camera, shooting the audience and then himself while he sang “Desperate People”.

After “Open Letter (To A Landlord)” Vernon Reid said “How many of you all get stopped by the police? [Some people raised their hands] Well this song was written while they were still fucking with us.” Slamming bass from Dough Wimbish took the band into a great cover of “Fight The Power (Soul Power)” and the audience totally loved it.

Shredding guitar work and a throbbing bass opened “Memories Can’t Wait” and kept the energy going. They followed with “Broken Hearts”, “Glamour Boys” and “Which Way To America,” during which Reid said, “some of you all have never seen a VCR in your life!”

Throughout their set, Living Colour demonstrated their skilled musicianship: Reid’s virtuoso guitar work and Glover’s soulful and high vocals. There’s a reason they’re on tour through 2014. Check them out!

 

   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Gabriel Barbaro-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

 

 

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