The Friends of the Festival continue bringing the late summer party to the Riverfront Nights series. On Saturday, Aug.15, New York creative artists duo Hank & Cupcakes and opening local band Glowing Bordis were introduced by Kevin West of WGOW/KZ106.
It all started with Chattanooga’s own stage call of Glowing Bordis (https://www.facebook.com/GlowingBordis ) featuring Danimal Pinson (bass/vocal), TJ Greever (lead guitar/vocal), and Jonathan Susman. The group took only moments to crank up the bass, wire up the 6 string and fire up the drum kit for a solid more than 60-minute set preparing the crowd for the headline act. A photo journal profile of Glowing Bordis will appear soon on the Entertainment page of www.chattanoogan.com Hank & Cupcakes maintain a Facebook page and website at http://www.hankandcupcakes.com/
Sagit Shir and Ariel Scherbacovsky are nearing the end of a very aggressive 2015 National Tour performing literally all over the United States. They are very intelligent, creative, talented and have an unbelievable level of business savvy. Most importantly is their promptness and control of every aspect of their business both on and off stage. As Glowing Bordis the opening band was completing their stage set, Sagit and Ariel took time to do some meet and greets with friends and fans as well as enjoy the remainder of Glowing Bordis' performance.
Everyone has a first impression when you turn your attention to HnC on stage for the first time. What I saw and illustrated in the photos and videos has been captured many times by others, but often seen differently… well in my mind’s eye. With my countless years of using my trained eyes to capture lasting visions (https://www.facebook.com/LastingVisionStudio ) now technology has provided me with the aid of the digital world inside a Sony Alpha 99.
My very first impression was Hank producing unbelievable sound masses between his bass strings and mash pedals at times offering some very intimate and seductive moves on Cupcakes. All while Cupcakes took control of vocal leads in a passionate groove while adding some freakin dance moves. Also her in-sync rhythmic punishment on her drum kit achieves the unique sound quality with this Indie Rockin Grooving Duo. If you had your back turned or were standing in the nose bleed section, you would swear a stage full of musicians was giving support to this duo Chattanooga loves.
~~ Check out this performance video from Riverfront Nights … Here is Hank & Cupcakes opening the concert with “Ain’t No Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5rGBH5LJEc
I was first introduced to Hank & Cupcakes last year by Mike Dougher at Rhythm & Brews. I stopped in early to see how Mike and the staff were doing. He brought up Hank & Cupcakes and asked if I had ever photographed their performance before. He insisted, "Mark you have to stop in and see these kids from New York." I have learned when Mike makes a suggestion to me, it deserves my attention. It was one of the best experiences, not just the photography but seeing the creativity and passion both in their stage performance and music content from this duo act. We spent some time off stage with them at the merchandise table, it was obvious they found a natural way to connect on and off stage with their fans. Since that night, Mike has played a role in their return to Rhythm & Brews, the Riverbend Festival and Riverfront Nights all in 2015. Hank & Cupcakes expects to make one more event in Chattanooga before the year end at the new Revelry Room on the Southside.
The bio on HnC story has been written by others and photographed by many …… here is what they say …
Flush with simmering sexuality and irresistible dance pulse, Hank & Cupcakes are everything you would not expect them to be. Named in reference to notorious Charles ‘Hank’ Bukowski and one of his lovers ‘Cupcakes’, this Brooklyn-based duo by way of Tel Aviv, Israel and Melbourne, Australia are the coalescence of rock without guitars and pop without synthesizers.
With their full luscious sound, breathtaking stage personas and the brutal honesty with which they play, Pedal board magician Hank commands an army of pedals with his bass guitar while powerhouse vocalist/drummer Cupcakes dominates the drums standing up while belting out emotive and groove filled vocals, making it difficult to believe there are only two people on stage. Pinpointing down to a certain genre of music is hard with this duo.
With a recklessness reminiscent of Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, an early Red Hot Chili Pepper rawness, a fun-punk Ting Tings vibe and a ‘The Kills’ raw rock sex appeal, Hank & Cupcakes are the embodiment of all of those, creating a new hybrid of music motivated by true freedom and boundless limits.
Hailed by MTV as a “Fresh new artist with an infectious blend of electro pop goodness” by Paste Magazine as “Irresistibly Danceable” and as having a “Funky Fresh Sound” by the New York Post, the powerful duo are now honing their explosive live performances in front of audiences as they tour the country in support of their second studio album ‘CA$H 4 GOLD’ .
So check them out more of their Riverfront Nights performance athttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW3G8J9ydx6SAybDTL79Dqgle7NsGWZxM and buy your tickets through the Revelry venue early for the October performance; they are sure to sell out at the new Revelry Room at the Choo Choo District.
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Mark A Herndon, certified professional geologist and professional photographer grew up in Chattanooga area, graduated from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. He is the Entertainment and Chattanooga cityscape/event photographer affiliated with Chattanoogan.com and contributor to magazines, venues and various festivals including Riverbend Festival, Nightfall Music Series, Road To Nightfall, Riverfront Nights, Southern Brewery Festival, Roof Top Hop, Wine Over Water and other events. Email at; MAHerndon@ChattanoogaLiveMusic.com