LimeWire Music Blog

My Saturday night began with an incredibly impromptu performance. Local favorites Blacklist invited me onstage for a pre-CMJ performance at the brand-new Knitting Factory (which was once, as some may recall, the old Luna Lounge). The gig featured ex-Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur, performing for the first time in ages in support of a new film and her upcoming sophomore record.

While Melissa was sweet, kind, and personable before the performance, her onstage presence is simply electric. The show began with righteous fury, as giant, commanding riffs lit up the packed venue. Melissa appeared, bass in tow, and performed a solid forty-five minute set of both new and old material, showcasing her prowess as both a bassist and a songwriter.

Just as I had given up on guitars, Miss Auf der Maur re-instilled my faith in the them, layering riff over riff over riff. Her vocals flew seamlessly over the din, both delicate and menacing, aiming to cut everyone in the venue down to size. A few new, promising numbers made their cathartic debut, offering an enticing sneak peak into her upcoming release. Meanwhile, one of the most striking tracks was “Followed the Waves,” a single plucked from Auf der Maur’s 2004 debut. With a nursery rhyme-esque refrain and climactic conclusion, the song ended the main set with proper finesse.

Though it was the last song performed by Auf der Maur’s full band, she returned after a short wait to play one of her very first compositions. Kicking in a heavy dose of post-punk chorus, Melissa performed this final number solo, gracefully crooning over a driving bass riff. Though I enjoyed the preceding set, this particular number was easily my favorite of the lot, concluding the evening on a more intimate note, summing up the entire experience in one refined moment. A great set and a great experience: What more could I ask for?

Photos after the jump.

(iPhone shots by Frank Deserto)