CMJ was a lot of fun this year. You kind of don't know what to expect when every band in the known universe converges on one place: Will you get lost in the shuffle? Will you be a victim of cynicism and overly tired audiences? Will you find parking?

This year, we decided to limit it to two shows: one official, and one party.

The party was sponsored in part by EarFarm: as a site, it's one of the best music blogs out there. As a person, he's become one of our closest friends (30 days in a van will do that). We got to share the bill with Hull, who've become good friends and whose amplifiers made their way into our video for "Goes Cube Song 30." (see below)

We also played with our pals Man In Gray who we see approximately 800 times a week walking around the neighborhood, at the practice space, at the bar, getting coffee, etc. Always fun to play with friends, 'cos regardless of the turnout, there's a good vibe.

As it turned out, we played to a good crowd and cranked our amplifiers past the point of good taste. EarFarm took a cool video of "Goes Cube Song 47." See below.

Our official showcase was at Club Midway, and we played with two bands who we'd never met before: Mussels, and The Forms. Now, we knew of Mussels but had only heard a couple tracks on their page. They seemed cool so we wanted to be sure to check them out. We showed up in time to meet them and watch their set, and they were great. And their gear was awesome, too. So many Fenders... Totally cool dudes, and they've got chops.

Next up was the Forms. We've been fans of the Forms for a while. And by while, I mean years. So when we finally got to meet them, it was awesome, and we didn't exactly downplay what we thought of them: "you guys are fucking awesome," was probably said a good 25 times. They were also totally great guys. They put on a hell of a show. A lot of energy, and they were super tight. They closed with their song "Knowledge In Hand," which has been in full rotation at the Goes Cube houses for about a month.

Both bands stuck around to see our set (which, you know, in NYC rarely happens.... CMJ or no CMJ), and again we were pleasantly surprised to see that not every person went to see the Jesu/Torche show that night. (Those who did: How was it? We're jealous, as that was the ONE show we were dying to see. Note to CMJ organizers: Feel free to add us to that bill next year.) It was a good crowd, the sound was good, and the space was excellent: a low stage makes it easy to run into the crowd.

After the set, a nice woman from LimeWire approached us and took pictures of us for a CMJ Photo essay, which can be summed up like this: David, awkward. Matt, awkward. Kenny, male model.

At the end of the night, we felt we'd made friends with two other bands, and played a fun set for a good crowd.

It was a great CMJ, and we even got a bit of press out of it:

Metromix was at our Club Midway show and reviewed it:
CMJ doesn't exactly fulfill your average heavy music fan's needs. With just a smattering of metal and stoner-rock shows at odd hours and odder venues, Brooklyn's Goes Cube were a refreshing anomaly in an already interesting bill at Midway. Taking guitar cues from heavier classic indie rock (Dino Jr) and a rhythm foundation equally steeped in early '90's hardcore and Sleep-inspired doom and you get the idea. This is already down-tuned fun, but what really made this set was the true punk fuck-off of forced audience participation. When the singer/guitarist lunged into the crowd like he was in a joust or took the mic up to a random crowd member for a grasping scream-along, it was a nice reminder that live music can still be dangerous. —Carl Gambrell

The LimeWire Photo Essay. Here's the intro:
At Midway on Saturday night, I walked in on Goes Cube. So much rock, so much hair! It was pretty crowded in the basement, as it seems they have a loyal following. That didn't stop frontman David Obuchowski from getting off the stage and thrashing around with the fans. These guys will be on tour in November, if you like heavy music as much as I do, it's a must-see show.

Stereogum came out to Club Midway and saw the Forms and part of our set (they had to run off to karaoke... not Jesu/Torche) and said:
...we didn't have long to stay for another of our favorite locals, Goes Cube, but the trio still managed to permanently damage our hearing more in those ten minutes than most other acts combined. Worth it? Of course. (Ears are still chiming, though.)

Previous to our shows, LimeWire did a write up on us, which is really flattering:
Heavy as hell, and equally ominous, Goes Cube is an almost purely visceral experience. Though at times evocatively chilly, this trio definitely puts the emphasis on power, without a trace of histrionics (either vocally or musically); metal they're not. To give you an idea of the degree to which this band lacks sentimentality, all of Goes Cube's songs are numbered. "Goes Cube Song 46" is a good clue as to what this group is all about, in many ways. And get ready for some impeccable drumming. The recent addition of drummer Kenny Appell (supplanting the band's previous drum machine) gives the act ample muscle while retaining the tense, clicking rhythms. To me, the effect is not unlike Helmet, QOTSA or similarly smart, sweeping but emotionally-detached (though not humorless) post-hardcore acts. Definitely worth seeing...

Here's that video of "Goes Cube Song 47"


Oh, and what the hell... Here's the video for "Goes Cube Song 30," so you can see Hull's amplifiers. You'll have to squint to see them, though, 'cos they're tiny. And by "tiny," I mean "fucking huge."


Onwards:

Goes Cube tours with our buddies, The Giraffes (who are fucking awesome, and who will be defeated by Goes Cube in many a bowling game between here and the Midwest).

Then, after a break for Thanksgiving, we're honored to be supporting Planes Mistaken For Stars (absolutely totally earth shatteringly amazing) on their farewell tour (so sad...): Mercury Lounge 11/24, and Asbury Park, NJ 11/25.