Story & photos by Jim Testa

It had been a hard week for Oliver Ignatius, the producer, musician, and godfather of the Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen collective. His faithful dog that he'd had since childhood had passed away, and that coupled with turmoil within his band Ghost Pal weighed heavily on his spirits. Oliver had to play host and showrunner for the 18th Mama Coco's showcase, this one at the gorgeously decorated Brooklyn DIY space Free Candy on Friday, February 22, and you could tell he wasn't having a good time. Until, that is, his band Ghost Pal reached the triumphant gospel-tinged crescendo of the band's movingly spiritual cover of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." Then the power of rock 'n' roll did what it has always done, at its best; it set Oliver's soul free. For that one special moment, we weren't in a dance club anymore; we were in church. And we knew Raja was in heaven, and that it was going to be okay.

For the uninitiated, Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen is technically a recording studio in Brooklyn. For those on the inside, it has become much more than that; an extended family, a community, that overused and often misapplied term "a music scene." When you go to a Mama Coco's show, all the bands share a bond; not that they've all recorded at Mama Coco's (which they have,) but bonds of friendship, camaraderie, and support. Moved by the magic and the music, fans and musicians dance uncontrollably, they grab the mic and shout along with the choruses. It's not just a show; it's a celebration.

The Graveyard Kids


And this night was no different. As the Mama Coco's community continues to grow, new groups add their distinctive voices; all of these young bands have their own distinctive styles. A 6-band Mama Coco's showcase has the allure of Forrest Gump's famous box of chocolates; you're never sure what you'll get, even from bands you've seen before.

This show started with the debut of Mothers, a psychdelic trio fronted by Ben Wallin and featuring Burke Williams (of another MC band, Dr. Skinnybones) on bass. Unfortunately, mass transit conspired to keep me from catching their set, but people were still buzzing about it when I arrived at Free Candy.

Next up were the Graveyard Kids, one of the younger bands in the scene, who sing with punk rock abandon but punctuate their fast, punchy songs with freakout guitar solos. True to their name, they like to sing about death and dead things, never better than on the band's standout song "Raft Of The Medusa," with its earwig "na na na" chorus and a hook that - in a better world - would be as ubiquitous on the radio as fun. Chadbourne Oliver exudes geeky charisma on lead vocals, while Jeremy Kolker - a blur of whirling energy and big hair - provides the guitar pyrotechnics.


Grand Rapids

I didn't know much about Grand Rapids other than their one track on the latest Mama Coco's free compilation, but I was definitely impressed. Broadly you'd call them a melodic garage band, but the songwriting and arrangements have surprising depth. Dan Lardner and sultry redhead Alex Niemitz trade off on vocals, while lead guitarist Peter Baumann adds rubbery licks subtly influenced by rockabilly and vintage rock 'n' roll. They reminded me quite a bit of a mellower version of X, only with a distinctive New York style.

Grand Rapids shares some similarities with the Jean Jackets - male and female interchanging lead vocals, primarily - but whereas Grand Rapids' music draws from rock 'n' roll, the Jean Jackets add a loungey, jazzy dimension to their music. The vocals from Jackson Phinney and Christine Spilka are often beguiling, suggesting layers of sexual and interpersonal intrigue that their preppy collegiate appearance might not. (You can read my review of their Mama Coco's produced album here.)


Ghost Pal

And then it was time for Ghost Pal, the flagship band of the Mama Coco's collective, fronted by Oliver Ignatius and featuring what seems like an ever-evolving lineup. The constants, besides Oliver, include the effervescent Matt Evans on drums, Sonic Youth-influenced lead guitarist Alexandre da Silva, and the mesmerizing baritone saxophonist Henry Kandel (who, more than anyone, gives Ghost Pal its unique sound,) with Devin Calderin (Great American Novel, Harmonica Lewinskies) joining in on keyboards.

Whether it was the winter weather or the fact that there was a packed, heavily attended Mama Coco's bash just two weeks before, the turnout for this show was a little lighter than usual; not that the place was empty, but not quite as many people came out. But once Ghost Pal started, it was as if everyone in the club came alive and focused every bit of attention on the stage: People were dancing and singing along. The joy and support (and dare I say, love?) in the room was palpable. The reconfigured Ghost Pal (with Oliver on bass) seemed to build with every song, hitting a crescendo with the theme song "God Bless Mama Coco's" from the latest Mama Coco's comp, then surpassing that high with their gospel-infused cover of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken," which - given the circumstances - seemed simultaneously a hymn, a catharsis, and an exorcism. Any bad vibes that might have entered that room were banished; we were happy in a way you don't often feel.

And that of course is why people keep coming back, or are continually discovering, this Mama Coco's phenomenon. There was one more band, the bluesy traditionalists the Dough Rollers, but unfortunately I had a ride back to New Jersey to catch so I had to miss them. But I'll be there the next time, and the time after that. This circle will be unbroken for a long time to come.


More Photos:

The Graveyard Kids









Grand Rapids



The Jean Jackets







Ghost Pal