Mink - Self-Titled CD Review & CMJ Preview

Mink is a fairly new band on the NYC scene but they have quickly earned a strong following. The band just finished a high-profile tour with Perry Farrell and Satellite Party and played Lollapalooza this summer along with a few dates opening for Kiss. Mink's self-titled debut CD was released about a month ago and the band makes a strong showing.

The cuts on this disc range from snot-punk (D-Generation or the Dead Boys would be good points of comparison) to power-pop. The two cuts that close this disc are reminiscent of early Smashing Pumpkins.

The strongest tracks on the disc are the rockers ("Get It Right", "Madame Chung", "Talk to Me") and the first half of the disc sizzles. The only cut that didn't catch my ear was "Dematerialize" as this seemed to be a Wallflowers style radio-rocker that really didn't fit positioned between two strong rock tunes. After "Dematerialize", the tracks that follow, "Pressure Pressure" and "Jodi", are a return to the rock n' roll swagger. The band changes pace toward the end of the disc but these songs seem to fit well with the flow of the disc. "Sweeter" is driven by vocal harmonies and has an almost 60's doo-wop feel. The last track "Will Not Let You Down" (and the hidden bonus track) are both orchestral pop and are a mellow way to end the disc.

The new CD is produced by Sylvia Massy (who has worked with all kinds of cool artists which include Tool, Slayer, Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and her stellar production complements the band's strong songwriting and playing.

Mink is an extremely strong live act (see my pictures and review from their show at Irving Plaza opening for Satellite Party) and they are playing two CMJ shows this week.
Oct 17th - Club Midway -- 11:45pm -- Organic / Tijuana Gift Shop Showcase
Oct 19th - Pianos -- 4:30pm -- Planetary Group Party



Links:
Mink's MySpace page
Mink's Website

Mink Is Headlining "Battle of the Bands" Competition Tomorrow in Union Square

MINK will be headlining the Virgin Megastore Battle of the Bands competition as part of the NYU / Time Out New York - "Back to School" celebration at 3PM on Sunday, Sept 16 at the south end of Union Square Park.

The bands will battle... The winner will be chosen... Then MINK will rock it. More info online at www.virginmegamashup.com

MINK has recently been playing some high-profile shows which included a stop at Lollapalooza and a few dates with Kiss. The band is currently on tour with Perry Farrell’s Satellite Party. (Here is a link to pictures from the Irving Plaza/Fillmore show)

Links:
Mink's Website
Mink's MySpace page

Satellite Party @ Irving Plaza (The Fillmore), NYC 9-5-07

Once Mink left the stage, the chants of "Perry... Perry" started. The room was full for Mink but the crowd seemed to grow exponentially between the sets.

I have seen Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros about a dozen times in total and Perry continues to be the ultimate showman. It must be tough to be in a band with Perry as he is such the focal point for the crowd. Last month, Nuno Bettencourt and Kevin Figueiredo left the band. Their replacements sounded great but I don't think anyone at the show noticed that two of the original members were missing.


The set list was a mix of cuts from the Satellite Party CD mixed with classic Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros.

I didn't snag a setlist (and wasn't trying to write one down when the band played) but I did find a setlist on the 'net from the band's show on 9/1. This looks pretty close to the band's set at Irving Plaza.

01. Wish Upon a Dog Star
02. Just Because
03. Under the Tahitian Moon
04. Mountain Song
05. Insanity Rains
06. Hard Life Easy
07. Superhero
08. Summertime Rolls
09. Pets
10. Only Love, Let's Celebrate
11. Been Caught Stealin'
12. Stop
13. Ultra Payload
14. Jane Says




Check my previous post on Mink for upcoming tour dates - the band is playing a couple dates in the Southeast the week before heading over to the West Coast.
Links:
Satellite Party's MySpace Page

Mink @ Irving Plaza (The Fillmore), NYC 9-5-07

Mink opened for Satellite Party at Irving Plaza on Wednesday and it was obvious that a lot of the crowd at the show was there for Mink. Mink hasn't been playing together all that long but the place was packed by the time the band took the stage.

The band played a 12 song set which included 11 of the 12 songs from the band's just-released debut CD along with a cover of Bowie's Suffragette City. The only song on the CD not played was "Will Not Let You Down", which is a mellow, melodic tune in the style of early Smashing Pumpkins.

Concentrating on their rawk songs, the band played with a swagger that I haven't seen since D-Generation first hit the scene. I've seen the band labeled as power-pop (I think I used this label in a previous post) but they also have a raw NYC edge in their live show.


The band was working hard this night and played a total of three shows on Wednesday (Virgin Mega before the Irving Plaza show and Snitch after the show). Check out this clip from the Virgin Mega performance.


Here is the band's setlist from the show:
1) Madame Chung
2) Talk to Me
3) Sweeter
4) Dematerialize
5) Pressure
6) Jodi
7) Crazy
8) Untouchable
9) New York Summer
10) Suffragate City
11) Pills
12) Get It Right


Mink is continuing its tour with Satellite Party until mid-October and is in Virginia tomorrow night. Here are the next few shows:

Sep 9 2007 8:00P Norva- w/Satellite Party Norfolk, Virginia
Sep 10 2007 8:00P The Orange Peel Asheville, North Carolina
Sep 11 2007 8:00P Centre Stage- w/Satellite Party Atlanta, Georgia
Sep 12 2007 7:00P Apple Store Lenox Square Atlanta, Georgia
Sep 13 2007 8:00P House Of Blues- w/Satellite Party Orlando, Florida

Links:
Mink's MySpace page
Mink's Website