Rubblebucket at Stage 48

Rubblebucket recently finished one of their biggest show swings to date, touring behind the intensely enjoyable Survival Sounds and headlining a hometown show at Stage 48 on Manhattan's West Side. As noted in our immediate follow-up to our encounter with the Brooklyn-based art-collective, beyond simply playing a set, Rubblebucket put on a show. There are art projects left and right, and the theatrics are cleverly punctuating and directed in such a way that, while highly performative, also remain super organic. One second the band is spaz-rocking, and a moment later they're perfectly synchronized in a spurt of choreography. As you'll see in the premiere of newest concert capture from the front row, Rubblebucket pack quite the audio-visual punch.

- How's everyone feelin' this Wednesday night? Stage 48 on the West Side! Going through all the synonyms for us- Cash, beat, dead, done, looking like we're fucked.
Had you in my life.
Things were pretty nice.
But nothing seems to last anyway.
That's okay I guess.
But if you call yourself a rock star.
You would rock harder.
still And if you call yourself a rock star La dee da da da da And if you call yourself an athlete You would run faster And if you call yourself a rock star La dee da da da da
Bathroom vampires blowing all the fun Predisposed for centuries to kill for number one Kiss me on the neck Beneath my party dress I know you need to need me So you bleed me That's all right I guess But if you call yourself a rock star You would rock harder still And if you call yourself a rock star La dee da da da da And if you call yourself an athlete You would run faster And if you call yourself a rock star La dee da da da da
Had you in my life But nothing seems to last anyway That's okay I guess But if you call yourself a rock star You would rock harder still And if you call yourself a rock star La dee da da da da And if you call yourself an athlete You would run faster And if you call yourself a rock star La dee da da da daaa La dee da da da daaa And if you call yourself an rock star La dee da da da da
- Oh, yeah, this feels good! We're called Rubblebucket.
We are so happy to be here! - You guys have a little bit of trumpet in you? Leave me, on the ground On the ground, lord, on the ground Let my limbs sink through the floor Ever down, lord, to the core
In this new world There's heather trees Nether gardens I'm on my knees In the heathers Come walk with me Neon letters flash L-O-V-E-E Hey hey we're on the ground Please don't shake Shake me around 'round 'round No We we are on the ground Ground Please don't shake Shake us around 'round 'round Whoa
We mortals are upside down Feel like doves When we fly around In the clouds I saw a message Said quantum love Travel like your perfectness Hey hey we're on the ground Please don't shake Shake me around 'round 'round No We we are on the ground Ground Please don't shake Shake us around 'round 'round Whoa
I am on the ground Please don't shake me around
- Thank you, New York City! You guys feeling silly tonight? I said, "Are you feelin' silly tonight?" Un, deux, trois, quatre.
Our silly fathers went running in the heathers Our silly fathers went running in the heathers And the day is gonna start And it feels so soon soon Too soon Now come on The first light of an ancient wrinkled voice Is on my eyes but I never even went to sleep Hey-oh hey-oh hey-oh-ooo-o We are serious Never mysterious We're just a chromed-up Lubed-up image of ourselves We're not safe (we're not safe) We're not safe (we're not safe) We're not secure (we're not secure) We're not secure (we're not secure)
Our silly fathers went running in the heathers Our silly fathers went running in the heathers (We're out of time now) But we're running out of time We could be that way, yeah we could (yeah we could) Then it felt so good to let their hair down To run around and be free Hey-oh hey-oh hey-oh-ooo-o We are serious Never mysterious We're just a chromed-up Lubed-up image of ourselves We're not safe (we're not safe) We're not safe (we're not safe) We're not secure (we're not secure) We're not secure (we're not secure)
Our silly fathers went running in the heathers Our silly fathers went running in the heathers And they tunneled all around Felt the beating hearts of the mice there yeah They made it like a home But one that disappears When the sun goes down shining We are serious never mysterious We're just a chromed-up Lubed-up image of ourselves We're not safe (we're not safe) We're not safe (we're not safe) We're not secure (we're not secure) We're not secure No
We're not secure We're not secure
- Thank you so much! Oh, it took us a long time to get back here.
Since we last saw you, we've been touring.
For the past two months, we haven't been home since, like, yesterday.
It feels so good to be back here! We're still in full swing, celebrating our new album, Survival Sounds.
We're bringing it home tonight.
This next song we're going to play is coming off the new album.
It's about skinny dipping, and it's about washing your pain away in the ocean.
It's called Sound of Drowning.
And it features this handsome flute section here, Alvin Alex.
All right, we're gonna do it! Ooh, we were baptized in the ocean To the sound of us erasing All the demons that were chasing us Drown them out out out Oh I wish I was a planet With a forest full of answers But instead I'm just a human Freaking out out out I won't let you worry now Don't take me off this cloud This is the sound of us erasing, This is the sound of a Wa-a-a-a-a-ave Take us away-ay-ay-ay-ay This is the sound of a Wa-a-a-a-a-ave Take us away-ay-ay-ay-ay
Ooh, I thought you were a dancer So fuck your inhibitions Here's a better answer Drown them out out out Here's the sound of starting over It's an ocean full of cold Or maybe just a cormorant Calling out out out I won't let you worry now Don't take me off this cloud Come with me on this cloud This is the sound of us erasing This is the sound of a Wa-a-a-a-a-ave.
Take us away-ay-ay-ay-ay This is the sound of a Wa-a-a-a-a-ave Take us away-ay-ay-ay-ay The whoo-o-o-o I want to hear I want to hear The whoo-o-o-o Wa-a-a-a-a-ave Take us away-ay-ay-ay-ay
Don't shake me around oh Getting me to town Don't let her down oh Just peaches and Mounds Time is a flim flam Falling all around Fascinating Earthlings Bounce to the sound Finger on the fan hey You know I'm the day I hate medications They hurt my head Take me to town oh To the house that we had Let's get really hammered And talk to an angel Call me when you're down low Maybe walk around slow I'm feelin' really high Kiss me Kiss me good You get a feeling inside Keeping it in oh oh
Don't shake me around oh Getting me to town Don't let her down row Just peaches and Mounds Time doesn't rule me Time doesn't rule me Finger on the fan hey You know I'm the day I hate anticipation It hurts your head Just keep your hands right Where I can see Don't try to pull a fast one On me Call me when you're down low Maybe walk around slow I'm feelin' I'm feelin' high Kiss me Kiss me good There's got to be answer I can't be here long
Call me when you're down low Maybe walk around slow I'm feelin' I'm feelin' high Kiss me Kiss me good There's got to be answer Call me when you're down low Maybe walk around slow I'm feelin' really high Kiss you Kiss you good And let it be a landslide Keep it down low
- This time last year, we were really going through crazy things, and this song that we're gonna play came straight out of those.
It's called, Hey Everybody.
Hey everybody Here's a chance to get Real stoned And everybody's got A chance to feel alone Hey everybody If you don't know why You're like this If you don't think you can take it You just need to walk a little Rock a little On your own (Your own) Hey everybody Here's a chance to feel Young and old Thank the Mamas and the Papas For getting us here before Hey everybody If you don't know why You're like this If you don't think you can take it You just need to scream a little Dream a little On your own Our hearts will break I need to say it loud Our bones can't take Oh let me be apart Oh thank the Lord This chance to be As you and me And all my charge I need to feel you Totally
Hey everybody Here's a song About flesh and bones 'Cuz everybody's body's Gonna crumble like the Fall of Rome If we were the gods Would they take us out the same way Would they crucify our brainwaves Thorns in the crown I would like to know Our hearts will break I need to say it loud Our bones can't take Oh let me be apart I thank the Lord This chance to be As you and me And all my truth I need to feel you Totally I need to feel you Totally I need to feel you Totally I need to feel you Totally Is that what you're callin' My love there You say you found something But God knows it's nothing Is that what you call it When you throw it all away You say you found something But God knows you're foolin' Is that what you call it When you buy another day You say you found something But God knows it's nothing Is that what you call it When you throw it all away You say you found something You say you found something But God knows it's nothing Throw it all away Throw it all away Throw it all away
- If there's any Royal Canoes in the house that want to join us on stage right now, your presence is requested.
You know what I'm talking about.
I used to wish I was never born But now I don't 'Cuz I found you It's really cool You like me too Of all the places and all the times To walk the land I can't believe How good to be Here with me You came out of a lady And I want you to save me It's amazing You came out of a lady oh And I want you to save me It's amazing
- Where's Grant from Body Langauage? Grant from Body Language, Grant, get your butt up here! I used to walk by the stream at night With silver shadows everywhere My brain began exploding light And ponder if it was worth my time To sing these things and do these things And stumble at them every time You came out of a lady And I want you to save me It's amazing You came out of a lady oh And I want you to save me It's amazing
And I need you All these times they tell me that I don't Oh I need you Tell me that I don't Whoa
I used to wonder where I could go To sit and watch The moon come out It's never like I dreamed it though It had to be just a matter of time Before you came And found me there But silently All through the air You came out of a lady And I want you to save me It's amazing You came out of a lady oh And I want you to save me It's amazing ooh
- Here we go.
Everyone bring it into the center.
Can we get all the way up front? Push it in! Push it in! Push it in! Push it in! Push it in! You'll see what I mean in a second.
All right, everyone, bring it in! Bring it in! Bring it in! Bring it in! Bring it in! Here we go! Here we go! And I need you All these times they tell me that I don't Oh I need you Tell me that I don't Whoa You came out of a lady And I want you to save me It's amazing I came out of a lady too And I want you to save me Whoo ooh ooh ooh Ooh ooh ooh ooh
- New York City! It's only pain from love (It's only pain from love) Only pain from love (It's only pain from love, dear) It's only pain from love (It's only pain from love) Only pain from love (It's only pain from love, dear)
You couldn't walk on water Even if you tried But I still think you're baller anyway ay ay We hug like smiling enemies Piercing through eyes But you still grace my memory Like a bird in a downcast sky Don't give up the fight Love is gonna bite Love is gonna reign We've gotta sacrifice dear Every single night Looking for the dream Won't get it every time Your heart is gonna bleed dear It's only pain from love (It's only pain from love) Only pain from love dear (It's only pain from love dear) It's only pain from love (It's only pain from love) Only pain from love dear (It's only pain from love dear)
Our life was like a factory Building dust for stars But in this ancient mystery Love was in the cards Aches from broken bones Aches inside my head Walking home alone Sleepless nights in bed dear No more love will shine Everyone's the same Looking for the sign Insane inside the head dear Love is gonna reign We've gotta sacrifice dear It's only pain from love (It's only pain from love) Only pain from love dear (It's only pain from love dear) It's only pain from love (It's only pain from love) Only pain from love dear (It's only pain from love dear)
- New York City, jump! Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump! Okay, stop jumping.
Can we get all the way down on the ground now? How low can we go? Can we get all the way down? Stage 48? Filled with down people.
I'm going to wait until every single person gets down on the ground.
This is lookin' good.
Okay, once we're all down, we're going to sing this word, the word "love," all together, on the count of three.
Can we do that? Okay.
One.
Two.
Three.
Love love love love
- That was pretty good.
I want to try that one more time, but like 25 times louder.
I'm talking top of your lungs, and in perfect, three-part harmony.
Can we do that? Here we go.
Love.
I can't hear you Love love love
- Yeah! New York City, make it loud! Whoa! Love Love Love Love Love Love
- Thank you guys.
You're beautiful! We love you! - Thank you so much.
We love you! They look young What they're arguing about Is probably not That serious or important They look old What they're arguing about Is probably not That serious or important In the sun Because she thinks the fat Will melt away And release a lot of endorphins I was told There were people here Good and queer Americans living easy F-f-fuck As you calmly bat An insanely pretty lash I'm the Queen of Me in a new land We're rising up As we are falling down Here by simple earth So let go And feel the one across from you It's all you've got to do We're rising up As we are falling down Here by simple earth So let go And feel the fields of gravity Pull you closer to me Oh la di Orbit down low Where do we go Where do we go From here Yeah it's true I'm a rookie in love So what's it to you At least I'm even a player When I'm old I will argue about Only how the best In the think you're so near We're rising up As we are falling dow Here by simple earth So let go And feel the one across from you It's all you've got to do We're rising up As we are falling down Here by simple earth So let go And feel the fields of gravity Pull you closer to me We're rising up As we are falling down Here by simple earth So let go And feel the one across from you It's all you've got to do We're rising up As we are falling down Here by simple earth So let go And feel the fields of gravity Pull you straight to me
- New York City, you've been so wonderful tonight! We love you so much! Do you guys want to? Do you want to dance one last dance with us? - And come say "Hi" to us at the merch table after the show! - We got underwear! Whoa! Charlie you can hide your thoughts Or tell me how you really feel (Purple hands pass from reel to reel) Pretend to play with your phone But look me in the eyes (I hear your voice In every dial tone) And I call you back And I call you back And I comb my hair As I wonder why Like a circuit banner In a foreign sky It's a foolish wish Just one deep kiss Don't know why our love is crazy Hearing voices Your wolves raised me Fifteen missed calls Can you blame me Charlie be real Do you love me
Charlie will you be my comet And crash into my atmosphere (Virgin eyes go from tear to tear) Charlie you can ride your moon Straight into my burning star (Fucked up embers Pass from lung to lung) And my mouth did cry And at dawn we die And my thoughts are read But innocent Enough I guess Just one deep kiss It's just one deep kiss Don't know Why our love is crazy dizzy, chain your shoulders to me Fifteen missed calls Can you blame me Charlie be real Do you love me
It's Charlie He's trying He's trying to come back to me Charlie

Led by the musical couple of front woman Kalmia Traver and bandleader/trumpeter Alex Toth, Rubblebucket has spent the last four years building a reputation as a band that blurs the lines between psychedelic indie rock, upbeat dance, and radiant, left-field arrangements. The Brooklyn, NY by way of Boston and Vermont band has evolved into something that is "utterly post-genrehorns, synth, guitars, harmoniesa smile-inducing point on the tangent that connects Bjrk and Broken Social Scene", which is to say that you never know what you'll see or hear next.

2012 has been a banner year for Rubblebucket, seeing the outfit grace the stages of Bonnaroo (with a surprise guest appearance with Foster the People) among countless other festivals, collaborate with heroes tUnE-yArDs and ?love for a Fela Kuti compilation, bring their raucous live show, along with giant robot puppets and love-tunnels, to larger and larger crowds across the US and receive love and affection from Paste, Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Wall Street Journal, Daytrotter and so many more. Now, on July 18th, the band will make their debut late night TV appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

The band will release a new EP in September 11, 2012, recorded at Bear Creek Studios in Seattle, WA (home to Fleet Foxes' two gorgeous albums) with producer Ryan Hadlock (Ra Ra Riot, The Gossip, Blonde Redhead). This EP takes Brooklyn's freshest octet to a new level; between Kalmia Traver's unmistakable voice and the band's hip shaking, off-kilter arrangements, this EP highlights everything that makes Rubblebucket so special.

The band's 2011 album Omega La La marked a milestone for Rubblebucket. Recorded last year at Plantain/DFA Studios with Producer Eric Broucek (LCD Soundsystem, Cut Copy, Hercules and Love Affair) at the helm, the record was their most ambitious yet, with the band dipping into everything from dancey indie-pop arrangements to Fela-Kuti inspired afro-beat stomps. The record has earned a wealth of praise, with Stereogum hailing the records tricky arrangements, whistle solos, and disco guitar leads and Paste Magazine calling the album instrumentally rich but catchy enough to ass-kick Katy Perry off the pop charts (in a just world)mega-melodic without sacrificing an ounce of atmosphere or creativity.

Source: Artist Facebook Page