Photos and Review by Lou Montesano
It felt like a homecoming when the Felice Brothers arrived at Brooklyn Bowl to play for fans who’ve been following them since the band’s busking days on the city’s subway platforms in the early Aughts. Back then, there were three Felice boys—Ian (guitar), James (keys) and Simone (drums)—but the current lineup features just Ian on guitar and James on keyboards. Jesske Humme now plays bass, with Will Lawrence on drums.
The Felice brothers hail from north of New York City in the Hudson Valley, not far geographically but worlds away in terms of social and economic lifestyles. As a result, Ian’s song-writing has become more political in recent years, culminating in the band’s 2019 album Undress.
Their set at Brooklyn Bowl included songs from that album such as “Special Announcement,” “TV Mama” and “The Kid,” with sharp-edged lyrics referring to “corporate goons” and “burning down the Stock Exchange.” Still, there were several feel-good singalongs like “Whiskey In My Whiskey” to lighten the mood.
Ian literally gets down on guitar—playing while on his knees or even lying on his back. To call James a keyboard player understates his talents. In addition to standard electric keys, his work on accordion adds a bouncy feel that is fundamental to the band’s sound. While Ian and James share lead vocals, all four members sing harmony. It was hard to tell who was having more fun at Brooklyn Bowl, the crowd or the band.
Laura Stevenson, another local artist from Long Island and Brooklyn, opened, performing, she said, one of her final shows before taking a break to give birth. We wish her well.
The Felice Brothers are well regarded among music cognoscenti. If you’re not familiar with them, they’re worth exploring, especially live.
—Lou Montesano
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