CMJ 2009: Day 2

The Love Language at The Bell House

After catching buzz at CMJ earlier in the decade, Malajube returned with a standout set at Arlene’s Grocery, playing as part of the M for Montreal showcase with We Are Wolves, Think About Life and Beast. FULL RECAP. Over at The Bell House in Gowanus, Ground Control Booking showcased their diverse roster—recent Merge signees The Love Language and NME-approved Pete & The Pirates joined New Zealand shoegazers Surf City and Let’s Wrestle (best CMJ band name award—ding). While Screaming Females and Team Robespierre did their best at the near-empty Mercury Lounge—some NYC bands just don’t draw during CMJ—the early sets by Turbo Fruits, Midnight Juggernauts, VEGA and Sleigh Bells did just that. Draw old and new fans.

Interviews and reporting by Matt Rodbard, Andy Hermann and Jason Newman; Photos by Ryan Muir, Natasha Ryan and Gabi Porter