Hank Shteamer

Hank Shteamer

@darkforcesswing.bsky.social

writer, usually about music. contact: hshteamer.writes@gmail.com hankshteamer.com

1.1K followers168 following121 posts

Hank Shteamer
@darkforcesswing.bsky.social

If you’ve heard Walt Dickerson play but never heard him speak, I urge you to give this a listen. I’ve never encountered anyone like him, musician or otherwise — a wise, funny and all-around riveting presence: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/sounds-inf...

darkforcesswing.substack.com‘Sounds, Infinite Sounds’: Walt Dickerson Holds ForthHear previously unreleased audio of my four-hour conversation with the enigmatic vibraphone great, recorded in 2003
Hank Shteamer
@darkforcesswing.bsky.social

Been thinking more about the current Rush tour (shocker!) and I'm wondering out loud: Has there ever been a more momentous band-member swap in rock history? I'd argue no. I honestly don't believe that anyone has ever subbed in for a player as iconic and beloved as Neil Peart.

Hank Shteamer
@darkforcesswing.bsky.social

Zeppelin very deliberately did not attempt to find a long-term replacement for Bonham, etc. And all the other major examples I can think of are certainly a big deal (Brian Johnson for Bon Scott, say) but not really even remotely comparable to stepping in for Neil.

Hank Shteamer
@darkforcesswing.bsky.social

PSA if anyone is in need: Some friends are subletting a room in Brooklyn for the summer (through early fall). Amazing apt/location. Pls fwd to anyone who might be interested newyork.craigslist.org/brk/sub/d/br...

newyork.craigslist.orgSeeking subletter for room in beautiful Prospect Heights apt Jun-Oct - sublets & temporary - apartment sublet rent -...Enjoy Brooklyn in an ideal summer apartment with a huge deck. We are looking for a third roommate who would love to spend all or part of the season with us. This is the best apartment in Brooklyn —...
Hank Shteamer
@darkforcesswing.bsky.social

In 2008, I got to sit down w/ Walter Becker to discuss his then-new solo album, a bunch of Steely Dan odds and ends, and a lot more for Time Out NY. Big thanks to the venerable Expanding Dan Substack for posting the full audio of the chat: expandingdan.substack.com/p/walter-bec...

expandingdan.substack.comWalter Becker lets the mask slip"There is a level of perfection that Donald wants to hear in his music that I ran out of patience to do," Becker says in a candid, never-before-heard interview from 2008.
Hank Shteamer
@darkforcesswing.bsky.social

Such a cool and inspiring story

The Tonearm@thetonearm.com

"This is Charlotte Astor’s fantasy, her obsession: to unearth a single piece of recorded music lost to time. To finally hear the thrashing guitar, the crunch of the bass — and the sound of her mother’s voice." Searching for her mom’s lost punk legacy:

nj.comLost cassette tape connects N.J. girl to her mom's punk legacy. She's got the whole country looking for it.The South Jersey teen sparked a nationwide search for a tape her mom recorded 30 years ago
Hank Shteamer
@darkforcesswing.bsky.social

New interview with the Messthetics on the humbling and inspiring experience of covering Sonny Sharrock's 'Ask the Ages' in full, which they'll do again on Friday in D.C., along with James Brandon Lewis: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/like-tryin...

darkforcesswing.substack.com'Like Trying to Get to Saturn': The Messthetics on Covering Sonny Sharrock's 'Ask the Ages'Ahead of a full-album cover show with frequent collaborator James Brandon Lewis, the genre-blending trio discusses adapting and inhabiting the 1991 avant-jazz classic
Hank Shteamer
@darkforcesswing.bsky.social

Thirty years ago, I read an album review, published in a DIY fanzine, that changed the course of my life. In recent days, I got to hold it in my hands - and thank the people who brought it into the world open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...

open.substack.com'Infected by the Gods': A Zine Called 'FeH' and the Contagious Enthusiasm of Music WritingThirty years ago, I read an album review that changed the course of my life. In recent days, I got to hold it in my hands — and thank the people who brought it into the world
Hank Shteamer
@darkforcesswing.bsky.social

Quick PSA: No new music released in the past ~15 years has hit me harder emotionally than the output of Patrick Walker, the U.K. singer-songwriter who records under the name 40 Watt Sun. He’s playing a rare NYC solo show at the Meadows on Sat., July 12th, and there are still tix available. (1/2)

Hank Shteamer
@darkforcesswing.bsky.social

Listen to his records in any order you wish, and I think it will be self-evident why it would be a good idea to be there. Here’s something I wrote in the stunned aftermath of the only other time I’ve seen him live: darkforcesswing.blogspot.com/2018/06/enor... (2/2)

darkforcesswing.blogspot.comEnormity of song: 40 Watt Sun live at Saint VitusSaint Vitus, Brooklyn's temple of metal, was about as sparsely populated as I've seen it for last night's 40 Watt Sun show. I ...