Sometimes, rock n’ roll is a genre best told in dimly lit basements, where every note hits close to home.
Scarhaven, a nu-grunge band, arrived at Bar Freda in Ridgewood on Wednesday, April 15, where they performed six hypnotic hits from their new EP Changing. Last week’s set unfolded like a slow burn, built with enough tension and released with an intense sound that’s hard to forget.
Once inside the two-level, laid-back bar, located at 8-01 Seneca Ave., the space emits a vibe that welcomes everyone from all backgrounds to enter its doors. The casual neighborhood dive’s steady rotation of inexpensive drinks and local acts makes it a breeding ground for the underground scene. The inclusive motto, which emphasizes a lack of tolerance for racism, sexism or any other form of bigotry, makes Bar Freda one of the premier spots to unwind. And, at the same time, rock out to the city’s finest bands.
The interior of Bar Freda in Ridgewood. Photo by Paulina Albarracin
Photo by Paulina Albarracin
After Reach NYC, Baby Nothing and Holy Vulture played their respective sets, Scarhaven strutted to the stage with quiet confidence, leaving the audience to anticipate their chords.
Michael Saint, the vocalist, led the charge with “Levitate,” a riff-filled, emotionally-charged song that speaks to the band’s inner world. Behind the vocals, Kilroy’s strumming and Shapira’s beat precision provided a sonic tremor, treating the audience to a raw experience.
Photo by Paulina Albarracin
Their next song, “Black is Light,” combines the distortion with a rhythm section that holds the audience closer with each second. Saint’s focused gaze gives an almost comforting feeling that everything will turn out for the better — a message many people can find solace in, especially in times when one feels cornered.
One of their songs, “I’m Not Dead Yet,” is among their most powerful. The chorus, “I’m coming back to life/I feel I’m still alive/Coming back to life,” holds an inevitable comparison to Audioslave and Velvet Revolver with a dash of Chris Cornell, but their own original sound still blossoms from the music. The vocals remain a powerhouse in this tune, as the song closes with Saint’s soaring notes, leaving a haunting impression on the evening’s attendees.
A standout song was “Drowned,” in which Saint reaches down to express his vulnerability with the audience. For this rendition of the ballad, the band dedicated it to a close friend and mentor, Shiva, who passed a few weeks ago, adding to its somber meaning. No emotions were left unexposed, reaching out to fans in an empathetic embrace.
After the show, QNS spoke with Shapira, Kilroy and Saint for their thoughts behind the band’s Queens debut show. The band members were impressed by the evening’s turnout, which exemplified nu-grunge’s growing popularity.
Photo by Briana Sista
Photo by Briana Sista
Shapira noted that his favorite song to play was “I’m Not Dead Yet,” or INDY, a song that showcased his guitar prowess.
Continuing with “Drowned,” the song was dedicated to their recently passed mentor. Shapira described him as someone who would give them a pep talk, energizing them to take on their shows — their last show together being their sold-out concert in Mercury Lounge.
“He would really be investing a lot into the band, and it was a very sudden thing,” said Shapira. He also noted playing with “his spirit in mind,” highlighting his presence in Scarhaven’s performance.
Saint defined the crowd’s energy as “amazing” and “unspoken” in his first live experience in Ridgewood. Overall, Scarhaven appreciated how close the band was to the audience, feeling a connection that radiated from the attendees’ returned gaze.
Photo by Briana Sista
When Shiva’s passing was mentioned, Saint recalled meeting him with their producer, Jim Kaufman. He went on to describe Shiva as someone who “motivates you and pushes you in directions you’re not really used to” because he believed in the band’s potential.
“But he also just had a huge heart and a passion for music and love,” shared Saint. “It was a shock when I heard, and I love him dearly, and I hope he’s resting in peace up there.”
“And I hope we make him proud,” added Saint.
Shiva also reportedly spoke in a voicemail about how much he loved the song “Drowned,” adding a deeply personal touch to the band’s decision to dedicate it in his memory.
Kilroy echoed their sentiment, describing Shiva as a “pretty big part of our music.”
Photo by Briana Sista
“When he rearranged some of our songs, he gave us a lot of tips. He always gave us some speeches before we went on stage,” shared Kilroy.
With their mentor’s memory in mind, the Queens debut show encouraged the band to move forward with their next show at Alphaville in Bushwick, located at 140 Wilson Ave., on Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m., alongside Tiger Would! and Fleet.
Photo by Briana Sista
Photo by Briana Sista
To listen to Scarhaven’s EP, click here.