BATTLES performs "Titanium 2 Step" and "Fort Greene Park" Live in Brooklyn | Cued Up

[@mtrps_]

fort greene park is definitely battles' most beautiful song to date

[@oltorf520]

its up there

[@carrotholocausts]

I sincerely hope these guys never stop doing this. We've boiled Battles down to its core and I think this is the forever band. Don't stop guys.

[@elliebean1118]

Williams and Stanier are most essential for me... without either of them it couldn’t be Battles.

[@urano.2206]

I agree

[@natelouis5021]

John Stanier gives me hope that no matter how much of a dad I become, I can still do cool things!

[@signifidelica2819]

You are a human being, not a dad

[@pozsoz]

by being a dad you're totally restricted from being cool even if you do cool things

[@DaveTreg-m7v]

He goes home and gives his kid I've cream and says daddy to do a little work.

[@ajmatheson2807]

I just saw them open for Primus last week and i saw him walking through the crowd but had no idea who he was (im late to the Battles scene). They took the stage and my first thought was "who's dad is this?" before he just killed it on those drums!

[@movimentodoscacos]

@@pozsoz not true

[@sevendaughters]

*comes back to watch Battles video in 3 years* *it's just John drumming*

[@evanjones5664]

Lol

[@isaacrichmond7505]

@OMINOID id still watch that

[@iain2080]

Love that they had Sal there with them. New tunes kick ass. Idk what it is about Fort Greene Park but I think it has such a beautiful build up and release, with Stanier going for it and Ian gliding over the loop with his guitar. Battles is alive and well.

[@yakmartin5429]

As much as I dig this, especially considering all Battles stuff is a grower, I'm quite concerned about the downsizing. If this goes on, in 4 years all Battles will be Stanier's left knee cap. 🧸👌🏻💕🎶

[@joebowles06]

And it will still kick out a ripping drum beat

[@_jake_doran]

can you be certain that we need more than that?

[@fieserfactsack9635]

Yeah i dont want to be a downer, but seeing just the 2 is depressing as fuck. Just give this project a different name or add some new bandmembers.

[@readein]

@@fieserfactsack9635 Well to be honest the remaining members are the source of the sound that battles is known for. Braxton had much more influence on the sound than Dave, but they still felt like battles after he left. Not saying that Dave wasn't a good addition with John and Ian, but the sound of the band has remained relatively unchanged, so them keeping the name seems fair. If they were going to change anything it should've been when Braxton left not Dave imo.

[@yeffexrasner5619]

​@@fieserfactsack9635 Caught them over the weekend and they blew me away. The new tunes are great, the most important members are still there, and they still sound like Battles. So what's the problem? Biggest point though - if they wanted new members, they'd get them. They had another guy play with them over the weekend but only for a few songs. He could have done the whole set but didn't. Will add that the only reason John has his cymbal that high is because he doesn't want to be tempted to use it all the time; they're big on the minimal thing. If people don't like that or would rather have Braxton back or whatever, they have to accept that it's... not their band.

[@Scotty_Russell_Music]

Fort Greene Park is ace, some precious melody in there. Very playful.

[@RobertKeeleyTV]

so good. I come back to watch often, and it blows me way every time. these guys are the best.

[@lukerogers151]

I love how John always looks like he's about to die when whackin' those drums.

[@abbasidanny]

I don't! Wish he'd take it easy 'cause I want him around for years to come

[@Francis-rs7zu]

Helmet really going off on a tangent. My band used to practice next to them in NoLIta

[@BlueZirnitra]

Mate I was literally gonna scroll down and post "the drummer looks like he's dying from the first beat". I swear no one is as unique as we think haha.

[@GFEBMX]

seen them at a festival in the summer and could not take my eyes off of john the guys a monster

[@simonrosengarten9017]

I don't really know what to say about this. After 6:30 or so I break open, wide open. Words ruin things at times. Silence speaks volumes. tears are silent. joy. wow

[@Holabirdsupercluster]

One of the 21st century's most interesting American bands

[@iain2080]

00:08 Titanium 2 Step 03:33 Interview 06:43 Fort Greene Park

[@okayokaynowkids7673]

😃 hi Bye

[@ryansoklaski8242]

03:33 Interview + John changes his shirt???

[@iain2080]

@@ryansoklaski8242 he plays drums hard enough to warrant it. Saw footage of him in the Shacklewell Arms and he didn't even turn the fan on behind him while playing, cardio goals.

[@spiroskaravalakis9358]

Iain O'C when was that ? Was John guest drumming for someone else ?

[@iain2080]

@@spiroskaravalakis9358 no it was battles a while ago. It's on their Instagram page if that's any help. Before they started the current European tour. Just saw them, on the bus home. See them on this tour they are amazing.

[@GodsNode]

The entire album, literally every track, sounds great to me. It's my favorite record of theirs.

[@warhammerpyro]

one of the most sincere drummers out there!

[@ericmsandoval]

John Stanier playing a 5-piece kit..? What is this, HELMET..?!

[@krisirizarry]

fort greene park is life-what a gorgeous song wow

[@z1reticuli]

High as a kite? Nope, high as Battles' drummer's crash cymbal

[@fh404]

The hihat already looks inconveniently high up but as he's not playing fast grooves on it I guess it's cool

[@teetoys76]

z1reticuli good one . 🤘🧐

[@rudedoc]

It was a 20" crash ride when I saw them

[@user-fo3yt1jq6n]

the name's John stanier

[@adderon]

Stanier's dropped the cymbal height ever so slightly in the past few years

[@stabzatvisionz]

Those old Tama artstars sound amazing.. hardly see those anymore.. I had a black 5 piece many years ago and they were great drums..

[@jakeleesmith4731]

So awesome at 2:23 when John looks dead tired but immediately snaps right back into the main beat

[@Trainy2]

I love how intense Stanier is all the time when playing

[@elektrozil9728]

Stanier reveals that he now plays a crash cymbal set up in a different room.

[@Ponchy]

So awesome to hear the new stuff live! Sal fuckin kills it on that song. I've always been a huge Stanier and Williams fan in their respective bands so it's no surprise that they can still kill it as a duo.

[@MichaelVLang]

John plays with intention and purpose. Love it.

[@VambeefcoHorzey]

The new album is pretty damn astonishing, especially given that the band has literally halved since it's "Atlas" days.

[@mysticape9386]

Im just so happy to even have new Battles i didn't know if we would see anything else after La di da di :).

[@coryf6460]

Where did the others go?

[@VambeefcoHorzey]

@@coryf6460 Braxton quit in 2010 and Konopka left last year. The former was on fairly bad terms, apparently.

[@jefe9206]

Band > Duo

[@candlerredden]

​@@VambeefcoHorzey what do you mean

[@secretcompartment]

Caught them live before the album came out, my word, opening with Fort Greene Park, true joy. Eeee by gum.

[@effersidd1412]

Innovative, clever creation. For me, it's a joy around every release date! When listening I'm wrapped within....processing on all levels. I heart this band for the connection their music creates. Thanks for the post!

[@joelherrera_dp]

Came here for the cymbal. Did not disappoint. Band jams.

[@Rottenblossom118]

How high do you want your cymbal ? John- yes

[@christeuma]

Ian "Don't worry guys, I got it" Williams

[@markpreston3406]

Don Cabahelmet

[@OlDocSeuss]

Thank you for this. I $#!%ing love these guys. Will gladly pay to see them a 3rd time, if they come to Minneapolis again.

[@richardbriggs8509]

I was worried when they announced the departure of Dave, but I'm happy that they've maintained their musicianship and creativity. This new album is really good, I hope they do an extensive US Tour so I can get a chance to finally catch them live in person

[@willsi]

These guys are so great. John will always be a favorite drummer of mine. Fuck yeah, Battles!

[@chrisc7265]

wow I saw these guys like 10 years ago and it looks like they've aged 30 years since then still rocking though

[@NachosBorealis]

You ever wake up 9na Tuesday and Battles drop? Fuck yeah.

[@dragon-id5uj]

Thank god I only had to scroll an inch to be validated. Worried I was losing it. Maybe Battles is likethe White House and thats why tyondai got out lel

[@VambeefcoHorzey]

Your maths (math) are (is) wrong.

[@Lizardbrainzzz]

Cocaines one a hell of a drug !

[@redshift912]

Trill_Tongan-Kakarot 777 (parenthood)

[@sotobello.]

Thanks for the show here in Brazil, best day of my life! Made me feel even more proud for my Battles tattoo!

[@jmfs3497]

Fort Greene Park has a really nice Ween feel with the guitar. I mean that in a good way. I like hearing it performed.

[@nbradgarrett]

you boyz are my fave of all time, you just brought my best pals & me together after 20 years. a true 12/10, but we wonder about dave, and yes, tyondai.… I know the lameness, but want you incredible guys to find that unity. crying tears now but hope for you to find that truth also

[@nbradgarrett]

that being said, a truly fantastic album 🙏

[@speedbuiz]

Not sure if I appreciate Titanium 2 Step as much as even just that miraculous guitar on Fort Green Park. That alone might just make the album for me. God I wish I could see you guys on tour.

[@Scotty_Russell_Music]

It's the most interesting use of delay pedal ever, it's like everyone and their dog has used delay pedals but it's like he's playing it for the first time after he got the pedal home from the music store and it's got that magic feeling you get when you first hear yourself played back at yourself and it makes you smile and play your heart out. He's a total 2000's post guitar hero guitar hero. What a time time be alive.

[@Ferd_Turgeson]

Fort Greene Park performance is sick. So much going on...

[@NoJoshinJoshy]

I've been watching Ian since Don Caballero, High Fidelity (cameo), Storm and Stress and Battles.. i will NEVER stop watching his genious

[@AlexandreSoma]

So nice. It's been a pleasure to follow this band for more than 10 years now.

[@Krung0401]

John Stanier is the best drummer in the world YEAH I SAID IT.

[@SaltAndPepperSoldier]

we heard you, good sir.

[@DrTomoculus]

Reason #42 why John Stanier is in my Top 10 Favourite Drummers.

[@MaximumJoy]

I knew I recognised the vocalist. It's the bloke from Liquid Liquid. Fantastic post-punk no-wave post-disco perfection.

[@spunkeyproducts]

He looks very small

[@luispereztasso]

I can't believe I shook hands with these guys last weeks.

[@sethprops4404]

Lucky!!

[@buttership]

Awesome, looking forward to the gig in Button Factory, another great band, OMD are playing around the corner in the Olympia on the same night

[@callummoodley6311]

Didn't think he'll be able to reach the cymbal

[@Giacomo-ns6zs]

Gotta see them live at some point in my life!

[@fuckmyego]

I did and it was a major letdown. I was really excited and it just didn't hold up live. Probably my most sour show experience to this day. They only played for like half an hour, didn't play any full songs, and walked off the stage without saying a word at the end (and no encore after such a short set).

[@bobbarker14]

How cymbal would you like your high?

[@chrismathewsjr]

laughing at the sampler still going off during the side stick snares

[@codeninja100]

This is some rare content

[@AaronKaiMCDNLD]

It was weird seeing Ian Williams play guitar normally, with a pick and bending the notes, I was so used to him using the guitar as just another keyboard where he does insane one handed tappings and just make crazy stupid noises from it, and whatnot.

[@mr.nazareth4501]

As a resident from the Don Cab days, it was strange to not see him chewing gum as well

[@robengle5786]

Me as soon as the vocals kicked in: "Who's this old fart singing like the guy from liquid liquid"

[@soylentramen7795]

Still too cool for school. It's high time for them to get their due (again.)

[@movimentodoscacos]

Exactly my reaction. Then I realized it is the old fart from Liquid Liquid. Love it!

[@anselmoecheverria6342]

El grupo iconoclasta de art-rock Battles edita su cuarto disco fieles a su propuesta experimental con sus atípicos y complejos desarrollos rítmicos. Un trabajo que llega marcado por cambios en la formación, tras la salida de Dave Konopka, antes la del vocalista Tyondai Brixton, ahora se ha convertido en un dúo; el grupo ha decidido grabar por primera vez en Nueva York, ciudad donde residen Ian Williams y John Stainer desde hace años. “Juice B Crypts” es su disco más accesible, con melodías y electrónica más luminosas, como si por un momento hubieran abandonado su sonido más crudo. Puede que haya tenido que ver las presiones del sello discográfico, que les ha obligado a grabarlo en dos semanas, a toda prisa pero como siempre trabajando con mil maquinitas: sintetizadores modulares Eurorack, un secuenciador Elektron Octatrack, varios pedales de guitarra, Ableton, software de todo tipo… Entre los once temas también nos encontramos con sorpresas, tras un disco puramente instrumental han vuelto a incorporar voces y han optado por músicos a los que admiran como Jon Anderson de Yes o Sal Principato de Liquid Liquid. En cualquier caso la experimentación de Battles sigue vigente después de dejarnos boquiabiertos con discos como "Mirrored" (2007), "Gloss Drop" (2011), "Dross Glop" (2012) y "La Di Da Di" (2015). Músic aindependiente novedades.

[@CarlosMouraBR]

Amazing as usual

[@CsawIvu]

HellYEAH!!! Now, we're talkin bout 21st Century F U N K with a TwistOTech :)

[@drackaris_]

Fort Greene Park reminds me a lot of El Ten Eleven, which in my books is a great thing. Really excited for the new direction!

[@user-yf2lk5gi7q]

Yes, and alarmist

[@georgewhite1972]

Also Three Trapped Tigers

[@memopinzon]

Battles play some next level math shit.

[@Geo-wc7jc]

Memo Pinzon both these songs are in 4/4

[@sammadden5540]

@@Geo-wc7jc not to be that guy but there is literally a 6/8 beat at the start of the second song

[@Geo-wc7jc]

Sam Madden sure but the drummer never plays anything outside 4/4

[@christeuma]

Alright you fuckers, I did the thing I was never gonna do with Battles, I counted it out Titatium 2 Step is a very strict 28 bars of 4/4 and the drum beat is, bizarrely, kick-snare-kick-snare with open-closed hi-hat eighths. There's an IMPLIED triplet, well six over 4, over the entire song. Memo Pinzon's point stands. Next level math. With all the right hemidemisemiquavers. Stanier-level control of that shuffle. They probably didn't even count it out.

[@TheSquareOnes]

Battles play some next level post-rock shit. They have odd rhythms but they don't do anything particularly crazy with it, their use of guitar and electronics on the other hand is very innovative (obviously, Williams being probably the main reason that kind of "wonky" effect-laden playing is so common in math rock in the first place). Not that any of that matters, but I saw a pedantry battle on the internet and was obligated to join in.

[@marcosmartin3003]

Sal is the man!

[@MattieCooper10000]

Magical!!!!💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@amarillo6685]

Some parts of fort greene park sound like think tank era Blur

[@simonsimonsimon11]

seeing Battles in Chicago, Dec 18!

[@Scotty_Russell_Music]

be sure to take a few complete songs as a momento, maybe video record Forest Green Park and upload it and drop me a message to say you've uploaded it :-)

[@indie369.]

A que sabor ! Está genial

[@longhorn2615]

Looks like John’s Tama 5 piece he used in Helmet.

[@DonaldSturgeAnthonyMcKenzieII]

It is

[@dino_not_dyno]

What studio is that? Sounds awesome. Of course John is making any room and kit awesome but still curious. Thanks!

[@AlanGonzalez-vq7bj]

Oh, hi Dino from Dredg! ;)

[@christoroppolo8742]

Love this! Peace christo 👽🎶🐕🛸☮️😉💀

[@laundry1799]

Man Fort Greene Park took me to another place

[@vvavie4858]

Yo I got to admit that last bit was sick as shit 🎳

[@venusinfection]

wow the sound of tama !!!

[@basqueuniverse9121]

Guitar model? 😻

[@KawiMusician]

John Stanier...homie makes ANYTHING sound heavy and metal AF..lol

[@Sinistralitee]

This band I will always summarize as "why need a drum machine when you have John Stanier"

[@lol858lol]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@blvkopvl5979]

NOBODY FUCKING PLAYS GUITAR LIKE THAT AND HAS PERFECTLY PLACED KEYS/SAMPLING AND NOBODY HITS AS HARD CHANGE MY MIND

[@assis9009]

Never seen a cop drum like this

[@13huntingbears]

hoping the record sounds a lot more like Fort Greene Park than Titanium 2 Step.

[@lucasmedeiros5052]

Saw them perform a lot off it at ATG and thankfully it does!

[@TheWaymont]

These guys find themselves so precious.

[@marginwalker01]

Where is the other dude? They became a 2 piece now?

[@s0nspark-public]

Dave Konopka left the band last year...

[@manaooooOOOO]

yeah so it seems, one usually sees a quartet become a trio, but a quartet that went trio and then duo? thats hard to pull off

[@okayokaynowkids7673]

@@manaooooOOOO can't wait for the solo :)

[@Koettnylle]

They killed him

[@marginwalker01]

@@Koettnylle heard they had an internal "battle"

[@jadedevitt24]

so rad

[@juanticimo]

almost a year since release... seems like this just dropped.

[@technicoloursound2115]

Wow this is some milky swagger

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

🎶💜🎶

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

Lit.

[@jacktheriffer1523]

Stainer is tightest pro international touring drummer...try first four Helmet albums Only Dale Crover comes to mind as an equal...

[@samthemoron2]

Stewart Lee has let himself go!

[@joshuamartin4317]

what are the mics on the drums?! sounds great!

[@Scotty_Russell_Music]

i also would like to know the mics and signal path of that drum recording. Tbf he makes any set of mics/kit/studio/stage sound good.

[@deathchips926]

Looks like josephson e22’s on the toms, sennheiser MD 441 on the hats. That may be a Neumann KM184 on the snare top which is a little unusual. Can’t see snare bottom, overheads or kick!

[@erikbraund12]

My buddy Chris McLaughlin and I recorded + mixed this at my studio. Coles 4038 overheads, Josephson E22s on Rack toms, 421 on Floor, 441 on Hats, AKG D12VR on Kick, Neumann U47 on Kick, Beyer M201 Snare Top, KSM44 Snr Bottom, Royer R121 Rooms, DI Guitar. Tracked through a Trident 80B Console, some API Preamps. We tried to mixed it as much like the record as we could. Some BG2 Compressors, Distressors, Tube Tech.. maybe an API 2500 on the buss, maybe the SSL4000, can't remember! Recorded at Braund Studios.

[@Scotty_Russell_Music]

@@erikbraund12 fuck yeah man, great recording!. Any chance of posting a list of the other inputs you were getting? Im fascinated with the group , their easy grace with tech is a marvel. Id love to know more about what they're running as the 2 piece line up. Cheers from Dundee Scotland.

[@twirlyboggs]

*&^*^#^%$# DELIVERED !!!!!! givin it~

[@squonkharold9251]

If Genesis had kept Gabriel they would have progressed to something like this.

[@adderon]

Or if Peter Gabriel had joined King Crimson

[@squonkharold9251]

@@adderon Now there's a thought!

[@DINOVAL33]

FUCKIN.............. PERFORMERS......... WOUAH........... AMAZING MEN. LOVE IT

[@martinruiten768]

Very very cool, again. John is wearing in ears with a click most likely and he's one of the tightest drummers but it's like there is a latency between the direct recorded electronic sounds and the sounds which are recorded with microphones. I was watching the whole thing but a few times it seemed to occur, what do you think?

[@paukin9344]

Martin Ruiten There wouldn’t by any measurable latency between a snare mic and a synth direct input if they are using the same ad/da converter which is highly likely. You can get phase issues with microphones picking up sounds at different distances but we are taking microsecond differences which effects the timbre of the sounds but not the timing. Any timing discrepancies will likely be human error as any latency in a digital system is tiny.

[@martinruiten768]

Thanks for the reaction. Guess it's me, listened again and I mean, it's great, and it mainly are the turnaround melodies in the first song I think now but who cares anyway. For sure the coming tour clips will be even more solid because, wow, this is fire!

[@MYNAMACHEF]

Ian looks like my 7th grade science teacher

[@rivalconsoles_music]

How come we hear the buzz of a proper snare hit, when he is actually playing rim clicks at the 11 minute mark?! triggering samples?

[@ericmsandoval]

Rim is definitely electronic

[@rickiwarrior]

THAT DRUMSET

[@mariorossipuzza]

artstar II

[@chrislateano8735]

dope

[@neilleach5249]

Certified Monster

[@Zavala1]

Ian Williams reminds me of Adrian Belew a lot. Gets so much out of his instrument

[@adderon]

Word up

[@SlyHikari03]

The modern day ELP/Yes.

[@Black_Swans]

Anyone know what type of guitar Ian is playing here? Looks like some type of Ibanez?

[@vshazam]

Ibanez Artist/AR series

[@ciestatonite]

A 1980s Ibanez Artist AR 100.

[@Black_Swans]

@@ciestatonite good eye! Thank you!

[@amathis7292]

Wow...... ...............

[@myautobiographyafanfic1413]

Was the Two Towers Lord Of The Rings? Or is that the Twin Towers? Which one's New York?

[@HronisArva]

💜💜💜💜💜💜