While the CMJ masses searched for the next big thing Thursday night, we took a break from the hype in favor of catching two pillars of the heavier, artsier end of the DIY music spectrum: Montreal-based eardrum-blowers AIDS Wolf and Baltimore's post-punk trio Double Dagger (the latter are now retiring after nine years; they play their final show tonight, in their hometown). The night, at Death By Audio in South Williamsburg, was a frenetic, sweaty one, featuring lots of full-body-contact amd crowd-surfing. While we love the multi-sensory experience of their sets, these bands also hold a special place in our heart on account of their work as internationally acclaimed, wildly prolific visual artists. Chloe Lum and Yannick Desranleau, two of AIDS Wolf's three members, are the duo behind Seripop, self-described "printmaking iconoclasts" who also create these colorful installations at art institutions all over the world. Double Dagger frontman Nolen Strals is co-owner of design firm
Post Typography whose work ranges from show posters to magazine covers for
Time, Metropolis, and ESPN. Not bad for a bunch of punks.
