River City Extension at Rough Trade NYC (April 19, 2015)

When I was upstate at school at Binghamton University, I was a part of BUMP, a student run group that booked some underground shows. One of the acts that we commonly booked throughout my years spent at the university was a New Jersey group named River City Extension. I saw them play countless times, and it seemed like no matter how many times they came up to play, the crowds got bigger and more passionate about their performances.

The group just released their brand new record Deliverance which they released March 10 via Anchor & Hope and just wrapped up their tour with a final show at Rough Trade NYC on April 19.

This was my first time catching the group outside of Binghamton, and aside from founder and frontman Joe Michelini, the live lineup seemed completely different. The project has always revolved around Michelini, who is the heart and soul of the group. But this new lineup has done wonders, and they helped put on what was easily the best show I’ve seen from the group yet.

Just like at Binghamton, a very appreciative and dedicated audience came out to Rough Trade to support the band, who put on an engaging show. With three albums under their belt, they had plenty to pick from and utilized all of the best cuts from each. A particular highlight came in the middle of the show, where they played “Something Salty, Something Sweet,” “South for The Winter,” and “Our New Intelligence,” just as the tracks appear on their 2010 debut, The Unmistakable Man. It was strange hearing these outside of the walls of Binghamton for once, but they sounded just as mighty as ever before.

For the encore they were joined by openers Air Traffic Controller for an epic cover of Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky.” It was a perfect cap to the 100-minute set, a perfect way to spend a Sunday night.

River City Extension Setlist:

1. Glastonbury
2. Ballad of Oregon
3. Something’s Gotta Give
4. Indian Summer
5. Ohio
6. Welcome To Pittsburgh
7. If You Need Me Back In Brooklyn
8. If I Still Own A Bible
9. I Wouldn’t Worry
10. Girls
11. Down, Down, Down
12. Something Salty, Something Sweet
13. South For The Winter
14. Our New Intelligence
15. Deliverance, Pt. 2
16. Holy Cross
17. White Blackmail
18. Vox Populi
19. I’m Not There