Drummers on the record: back-to-back residencies include dinner and a show with rock duo ‘Locations’
Joey Hadden and Tom Whidden talk '“Locations Sandwiches” residencies at Main Drag Music.
A shot of Tom Whidden hosting the “Locations Sandwiches” show on Nov. 14 by Joey Hadden
On a crisp night in Brooklyn in mid-November, Blanket Approval Drummer Joey Hadden saw the genre-bending, human-rights backing, alt-rock duo Locations (Niko Rummel, guitar/vox; Tom Whidden, drums/vox), play a residency show at Main Drag Music.
And it was about time.
Locations played their first residency at the Williamsburg venue in the spring, featuring local bands Hamilton Fish, A Bunch of Dead People, Monarch, Tula Vera, Le Boss, and Warpark.
Anthony & Son catered the series of events, promptly titled “Locations Sandwiches.”
After missing all three shows, Joey was stoked when Locations later announced a second round of “Locations Sandwiches” in the Fall. The first show on Oct. 4 featured Vvhen and Summer Fling. Joey caught the second show on Nov. 14 with Kristen Flammio & The PRetty Bitchin and Thesaurus Rex.
About a week later, Tom was sitting in 6 p.m. traffic when Joey called to chat about what it was like to play their first two residencies back-to-back ahead of their final “Locations Sandwiches” event tomorrow, Dec. 7, featuring Amskray and Boyscoutmarie.
Here’s what they said (edited for length and clarity)
Tom: Let's talk. Record.
Joey: How did the first residency come about?
Tom: I have been to almost every club in the city, and you don’t get the same feeling as you get when you walk into that room. It's an epic entrance — you’re walking into this music store and all of a sudden you're in this cavernous space. The people who are running it are wonderful … And the natural reverberation in that room is supreme.
Joey: I know when I walked in there, I was intimidated by the size of the room. It just feels like, ‘How the fuck am I gonna fill this place up?’
And at that last show, man (Nov. 14), it was shoulder to shoulder. I went to the back for a second to get a photo, and it was a pain in the ass to get back to the front. How has that progressed since your first residency?
Tom: We really hit some rough weather the first couple of dates. The first show was during three consecutive days of torrential downpour … It was super disappointing to have two shows in a row not be well attended. But that third show with Le Boss and Warpark went so well. We had such a good turnout that we started talking about doing it again.
Joey: How did the room feel?
Tom: Being in a space where people are not only getting to enjoy a good meal, but also a good show in such a cool space — any one of those things can make for a great night — but putting them all together is the magic sauce.
Joey: How did Anthony & Son get involved?
Tom: I'm just a massive fan of the sandwich shop. The first time I went there was in 2017 or so, and it's become a regular staple of my life — so much so that they actually catered my wedding … It was a priority over the venue.
Joey: In terms of the residency lineups, do you put all the bills together yourself?
Shots of Locations before their first show at Main Drag Music in 2023 by Sydney Tate (L) and Joey Hadden (R).
Tom: That is all me.
Joey: Tell me about that process. How do you go about selecting bands?
Tom: I try to go to as many shows as I can. I always try to show up for an entire bill — I think it's so silly when people come out and see one band and then leave. I’ve found some of my absolute favorite bands just by accidentally catching their set.
One of the bands we're about to play with (Dec. 7) — Boyscoutmarie … They're the kind of band that throws your jaw on the floor, and I haven't picked it up since.
Joey: Damn. I wish I could go, man. We have a show here at the Fort … So back to that last show (Nov. 14) — Locations played second. Do you guys typically pick that middle slot?
Tom: That's the “sandwich” of “Location Sandwiches.” We're sandwiched in the middle of two of our favorite New York City bands.
It came about as a random ass idea. Actually, the day after our record release show that we played together, Locations played a birthday party in the backyard, and Sarah (vox) from Monarch was there. We had been talking about Anthony & Son. She used to order from there all the time because she worked nearby … I pitched her the idea before I even pitched it to Niko, and she was like, “That's fucking genius.”
Joey: I mean, it really is. And it shows that you're really out to support the community. It's just a testament to everything you guys stand for.
At the show … the most powerful thing you said, I think, was something like, “I would rather see you out on the streets than here at the show.”
Tom: Yeah. It's true. It is so fucking true. And thanks for saying that too. It's not something that I have always done. The first time I ever did that was actually another show that you and I shared at Bowery Electric.
We were about to start a song, and … I just ranted. I was really fucking fired up. I was pissed off, and I just let it go to a crowd of 100-plus people. And it felt right.
Joey: I had no idea that was unplanned. That is kinda wild to hear just having seen it. I thought that was something that you did every show prior to that, probably.
Tom: I feel like the unplanned nature of it is part of what cuts through and what helps people connect. I just try to talk to people the way I wanna be talked to and say it like I see it.
Joey: A lot of the time, you guys feature artists from other bands in your set, too … Can you talk about what it’s like to play with so many different musicians live?
Tom: It's always the most exciting part for me, and I really focus on our featured performer because I feel like it's such a special moment … What I'm doing on drums is not terribly difficult, and I don't have to sing. So I can enjoy my surroundings.
And it just so happens that I get to be 3 feet from a homie fucking shredding it, giving them a moment to shine and just make it a little more exciting — and also hopefully make the show feel a little more cohesive. There's so much room on the stage as a duo. It seems silly to not share the space.
Joey: But if you were to close your eyes at the show, you would think there were at least three people up there. And Niko is a wizard. It's unbelievable what he does, man. It sounds so full every time.
Tom: Dude, thank you so much for saying that. It is a compliment we work very hard to get, and we really are trying to make it feel like there's more of us than there actually is.
Joey: Do you see yourselves doing another residency?
Tom: I certainly will be playing Main Drag Music in the future just because it's my favorite venue to play by a margin. I think that there is a world where we do another sandwiches show just because I love spreading the goodness that is Anthony & Son, and I think everyone who eats their sandwiches has a little bit better day just like that.
But I think doing another residency would cheapen this experience. And I like the idea of putting an end to it.
You got one last chance to come to it. And if you saw one of these shows, then you know the magic that it was. And if you missed it, well, that's why you make plans to be places. Venues close, bands break up, people die — you never know what is gonna happen.
Joey: For bands out there that are really stoked on a venue and they are interested in doing a residency, do you have any tips for putting together a good show?
Tom: I don't think I will do it again, and I wouldn't recommend someone else doing it. But if that's the kind of vibe that you're going for … Make it a release show. Make it a special collaboration with other bands. Make it your only show for a huge chunk of time at a venue that feels like a huge get for you … That feels purposeful and like it can't be missed. That's the impact that we wanna have. And I think that is hopefully what we're achieving.
Joey: I mean, I think you are.
Tom: Thanks, dude. And, you know, I gotta say again. Seeing you not only while I was performing, but looking at the footage we shot that last show, you are just fucking going wild the whole time. And, your energy gave me so much energy. So thank you so much for your performance in your own right and just for showing up, dude. I love being in the same room as you.
Joey: When a band brings the energy, it just comes out of me naturally. So, you know, that's really all just you guys.
Tom: Well, thank you again. And thanks for doing this. The support, dude — unparalleled. I am so grateful. I think that what you guys are doing in Through the Monitor is a beautiful sight. Especially as a professional — this is what you do for money, and you're doing it for the love of the game. That's the fucking realest shit.
Joey: Thank you, man. That means a lot to me … It's a great way to get more connected to the local scene, especially with the Fort shows now. I'm really happy with it, so I appreciate that a lot.
Tom: You know, thankless job, so I'll get a thank you when I can.
And also, just to the point of starting it — that's the hardest part. Then once it gets going, sure, every time you do it is its own effort. But every little bit that trickles out is like, uh, it's like uh … oh my god — what is it called when you're rolling down to hell and collecting more stuff?
Joey: A snowball?
Tom: Yes. A snowball effect. And it gets easier when you're in the habit … and then, not only can any individual piece within the body of work be able to stand on its own, but also on top of all this other work that you've done. It brings the context to it that makes it more meaningful. And there's no end in sight — I hope.
Joey confirmed that Tom had safely arrived at his destination before ending the call.
