Brass Tacks, May 7

There was a substitute host tonight at The Low Beat, local rocker Nick Bisanz, who by way of introduction read the lyrics to a couple of British rockers, “Evidently Chickentown” by John Cooper Clarke (Nick read the Brit version where “bloody” replaces “fucking” as it appears on Clarke’s website), then Lemmy Kilmister’s lyrics (from Motörhead) to “Love Me Like a Reptile.”

I had arrived before Nick got there so I took over making sure there was a sign-up for the rest of us, which put me up next; I read “What Makes America Great #17” about the #MarchForOurLives rally, & from my new chapbook Baseball Poems “Waiting for Jacqueline Robinson.” Shane began with a piece titled “Sad Thoughts,” then on to a description of an encounter between a hawk & a mouse.

Lindsay said that this was her first time reading out (i.e., a virgin, to us) & began with what she described as “an evil poem” “Predator,” then on to an untitled piece, but also with a dark vibe, vulgar, violent images. As Nick commented when Lindsay left the stage, “What a début!” Shannon Shoemaker has not been around in a while & is always a welcome sight & tonight had new ink for us: “They Don’t Write Fairy Tales for Girls Like Me” & the brand-new “Where Does the Poetry Go?” always wonderfully in your face, & yet whistful.

The last 2 on the list were more in the spectrum of stand-up performers (which is also a regular event her at The Low Beat). Reed did a manic stand-up routine based on the TV series “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Zahin acted out a short version of “How the Grinch Stole Xmas,” a bit out of season.

Brass Tacks is a regular open mic here at The Low Beat on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month, 7:30PM, brought to you by albanypoets.com. Bring some poems, sign-up — even if you have never done this before.