Darryl Jenifer, bassist of seminal punk outfit Bad Brains, celebrated the release of his latest solo EP on Nov. 21 with a performance at The Bowery Electric. Jenifer was joined by Palm Beach, his new band, and openers Honeychild & the Biz (of The 1865) in the heart of the Bowery in Manhattan, steps away from the Bad Brains mural and close to the former site of CBGB’s, where punk rock gestated in the 1970s.
Jenifer kicked off the festivities with an appearance at Dark Matter Coffee’s Adios Amigos location on the same street ahead of the show. Jenifer collaborated with the shop on a Bad Brains signature blend of coffee that features original artwork by Jenifer on the cans and bags. The shop space, decked out with rock and roll memorabilia, also featured artwork by Jenifer plastered throughout. Jenifer took the time to meet fans, sign autographs, and blow out the candles on a commemorative cake, sipping his new signature brew alongside fans and shop staff ahead of The Bowery Electric performances.
Hours later, the energy was high as attendees shuffled into the music venue. Honeychild & the Biz, members of NYC punk group, The 1865, hit the stage around 8 p.m. The duo was well received, performing selections by The 1865 and beyond before Jenifer took the stage at about 9 p.m. Jenifer and his group pummeled through a fast, blistering set of punk fusion, taking the stage for only about 20 minutes. (One fan on Facebook referred to the set as “comically short.”) Fans were treated to new, instrumental originals before the trio were joined by vocalist Honeychild for a rendition of the Bad Brains classic “Sacred Love.” Attendees appeared moved, diving into the performance, but were left wanting more. “We don’t have any more songs,” Jenifer told the audience, as the houselights came up and a “2-for 1” after-show drink special advertisement appeared on screens around the room, signifying the end of the show, and leaving fans with space to process Jenifer’s triumphant return to the neighborhood where he and the Bad Brains cut their teeth and birthed a new form of punk rock that would change the world’s musical landscape forever.
More music from Jenifer is on the horizon; stay up to date with his work at his Instagram: @darryl.jenifer.