forgetters at Schokoladen – In A Berlin Minute (Week 54)

This past week, Brooklyn band forgetters played at Schokoladen and gave me just the right reason to finally check out (and film) this former squat and staple of alternative culture in Mitte. Schokoladen’s motto: “Keeping Mitte yuppiefree since 1990”. Yeah, not sure if that’s really working – but maybe yuckies (young urban creatives) don’t count. Unfortunately their lease has recently been cancelled and they’re now in negotiations to make their stay in Mitte possible.

Forgetters are charismatic Blake Schwarzenbach (Jawbreaker), Kevin Mahon (Against Me!) and Caroline Paquita (Bitchin’) who is also an incredible print artist and whom I met few years ago through my friend Jessica Mills when she was in town to play with Citizen Fish.

That Jessica was actually the main reason why I was at the show in the first place, since she was in town (from New Mexico) only for the night while traveling with the band. Such a treat to connect with one of my old Gainesville friends (and meeting and hanging out with other old and new friends and acquaintances and passers-by). The whole night, including the awesome music, brought back lots of great memories and connected them with the present.

The other band playing that night was a great surprise: Witches with the lovely singer Cara Beth Satalino, who I already happened to have some music from (even with me on my phone that night). 

I highly recommend checking out both those bands (both continue to tour through Europe right now) – and if you’re a mom, check out Jessica Mills’ book My Mother Wears Combat Boots.

The song played by forgetters in this video is called “Stupid Libation”. I’m grateful they gave me permission to record and publish a minute – and I seriously hope no one is offended by my mixture of images with lyrics. It actually happened by chance.

Now rock on!