ABC No Rio 25th Anniversary Celebration
ABC No Rio, LES
For 25 years, ABC No Rio has been a haven for the artistic, punk and anarchist communities in the Lower East Side. After starting out as a squat, the building has repelled numerous attempts by the city to shut it down. The RMO played in the backyard before moving out to Rivington Street for a second set and an impromptu street party. Later, the band led a contingent of people to the local precinct, where some Critical Mass arrestees were being held. Finally, the RMO invaded a rooftop birthday party and drank all their alcohol and ate their food.
Still We Speak Rally
Union Square South, NYC
The RMO continued to support Critical Mass by performing during the pre-ride rally.
Grifter’s Ball
Creative Alliance, Baltimore
For this theme party about “lying,” benefiting the art organization Creative Alliance, the RMO traveled to Baltimore and received a great reaction from the diverse crowd, who eventually abandoned their theater seating to rock out on the side of the stage. Our saxophonist Martin read a speech decrying the “latte-sipping, Volvo drivin’ liberals,” followed by a botched version of the National Anthem, disintegrating into the Indian marching song “Baraat.” For the encore, a strange prospect for a marching band, we pulled out “Range Barse.” We decided that the RMO is in an open relationship with Baltimore.
Greene Dragon’s Fourth of July Party
East River Bar, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
After a rousing street performance at Federal Hall in Manhattan, the revelers of Greene Dragon led the crowd back to [Colonial] Williamsburg to celebrate resistance in all its forms. The RMO rocked it out along with the avant-jazz group Dooryard Quartet, and DJ Stylus.