Banks & Steelz, the new project featuring Interpol's Paul Banks and Wu-Tang Clan's RZA made their New York City debut Thursday night. The two New Yorkers, who have just started a small tour to support their debut album, Anything But Words, in their 3rd stop they did a hometown throw down.
Surprisingly, the intimate venue was not sold-out, however, those that were in attendance did experience something special. On the record, Banks is the star of the show with his swelling voice and clever lyrics, in concert, it is all RZA. The Staten Island-born musician had all of Bowery Ballroom in the palm of his hand. The 2 dapper gentlemen where backed by a drummer and produced enough sound that it felt as if there were 20 people on stage at points.
With special guests Kool Keith, who opened the show, and Joan As a Police Woman, the eclectic and unlikely duo are a force to be reckoned with on stage. It remains to be seen if they will ever tour again and do this project, but if they don't, everyone inside the Bowery got a treat.
