With a tendency towards funky, rappy rock, CK (Any reference to Calvin Klein here?) is another band working towards breaking down musical barriers. With their DJ, a geeky looking, well-refined disc spinner named Malcolm Michiles keeping the beats going, they managed to sway this uptight New York crowd into a little dancing and crowd movement. Of course, their semi-hit "Better Days," which you probably have heard recently, was delivered in fine form. Other highlights included a cute song, "Bill Hilly," which faltered only when Sims attempted to get the crowd to sing along, not an easy thing with a N.Y. hipster audience, and an unknown tune. Dave Cooley added some fun keyboards, and his little telephone thingamajig distorted his vocals and added another nice element to the mixed bag that is Citizen King. One only wishes the stage at Shine was a little larger, since it was obvious that Sims really wanted to jump around but couldn't due to the size of the stage.

Openers, New York's own Dangerman, most certainly had the home town advantage, as the audience was loaded with their friends and family. With their new disc, Let's Make a Deal, recently released, they were set for a hot night, and delivered the goods. With Brendan O'Brien (Nirvana, Pearl Jam) producing, the CD has a unique sound that Dangerman managed to capture live. Leader Chris Scianni, on guitars and vocals, grabbed the crowd and held them hostage: his guitar alternately screaming and crying, his voice somehow soothing and irritating at the same time.

Other band members completed the conglomerate more than capably. Overall, Dangerman is a band to be reckoned with. They recently opened for Blondie at the Garden and will continue to tour with the group. Most assuredly, the audiences at these shows are bearing witness to a new musical entity that will garner much more attention in years to come. Dangerman is going to take over...be careful.