Words by Sophie Abeles / Photos by Matt Weinberger
If I told you New York’s underground alt-rock scene is back, you might ask who’s responsible. I have two words for you: Cab. Ellis. Best known for their uninhibited, intoxicating live performances at venues like Baby’s All Right, Gonzo’s and Mercury Lounge, Cab Ellis is the underground revival’s best-kept-secret. With a penchant for stage diving, spitting beer into mosh pits and splitting guitar strings center stage, the band stirs a certain chaos and confusion in young fans while conjuring a deep nostalgia for a bygone era in older listeners. From their inception in Los Angeles, California, to a stealthy crawl to infamy here in New York, Cab Ellis is set to headline at Bowery Ballroom this January, which will be their biggest show to date. Last month, I sat down with the seven-piece in the cockpit of a Ridgewood dive bar to chat Bowery Ballroom and the band’s evolution since their first New York show in early 2022, our faces lit up by the glow of Buckhunter and beer.
Sophie: Bowery Ballroom in January. How are you guys feeling about it?
Chris: Really proud. We went from playing house shows to headlining at Bowery.
Greg: It’s the second time we’re playing Bowery, too, so we already have a taste of the stage. But headlining is a big deal. A whole year has gone by. The set is completely different. It’s gonna be tighter and louder.
Sophie: I bet. Even though I’ve seen so many shows, it feels like every time I see you guys play, it’s a different experience. For people who’ve never seen you guys or for returning audiences, what’s gonna set this show apart?
Connor: It’s gonna be ours.
Devlin: Yeah, we’re no longer riding the coat tails of other bands.
Connor: We’re also releasing our first song off the new album that we’ve been working on for three years. And we’re releasing a music video. Dawn of a new era. We’re pushing something forward that not a lot of bands in New York are doing. Bowery is gonna be the beginning of that.
Sophie: It’s probably going to be mayhem. That’s the hope, right? You want the show to be crazy.
Greg: I mean, it’s gonna be loud and wet. You’ll see something you’ve never seen before. Probably coming from Connor but also from the virtuostic mother fuckers Connor’s got playing with him. Bring your floaties.
Sophie: Greg, are you planning one of your speeches for Bowery?
Greg: Maybe. Usually the first three rows are the only ones listening, though.
Sophie: I beg to differ.
Greg: We’ll see. Gotta keep it tight. Under 10 minutes.
Sophie: Easy. And Olin, you’re the newest member of the band. What were your first impressions of Cab Ellis when you joined?
Olin: I started playing with the band in the last show of their Baby’s All Right residency this past spring. I’m a rock musician by trade, but I’ve definitely never jumped around on stage as much as I do with this band.
Sophie: Everyone is always sweating profusely after the shows. Including those of us in the crowd. Any pre-show rituals?
Connor: Do some of my OCD shit like shut a bunch of doors. Talk to Greg. Go thrifting. Anything to keep myself distracted day-of.
Olin: I’m usually not really hungry. I never feel like eating or drinking before the shows.
Sophie: If you had to eat something what would it be?
Olin: Baconeggandcheese. Or a steak? Maybe clams? Wait, no, those might not sit too well actually.
Sophie: Definitely wouldn’t recommend clams before a show.
Chris: Yea, I’m so weird about all the shit I intake before a show. Have to be hydrated.
Sophie: What’re you drinking now? No beer?
Chris: No beer. Just water.
Sophie: Health god. Chris, you’ve been in the band for a while. You know its strengths. You met Connor in LA and then moved to New York shortly after he landed here. Why should people show out for this Bowery show?
Chris: Yeah, I mean, there’s the Connor factor. He’s drawing from so many inspirations. There’s a palpable energy and stage presence with everyone in the band; it’s so in your face. A lot of bands I see – who are great – are a little stiff or trying hard to be cool. We’re letting loose – not trying to be cool. We’re just playing our music and showing people we care.
Devlin: And we’ll be playing a ton of new music at Bowery.
Sophie: New music! I can’t wait for the next album – we’ll get to that in a sec. Devlin, this show will be your 3-year anniversary of joining the band. You filled in last minute for their first New York show at Arlene’s Grocery in January 2022, after the band’s guitarist got sick. I remember Connor telling me you had to learn 10 songs in 2 days.
Devlin: Yeah, Chris sent me the sheet music and texted me: ‘can you do it?’ At first I was like, I’m not doing that. And then he called me and I gave in. Chris and I grew up together – formed our first band together when we were teenagers. But yea, I was still in school when I joined Cab Ellis, so it was refreshing to get out of the hyper-academic music world I was in and just let loose, let the guardrails down.
Sophie: It’s baffling that you learned so much music in such a short amount of time. So, about the new album. What’s different about this record compared to your last album, East Coast Hold On?
Olin: Just from an outsider’s perspective, since I’m the newest here – the old stuff like “She Put That Man Over Me” is really good, but this new music feels really nuanced and well-orchestrated. I can see the development of the songwriting compared to the last record.
Devlin: Yea, we’ve been working on this stuff for a long time. A lot of thought has gone into it.
Connor: And there are a lot of people in the city who are using the same mixer or same producer. We don’t really do that. We make our own sound and we’re not really after a commerical thing.
Sophie: What do you think defines this new record?
Connor: I think the music is stranger and the lyrics are better. More honest. Through and through. The album is going to be sorta polarizing, too. People are either gonna love it or they’re gonna hate it. That’s what I love about it.
Sophie: Do you guys have specific roles in the band personality-wise? Like who’s the one who yells during rehearsal or always gets lost on tour? You’re all very different.
Olin: Devlin’s the cool dad.
Greg: My role? Two words. Personality hire.
Sophie: I agree with both of those takes.
Chris: I’m the stickler.
Sophie: That’s surprising, Chris. You’re so laid back usually.
Chris: For sure. But in rehearsals or at shows, I get hot headed. We’re all talented so I expect a lot. I want us to be the best we can possibly be. And I want everyone who comes to watch us to be like ‘these guys are undeniable.’ Yeah. I want us to be undeniable.
Sophie: That’s some rock and roll shit right there. Connor, I’ll end with you. What do you feel like the band is trying to do? What do you want people to leave with after watching one of your shows?
Connor: I want everyone to feel like they can be a champion of their own life when they listen to our music. That’s important to us. That’s what I feel like I’m here to do – to tell people in the band and people who listen to us – what you do is great. Now go to the extreme, go to absolute the maximum of what you have to offer.
Sophie: Thanks guys. This was fun.
Chris: This was great.
Connor: Thanks, Soph.
Cab Ellis is headlining at Bowery Ballroom on January 10th, 2025. The show will debut new music and a music video for their new song, “Brand New Chair,” which will be released next year along with their upcoming album. Follow this link to grab your tickets now.