Jesse Malin’s “Sunset Kids” — A Musical Sunrise

If you’re not familiar with New York City rocker Jesse Malin, or thought that he was in danger of becoming a musical memory, he was just busy getting his world rebalanced and working on creating a cache of inspiring new songs.

Derek Cruz, Jesse Malin, Catherine Popper /photo courtesy of B.L.Howard Productions

Malin has roared back into the limelight with a new album, Sunset Kids, and polished his New York City streetwise brand of rock and roll with “a little help from his friends,” including producers Lucinda Williams and Tom Overby as well as Billie Joe Armstrong. Just released on Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records, Sunset Kids is not only melodic and tender, it’s also rough and tumble. The songs on this newest collection remain true to Malin’s inner muse and are sure to delight his legions of devoted followers. His ability to connect both the raw punk and mainstream rock emotions are evident on Sunset Kids and should also appeal to scores of newbies who are catching the global Malin buzz.

Jesse Malin / photo by Mark Ashe

Webster Hall was a perfect location for the Sunset Kids official album release celebration on September 14, 2019, which found this landmark venue packed to the rafters. Malin stepped out on stage, just after Tommy Stinson, Joseph Arthur and Alejandro Escovedo played mini sets.

Together with bandmates guitarist Derek Cruz, drummer Randy Schrager, bassist Catherine Popper and keyboardist Rob Clores, Jesse Malin put on a high-energy, non-stop, 24-song, three-hour show. Among the crowd-pleasers were “Brooklyn” from his first album, The Fine Art of Self Destruction, “The Archer” from Love It to Life and “Aftermath” from Glitter in the Gutter.

Down On The Ground / photo by Mark Ashe

Since this was an album release show, there were several tracks from Sunset Kids on the set list, including “Chemical Heart,” “Shane” and the Lucinda Williams-inspired “Room 13.” “Meet Me at the End of the World” was performed with Alejandro Escovedo and there was a moving version of “Shining Down,” which Malin dedicated to his father, Paul, who passed away in September of 2018.

The finale featured Malin scooting off the stage and across Webster Hall’s floor and was joined by all the players, including Matthew Ryan and Don DiLego. Using one of his signature ways to forge an even greater  connection with concert goers, Jesse Malin asked them to lie down on the concert floor, while he edged his way back to the stage, never missing a beat. If you haven’t experienced this New York City rock legend in the making, it might be time for you to check out his music, both on your devices and in person.