Hail the lady drummer, especially the one standing up in heels and sequins. Matt and Kim’s rival team is Hank & Cupcakes, residing in Williamsburg but originally from a small town outside Tel Aviv, Israel. The duo has been touring their Pat Benatar brand of drum and bass around North America for the last few years, winning fans with their signature stage presence, a blend of stoic and sexy.
Covering everything from new wave to “Like a G6” live in Vegas is an unorthodox move for a new band out of Brooklyn. But it’s hard to know what to expect when the drummer is named Cupcakes. Sagit Shir sings and pounds the kit while Ariel “Hank” Scherbacovsky handles the melody on bass guitar. On record their songs have a big, dance floor thickness. Live, they strip down to a performance that sometimes sounds tribal.
Watching Hank & Cupcakes feels like getting behind the binoculars for a musical mating ritual. The connection between the couple is magnetic. Their music builds momentum and rides on ahead full speed, eyes locked. “Sweet Potion” is an energy boost of a song, what you play to get ready for a night out. In heels, hailing a cab with your drum stick.
Hank & Cupcakes play the Brooklyn Bowl on April 4.
