Hank Shteamer
@darkforcesswing.bsky.social
writer, usually about music. Having a look around…
contact: hshteamer.writes@gmail.com
hankshteamer.com
contact: hshteamer.writes@gmail.com
hankshteamer.com
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Hank Shteamer's Creator Profile
www.tiktok.com
PSA: If you're contacted by anyone on any social media claiming to be me, & promising coverage in exchange for $, this is (obviously!) a scam. Pls report, block, etc. Latest fraudulent account — actively trying to get it deactivated but could take a while www.tiktok.com/@hank_shteamer
I saw more than 100 live shows this year. Here's a rundown of the 25 most memorable ones: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/best-of-20...
Best of 2025: 25 greatest gigs
The live music that made my year
darkforcesswing.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I saw more than 100 live shows this year. Here's a rundown of the 25 most memorable ones: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/best-of-20...
A few words on my favorite reissues and historical releases of the year: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/best-of-20...
Best of 2025: New old music
Reissues and historical titles ranging from adventurous jazz to progressive punk
darkforcesswing.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:27 PM
A few words on my favorite reissues and historical releases of the year: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/best-of-20...
Here are my 10 favorite albums of 2025, with a few words on why that's the case: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/best-of-20...
Best of 2025: Overall top 10
The new releases that defined my year in listening
darkforcesswing.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Here are my 10 favorite albums of 2025, with a few words on why that's the case: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/best-of-20...
Extended 2025 jazz list, with 25 additional favorites from the year beyond the top 10: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/best-of-20...
Best of 2025: Jazz (on record)
The annual top 10 list, plus a bunch more I dug
darkforcesswing.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Extended 2025 jazz list, with 25 additional favorites from the year beyond the top 10: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/best-of-20...
Co-sign! One of my fave reads of the year
My book BACKBEATS: A HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL IN 15 DRUMMERS makes a great gift for the percussionist, music fan, or discerning reader in your life.
johnlingan.com for reviews, a playlist for the book, and purchase links. And below are 15 playlists for each chapter. Rock on.
johnlingan.com for reviews, a playlist for the book, and purchase links. And below are 15 playlists for each chapter. Rock on.
December 5, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Co-sign! One of my fave reads of the year
Such a cool and inspiring story
"This is Charlotte Astor’s fantasy, her obsession: to unearth a single piece of recorded music lost to time. To finally hear the thrashing guitar, the crunch of the bass — and the sound of her mother’s voice."
Searching for her mom’s lost punk legacy:
Searching for her mom’s lost punk legacy:
Lost cassette tape connects N.J. girl to her mom's punk legacy. She's got the whole country looking for it.
The South Jersey teen sparked a nationwide search for a tape her mom recorded 30 years ago
www.nj.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Such a cool and inspiring story
Jabali at 85. Two more sets at Smoke tonight with @ethaniversonpiano.bsky.social, Mark Turner, Ben Street
November 30, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Jabali at 85. Two more sets at Smoke tonight with @ethaniversonpiano.bsky.social, Mark Turner, Ben Street
New interview with the Messthetics on the humbling and inspiring experience of covering Sonny Sharrock's 'Ask the Ages' in full, which they'll do again on Friday in D.C., along with James Brandon Lewis: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/like-tryin...
'Like Trying to Get to Saturn': The Messthetics on Covering Sonny Sharrock's 'Ask the Ages'
Ahead of a full-album cover show with frequent collaborator James Brandon Lewis, the genre-blending trio discusses adapting and inhabiting the 1991 avant-jazz classic
darkforcesswing.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
New interview with the Messthetics on the humbling and inspiring experience of covering Sonny Sharrock's 'Ask the Ages' in full, which they'll do again on Friday in D.C., along with James Brandon Lewis: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/like-tryin...
This week's drum-centric newsletter, in which I make the case for why Tyshawn Sorey's phenomenal trio (at the Vanguard this week!) are the best band in jazz, and delve into the genius of @jimwhitedrums.bsky.social, who plays TV Eye on Monday: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/gig-of-the...
Gig of the Week: 11/17/25
Two spellcasting drummers are playing in town within the coming days, and you should really go see both
darkforcesswing.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:24 PM
This week's drum-centric newsletter, in which I make the case for why Tyshawn Sorey's phenomenal trio (at the Vanguard this week!) are the best band in jazz, and delve into the genius of @jimwhitedrums.bsky.social, who plays TV Eye on Monday: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/gig-of-the...
Thirty years ago, I read an album review, published in a DIY fanzine, that changed the course of my life. In recent days, I got to hold it in my hands - and thank the people who brought it into the world
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
'Infected by the Gods': A Zine Called 'FeH' and the Contagious Enthusiasm of Music Writing
Thirty years ago, I read an album review that changed the course of my life. In recent days, I got to hold it in my hands — and thank the people who brought it into the world
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Thirty years ago, I read an album review, published in a DIY fanzine, that changed the course of my life. In recent days, I got to hold it in my hands - and thank the people who brought it into the world
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
Jack DeJohnette's art will live forever: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/a...
Jack DeJohnette, Revered Jazz Drummer, Dies at 83
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Jack DeJohnette's art will live forever: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/a...
Every Thursday on Substack, I highlight one NYC gig for the coming week that I'm excited about, recap one from the prior week I loved and recommend dozens of other upcoming shows. It would mean a lot to me if you check it out and, if you like what you see, subscribe: darkforcesswing.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Every Thursday on Substack, I highlight one NYC gig for the coming week that I'm excited about, recap one from the prior week I loved and recommend dozens of other upcoming shows. It would mean a lot to me if you check it out and, if you like what you see, subscribe: darkforcesswing.substack.com
Gig of the Week post for 9/8/25 - recommend shows plus recent happenings including a new piece on Wayne Shorter's public archives: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/gig-of-the...
Gig of the Week: 9/8/25
A peek inside the Wayne Shorter archives, appearances from two long-running avant-institutions, Andrew Cyrille on the web and more
darkforcesswing.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Gig of the Week post for 9/8/25 - recommend shows plus recent happenings including a new piece on Wayne Shorter's public archives: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/gig-of-the...
DFSBP Gig of the Week (Joe Farnsworth live, RIP Brent Hinds and more)
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
Gig of the Week: 9/1/25
Goodbye, Brent Hinds; Neil on the Beach; Joe Farnsworth at Smoke; and more
open.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM
DFSBP Gig of the Week (Joe Farnsworth live, RIP Brent Hinds and more)
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
On the upcoming return of progressive post-hardcore masters Dazzling Killmen, and why the band has kept me fascinated for 30 years and counting: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/beauty-in-...
Beauty in Ruin: Why the Dazzling Killmen Reunion Matters
On the return of the band behind 'Face of Collapse,' maybe the most fearsome and advanced post-hardcore record of them all
darkforcesswing.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 7:20 PM
On the upcoming return of progressive post-hardcore masters Dazzling Killmen, and why the band has kept me fascinated for 30 years and counting: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/beauty-in-...
Many of my most enjoyable NYC live-music experiences in the past few years have one factor in common: Joe Farnsworth -- some thoughts and a new NYT profile: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/joe-farnsw...
Joe Farnsworth, disciple of swing
A new profile of the indispensable NYC jazz drummer is out now
darkforcesswing.substack.com
July 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Many of my most enjoyable NYC live-music experiences in the past few years have one factor in common: Joe Farnsworth -- some thoughts and a new NYT profile: darkforcesswing.substack.com/p/joe-farnsw...
Quick PSA: No new music released in the past ~15 years has hit me harder emotionally than the output of Patrick Walker, the U.K. singer-songwriter who records under the name 40 Watt Sun. He’s playing a rare NYC solo show at the Meadows on Sat., July 12th, and there are still tix available. (1/2)
July 10, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Quick PSA: No new music released in the past ~15 years has hit me harder emotionally than the output of Patrick Walker, the U.K. singer-songwriter who records under the name 40 Watt Sun. He’s playing a rare NYC solo show at the Meadows on Sat., July 12th, and there are still tix available. (1/2)
PSA: If you're contacted by anyone on any social media claiming to be me, & promising coverage in exchange for $, this is (obviously!) a scam. Pls report, block, etc. Latest fraudulent account — actively trying to get it deactivated but could take a while www.tiktok.com/@hank_shteamer
Hank Shteamer's Creator Profile
www.tiktok.com
July 7, 2025 at 10:33 PM
PSA: If you're contacted by anyone on any social media claiming to be me, & promising coverage in exchange for $, this is (obviously!) a scam. Pls report, block, etc. Latest fraudulent account — actively trying to get it deactivated but could take a while www.tiktok.com/@hank_shteamer
I’ll be thinking about the final Ozzy/Sabbath show for a long while, but here’s some of what’s on my mind one day later, after streaming it from start to finish:
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
Ozzy and Black Sabbath's Farewell Show: 10 Thoughts Across 10 Hours
Observations on a historic day for heavy metal
open.substack.com
July 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I’ll be thinking about the final Ozzy/Sabbath show for a long while, but here’s some of what’s on my mind one day later, after streaming it from start to finish:
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
open.substack.com/pub/darkforc...
I’ve been a fan of Brandee Younger for a while, so it was an honor to profile her ahead of her new album - which I absolutely love - out Friday: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/a...
Brandee Younger Has a New Secret Weapon: Alice Coltrane’s Harp (Gift Article)
The harpist, composer and bandleader plays it on her latest album, “Gadabout Season,” a persuasive argument for the vast potential of her instrument.
www.nytimes.com
June 11, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I’ve been a fan of Brandee Younger for a while, so it was an honor to profile her ahead of her new album - which I absolutely love - out Friday: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/a...
Peter Evans’s Being & Becoming // @roulettenyc.bsky.social // Long Play Festival // May 2
Fantastic set. Dense, heady and at times (like here!) extremely hard-grooving. Joel Ross, Nick Joz, Tyshawn Sorey
Fantastic set. Dense, heady and at times (like here!) extremely hard-grooving. Joel Ross, Nick Joz, Tyshawn Sorey
May 3, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Peter Evans’s Being & Becoming // @roulettenyc.bsky.social // Long Play Festival // May 2
Fantastic set. Dense, heady and at times (like here!) extremely hard-grooving. Joel Ross, Nick Joz, Tyshawn Sorey
Fantastic set. Dense, heady and at times (like here!) extremely hard-grooving. Joel Ross, Nick Joz, Tyshawn Sorey