Qween Kong, The Problem With Kids Today, and The Infinite Wet Secret
Space Ballroom
Hamden
Oct. 12, 2025
The Nor’easter coming through Connecticut was supposed to be the big news Sunday night, but the real rager was the Qween Kong album release show, held in the front room of the Space Ballroom and featuring three bands that filled that room with those unafraid of a little wind and rain.
Qween Kong – the New Haven-based trio made up of Gillian Basilicato on guitar and vocals, Cara DeLucia on bass and vocals, and Melody McCarthy on drums — have a new album out called “Gash,” released Saturday and is already making an impression. The band was set to play the entire nine-song album that night for their dedicated (and slightly damp) fans.
Also on the bill were local friends The Problem With Kids Today – who released their own new album back in August – and The Infinite Wet Secret, who hail from Boston.
The intimacy of the front room suited the soiree, as people gathered to check out the merch (which included not only the new CD but new shirts as well), have a beer, and await the proceedings. There was an almost basement show feel to it all, a cool, comforting, and casual togetherness of friends and those already familiar with the power and prowess of these bands’ live performances and eager to hear the new songs too.
First to the stage were The Problem With Kids Today, who got themselves settled in while chants of “Kids!” repeated through the air.
“Who’s ready to rock?” shouted Tate Brooks, guitarist and vocalist for The Kids right before the trio – which also includes Silas Lourenco lang on bass and vocals, and Reena Yu on drums – proceeded to rock right on through a solid 30-minute set of sing, scream, and shake-alongs.
-This reporter recalls four years ago seeing this band for the first time and noting that by the end of their set, people were “completely in love with this energetic and enigmatic new band.” I am happy to report that their energy has not faltered one bit and that the love has only grown exponentially. They’re still as sweet and playful as ever, with Brooks complimenting all the “lovely faces” he saw in the audience, most of which were smiling throughout the set. And the new songs continue their trademark high-powered, high-energy, raw and ready rock you can return to again and again. Brooks at one point broke a string; he told the audience he was going to keep going anyway.
“It’s not about the strings, it’s about the vibe,” he said with a laugh. How could you not agree when the music is this good and you’re having that much fun?
The Infinite Wet Secret expressed their joy in being a part of the evening, having played before with both New Haven-based bands. Their set began and ended with an instrumental track, the former more surf rock-tinged and the latter more sprawling and experimental. The trio, which included Patrick Murphy on guitar and vocals, Sam Simmers on bass and vocals, and Steve Olson on drums, offered a multitude of sounds throughout their genre-defying set. They sped up, slowed down, got jazzy, and went hard. Nothing can be more fun than hearing a band for the first time and while they’re playing already looking forward to listening to them again. I suggest checking out their music online (and live if you can). Did the crowd feel the same? Well, they began chanting “Wet!” over and over again as the set ended, and I’m fairly certain that was not because it was raining harder outside.
Everyone was sufficiently pumped up for Qween Kong as they made it to the stage for the final set. The band kept the talking to a minimum, except of course for multiple expressions of gratitude for everyone being there and supporting them as well as shoutouts to those who helped them make the new record. The music did the talking, as it often does, and the new music solidifies this band as one with staying power. Nine feral, furious, and feel-it-in-your-bones songs that don’t let up with a bonus of being highly catchy as well. People were already singing along, from the opening growls of “Like a Dog” to the final screams of “Prescience.”
When it was over the chants began again, but this time they were chants of “Qween Kong” and this time they got an encore in return. Bodies started moshing together down in front and the whole night ended with an energy even higher than when it began. Brooks was right, it is about the vibe, always, but it is also a collective reciprocity. Musicians offering you what they love and you receiving it with love, and bonus if it can help everyone recharge and reenergize, especially on a Sunday night when most people are dreading what might be ahead. Thanks to Qween Kong and the rest of the gang, I left there feeling like I could pretty much conquer anything I set my mind to, storm or not.
