Bands: Heavy Petals, Big Mess, Kal Marks, Frankie Teardrop, SUNS,  Tawny Peaks
Date: Sunday, January 6, 2013
Venue: Wilder Zangcraft (Lowell, MA)

Act I: Heavy Petals – I am excited to say this is the first show I am seeing in 2013. Overall 2012 was the best year for shows, each year seems to get better.  Anywho, Heavy Petals (I hope I have this name right, please inform me if I don’t) is a last minute addition to this bill, so I’ve never seen their name in writing.  They are a five piece and they deliver a sick, rocking set drenched in folk-country mixed with a little bit of punk. This reminds me of Those Darlins, especially with two female vocalists.  In fact, I’d specifically recommend them to fans of Those Darlins –  a lot of traditional country vocals.  I also notice that they expand beyond these elements and feature a more sinister side, bearing resemblances to Sonic Youth. All in all, a fun set.

Act II: Big Mess– Big Mess as always is a flat, sonic death punch to the gut.  I never get sick of hearing those catastrophic guitars and heart pounding drums.  Seriously, someone has to synch up these songs to a slasher/horror flick.  I can’t say this Big Mess set is particularly unique from any other Big Mess performance, but that’s not necesarily a bad thing. I consistently look forward to their high quality sets and they have never let me down.  I’m also glad to hear that some of the touring bands are fans of Big Mess now. Indeed, more kids need to experience this colossal band. You can start here: http://bigmessma.bandcamp.com/album/big-mess

Act III: Kal Marks –  Kal Marks have made a name for themselves in the Boston underground, charming us along the way- https://klyam.com/2011/06/01/concert-review-peach-kelli-pop-problem-house/ Unfortunately, unlike Big Mess, I (we) haven’t seen Kal since May 2011, opening for Peach Kelli Pop at the Problem House as can be read in the link above. I remember thinking they were a diverse group, able to capture various styles and sounds all at once.  I still feel that way, and I especially admire their latest EP Piss of the Century.  Lead vocalist Carl has a highly distinctive, high pitched voice with a certain drawl that oddly reminds me of Kurt Cobain.  Tonight, Kal Marks is a two piece (in need of a bassist), but GOOD NEWS! AS OF WRITING THIS THEY HAVE FOUND A BASS PLAYER NAMED MIKE. WORD.  Though, they still sound awesome as a two piece.  Can’t wait to see them back in action again as a full band.  It’s a good set for the most part, but in some of the louder songs, I can barely hear the vocals, while on the softer tunes those sick pipes come through a bit clearer. http://kalmarks.bandcamp.com/ So, I hear Big Mess and Kal Marks are going to tour together in March, GO SEE EM KIDS!

Act IV: Frankie Teardrop – Going into this next performance, I don’t know what to expect. And I’ve professed before that’s how I like it. I like the unexpected. Frankie isn’t just one dude (it’s funny, up until now, I had this image in my head of this sad lounge singer in a tuxedo with a whiskey bottle, though I was positive it wouldn’t be like that and for everyone’s sake, it is not). Frankie’s a full band. One dude on vocals/guitar in the front area where attendees stand and the rest of the members in the conventional band space in the back. The man on vocals and guitar, Frankie perhaps, flails and flings about as he rocks through his frenetic set. He looks possessed. It’s noisy and somewhat amateur, but I like it a lot. I can’t not fixate on this dude and his weird movement. I’ll have to listen to more of their music, because I can’t pin down any specific idea or style, but it’s satisyingly peculiar, that’s for sure. By the way, Frankie Teardrop is on tour from Ohio, and in fact they also played with Fat History Month and Pile at O’Brien’s Pub. Sounds like one helluva tour fellas, excellent! http://frankieteardrop.bandcamp.com/

Act V: SUNS – These dudes have a pop punk sound to them, but they sound better than most folks with that label.  Still,  not the kind of music that sets my rocks off, but maybe it will turn you on. Check it out here: http://sunsmusic.bandcamp.com/

Act VI: Tawny Peaks– Like their tourmates SUNS, not really a Chris DeCarlo kinda band. Can’t remember too much, sorry. But, they play emo that is similar to Slurred Speech, so if you dig that, maybe you will enjoy Tawny Peaks. Check em’ out: http://tawnypeaks.bandcamp.com/