According to Hunx the customer is NOT always right…
All posts by Chris DeCarlo
Wavves- “Wavves” (Live at Amoeba 2010)
This is from a little while back, when Billy Hayes was still with the group. Looking good Billy! Definitely one of my favorite Wavves numbers, unfortunatley the studio version has been taken down, so here’s a live cut from their performance at Amoeba Records on August 18, 2010. Also, here’s a link to the full set and interview: http://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/videos/wavves.html
Kids Like You & Me Presents GG, Thrillz, and Roaches (4/29)!
Who: Gangbang Gordon, The Atlantic Thrills, and The Roaches
When: Sunday, April 29th
Where: PA’s Lounge (Somerville, MA)
Event Details: 21+, doors open 8:30 P.M. Tickets: $8
Yo, you all know Kids Like You & Me, KLYAM. If you are reading this, then you have made it this far. Good for you, tell your family and friends! Now, KLYAM is branching out into other areas of the musical landscape. Enter Kids Like You & Me Presents! Starting April 29, we will be promoting and presenting shows in and around the Boston area. This first show is also special because it is the live premiere of our very own Gangbang Gordon. GG has been making music for quite some time now, but this is his very first show ever! Rhode Island’s finest garage rockers, Atlantic Thrills and local heroes, The Roaches cap off the bill. This is going to go down in history as a legendary show, so you don’t want to miss it!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/386638488027623/
More info and updates will be posted in the coming weeks!
Gangbang Gordon:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gangbang-Gordon/219191366410?v=info
Atlantic Thrills:
http://www.reverbnation.com/atlanticthrills
The Roaches:
http://the-roaches.bandcamp.com/
THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART @ AFTER HOURS 4/10/12
New York’s finest, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, an early KLYAM fave, are apparently playing a free show with Bear Hands at After Hours, a venue at Northeastern University tomorrow night (April 10, 2012). This is news to me, in fact I check local listings almost constantly, and so this must have been posted within the past few days, or else I just fucked up. Alas, I probably won’t make this one, which sucks because I have missed their past two Boston shows, but I highly recommend it to y’all KLYAM readers and Pains fans alike. I wish they had advertised this a bit more, though I can see why they would keep it low key. I found out through Song Kick, which I check frequently. Future Breed, another reliable source for local concerts (which I just stumbled upon today) also has the show posted.
http://www.thepainsofbeingpureatheart.com/#
http://www.songkick.com/artists/2313769-pains-of-being-pure-at-heart
*SHOW ALERT* BLOODSHOTBILL IN BOSTON!
Bloodshot Bill, a Montreal superstar is heading this way for two special shows in Massachusetts on Thursday, May 3rd and Friday May 4th at Plough ‘n Stars in Cambridge and Lucky Dog in Worcester respectively. Here is a link to Bill’s full tour schedule: http://www.bloodshotbill.com/gigs
Natural Child SXSW Interview
Here’s a quick SXSW interview with Natural Child conducted by Balcony TV. As Glen used to say, when it rains, it pours around here, and if you have been paying attention (as you should be) then you would know that Natural Child is a massive KLYAM fave. Check them out, use the internet.
Also, here’s a link to a kickass Scion A/V interview from Scion Garage Fest 2010: http://vimeo.com/19262612
Review: SARALEE @ Gay Gardens (3/23/12)
Artists: SARALEE, Guerrilla Toss, Happy Jawbone Family Band, Rotten Apples, Jacques Le Coque, GG’s House Band, and possibly others
Date: Friday, March 23, 2012
Venue: Gay Gardens aka “Gary’s Garage” (Allston, MA)
Comments: NOTE! Sadly, we were only able to see SARALEE :( which is a damn shame because I really wanted to see everybody, but we KLYAMERS live in the boonies and had to make the train ride home!
SARALEE– Fortunately, SARALEE is the band we came to see, so I am glad they play first. In the past year, I, well the KLYAM in general have started to branch out more into the local Boston scene(s) and SARALEE is definitely one of the best bands we have come across. I see a fair amount of bands, but few measure up to these two. It is funny how their name is so fitting The band is Sara (vocals and guitar) and Lee (drums), but in a lot of ways I almost do not see them as a duo, but rather like one whole entity. I know it sounds crazy, but the chemistry between the two is so solid I cannot think of anyone else filling their places. The music is fairly simple, but very effective. Lee’s drumming is mellow, never gets too in your face, but creates a wonderful aura. I don’t know, it is hard to describe, but seeing them live (this is the third time I have seen them now) I always feel like I am in some sort of haze, and this also may be chemically induced, but drugs aside, their performances are atmospheric and dreamlike. I cannot say enough how much I love Sarah’s vocals, seriously one of my favorites. It is quite unlike anything I have ever heard and that is certainly something I rarely get a chance to say. I can think of comparisons, but I would rather people listen to it themselves first. “Circle of Hands,” is an incredible song and as always they kill it. I feel like this band would be perfect for 1982 Olympia, WA, K Records. I can picture Calvin Johnson hopping around to SARALEE, baking pies and playing Twister. But, it is not 1982, it’s 2012, thirty years later and if I wasn’t broke, I would put out a record with SARALEE, if they were down with it. Some day soon, KLYAM Records will be up and running, keep your eyes open.
Here’s a link to SARALEE’s demo, it will knock you flat on your ass and if it doesn’t, then I will knock you flat on your ass. XOXO!
http://saralee.bandcamp.com/album/demo
Following the band’s performance, Glen and I hung around with the fellow attendees and discussed various topics ranging from music to anarchy. Some folks commented on our seemingly odd memory, particularly how we can remember every little nuance of each show we see. Of course, comparatively, we do not see that many and that explains a bulk of the reasoning behind this “phenomenon,” but I can say for myself, I do put forth an effort to remember anything and everything I can, unless it sucked, naturally. So, Paul, if you are reading this, what’s up dude?! Remember I gave you a bud light and I told you to check this site out, well if you are in fact reading this, good job. And, if you don’t remember me, no worries. I also abruptly brought up Judge Judy and it was random as fuck indeed. And Dave from New Hampshire, how’s the face book going? See, I don’t forget. I wasn’t just bullshitting y’all.
SOTD: Natti Child- “Ray Thompson’s Blues” (2010)
This song is dedicated to Jeff Spicoli! It is the badass version of every classic Beach Boys tune. All you need is some sun, some hunnies, and some brews, and you’re all set. It reminds me of the turbulant age of thirteen when you discover the wonders of masturbation, drugs, and Karl Marx. This is an older track, but the band is coming out with an LP this very month. Last year’s 1971 was one of the best, so I’m really pumped for this 2012 follow up. Natural Child is one of the best bands going right now and the new record is called For the Love of the Game out on Burger Records on 4/20!
New BCC Out: April 2012!
Below is a link to the April 2012 edition of Boston Counter Cultural Compass, a local Boston Newsletter that will tell you where to find the greatest Boston happenings.
http://www.bostoncccompass.com
Concert Review: Hunx and His Punx, Heavy Cream, Radio Control @ Great Scott! (4/2/12)
Artists: Hunx and His Punx, Heavy Cream, Radio Control
Date: Monday, April 2, 2012
Venue: Great Scott (Allston, MA)
Comments:
Act I: Radio Control– The show begins with Radio Control, a rock duo from Somerville consisting of Matt Studivan on vocals and guitar and Kristina Otero on vocals and drums. Radio Control are excited to play as are their supportive fans in the front row (just a couple folks, but nonetheless ultra supportive of their bros). As the set moves along more and more people show up, which is good because they deserve it. I have never heard of Radio Control before this evening, but now I wish I had at least checked out some of their music before entering the Great Scott. They rock pretty hard and the sound is solid. I admire their musicianship and in fact they are one of the tightest bands I have seen as of late. I do not know if it is just me, but I seem to have a thing for two pieces, maybe because I see them so often. Overall, I can hear a lot hooks in their songs and I am positive that if I knew their material beforehand, then I would be singing along to them. Here’s a link to their glorious band camp page: http://weareradiocontrol.com/
Act II: Heavy Cream– I have been hearing a lot of good things about this Nashville band recently, so when I saw that they were playing with Hunx and His Punx it gave me all the more reason to be hysterically pumped up for this show. Alas, I have only had a small taste of Heavy Cream, but based on what I have heard I know they will not disappoint me. And of course, they do not. Heavy Cream definitely has their shit together, both sonically and visually. Singer, Jessica MacFarland is wearing an eye catching leopard skinned outfit and it is hard not to keep your eyes off her especially with her seemingly endless charisma and occasional spitting to boot. I honestly only know one song from their repertoire and that is 2010’s classic “Watusi,” which is accompanied by one helluva music video. The song is quite catchy and sounds terrific live, making the kids move and shake a little. I also see a familar face in bassist Seth Sutton, whom I saw way back in October ’09 when he played side by side with the late, great Jay Reatard in the kickass, guitar driven powerhouse known as Useless Eaters. Mr. Sutton isn’t the only Seth I have not seen live since October ’09, but I will get that later, back to Heavy Cream. I do not want to pin the group down to one sound or style, but fans of bands such as fellow Nashville rockers, Those Darlins, Nobunny, Bleached, and Mika Miko will probably enjoy Heavy Cream. I also hear a lot Runaways/ Joan Jett in their music and performance as well. Just like Radio Control, they are pretty damn tight and in terms of overall attitude, I cannot think of too many better bands to play before Hunx; they share the same Rock and Roll aesthetic, that is thee best aesthetic.
Act III: Hunx and His Punx– HUNX AND HIS PUNX!!! HOLY SHIT!!! Yes, they truly deserve all of those exclamation points. I am a humongous fan of Hunx and His Punx, so this show means a lot to me. Unfortunately, I have not seen the band since the Boston Shattered Records Tour show at Harpers Ferry on October 2, 2009. Yes sir, Jay Reatard, Nobunny, Hunx and His Punx, Box Elders, and Useless Eaters. To this day the greatest bill I have ever witnessed. At the time, I did not know who or what Hunx and His Punx was, so it was an exciting and bizarre experience that will stick with me forever. Flash forward a few months and Hunx is on my iPod every single day, and that has continued for the past two years. Due to some poor scheduling, lack of money and transportation I have missed the past two Boston Hunx shows, but today is my day. The Great Scott has never seemed so wonderful, and I have seen my fair share of Great Scott shows: Wavves, Harlem, Handsome Furs, all great, but none of them compare to Hunx at this moment. When the band hits the stage, I am harder and higher than ever and I am about to explode (INSERT DRAMATIC EFFECT). Tonight the band opens with the recent Hunx solo effort, “Hairdresser Blues,” and not being a hairdresser myself, I cannot say I have actually experienced these blues, but Hunx sings with so much passion I can tell he has. Next up is “Private Room,” another hit from the new record, and definitely one of the catchiest. Too bad there does not appear to be any gay dudes in the audience for Hunx to share a private room with, and in general the crowd is a bit reserved. No need to worry though, the band brings their A game and they truly rock the place. I was discussing watching YouTube videos of live performances versus actually being present for the shows with a fine gentlemen earlier in the evening and we both agreed that sometimes it is just not the same if you were not there. Tonight is a great example of this. I have seen Hunx vids before, but honestly they do not do justice to the live act. The band is extremely tight and every song just fucking hits you like a hurricane. It brings me back to the old days of Jay Reatard, but with a smiley face. Hunx is one of the greatest performers I have seen. He simply has a contagious personality, a persona that rivals the likes of King Khan, Nobunny, and Bradford Cox, all of which I admire greatly. The whole group is fantastic: Shannon Shaw (also of the fabulous Shannon and the Clams) belts out incredible vocals on “If You’re Not Here” and “The Curse of Being Young” amongst others. Shaw is one of my favorite singers right now, truly only on par with some of today’s greatest such as Mark Sultan. Erin Emslie (also of The Foxx) is a sick drummer, her drumming is simple on the surface, but she has undeniable skill and finesse. She keeps the beat at a fast, steady pace the whole show and there is a lot of physicality and power to her performance. Then there is that creepy, mystery guitarist to the right of Hunx. The songs would not be the same without him though, but he surely is one creepy motherfucker. JK! Often you think of “garage” as sloppy, but as far as I am concerned Hunx and His Punx has their shit together, much like the first two bands tonight. Every song hits you hard and the set consists of so many classics from both records, Gay Singles and Too Young To Be In Love. My favorites are “Cruising” and “U Don’t Like Rock and Roll.” I am just in my own world when they play these songs. I love them to death so much, when I hear it live I am in near cardiac arrest! The show concludes with “Lovers Lane,” and the band departs the stage for the errr dresser room (or lack thereof), but not for too long. “Good Kisser” is unleashed and all is well. Heavy Cream join the band on stage for the final song, which is a cover of a Pleasure Seekers tune: “What A Way To Die”. All in all, a great time is had by all. Hunx and His Punx is real Rock and Roll and it is KLYAM’s mission to bring Rock and Roll into the high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, and if we have time, the pre schools of America! Instead of an Easter Bunny, kids can come and sit on Nobunny’s lap! I can see the lovely mall riots in my mind. God bless America! I am a patriot, I hide in trees.
Set List:
Hairdresser Blues (from Hairdresser Blues)
Private Room (HB)
Cruising (from Gay Singles)
Bad Boy (from Too Young to Be in Love)
Gimmie Gimmie Back Your Love (GS)
Too Young To Be In Love (TY)
Let Me In (HB)
The Curse of Being Young (TY)
U Don’t Like Rock ‘N’ Roll (GS)
If You’re Not Here (I Don’t Know) (TY)
Do the Make Up (GS)
Lovers Lane (TY)
*ENCORE*
Good Kisser (GS)
What A Way To Die (Pleasure Seekers Cover)
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 