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Concert Review: Silhouette Rising

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Artists: Silhouette Rising, The Scouflaws
Location: West Side Social Club, Wakefield, MA
Date: July 2, 2010

Act I: The Scouflaws
As Glen discussed in his review of their Demo, Demolicious, The Scouflaws mix things up with a mish mash of Punk, Garage, and Pop. Throughout their performance they rocked out hard with a lot of high energy and crowd interaction, not to mention quick witted humor. They played signature songs like “Crazy Desert Island Cats” and “Stupid and Catchy” (a great title, but the latter is more accurate) as well as covers of “Walking On Sunshine,” and “Killing In the Name,” which served as a really kick ass closer, amongst some other fine tunes. I was pleased with their performance and I highly recommend others to see them live or at least check out their Myspace Page, http://www.myspace.com/thescouflaws. If you’re a KLYAM reader, then you know we see bands all the time; The Scouflaws are more energetic than most of those bands and they are still in High School! Give their demo, Demolicious some ear time.

Act II: Silhouette Rising
Ahh yes, Silhouette Rising. Much anticipation led up to this show. Hell, much of my curiosity was devoted to staring at those wacky characters on my ticket, whom also apper on the cover of the CD. Which brings me to my next point, the entire purpose of this show. You see, this wasn’t just another concert from the group, as they play shows often and will be playing more and more shows in the near future. No, this was far more important. The culmination of all their rigorous, dedicated work throughout the years. In other words, the release of their latest and greatest CD, Promises. An epic recording, hard to match live, but the band pulled it off with an undeniable finesse and then some. Based on the energy of the performers and the audience’s reaction, one would think this was a spiritual release show. Each performance evoked a range of emotions: headbanging and jumping up and down to the fast paced Rockers of “Conversations” and “Poseidon’s War,” passionately singing along to the Classic Ballads of “Riverside,” “Behind Closed Doors,” and “A Failed Attempt,” or simply snapping your fingers and appreciating fine tunes with “Wake Me Up” and “New England Sunsets.” A particularly solemn moment came in the soft, slow number, “Perserverance,” a song dedicated in loving memory to Chris Rollins. The band also unleashed a wide variety of cover songs from Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” to The Temper Trap’s “Sweet Disposition,” they even played a brief rendition of the “Familly Guy” theme! Whilst the band performed they were accompanied by a dazzaling light show and a backdrop of bizarre images, including what appears to be the apocalypse via archive Cold War propaganda footage of buildings exploding, which concluded the band’s set. These neat additions perfectly complemented the group’s muisc and artistic vision. Lastly, it should be noted that this was an ALL AGES show, literally! Fans of all ages were in attendance, anywhere from little tykes to elderly folks. Silhouette Rising was able to captiviate everyone for over 90 minutes. A rare feat, to say the least. In short, check out the band and attend their next performance. If you want to find out what “purple things” she brings to Cory, then you will just have to see the boys live.

http://www.silhouetterising.com/index.php?option=com_poll&id=14:what-is-your-favorite-song

Almighty Defenders, Art, Black Lips, Concer t Review, concert review, Entertainment, humor, Jay Reatard, King Khan, Mark Sultan, Music, Nobunny, pictures, Punk, Video

Concert Review: Nobunny, Reports, Maine Coons, Rat City Three @ PA’s Lounge (6/29/10)

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Artists: Nobunny, Reports, Maine Coons, and Rat City
Three
Location: PA’s Lounge, Somerville, MA
Date: Tuesday,  June 29, 2010

Act I: Rat City Three
Chris: These guys rocked out pretty hard and had some good grooves flowin’, but ultimately didn’t do much for me because they sounded exactly like the Hardcore Punk we’ve been served for just about thirty years now. Even though I wasn’t alive when the greats like Minor Threat and Black Flag came into existence, I can still safely say those artists were cutting edge, cultivating a new style of music, drenched with anger and frustration that was unheard of. Since then, countless (seriously) groups have formed and emulated that sound to no end. For me, I need more. Some kind of expansion. Perhaps I’m missing something? Either way, I think musically RC3 sounded decent and if you’re a hardcore fanatic, check em’ out.

Glen:These guys hurt my ears. Their style of hardcore punk doesn’t do anything for me. It’s fast and aggressive and the dudes probably deserved a mosh pit, but the idle crowd didn’t seem to really care.

Act II: Maine Coons
Chris: Ahh, now this was a real treat. Ok, so maybe those who aren’t as enthusiastic about Garage music as much I am (though, I don’t consider myself a Garage Enthusiast; I don’t own the Nuggets compilations!)would share my sentiment for Rat City Three with the Maine Coons. Perhaps. But, for this guy, the Coons spiced up the evening with some noisy, crude (musically and lyrically- “I Am A Motherfucker”), and even strangely spiritual (“H.L.I.I.G.T.F.Y.T.F.G” or “How Is It Going to Take For You To Find God”) The latter stood out the most to me and I can imagine everyone else in the room. MC conists of two dudes: one on keyboards and vocals and the other on vocals, guitar, and percussion a la Mark Sultan. The duo had a bit of jittery, “where are we?” kinda vibe to them, which perfectly complemented the music and their set. One of the members hilariously stated that they didn’t expect anyone to show up and that they could not deal with the pressure of this stadium setting (I’m paraphrasing). I really dug this aesthetic and I can certainly say the Maine Coons are a band I will be keeping my eye on. If you are especially into groups like the Black Lips-King Khan & BBQ Show-Almighty Defenders, then the Maine Coons are FOR YOU, FOR YOU, FOR YOU…

Glen:Like Chris said and like I expressed in my little band spotlight, these guys were memorable as ever! Definitely struck me as KK+BBQ off the bat with a tidbit of more psychobilly flavor. I’m surprised the best of their songs on Myspace have only gotten a couple of hundred views. They’ve got to get recognized by the In The Red or a similar label!

Act III: Reports
Chris: Ok, I am going to be square with y’all. I don’t remember anything about this band’s set, except for headbanging to it. So, I must have enjoyed the music at the time. I apologize for not having anything more to say. I would much rather be honest than make some shit up.

Glen:I remember these guys being fun. Not really memorable memorable (as Maine Coons), but fun. Listening to them now on their Myspace, it seems like something that should’ve stood out much more than it did.


Act IV: Nobunny!!!!!
Chris: YESSSSS! So, I’m standing right up front, right in front of the obnoxiously small stage (it was actually pretty cool), then allasudden, three giant bunnies push right thru me and the other anticipating attendees. Nobunny! and crew hit the stage, decked out in their undies and bunny masks and ears and what have ya. Nobunny, himself, even has a pair of handcuffs attached to his underwear. He proclaims (at least I remember him saying this, unless it was my imagination running wild) that last time we were here, we tried to burn the place down. This time we are. This song is called “Burn the Place Down!” And they burst right into the Rock and Roll fun and of course scorching, beautiful mayhem ensued: Moshing, Pogoing, dancing, beers flyin’, duckwalking, singing along to all yer faves! The trio (well this time there was only there, as I stated before) then launched into classics like “Boneyard,” “It’s True,” “Somewhere New, “I Am a Girlfriend,” “Not That Good,” amongst others. Since, Nobunny jammed on the guitar while singing this time, he didn’t interact as much with the crowd (though he still did more than most frontmen) as he did the last time I saw him (just singing). But, to make up for that the audience was far more into it than the crowd I was with before when I saw him open for Jay Reatard on the Shattered Tour, and even at that show I would say the kids were into it then. But, this time I was flying around, bashing back and forth into folks, and nearly smashing my skull into the cymbals. I noticed the microphone stand was knocked down at one point. The evening culminated with the great sing along and rocker, “Chuck Berry Holiday,” the perfect closer for this performance.

Glen: Brilliance from the bunny man. I expected no less. Though I can’t remember every song played, I can mentally revisit the Burn The Place Down remark, Nononononobunny loves you, and BONEYARD! In my crazy state of mind, I thought BONEYARD was a MIKA MIKO cover. What the fuck was I thinking?! Also after 3 songs nononononobunnee said they were being kicked out and had only one more song. Papa KLYAM recalled after that this was particularly troubling and once the band jammed out five more, he was even more bewildered and remarked to sister KLYAM that nonononobunnee insisted only one more. Well, thankfully the bunny man and Elvis Christ and Tony the Tiger or whatever his name is stuck around. I fell a bunch of times. Banged my right hand on Elvis’ cymbals and picked up the downed microphone stand. I AM A GIRLFRIEND was wonderful. CHUCK BERRY was a hell of a finisher. After the show Chris and I scrambled to find the man behind the mask. And whatever happened after that will never be known. TOP SECRET.

Grade:
Chris: I had tons of fun and enjoyed the willd and crazy allure of the mysterious Nobunny. I am pleased to have discovered a new essential band in Maine Coons. And lastly, I appreciated my first experience at the PA’s Lounge.

Glen:A-, This was a quality ass show. Among the funnest concert experiences was during the Nobunny set. Musically, I couldn’t absorb much, but it was just a hell of a time.


Not from the show the other night, but still a sick vid!