This freaks out my dad. Freak out all dads – whether they are your real dad or not.
Bands: Guerilla Toss, In Heat, Advaeta, Ronnie Nordac’s Crying Lessons, Noisy Boys
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2013
Venue: JP Drive In/ Ill Spot
Noisy Boys – This must have been a last minute addition or I’m losing my head. I’m not even sure if I got the band’s name right. That’s okay, since they claim to have formed a mere six hours ago, and yet they are already famous. The band consists of Simon Hanes (from headliner Guerilla Toss) on vocals and guitar and another dude on drums. I never catch his name, but he is a zick drummer.
Together, the two warm up this evening’s festivities with a ten minute or so set chock fulla of obnoxious tunes such as “I’m a Slut” – I assume that is the title anyway because the song’s only lyrics are “I’M A SLUT! I’M A SLUT! I’M A SLUT! I’M A SLUT!” and they are shouted at an enormous rate, perfectly complemented by the speedy drums and noisy guitar. “I’m a slut” is my top Noisy Boys jam, in fact we should change the name of this site to Sluts Like You & Me, the SLYAM! (pronounced slam). I regret writing this already.
Hopping back to the performance, it’s funny how initially everyone wants to stand back a little bit further from the band, while there still is space. I normally don’t like doing this, but I also wish to preserve the bits and pieces that remain of my hearing, at least until I have a few beers in me.
Some other numbers include a song about a Christmas Tree and a song where Simon simply sings “YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH.” I agree, most lyrics are stupid, one word suffices.
Noisy Boys speak in faux British accents, which appears to be a popular theme in my show experiences as of late, and they are very grateful for all of those that came out to support them in their slick rise to fame. Hope to see them again in some shady setting, large or small.
Ronnie Nordac’s Crying Lessons – I saw these kewl cats a few weeks back at the Boston Underground Summit and that was pretty rad. Ronnie Nordac is indeed a kewl lad, rocking his shades and speaking of the wonders of making out with babes and sippin’ on 40’s. His music inspires me to pursue far more of the former and far less of the latter. Now with Crying Lessons, it’s not just Ronnie – he’s shared on floor with several other familiar scenesters all of whom rock the kewl Ronnie shades, well, almost all of them. But, they are all super kewl.
The Crying Lessons features guitarz, bass, drums, and the lead vocals of Dylan aka Girl Ronnie as I have nicknamed her. They play a batch of short – close your eyes for a second and you could miss them – but ever so sweet fuzzed out doo wop tinged rock ‘n’ roll songs. My favorite is a slow dance/prom song that reminds me of “The Locomotion,” one of my all time favorite songs.
Overall, this performance is an improvement or I’m simply standing closer to the band, either way it’s a lot of fun and I highly recommend them to all y’all. Like em’ on the fascist book, https://www.facebook.com/CryingLessons but, please stop liking after 2,080 because we all know it’s no longer kewl after 2,080 likes.
Yo also check out this little live vid from Noah Bartel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbHvse8tT4Y
Advaeta – Advaeta are here from Brooklyn and they totally rule. I have never heard of them up until tonight, but they blow me away. The band consists of three talented, attractive women: Amanda on guitar and vocals, Sara on guitar and vocals, and Lani on drums.
They have an overwhelming, gargantuan audio assault that just slaps you across the face, but in a pleasant way. It’s noisy, but it’s not noise rock, there’s a lot of solid pop songs here too. I can’t quite put my finger on any comparisons, but I’d like to think of it as Sonic Youth if they were a garage band.
There’s also a very trippy quality to this performance or maybe that’s just me. Certainly, the colorful visuals provided by the band’s friend Ginny, a sweet girl I met earlier in the evening, amplify these reactions in me.
Apparently, Advaeta has played in Boston a few times now and they recently played with Guerilla Toss at 285 Kent in Brooklyn, damn some day I’ll venture out to that venue.
Advaeta come back soon! http://advaitabangbang.bandcamp.com/
In Heat – These Providence dudes are coming off a string of shows with Guerilla Toss and they are more than excited to be concluding their jaunt with us tonight in JP. They are one of the heavier bands on the bill and kids mosh around to them and generally rock out more than any other band thus far. Sadly, I only catch half of their set and most of the time I’m way in the back, behind the packed crowd. It’s all good, I’m saving most of my zest for G Toss.
Guerilla Toss – By the time the final band goes on I’m typically shit cocked to use a phrase I heard an upstanding gentlemen spew the other day, and this show is no exception. Admittedly, I can only remember portions of this set. With that being said, as with all Guerilla Toss shows it’s a grizzly, bestial mindfuck of an experience, and I can testify to that. Even though my memory is blurry I do remember the crowd dancing and moshing and members of the band bouncing back and forth in the crowd and all that perspiring messy stuff that ought to happen at a fine show. There’s all of that and it’s a blast. For those, that don’t know who Guerilla Toss is, I don’t even know where to begin and I feel like I wouldn’t do justice anyway. Just see/hear for yourself. http://guerillatoss.bandcamp.com/album/kicked-back-into-the-crypt
And check out another Noah Bartel live vid below:
Idiot Genes are a wild bunch from Boston (more specifically Allston) that only recently graced us with their presence at an O’Brien’s show w/ Atlantic Thrills this past August. After listening to their bandcamp rather extensively these past couple of days I have a feeling they will be making more appearances around here in the cumming weeks. Above is a nutty music video they recently released, give it a view. If you dig slimy garage punk/party till you puke and may have to learn how to perform CPR at the last possible second kinda rock then this is your thang. Check em’ out here: http://stupidpants.bandcamp.com/
And go see Idiot Genes live at O’Brien’s Chub (10/23) and Great Scott (11/14).
Bands: Atlantic Thrills, Party Pigs, Idiot Genes, Future Carnivores
Date: Sunday, August 25, 2013
Venue: O’Brien’s Pub (Allston, MA)
This show was the last in a series of BYOBurger shows that took place over the course of summer twenty thirteen. This final one was known as BYOBurger Fest. We showed up a little bit late, but these other fine bands played on the bill before our arrival: Future Days, Vundabar, The Zookeepers, Fantastic Liars, St. James & The Apostles, Polaroidz.
Party Pigs – Love this band’s name! Though, Matt (Drums/Vocals) and Chris (Guitar/Vocals) aren’t as filthy as their moniker would lead you to believe, but their music sure is. These dudes are loud and messy, rough around the edges yet they also have their shit together. A contradiction that is surprisingly appropriate. Drill Sargent shouts, in your face guitar licks, and fast, pummeling drums. Short, simple songs. This raw sound is akin to local gah ridge legends The Tampoffs as well as The Oblivians, whom Party Pigs cover with their version of “Never Change” (Soul Food, 1995).
Ohh yes and I cannot forget to mention that we once had the pleasure of seeing Party Pigs open for Nobunny over two years ago at Boston’s Church. That was a sick show and this set is equally saucy. Getting sauced with Party Pigs is an excellent way to go through life. Listen up: http://partypigs.bandcamp.com/
Set-List:
“Let’s Git”
“Music Man”
“Never Change” (Oblivians Cover)
“Cut the Cord”
“Roadhouse”
“Pledge”
Idiot Genes – “Devotional,” “Beer,” “Drink,” “Effeminate,” “Mostly Gay,” “Weed,” and “Boston” are some of the tags that appear on Idiot Genes’ Bandcamp page. I’d say at least half of those descriptions are accurate – mainly the ones that refer to any form of substance abuse, for Idiot Genes are of the gunk punk, slammin’ drinks and never looking back variety.
Songs such as “Drunk Consistently” and “A.W.O.L.” solidify this reputation. Not to mention the group’s quirky, amusing in between song banter. At what point, they note scoring some Nitrous after a Philly show the night before and their futile attempts at acquiring some meth. I’m not sure if the latter is a joke or not, but I’d rather not know the truth. The mystery of Idiot Genes satisfies my own sick mind.
Another key weirdo tune in the Idiot Genes’ savage punk catalog is a song about Charles Manson known as “The Charles Mansion.” Haha, I told you these guys are funny, I think I did. Let me read back, nope, well now you know. Additionally, the drummer constantly has a bizarre, paranoid/bugging out expression on his face as if he had just ingested a thousands hits of acid and if he stops playing for even a second then his dick will fall off – yeesh, that would freak me out too.
Much like Toronto’s Soupcans, one of the guitarists makes use of his PBR can by playing guitar with it and putting forth a valiant effort to sing into the empty can, but it doesn’t quite work out as one would hope. I’ll just have to see it next time. I don’t know when that time will be, but there will be a next time for sure. http://stupidpants.bandcamp.com/
Atlantic Thrills – This is night two of my Atlantic Thrills party weekend. Or should I say shithoused as one Dan Tanner would describe me during the Thrillz’ performance the previous night at the Wilder Zangcraft in Lowell. You can read about it here if you feel so inclined: https://klyam.com/2013/09/26/review-atlantic-thrills-televibes-ghost-of-electricity-vundabar-wilder-zangcraft-82413/.
Atlantic Thrills are kick ass tonight as always. Alas, the crowd is sparse, but the Thrillz deliver the same performance you would see with a packed, sweaty crowd of maniacs feverishly dancing as though they ingested one too many psychedelic rice krispies treats – it don’t matter, Thrillz are Thrillz. Kelly’s death stare, Eric’s Jared Swilley esque boppin’, Dan Tanner’s demonic guitar solos, and Josh Towers perennial grinning; he’s always having a blast, I swear he must sneak someone behind that drum kit below him.
Point being, Atlantic Thrills are among the finest in contemporary garage punk slime aka rock ‘n’ roll music. So, when they return to O’Brien’s Pub on Thursday, October 17th your ass better be up front or I’m going to know about it.
Set-List:
“Almost Anything”
“A Day At the Beach”
“Boozing”
“Drugs In It”
“Light Shines”
“Lies”
“So Long”
“Shotgun”
“Acid Rain”
“Salvaie”
“Demolicion” (Los Saicos cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcfpuVk8ARs
Future Carnivores – Future Carnivores are a synth/keyboard driven group and they close this evening’s show. They are fairly laid back, almost like the anti-Atlantic Thrills, if you will. The sound is very droney and dreamy with elements of psych and shoegaze. In many ways, they feel like a chiller, softer, less aggressive version of Lost Sounds. Anyway, not really my kind of band, but they may be yours. Check them out here: http://www.futurecarnivores.com/
Watch this live vid of Nice Guys cranking out some fresh cuts the other night at Thieves Grotto.
Bands: Fat Creeps, Dirty Fences, Strict Agnostics
Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Venue: Roggie’s (Allston, MA)
Firstly, I have never stepped foot in this place Roggie’s. I’ll take a step back and say I don’t even know if I am pronouncing it correctly. Row geeze? or Raw geeze? OR Rogue eeze, ehh that just sounds lame. Going into this, I am a bit perplexed by the sports bar reputation, though the basement of this place is a different story. It seems pretty legit, I’m feeling Moe’s Lounge/Radio Down vibes, a small, cozy spot. On the other hand, it kind of feels like a wannabe version of that. Either way, I can’t really complain, it’s still pretty chill and I am really digging the 25 oz Busch drafts for $3! Anyway, since when did we become a bar reviewing web site? Fuck it, let’s get to the bands…
Strict Agnostics – Strict Agnostics, my kind of band. This trio consists of familiar faces in the form of NIce Guys Jake Gilbertson (vocals/guitar), Cam Smith (drums), and the incomparable Kurt Eggheart (bass/vocals) of Miami Doritos and Thigh Masters fame – apparently it is always his birthday, happy birthday Kurt!
Going back to Strict Agnostics being my kind of band, I’m not just stroking their salamis, I really do appreciate the style of music they are embracing and producing, and defecating. It’s off the wall, grimy noise garage garbage punk a la Reatards and Oblivians. Fast, shouted, mumbled vocals with the grit of a garage band and the speed of an early hardcore group.
After spending a not so healthy chunk of my free time with their bandcamp, I recognize most of their fiery adolescent themed anthems on display, such as my favorite, “Huff My Smoke,” why thank you Jake I will. I recently heard some lady lecture about the hazards of second hand smoke, it was pretty boring, but this song was racing through my brain the whole time.
Safe to say, Strict Agnostics are a charming bunch. Listen to their bandcamp here and become a champion: http://strictagnostics.bandcamp.com/
Set- List:
“Pilgrim In An Unholy Land”
“American Chop Suey”
“I Wanna Be A Sociopath”
“My Baby Got Splattered”
New Song
“Analysis Paralysis”
“Huff My Smoke”
“Dingus”
“Destructive Behaviors”
“Weird Life”
Dirty Fences – These dudes hail from New York and Roggie’s is the last stop on their current U.S. tour. Cheers! I’ve actually never heard of Dirty Fences up until this show, so I am pleasantly surprised by what I hear. To me, it’s a combo of 70s’s punk, smooth garage, and power pop. I liken them to fellow New Yorkers, Ramones and Hector’s Pets. Overall, my one gripe is that it seems like they stick with that specific punk rock fused power pop sound for most of their songs, but that isn’t a terrible thing either because it’s a sound I enjoy gracing my ears. http://dirtyfences.bandcamp.com/
Fat Creeps – So, it’s cool to see Fat Creeps as a full band again! I’ll admit upfront that this performance is a little blurry for me, but generally speaking a solid show. They open with either “Blue” or “He Comes In Loudly” and they roll out at least a couple of newer songs as well.
Some other highlights include “Secrets,” mainly because it’s my bro’s favorite Creeps song and he frenetically slams me on the shoulder to let me know that he LOVES this song, calm down now. I also dig hearing “Cherry” again, since it’s been quite some time since I have had the pleasure of hearing this number during a live show. For this tune Mariam and Gracie switch from bass to guitar, respectively. As a whole, it’s sweet to see Fat Creeps in a little, packed bar without a stage – I guess intimate is the word I am looking for. You could say, it has a basement feel, but I think that may just be a slight exaggeration. So yeah, we’ll stick with intimate for now. http://fatcreeps.bandcamp.com/
Ohh hey and pick up a copy of Fat Creeps 10″ (VINYL) EP from KLYAM Records! http://klyam.bigcartel.com/
Yeah Yeah I know this show is old as shit, but just go with it.
Bands: Vundabar, The Ghost of Electricity, Atlantic Thrills, Televibes
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2013
Venue: Wilder Zangcraft (Lowell, MA)
Vundabar – It’s a pleasure to be back at the Wilder Zangcraft, since I haven’t been to a show here since April, damn. Ahh Lowell how I have missed you all Summer… but at least I’m here now, back in my old stomping grounds. And indeed stomp I will. I’m actually a little zonked at this point, having spent the previous evening slobbering over Hunx and His Punx at Brighton Music Hall. That was a fun time and I’m still recovering, luckily Vundabar is loud and epic enough to wake me up,
I heard of these fellas at least a few months back, but I have only listened to bits and pieces of their music. Nonetheless, this is my first Vundabar live experience and it is going well. The songs are relatively smooth and easy to get into. I liken them to The Walkmen and Tapes ‘n’ Tapes, but that’s just me. Take it for what it’s worth though, those are great bands. Vundabar feels like a decent soundtrack for one of those lazy nights at the beach (I don’t like beaches in general, but if I had to pick I’d go at night), when you do nothing but lay back, drink Coronas, and let the water soak your restless legs.
Vundabar make it a point to note that they spent the day playing at Allston DIY Fest and had a blast. Way to go dudes. I’ll see you around. http://vundabar.bandcamp.com/
The Ghost of Electricity – The Ghost of Electricity is a two piece featuring the likes of Kevin Dacey (drums/vocals) and Ray McNamara (vocals/guitar). As with Vundabar, this is my first time seeing the band, but I have seen Dacey slay on the drums in previous groups such as The Real Tom Hanks, Twin Cyclist, and the far out trance that is Chillcity Icon. Ghost however is very different from all of those institutions (are band institutions? I think so). The pair play a folky psychedelic jam styled take on pop music for lack of a better term. It’s not too experimental, but not your run of the mill rock band either. It’s in that luscious sea of middlegroundness.
One of the more memorable aspects of The Ghost of Electricity’s performance is vocalist, Ray McNamara’s distinctive, faux British accent, making him sound like John Lennon or one of those characters. This British voice often comes up in between songs when Ray chats with the audience.
The band concludes the set with an unexpected cover of Animal Collective’s “Peacebone,” which really energizes me because this is easily one of my top five favorite Animal Collective songs and it is the opening track off of the greatest Animal Collective LP Strawberry Jam (2007). For a healthy five minutes or so I am set back to junior year of high school, what a confusing and frustrating time in a young man’s life… ehh.. despite the crazy emotions this song evokes in me Ghost create a decent cover that sounds vastly different from the original, yet still has that amped up feeling that an Animal Collective tune can elicit so well.
The Ghost of Electricity also spent their day performing at Allston DIY Fest and in fact they play many a show including a couple this weekend. Tonight (9/26) they will be playing at UMass Lowell’s Fox Common and tomorrow they are hitting up Lowell’s unchARTed art gallery. Sweet, check em’ out: http://theghostofelectricity.bandcamp.com/album/the-ghost-of-electricity
Set – List:
“Moonrise Satellite”
“Murder Song”
“Love Destroys”
“Cat With No Name”
“Bike Song”
“Chelsea”
“Good Thing Going”
“The Last Beautiful Thing”
“Aw Shit…”
“Jellyfish”
“Black Sky II”
“One Thing”
“Peacebone”
Atlantic Thrills – Atlantic Thrills are typically described as “garage,” “punk,” “rock ‘n’ roll,” and that’s all valid. But, it’s just really excellent music to get sloppy drunk and stumbling around to – which is usually great rock ‘n’ roll music orrrr Lady Gaga. It could go either way. Thankfully in this instance, it is truly great rock ‘n’ roll music. For me, they are like the ultimate party band with Black Lips being probably the only exception to that. With the Thrillz, it’s always a wild, drunken, hooting and hollering time; I find myself unable to stand up straight and behave like a regular dude. Regular dudes suck though.
At this point in the evening, my 12 pack of Natti Ice is vanishing, placing me in the perfect frame of mind for a Thrillz set. And the Wilder Zangcraft is one of the best, if not Thee best places to catch an Atlantic Thrills show. It’s a tiny little space, a tight squeeze, everyone is all sweaty and on top of one another anyway, might as well dance.
Well, tonight’s show is definitely fun and some moshing ensues, but it’s not as ‘crazy’ as the last Thrillz show I saw here and I attribute this to a lower number of people in attendance. Nonetheless, I still get my rocks off, if you will, going nuts over the classics and stumbling about – what a daring soul would call dancing. You know you’re shit cocked when you’re trying to dance with Kevin Dacey instead of attempting to make out with fine babes. That’s ok, it’s the spirit that counts. LISTEN right here to one of the best bands around! https://soundcloud.com/atlantic-thrills
Set – List:
“Almost Anything”
“A Day At the Beach”
“Booze”
“Drugs”
New song
“So Long”
“Lies”
“Light Shines”
“Shotgun”
“Acid Rain”
“Salvaie”
“Demolicion” (Los Saicos cover)
Televibes – Straight up, I don’t recall much of this set and by much I mean practically nothing. Not a flaw of the band by any stretch, but after Atlantic Thrills I sort of “browned out” to quote It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, where you can only remember bits and pieces (see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QePQTMY9dv0). I remember watching the band, being mere inches away from their psychedelic soulss and gazing in admiration. I also met some of the dudes earlier in the evening and they were swell guys. I’ve heard some folks compare them to The New Highway Hymnal and I can see that. So yeah, go ahead and check these cats out if that aggressive psych rock style is your thang. http://thetelevibes.bandcamp.com/
The good people over at Boston Hassle never stop bringing you quality music, shows, and all around spiritually bending joyous happenings throughout the greater Boston area, and this is no exception. On October 4th and 5th, Boston Hassle presents the first ever New England Underground Music Fest!!! featuring the likes of Neptune (MA), Happy Jawbone Family Band (VT), Bromp Treb (W MA), Metal Feathers (ME), Mincemeat or Tenspeed (RI), Downtown Boys (RI), Guerilla Toss (MA), Ryan Power (VT), Sunburned Hand of the Man(MA / W MA), Quilt (MA), Great Valley (VT), Matt Krefting (W MA) + TONS MORE!!! All Ages y’all.
Ohh and it would probably be a good idea to tell you where this thing is happening… Cambridge Elks Lodge (October 4th) and Democracy Center (October 5th). For more info: http://www.bostonhassle.com/2013/09/19/the-new-england-underground-music-fest-104-105/
Beware The Dangers Of A Ghost Scorpion!‘s second full-length Blood Drinkers Only will be released in fine fashion with a special show tonight, Sunday September 22, at Great Scott in Allston. For those who want a sneak peak of their instrumental surf rock prowess, check out a stream of the album: http://ghostscorpion.bandcamp.com/
Seeing these guys for the first time in January at Great Scott was an immediately exciting experience [READ HERE]. You’ll see what I mean. Also playing tonight are Baby Driver and Cathode Rays.
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 