Very excited for this show. I’ve been anticipating seeing Jacques Le Coque for quite a while now – it’s totally awesome that they are playing with a band that blew my mind the first time that I saw them … Beware The Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion.
Category Archives: Local Music
Fat Creeps & Bleeding Rainbow Summer Tour!
And Saturday, June 22: Atlanta, GA @ 529!
YO! KLYAM’s beloved Fat Creeps are heading on tour tomorrow with Bleeding Rainbow and it would be magnificent if everyone and their grandmother came out to the shows. Trust me, if you DON’T go, you WILL regret it. The dates and venues are listed above. Do it!
And don’t forget to order Fat Creeps 10″ EP (Coke Bottle Clear and White Vinyl) from KLYAM Records! http://klyam.bigcartel.com/
https://www.facebook.com/events/121765888020343/
http://fatcreeps.bandcamp.com/
http://bleedingrainbow.bandcamp.com/
Review: The New Highway Hymnal, CreaturoS, Fagettes, Big Mess @ Mid East Up (5/16/13)
Bands: The New Highway Hymnal, CreaturoS, Fagettes, Big Mess
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013
Venue: Middle East Upstairs (Cambridge, MA)
Big Mess – Big Mess are one of my favorite Boston/New England bands and it’s always fun to see them live. It’s been a few months since I’ve had the pleasure and in that time the Lowell based trio has played a shit ton of shows including a gigantic tour with Allston rockers, Kal Marks (https://klyam.com/2013/02/21/big-mess-kal-marks-march-tour/). My friend Justin Cole, who has seen the band more times than I have (which is a lot), claims the band has gotten even better since the tour. I am going to go and agree with Mr. Cole on this account.
As always, Big Mess creates a colossal assault on the ears with massive, noisy guitar hooks and piledriver drums. Indeed, Justin Cole is correct, Big Mess appear to be more diabolical than ever before. Heavy songs like “The Hook” and “Side A” (on their Split w/ S’eance) truly come alive when the band is on stage and at the Middle East they sound better than ever. The latter is a slow, lingering menace that like most Big Mess songs is easy to head bang to, but it’s the song’s quietest moments that are the most menacing. Just listen to the song here: http://bigmessma.bandcamp.com/album/split-w-seance. If you listen at 2:29-2:54 then you’ll know what I mean. It hits you pretty hard on bandcamp, but live is even crazier. I am especially fond of the sound system at Middle East and it is cool to see Big Mess in this setting as opposed to a crowded basement in Lowell, which is my usual preference. Either way, see these guys any way you can and they play a lot! http://bigmessma.bandcamp.com/album/big-mess
Fagettes – Big Mess is a tough act to follow, but Fagettes are sound competitors and as far as I am concerned they take the cake. Also like Big Mess, Fagettes are one of my favorite local bands and just a favorite overall. Much of this admiration stems from the fact that Fagettes play a dirty, loose style of rock ‘n’ roll that we at KLYAM repeatedly gush over, over and over and over again. It fits in the lineage of flabbergasting, modern day garage punk (particularly on the West Coast a la Nobunny, Hunx and His Punx, and Shannon and the Clams).
I’ve seen Fagettes five times now and by far this is the best show. It’s not only the best show, it’s also the sloppiest and when it comes to garage/punk slime/beer guzzlin’, finger poppin’, good times music, whatever you like to call it, I like it sloppy, rough around the edges – as long as the songs are still intact and everyone is having fun. Otherwise, what’s the point? These guys and gal look like they are having a fun, drunken, wild time on stage; Vocalist/guitarist, harmonica guy, Ryan Fagette looks like he can barely stand up at times, yet he still keeps his cool as always. No one else in Boston makes this kind of music like Fagettes! Providence’s Atlantic Thrills and New Hampshire’s Migs are on the same level, but in beantown it’s Fagettes turf. They just get it. They have the sound and style down pat, they have the songs to back it up, and they put on a sweet show.
Speaking of the songs, the usual intoxicant themed favorites are on display: “The AA Took My Baby Away,” “Water, Tea, And Alcohol,” and the pointedly titled “On Drugs,” among other notable gems like “My Girl Looks Like Johnny Thunders,” which is dedicated to Cam Smithers of Nice Guys.
The set closes with an extended (or I am just really fucked and it seems longer than usual), extra rowdy version of “Water, Tea, and Alcohol,” culminating with vocalist/drummer, Melanie Bernier kicking a monitor into my face, sending some tingles down my wee body.
Set List:
“Street Queens”
“The AA Took My Baby Away”
“On Drugs”
“Tsunami”
“Stems”
“My Girl Looks Like Johnny Thunders”
“Gonna Die Out Here”
“Water, Tea, and Alcohol”
http://thefagettes.bandcamp.com/
CreaturoS – Unfortunately, we miss a portion of CreaturoS set, but upon our arrival back into the mighty Middle East, we see CreaturoS up on stage and they are accompanied by the colorful, psychedelic mind fuck that is the Lysergic Factory Light Show, a perfect visual for a freshly lit concertgoer.
During this set, I spot Domenic (SKIMASK, Viva Via) on drums, which is new to me. In my previous two CreaturoS experiences they had a different drummer. Well, he is a solid fit for the band.
CreaturoS are a fine band and they have elements of psych and garage that I can surely get behind. On the other hand, I feel like they drone on for longer than I would have liked. Still, I can recommend their music and I advise you to give it some ear time: http://creaturos.bandcamp.com/
The New Highway Hymnal – Here’s a trio that I never get tired of seeing. If you take a gander at the KLYAM Concert Calendar (Do iT!) you will see that we have attended and adored many a hip shakin’, gut bustin’, saliva drippin’ New Highway set. Though, we have never seen them at the Middle East before, tis a pleasure. The PA is terrific, further accentuating the group’s furious sonic attack.
The Lysergic Factory Light Show can make pretty much any band look cool with all of their swirling, acid trippy visuals, but the light show fits best with The New Highway Hymnal, at least in my experience. Their music is already trippy, so when you toss those fancy lights on them it’s a striking presentation.
Tonight’s performance is riveting per usual, though the crowd is a bit mellower than most audiences at a NHH show. Nonetheless, the place is packed (if not sold out) and kids seem to dig the onslaught of psych grit that NHH has to offer. Most, if not all, of the songs are from last year’s Whispers, a record I cannot recommend enough.
Review: The New Highway Hymnal, Empty Phrases, The Lonely Machines, Spooky Future @ The Tip (5/3/13)
Bands: The New Highway Hymnal, Empty Phrases, The Lonely Machines, Spooky Future
Date: Friday, May 3, 2013
Venue: The Tip (Lowell, MA)
Spooky Future – Spooky Future is a first for me and I don’t know anything about them. Luckily, by the end of their performance, my interest is piqued. I am not the easiest guy to impress either; I tend to be more of a fan of the straight forward, loose rock ‘n’ roll style and it’s infinite number of imitators. Yet, the sophisticated musicians in Spooky Future don’t bore me at all like most sophistsos do, instead they provide a fairly entertaining set. They are “tight” for lack of a better term. I hate using that description because it sounds like I’m reviewing a bunch of pre-pubescent girls, but the sharp connotations it has does a better job of articulating how the band sounds to me than the wacky characterizations I typically implant in these write ups.
All of Spooky Future’s songs are instrumental and they remind me of another all instrumental band from Lowell: Big Mess. Like Big Mess, they are heavy, sludgey, and have a fierce, take no prisoners attitude. Whatever that means. I also hear a lot of Melvins and Primus in this band. So, if you dig those bands, keep your eyes peeled for Spooky Future.
The Lonely Machines – I’m not as into this group as the first band, but the crowd appears to enjoy them. Their set consists of grundgey, emo fused songs with perhaps a leaning towards metal and/or post-hardcore. They definitely have a lot of passion, especially in the vocals (though at times they are difficult to hear). Not the style of music I dig, but maybe you do, give them a shot: http://thelonelymachines.bandcamp.com/
Empty Phrases – The Empties are back and packing the basements with their dreamy post-punk. Like the last Empty Phrases show I caught, kids are moshing, headbanging, and just having an overall good time. These past couple of shows have had quite the positive feedback, unlike any other I’ve seen at previous Empty Phrases hootenannies. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication the band has put forth over the years, making themselves a familiar face in the Lowell music scene.
Tonight, I particularly note that Ben Raymond’s vocals sound better than ever, he sure has some sweet pipes. Get a taste of Empty Phrases here: http://emptyphrases1.bandcamp.com/ and then go see them live!
The New Highway Hymnal – Speaking of familiar faces in the Lowell music scene, The New Highway Hymnal are some of the most recognizable and celebrated figures; along with Big Mess they are my favorite Lowell based band. Though, they have expanded far beyond the Lowell community playing a big role in the Boston underground and even touring the nation a few times including two trips to SXSW.
Indeed (yes, I feel this is “indeed” worthy), this trio has dazzled many a doe eyed college student in both the crowded clubs and crowded basements, and tonight is no different. The band plays a solid, psychedelic fueled set and the crowd responds with typical moshing, though it’s a little bit more reserved on this evening. Still, a fun time, hopefully had by all. I know I enjoy this set and with it being my last night in college, I can’t think of a better way to say good bye to Lowell.
Until I return for another kick ass show! In any case, The New Highway Hymnal play a shit ton of shows around Boston and beyond, do yourself a favor and listen to them here: http://thenewhighwayhymnal.bandcamp.com/
New-ish Songs You Oughta Check Out
Future Days – “Mild Mannered Wuss”
Future Days (formerly Space Bums) are from around here – Boston – and they’ve just made public some songs that will be on a future release. The one that stands out the most to my taste buds is “Mild Mannered Wuss,” which sounds way more exciting than the dude in question. It’s very Velvets sounding/Reed homaging [not a word] with some choice background vocal flourishes.
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The Fabulous St. Knicholas Cage – “Not In My Mind”
Tulsa, Oklahoma’s tinny surf exhibitionists TFSKC have a brand new old release – The Sexy Yearzzzz. “Not In My Mind” is like a high speed boat chase, except you are forced to flee on boogeyboard. Get you some Jon Dwyer on vocals with The Ventures on guitar and hey, here you go. Rockabilly, shit-surfabilly, catch it if you can.
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Zip-Tie Handcuffs – “Lifeboat”
This track is from the Boston band’s 2012 release In The Sky. It’s a stand-out and I’m posting it now because it reminds me of three years ago, when I first heard Wavves King of the Beach. This one is forceful like some of that LP’s sludgier tunes, but in its own world of intensity. I appreciate “Lifeboat” more and more each time I listen to it and its sonic cleanliness surprisingly works in its favor.
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Vundabar – “Hives”
Two piece yee-haws also from this neck of the Emerald Necklace. Anyway, this is song #8 on their Antics LP. The dudes start off with the chorus, a brilliant tactic when a tune rock ‘n rolls like this. It pounds heavy and flirts with the kind of garage/country sloppiness of my favorites, like Carbonas if they had more vocal ability and were played on Breakfast of Champions instead of Late Risers Club. Maybe not the best comparison; this is pop music.
Listen: Durt Dog The Band – “Same Day Delivery Band”
Check out the latest tunes “Ghost” and “Same Day Delivery Van” from Lowell’s Durt dog the Band.
Listen here: http://durtdogtheband.bandcamp.com/album/same-day-delivery-band-2
And don’t forget to see Durt dog with Gangbang Gordon and Ronnie Nordac at Club Bohemia (Cambridge) on Thursday, August 1!
FAT CREEPS 10″ EP (VINYL) AVAILABLE NOW!!!
What’s that? What’s that in the right hand corner? Why that’s KLYAM Records! KLYAM Records is an extension of Kids Like You & Me and we are proud to announce that our first release is one of our favorite records from one of our favorite bands: Fat Creeps
Fat Creeps self-titled debut EP is now available on COLORED 10″ VINYL [Coke Bottle Clear/White] and you can order it here:
http://klyam.bigcartel.com/
Track List:
1) Secrets
2) Horoscope
3) Fooled
4) Leave Her Alone
5) Cherry
6) 700 Parts
And don’t forget to catch Fat Creeps this Summer on tour with Philly punkers Bleeding Rainbow.
http://bleedingrainbow.bandcamp.com/
Tour Dates:
Thu – June 20: Baltimore, MD Metro Gallery
Fri – June 21: Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
Sat – June 22: Atlanta, GA 529
Sun – June 23: Birmingham, AL Bottletree Cafe
Mon – June 24: Nashville, TN The High Watt
Wed – June 26: Chicago, IL The Empty Bottle
Thu – June 27: Ferndale, MI The Loving Touch
Fri – June 28: Toronto, ON The Drake Hotel
Sat – June 29: Montreal, QC il motore
Mon – July 1: Winooski, VT The Monkey House
Tue – July 2: Boston, MA Great Scott
Wed – July 3: New Haven, CT BAR 254 Crown St.
Fri – July 5: New York, NY Mercury Lounge
Review: Yankee Power @ Rosebud (5/11/13)
Bands: The Stampede, Yankee Power, Dave Crespo’s After Party
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2013
Venue: Rosebud (Somerville, MA)
The Stampede – I hardly feel it. The Stampede are loud and they do their rock thang, but it’s rock, not rock ‘n’ roll, that ‘n’/and makes a key difference. You ever hear anyone describe Nobunny as “rock?” I haven’t. It ain’t rock high school either, it’s Rock ‘n’ Roll High School. Alas, The Stampede are a “rock” band playing typical, generic rock music you hear on modern, mainstream radio. To quote a pal of mine also in attendance, they have their Sublime song, their White Stripes song, their Chilli Peppers song. Now, to be fair, that very well may be the way you swang and in that case, The Stampede might be your thang. For what it’s worth, a large chunk of the crowd dance their asses off, so they must enjoy it. Not the worst band I’ve seen, but I’ve seen so much better. For the first couple songs, I can give them a chance and nod along, hey the singer/guitarist looks like Jared Swilley, but after a little while all I can think is “damn, this is too normal! Give me some punk slime, give me The Electric Street Queens! I’ll even take a whacked out Gangbang Gordon Karaoke session over this, please just make it stop, it’s been too long!” Thank God, my boys, Yankee Power are up next.
Yankee Power – I felt a kinship with vocalist/guitarist Jeff Gallagher the moment I met him at keyboardist Ben Tan’s party last August. He seemed like a gentleman, a Beatles man’s kind of guy, like a 21st century Beatle. I finally had the opportunity to see Yankee Power, which also includes Thomas Calvert (vocals/guitar), Mark Fallon (vocals/bass), and CJ Kanouff (drums) on December 29, 2012 at the Middle East Upstairs and that show was fantastic, featuring a cover of my favorite Beatles song “Hey Bulldog.” I told you Jeff was a Beatles man’s kind of guy. Well, nearly five months later, that charm is still intact and they are showing off some new songs to boot.
The Yanks, as I like to call them, are a fun live band and they play several of their classics from last year’s magnum opus Zoo Traffic. “Swing” is a slick, 50’s styled rockabilly number and one of the best from the aforementioned LP. “Real Folk” is also on display tonight and features some sweet vocals from Thomas Calvert. The band also play some new cuts from their latest release, Patriot Act [EP] including my favorite, “Hot Honey Jazz.” I can recall the band performing this song at the Middle East show, though up until this evening I haven’t listened to the tune since that show – nonetheless the song is so catchy, when they start playing it I recognize it immediately. “Hot Honey Jazz” has a smooth, 80’s vibe to it and could arguably be Yankee Power’s catchiest/finest song to date.
Yankee Power live is a pleasant experience and I can’t recommend the band enough, on stage and on record, but this performance is a bit sloppy, which is unusual for the band. Often sloppiness is an intoxicating ingredient in the rock ‘n’ roll dish, but in this case, The Yanks are fairly clean folk, so the sloppiness doesn’t really help. With that being said, it doesn’t overly hinder their performance either and all of their great qualities emerge beyond some troubling, technical difficulties. Besides having exquisite songs, this quartet has a lighthearted, fun loving sense of humor, which can be quite entertaining for the audience. I always get a kick out of Jeff Gallagher’s dance moves, whether it be his smug booty shaking or the way he awkwardly positions himself up against his band mates. In either case, it’s a subtle, silly characteristic that I thoroughly enjoy about this band.
Listen to Yankee Power, so you can know, love, and sing along to all of the songs at the next show. http://theyankeepower.bandcamp.com/
Goddamn, I’m trying so hard not to make my reviews so flowery, but some of you cats are just too damn GOOD!
Dave Crespo’s After Party – Dave Crespo and his After Party have a lot of enthusiasm and attempt to make the Rosebud feel like a party for sure; Dave Crespo even pats my head, for whatever reason people like to do that. I say attempt because like the first band tonight, this is not the kind of music that sets my rocks off. “Generic Rock” is what I call it, it’s like the FM Rock music on the radio. No thanks.
I heard that this is the last show at the Rosebud. Is that true??? If it is, then RIP. I saw some of my favorite bands here: Fat Creeps, Fagettes, and now Yankee Power. I hardly knew ye, but so long. Twas great while it lasted.
Bent Shapes – Feels Weird (8/20/13)
Local KLYAM favorites, Bent Shapes are releasing their debut LP Feels Weird on August 20th via Father/Daughter Records. Here’s the track list, which features one of my all time favorite songs, “I Was Here But I Disappear.”
1. Behead Yrself, Pt. 2
2. Leave It ‘Til You Need It
3. Panel Of Experts
4. Brat Poison
5. What Do You Get??
6. Hex Maneuvers
7. Big Machines
8. Bites And Scratches
9. Check My Vitals!!
10. Boys To Men
11. I Was Here But I Disappear
If you wanna get on the super duper pre-order. Go to Father/Daughter Records: http://fatherdaughterrecords.bigcartel.com/product/bent-shapes-feels-weird-lp-special-pre-order-price
Review: Colleen Green, Fat Creeps, Fedavees, Ronnie Nordac @ Radio (4/25/13)
Bands: Colleen Green, Fat Creeps, Fedavees, Ronnie Nordac
Date: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Venue: Radio (Somerville, MA)
Ronnie Nordac – The infamous Ronnie Nordac. I don’t know much about Ronnie, but I have seen his name appear in Boston Compasses for the last year and a half or so (give or take). He’s the dude that makes those rad drawings. Ronnie Nordac. His name sure sounds funny and it’s fun to say. Ronnie Nordac. Sounds like a comic book super hero. If a super hero looked and sound like Joey Ramone – tall, long black hair, black shades. Ronnie is hard to miss.
Ronnie Nordac sings and plays guitar and he usually plays solo, but tonight he is accompanied by a bassist, a drummer, and another singer named Kara. From what I hear, this is a recent development and apparently this the first time the band has played together, having only practiced for a week. Despite (or because of) their novice status, I admire practically every song they play. I hear teeny bits of outsider rock, particularly in Ronnie’s clanky, amateurish, but ever so sweet and hooky guitar riffs. It’s eccentric garage surf pop.
Definitely memorable songs; sadly I cannot find them anywhere! One song I love is called “Rock ‘N’ Roll USA,” I especially love Kara’s vocals and her adorable dancing. Her vocals are my favorite part of the set. When she sings, it reminds me of The Pixies/Kim Deal. I can still hear it in my dreams.
Word around the campfire is that Ronnie is playing a show on August 1 at Club Bohemia (Cambridge) with rampant twat diddler Gangbang Gordon and Lowell superstar, Durt Dog the Band. That’s going to be a fine ass show, but hopefully I’ll see him and all of those dudes before then.
http://ronnienordac.bandcamp.com/
Fedavees – I’ve seen these guys a couple times before and they didn’t blow my mind the way they have blown other people’s minds. They are a decent band, but this droney, laid back style of music just doesn’t do it for me. It’s like getting on a roller coaster that never takes off. I’m more of a Black Lips guy, listen to “MIA” and “Sea of Blasphemy,” and see what I mean. I won’t babble or rant anymore, because what’s the point of a “negative” review? If a positive review is to get people turned on to what’s turning you on, then is a negative review supposed to make people ignore the bands you don’t like. That is ridiculous. Don’t listen to any music blog swine, you heard it here from a music blog, no swine. Think for yourself and question authority.
http://thefedavees.bandcamp.com/
Fat Creeps – Ohh dear, I have written about this band way more than I ever anticipated writing about any band, except for maybe the Black Lips. I’ve sucked so much Black Lips and Fat Creeps dick, I’m putting some serious sluts to shame. It must be kind of strange for the Fat Creeps, having some weird music nerd (and by weird I mean incredibly awesome) writing about nearly every one of their shows. As a fan it’s cool because I get to document one of my favorite bands and see how they change overtime. Around this same time last year, they were just starting to hone their craft with the arrival of drummer, Jim Leonard. Now, a year later, it’s hard to imagine the band without him (I never saw the trio pre-Jim anyway). Through writing about many of these shows, I’ve seen the group introduce several Creeps standards such as “Secrets,” “Daydreaming,” and “Going to the Party,” all of which are played tonight. Some of the more recent (though not brand spankin’ new) Creeps numbers include “Blue” and “I’ve Got.” I’m still getting into these new tunes, I can’t say I love them, but I have a feeling my opinion will change if they are fleshed out more. “700 Parts” is my favorite Fat Creeps song; it’s morbid and it doesn’t sound like any other band, which is pretty much what I look for in every artist I hear. Distinct, enticing songs. Watch “700 Parts” and all of the great Avi Paul Weistein videos from this show right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLtjuBLOutc
Colleen Green – Colleen Green is the coolest to quote one Ronnie Nordac. Damn straight Ronnie. Like Mr. Nordac, Ms. Green rocks the black shades and she also rocks out on her happy birthday Jeff! guitar, but unlike the last time we saw her, she isn’t backed by a full band. This time, the Massachusetts native turned Cali garage punk brings back her beloved drum machine and a friend named Marissa, also rocking shades (and bass).
Tonight, Colleen and Marissa deliver a fun, mellow set featuring both old and new Colleen Green songs. The Ramonesian “I Wanna Be Degraded” and “Nice Boy (I Want A)” are among the older classics that I have come to love in the past couple years. I swear the latter was written for me ;) haha jk.
Colleen and Marissa also play a steady batch of hits from the latest Colleen Green record, Sock It To Me (Hardly Art). Check out that album, if you haven’t, for it may be the greatest 2013 has to offer. The audience at the Radio has the pleasure of hearing new songs such as “Only One,” “Darkest Eyes,” and “You’re So Cool.” I love hearing all of these new tunes and this performance is even better than the last time I saw Colleen, way back in September.
For some of the songs later in the set, Colleen plays solo and Marissa sits back, watching her friend play like everyone else. Then, for the encore, Marissa joins her pal again in a cover of The Queers “Number One.”
So, happy to see Colleen Green again, always a blast, one of my favorites! http://colleengreen.bandcamp.com/ Also, read this sweet article about Colleen: http://www.cannabisculture.com/content/2013/04/03/Meet-Stoner-Girl-Spring-2013-Colleen-Green
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 