Category Archives: Local Music

Art, concert review, Fat Creeps, Honorary KLAYMERS, Kids Like You and Me, KLYAM Records, Local Music, Music, Nice Guys, pictures, Punk, Quotes, reviews

Review: Fat Creeps, Headband, Nice Guys @ Discovery Zone (6/8/13)

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Bands: Fat Creeps, Headband, Nice Guys
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2013
Venue: Discovery Zone (Allston, MA)

As soon as Glen and I enter the Discovery Zone, Allston’s Nice Guys are already kicking out the jams, just inches away from us. The nice dudes are decked out in their beach garb: short shorts and pasty whites and what have ya.

Nice Guys are a truly fun group and they provide some comical on stage (floor) back to back banter. This aspect of the group brings to mind early Smith Westerns (1st album) and early Black Lips, not to mention their garage punk tendencies. There’s something charming about them, like young male bonding or some shit like that, I don’t know anymore, I’ve been doing this for too long (says the twenty something). I have notes, I came prepared I swear, they just never seem to make it to the reviews. ANYWAY…

They appear to be at  home in the Discovery Zone space, after all they have played several shows here before. It’s best to see this foursome in an underground setting such as this as opposed to a club, and this has to be the best set I have seen from the guys. It’s loud, fast, and fuzzy, reminding me to invest in some serious ear plugs in the not so distant future.

Nice Guys certainly have a sharp sound that rattles my bones and mangles my teeth, uh huh, but I feel like the songs could be stronger. They are fun for sure, but they could use more character/personality to fully bring those pizzas, boners, and bongs to life as if they were being placed in my lap. With that being said, “Cop Walk” is a juicy beast and I never get sick of it’s factory like guitar riffage at the beginning and how it just bursts into heavy, spastic jolts of primal rock ‘n’ roll. Up close and personal (I wouldn’t have it any other way), I can feel Jake Gilbertson’s hollering vocals vibrate down my spine, a feature of the band I had overlooked in the past. Dude can scream.

I should also mention that drummer Cam Smithers hops on the mic (mike?)  for what is apparently a cover of an Andy Kaufman song. I didn’t know that Andy Kaufman made music…

Towards the end of the set, Jake and Alex shake things up a bit,  rushing into the crowd with their guitars, even breaking a fan in the process. Just to clarify, when I say fan I mean the kind that provides cool air for all of us, not a human body. After all, these are Nice Guys.

And Matt Garlick is also the man. I just realized that he was the only Nice Guy (and Fagette!) I haven’t mentioned yet. I don’t want him to feel left out, because  he is a pimp, and pimpin’ ain’t easy.
http://niceguys666.bandcamp.com/

Set List:
“(I Trusted You)”
“Herb Chambers”
“Street Surfer”
“Draggins”
“Molten Donut”
“Unholy Snack”
“Cop Walk”
“HD Snobs”
“Finale Dead”

The rockin’ and rollin’ grande times ramble on with Headband – a Boston mainstay. To quote one, Jake Gilbertson, “There was a Headband before I could even spell Headband.” Jake isn’t letting his mind run wild; Headband has existed since 1996, damn that’s quite a feat! Most bands don’t last more than a mentos, let alone two decades. Beyond being impressed with their longevity, I am genuinely impressed with some of their music. At times it reminds me of the strange, cave pop of the Box Elders and then at other times, I feel like the music drags or never takes off. They have a wealth of material on their bandcamp. Knock yourself out. http://buzzardrock.bandcamp.com/

Fat Creeps are the last band to play tonight and their performance is nothing short of thrilling. Twenty one Creeps shows deep, I can safely say this is one of their best yet, and that appears to be a popular sentiment among tonight’s attendees. Straight up, being one half of the people that put out the band’s 10″ EP on KLYAM Records, naturally I am an ecstatic fan of the trio, but I don’t bullshit when I write about bands, even ones on my label, so when I say this is one of their best, I mean it. Oddly enough, it’s kind of hard to articulate exactly why this show is finer than most I have experienced in the past. I am going to attribute the high quality of this gig to two features: set and setting. Much like a psychedelic experience, the Fat Creeps evoke an altered state of consciousness in me, one that I feel is shared with everyone in the room.

The set, that is the mindset, as one Dr. Leary labeled it, is a young band performing in front of a sea of familiar faces – a collective group of friends and fans alike, an audience that has grown to know and love the songs that the band has mastered over the past couple of years.

The setting is an intimate, cozy living room space and when combined with the aforementioned set, it creates a serene feeling, an aura if you will. It’s as if everyone is simultaneously appreciating the music of the Fat Creeps all as one consciousness. From the first chords of “Horoscope” the crowd is hooked and the Creeps never let go. Besides playing an outstanding set, part of my joy is simply observing the reactions of others in attendance; seeing kids’ faces light up in anticipation for the do do do doos in “Nancy Drew” or getting pumped for Mariam’s belting line “COME CLOSER I CAN’T HEAR YOU!” in “Secrets.”

The  Discovery Zone setting itself is an impressionable one. I always get a kick out of the ubiquitous, random barrage of bizarre films being projected behind the bands while they play. During the Creeps set however, the video material is familiar, but equally enticing. There is an outburst of cheers as a clip of Beavis and Butthead comes on. This is followed by a Wendy’s commercial during the haunting ballad “700 Parts.” That’s trippy.

Get totally tripped out by the Fat Creeps here: http://fatcreeps.bandcamp.com/

Even better order the Fat Creeps 10″ EP (VINYL) on Coke Bottle Clear and/or White from KLYAM Records!  http://klyam.bigcartel.com/ ORRR pick up a copy at one of the following Boston area record stores:

Deep Thoughts (Jamaica Plain, MA)
http://www.deepthoughtsjp.com/

Weirdo Records (Cambridge, MA)
http://www.weirdorecords.com/

Armageddon Records (Cambridge, MA)
http://www.armageddonshopboston.com/index_boston.php

Brothers and sisters, don’t stop there! Fat Creeps are currently on a big ass tour with Bleeding Rainbow (http://bleedingrainbow.bandcamp.com/) and they may just be hitting your town any day now. Here are the remaining dates. Boston peeps, they’re hitting up Great Scott on Tuesday July 2!

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 Mercury Lounge
https://www.facebook.com/events/121765888020343/

In the immortal words of The Doors “The time to hesitate is through.”

Art, Fat Creeps, Honorary KLAYMERS, Local Music, Music, pictures, Punk

Fat Creeps 10″ Vinyl EP Now Available At…

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5a040-fat2bcreeps2bcover
YO! Fat Creeps 10″ (VINYL) EP is now available at the following kickass institutions…

Deep Thoughts in Jamaica Plain, MA

http://www.deepthoughtsjp.com/

Weirdo Records in Cambridge, MA

http://www.weirdorecords.com/

Armageddon Records in Cambridge, MA

http://www.armageddonshopboston.com/index_boston.php

And of course you can order one directly from KLYAM Records: http://klyam.bigcartel.com/

PICK UP A RECORD NOW, BEFORE THEY’RE GONE!!!

Art, Fat Creeps, Honorary KLAYMERS, Kids Like You and Me, KLYAM Records, Local Music, Music, Punk, Video

Fat Creeps – “700 Parts” @ The Bottle Tree

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Check out this video (shot by Dominique Montgomery) of Fat Creeps performing “700 Parts” at The Bottle Tree in Birmingham, Alabama! They are currently kicking ass on tour right now as can be see in in the video above. Here are the remaining tour dates:
6/26/13 Chicago, IL The Empty Bottle
6/27/13 Ferndale, MI The Loving Touch
6/28/13 Toronto, ON The Drake Hotel
6/29/13 Montreal, QC il motore
7/1/13 Winooski, VT The Monkey House
7/2/13 Boston, MA Great Scott
7/3/13 New Haven, CT BAR 254 Crown St.
7/5/13 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
GO!

And of course don’t forget to pick up a copy of Fat Creeps 10″ EP (VINYL) from KLYAM Records! http://klyam.bigcartel.com/

Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion, Jacques Le Coque, Local Music, Music, Show Alert

Show Alert: Beware The Dangers Of A Ghost Scorpion / Jacques Le Coque

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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.

Art, Fat Creeps, Honorary KLAYMERS, Kids Like You and Me, KLYAM Records, Local Music, Music, News, pictures, Punk, Tours, Video

Fat Creeps & Bleeding Rainbow Summer Tour!

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Fat Creeps Bleeding Rainbow
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/

Art, Big Mess, concert review, Local Music, Music, New Highway Hymnal, pictures, Punk, reviews, The Fagettes

Review: The New Highway Hymnal, CreaturoS, Fagettes, Big Mess @ Mid East Up (5/16/13)

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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.

Listen: http://thenewhighwayhymnal.bandcamp.com/

Art, concert review, Local Music, Music, New Highway Hymnal, pictures, Punk, reviews

Review: The New Highway Hymnal, Empty Phrases, The Lonely Machines, Spooky Future @ The Tip (5/3/13)

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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/

Local Music, Music, The Fabulous St. Knicholas Cage

New-ish Songs You Oughta Check Out

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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.

Art, Durt Dog The Band, Local Music, Music, pictures

Listen: Durt Dog The Band – “Same Day Delivery Band”

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Durt Dog
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!

Art, Fat Creeps, Honorary KLAYMERS, Local Music, Music, pictures, Punk, Video

FAT CREEPS 10″ EP (VINYL) AVAILABLE NOW!!!

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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