Category Archives: Local Music

Art, Best Of 2012, Burger Records, Cumstain, Fat Creeps, Fat History Month, Goner, Gravys Drop, Honorary KLAYMERS, Hunx and His Punx, Kids Like You and Me, Local Music, Maine Coons, Music, pictures, Punk, The Barbaras, Ty Segall, Yankee Power

Best Of 2012: LPs and More!

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year-end-celebration

In a few hours it will be 2013, but before I enter the new year I have to look back at my favorite releases in 2012. The following are my top ten:

1) The Barbaras- The Barbaras: 2006-2008 (Goner)

2) Fat Creeps- Fat Creeps EP (Self-Released)

3) Black Lips- Black Lips Live @ Third Man Records (Third Man)

4) Cumstain- White People Problems (Burger)- Okay, not officially released, but still, a favorite of mine.

5) Yankee Power- Zoo Traffic (Self-Released)

6) Hunx- Hairdresser Blues (Hardly Art)

7) Ty Segall- Twins (Drag City)

8) Gravys Drop- For the Love of Gravy (Burger)

9) Maine Coons- Maine Coons 7″ (Stencil Trash)

10) Fat History Month- Live at the Bruce Manor (http://fathistorymonth.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-bruce-manor-super-xxx-ebition)

2013 shall be a year of great releases I predict.

Art, Bent Shapes, Best Of 2012, Fat Creeps, Honorary KLAYMERS, Hunx and His Punx, Kids Like You and Me, King Khan, King Khan and the Shrines, Lists, Local Music, Music, New Highway Hymnal, Nice Guys, No Age, Nobunny, pictures, Punk, reviews, SKIMASK, Slimers, Smith Westerns, The Electric Street Queens, The Migs, The Strange Boys, Ty Segall, Ty Segall Band, White Fence, Yankee Power

My Top Shows Of Twenty-Twelve

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I saw more shows this year than any other (47 total) and all of them were FUN . The following is a list of my top ten (most fun) shows all year:

10) The New Highway Hymnal, Creaturos, Leamers, The Migs, Nice Guys @ Big Stink (10/6/12)
Damn, this was a solid night. I mean with the bands on this bill, how could it not be? Going in to this show I only knew NHH and The Migs, but I came out a fan of local stalwurts, Creaturos and Nice Guys, and our neighbors to the North, Montréal’s Leamers. Kids bashing and bopping around like they ought to. I’ll link you up to the KLYAM review: https://klyam.com/2012/10/09/concert-review-nice-guys-the-migs-leamers-creaturos-new-highway-hymnal-big-stink-10612/

9) The Migs, Nice Guys, Cult Fluorescent, Slimers, Chillcity Icon @ Wilder Zangcraft (11/24/12)
Best Migs show I’ve seen! Nice Guys played a sick set of Coachwhips covers and it was great to see the experimental one mon band Cult Fluorescent again. This show was also my introduction to the mighty Migsian two piece, Slimers and the twisted no wave/noise duo, Chillcity Icon. https://klyam.com/2012/12/06/concert-review-the-migs-nice-guys-cult-fluorescent-slimers-chillcity-icon-wilder-zangcraft-112412/


8) Hunx and His Punx, Heavy Cream, Radio Control @ Great Scott (4/2/12)
I’m a Hunx freak, so words can’t describe my excitement for this show. Having missed the past two Hunx Boston gigs :( I’ve waited for two and a half years to see the band live again. The first time back in October ’09 was opening for Jay Reatard and this served as my intro to Hunx. This time around was even better because I actually knew and loved all of the songs. Throw in Infinity Cat noise makers, Heavy Cream and Somerville rockers, Radio Control and you have one of the finest shows all year. https://klyam.com/2012/04/04/concert-review-hunx-and-his-punx-great-scott-4212/


7) Fat Creeps, Earthquake Party, Fedavees, Fagettes Halloween Show @ Rosebud (10/13/12)
2012 very well could be called the year of the Fat Creeps, especially on this site. We’ve seen a dozen Creeps shows this year, more than any other artist. In fact, I think I’ve seen them more than any other band I’ve seen. Every show has had its own special quality, but for Halloween they played a set of Ramones covers and the crowd ate it up. It was the marriage of two of my favorite bands, and on top of that there were stellar sets from Earthquake Party! (Nirvana), Fedavees (The Wipers), and The Fagettes (Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood).
https://klyam.com/2012/10/16/concert-review-halloween-show-featuring-fat-creeps-earthquake-party-fedavees-fagettes-rosebud-101312/


6) On Broadway Fest 2008 @ Dirty Douglas/Ant Cellar (5/5/12)
I haven’t been to any music festivals, except this one, well and the first On Broadway Fest, but I arrived at night for that one. Therefore, this show was a unique experience. It was a blast seeing 15 or so bands all in one day, especially with memorable performaces from Fat History Month, Big Mess, The New Highway Hymnal (shit water yay!), and Guerilla Toss – I literally felt the Guerilla Toss, woooo. https://klyam.com/2012/06/08/concert-review-onbroadway-fest-2008-5512/


5) No Age, Make It Up @ Chum’s Coffeehouse (3/10/12)
KLYAM and No Age go way back, way back before there even was a KLYAM. The first show we saw at Middle East was No Age, and that took place in 2008. They were one of the first of our beloved, HONORARY KLYAMERS. As popular as No Age is, they still carve out their own DIY aesthetic and playing a little Coffeehouse in Waltham is a testament to that. Some of the best moshing/crowd surfing I’ve seen all year! https://klyam.com/2012/03/12/concert-review-no-age-chums-brandeis/


4) Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, K-Holes @ The Well (9/22/12)
This is one of the few shows I have seen outdoors. I need to experience more of these! Outside on a rainy night in Brooklyn with a thousand or more bodies. I usually prefer smaller gigs, but Ty Segall’s music is so gigantic it feels right in this setting. Of course, this show is also special because this marks my first and only experience with Thee Oh Sees, one of America’s greatest live bands. Can’t wait for the next NYC trip and/or Ty/Oh Sees show. K-Holes, stay solid. https://klyam.com/2012/09/23/concert-review-ty-segall-thee-oh-sees-k-holes-the-well-92212/

3) Ty Segall, White Fence, Strange Boys @ Space Gallery (5/14/12)
Ty it is again! You just can’t stop this guy from popping up on our year end lists. Ahh, our first Ty Segall show ever! An event in heavy anticipation for nearly two years. The Space Gallery is one of the finer venues in the New England area that I have attended: larger capacity without that corporate rock feel, art gallery, steady rock ‘n’ roll, and two dollar PBRs! Yeah, so if the show above at the Well felt like a big time House of Blues event, then this Space Gallery show was more akin to a rowdy, packed Black Lips show at the Mid East Downstairs. And of course, Strange Boys were better than ever!
https://klyam.com/2012/05/15/concert-review-ty-segall-white-fence-strange-boys/


2) King Khan & The Shrines, Hector’s Pets @ Brighton Music Hall (7/23/12)
As far as showmen go, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone that competes with King Khan. We were blessed this year to catch Khan and all the classic Shrines at a sweaty, fun filled show this past July. It’s just one big party y’all. https://klyam.com/2012/07/25/concert-review-king-khan-the-shrines-brighton-music-hall/

Who will be number 1?…..

NO NO NO NO NO!!!
NobunnyTyOhSeesNYCSep2012 009
NOBUNNY!!!!

1) Nobunny, Bad Sports, Xray Eyeballs, Liquor Store @ Living Bread (9/21/12)
For the past three years, the almighty Black Lips have filled the number one slot in this category. Alas, we did not see them this year, they had bigger plans – touring the Middle East. Beautiful, those kids need em’ more. Fortunately, we witnessed somebunny else on stage, this bunny we’ve also consistently seen the past 3-4 years, and he’s never let us down. 5 Nobunny shows deep and this was the best. I felt like I was watching Darby Crash or Keith Morris, but singing bubblegum and garage. I love that feeling, when you look up at a bunnyman in his underwear and say to yourself “this is the only kind of rock ‘n’ roll that matters.” https://klyam.com/2012/09/24/concert-review-nobunny-bad-sports-xray-eyeballs-liquor-store-living-bread-92112/

Ahh what a year, 2012, the best I’d say. In this year I saw the following exceptional/favorite bands for the first time (some of which I noted above): SKIMASK, Bleached, Smith Westerns, Dirty Virgins,  Fat Creeps, The Migs,  Ty Segall, Beach Boys,  Bent Shapes (as Bent Shapes), Colleen Green (two nights in a row!), Thee Oh Sees, Nice Guys, The Fagettes, The Electric Street Queens, Yankee Power.

And now I’m off to bring in 2013 with Fat Creeps,  The New Highway Hymnal, Color Channel, and Yale, MA at Great Scott. Peace.

Atlantic Thrills, Black Lips, Fat Creeps, Jay Reatard, Local Music, Music, Nobunny, The Fagettes, The Growlers, The King Khan & BBQ Show, The Migs, The Orwells

Things I’m Excited For In 2013

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Atlantic Thrills LP?! – YA! Rhode Island’s premier punk slimers have already recorded an outstanding batch of songs and have showcased several new ones over the past year. An LP is on the horizon, no doubt; I can only imagine dropping the needle on such 12 inches of greatness. As everyone knows, this band is a monster live. But imagine rocking out to the Dutroncy “On My Mind,” the shouts of OOOHHH OOHHHH and stunning guitars in “Light Shines,” AND the best of all worlds, the one and only “Acid Rain”. All on one LP!

The Return of Black Lips to Boston – Nothing has been announced yet regarding this, but it seems inevitable. It has been over a year and a half since they played here (and several other cities in the US that they regularly swung by)…far too long for rabid fans like us. Pretty much all of their shows that I’ve been to rank really high up in the ‘best live experience’ category so yeah, I’m not nuts, they are incredible.

Seeing The Fagettes As The Fagettes – It’s kind of sad that a night like this has not come sooner. I’ve seen The Fagettes as Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood, but now its time for the real deal. And with a new lineup and sound that’s better than ever (the words of Ryan Fagette), I can’t wait for this!

Fat Creeps Split 12″ On Feeding Tube – Seeing as they released the best EP I heard in 2012 and were among the most entertaining live bands that I saw, there should be no surprises regarding my excitement about this. “Daydreaming,” released via music video earlier this month, is the Creeps hardest hitting tune to date. I wonder if the other tunes on this upcoming 12″ will be faster like that or more of a variety like the EP. Whatever way, I have a feeling this will be awesome.

The Growlers @ Middle East Upstairs/New Album – The Growlers stood out more than a lot of bands do when I got the chance to hear them for the first time, a little more than three years ago. At that time, they had released their mega Are You In Or Out?, which is loaded top to bottom with their reverby take on psychedelic rock and roll. I was like damn, I’ve got to see these guys live. And waddaya know – February 2010 @ TTs – they came through on their big ole school bus. I remember that show quite well, for there were more band members than people in attendance. It was a snowy Tuesday night. Nevertheless, it was really fun. I eagerly await their MidEast Upstairs show and their new album due out in a few weeks!

Better Than Something: Jay Reatard Package – It was unfortunately just announced that this was being delayed until February 2013. I’m pumped to watch the film again, but what I’m even more psyched on is the LP and the booklet.

The King Khan & BBQ Show – It is a great thing to see Mark Sultan and King Khan back together playing as The King Khan & BBQ Show. Whether 2013 brings new material, more touring, or what have you, it is simply nice to see them back together in one of my long-time favorite bands.

The Migs – This is another sort of general one, but The Migs are one of the funnest bands I’ve seen and heard. It goes without saying that they will be playing some amazing gigs this upcoming year and their ultra strong recorded output keeps growing and growing. I don’t know what to look specifically forward to, greatness itself, OK!

New Nobunny LP On Goner – ‘Course there’s not much info available regarding this, but the fact that this is a thing is beyond awesome.

The Orwells Touring – I imagine they’ll be coming here! As far as new bands doing the garage/punk thing nationally, The Orwells deserve the wave of attention they’ve been getting. They are real good.

Art, Fat History Month, Local Music, Music, New England Patriots, Punk, Tours

Fat History Month/New England Patriots January 2013 Tour (1/14-1/26)

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pats_theband2
1/14-1/26 Tour w/ New England Patriots:
1/14  Brooklyn, NY Death By Audio
1/15 New Brunswick, NJ  The Alamo 
1/16 Richmond, VA Bauhaus 
1/17 Athens OH Casa Nueva 
1/18 Cincinnatti,OH Baba Budans 239 West McMillan Street
1/19 Nashville, TN Tower 2 at the WTC 3929 Gallatin Pike 
1/20 Murfreesboro, TN Frankie Avalon house w/gnarwhal, piss bath?
1/21 Atlanta, GA The Office
1/22 Asheville, NC The Get Down
1/23 Raleigh, NC Yerducken House
1/24 Harrisonburg, VA The Crayola 
1/25 Ewing, NJ  a house
1/26 TBA
1/27 T.T. The Bears, Berfest 
If you live in or nearby any of these cities, go to the show! Fat History Month in particular is a KLYAM favorite. And for you Boston people , they’re also playing  this show:
Atlantic Thrills, Best Of 2012, Colleen Green, Fat Creeps, Mark Sultan, Music, No Age, Nobunny, Slimers, The Migs, Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall

Top 10 Bands/Performances Seen In 2012

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No Age March 2012 001

1. No Age – Favorite Show: Chum’s Coffeehouse (3/10/12)

NobunnyTyOhSeesNYCSep2012 009

2. Nobunny – Favorite Show: Living Bread (9/21/12)

NobunnyTyOhSeesNYCSep2012 051

3. Ty Segall – Favorite Show: The Well (9/22/12)

4. Fat Creeps – Favorite Show: Moe’s Lounge (8/10/12)

5. Atlantic Thrills – Favorite Show: Great Scott (12/3/12)

6. Thee Oh Sees – Favorite Show: The Well (9/22/12)

7. The Migs – Favorite Show: Wilder Zangcraft (11/24/12)

8. Slimers – Favorite Show: Great Scott (12/18/12)

9. Mark Sultan – Favorite Show: Starlab (12/8/12)

10. Colleen Green – Favorite Show: Middle East Upstairs (9/9/12)

Best Of 2012, Fat Creeps, Gremlins UK, Kal Marks, Lists, Local Music, Maine Coons, Music, Nobunny, The Fagettes

My Top 3 Singles/EPs Of 2012

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1. Fat Creeps – Fat Creeps EP – This is by far my favorite EP of this year. It is crazy good. Every song is special in its own way and, on that note, it is tough to compare Fat Creeps to other bands. The music is downright catchy first and foremost. “Leave Her Alone” is the capstone with its top-notch harmonies and surfy guitar solo, but there’s really something to love about all of ’em, such as the endings to “700 Parts” and “Horoscope,” the punch of “Cherry,” and Mariam and Gracie’s vocal showcase in “Secrets” and “Fooled”. Fat Creeps played several shows in 2012 and they’ve been garnering notice locally, nationally, and internationally. It is easy to see why with this talented trio. We saw them about a dozen times this year and were bummed out about the shows we couldn’t make. Yeah, they’re that great!


2. The Maine Coons – The Maine Coons 7″ – The Maine Coons – the hidden gem of underground garage/punk – released their s/t debut a couple years back. That was a favorite, landing on our year end lists. Two years later there is this 7″. All songs on this 7″ are on that LP. Coincidentally or not, they are top tier with reference to the album. I remember getting this in the mail and playing it several times in a row. For days. It’s a masterpiece recalling the King Khan & BBQ Show, if that dude Leo Chips had been on keyboard since the beginning. I’m not sure I’ve heard a 7″ that gets the job like this one does in a long time. “Uniform Choice” is the most outstanding, in my opinion, but as I’ve made clear…you can’t go wrong with any of ’em.


3. The Fagettes – If I See Him Again 7″ – Fagettes are a band that I had heard of prior to listening to this 7″…at least the name. How could one forget? Anyway, this is a delightful release. Singers Ryan and Melanie trade words, with a keen sense of good ole rock and roll charm. The three songs from this release are recorded damn well, capturing all that fun. I especially dig “My Girl Looks Like Johnny Thunders,” with the organ and other great instrumentation. No wonder why they’ve made a name for themselves around here. Can’t wait for more!

Honorable Mentions:

Nobunny – Maximumrockandroll EP
Kal Marks – Piss of the Century EP
Gremlins UK – Gremlins UK 7″

Art, concert review, Local Music, Music, pictures, Punk, reviews

Concert Review: Dirty Virgins, Slimers, Krill, ABADABAD @ Great Scott (12/18/12)

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Eye Design Presents: Treat Yo Self Christmas Edition With Music From:
Dirty Virgins, Abadabad, Krill and Slimers
Date: Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Venue: Great Scott (Allston, MA)

December2012Show 028
Act I: Slimers– Ahh, it’s good to be back in ye olde Great Scott. Tonight, the place is looking festive, decked out in various Christmas decorations. For those that don’t know (you oughta be ashamed of yourselves), Slimers is Lukas Goudreault (vocals, guitar) and Keven Lareau (vocals and drums/percussion) of The Migs and MMOSS  and they are dressed in equally festive raiment: some badass Cosby looking Christmas sweaters. Da Slimers start their sound checkin’ and for a few brief moments I feel like we’re at some house show. No, I don’t mean house as in a basement, living room, DIY sorta thang. I mean house as in electronic, trance, dubstep, etc. It’s trippy, loud and intense brah, where are the glowsticks and euphoric blockbusters? Nowhere to be found, because  Slimers aren’t a hair cut band and more importantly this is just their sound check.  Christ, why am I reviewing sound checks? That would be pretty funny though if we at KLYAM  just reviewed sound checks from here on out. Fuck the set tonight, I just want to hear a killer sound check, man. Good lord. In all seriousness though, when Slimers are sound checking, they start playing for a little bit and I’m fucking immersed in all their sliminess. I look to my right at Glen and I can see in his eyes that he feels the same way. Then I look behind me and I notice that we’re the only ones in front of the stage. I’m thinking “what is a matter with all of these jokers?” Then the band immediately stops like a car going 90 slamming on the breaks. They walk off the stage, and Glen and I look at each other, both thinking the same thing: “fuck, we’re idiots!”  We were both thinking that that was the beginning of their actual set, not just a sound check.  Aww man, this sound check is like the pre-cum that cums out before the real cum. No worries, the real cum arrives shortly and better than I expected.  Slimers produce a blast of noise, psych, and the kind of  rock ‘n’ roll we consistently champion here, the only kind.  It’s a fun, loud set and in fact the best of the night. I’m still acclimating myself to their songs, but I find it hard not to sing along to “SPAGHETTIANN,” a catchy number that draws comparisons to early Ty Segall.  The duo close their set with a cover of “Louie,  Louie.” YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH!  Get  yer ya-ya’s out with Slimers here: http://slimerz.bandcamp.com/

December2012Show 031
Act II: Krill– Krill is a three piece from Somerville that I am not particularly fond of, but it appears as though others in attendance are digging them. They seem to have some noisy garage vibes like  the other bands on the bill this evening, but they don’t diddle my twat the way Slimers diddled my twat. This is just my first impression, sometimes I change my mind, so I plan on giving them more listens. Here’s their bandcamp page, check it out : http://wheretheresakrilltheresaway.bandcamp.com/

December2012Show 035
Act III: ABADABAD– At this point in the evening, the Great Scott is pretty packed. I mean actually throughout the whole show, the turn out for a Tuesday night has been spectacular. ABADABAD, what a name for these dudes! ABADABAD is a band I have never heard of until now.  I enjoy their set for it’s mellow, danceable, power pop quality. And yes indeed some dancing emerges during their peformance, which is always positive.  Click on their bandcamp page, they have plenty of releases you can dance your ass off to: http://abadabad.bandcamp.com/

December2012Show 037
Act IV: Dirty Virgins– It’s been an excellent year in music, each year seems to get better, but what makes this year so special for KLYAM is the fact that we have had more exposure and experience with local- Boston/ New England based music more than ever before. Dirty Virgins are certainly a part of the Boston underground music scene and definitely one of the best local bands I’ve seen all year. I saw them before at the Dirty Douglas and that was a bastard of a show. Good times.  Tonight, the Dirty Virgins are just as fun as before, if not more. The crowd dances and moshes (a little bit) and in general all are in high spirits. They deliver a ball busting, rocking set filled with several great tunes. I especially dig the headbanging inducing anthemic rocker, “Cheap Talk” as well as the country droolin’ ballads in “Bar Rot” and “Company Store,” two jams that make the band earn the description in the first half of their moniker. The latter number in particular is a terrific sing-a-long. Listen to all their punk slime here: http://dirtyvirgins.bandcamp.com/

Adam Green, Art, Atlantic Thrills, Bent Shapes, Best Coast, Best Of 2012, Black Lips, Bradford Cox, Cole Alexander, Cumstain, Dangeresque, Diamond Rugs, Entertainment, Fat Creeps, Gangbang Gordon, Ghetto Cross, Gravys Drop, Honorary KLAYMERS, Ian St. Pe, King Khan, King Khan and the Shrines, Lists, Maine Coons, Music, Natural Child, New Highway Hymnal, Nobunny, Peach Kelli Pop, pictures, Punk, Saba Lou, Shannon and The Clams, SKIMASK, The Barbaras, The Electric Street Queens, The Fagettes, The Migs, The Orwells, Ty Segall, Yankee Power

Chris’s Top Songs Of Twenty-Twelve

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The Barbaras – these dudes created some of my favorite songs released in 2012

As with every year, I’m listing off my favorite songs (in alphabetical order) and keeping to a three song maximum per band, because there’s just way too many to list all of them! And we’re off.

A:

Adam Green & Binki Shapiro– “Here I Am”
Atlantic Thrills– “Foreign Lands” “Acid Rain” “Give It Back”

B:

The Barbaras– “Breathing Underwater” “How Many Times” “Only One”
Bent Shapes– “Bites and Scratches” “Leave It Till You Need It”
Best Coast– “The Only Place”

C:

Cumstain– “Ghost Love” “Rollin Wrong” “Sit and Twist”

D:

Dangeresque– “Walking Dead”
Diamond Rugs– “Blue Mountains”
Dirty Virgins– “Cheap Talk”

E:

The Electric Street Queens– “Beefcake Baby” “She’s Gotta Bruise” “Doncha Wanna Work At the Brewary”

F:

Fagettes– “If I See Him Again” “On Drugs”
Fat Creeps– “700 Parts” “Nancy Drew” “Secrets”

G:

Gangbang Gordon– “Life At the ABC” “QMI Fatties”
Ghetto Cross– “Still”
Gravys Drop– “Made to Love” “Runaway” “Happy Birthday”

H:

Hunx– “Private Room” “Always Forever” “I’m Not The One You’re Looking For”

J:

Jacques Le Coque– “Grow Up”

K:

King Khan & The Shrines– “Bite My Tongue”

M:

Maine Coons– “Ghetto Queen” “Tired and Inspired” “Uniform Choice”
The Migs– “You and Me” “Fuzzy Son” “Take Take Take”

N:

Natural Child– “Faces of Death”
The New Highway Hymnal– “Hey Kid (Gotta Run)” “More” “Blackend Hands”
Nobunny– “Assholes” “At the Mall”

O:

The Orwells– “Halloween All Year” “Mallrats (La La La)”

P

Peach Kelli Pop– “Panchito Blues II” “Dreamphone”

S:

Saba Lou– “Until The End”
Shannon and the Clams– “Angel Baby”
SKIMASK– “Get U Back” “Fine China”
Slimers– “Spaghetti Ann”
Squall– “Repulsor” “No Life Here”

T:

Ty Segall– “Thank God For Sinners” “You’re The Doctor”
Ty Segall Band– “Wave Goodbye”

Y:

Yankee Power– “Stray” “Adopted Love Doll” “Real Folk”