Category Archives: Local Music

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

Concert Review: Fat Creeps & Migs @ Wilder Zangcraft (6/4/12)

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Photo by the Metro

Artists: Fat Creeps, The Migs, Spook Houses, Bad Sound
Date: Monday, June 4, 2012
Venue: Wilder Zangcraft (Lowell, MA)
Comments:
Act I: Fat Creeps– In the past couple of months Fat Creeps have slowly risen to the status of KLYAM faves, ever since we saw them play one helluva show with Fat History Month, Big Mess, and Onslo at O’Brien’s Pub back in April. After that show I started listening to the Fat Creeps on a regular basis. Just last Thursday, Glen and I saw them open for The Coathangers at Great Scott, and it was mind blowing. Tonight, I get to see the trio in a small, intimate setting: the Wilder Zangcraft, the premiere basement venue in Lowell. Zangcraft is a cozy, little space, perfect for the catchy, easy to sing along to style of the Fat Creeps songs. Tonight the group is comparatively underdressed, though vocalist/guitarist Gracie Jackson is rocking a sweet, blue poncho, a wise choice on this rainy evening. I love pretty much all of the Fat Creeps songs and they rock through all the classics, so I am a happy camper. The Fat Creeps open with “Horoscope,” which they actually closed with last week at the Great Scott; it is good to switch things up, keep it fresh. “Horoscope” is a strong opener and sets the mood for the rest of the performance. I adore Gracie’s singing, reminds me of Kim Gordon, but the best is when fellow singer/bassist Mariam Saleh’s vocals also come in and they sing simultaneously.  In general, I think I appreciate that aspect of their music the most. And of course, cannot forget about Jim Leonard on drums! Solid job dude. This song also features a special guest appearance from a cute, little dog that ran around the Fat Creeps as they rocked out. That dog has some good taste in music. “Leave Her Alone” and “Nancy Drew” are awesome as usual. The latter is one of the best/catchiest songs I have heard all year. The lyrics are hilarious and always get stuck in my head. Live, the song is definitely amplified and I am always  excited when they rock into the “Do do do doo, hey Nancy Drew.” The guitars are simple, but effective and the way they repeat the line several times and then again at the end of the song just reinforces its memorabe quality. “Kerry” is a favorite of mine as well. I don’t know what it is, but I find this song to be quite amusing and I can picture my brother awkwardly dancing to it in his hilarious Justin way. I know this means nothing to most people, but fellow KLYAM administrator/co- conspirator, Glen knows exactly what I am talking about! Anyway, it is a nice little ditty. Gracie’s vocals on “700 Parts” is another stand out for me personally. All the songs are sound, it is funny because when I see them live it feels more like a band playing all of their “hits”  from throughout their discography, not just singles and demos. I cannot wait to hear a full length LP from these guys. KLYAM Luvs You!
To any readers I am sure you will love them too: http://fatcreeps.bandcamp.com/

Act II: The Migs– The Migs, everybody’s favorite New Hampshire based garage rock band! The Migs are kind of like KLYAM buddies Atlantic Thrills (RI): pure, no bullshit, rock and roll. Last (and the only) time I saw the Migs was here at the Wilder Zangcraft, the 420 show, which proved to be a spectacular show. On that great evening and tonight, Migs bring out their best and destroy. This time around, New  Highway Hymnal’s Lukas Goudreault is a full time member and he kills it on bass. The band opens with their signature “We Are Da Migs” and everything gets off on the right foot. The Migs are all about having fun, which is what true rock and roll is about anyway. The music of the Migs reminds me of why I love most of the music that is near and dear to me in the first place, because it is FUN! During the Migs set, singer/guitarist, Kevin Lareau and bassist Lukas spend most of the performance  rocking through the crowd, getting people exicted and encouraging eveyrone to dance their asses off. At one point  Kevin’s pants even fall down, but he does not seem to give a flying fuck whatsoever, the right attitude bro. This is what I love about the Migs, their enthusiasm; their devotion to communicating the joy of rock and roll through their music to the audience.  Towards the end of the show, fellow New Highway Hymnal member, Travis Hagan (drums) joins in on tambourine. Gotta love that guy! My favorite Migs tune is a slow ballad known as “You and Me.”  Folks seem to  respond the best to this number with lots of kids dancing in all sorts of unique ways. Indeed, the kids like you and me. I just had to toss in a horrible joke, it would not be a show review without it. In both Migs shows I have seen now I feel like 2012 is thown out the window for a half hour or more and it is 1965 again. An intoxicating and rare feeling.

http://themigs.bandcamp.com/ Don’t be a square, check it out!

HEY!!! Guess who also loves da migs?!  While I was googling images for the Migs, I  stumbled upon Nu Rave Brain Wave’s love for the Migs: http://nuravebrainwave.com/2011/06/introducing-the-migs/

Nice!

Unfortunately we missed the last two bands,  Spook Houses and Bad Sound :(

Here are their band camp pages respectively:

http://spookhouses.bandcamp.com/

http://badsound.bandcamp.com/

Art, interviews, Local Music, Music, New Highway Hymnal, pictures, Punk

More Than Disco Interviews New Highway Hymnal

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Photo By Tim Oxton- MORE THAN DISCO

http://www.morethandisco.com/2012/06/interview-new-highway-hymnal.html?m=1

MORE THAN DISCO interviews New Highway Hymnal’s lead vocalist/guitarist, Hadden Stemp. Check it out at the link above.  Hadden discusses influences, recording, “garage rock,” the band’s appearance at this year’s SXSW Music Festival, their forthcoming LP, and a potential tour.
“I have been very influenced by 90s hip hop like Dr. Dre and Jay Z. This influence is a subtle one that most people probably wouldn’t notice as we play such a different style of music. It’s more of an arrangement/production thing.”

That is awesome. New Highway Hizzle.

Art, Big Mess, concert review, Entertainment, Fat History Month, Local Music, Music, New Highway Hymnal, pictures, Punk, reviews

Review: OnBroadway Fest 2008 (5/5/12)

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Date: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Venue(s): Dirty Douglas & Ant Cellar (Lowell, MA)
Artists:
Inspector 34 @ Ant Cellar– We missed :(  http://inspector34.bandcamp.com/

Crinkleface @ Dirty Douglas– Crinkleface starts the show off (at least for me) with a loud, rocking set filled with 90s esque metalcore tunes. It is not my personal taste, but the band is good at what they do and they sound pretty tight today, so for that I will commend them. Also, the vocals are remarkably memorable. As I am typing this now, nearly a month later, when I listen to their music I can instantly identify the singer’s voice. I have to say that that is a rare stand out for me, especially since it is not a voice I particularly enjoy hearing, with all due respect because the vocals ARE in fact strong, just not my thing. It is funny though because I feel like this is the kind of band I would have adored in sixth or seventh grade, when I attended my very first shows. Glen thinks they have more of a Nirvana feel, with the whole “loud/quiet/loud dynamic.” I get what he is saying, but I do not think it all boils down to just that. In general, I feel like people use that line way too often. Ahh well, here is Crinkleface’s bandcamp page, take a look: http://crinkleface.bandcamp.com/

Friendship @ Ant Cellar– Friendship is a cool trio from the heart of Lowell. Every Friendship show (at least the two I have seen) shares two distinct features: a hanging, inverted American flag and a little tape recorder that unleashes all of your favorite pop hits. This time around the show opens with Ace of Base’s “I Saw the Sign,” before they rock into their noise fueled set. I am still getting into Friendship’s music, but I am always impressed with their unique performances. There is a charm to their prescence that I can’t quite articluate, but I do not see it in most bands. They end the set with the tape recorder playing Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” and a fantastic, serene vibe flows through the ant cellar, just a stellar ending to a fun set.

Styk @ Dirty Douglas– We missed this :(

Necklacing @ Ant Cellar– Necklacing plays heavy, hardrcore/death metal and if you know KLYAM well, then you know that really is not our thang. But, it is always nice to see an energetic, screaming frontwoman, so here’s to more ladies in the rock world! http://necklacing.bandcamp.com/

Ponds @ Dirty Douglas– Ponds play a similar style of music as Necklacing, but the crowd appears to be a bit more enthusiastic as some moshing and dancing emerges in the middle of the set. Being a short dude, I do not have to worry about thee unfortunately low ceiling like most dirty douglas desciples and I am a grateful for this, one of the few benefits to being short. I bring up this point because during Ponds’s set, another form of headbanging occurs when one  enthusiastic lad rocks so hard, he knocks his head against the pipes and plummets to the floor. Sorry dude, but I just think this is too hilarious not to mention! Rock show scars and injuries aside, here is Ponds’ Band Camp page: http://ponds.bandcamp.com/

Host @ Ant Cellar– We missed :(

Guerilla Toss @ Ant Cellar–  Ahh yes Guerilla Toss, a name I have heard literally tossed around these parts for several months now. Finally, I have the opportunity to see what other music lovers have christened as “amazing.” And I must say I truly did not anticipate them to be as awesome as they are.  Guerilla Toss’ set is filled with walls of noise, weird time signatures, insanely danceable grooves, and the  lead vocalist’s unending shrieks. I have seen countless vocalists scream their hearts out, but this frontwoman totally steals the show. Her enthusiasm is unlimited as she bops around, up and down, demolishing through the sausage fest that consumes the Ant Cellar; she turns all the men into boys in two seconds. I usually am not a huge fan of this kind of screaming in vocals, but her yalps just seem more genuine, like they are coming from some deep, dark place. It sounds as if she is being bludgeoned to death, I love it!  I also have to note the slick, stylish, bright red, “Beat It” era Michael Jackson leather jacket being worn by the guitarist, looking good my man, looking good.  Guerilla Toss’ performance is one that will stick with me forever (literally Glen says this to me during the show, and he is correct at that, though I remember all the shows!) for my favorite moment in their set is when the vocalist leaps toward me, grabs my skull and hurls my wee body back into the crowd. This jostling, trance-like  gesture of showomanship sends the pre-pubescent boy in me into paroxysms of ecstacy. When the set finally hits its conclusion, I notice that there is some blood pouring down my arm. In fact, as I am writing this now, I can still see the little dent in my arm from which the blood flows. If I could frame that  teeny scar as a mini Guerilla Toss @  the Ant Cellar memento I would. Though that seems unecessary because after this KLYAM debut the band will be rocking in my psyche anyway. FUN!!! http://guerillatoss.com/

Motel Mattress @ Ant Cellar– I am not going to lie, I do not remember too much of Motel Mattress’ set, but I do remember enjoying it very much. I also recall my good friend Justin Cole being blown away and possibly purchasing a record? Either way, Mr.Cole is typically a  solid barometer for excellence in musical taste, so here’s a shout out to Motel Mattress!  I plan on checking out their music a bit more in the future. http://motelmattress.bandcamp.com/

Big Mess @ Dirty Douglas– Big Mess is always a great big kick in the balls, just right in the nads. The Dirty D is the best place to see Big Mess, or at least my favorite, and I am sad to see it go. I am also sad to hear that this is most likely the last time I will see bassist Josh Tracy with the band.  Tonight, the charismatic musician is bare chested and bearing a surgeon’s mask, I dig. In the past six months or so, I have come to love Big Mess and they never have dissapointed me live or in the studio. This evening is no exception and the trio destroy per ususal. The guitars are heavy, the drums roar, and it all adds up to one gigantic explosion of classic rock and roll. As I have noted before, the sound of Big Mess is one of familiarity, but these guys make it sound fresh. You can hear the hard rock of Black Sabbath and the noise  rock of Shellac, but it does not sound anicent at all. You can really hear their appreciation for music in these songs. Big Mess might also win the award for best band to headbang to!  Whether it be headbanging, moshing, or any -ing one desires, do it to Big Mess: http://bigmessma.bandcamp.com/

Atlas the Atom Smasher @ Ant Cellar– Atlas the Atom Smasher brings out the most attendees by far. The place is packed with bodies all the way and through the exit and it is not hard to see why; Atlas has served  as punk rock stalwurts in Lowell for years and sadly tonight is their final performance. I am fairly new to their music, hearing them for for the first time last fall, but I can appreciate their musical chops and lightning fast delivery. Drummer Tyler Bisson is pounding on his drum kit like a madman. His and the entire band’s charisma is as admirable as their DIY ethics. I am glad I caught Atlas the Atom Smasher while I did and I hope every member has an equally gratifying future in music and all other endeavours. http://atlastheatomsmasher.bandcamp.com/

Districts @ Dirty Douglas–  We missed :(  http://districts.bandcamp.com/

Fat History Month @ Dirty Douglas– Fat History Month are like the Black Lips of Boston for me. Which means we suck their dicks digitally on KLYAM. In other words, they are a beloved favorite worthy of the highest praise. Tonight, Sean Historymonth (I guess that is what the kids are calling him nowadays) informs Glen and I that Mark and himself  were painting all day before they arrived in Lowell.  Hard working men on all accounts!  Indeed. This performance is filled with laughs, cheers, and Naragansett beers; loads of fun. Fat History Month are at ease as they rock through many of their classics including, but not limited to “No Safe,”  “Thing I Enjoy,” “Fucking Despair,” “Free As A Cat On A Leash,” and “Old Lady Smokers,” which is played twice by request.  I do not know about you, but this is the best Fat History Month show I have seen in 2012 and the last one at the Dirty Douglas.
Hey shithead, check this out if you haven’t! http://fathistorymonth.bandcamp.com/album/june-tour-tape-bad-history-demos

New Highway Hymnal @ Ant Cellar– One of the best Boston bands right here and certainly one of my favorites. I have seen NHH several times now and it seems to get better, honestly, not just saying that for no reason. Glen, on the other hand, has not experienced NHH up until this point. The group is a tour de force live and it is great to see what the bands sounds/looks like through a new set of eyes. Tonight, people are moshing to the wild, psychdelic zounds of the music whilst singer Hadden hops into the crowd.  He has a crazed look on his face, it is as if  he is staring right through my soul. Their performance is easily one of the funnest from the whole fest. The set climaxes in destruction as bodies and instruments are tossed around like a town whore. Then in what  feels like a split second I hear an explosion, I am covered in water, and the room reeks of feces. Fortunately, I am not covered in actual shit,  just shit water. So, drummer Travis and I essentially are shit brothers! A lovely way to conclude OnBroadway Fest 2008.
http://thenewhighwayhymnal.bandcamp.com/

Matahari @ Ant Cellar– We missed :(  http://matahari.bandcamp.com/

I would  like to thank Anthony Richerdz , Nick Egersheim, and Gregory Ragnio for putting this shindig on as well as all the bands that played OnBroadway Fest 2008. KLYAM loves you all long time.

concert review, Fat Creeps, Local Music, SKIMASK, The Coathangers

Concert Review: The Coathangers, SKIMASK, Fat Creeps @ Great Scott

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Bands: Fat Creeps, SKIMASK, The Coathangers, Casanovas In Heat
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2012
Venue: Great Scott (Allston, MA)

Pre-Show: The pre-show was lengthy due to the late arrival of scheduled headliners The Coathangers and openers Casanovas In Heat. Ultimately it was decided that Casanovas would play last instead of first. It’s too bad we couldn’t stay to see Casanovas (unfortunately). Sometime soon.

Fat Creeps: Fat Creeps are quickly becoming a local favorite and actually they’d be right up there in the rankings even if they weren’t from around this way. There’s a lot to like about Fat Creeps: the aesthetic (on this night it was multi-instrumentalist Mariam Saleh dressed in black raiment [first use of that word since 11th grade English] and multi-instrumentalist Gracie Jackson wearing all white. Thematically speaking, I’ve seen/heard Plymouth Plantation and Titantic tossed around from spectators. Either way, it was an interesting sight. Let’s not leave out drummer Jim Leonard. He was in casual attire. They got the show rolling with “Secrets,” a relatively new track that exemplifies the vocal harmony that you might have read about in the Metro. I really dig how they play so casually..just let the music do the talking. I realized very quickly that what I was witnessing was something special and actually was way more satisfying than Best Coast or Vivian Girls. There’s this charm of outward simplicity under the guise of inner complexity. Know what I mean? The rest of the set featured all of the hits, namely “Leave Her Alone” — great solo and bass line, “700 Parts” — the ending “ooo-ooo–aahh-aahh” is superb,” and closer “Horoscope,” which I think Calvin Johnson would enjoy immensely. I’m not sure what Fat Creeps plans are, but I see they are already developing a strong local fan base. Pretty soon they’ll be headlining Great Scott like the Vivs have. I predict. They should.

Setlist:
Secrets
Leave Her Alone
Fooled
“Sex Beat” [Cover]
Kerry
Nancy Drew
700 Parts
Horoscope

SKIMASK:”This is one of the strangest and most entertaining bands I’ve ever seen live.” And YouTube commenter hits the nail on the head! If you haven’t seen SKIMASK, you probably haven’t seen anything like SKIMASK. Fronted by the great social commentator and Swiz Beatnik poet Prof$t Mohamed, SKIMASK is in the red with energy and explosiveness. They activate the inner primal side in people according to one devotee. And it rings true. The crowd doesn’t really know what is going on, yet the pit remains quite active and not one person seems bored. Vocals, drums, and vocal effects. Spontaneous antics by the Prof$t, including but not limited to jumping around [to an elementary phys ed teacher’s delight] and sitting down in front of the crowd. What tickles my fancy the most of all is this song: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIaaEmO3hPc&feature=related). SKIMASK — kept alive by the spirit of Cory on drums and Dominic on effects/vocal — were about to conclude with that. But keep playing insisted members of The Coathangers. And they did. And it was wonderful. They are outer-worldly you could say, but it’s them just spinning the rock and roll wheel their own way. Folks in New York and New Jersey, brace yourselves, as the skimask is coming to get u back opening for JEFF The Brotherhood soon. Boston area locals: brace yourselves as well.

The Coathangers: The Coathangers from Atlanta, Georgia! None other. Faced with the burden of no sound check, ahh who needs that?, they blitzkrieged right into their set. And they came hard and displayed no regard for the typical. No need for the typical on a night like tonight. I’m basically talking about their switching of instruments and the infectious bursts of punk rock that came a plenty. The front-woman was a revolving cast of ‘hangers and each brought their own variety to the table. The crowd was loving it and you could tell the band was having just as much fun. Now now now. Here it comes. I’m not extremely knowledgable in the arena of Coathangers material BUT I’ve got their set below. So this means that I will be. I can’t quite describe their set in terms of individual songs; I think I gave a decent gist of the experience. That’s what counts?

Setlist:
Smother
Johnny
Hurricane
Gettin Sick
Call
Arthritis
Jay
Sex
Nestle In My Boobies
Pussy
Cheap
Dims

Art, Fat History Month, Local Music, Music, pictures, Video

Fat History Month- “Bad History Month” Demos/ June Midwest Tour

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Man, that is so goddamn sexy…

http://fathistorymonth.blogspot.com/2012/05/june-midwest-tour-bad-history-demos.html

Alright, now let me break it down.

Support Fat History Month! Check out these bad boys: http://fathistorymonth.bandcamp.com/album/june-tour-tape-bad-history-demos

“Everyday is Christmas, on tour. We’re burning our box and hitting the road a gain in early June and then we’re going back into the box of the studio to keep working on the new album. We’re putting out this tape of 10 new demos and a live acoustic set, and a live radio set, to help us raise some cash to pay the beautiful dreamy angels of the sex dungeon. 70 minutes of music, zounds!!!”- Fat History Month

But wait there’s more!!!

A show tonight- Freak Flag Benefit/Tape Release at ZuZu in Cambridge

And of course the June Midwest Tour:
May 30th Boston Butchershop w/Habitat(New Orleans), Disco Doom(Switzerland), Pile
May 31st Montclair, NJ The Meat Locker
June 1st PA, TBA
June 2 Athens OH Lobsterfest
June 3 Bloomington IN Rockits Pizza
June 4 Gallatin, TN TBA w/Dust From 1000 Years
June 5 Nashville, TN TBA w/Dust From 1000 Years
June 6 Carbondale Skihaus? w/Dust From 1000 Years, Guerilla Toss, Sediment Club
June 7 Chicago at CASA DONDE 21st n Kedzie w/ Dust n Guerilla Toss N Sediment Club +
June 8 Chicago Plaines Project 1822 S Desplaines St
w/ Giving Up and Life Partner.
June 9 Bloomington IN The Sound Workshop w/Dust n Ponyboy
June 10 Cleveland, Castle Greyskull w/Guerilla Toss n Sediment Club
June 11 NYC, Death By Audio, 49 South 2nd Street Brooklyn, NY w/Guerilla Toss, Sediment Club

June 19th Philly at Teri’s w/ Giving Up and Life Partner +1(ZZ Bottom?)

Here’s a great live video of one of the new demos, “Bald History Month” from last Summer.

Art, Atlantic Thrills, Gangbang Gordon, Kids Like You and Me, Local Music, Music, pictures, Punk, reviews, The Roaches

Review: GBG’s debut @ PA’s Lounge W/ Atlantic Thrills & Roaches (4/29/12)

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Artists: Atlantic Thrills, Roaches, Gangbang Gordon
Date: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Venue: PA’s Lounge (Somerville, MA)
Comments:


Act I: Gangbang Gordon– Do you wanna Gangbang Gordon? I sure hope so. Gangbang Gordon is the product of endless, gruesome hours spent alone in a bedroom with the Black Lips, Jay Reatard, Nobunny, and Ty Segall. Three years and hundreds of songs later, tonight is GG’s night.  GG appears on stage wearing a blonde hair wig, black shades, a crooked Cornoa hat, a pair of blue jeans, and a tard shirt, ready to destroy the PA’s Lounge with unbelievable  outsider, tard rock.  GG’s vocals are mumbled, but they fit perfectly with his simple, “what the fuck is a chord?”, guitar strumming. He rocks through his set rather quickly, rocking so hard he leaps off the stage (in a humorously planned stunt), playing on the floor on his knees, and similar awkward antics ensue. My favorite moment is when he randomly brandishes a recorder for a few seconds before tossing  it aside, deeming the instrument as unworthy. Thee (outside of) outsider finishes his set claiming that there will be no encore. Good, to have an encore after Gangbang Gordon is like asking for sloppy seconds. When one sees or listens to this man, you have to ask yourself, is it all a  joke? At the same time, even asking this question means you are taking rock and roll too seriously. Isn’t it all a joke? I don’t know. GG certainly thinks so. In any case, I hope more kids hop on the gangbang.

Set List:
A) Damn Shame
B) Wanna Go
C) Same Meat
D) Slide Into Mountain
E) A Place To Cool Off
F) Do You Wanna Gangbang Gordon?
G) I Can Testify
H) Ping Pong With Natalie Pietrzak
I) The Breeze

Act II: The Roaches– The Roaches keep the garage rock flowing, but this time with much more musical chops. I have never seen the Roaches, but I have been meaning to for about a year. In fact, Glen and I actually met Eric and Joe Roach at PA’s Lounge, nearly two years ago during an epic Nobunny show. Great times! and the great times would continue on this evening. As I pound back a few more beers, the Roaches unleash a fiery performance filled with Oblivians esque garage rock. I love the guitar sound; these guys have some seriously great guitar riffs rolling. The bass is equally raw and the drums are fast and pouding. It’s a sweaty set that demolishes what is left of my hearing.

Set List:
Words
Hole
Our Mind
J. Roach
Sleepwatching
Worm
Afraid
Slob
Time
Mad

Act III: Atlantic Thrills: Atlantic Thrills is a fantastic way to conclude our evening of fun, garage rock and roll. In the past year I have seen them a few times now and each time it truly gets better. With the Thrills, the small crowd, really take it up a notch. People are dancing and moshing, singing their lungs out, the whole nine. Simply put, having fun. It is a classic Thrills set: psychedelia, fast rock and roll, slow ballads, and unmatched odes to the Black Lips and the King Khan & BBQ Show. They open with the strong rocker and one of my favorites, “Give It Back.” “Shotgun” and “On My Mind” are also stand outs to me personally. The set concludes with two classics. The first being an unexpectd, Los Sacios cover, “Demolicion,” which is the equivalent to injecting steroids for a garage rocker. The song instantly gets the KLYAM & friends rockin’and singing along! The final number is Thrills classic “Acid Rain,” the perfect way to end the night.

Set List:
Give It Back
Problems
Filthy Mind
Try & Try
Foreign Lands
Lies
Light Shines
Tamale
On My Mind
Beach
Shotgun
Demolicion
Acid Rain

I want to say thanks to all that came and particpated in the first Kids Like You & Me Presents show! Stay tuned for many more.

P.S. here’s a link to some more exclusive photos of Gangbang Gordon in action. http://www.flickr.com/photos/51832704@N07/7591243854/in/photostream/ Taken by a buddy Kiyal Canareo. Thanks dude!

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

Concert Review: New Highway Hymnal, The Migs, Friendship, Empty Phrases @ Wilder Zangcraft (4/20/12)

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Artists: New Highway Hymnal, The Migs, Friendship, Empty Phrases
Date: Friday, 4/20/12
Venue: Wilder Zangcraft/ Wilder Woodcraft (Lowell)
Comments: So, I am glancing at my 30 rack of Natti Ice and thinking I should start my Spring Weekend festivities off early this year. I have a lot of work to do this week, but nothing is more important than the music. So, here’s a review, if you want to call it that.

Firstly, 420 was so much apart of this show, I might as well give it its own section. So, I will.

Act I: 420– I myself am never overly enthusiastic about 420, because I don’t smoke “on the reg,” so to speak, but it seems to bring out the party in everyone. And I am glad for that because that always makes a show special. If people are joyous, then the occasion will be spectacular. High spirits (no pun intended) always makes an excellent concert dish. I’ve had some fun 420s in the past, but this one will go down as my favorite thus far. This is the first basement show at the Wilder Zangcraft and I am happy to have been apart of it. I hope they put on many more shows! Before the music begins, I take a gander at the space. Walking down the narrow staircase, using my poorly lit, 2001 model flip phone, I do my best to find my way to the basement and not fall flat on my ass, which has happened before. When I reach the floor, I see an interesting space indeed, which I was promised. The set up is odd in a good way. I suck describing shit like this, but basically the basement is more rectangular shaped. So,  if one was to walk down the steps they would see a group of kids facing the band to the right of them, if that makes any sense. Also, I have to mention there is a nice little “stage,” here, which is in fact just a little step up, but it sure is fun to leap off of when you are rocking out! Tonight, we have Empty Phrases, Friendship, The Migs, and none other than the New Highway Hymnal. I like to write about my life experiences, so here is my reaction to what I saw. Happy 420 kids.

Act II: Empty Phrases– Empty Phrases are a Lowell based quartet and it is always a pleausre of mine to see them do what they love. I have dubbed them “The Empties,” and I am hoping that others will continue this trend, though it seems I am alone in this. Speaking of empties, I need to grab a few more beers. What’s a lowell basement show without a few beers or many beers or my lovely back pack full of beers as singer/guitarist, Ben Raymond points out to me. Yeah, that is right this back pack is locked and loaded, and no studying will be taking place tonight. I left the books behind. As the band is about to go on, I crack open another beer. Everyone is feeling pretty high at this point and Empty Phrases, thee empties themselves, begin their set. A great transition I must say. I have always thought their music had summery vibes to it, even in the dead of winter when I froze my balls off many a night. On those cold evenings I could have made myself a cup of hot cocoa or turned the nozzle up on the thermostat, but instead I turned on Empty Phrases, and a feeling of warmth ran through my soul. On this evening, I am practically sweating, but even in April it feels like Summer and the band’s music becomes a fitting soundtrack. Perhaps that is where the Incubus vibes people (including myself) speak of come from; a mellow, almost psychedelic tone, but with an ability to rock and get you moving at the same time, hopefully get you moving, unless you are a square. Earlier in the evening I discussed Incubus with some fine gentlemen and I believe one of them spoke of Incubus’s albums having this seasonal appeal. Incubus aside, I think the empties have got a great sound and this is my favorite performance by them. They are astounding young musicians, but what is even more astounding is how they got J Cole to this show on such late notice. Haha, I just had to say that! J Cole core is the next big thing.
http://emptyphrases1.bandcamp.com/

Act III: Friendship– Friendship is a local band that I have heard of, but I have not seen yet. They are a three piece and behind their set up they are accompanied by an inverted American flag, which I love by the way. I love America too, but the American flag is a piece of cloth after all and at the end of the day no matter how great America may be it still is totally fucked up, unjust, inequal, and simply upside down. A fitting backdrop.  Friendship is a fun live band and they have a pretty sweet dynamic to them.  I love how they opened the set, playing a clip of Chumbawumba’s “Tubthumping” from a vintage cassette player before rocking right into their set.  Friendship is tight and the jams roll out within a blink of an eye. Anthony’s drumming stands out the most to me, he is defintely a powerhouse with those drum sticks. My favorite moment is definitely when Anthony starts mumbling the lines to Linkin Park’s “In The End” at an extremely rapid rate while Nick Eggs from Big Mess standing in the crowd joins in unison. When they reach the line “in the end” the band starts rocking instantaneously, right where they left off. I walk away impressed, cannot wait to see them again.

Act IV: The Migs– When I hear the word migs I instantly think of the psychopath Migs in The Silence of the Lambs.  You know the one that flung his “babies” at Jodie Foster (Agent Starling). Well, these migs do not toss their semen in my face, which is always a good start, NO bodily fluids in my face, maybe at the end. The Migs are great though, a garage/rock and roll kid’s wet dream. Before each song they start off by stating “We’re the Migs and we love you!” What an introduction! Reminds me of great one liner intros such as “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash” or “We’re the Black Lips from Atlanta, GA.”  More bands should do this or maybe less bands should do this, because they are not cool enough. On this evening,  the crowd is a little mellow, 420 really kicking in at this point, but the Migs do not give a fuck, they just have fun and rock, jumping into the crowd and rolling around on the floor, playing guitar. I appreciate the energy,  it really gets me going. This is why I love this music, it is just all about fun. The band has a nice grip on the garage sound, but they venture off into other territories, dishing out doo wop and R&B numbers as well. Lukas from New Highway Hymnal joins the boys on “stage” for a cover of Them’s “Gloria,” and my balls drop, never to be found again.

Set List:
We Da Migs
What I Want
Follow Me Home
Take Take Take
You & Me
All The Things
Soul Records
Hate You More Than Satan
Gloria*
Achy Breaky*

http://themigs.bandcamp.com/

Act V: New Highway Hymnal: The New Highway Hizzle, always an act I look forward to seeing.  NHH are one of Boston’s finest and I cannot recommend them to you enough. NHH keep the Migs’s spirit alive and provide plenty of vigor and showmanship. Singer/guitarist Hadden Stemp and bassist Amelia Gormely hop into the crowd in classic NHH fashion. Every member is exciting to watch. In particular, I love how drummer Travis Hagan bashes away at his set and often makes use of the wall as a source of percussion. Guitarist/vocalist, Lukas Goudreault, keeps the garage rock flowing and his guitar playing reminds me of Thee Oh Sees; both bands are definitely on the same psych wavelength. Alas, the set has to be curtailed because of some pesky policemen in the surrounding area. Overall, it is a solid show as I expected.

Set List:
Through Stained Glass
Beach Glass
Killing Town
Factory Song
Breath, Bleed, Dream
Whispers
Hey Kid!
Destroy
*Bo Diddley*

http://thenewhighwayhymnal.bandcamp.com/