Category Archives: New Highway Hymnal

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.

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”

Art, concert review, Honorary KLAYMERS, Local Music, Music, New Highway Hymnal, Nice Guys, pictures, Punk, reviews, The Migs

Concert Review: Nice Guys, The Migs, Leamers, Creaturos, New Highway Hymnal @ Big Stink (10/6/12)

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Bands: Nice Guys, The Migs, The Leamers, Creaturos, The New Highway Hymnal
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2012
Venue: Big Stink (Allston, MA)
Comments: Preliminary Activities (For Terri!)- It’s about 8:30 or so when Glen and I reach our desired location. In classic Glen fashion he intentionally adds some wordplay when he inquires, “Is this the Big Pink?” “Big Stink,” replies Mig Keven Lareau. Awesome! Tis our first time entering the Big Stink and I am more than excited to experience an evening filled with five diverse, fun, and entertaining garage bands. The basement here is pretty sick, larger than most I’d say. Per usual, we arrive relatively early, before any of the bands have begun to play. Fortunately, there are plenty of charming characters roaming around this place. The first people we meet are Beef, Sam, and Ethan. Cool dudes! We then run into Matt from the Canadian band Leamers, whom we will witness in action in just  a few short hours! I am glad we have the chance to meet this fine young man, for he stands as a constant reassurance that the music I love is being made for the right reasons- FUN!!! We then have the pleasure of meeting Matt’s co-Canadian conspirators- twins, Rob and Peter of the noise band Shahman (http://shahman.bandcamp.com). Also great, fun loving dudes! As the night grows on we discuss everything from tour experiences to  the astonishingly lower price of liquor in the states to the life and times of G.G. Allin and his mother, and probably a bunch of other stuff I can’t remember.

Act I: Nice Guys– Nice guys finish last… not anymore sucka! These Nice Guys go on first and they are ever so nice. When I hear the first few chords I think of Minor Threat. They certainly have the energy; loud, fast, and straight to the point- don’t give a fuck. It is as if Minor Threat walked in on it’s girlfriend in bed with the first few Black Lips albums. If you are reading this that probably doesn’t make any sense. So, go out and see the band live OR better yet lay back on your worthless, lazy ass and click here on their bandcamp page: http://niceguys666.bandcamp.com/. Do iT! or else.  Why am I so angry?! Fuck if I know.

Act II: The Migs– Been listening to your Summer Tour Tapes kids? Why, I can’t think of anything better to do. Ahh Migs, would have been the perfect band for a high school prom circa 1965. The kids would dance their asses off and then trash the school, burn it to the ground. That’s the music of The Migs. In fact, would love to see The Migs play in front of a bunch of sixteen year olds and see how they react. Like a controlled experiment. Take away all of their little gadgets and just have The Migs play for them. The kids need an alternative or at least have options…  Anyway, at least they are driving (much older) kids crazy tonight and as soon as they play the crowd goes nuts. As with all Migs performances, it is interactive, physical, sweaty, and chock full of early to mid 60s garage/doo wop/soul flavored punk tunes. Tonight Migs members Keven (decked out in the red , white and blue,) Lukas, and Craig scream their hearts out and frolic and fuck about with the help of New Highway Hymnal’s Travis Hagan on drums- always great to see that guy bash away behind the kit!  The Migs are definitely making some of the best music I have heard as of late, but seeing them live is a MUST. These gentlemen truly are classic entertainers, fixated on making sure each and every person in the house is having a gay olde time. Perhaps my favorite moment of bedlam is when one of the basement’s pillars nearly collapses, leaving me with a fresh taste of wood dust in my mouth. Taste the rainbow with The Migs here: http://themigs.bandcamp.com/

Act III: Leamers– Our neighbors to the North, Leamers are up and ready to go, and after chatting with the band members earlier in the evening, I can’t wait to hear them play. Leamers are just as enthusiastic as the first two bands, if not more. The band consists of Matt on vocals and guitar; his singing reminds me of Lou Barlow’s vocals, and in general the band has a terrific knack for producing powerful garage-pop hooks. Oh and I can’t forget mon ami Martin on bass and Emily-Jayne on drums- both are outstanding. The crowd response is positive and I’m having a blast. Matt and crew are quite appreciative, and he thanks the audience for bouncing around and into each other! I’m still bouncing around now, rocking out to Year Of The Rabbit, check it out! http://leamers.bandcamp.com/album/year-of-the-rabbit Hope you guys (and Shahman too!)  continue to have a fun and gratifying tour!

Act IV: Creaturos– Creaturos, Green Churros, ahh why must you confuse me?! I’m already perplexed as is. Ehh well, confusion aside this band shares the same garage sensibilities as the first few acts and they are able to get the crowd moshing and dancing as well. Creaturos is a band I have heard about a number of times over the past few months or so, glad to finally see them in the flesh. Creaturos deliver a harsh brand of psychedelic pop that I’d wager appeals to the punk slimer in me that needs an extra ummph in his daily punk slime intake. Sort of akin to early, off the wall Ty Segall. Part noise, part garage,  semi-hardcore, all fun. At least that’s what I hear. What do you hear? http://creaturos.bandcamp.com/

Act V: The New Highway Hymnal– Damn, it’s been too long since I have seen these cats, what is even sadder is that we are only able to catch a few songs tonight, because we have to make the train home :(. A damn shame indeed. At least what we do see is solid as I expected. Next time, we will experience a full NHH set, until then we will have to rely on this little ditty: http://thenewhighwayhymnal.bandcamp.com/
P.S. GO TO NEW HIGHWAY HYMNAL’S ALBUM RELEASE SHOW FOR  WHISPERS ON OCTOBER 18 WITH EARTHQUAKE PARTY, INFINITY GIRL, AND RIBS!

Art, Local Music, Music, New Highway Hymnal, Show Alert

THE NEW HIGHWAY HYMNAL STREAMING “WHISPERS” LP/ RELEASE SHOW @ GREAT SCOTT (10/18/12)

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Hey kids, one of the raddest bands around town, The New Highway Hymnal released their latest LP Whispers on Vanya Records and you can stream a preview TODAY! Right here: http://soundcloud.com/vanyarecords/sets/the-new-highway-hymnal
To celebrate the release of this album NHH is teaming up with the likes of Earthquake Party, Ribs, and Infinity Girl for a Record Release Party on Thursday, October 18 @ Great Scott!
Link to facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/141265559350188/?notif_t=plan_user_invited

Art, concert review, Girlfriends, Honorary KLAYMERS, Mark Sultan, Music, New Highway Hymnal, pictures, Punk, reviews

Concert Review: Mark Sultan,Banditas,NHH, and BFs @ PA’s Lounge (5/12/12)

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Artists: Mark Sultan, Bent Shapes (formerly Girlfriends), The Banditas, New Highway Hymnal, The BF’s
Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
Venue: PA’s Lounge (Somerville)
Act I: The BF’s– The BF’s or the Boyfriends play a noisy, power-pop fueled set. Alas, the band announces in between songs that they are missing one of their guitarists. Missing as in they literally do not know where he is. Despite the abscence of a key player, the BFs manage to prevail and bash out some solid numbers. Towards the end of their performance, their guitarist finally pops up and joins his bandmates on stage. I cannot say I am blown away by these guys, but their songs are catchy and I can recommend them for sure. Check it http://thebfs.bandcamp.com/

Act II: The New Highway Hymnal– I saw New Highway Hymnal for the first time last September at the Ant Cellar in Lowell. I had never seen or even heard of them before (if you can believe that!), but their performance had a truly lasting power that kept me thurston for moore.* Five Lowell basement shows later, I can say with thee utmost sincerity that New Highway Hymnal are one of the greatest live bands I have seen in the past year. In particular, I adore the group’s ability to just let go and often go nuts! freak out if you will, which you should. Okay. In previous shows, I have noted this chaotic character to their music and at first I think the change of setting from underground basement to conventional establishment (P.A.’s Lounge) would perhaps curtail this charming feature to their live shows, but fortunately for madmen like myself, all is well. In fact, I am going to say this is the best I have seen them. The sound is top notch (quite loud per usual) and the band is as energetic as ever. What I love about NHH is how every member provides their own special flavor to the mix. Hadden Stemp is a mezmorizing singer; his vocals and performance as a whole evoke the likes of Jim Morrison. He always appears to be in some sort of trance when he is on stage, and these vibes seem to spread throughout the whole band. Badass guitarist Lukas Goudreault freaks out in the form of creative moving and shaking that reminds me of John Dwyer of Thee Oh Sees. This enthusiasm coupled with their harsh brand of psychedelia is infectious and hooks me in like few other bands can. Travis Hagan is a powerhouse drummer, constantly slamming those damn things to death! The whole band is excellent, but musically, bassist Amelia Gormley steals the show. In fact, her bass playing was one of the first things I admired about NHH and it sounded phenomenal at the P.A.’s Lounge. All around stellar set!
Check out their new single, “Out With The Lights” http://soundcloud.com/vanyarecords/the-new-highway-hymnal-out

*Poweranimal- “Thurston for Moore”

Act III: The Banditas– The Banditas continue the evening’s strand of fun filled rock and roll, only a bit lighter than the New Highway Hymnal. Banditas certainly can rock though and their set is chock full of  power pop blast after blast. My favorite part of their performance is when the singer/guitarist has to make some chord changes and so she suddenly flips off her top revealing a very patriotic bra covered in the stars and stripes of America! She insists this is only to serve as a distraction while she deals with the technical difficulties. I concur with the dude that shouts “nice distraction!”  Here’s a link to their bandcamp page: http://banditasboston.bandcamp.com/

Act IV: Mark Sultan– Glen and I- Kids Like You & Me love attending and reviewing  shows and over the past few years this has become a major part of our lives. We have the privilege of seeing endless intriguing and inspiring artists on a regular basis, but it is an even rarer privilege when we have the opportunity to witness an honorary KLYAMER. Mark Sultan is just that, one of our favorite artists, whether it be The King Khan & BBQ Show, The Almighty Defenders, The Spaceshits, Les Sexareenos, or his amazing solo work, which is what we are being served tonight. We first witnesed Mark Sultan in concert when he opened for fellow Montreal bretheran, King Khan & his sensational Shrines at the Paradise Rock Club on May 7, 2009. I remember being blown away by Mark’s musicianship and how he could create such a sonic force all by himself. Over the years I have grown to love most of his solo output, so seeing the man live is just a further extension of my admiration for his work. The PA’s Lounge is pretty packed by the time the BBQ begins to play and everyone appears to be excited. Mark rips through his classic “Beautiful Girl” and euphoria spreads through the room.  I think this is my favorite, there’s something really special about it. Obviously, much of his music is channeling various forms of early rock and roll, but if I had to choose one song that best exemplifies this quality it would have to be “Beautiful Girl.”  It is right up there with any other great love song from that era. The song has strong pop hooks and it is hard not to get wrapped up in it; which is basically true about most of Mark’s tunes. I know this has been said before, even by me, but part of what makes Mark Sultan live a sight to see is the fact that he is playing everything by himself, but he does NOT sound like a solo act. This is not just some wimpy dude with a wimpy guitar singing boring, exhausting songs. Instead, Mark is able to unleash a fun, vibrant, and sweaty show. Unfortunatley, towards the end of his performance, some dumbass started heckling him. These kind of people should cease attending rock and roll shows or simply cease existing.

Act V: Bent Shapes (formerly Girlfriends)- We missed :(

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

Vice Noisey Blog Reviews New Highway Hymnal- “Out With The Lights”

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I’m excited to see some local favorites being covered in Vice. Congrats dudes! The article is entitled “The New Highway Hymnal Isn’t Afreaid to Freak (You) Out” and it’s by Luke O’Neil

Take a look: http://noisey.vice.com/blog/the-new-highway-hymnal-isnt-afraid-to-freak-you-out

And if you haven’t heard already, The New Highway Hymnal are playing a single release show for “Out With The Lights” on Wednesday, July 11 at the glorious Great Scott. It’s a stacked line up with fellow rock ‘n’ rollers The Migs, MMOSS, and Creaturos. Damn, I hope to make it out, so should you!