Bands: Atlantic Thrills, White Pages Date: Friday, February 28, 2014 Venue: Video Underground (Jamaica Plain, MA)
Video Underground, I’ve been meaning to be in you for a couple of years now. You are a dying breed. No, actually breathing your last few breaths, sadly. I miss video stores soooo much. I have numerous fond memories of being a child and spending hours in videos stores (big shout out to Video Master in Wakefield, MA!) I rented A Clockwork Orange, Raging Bull, and Blue Velvet as a little kid, imagine me at recess. No wonder I was the odd man out. I also remember being hassled for skeeving my way into the 18 + section. I was a curious kid hehe. Got a huge kick out of the adults making their awkward purchases hehe.
So yes, it is fantastic to be back inside an actual video store. I heard this place is shutting down or not? What’s the scoop? I certainly hope it isn’t!
White Pages – I’ve heard about this band a million times, but I’ve never actually seen them live. I’m not really enthralled by their performance and for the most part it just comes off as generic garage rock to me. I’ll check out their music on bandcamp and see if I feel differently. http://whitepages.bandcamp.com/album/7-ep
Atlantic Thrills – Fuck man, Atlantic Thrills, well this is their album release show. Boston album release show anyway. We had a grande olde time at the Providence album release show and you can read about it here: https://klyam.com/2014/02/10/review-atlantic-thrills-album-release-show-w-ravi-shavi-gymshorts-littlefoot-dusk-2114/. We really hoped to bring back all the nudity, silly string, and general feeling of debauchery that was such a huge part of what made that show so special, but it just wasn’t happening tonight. That’s okay. We’ve been there before.
As I’ve written in the past, we’ve seen Thrillz shows filled with non stop moshing and dancing and then there’s been times where the crowd barely moves much at all. Tonight is more like the latter.
So, essentially it’s just Glen and me jumping up and down, getting all hysterical and primitive. We’re fresh off a Nice Guys/Miami Doritos tour kick off show – we’re all revved up and ready to go. Alas, we aren’t able to get others to join in all our lively commotion. Sometimes, it’s just not happening. That’s alright, it won’t stop us from having fun and it doesn’t stop the band either. Tragically, an outside force does indeed STOP the fun. About halfway through “Day At the Beach,” the po po shows up to ruin everyone’s good time. Bands playing at videos stores is apparently one of the top criminal offenses in the city of Boston. What’s even worse is that Liquor Store came all of the way from New Jersey and didn’t get to play. Next time gentlemen, we’ll reconvene under more civil circumstances.
Bands: Saralee, Flag Day, Sean Nicholas Savage, Free Pizza Date: Saturday, March 1, 2014 Venue: Whitehaus (Jamaica Plain, MA)
Saralee – Last time (which was actually the first time) we were here, it all happened in a flash. We came, we saw [Jackson Heights Queens, NY’s holiest The Beets], we came again, and then we had to abruptly leave to make the train home. Fortunately, this time we arrive early to sit back and relax within the haus, and chat with some colorful characters, both old and new, pounding down Rolling Rocks aka “dad’s beer” according to one, Ben Katzman. Shine on you crazy diamond!
Saralee has been a KLYAM favorite since 2011. In many ways they were our introduction to the Boston underground music scene. Some of our first basement shows were Saralee shows. I associate their music with dank, steel reserved beer reeking basement spaces, such as this one tonight, and a stoned, serene state of mind doesn’t hurt either. It’s hard not to have this image in mind, because I’ve only seen the band in basements. Problem House. Gay Gardens. Ant Cellar (Lowell). JP Drizzle. And now Whitehaus. You could say they are the quintessential Boston basement band, like it’s an essential ingredient in the Saralee sound. A sound that is somewhat hard to describe. I’ve been asked before what does Saralee sound like? And I honestly have trouble defining it. It’s more of a mood if anything. They are soft, but also intense at the same time. Heavy need not be a volume. There’s a dreamlike quality to them too. All things considered, Whitehaus is a perfect venue for Saralee; for whatever reason I have never seen the band at an above ground establishment and I’m a completely okay with that.
Flag Day – Flag Day sort of throws me off guard, which is always a plus. In other words, I won’t forget this performance because it is akin to a radical, industrial pop DJ set. It’s a combo of what I believe is original material as well as a series of contemporary and classic hits for the crowd to dance their asses off to and they do. Everything from the Bee Gees’ ” Stayin’ Alive” to The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” to some Blink -182 song to Wavves’ “King of the Beach.” This onslaught of bratty, manic dance inducing pop reminded me of why these songs are memorable in the first place and made me reflect on when I first heard them at various points in my life. Deep Thoughts. Ok, it’s time to take it easy for a second. http://everydayisflagday.bandcamp.com/
Sean Nicholas Savage – Straight up, I am not present for most of his set (for the second half, physically, for the first half mentally), but I can see a lot of folks going bonkers to this gentle Canadian’s impassioned music. WORD. Check it out here: http://arbutusrecords.com/?page_id=30
Free Pizza – We missed Free Pizza :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( , hey it’s okay buddy we’ll see em’ again soon! :). One of the best in Boston and one of my faves all around. Listen to their epic debut here: http://freepizzarocks.bandcamp.com/
Grave Ideas – For Grave Ideas, I’m standing off to the side, gulping down several Rolling Rocks, just savoring the moment. I’m waiting in heavy anticipation for our dudes in Nice Guys and Miami Doritos, who will be on shortly. It’s satisfying to be able to sit back and chill in one spot and admire the music casually from afar, while there’s still plenty of room for others to go bonkers to the band. I’ll save all my piss and vinegar for the Nice Doritos. So yeah, this is my first time here at Thieves Grotto and it is one of the finer, more spacious basement spaces I have come across in my show attending journey thus far. I’ll slug back some more Rolling Rocks (hey, I like the taste! It’s like rock ‘n’ roll backwards, almost! Kurt Cobain told me that one) before I slide into the Miami Doritos zone. Grave Ideas, aren’t a bad band, but I don’t recall them as being memorable either. I’ll have to check em’ out again some other time. You can just by clicking this link: http://graveideas.bandcamp.com/
Miami Doritos – The Miami Doreets. Damn, they are ever so tasty, I could yank a whole bag of these Doritos right out of your hands and have em’ all to myself! For those that don’t know, MD is a crunchy two piece featuring the likes of Kurt Egghart on vocals/guitar and Alex Aronson on drums. They are quite the two piece. I have a soft spot for two pieces though. Aren’t they just the cutest? I always picture two pieces to be like the best of buddies. They play checkers and eat ice cream together, finish each other’s sentences. It’s like my crazy uncle used to say, “what’s better than one piece? Two pieces.”
By the time these Doreets begin to play I’m feeling fully in love with the world and simultaneously hating it all over, it’s a bizarre juxtaposition I’ve been meaning to get checked out maybe the mighty Miami Doritos can help me with this. They have a song about someone farting or something like that, it gives me a boat load of chuckles that make me raise my beer and say to Kurt “Haha, chararde you are sir, charade you are!” Except, I didn’t actually say that, but I wanted to, possibly. I hate when music journalist fucks lie in their articles. Fuck music journalism! ONLY TRUST ME! OBEY YOUR MASTER!
Laughs are fine and all, but I want gasps. I want bodies slamming into one another like the tides of the ocean. And I get what I want! I do actually, thanks to the rough, garage/noise attack that is the Miami Doritos. I’ve seen the duo before, but the kids at Thieves Grotto know how to throw down and have a good time, and it just helps make a great show for all involved.
Among the many classic, legendary hits that Miami Doritos puke out tonight, there are two primal BANGERS known as “Price 2 Pay” and “Rush Hour/Piss Take,” which can be heard on the Nice Guys/Miami Doritos Splifft 7″ available via KLYAM Records. Holy seven inches Batman, it’s a Splifft!
Listen up cupcake: http://miamidoritos.bandcamp.com/
Nice Guys – Boy, I feel stuffed after all those Doritos. Wasn’t I just writing about Nice Guys? I was, I did, I will, therefore I am. If a nice guy falls in the woods and no one is around to pick him up, does he go blind? Yikes! Ok, let’s cut the comedy and get down to business.
I remember the first time I saw Nice Guys (it wasn’t that long ago you schmuck) in a dirty, dusty basement. Jake darted into the crowd, kids went wild. Laughs. Good times. But, here we are now and I can sincerely say that the Nice Guys have grown as a band, they were sick back then, but they are significantly better today. *Quit sucking their dicks says Mr. Cynical Reader.* But, hey this is my youth here and I say Nice Guys fucking rule, they don’t come last!
With such a friendly, upstanding bunch of gents you wouldn’t expect such noise, but these things happen. They bring forth the noise, the rock, and the kids know this, they eat it up. Aside from a few familiar faces, this basement is stacked with kids boppin’ and droolin’ over the Nice Guys. They feel that medical envy, don’t you? I just want to skull fuck the president.
NICE GUYS PLAY MEAN SONGS. FUCK OFF IF YOU’RE NOT A NICE GUY,YOU JUST SUCK ASS AND HAVE ZERO PERSONALITY. YOUR DICK ISN’T EVEN THAT BIG. FUCK YOU. NICE GUYS RULE.
We missed Providence’s Malportardo Kids, next time fellas. From one kid to another, slowly we’ll take over the world. No, let’s do it fast. We’ll get there fast and then we’ll take it slow.
Bands: Hallelujah the Hills, The Dazies, The Fagettes, Nice Guys Date: Friday, February 14, 2014 Venue: Lilypad (Cambridge, MA)
Nice Guys – NICE GUYS! These Nice fucking Guys right here. And they truly are nice guys, that’s not a misnomer. It’s like you tell your buddy, hey you’re going to like this dude, he’s a nice guy, he’s a goodfella.
Christ, if you haven’t heard the Nice Guys by now, I don’t know where the hell you’ve been man. I’m going to break my fucking back, digging you out of that hole you’ve been in these last couple years. You missed out on boxforts, 420 John Freeman parties, and many a Jamaican Vacation. But, it’s okay dawg, your time has come. We’re going to make it through this. That’s what this is all about, it’s supposed to be a catharsis. It’s Friday night, it’s Valentines’ Day (no wait, fuck that), and the Nice Guys are playing Jamaican Vacation.
I get that tingle, you know, when they announce that the next song is called “Jamaican Vacation.” Before they even play, I’m getting a little stiff. I tell my erect buddy to STAY DOWN! STAY DOWN! Let’s not make a scene. Boy, my folks must be real proud right now. “Son, I love when you freeze your reviews to stop and talk to your dick. I’m so proud of you honey!” There’s love in the air. My love for the Nice Guys stretches far and wide. You can hear the smash hit “Jamaican Vacation” and it’s cannabis reeking chum “Medical Envy” on a Splifft 7″ with fellow chart toppers Miami Doritos. You can order one here from KLYAM Records: http://klyam.bigcartel.com/product/nice-guys-miami-doritos-splifft-7 Do iT!
The Fagettes – After the Nice Guys set, I step outside for a bit, but not for too long, because within just a few moments my ears are dancing to the sweet, serene sounds of The Fagettes’ “When I’m With You – a tune I have been dying to hear live from the group 4eva. Tis in my top two favorite Fagettes numbers (special points for whoever guesses what my favorite Gettes song is. Hint: it’s also a live rarity). “When I’m With You” showcases the band’s softer side and brings to mind Beat Happening and early Best Coast, particularly in Melanie’s vocals. Seriously, it’s a live rarity, so as soon as I hear them playing I have to rush right in to the packed Lilypad space. Before me lies a series of bodies shaking, rocking, and sipping on their PBRs.
For this set, Jake Nice Guy joins the band on bass, reprising his role as a March 2013 Nice Guys/Fagettes Beast Coast Tour champion. Way to go Jake. I’m positive you’re little Valentine’s Day mailbox was always overflowing with Secret Admirers.
Another stand out for me tonight is “You’re Destroying Me,” which features Ryan and Melanie rocking out with the crowd. I think it’s the set closer? Ahh PBR, you’re destroying me.
Bands: Indian Twin, Life Size Maps, Dylan Ewen & The Sulk Scouts Date: Saturday, February 8, 2014 Venue: Craft House (Medford, MA)
Dylan Ewen & The Sulk Scouts – It’s great to be back in the Craft House/Crab Haus, fuck it whatever you wish to call it, it’s swell. It sure as hell beats the cold outside, beats it right off. My balls are about to freeze into ice, ice, ice baby where am I going with this? There’s heat inside the haus, warmth – both physical and emotional. Me, my frozen testicles, and a case of PBR pop a squat upfront for the The Sulk Scouts.
I’ve seen my man Dylan Ewen a few times now in various incarnations, but this is my introduction to the Sulk Scouts, a girl group that plays with Dylan Ewen (vocals/guitar) and D. Ewen reg, Chris Geller on drums. The girls’ vocals are really sweet and smooth, they harmonize well. The vocals bounce off Dylan’s in a fun way and mixed with Chris’ drums the band has a sunny, day at the beach vibe to them. Gimmie a fucking hot chocolate and put an end to this miserable winter already! Sulk Scouts will suffice.
A couple of days ago, I saw a show at Agganis Arena and while I enjoyed most of the music itself, the experience just seemed so foreign to me. With this performance, I am glad to be back to my usual environment. I don’t want to say comfort zone, because those are no fun! Anywho, it’s a real pleasure to see some kids play in a living room and just have fun with the music. Not take themselves too seriously. That’s the attitude. It’s quirky, it’s sexy, but above all it’s FUN. The crowd gets it as some light, playful moshing consumes the Craft House space.
This set is filled with buses, horses, tuff girls, and handcuffs, but my favorite part is when The Sulk Scouts cover Girls’ signature song “Lust For Life.” The harmonies I spoke of earlier are exceptional in this instance. Shit brings me back to 2009 when I first heard and loved this song and so did you. Come on, you mean you didn’t blast “Lust For Life” and dance around in your underwear with a pizza and a bottle of wine? Damn, was it just me?!
Dylan’s a pimp.
Set-List:
“The Bus Song”
“Us Girls Got It Tuff”
“Cool Party”
“Lust For Life” (Girls cover)
“Horses Are Better”
“Forgot How to Have Fun”
“Handcuffs”
“Girlfriend”
“Fkuu Me”
Life Size Maps – Yeah, this just ain’t my thing at all. I hated it actually. Just not my thing.
Indian Twin – Damn, now these guys sounded more to my liking, but I only hear a few tunes before it’s time to depart to catch that nasty train. Next time!
George Moshington, the former front man of the Casa Blanca himself, is right there on the cover of Free Pizza‘s latest release: BOSTON, MA. Not to be confused with Washington, the tru capital (in spirit, nurture, and commitment) of underground music is right here where Free Pizza resides and sings about. The trio of Jesus Vio (bass/vocals), Santiago Cardenas (guitar), and Nick Rasmussen (drums) have spent approximately the last year playing several shows in Boston, in surrounding areas, and beyond. For those in tune with what’s good around these parts, this tape has been highly anticipated!
Free Pizza have been ruling for about three years; they released their debut 5 songer in 2011. All five of these songs make a return on BOSTON, MA in bigger, juicier style, credit to the dudes recording in a studio (Mystic Valley) for this go around. When I listen to Free Pizza, more than half of the time I kinda do this thing where I slowly move my head from left to right, shake it up and down, and flex my shoulders. Some songs call for a quicker variation like finale “Boston, MA,” all swirlin’ guitar, bass, unforgettable lyrics and “Net Babes,” which has an equally sweet rhythm plus an instrumental towards the end that is like flowers blooming or several women dancing around you.
What I hear from the getgo is Jesus’ ultra memorable singing voice positively ranging from sweet and tender to immediate and demanding. The guy’s always convincing, but ‘specially so on the more relaxing numbers “Come Close To Me” and “Baby Girl”. One thing that’s challenging for me to do in this space is to remark on how Free Pizza comes through with their sound! They’re a funky band (if you recall my movements from earlier) so be prepared to move. I’ll throw out [early] Abe Vigoda and The Minutemen, both bands that got that BOUNCE to ’em. Punk rock not how ya expect it to sound and they’re better off for that! BOSTON, MA is an urban record for all kinds. “Forward” packs the most pleasure for me in its mere 78 seconds. In fact, all of these tunes clock in at under 3 so if you’ve got an hour to spare, you’ve got three full listens in order!
Black Lips, my friends, the godfathers of this website, the band that started it all for us. And for thousands of others that have partaken in the pleasure of the Black Lips experience over the course of the last fifteen years. That’s no easy feat for any band; though there have been many a stimulating garage/punk band in rock ‘n roll’s history, Black Lips have gone from DIY Atlanta naughty boys to Vice’s most prized musical possession. And this wasn’t over night. They toured the world relentlessly for years, maybe a couple times over, before getting any ‘legitimate’ attention from the press. Once that came, some of their old time fanatics abandoned their former favorite sons on the basis of their new found hip major label, but in came so many more others, who like us, never heard or seen anyone like ’em. Call that musical naivety, if you will, but hey, ya gotta start somewhere. That brings us to Underneath The Rainbow or not really.
I’ll call this their eighth album – for those unfamiliar with these guys, I’ll recap real quick: ’03, ’04, ’05, one album per year, each one funner than the previous. Then came the ultimate live/studio LP (they fooled us for years, maybe never fooled Jay Reatard, though) Los Valientes Del Mundo Nuevo. That was ’07. Later that year came their Vice debut, Good Bad Not Evil, an introduction for the masses. Their gunky, excitable style still very much in tact, they popped out 200 Million Thousandin 2009. Two years later they got Mark Ronson to work with them in the studio and eat some raw meat. That was 2011’s Arabia Mountain. We really enjoy that one like the rest before it. Stained and pristine. Black Lips just doing their thing as they’ve always done.
Sure, it’s a little early to be writing about a Black Lips album before it’s released. This ain’t nothin new for nuts like us that make the trip to NY to see these guys every time Boston’s not on the itinerary. For the best live band in the world – there I said it and I’m not alone in my view – a blase record is not gonna stop us from appreciating these dudes. Underneath The Rainbow is quite Black Lips. No one’s going to be confusing the voices of Cole, Jared, Joe, and Ian for anyone else. The instrumentation is trademark BL as well: distorted, fuzzy, dying guitars, big bass sound some of the time, Joe’s drumming. You know. As I listen over and over again to this new batch of songs, I find myself searching for something that the Lips have previously always stuffed deep into my ear drums. Maybe I have always taken for granted the immediacy of Black Lips songwriting. For the first time I feel almost as if a decent number of ’em were crafted while the band was on a creative vacation.
“Waiting” is just like Arabia‘s “The Lie,” with its skeleton guitar lead, “I Don’t Wanna Go Home” is a genericy synthesis of the bells and whistles of Side B of that same album. Then there’s “Do the Vibrate” and “Dog Years,” that revisit some of the band’s rougher/punk inclinations, yet just don’t have that ole rawness that might freak out some arena attendin’ Black Keys fans. The bluesier, southern rock that the Lips have spoken of as inspiration for this record shows through most notably on the fine first taster “Boys in the Wood” and album opener “Drive By Buddy”. Both tunes have really catchy choruses, not sounding rushed or put together in any noticeable way. My jam for this record is “Funny,” the Mr. Driver of 20-14. Cole’s always had a crazy way about him, the way he sings, plays guitar, acts, etc. I’ve met him a few times now, he’s the man…a catalyst that gets the juices flowing in the dullest of spirits. So ya, “Funny” is exactly that – eccentric, a “banger for the club” as Ian might say, with some real real lines, maybe the most accessible song on the album in its irreverence i.e. COME SUCK SOME MILK FROM MY TITTIES.
Where do I go from here? I love Black Lips and you know it, I’m not counting this album out just yet. I’m still longing for a propa “Italian Sexual Frustation” in a post “Hippys” society. But hey it’s only March 3rd and all them Spin / Pitchfork ‘writers’ are gonna miss the mark in some way shape or form. Go see Lips and buy all their records, ya nerds! I don’t know what I’m talking about either, ask me more soon. Or I’ll just tell ya right here on Kids Like You and Me. Bad Kids.
When I think of the word(s) GYMSHORTS I’m immediately sent back to seventh grade PE – sweaty balls, field hockey, and boys shoving lacrosse sticks up each other’s asses. Puberty is a strange time. I alleviated most of my confusions and frustrations with music. I listened to the Ramones and Sex Pistols, while the bullies listened to Simple Plan and Sum 41 (losers!) Look at me now, I turned out just fine, writing about rock ‘n’ roll bands like Providence, RI’s own GYMSHORTS. These GYMSHORTS do in fact bring me back to my angst filled teen years, but this time it’s actually fun!
GYMSHORTS fit into what we’re into in the KLYAM “punk slime all of the time” universe. We didn’t just say punk slime 80% of the time, punk slime when you feel like it, no, all of the time. I think these shorts get it. They hang ten on tsunamis, bust balls, stay out late, get high, rob banks, and kill their parents. They lean towards that nasty side of the garage spectrum, a spectrum/genre that has become a large part of New England music. While Atlantic Thrills take care of the fuzzy bubblegum pop, Ravi Shavi shakes your soul, kids like New Highway Hymnal and TeleVibes scrape through your brain with their blistering psych noise, GYMSHORTS continue the garage trend that Nice Guys and Miami Doritos have embodied – scummy, surly stoner rock that doesn’t give a fuck if you care about them or not. “I Wanna get highhhh and I wanna get stonedddd” See, I didn’t even know there was a difference.
No Backsies! – ohh yeah that’s the name of the album, in case you can’t read headliners – is a nine song, consistent kick in the ass, a barrage of surfy, screeching garage skunk. The music isn’t pretty or easy on the ears in any way, but it’s also not noise either. The band has their shit together, they aren’t falling apart or tripping over each other, or whatever. Perhaps, they decided to save the brown acid for another day.
GYMSHORTS aren’t doing anything revolutionary here, but who is? Some dude somewhere with a lacrosse stick up his ass doing a handstand and singing the blues. The miserable blues. And that brings me to my last point before I fucking crash. I want to go out on a strong note, I understand we all have lives outside of my ‘reviews’, I’m a professional.
MY POINT about GYMSHORTS and the ‘garage’ tag that gets slapped on their asses is that this music, despite all it’s angst and anger (the very kind I shared as a child), and lurid subject matter, it is ultimately fun and entertaining and that’s what good rock ‘n’ roll should be.There’s not enough time to be miserable and depressed, wondering why that little squeeze from down the street isn’t fucking you. This is time you could spend learning how to play pool, until you become the greatest pool player of all time, so much so that there are now lines of people waiting to fuck you that are so long that they begin all the way down the street at that little squeeze’s door step. And on the jukebox they will be blasting GYMSHORTS – “I WANT TO GO TO BEDDDDD!!!” Me too. Goodnight!
“I used to hate the smell of sweaty ball Gymshorts in the morning, now it’s the smell of victory!” – Matthew 19:19… HEY MOM, HEY DAD! THE GYMSHORTS ARE GOING ON TOUR. HOLY FUCK! NO WAYYYY…
Bands: Nobunny, The Hussy, The Fagettes, Banditas, Gangbang Gordon Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Venue: Middle East Upstairs (Cambridge, MA)
Gangbang Gordon – “I have two announcements to make. I’d like to wish my father, Papa KLYAM, a happy birthday. He turns fifty-three today. And I want to thank Nobunny, because if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be here today. Literally and figuratively.” That’s it, you heard it right from the bunny’s mouth, I mean horse’s mouth. Gangbang Gordon, a mere seven shows deep, is playing on the same stage (well, he’s on the floor actually) as his two heroes: Nobunny and The Hussy. As a fellow KLYAMER and massive fan, this is a distinguished accomplishment. Let’s just take that in for a moment. You play a few shows and then you open up for two of your favorite singers. Except you don’t, unless you’re Gangbang Gordon.
GBG sings lead vocals and strums on guitar, being accompanied by his WTF (Wakefield Track & Field of course) band which includes Brian Hickey on guitar, Dan Gerry on bass, Justin DeCarlo on drums, and Ben Tan on tambourine. While GBG resides on the floor, the backing band holds the fort on stage. Mr. Tambourine Man, Ben Tan, however, often hops back and forth, “dancing” and intimidating the crowd of puzzled on lookers.
Bewilderment is nothing new at a GBG show. That reputation is solidified here as the would be gangbanger careens around the Middle East venue, bopping into the audience, wrapping himself around poles, and singing directly to individual members of the crowd. It’s odd, but it’s still showmanship and I’ll give him that. It’s better than watching someone perform “for the people” as if they are some demagogue, above everyone else. GBG plays with the people, he plays with their minds. He gets his hands dirty, filthy.
In terms of the band, you have a variety of players. Some are seasoned pros, others are amateurs. Throw em’ together playing GBG songs and it can get messy. That being said, this is the best GBG has ever sounded and I will give the WTF band the credit they deserve. It’s a lo-fi, ramshackle that doesn’t care if you are a Boston college student or a teenager in an insane asylum. GBG and his manimal barebackers are here for you and they are here to stay. Catch them before they catch you.
Set-List:
“It’s a Damn Shame”
“Lost Touch With the Youths”
“Life At the ABC”
“Warm, Warm, Warm”
“I Can Testify”
“Last Day of Work”
“Orguello De Rappers”
“Slide Paper”
Banditas – Just about anything that follows Gangbang Gordon is going to seem conventional, but I’d say Banditas are a massive transition. The trio consists of two women on vocals and guitars and one man on drums. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this band, but it was so long ago, it’s hard to remember specifically what they were like. We saw them open for Mark Sultan at PA’s Lounge, nearly two years ago. It was fun.
Of all the bands on the bill, Banditas are the easiest on the ears, though they still have some garage grit in them too. “When He Comes Home” has its country twang and stands out the most to me. They also perform a sick cover of The Stooges’ “No Fun.” Check out their music here: http://banditasboston.bandcamp.com/
Set-List:
“Whiskey”
“When He Comes Home”
“So Cool”
“Sing About Me”
“Harmony”
“No Fun” (The Stooges cover)
“Number One”
“Mine to Lose”
“Hang Up”
The Fagettes – Fagettes are always an essential band for Boston punk slime shows. When we heard that the bunnyman and the hussyman were heading our way we knew the Gettes had to be playing alongside em’. If they weren’t, there would be riots in the streets I tells ya!
The dudes and dudette open with a newish cut entitled “Street Queens in Heat.” It’s fine and dandy, and the packed crowd of new and old faces are digging it. The next song is “On Drugs,” one of the quintessential Fagettes numbers. Just makes me feel sick in a very, very satisfying way. Just look at the lyrics. “Take me back to your place girl and I’ll show you the atomic bomb. ON DRUGS.” Love it!
They conclude the set with another vintage tune known as “I Wanna Feel Good.” As do I fellas, as do I. Ryan hops off the stage and walks through the crowd, staring through all of our souls. Eerie. http://thefagettes.bandcamp.com/
Set-List:
“Street Queens in Heat”
“On Drugs”
“Chilly”
“Bad Catholics”
“Tsunami”
“Stems & Seeds”
“Gonna Die Out Here”
“I Wanna Feel Good”
The Hussy – That’s Bobby (vocals/guitar) and Heather (vocals/drums), and don’t forget it. The Hussy are a two beast – a rock ‘n’ roll two piece from Madison, Wisconsin that sends most two pieces crying for their mothers. The Hussy have toured their Mid Western asses right off, releasing a shit ton of records and tapes along the way, but this here tonight is their Boston debut and they destroy! Bobby even burns his guitar apparently. I don’t know how I could have missed this, but according to Glen it happened. Where is my mind?
What I do remember, however, is The Hussy rocking my socks OFF! For the first half of the set, the crowd is a bit stiff, sort of just doing the headbob and perhaps some headbang. Then not too long after “Undefined” the Bostonians start to move and dance and slam and bam about.
Quite the debut from Madison’s finest. I’ll kill to have another Hussy onslaught come my way again in the near future. Let’s do it.
Nobunny – NOBUNNY!!!!! KLYAM are Nobunny freaks and it looks like we aren’t the only bunny freaks in attendance. Among the sold out crowd, there are somebunnies lurking around wearing their cute, little bunny masks. Yep, everyone loves Nobunny, unless you’re a killjoy. But, fuck those guys.
This is our sixth time seeing ‘that bunny fuck’ as one attendee likes to shout out ha! Yes, the bunny fuck, the bunny man, our masked hero represents the dirty, slimy, balls out fun (quite literally) rock ‘n’ roll that we champion. He is our shining king, an ambassador for love, peace, and non stop horny bunny fucking. Non Stop. Won’t stop, can’t stop. For the love of rock ‘n’ roll. Shock ‘n’ Troll. Twenty – Fourteen. Sweet Sixteen, ain’t so pristine. No Bunny, No Problems.
So yeahhhh, The Hussy come back for more, those crazy fucks. They back up Nobunny alongside another long, blonde haired gent. The quartet kick it all off with Secret Songs (2013) opener “Bye Bye Roxie.” And I’m always getting highhhhhh awww yeahhh! The set list varies with blasts from the past – Love Visions (“I Am A Girlfriend,” “Chuck Berry Holiday,” “It’s True,” “Mess Me Up,” “Nobunny Loves You,”), First Blood (“Motorhead With Me,” “Gone For Good,” “Live It Up,” “Blow Dumb”), and my favorite, thee olde seedy, slutty, Sneaky Pinks anthem, “I Can’t Wait.” I don’t think I ever screamed along so hard to the lyrics of a song at a show before. I just feel the pain. I identify with the words the bunny spits when he sings his song. I too cannot wait for forbidden love. Ahhahahahahaa, I swear officer, she told me she was thirty six!
In addition to all of the wacky, wonderful songs Nobunny cums out, he also shoots out a load of theatrics, which are actually just simple off shoots of his personality. He can’t help but pull down his undies and moon all of us. And honestly, why can’t one’s under garments serve as a mic stand? Why not???
BUNNY FREAKS FUCKING FOR LIFE!
EPITAPH:
The world is a fucked up place, I can’t change that. It’s a terrible place really. I don’t blame people that kill themselves or want to kill themselves, I’ve been there. But, maybe we can start by making the world a better place for them to live in first. We can make a better world (laughs from the reader). I’m serious though. Dead serious, so help me God. A great song to me is a perfect place, a place where I can escape for a little while. These are the only songs I am interested in hearing. Nobunny makes trashy rock ‘n’ roll, but we live in a trashy world. Think about that.
I guess this is the part of the review where I tell you what I’ve learned so far. I am confident in myself and all I can say is that rock ‘n’ roll should…
Bands: Atlantic Thrills, Ravi Shavi, Gymshorts, Littlefoot Date: Saturday, February 1, 2014 Venue: Dusk (Providence, RI)
“Hey, you’re the titties sucking guy!” Ahh, it’s that warmth I’ve come to know and love in Providence. Everyone seems to be so kind and friendly here. Glen, Paul, and I drove up from Wakefield, MA to come and celebrate an event we’ve been greatly looking forward to for years: Atlantic Thrills debut album release. Not to mention, another visit to Caserta Pizza to devour a full course of their mouthwatering cheese pizza. We don’t venture out to Providence very often, but when we do it’s always a blast and usually consists of a wild, debauched party featuring the music of Atlantic Thrills and fellow Providence, revolutionary rockers Ravi Shavi. Additionally, two more excellent Providence rock bands fill out the bill with Gymshorts – a group we’ve been seriously digging as of late and Littlefoot, whom make their KLYAM debut tonight.
Yes sir, Mr. DJ Studs Jerkel, thank you for reminding me of a fond memory from the canon of KLYAM attended punk slime shows. Last time we stepped foot in this city was indeed a wild, debauched, titties sucking hootenanny accompanied by the rampant music of the Thrillz and Ravi on a lovely, lush, and unforgettable Summer night. Summer ends. Work sucks. School sucks. Most vividly, New England weather sucks. I’m freezing my nips off in the cold, so I look to Dusk to seek out that warmth I’ve come to know and love here in Providence.
This is our first time here at Dusk, although I have heard the name pop up on a number of occasions in local listings and just general conversation over the years. I know it’s one of the hot spots for local music in Providence and one of the times KLYAM Records’ own Fat Creeps played in Providence they played here. Needless to say, I’m curious. It’s a cool spot with a big bar area and a fair amount of space for the audience to stand and see the bands, and hopefully much more rambunctious activity.
Littlefoot – The evening begins with Littlefoot and of all the bands they are the most serene and surreal. The music is very mellow and gentle. It places me in a ethereal state of mind. The music warms everyone up for the rest of the bands, which are all more of the heavy, garage variety. That isn’t to say that Littlefoot doesn’t have any rock to them. They are very dream pop and there’s elements of early rock ‘n’ roll. They remind me of Dum Dum Girls, Polaroids, and The Smashing Pumpkins at their softest. My favorite tune is set closer “Worry Doll,” which makes me think of headliner Atlantic Thrills’ “Foreign Lands.” It just has that classic 50s, early 60s slow chord progression to it. Makes me want to lay back on the grass and stare off into the stars. http://littlefootlittlefoot.bandcamp.com/
Set-List:
“Backwards Lullaby”
“Night of the Living Dread”?
“Fever Dream”
“Head in the Clouds”
“Bleak”
“Maps and Hands”
“Worry Doll”
Gymshorts – Here’s a band we’ve been getting into a lot recently. I wish they were from Boston, so we could see them on the reg, but you do what you can. We saw them on a sick bill in December with Nice Guys and The TeleVibes at the Middle East ZuZu. This set is similar to that one and the band is pretty dirty and heavy. It’s the muddier, less attractive version of garage rock. It’s not cheery bubblegum, that’s for sure.
About half way through the set one of the guitarists condemns the crowd of stiffs, “Did you guys all come out here just to stand around.” Well, that set the fireworks off, and the stiffs start to loosen up and slamdance like they oughta. I’m pretty much out of it by this point, if you want to know the truth. In a split second, I’m flung from one side of the room to the next, barely able to stand. And I do the same to other patrons, you know how these things go.
“Hey Mom, Hey Dad” is my favorite from the night. Lead vocalist/guitarist Sarah’s vocals are delivered in ferocious, devilish yalps that bring to mind Kim Gordon, except Gymshorts are much more fun.
Another highlight includes “Bed (Stuy).” It’s hilarious when everyone is moshing and the band is going like 90 mph then SLAMS on the breaks and stops playing for a moment and everyone stops moshing. Then they start playing again and the moshing starts up again, and it’s just start, stop, start, stop. It’s really hilarious. Like they are dictators and we are all robots. I could live under a Gymshorts dictatorship. http://gymshorts.bandcamp.com/
Ravi Shavi – The mighty Ravi Shavi, my second favorite Providence band (Thrillz are number one). I haven’t seen these fellas as much as the Thrillz, but I have seen them several times in Providence and I’m more than excited to add another exhilarating Ravi Shavi show to the books.
As the band prepares to launch into their set, I overhear two gentlemen behind me discussing the American Revolution. The roar of inebriation washes over me and I clutch both their hands, proclaiming “let’s start the next revolution tonight!” With that I jump back and forth, bashing into them among other peers, the music kicks off and from then on it’s a non-stop frenzy.
Ravi Shavi is quite different from the first two bands on the bill; not as delicate as Littlefoot, but not as ravenous as Gymshorts. Their brand of soulful, vibrant power pop allows you to dance to them in both conventional and unconventional manners, I prefer the lather. Either way, it’s going to be sweaty.
The best part of Ravi is the build up to the final song “Accidental.” The crowd knows their Ravi Shavi well and all together there is a slow hum – “OHHHHHHHH” it’s like a fucked up, primal, tribal orgasm. At first, I’m like huh? But, I notice the band reacting to this and I realize it is in fact the beginning of my favorite Ravi Shavi song, so I join in the lunacy. It’s the band’s strongest/highest point, the pinnacle, the best way to close a stellar set. Listen to Ravi Shavi here and better yet go seem them live! http://ravishavi.bandcamp.com/
Atlantic Thrills – “This is three years in the making.” Glen says this to me as the foursome are setting up to play. Atlantic Thrills have been kicking it for 3+ years and the first KLYAM attended show was nearly three years ago, so this show and specifically this album has been a long anticipation for us, and one that’s been worth the ride. The songs on the band’s self-titled debut, with a couple of exceptions, have not been available anywhere else. If you wanted to hear “Light Shines” or “Drugs In It” then you had to get off your lazy ass and go out and see the band in the flesh. This is what separates them from most other contemporary groups and definitely makes the release of this album that much more substantial. Speaking of which, tonight the band plays the new record in its entirety.
Before we even hear the first few chords of “Problems,” drunken pandemonium shifts into first gear. Silly string and beer cans fly across the room as a hurricane of eager bodies and a poor, stuffed unicorn mascot swing to and fro. Eric, Dan (wearing a mighty fine sombrero may I add), Kelly, and Josh do what they do best, blasting through a set filled with hit after hit. Glen and I hop on and off the little stage from time to time to sing along to the various garage fueled, doo wop drenched anthems we know by heart. Whether it’s the “ohhhhhhhh oh oh oh ohhhhhhh” in “Boozin’ All Night” or the ” Lie lie lie lie lie lie won’t you lie lie to me” in “Lie to Me,” we never miss a beat.
This set also marks the debut performance of “Blind Lead the Blind,” a politically tinged sermon of sorts. Still, most of my joy stems from hearing and singing along, and hysterically dancing my white ass off to all the classics. I am certainly not alone in this fanaticism, as I look around and see naked fans, crowd surfing, and a demolished brontosaurus unicorn.
I haven’t mentioned this yet, but originally this show was set to be an underground party, but some pesky porkers stepped in and nearly ruined everything for everyone. Fortunately, the party was moved to Dusk. Initially, I was still pumped for the show, but thinking damn, that underground party would have been really sick. Honestly, by the end of this show I could care less. This is not only the best/most chaotic Atlantic Thrills show I have seen, but one of the gnarliest shows EVER! At least as far as we’re concerned.
I walk outside the Dusk to a cool breeze, still just wearing my Fat Creeps shirt, almost forgetting my jacket and the fact that it is probably 20/30 degrees or less outside. With my clothes soaked in beer, my body jostled and mangled up, I stare at my newly purchased Atlantic Thrills record (yeah, get that shit from Almost Ready Records!) looking down at each song and thinking about how rare a show like this comes through, and how awesome it is to hear all of these nuggets in one setting. I can’t wait to listen to this animal when I get home. Of course, if I can I still stand up straight.
ATLANTIC THRILLS: http://atlanticthrills.com/
So, you made it through this long winded and, if I say so myself, amusing review. Good for you. Thanks. More importantly, do in fact check out all the bands up to and including Atlantic Thrills. If you are a Boston peep go see them Saturday, February 15th @ Tasty Burger (Cambridge). https://www.facebook.com/events/254030581431595/
And for the rest of you, the Thrillz are heading out on a 33 day tour in support of their debut album. GO!: https://www.facebook.com/events/480886382022874/
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 