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Art, concert review, Fat Creeps, Honorary KLAYMERS, Music, pictures, Punk, reviews, Thick Shakes, Video

Review: Fat Creeps, Thick Shakes, Fume Hood, Secret Lover, Extreme Animals @ Lilypad (11/2/13)

11/26/2013 Chris DeCarlo Leave a comment

Bands: JUICEBOXXX, Extreme Animals, Secret Lover, Fat Creeps, Thick Shakes, Fume Hood
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2013
Venue: Lilypad (Cambrige, MA)

This is a review of two different shows that took place one after another on the same night at the same venue (Lilypad).The first is a review of Fume Hood, Thick Shakes, and Fat Creeps and the second is a review of Hassle Night # 9 featuring Secret Lover, Extreme Animals, and JUICEBOXXX, though we missed Juice :(.

Fume Hood – It’s my first time here at the Lilypad. It’s a sweet little spot; art gallery, no stage, tiny bar, there’s something charming about it that I haven’t put my finger on yet. Not the best space I’ve seen for a crazy rock ‘n’ roll show per se, but a fairly comfortable, fun, fitting place for an underground music show, if you will. Glen says it reminds him of the 119 Gallery in Lowell, but I disagree. I think he was too fucked up to remember what the 119 Gallery looked like the last time we were there – it’s okay, I was equally shitfaced myself, but that’s a whole other story. We’re here now at the Lilypad and Fume Hood is playing (pretend that they are playing in front of you, use your wonderful imagination).

The first and last (up until now) time we saw Fume Hood was at the Boston Underground Summit this past September at the Cambridge Elks Lodge. With that show we only got a taste of the Fume Hood, we got teeny flashes of the fume because it was a round robin set – up, so we only heard one song at a time, ya dig? Tonight’s show is a standard back to back performance. I have to say I preferred them last time and this could be attributed to the fact that they are missing their lead singer. Or, I just have a really short attention span. A solid combo of both.

Fume Hood is fairly strange and psychedelic for lack of a better word. A bit experimental, artsy at times. Perhaps music that’s better if you’re really high, but then again what kind of music isn’t better when you’re high?

Fume Hood’s set also includes some special guest vocals from Gracie Jackson (Fat Creeps). Is dis a sign of future collaborations? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Listen to Fume Hood here: https://soundcloud.com/fumehood

Thick Shakes – It’s been a while since we’ve seen our local Thick Shakes. Last show was at the Precinct in the Summer of Twenty Twelve. What a grande olde tyme. But, we go even further back with the Thick Shakes. Nearly three years ago we caught the Thick Shakes at the Dirty Douglas in Lowell, in fact that was our first basement show. A straight up surreal introduction to this weird, wonderful world of underground rock ‘n’ roll. Even more fitting is Thick Shakes’ grasp on garage rock ‘n’ roll; they lean towards the dirtier, noisier side of the rock ‘n’ roll spectrum and that’s what we love.

I honestly haven’t listened to Thick Shakes in a long time, so I am not all too familiar with their songs. But, my memory serves me right and they are still the same old garage punk band as I remembered. Fast, head banging, hip shaking, slimy punk jams. Though, they are missing an organ player, a key ingredient in the Thick Shakes plate.

Thick Shakes are a genuinely fun band and overall I dig their performance, but I would prefer it if there was a bit more of an edge to them. I don’t feel the same wild, reckless vibes I feel when I see other garage animals. I still would recommend them to people that dig the aforementioned style of music, especially Bostonians, since they play around town all of the time. Check it out: http://thickshakes.bandcamp.com/

Set – List:
“Dead Out”
“Nobody’s Girl”
“Glass Mask”
“Neighbor’s Goods”
“I Said So”
“Polyommatus Blues”
“Jaywalker”
“Go Back to New York”
“Banned From the Laundromat”
“Friends Like These”

Fat Creeps – I really wish I was drunk right now to write the rest of this. I’m just not feeling it anymore. I wish I was as drunk as I was when I saw this show. I’m sure they played “Nancy Drew” and “700 Parts” and a bunch of other songs, and I’m sure we all had a blast. You can thank Mr. Melody Matters for capturing the lovely, feed backy, “Going to the Party” on video below.

Fat Creeps have a new drummer named Chris Geller and he does a sound job with all of the Creeps tunes. Give him a great big kiss when you see him at the next show.

Oh and buy the band’s ten incher from two sexy Italian men here: http://klyam.bigcartel.com/

So, that’s the end of the first show…. Now to Hassle Night #9:

Secret Lover – I seem to be seeing Worcester’s Secret Lover a lot lately. I usually see them in basements, but the Lilypad works just as well. I can imagine no setting would be too big or small for lead singer Sally.

Sally is one of the most exciting performers I have come across. I just adore the way she delicately darts out into the crowd and passionately sings every word. You can tell she loves what she’s doing and loves to get people dancing.

Give Secret Lover’s sensual, grave yard pop some ear time here: http://secretlover.bandcamp.com/

Extreme Animals – Extreme Animals hail from New York and they are on tour with JUICEBOXXX. I like me some rap/hip hop for sure, but this just isn’t my style. It’s heavily electronic and just makes me feel like I’m at a robotic, mainstream dance club. I’ve been clubbing before and it sucks. I don’t know how others felt, but the crowd seemed kind of awkward, just didn’t feel like the right audience for this type of music. Still, Extreme Animals may be your thang. Check it out here: https://soundcloud.com/extreme-animals

JUICEBOXXX – Unfortunately, we missed this :(. Enter the thunder zone here: http://juiceboxxx.com/blog/

Art, concert review, Honorary KLAYMERS, King Khan, King Khan and the Shrines, Local Music, Music, pictures, Punk, reviews, Video

Review: King Khan & The Shrines, Hellshovel, The Monsieurs @ Brighton Music Hall (10/29/13)

11/20/2013 Chris DeCarlo Leave a comment

Bands: King Khan & The Shrines, Hellshovel, The Monsieurs
Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Venue: Brighton Music Hall (Allston, MA)

The Monsieurs – Here at KLYAM we are suffocated by “garage rock” and “garage punk” and don’t even get me started on “garage psych.” At this point, we could drown in our vomit’s worth of garage. You may ask, “do you ever get sick of listening to this same style of music with bands ripping off bands that ripped off bands that ripped off bands that ripped off some poor black guys? The answer is yes and no. Yes, hearing garage all the time can be tedious and can surely make it difficult to warm up to fresh, young blood. But, no we are far too young to be cynical to say that “it all sounds the same” and sometimes it just takes a special band to make everything all right. The Monsieurs are one of those bands and they are ever so special. As one Cory Bell (SKIMASK, Funeral Cone, Ancient Filth) predicted, KLYAM seriously digs The Monsieurs!

The Monsieurs are a Boston based three piece – Andy Macbain on vocals, Hilken Mancini on guitar, and Erin King on drums (King stands up and smashes at her bass less kit a la Melanie and Peaches from Fagettes). Andy’s a real bad ace, we’re talking one kewl cat, I mean woahhhh daddy damn. He looks like a pimp (and could be) straight out of a blaxploitation flick (though he is white) – black shades, fur coat, funky hair, chewing gum, and pacing around the room like a caged cheetah that’s finally been let out and ready to rock like it’s no one else’s business.

Andy claws around, singing/screaming in everyone’s face and carrying a mic stand with him the whole time. Since I’m standing in front of the stage, he nearly knocks me out with the damn thing on several occasions. Andy spends much of this set on the floor, rocking around the somewhat empty crowd (at this point in the show, the audience is still building up and various patrons are just arriving, grabbing a drink at the bar, etc.). Glen thinks the band would fair better in a smaller, up close, and personal setting. I concur. Though, I got plenty up close and personal with The Monsieurs. Andy even kneels down and whispers sweet nothings in my ear at one point during the show.

As far as that good old fashioned, 60s garage/bubblegum pop styled rock ‘n’ roll goes, The Monsieurs are some of the best dishing it out around town. In particular, “Kari Ann” stands out to me tonight. It’s quite the ditty. Listen to all the ditties here on their album Rock the Night. Trust me, this one’s a keeper. http://themonsieurs.bandcamp.com/album/rock-the-night-8-song-digital-album

Hellshovel – Hellshovel is currently on tour with King Khan & The Shrines, although I have never heard their music before. Though, I have heard that Hellshovel is one of King Khan’s new favorite bands. Makes sense, given that Hellshovel is led by Demon’s Claws’ front man Jeff Clarke – a long time friend and collaborator of King Khan’s. A fellow Kukomonga, a death culter.

Hellshovel has a similar garage aesthetic as the other two bands on the bill, but they are a lot more laid back and mellow. It’s actually bizarre psych garage music. Spacey. It’s cool, but doesn’t burn a fire in my heart like The Monsieurs did. Still, I recommend you check out their stuff here: http://slovenly.bandcamp.com/album/hellshovel-hated-by-the-sun-lp

King Khan & The Shrines – Ahh the build up before King Khan is like no other. All the Shrines are out on stage, decked out in all black, wailin’ away as the crowd cheers loud and louder until the King finally arrives. Dressed in black and gold, the King summons his sensational shrines and the band bursts into perennial show opener “Land of the Freak” OWWWWWWW!!!.

This is our fourth time seeing King Khan & The Shrines, so we know what to expect, but the show still remains magnificent. And in terms of the set, it’s precisely what you want from the grandaddy of them all. A sweet mixture of all the vintage Shrines tunes spiced up with some fresh cuts from the band latest effort Idle No More (Merge).

I’m as ecstatic as ever to hear my favorite King Khan & The Shrines songs, but I really dig the way King introduces each hit with a tiny hint as to what the band will play next. “This next one is for all you big girls” (“Took My Lady to Dinner”), “This one is for all you poor people,” (“Welfare Bread”), and best of all a new ballad for those rabid animals we lay to rest, especially Jay Reatard and Lou Reed (“So Wild”). You forgot Marcia Wallace (Edna Krabappel) King! So wild. RIP to all.

I may simply be forgetting – it’s been so many shows now – but, this may be the first time I’ve ever heard the band play the slow, doo woppy love song “Fool Like Me,” one of my favorites and a real pleasure to finally hear live.

Per usual, King Khan & The Shrines puts on one of the best shows you will ever experience, but the crowd could be a lot better. Sure, people are dancing, but there is not enough movement, not enough hysteria. This is King Khan people! On the other hand, when King Khan returns for the encore – in cape – the disciples start moshing and bashing back and forth to the sounds of “Born to Die” (a newbie from Idle No More). Next is “No Regrets,” and finally we leave with the classic “Live Fast Die Strong.” LIVE FAST DIE.

Following the show, we share some kind words with the almighty defender himself. He remembered Gangbang Gordon! You may not however, you may have never even heard of him, but you will some day. When you least expect it.

Video by John Doherty

ACLU Benefit, BUFU Records, Music, reviews

ACLU Benefit ‘Love and Fame’ Out Now On BUFU

11/17/2013 G. Gordon Gritty Leave a comment

ACLU Benefit – Noah Britton – has a new album called Love and Fame out now on beloved BUFU Records. That sentence might sound generic, but the tape is anything but – I assure you. For those unfamiliar with ACLU Benefit (I’m included with you), you may be like hmm. But after listening to this anti-folk charmer, I think I have a better idea about the man behind the music. It’s heart-felt and even if there are some “beautiful lies,” you’d hardly know. The stripped down acoustics paired with Benefit’s deep voice is Adam Green-like, but I’d say ACLU is easier to follow, more straightforward. He touches you. Opener “It’s a Lonely, Lonely World” affects even the most pitiless. I’d hope. The songs that stand out the most to me…hit home the most, if you will: “There’s No Wrong Way To Beat A Drum” which offers inspiration in shunning ‘conventional’ music playing and instruction and from a similar ethos is “Why Aren’t I Famous?” with these two choice lines (among many): ‘Or ‘cuz I don’t believe in marketing I think it’s evil/mental rape forcing you to ruin whats beautiful?’ ACLU Benefit is just doing what he’s doing and, to my ears, carrying along a realistic, necessary message open to whateva you fancy.

Side note: Noah will be playing in a soul band called HOT as part of the BUFU Holiday Quasi-Semi-Formal happening at that ill spot in JP! Y’all know where I mean. FRIDAY DECEMBER 6. Check it out!

Bandcamp: http://aclubenefit.bandcamp.com/album/love-and-fame
BUFU Store: http://bufurecords.bigcartel.com/product/aclu-benefit-love-and-fame-cassette

Art, concert review, Honorary KLAYMERS, Local Music, Music, Nice Guys, pictures, Punk, reviews, The Orwells, Video

Review: FIDLAR, The Orwells, Nice Guys @ The Sinclair

11/15/2013 Chris DeCarlo 1 Comment

Bands: FIDLAR, The Orwells, Nice Guys
Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Venue: The Sinclair (Cambridge, MA)

Nice Guys – OMG!!! IT’S NICE GUYS!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!
That’s right kids, it’s Nice Guys! And if you feel my exclamation points are extraneous and exaggerated then you obviously haven’t seen the band at the Sinclair among hundreds of screaming sixteen year olds. As soon as the Allston foursome hit the stage the crowd begins to cheer. Jake quickly quips “thanks for clapping for us even though we haven’t done anything yet.” And with that little jab, they launch into their demonic set on the gigantic Sinclair stage. It’s funny how I’m used to seeing these guys play on small stages or no stages or even better in dusty basements and other DIY spaces, so seeing these gentlemen on the Sinclair stage is a trip. The sound is terrific; the Nice Guys’ sound at the Sinclair is so large it could break down the walls of Jericho, which from what I hear are very hard to break down.

I’ve seen Nice Guys about ten times now and in some ways I know what to expect, but with the exception of a few other people in attendance, most of the crowd are newbies. But, the newbies eat it up, moshing and thrashing about and even high fiving the dudes at the end of their set, much to the pleasant surprise of the band members themselves. This has to be the best crowd response I’ve ever seen for a local, opening band or even most opening bands. I saw Jacuzzi Boys and King Tuff here earlier in October opening for Wavves and the crowd didn’t go this bonkers to those guys as they do to the Nice Guys.

Personally, I get a massive kick out of simply watching the young, all ages crowd react to the Nice Guys’ performance. It’s the little things that make the difference. Like seeing little bracefaced girls giggle when Jake announces that the next song is “Pizza Bong” or their perplexed faces when Alex rampantly swings his guitar around like one of those dudes that’s just been infected by the zombies in zombie flicks, like he’s trying to fight it off even though he knows he’s a goner. Game’s over man. I love that feisty energy! Ha yeah so, then there’s my favorite when Matt unleashes some nasty feedback and distortion from his guitar and the kids’ eyes just light up. Woahhhhh. I remember seeing Thurston Moore scrape and mutilate his guitar in similar fashion and being blown away, I know the feeling kids.

Besides impressing kids with their usual set of shenanigans, the crowd genuinely devours the Nice Guys’ fast, aggressive punk sound. A sound that could be or more importantly SHOULD be the soundtrack to kids getting drunk as fuck and stoned as fuck for the very first time. Nice Guys oughta play some sweet sixteen birthday parties…. when their parents aren’t home.

P.S. Cam rocks. I haven’t mentioned his name until now. How could I forget? It’s like my dad used to say “you would forget your dick if it wasn’t attached to you!” Cam slays on drums and eats souls. Keep soul eating brotha.
http://niceguys666.bandcamp.com/

Set List:
“Gary”
“Herb Chambers”
“Pizza Bong”
“Draggins”
“Drunk As Fuck Stoned As Fuck”
“HD Snobs”
“An Unholy Sacrifice”
“Cop Walk”
“Box Fort”
“Medical Envy”
“Finale Dead”

The Orwells – Our Chicago boys The Orwells, so happy to see these fellas again for the third time in twenty thirteen! This show, however, tops them all. Last time at Brighton Music Hall, the crowd was sparse and still filling up for the headliner Palma Violets. The headliner tonight is FIDLAR, and they bring forth a little bit extra junk in the trunk, so pairing The Orwells with a harder edged bunch of ruffians like FIDLAR pays off. The crowd of youngsters don’t spare a second of The Orwells’ set with moshing and stage diving galore. All of that pent up aggression fresh off your first Nice Guys show, I feel ya kids.

The Orwells feed off the crowd’s energy and they emerge as a true rock ‘n’ roll outfit of epic proportions. In particular, Mario is a beast. He knows how to work a crowd. All he has to do is give one of the girls his signature zoned out, wide eyed, evil glare and they are instantly blushing.

In terms of the set-list, damn, it’s all the songs you would want to hear the band play and then some. “Who Needs You?” “Other Voices,” “Halloween All Year,” “In My Bed,” (which can be seen below), “Mallrats (La La La),” and my favorite “Blood Bubbles” – I really miss the singing black ladies though. See the song’s music video, if you don’t follow. Covers of classic tunes in the rock canon such as “Build Me Up Buttercup” (The Foundations) and “I Wanna Be Your Dog” (The Stooges) round out one of the best performances I’ve seen all year.

FIDLAR – I just started listening to FIDLAR recently, so I am not overly familiar with the band’s material. BUT, upon hearing the band for the very first time I felt an instant wavelength with these Californians. Enter the first track off of their self – titled LP and this set’s opener, “Cheap Beer.” “Twenty – three years I’ve been drinking cheap beer,” while I didn’t crack open a PBR as I rolled out of my mom’s womb, I can identify with being a 23 year old cheap beer drinker and being proud of it. And as soon as FIDLAR rolls out “Cheap Beer,” I proudly gulp what is left of my PBR and scream along to the anthemic chorus “I DRINK CHEAP BEER, SO WHAT? FUCK YOU! I DRINK CHEAP BEER, SO WHAT? FUCK YOU! I DRINK CHEAP BEER, SO WHAT? FUCK YOU!”

Like I said, I don’t know most of their songs, but they are all pretty much easy to get in to. The only other song I recognize is a solid cover of Descendents’ “Suburban Home.”

FIDLAR has a fun, teenage crowd that goes even wilder during their set than The Orwells. Every other second, there’s a new set of legs crashing into my head after leaping from the stage. I love the excitement, because stiff crowds suck, but it can also be obnoxious at times too. For example, stage diving during slow songs or even in between songs, which is actually pretty funny to see because the crowd isn’t ready to catch the person; hopefully they don’t get too fucked up though.

Additionally, some of the audience members are simply too knuckleheaded at times. Like one dude keeps yelling at the band to play “Cocaine,”(which they do). Lead singer/guitarist, Zac Carper informs the young man “Dude, cocaine is bad for you. I mean it’s good… but it’s bad for you.” Ahh well, these are minor flaws and it’s okay, I can be a knucklehead too, and hey it’s better to see a rowdy crowd than a well behaved crowd. Plus, FIDLAR’s music tends to be of the shameless, beer guzzlin’ variety anyway. Cheers.

Video by Juan Daniel Torres

Video by Dalton Patton

Art, concert review, Designer, Fat Creeps, Honorary KLAYMERS, Local Music, Music, Nice Guys, pictures, Punk, reviews, Video

Review: Fat Creeps, Nice Guys, Designer, Guerilla Toss @ Cambridge Elks (10/19/13)

11/08/2013 Chris DeCarlo 1 Comment

Bands: Guerilla Toss, Fat Creeps, Nice Guys, Designer
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2013
Venue: Cambridge Elks Lodge

Designer (as Blink 182) – Up until now, I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Designer live. I can’t even say I have listened to their music before. I know, I know, it’s on my never ending to do list. They appear to be the talk of the town and over the last few months or more I have heard their name pop up several times in many a local band recommendation. So, I still have to see what all the hype is all about, but regarding this cover set as Blink 182 the band is a knock out.

Designer are under dressed – shirtless and down to their skivvies, wearing only black masks. They have Blink 182’s reckless, adolescent abandonment down to a tee. I myself am not a Blink fan, but you really don’t have to be to enjoy this set. The Designer dudes subvert Blink’s pop punk flavor, turning the radio friendly hits into nasty bolts of noise that vaguely resemble the originals. I recognize “What’s My Age Again?” “All the Small Things,” and half of “Mutt.”

Check out Designer’s original tunes here: http://designer1.bandcamp.com/

Nice Guys (as The Mummies) – The Nice Mums – the artists formerly known as Alex, Jake, Matt, and Cam – are covered in toilet paper and dressed in white suits appearing as though they are Mummies, though they look and behave more sinister than that. I’m feeling A Clockwork Orange; they’re up for anything, maybe a bit of the old ultra violence, which they dish out on their instruments and each other but not on the crowd members. After all, these are Nice Guys, excuse me I mean Nice Mums, sorry, Nice Mums.

Alex hollers on lead vocals and torments his keyboards, frequently picking them up and swinging them in the air, sometimes within the middle of the audience. Matt, Cam, and Jake destroy on guitars and drums – also screaming on backing vocals. The crowd eats it up with some of the best moshing I’ve ever experienced at a Nice Guys show. I mean Nice Mums.

The Elks Lodge is a fantastic place to participate in a sweaty garage punk performance. There’s no stage or other goofy big rock club bullshit, thus lending itself to a more intimate atmosphere typically found in a crowded basement. It’s easy for performers to hop back and forth between the audience and the “stage,” breaking down that demonic divide between performer and spectator. With this band, we’re all one or at the very least there’s a feeling of inclusion that should be a focal part of any great punk/DIY show, and more importantly it’s fucking fun!

The whole set is a blast, an aging garage guru’s wet dream. No, I never saw The Mummies in 92′ old man, but I did catch the Nice Mums in October 2013 in all of their filthy, beer soaked, keyboard demolishing glory.
You Done Mummies well.
http://niceguys666.bandcamp.com/album/mean-songs-demo

Fat Creeps (as The Cramps) – I got a big kick out of last year’s Halloween show when the Creeps played as one of my all time favorite bands, The Ramones! In terms of Fat Creeps Halloween cover sets, I didn’t think that show could be topped… and honestly I don’t think it has, but this one comes close!

The line up includes Mariam aka Lux Interior, Gracie aka Poison Ivy, and special guests Ben Katzman (bass) and Chris Geller (drums). Mariam slithers and slimes her way around the elks lodge floor, singing, shouting and flailing about in her leopard skin suit. She does an impressive Lux Interior and performs well with her co-conspirators.

Gracie (red wig and all) rocks out on guitar and seductively shakes her head and hips to the music. Chris pounds on the drums in the back like a champ, dressed in all black like all bad ass motherfuckers. Ben races around on bass, shirtless, often hopping into the audience, even crowd surfing at one point. Towards the end of the set, he drops his trousers, wearing nothing at all. Haha ohh boy.

Overall, the crowd is really into the Fat Cramps, in particular one Glen Maganzini tries so desperately to get a good mosh pit going, with some attempts better than others.

Definitely a sick set. Check out Fat Creeps’ original material here: http://fatcreeps.bandcamp.com/

Guerilla Toss (as Meat Loaf) – His name is Robert Paulson. His name is Robert Paulson. His name is Robert Paulson. That’s right, that’s Meat Loaf as Robert Paulson aka Bob with the bitch tits in Fight Club. And that’s about it as far as KLYAM knowledge of Meat Loaf goes. Ohh, he was also in South Park once and had a big selling album or something. But, tonight it is Guerilla Toss who is Meat Loaf, and like all G Toss (are we the only ones that refer to them as G Toss? I hope not) shows this one is spooky, alluring, amusing, and altogether head scratching. Alas, the Satanic lords of the underworld have cursed us with a shitty subway system that leaves Boston incredibly early and we missed at least half of the band’s set (not to mention during the first half, I could barely see over everyone’s heads, I’m only 5’3, help a brother out). Apparently, we missed Simon naked, we always do. I have a feeling there will be more of this though…
http://guerillatoss.com/

Enjoy this video from the amazing Avi Paul Weistein below. Avi shot many videos and pictures of this show. You should take a gander at all of them. Here’s the Nice Mums…

concert review, Creaturos, FUZZ, Local Music, reviews, Ty Segall

Review: FUZZ, CCR Headcleaner, CreaturoS @ Great Scott

11/06/2013 G. Gordon Gritty Leave a comment

Date: Monday, October 14

CreaturoS: People arrived early and in large numbers to see locals CreaturoS on what would, of course, be a fun night of rock ‘n roll entertainment. I’ve seen CreaturoS on a few occasions, in a lil ole Allston shimmy, at the MidEast Upstairs, at Fuzzstival. At O’Briens. At Great Scott on this night – I can say I had my most enjoyable CreaturoS experience. They were loud, they were proud, and the songs just had a certain meat to them that seemed to be previously lacking. The guitar solos were virtuoso quality, one after another it seemed. You’d have to be stiffer than stiffs not to groove around. Maybe I was just not in a moving mood at the previous gigs or something. While the crowd didn’t flood the stage during “James Days’ Milkshake” as they did @ FUZZSTIVAL, I got the feeling that that could have happened at any point. This was an opening set to remember.

Set- List:
“James”
“Love Corner”
“Sunrise”
“Last Summer”
“Always Mind”
“Know I’m Wrong”
“Charlie Brown”
“Short Shorts”
“Ruff Puke”
“Beach”

CCR Headcleaner: I think the only way I could describe CCR Headcleaner is transcendent. With their own light show and a relentless flurry of noise, pounding, squall, I haven’t seen a group serve up a psychedelic sludge stage show quite like CCR. This wasn’t really for me, though, call me a wussie all you want. I kind of like the fact that they never relented and just went full force through their whole set, which felt like it was at least an hour long. Oatmeal crackers can do that to you, kids. I checked these dawgs out before and after the show and I’m diggin on their recorded stuff. I may not be physically prepared for a Headcleaner show. Someday I hope.

FUZZ: For a dude who hadn’t been to Boston in years, Ty must have felt a little comfort playing among a dense, sold out crowd. I’ve praised the dude on this very cyberformat countless times since being swept away with Melted in ’10. So to finally see him perform in Boston with FUZZ …what can I say. You might fall into two camps, if you’re reading this review: you either went to this show or you didn’t. If you did, your mind was blown, you were deeply staring at the stage with a smile, nodding your head. Or you were in on the action, shaking around like a nut. I’m not even sure what songs FUZZ played or didn’t play, there was some differentiation, but it was hard not to get absolutely lost in Charlie Mootheart’s tormenting axing. Keep singing Ty and banging hard, but check out that solo! WTF!!!!!!!!!! I’m into the whole FUZZ thing – though metal and hard rock aren’t my go-to styles – but if you are really into those things, you probably walked away from this show, thinking to yourself, damn this might have been the greatest thing I’ve seen in a while. And I didn’t have to go to the DCU Center. wait, what. I feel you people. I know what that’s like. Loose Sutures, What’s In My Head, This Time I Got A Reason, ya ya ya you know them all.

Art, Atlantic Thrills, concert review, Honorary KLAYMERS, Local Music, Music, pictures, Punk, reviews

Review: Atlantic Thrills, Sonic Avenues, Thee Legendary Rockin’ Prophets, The Little Richards @ O’Brien’s Pub (10/17/13)

11/02/2013 Chris DeCarlo Leave a comment

Bands: Sonic Avenues, Atlantic Thrills, Thee Legendary Rockin’ Prophets, The Little Richards
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2013
Venue: O’Brien’s Pub (Allston, MA)

The Little Richards – While my mind conjures up an image of four mini men dressed up as Little Richard (I know it doesn’t make total sense, just roll with it) instead I see four average sized white dudes from the North Shore. Body sizes aside, The Little Richards are an impressive and lively bunch.

The band’s set consists of speedy pop punk songs with a pile driver edge that is tight and relentless. This is straight up pop punk, but it’s more of the gnarly variety, not that pussy bullshit that was extremely popular back in the early ohhs like Simple Plan – ahh God I’m starting to puke in my mouth just at the thought of that nonsense. So yeah, The Little Richards pack in a good punch.

I’ve never seen The Little Richards before, but there is a familiar face in guitarist Joey Unis, one of the raddest and most upstanding gents I have had the pleasure of conversing with in my young career as a show goer/documenter guy, uhh yeah. I’ve also seen Joey perform in The BFs and The Electric Ears and if you dig those bands then you will most likely enjoy The Little Richards.

Two songs that stand out to me are 1) the Ramones possessed (well pretty much all of these tunes are in the musical spirit of the Ramones) “Insanities” with its inclusion of “Pinhead’s” line “Gabba gabba we accept you, we accept you one of us!” The song also has an image I can’t erase from my mind: someone falling down 40 steps and hitting their head on 39 as a sea of LSD leaks out of them. Ha! 2) A seasonally apropos cover of The Misfits “Skulls,” showcasing the band’s gang vocals. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Check out The Little Richards here: http://thelittlerichards.bandcamp.com/

Thee Legendary Rockin’ Prophets – Thee Legendary Rockin’ Prophets are here to praise the Lord and bring forth his holy message of salvation into all of your poor, lethargic lives. Hallelujah!

Dressed in classic mormon attire (plain white shirts with black ties and black pants) the Prophets are a six piece rock ‘n’ roll, garage soul ensemble featuring guitars, drums, keyboards, tambourines, and the limitless energy of the lead singer/preacher.

This show is a real spectacle and in the traditions of other bands I have experienced such as King Khan & The Shrines and Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion!, and the lead singer is off the wall, out of control, and downright in your face (not to mention talented). He screams his heart out as he proselytizes to the audience, sometimes screaming right into individual crowd member’s faces. It’s a perspiring, inspiring performance and I can honestly say that I have rarely seen a performer so committed to rockin’ and preachin’. He paces around the room like the roadrunner, knocking over mic stands and bottles in the process. He spends 90% of the set singing and dancing off stage, even climbing on one of the tables and hopping off it.

The Prophets’ set is surely a fun one, but I feel like the songs all sound the same. Granted, the band does have a great garage soul sound and I am certain that if the Prophets’ had a wild, packed, beer guzzlin’ crowd in front of them the show would be pandemonium. Either way, check them out here: http://legendaryrockinprophets.bandcamp.com/

Atlantic Thrills – My dudes in Atlantic Thrills are back in Boston again and as always it’s a pleasure to see them. The foursome open with the Yardbirds hit “For Your Love,” kicking it extra slimy for all you garage dweebs out there. I especially dig Josh Towers’ drumming, gets me all pumped up like their epic original “Light Shines,” which they play later in the evening. Towers also sports a funny ass shirt that proclaims “Fuck art, let’s Fuck.” Reminds me of that scene in Taxi Driver when Betsy tells Travis “Taking me to a place like this is about as exciting as saying to me ‘let’s fuck’.” Somehow, I feel that some disco square bitch would say the same thing to me if I took her to an Atlantic Thrills show. Indeed, fuck art let’s fuck and dance to the Atlantic Thrills!

There’s plenty of vintage punk slime for the Thrilz in this set including “A Day At the Beach,” “Drugs In It,” “Boozin,” “Almost Anything, ” and the aforementioned “Light Shines,” but tonight the Providence quartet spend a healthy chunk of their performance introducing a batch of fresh numbers. These include “Bed Bugs,” “Past Life,” and another untitled song.

The band remains a rowdy, rock ‘n’ roll beast, but with several of these new tunes they strengthen much of their tender side. I hear a lot of slower, doo wop fused vocals with all members singing at once. Like The Little Richards, Atlantic Thrills are masters when it comes to the gang vocals.

If you’re living in Providence, then you’re one lucky dog because you have the potential to see Atlantic Thrills more than I do, but I most likely do see Atlantic Thrills more than you do. Point is, they’re the best and they’re always playing. But, Boston stooges don’t worry. Along side Fagettes, Atlantic Thrills are opening for Shannon and The Clams on November 20! https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticThrills

Set – List:
“For Your Love” (The Yardbirds)
“Drugs In It”
“So Long”
“Bed Bugs”
“Past Life”
“Holy Mountain”
“Light Shines”
“Almost Anything”
“A Day At the Beach”
“Boozin'”
New Song

Sonic Avenues – Sonic Avenues continue this evening’s brand of fast, pummeling rock ‘n’ roll. They came here on tour all the way from Canada and they are very grateful to be here. In fact, much of this set’s entertainment stems from one of the guitarist’s drunken rambles about how awesome it is to be here and how everyone should dance. Even though the crowd is small there is some dancing and people seem to genuinely appreciate Sonic Avenues. They sound decent to me, but I’m not huge into it. They have a solid grip on power pop, but overall I’m not a big fan. Still, I think you should check them out and decide for yourself. http://sonicavenues.bandcamp.com/

Art, Ben Tan, concert review, Free Pizza, Gangbang Gordon, Kids Like You and Me, Local Music, Miami Doritos, Music, pictures, Punk, reviews, Video

Review: Miami Doritos, Free Pizza, Gangbang Gordon, Ben Tan @ Radio Down (10/11/13)

11/01/2013 Chris DeCarlo Leave a comment

Bands: Miami Doritos, Free Pizza, Gangbang Gordon, Ben Tan
Date: Friday, October 11, 2013
Venue: Radio Down (Somerville, MA)

Ben Tan – This ain’t BBT’s (that’s Big Ben Tan for your information) first rodeo, aww hell no. Ben Tan’s been rocking and shocking dance halls, basements, back alleys, and Vince McMahon’s private parties for over a decade now and he’s not stopping any time soon; he can’t he has that contract with the “dubbya dubbya E” aka WWE as he puts it in the folk anthem “Upper Lower Middle Class Blues.” It’s a Bob Dylan ode if I’ve ever seen one, what with the raspy voice, acoustic gee tar and harmonicai in tow. You know, if you have a younging in the house and are looking for an alternative to the typical clown/magician spectacle than look no further than Ben Tan. Kids love Bob Dylan.

Ben continues with other signature originals including “Inside Out” and a song about a very special gal entitled “Marielle.” These cuts showcase Ben’s natural talent as a singer – songwriter (God, I hate that term, but trust me it works here) and his incredible ability to imitate the pop music of the 60s with The Beach Boys and The Beatles being his top two objects of duplication. If you’re looking for the most original music in the world, then I’d say look elsewhere. At the same time, Ben is his own person and stands out in just about any setting.

After having enough fun with the guitar, he makes his way to the piana, where he busts out a few more OGs. He closes his set, asking for any crowd requests. This leads to mershy pop numbers, R. Kelly’s “Ignition Remix” and Cee Lo Green’s “Fuck You,” much to the crowd’s delight. BBT’s back in the saddle again. http://bentan.bandcamp.com/album/inside-out

Gangbang Gordon – Following Big Ben Tan’s set is rock ‘n’ roll’s last tru gangsta, Gangbang Gordon himself and he is accompanied by my brother Justin on drums. This is GBG’s fifth show and his second with Justin, and with all biases aside I think this is his/their best set so far.

Alas as the two are about to run through the beginnings of an epic GBG set, the amp dies on them. Eh, well whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stranger, right? Luckily, Ben lends GBG his amp and all is well. The gangbang begins with an all instrumental jam that mixes surf and noise and sounds like The Ramones, Nobunny, and Fat Creeps. Then they slide into “Lost Touch With The Youths,” a song about being young and lost and feeling out of touch with those who are young and lost.

The show goes on for more and more grotesque Gangbang Gordon tunes that make most cheer, some cringe, and then you have Ben Tan, who wants to start a riot. At one point he yanks my naragansett out of my hand, chugs it, and flips me the bird. I immediately rip the beer out of his hands, but he’s out of control as he swings some sort of cables around frantically dancing to the Gangbang.

The Gangbang slops over into its filthy climax with the Spanglish rapcore number “Orgullo de Rappers” in which GBG paces around the packed crowd, rapping in everyone’s face and hucking beer cans in the air. As GBG lays his axe to rest in a whirlwind of feedback, Justin piles through with a vicious drum solo that leaves the crowd thirsting for more. More Gangbang to come in the future…
http://gbgordon.bandcamp.com/

Free Pizza – Free Pizza is among one of the many fantastic artists I have come across in the Boston underground music scene this past year. They’ve been kicking around for a couple years now, but I only recently got turned on to them this past Summer. This is my second time seeing them and I am really digging their sweet, summery, surf sounds. How’s that for alliteration?

Recently, tragedy struck the band in the form of a skateboarding accident resulting in vocalist/guitarist Jesus Vio breaking his clavicle, leaving him unable to play guitar. But, the mighty Free Pizza soldiered on! Jesus keeps rocking on vocals and they have enlisted friend, Ben Katzman on guitar. Ben rocks. EVERYBODY ROCKS!

I am still learning Free Pizza songs, but right now my favorite is their signature bandcamp available tune “Net – Babes.” It’s a catchy little number and every time Jesus sings “we have no beaches” I hear “we have no bitches.” Haha, that’s just what I hear. It’s BEACHES folks, and Free Pizza will be surfing through your skull on a daily basis. Get with the times. http://freepizzarocks.bandcamp.com/

Miami Doritos – By the time Miami Doritos hit the mini stage I am feeling no pain. Who needs pain when you have Miami Doritos? Kurt (vocals/guitar) and Alex (vocals/drums) find the one kid in the audience that is feeling pain and they serenade him/her back to safety with their psychedelic thrash testosterone fueled noise.

Indeed, two pieces are fun. Just to throw that out there. I typically prefer a full band, but Miami Doritos stretch beyond the common limitations that two pieces meet every day. I mean there’s just two of them, but it takes two to tango, so why do you need more than two people in a band anyway?

If you’re looking for a swift kick in the balls and you’re sick and tired of being let down by indie rock losers, then go out and see Miami Doritos and you won’t be disappointed. http://miamidoritos.bandcamp.com/

This was a Kids Like You & Me/KLYAM show and Glen and I are thankful for all of the bands that played, everyone that came out, and the Radio for having us. We also want to thank Storm or Howl, who was originally scheduled to play, but could not make it. They are amazing and you should all check out their beautiful music here: https://www.facebook.com/stormorhowl

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

Review: Hanni El Khatib, Bass Drum of Death, The New Highway Hymnal, Future Spa @ Middle East Downstairs (10/9/13)

10/28/2013 Chris DeCarlo Leave a comment

Flyer from Middle East Restaurant and Night Club

Bands: Hanni El Khatib, Bass Drum of Death, The New Highway Hymnal, Future Spa
Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Venue: Middle East Downstairs (Cambridge, MA)

Future Spa – I can’t say this enough, but my ears are slowly plunging into their watery graves. I’m seriously relying on the capabilities of future technology to preserve what remains of my hearing so I can slop, rock, and roll till the day I die. Somerville’s Future Spa aren’t helping my case right now because they are dishing out a hefty amount of damage on my ears with their rough noise fused garage onslaught.

We first caught these dudes at a toasty Mark Sultan show last December at the Starlab – going to miss that place! As with that show, Future Spa produce a quick slam in the bread basket with piles of noise rock, early 80’s hardcore, and plenty of shrieks and screams alike.

Future Spa show off their No Age and Sonic Youth influences in songs such as “No Age” and “Sonic Youth,” respectively. You can hear all of their garage punk anthems on their bancamp here: http://futurespa.bandcamp.com/album/my-aunt-brian

Set – List:
“Intro”
“My Aunt Brian”
“No Age”
“Turn On The Action”
“Lipshits”
“Surf Song”
“Sonic Youth”
“Blackinkcocaine”
“Gangof4”
“Fucking Mick Jagger”

The New Highway Hymnal – Shit, it’s been two months since I’ve seen these dudes. Last time was here at the Middle East Downstairs for the Boston Fuzzstival. That was a grand show, but this performance is superior and one of the best I’ve seen from the trio.

The set begins with an ear splitting batch of guitar feedback coming from Hadden Stemp’s amplifier and shortly thereafter the band kicks into Whispers staple “Hey Kid (Gotta Run),” a song typically whipped out towards the end of the set. The fiery tune gets me really amped up (amped up? whatever…) for the rest of the set and while the crowd is still building up, a few attendees are more than enthusiastic in their appreciation of NHH.

To the left of of me stands The Lysergic Factory Light Show’s Peter Colpack, a rampant supporter of the band, and while Mr. Colpack provides no acid trippy visuals tonight, he frenetically dances his ass off instead. His primitive, out of control style of dancing is akin to a one man mosh pit; it’s as if he’s possessed and fighting off a vicious army of fire ants crawling down his shaky spine.

The New Highway Hymnal’s sound runs through the rock ‘n’ roll gamut, splattering together the likes of The Doors, The 13th Floor Elevators, The Grateful Dead, The Velvet Underground, The Stooges, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre among other forms of music. It’s freak out music for the freaks and therefore you never know what kind of behavior may spew out during a NHH set. To the right of me are two more characters. One kind hearted old timer cheers the band on in his thick Boston accent as he brandishes his Boston Red Sox hat. Another woman shakes her booty rapidly to the band’s swift psych delivery. When they ask the sound guy how much time they have left? This woman hollers “How long is it going to take for you to fuck me?” Much to the band’s surprise/amusement.

The set crashes to its close in classic New Highway Hymnal fashion with Amelia and Hadden producing vast layers of screeching feedback from their guitars and Travis making a mess of his drum kit by smashing his cymbals into the snare drum and making use of anything and everything in front of him as a means of percussion. This conclusion is a microcosmic trance within the larger trance that is The New Highway Hymnal. Sit on that mind blowing piece of information while you pass time in work/school/church/ waiting in line for the post office.
http://thenewhighwayhymnal.bandcamp.com/

Bass Drum Of Death – Here’s a band whose material I am not overly familiar with, yet I have kept them on the back burner for a couple of years now. Bass Drum Of Death are a heavy, pummeling garage rock band that most garage, punk, or simply garage punk fans would dig, but I’d go even further and state that fans of more general rock or other genres may also enjoy their music as well. And that’s certainly not a trait that can be applied to any old garage band. With Bass Drum, the music is more fine tuned, crisper. At the same time, there is still plenty of that slimy, sleazy element that we gunk punkers all know and love.

As I said before, I am not a huge fan of this band, simply because I have only heard a few of their songs, so seeing Bass Drum Of Death is comparable to seeing a sweet band, but not like waiting all year to see BASS DRUM OF DEATH!!! Though, this is not the case for much of the dudes in attendance. And yes I stress the word dudes, as I feel this set is filled with plenty of sausage and that’s okay, but I tend to prefer seeing an equal balance of the genders, damn I don’t how you metal folk do it! Anyway, much of these dudes are heavy duty Bass Drum Of Death folk and a small, but steady mosh pit explodes in front of the stage. Kids smashing into one another and screaming along to their favorite Bass Drum Of Death tunes and unleashing all of that teenage, hormonal frustration. It’s a lot of fun.

Hanni El Khatib – Now, with Hanni El Khatib I am totally unaware of their discography, having vaguely heard of the band a few times in the past. For this show, I came mostly for the local bands, and yes Bass Drum Of Death is a treat. Hanni El Khatib, I am not as impressed with – don’t get me wrong, they are fine, but I just don’t feel it as much as the three previous bands. Hanni appears to be more in line with blues and classic rock or I am just a crazy bastard and I’m hearing weird noises. In either situation, they don’t floor me enough to stay for the second half of their set. Not a bad band, but just not the band I would go out of my way to see live. Lastly, I am not sure why they were paired with Bass Drum Of Death for this tour, given that their sounds are very different. Then again, that can be an immensely positive thing, hopefully bringing together fans of both styles of music and introducing new bands to both parties.

Here’s a sick video of Bass Drum Of Death from Joanna Trachtenberg!

concert review, Fat History Month, Guerilla Toss, Local Music, Music, reviews, SARALEE

Review: Guerilla Toss, SARALEE, Giving Up, Bad History Month @ JP Drive-In

10/27/2013 G. Gordon Gritty Leave a comment

Date: October 26, 2013

Bad History Month: Bad History Month is solo Sean History Month, singer and guitarist of Fat History Month, who you all know as Boston’s dearest underground band. The crowds descend downstairs, greeted by the warm presence of Sean, his guitar, amp, and bass drum. The bass drum seems to be something of a new addition for Sean as he has anointed us the crowd a focus group for his percussion aided performance. Sean’s gentle playing is a beautiful thing, full of depth and intensity. The liberating, calming sound that is a History Month set is so distinguishing, so relaxing. I kept thinking to myself, what a pleasure to be in a basement right now listening to this set. The only tune that I recognize is “Fucking Despair” from the same-name-can’t-recommend-enough album so don’t count me in as an expert of the nitty gritty for tonight’s set. Which might not be a bad thing – the mood generated was most notable and left us feeling better than we did thirty minutes prior.

SARALEE: I won’t speak for Chris, but I think he’ll agree with me here – Saralee is a band we hold near and dear. We first saw Sara [vocal/guitar] and Lee [drums] perform as Saralee back on May 26, 2011, opening for Peach Kelli Pop at the Problem House in Allston. That was our first Boston basement show. From that point forward – roughly – our eyes were opened to the magic of the local scene. Seeing Saralee in a grimy basement is all I know of seeing Saralee first hand. So when they took to the non-stage last night, I was brought to a rather familiar place. A cozy place. The tunes of Saralee are like small pieces of nostalgia, a soundtrack to things that might have occurred in childhood or yesterday or in the future. They are uplifting songs, at least to my hears. The only comparison I can really come up with is early OCs – if in light tone and playful minimalism. They played a dozen or so jams, most topping out at around a couple of minutes. There was a time during the winter months of both 2012 and 2013 that I spent hours for several consecutive days listening to Saralee’s DEMO at work. You’d think I would get sick of it, but it just put me in high spirits…continuously. That was the case with SARALEE tonight. I loved every minute of it, Lee’s artistic drumming synced with Sara’s ultra reverby delivery. This is a band that has won hearts across the nation in a tour culminating in this very basement. I’m sure of it. Their self-titled LP just released on 12″ hand-screened vinyl is stunning. Listen there and pick up a copy or pick up the copy and smile wide! It’ll be a favorite.

Giving Up: One of the most unfortunate things that can happen for a big fan of live music is showing up late and paying the consequences of being squished in the back. This is most trying in close quarters. So there we go, I don’t think I ever got a solid view of Giving Up, but thank God for my ears. I heard ’em! I dug what I heard, bizarre folk sorta like Page France but noisy, more demented. Catchy! A perfect complement to Saralee being all hazily distinct and stuff. Memory music. Also, I’ve been informed that Lee was on drums. Nice Lee. Check these Midwesterners out: http://givingup.bandcamp.com/ !

Guerilla Toss: G-Toss can just about do anything they damn want and like most things so very irresistible, crowds will follow! Every show I’ve seen Guerilla Toss play has been push and shove, so beware people who like to take things easy. There’s not another Guerilla Toss in the world – Cassie, Peter, Simon, Ian, and Arian – make/display some of the craziest stuff I’ve ever heard/seen. Punk rock stripped to its most feral motions, radically spun with noise, glitches, consistent freak outs. It’s a very held together thing though. I’m always amused just by being witness to what is going on and the domineering clutching fist enveloping the crowd, making them suspects of a short duration assault. YA i’m down for this! http://guerillatoss.bandcamp.com/

Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM)