JEDDO STARS,
SEVEN SHADES OF GREY
Rosebud Bar, Cambridge MA
5/20/10
This is the first of local nice guy
Roy Rubinstein’s (NE Pop Festival) weekly Rosebud bookings. Apparently
Roy located the opening band (SSOG) via the Internet, but otherwise
knows nothing of them. Ditto for me, but as things turn out, Seven Shades
of Grey are quite the pleasant surprise. Pretty lady Christie on vocals,
guitar and keyboard, strongly supported by Willie (bass), Ophir (guitar)
and Daryl (drums). I’m getting tired of band personnel with no last
names, so I humbly demand these guys all use “Ssog.”
That aside, they sound great—much like No Doubt, but the heavier stuff
rather than the upbeat punk and ska stuff. Christie bops back and forth
from guitar to keyboard, but it’s the keyboard songs that work best.
In fact, what most impresses is how often she gets the electric keyboard
to sound like a genuine piano (more depth, in other words). Joe Bob
says check ’em out.
When some of Jeddo
Stars were previously the Charms, I think I may have once compared them
to the Archies. I didn’t mean they sounded like the Archies—just
looked like ’em! Lemme tell ya, if you’re lucky enough to be compared
to Dan DeCarlo’s Betty and Veronica, you’ve nothing to complain
about! Meanwhile, Jeddo Stars sound nothing like the Archies or
the Charms. Abandoning that ’60s garage (with organ) sound in favor
of more straight-flavored rock ’n’ roll. A wise decision—it’s
tough working that ballpark in a town with Lyres (plus whatever Chris
Horne gets up to). Of course, Ellie Jeddo still looks like she
sprang straight off DeCarlo’s drawing board, but I think she’ll
endure. Again, Joe Bob says check ’em out. (Joe Bob Bri…er…Frank
Strom)
THE COFFIN LIDS,
LYRES, MAL THURSDAY & THE CHEETAHS
Church, Boston, MA
6/4/10
I was eating stuff out of the alley
dumpster—they gots good food here, so I snuck in the back way. Krista
the bartender is so sweet. She gave me a saucer of milk (that had vodka
and Kahlua in it) while dishing out goblets of deer blood to Slimedog
and Andy Slimedog, both soon to be passed out under the bar.
Mal Thursday &
the Cheetahs are the first band I see. Eccentric, funny lead singer
with a band that has the ’60s garage band vibe down well. They are
a great fun band that does a nice cover of “Hey Little Girl” by
the Syndicate of Sound. Highly recommended, though it seems tonight
it is just a reunion kind of thing for them. It’s a pity.
Lyres are up next,
Boston garage rock legends doing their classics like “Don’t Give
It Up” and “I Want To Help You Ann.” They’re good but not as
good, in my opinion, as a band like the Classic Ruins who still play
around and come from the same era.
The Coffin Lids are
up last and, oh my God, I’ve seen these cats before but I don’t
remember being this impressed. Skinny Mike the singer says something
like, “What’s good about seeing the last band is that they are the
one who’ve been drinking all night,” while sipping his Narragansett.
This band combines elements of garage, schockabilly, punk, ’60s rock-o-rama
and melds it into something that’s not easily categorized but spells
fun, fun, fun much more than the Beach Boys ever did. Missy Lid’s
Farfisa organ is kind of the secret weapon but everyone here is just
playing all balls out. Despite the small crowd the Lids still play their
heart, liver, and guts out. I’d die to be put into this coffin lid…
Oh, I forgot I’ve been cremated. Never mind.
(Slimedog’s Cat)
THE APPRECIATION
POST
The Northshore Mall,
Peabody, MA
5/29/10
If you tell me there’s a free show
within 30 miles, you can bet I’m going to make an appearance. That’s
exactly what I was doing at Journeys Backyard BBQ at the Northshore
Mall, when I spotted Boston band, the Appreciation Post. I’m surprised
at the bands mix of pop punk beats integrated with electronic undertones.
It’s a sound I’m not quite used to-but I’m diggin’ it.
Lead
singer Jim Keaney bounces around stage full of energy and spirit while
keyboardist Dan Casey is also full of spunk, darting back and forth,
encouraging audience participation. Casey is also prepared for the heat
of this stifling summer day by spraying the crowd with water multiple
times. Of course, this is extremely well received.
As
the audience cheers, the band plays on, vying for the win of Converse
battle of the bands. Their energy and raw talent prove successful as
the audience votes. Congratulations, guys! (Angela Mastrogiacomo)
GIN TONIC
Byfield Days Jazz
Brunch
Cat in the Cradle Coffeehouse,
Byfield, MA
6/13/10
My motivation for doing
this review is a little twisted. I played here the night before (with
Wild Maple, Jon Waterman, and Jason Wilson) and the host introduced
me, noting that he’d been reading the Noise
for the past 20 years but never succeeded in getting his name mentioned
in it. So maybe I have an agenda. I slap together a plate of tasty jazz
brunch goodies and shoot up some java. The band Gin Tonic starts with
the talented duo of guitarist Bryan Croad and bassist Chris Paglia playing
in modes that I can’t. They invite up their singer, Gay Sheldon, who
adds a comfortably smooth new dimension to the presentation, and I start
recognizing some jazzed up Joni and Jimi numbers. Champagne corks randomly
pop and audience member Russell offers some free-stylin’ hip hop dance
moves in front of the stage. Gay comments on a hedgehog that she sees
on the grass across the street (can you tell we’re far from Boston?).
When the band takes a break, I find out that Gay knows the Noise.
Turns out she got a review that made her decade—she actually quotes
a couple of lines from the ten-year-old write up of her then-band, Helenagay.
Naturally I’m curious as to who wrote the review, so I search for
it as soon as I get home. It’s a Joe Coughlin masterpiece. So I give
him a call—he still has the disc and remembers receiving a bunch of
roses as a result of his written opinion. It makes his day that Gay
still remembers it so vividly. So now I’m happy. Gay’s happy. Joe’s
happy. And host/bassist Chris is happy. (T Max)
THOMAS NÖLA ET SON ORCHESTRE
Très Pathétique album debut
Nick’s, Worcester, MA
3/5/10
Channeling the ghost
of Jacques Brel, a black and white stripe turtlenecked Thomas Nöla
takes the stage at Worcester absinthe den Nick’s to debut a moody
faux-French bit of poppy gloom. The candlelit ambiance of the Germanic
cabaret, an oasis of jazz age glamor, provides the perfect backdrop
for an evening of mournful decadence.
Le Orchestre consists
of saxophonist Mike Greenstein, drummer Melissey Castevet, and trumpeter
Eric Dahlman, backed Nöla’s piano and vocals, plays vaguely improv
arrangements with a sound that falls somewhere between the elegance
of ’40s Parisian jazz ensembles and the roughness of ’60s garage
bands. The set begins with a bass and saxophone swing of “Café Pathétique”
and the “200 ejaculations”-laden apocalyptic cabaret of “Mon Petite
Bête Noire.” A stomp about puppets (“Les Marionettes”), the naughty
audience request “Kinderbund,” the chanson misogyny of “L’homme
Blessé,” and the violent free-form dirge “The Clown is Dead”
bring the performance down the rabbit hole. But not all of the evening
is quite so high energy, as it turns subdued with “Lady Grey,” a
simple piano waltz about tea, gray weather, birds, and blood. A cover
of a ballad by the English group Naevus’ “The German” and the
mournful requiems “Blurred Glass Eyes” and “Alouette,” round
out the set’s bipolar trek through the degenerate and the bittersweet.
(DJ Mätthew Griffin)
THE GHOST OF OTIS
AS220, Providence, RI
5/27/10
I enter AS220 and there
is a good size crowd in the restaurant area. The doors to the concert
open and only a handful of people enter—the rest stay in the dining
area. Although a small crowd, it is one of varying age and style. The
majority of the fans appear to be friends and family of the band. The
Ghost of Otis plays songs from their
Hopes and Denials album. Their sound is reminiscent of early Pink
Floyd and experimental notions of early Roxy Music. Krista D’Amico’s
brooding baritone sax interestingly compliments the angry rants of Jay
McCray’s spoken word. There is also something to be said for how perfect
the saxophone and electric guitar synchronize. After McCray’s spoken
word pieces, he leaves the stage and stands off to the side, allowing
the band to recreate his words with their music. It is as if Charles
Bukowski or Allen Ginsberg is in the room philosophizing with musical
accompaniment. (Anthony Faccenda)
INGE BERGE
Dogbar, Gloucester
MA
6/20/10
The first thing I notice
as I walk in the Dogbar are awesome decorations including pictures,
masks and other props that Inge Berge has set up for his release party
for his new album, 10 True Things & A Dirty Filthy Lie.
Playing along with Inge is a group of professional musicians who are
featured on his album including Joe Cardoza of the Bandit Kings on bass,
Leo Sharamitaro on drums, Marina Evans on mini-Korg/backup vocals and
Kascia Murray of Safety on backup vocals. This dream team of musicians,
along with Inge’s powerful vocals, amazing stage presence and great
guitar work, start jamming out Inge’s entire new album. There is quite
a sizeable crowd and they are all into the music. The sound is very
much rock and the songs are very catchy. Inge will be playing Sunday
nights all summer long at the Dogbar in Gloucester—check him out! (Patrick Fitzpatrick)
PETER LAVENDER
The Old Worthen House
Café, Lowell, MA
5/29/10
The oldest pub in the
Mill City experiences a return to its roots as Peter Lavender and a
talented collection of musical mercenaries (Arte K on bass and Sir Bob
Nash on drums) fill the Old Worthen House Café with an acoustic set
of original contemporary tunes that possess an un-apologetically ’70s
rock sound and vibe. In a room where Jack Kerouac and Edgar Allen Poe
once sat seeking the insparado that made them great, Lavender’s
music and lyrical storytelling tells similar tales of love and loss,
innocence, and what could have been. With songs from his latest CD,
Never Now, the crowd does their best to stay plugged in while game
six of the NBA playoffs appear on the wide screen at every turn of the
head. And when a group cheer by the Worthen crowd comes in response
to a critical point made by the hometown team, it’s well received
and met with an upbeat and timely “thank you” from the stage by
Lavender without missing a beat. Peter Lavender is
a singer, songwriter, and a talented musician with a smart sense of
humor. Acoustic nights at the Old Worthen are back!
(JoeG)
THE MARVELS
Church, Boston,
MA
5/21/10
Tonight we’ve got
the reformed/recharged Marvels wedged smack in the middle of a punk
and ska line-up (including the venerable Allstonians), and they’re
honestly blowing everyone else away. Drummer Jesse comments on what
a crazy, mad, wild performance they’re having, so obviously I’m
not the only one who notices. Since reforming the band, every show thus
far has been exponentially better. Tonight’s set is only ruined by
the announcement that this will be bassist Michelle P’s final gig.
For those keeping score, this officially makes her ex-Decals, ex-Real
Kids, ex-Dents, and ex-Marvels (maybe others I’m forgetting?). Clearly
she’s running a race with my buddy B-Face for most “formerly of”
credits. Sigh. My heart weeps. Suggestions for Staffy and the gang:
B-Face (ex-Queers, ex-Groovie Ghoulies, etc.) and Andy Mosette (ex-Black
Mosettes) are both free. I can supply phone numbers if needed. Also,
now would be a great time to add “I’d Much Rather Be With The Boys”
to the Marvels’ set list. For the rest of us, we can take some solace
from the fact that (a) Michelle hasn’t quit Andrea Gillis Band yet,
and (b) There’s a Dents reunion show scheduled for August 6, 2011.
Now that it’s in print, she can’t back out! Legally binding! Hah!
(Frank Strom)
007 CLUB, DRAGO, THE SPOILERS,
BY THE THROAT, THE McGUNKS, THE DOLL EYES
Midway Café, Jamaica Plain, MA
5/22/10
Slimedog’s cat here
doing another live review. I’m dead but everyone’s got their flaws.
Slimedog’s here, probably passed out in a pool of drool under the
peanut machine. During sound check for the first band, a loud guitar
chord frightened me and now my claws are stuck in the ceiling and I’m
suspended upside down.
The Doll Eyes are my
favorite new band. Even upside down I can hear how good they sound.
Lead singer Phil McCaffrey says he’s writing about the “whole Irish
Catholic thing” which is expressed in the songs “Irish Catholic
Blues” and “Holy Ghost.” This band already has three or four great
songs and a lot of good ones, with great lyrics, also. Lotsa potential
in this rock ’em sock ’em punk rockin’ band and I
expect them to get even better.
The McGunks are punk
drunk Irish hooligans of the worst sort that show why we still see “Irish
need not apply” signs in many storefronts. Besides their foul behavior,
this is a pretty terrific band. Lyrics like “Three more beers will
make me feel better,” and “She used to be pretty, but now she’s
pretty fucked up,” are tremendous backed by even better music. One
of Boston’s best kept secrets (probably for the good of society) that
there be.
By The Throat is next
and have half the members of an old favorite band, the Dimwits, in them.
Now, this band is only half as stupid. Blistering hardcore rhythms sometimes
splinter into odd time and tempo changes without losing the intensity.
Unison vocals, loud droning guitar, pulverizing drums are all a recipe
for some good hardcore/rock/punk. Unlike the indie folk Allie told me
to expect, I’d say.
The Spoilers play next,
one of Slimedog’ faves but you shouldn’t hold that against them
because hearing this band is like having a locomotive train burning
pistons, taking turns almost veering off the track and then smashing
headlong into another train leaving blood, guts and entrails for the
vultures to feed upon. That and they do a great version of the Runaways’
version of the great Velvet Underground’s song “Rock ’n Roll.”
I know Drago as a very
hardcore influenced band—I see them in a different way today, and
not just because of my precarious position. I see a slow downed rap/death
metal influence that works really well. Big kudos to drummer Keith Sheehan
for taking charge with a very solid groove. It’s the best I’ve seen
these guys.
007 Club is rip-roaring,
skull on fire, flames shooting out of the nostrils, lacerating desecrating
balls out punk. And these boys play nicely, meaning that with all the
vim and vigor displayed in their numbers is matched with a conciseness
and precision that doesn’t loose one ounce of passion or fury in its
execution.
Every band is great and it’s good
to see the Midway finally in the process of expanding—congratulations
guys. And it seems they got these Saturday matinee punk shows happening
every month so come check them out. Crazy Dave, one of the owners, has
got a stepladder to get me down. Until next time—pssssst.
(Slimedog’s Cat)
Archives 
