Wednesday there was a hardcore bill at the Hong Kong. We walked in on Peace Test, we think. These bands didn’t have a Facebook page to check out so we’re going by the set line up for these first two bands.

Peace Test Photo: Blowfish

They were in the middle of the set and there was moshing going on. The music was raw and the singer was in the middle of the floor and moshing himself. There were about 50 people in the club. Good, for a Wednesday night. They were all fans, so these bands were able to draw the crowd. This is the way it should happen.

Bandcamp page for Peace Test

American Ethos Photo: Blowfish

American Ethos were a little more metal. There was some well thought out guitar parts. We got drawn in and by the end of the set felt we could get what they were doing and liked it. Here’s their Bandcamp page.

Brother Photo: Blowfish

Brother were from New Bedford. They gave out short bursts of hardcore and had a lead singer that was a powerhouse. She was out in the middle of the crowd, often dropping to the floor for a few words then back up and roaming around again. It seemed like a lot of the crowd came for them and we could see why. That was an intense set.

If you check out their music and lyrics on Bandcamp, you can see they focus their attention on worthy social issues. They talk about slavery, the prostitution industry, police abuse, the holocaust and the world migrant crisis. This band and many hardcore bands like them are not fiddling as Rome burns they are articulating the problems.

Friday it was back to the Hong Kong. This time we were looking to hear Moist Boy. They are from New Bedford like Brother from Friday’s show. This was their first day a of tour, as it was for The Endorphins who followed.

Moist Boy Photo: Blowfish

We've seen Moist Boy a few times before and they were a trio. This time there was an extra guitarist, maybe to beef things up for the tour. If that was the case then mission accomplished, because they did have a heavier sound this time. That was all for the good. They played their punk that seemed inspired by the early punk years and that’s our bread and butter.

Their songs were a few power chords topped with a nasal vocal. A lot of the vocals got lost at the Hong Kong. The PA is small and unless the band turns down the vocals can get lost, and I think we all know how guitarists hate to turn down. The drummer was very active on the drum set. It was a symphony of arms and drumsticks. The bass player was also moving around a lot. He played some basic moves with just enough added notes to shape the songs.

They did songs from their new EP Deep Rest which is definitely something to check out!! Here’s their video of “I Wanna Be Sick”, that’s a punk title if ever there was one. On top of “I Wanna Be Sick” they have “I Quit”. It has lyrics for us today:

“I quit
listenin' to my voicemail
and scrollin' through my Facebook feed.

I'm well aware the stuff on there is guaranteed
to sicken me
so I quit.”

“Shit Show” is about playing a horrible house show and the final song is the punk perfect, “I Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend”.

The EP can be heard on Bandcamp and Spotify

The Endorphins Photo: Blowfish

Next up were The Endorphins who describe themselves as psych/garage. We maybe hear a bit of metal in there too. In any case it was a creative spot for the band. They're from Boston and started in 2013.

A lot of the songs were simple and riff based. The guitars and rhythm section hit riffs in unison and it really worked. The two guitarists could trade off leads and they used a lot of effects.

We captured one song in the video below that was atypical. The singer/guitarist duplicated the notes of his vocal with the guitar. It had a lighter feel than the rest of the set and it got us hooked. The song is called “Misanthrope”. Here is the studio version on Bandcamp

They're touring to promote their new album Dementia Paralytica Here it is on Bandcamp (Definition of dementia paralytica).

Judging by the Facebook posts, the Saturday afternoon show at the Midway with Martin / Morell / Fredette, Richie Parsons, Randy Black seemed like a crowd pleaser. There’s a lot of talent there. We got the afternoon show the next day on Sunday with Steamies, The New Frustrations, State of the Union and Stop Calling Me Frank.

The Steamies Photo: Blowfish

The Steamies are led by Tim the guitarist from Chelsea Curve. In the Curve Tim does a version of the Jam’s “In The City” that is almost too good to be true. Judging from that we were hoping to get more of the same – and did we ever. We got a whole set of it. The group was pouring out Jam/English punk sounds that made our mouths water.

Early they did a cover of the Clash’s “Garage Band” and later “Cretin Hop” from the Ramones. Many of the other songs seemed familiar but we asked each other, “Is that a cover” and we couldn’t decide. In the end it turns out that they were all originals. That had us floored. One song was a holdover from Frigate which was the pre Chelsea Curve band. Well, we’re on board for this. We only want more. We’ll be there to catch them in the future. They are at The Jungle with Kid Gulliver on April 3rd.

The New Frustrations Photo: Blowfish

The New Frustrations don’t play in Boston nearly enough. Every time we see them we're amazed at the catchy songs and we shouldn’t be because they always play an ear pleasing set. They have a long history and the group used to have more members but we think this trio version has the best line up of songs. They mine the early and mid-seventies pop sounds.

They played their song “Radio Generation”. That song has ringing tones and lyrics that make you pine for the old days of good radio…long since gone. Another highlight was “Right as Rain”. both songs are on their EP Dee Bacle which is now sold out but you can get in digital form on Bandcamp. Every pop rock fan should have this gem.

They always throw in an unusual cover, this time it was “Telecommunication” by Flock of Seagulls. It sounded better with the guitar doing the synth line. They also did the Ramones “We Want the Airwaves” which was a companion piece to their own “Radio Generation”.

State of the Union Photo: Blowfish

State of the Union were absolutely on fire for this set. Their last album Panaflex Blue was rated in the top five of the year by Slimedog over there at Thrash’n Bang . And Slimedog was at his perch for the show.

The songs from that album, plus a few kick ass covers, has given SOTU a set to die for. We waited for our favorites like “Small Town Hero”, “Ring Me Up” and “Man Overboard” (from their first album) but every song has a well-crafted melody and hook. The band distinguished themselves immediately by upping the volume and the intensity. They transmit a sense of urgency on stage by making every second count. They covered “No Place Like Home” from the Neighborhoods (they recorded the last album at Woolly Mammoth with Minehan playing a little ).

They did covers of Agent Orange “Bloodstains” that had Joe Packard fist pumping and singing along on the choruses, and “ Take a Ride” by the Replacements.

Sandy Summers was hard not to pay attention to on drums. You notice how hard she’s hitting the drums and then…she hits harder. She’s often twirling the drumsticks. It’s not showing off, it’s more like her internal clock is so fast that she has time to do it amidst a barrage of slams all over the kit. Some of the rolls are so fast and hard they seemed superhuman. We moved closer to the stage just to watch her at the drum set. She is amazing. You can tell she just loves playing those drums.

Overall the band has found a spot where the songs and punk power meet and that combo should appeal to everyone.

Stop Calling Me Frank Photo: Blowfish

It was left to Stop Calling Me Frank to close up the show which is a spot they know well. SCMF are one of the most unexpected revivals of Boston Punk. They had their day in the early eighties and with a small 30 year hiatus came back to have a higher profile than before.

They started with “Whale Baby”, a long time fave, and ran through some of their other Rum Bar album material, like “Everytime I See Her”. They have their new one “Rock Band in King Tut’s Tomb” that’s a wild honking ride. There’s a video of that below. And they did the hilarious “Dash to the Haberdashery” which is going to be on part of a new single. Another new song is “Get Out of Your Own Way”. New material like that shows that this band is still in it’s stride 30 years in! Amazing.

The single will be the leading edge of a new album which was recorded at the New Alliance studios that moved to Union Square this year.

It doesn’t matter what band is before them or after them when STCM is onstage it’s a party time.

In the end we realized that we had seen four bands that all had sets of notable songs.

We loved the audience which filled about two thirds of the club. They cheered every group. You could tell they knew they were getting a great line up.

John Keegan saw Barrence Whitfield in Medford. Not with the Savages but with his band called Four Piece Suit. It was at The Porch. It's a restaurant club. It didn't seem like peole knew it was going on but that didn't mean it wasn't some great Barrence Whitfield music happening. Get the whole story by clicking the photo below.

And in other news.......

Justine and the Unclean will be on Skybar’s Rising show on WMFO 91.5 on Tuesday Feb 25 at 8 pm. They'll play some songs and promote the Whistle Stop show that's at Once on that Saturday, Feb 29.

Bernie Sanders gets a boost from Peasant Pete Casseni. He’s whipped up a song called “Here Comes Bernie With A Brand New Heart”.

They warned us on Facebook ... and it happened - the Rum Bar Anniversary at The Square Root this Saturday (2-22) is sold out. And we talked to Curt Florzack about the Square Root.

Thundertrain’s Mach Bell, author of the new book Once a Rocker Always a Rocker: A Diary will be a special guest at the upcoming Northeast ComicCon in Boxborough up on Rt. 495. This is gonna be Bell’s first book signing in Massachusetts. Mach is also slated to perform with fans at the Saturday night Celeb Karaoke Fantasy Experience along with the Amazing Kreskin and Xander from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV show. This promises to be a surrealistic event!!! Northeast ComicCon Fri-Sun March 13-15. Check it out here

Do you ever get to the point where you think Punk is your religion? That’s the premise of this book Punk Rock is My Religion by Francis Stewart. It’s a serious look at straigt edge mainly and it’s valid stand in for the old wearing out idea of religion. You know what’s not punk rock? The $165.00 price tag!! Paperback is $47.95 and ebook is $28.98. Book

Ocelot Records has announced that they are closing down in 2020. They are home to Oh, the Humanity, The Hideouts, The Dig and Psychic Dog. They're selling stock at over 50% off. Here’s their website: OCELOT

Here's a good interview with Dave Vanian of the Damned in GQ magazine " what 40 years of punk has taught him" .

Mark you calendar for:

Live shows in a recording studies are fun. Here’s one on Feb 29 at Q Division Studios with The Gravel Pit and The Mommyheads. "The two have not played a show together since the late 90's at T.T. the Bear's Place. Both bands have been mutual fans of one another since the 90's and somehow are still making music some 32 years into their respective careers...so why not play a show in Boston in 2020?" well be there! FB page.

May 8, 9 & 10 - Salem Answers-Night: A three day music fest to celebrate and encourage the arts, magic, equality, and diversity of Salem! (listings below)

Here's some good shows coming up this week.....

February 17 (Monday) Black Beach, Rye Pines, Proper Nouns, Night Beat at Charlie's Kitchen

February 19 (Wednesday) Randy Black & The Heathcroppers Plough & Stars Residency

February 21 (Friday) Set Fire, The Gala, Motel Black, Gene Dante and The Future Starlets at Koto in Salem

February 22 (Saturday) A Crash Course for the Ravers featuring Linea Herzog WMFO 91.5 - 1-4PM

February 22 (Saturday) Benefit for Horizons for Homeless Children with Electric Streets Queens, Loretta, Battery March, M.O.T.O., and Sewer Buddies - 3-7PM Matinee show at The Midway

February 22 (Saturday) Justine's Black Threads EP Release Party w/Two Fathoms Down at Atwood's Tavern - this is a 3-6PM show.

February 22 (Saturday) Rum Bar Records Anniversary Show with The Dogmatics - 11:00 PM, Muck and the Mires - 10:00 PM, The Dirty Truckers - 9:00 PM at The Square Root

February 22 (Saturday) blindspot, Baabes, Set Fire, Hands 3 at O'Brien's

February 23 (Sunday) The Gobshites - Performing Live on WAAF - Carmelita's Bay State Rock

February 23 (Sunday) Sick Minds, Skytigers, Color Killer, Nine Votes Short - 2-6PM matinee and ALL AGES at Thirsty First in Lowell

And further out there is....

February 24 (Monday) Rebuilder, Dead Bars, Oh the Humanity!, Towanda at Charlie’s Kitchen

February 25 (Tuesday) Funeral Cone, Vacation (OH), Alpha Error, Scare City at Ralphs in Worcester

February 28 (Friday) Scuzzy Yeti, Death Pesos, 3 Parts Dead, Blue Manic at Club Bohemia

February 29 (Saturday) DJ Easy Ed presents: Lynnette & the Sundowners, The Barley Hoppers, Easy Ed's Record Hop at The Midway for a 3-7PM matinee show.

February 29 (Saturday) Classic Ruins are at Tavern at the End of the World

February 29 (Saturday) PowerSlut “Fun With Junk” Release Party...AND...WhistleStop Rock Fest featuring he Chelsea Curve, Cold Expectations, Field Day, Heather Rose In Clover, Justine and The Unclean, Lockette, Kid Gulliver, The Knock Ups, The Shang-Hi-Los, and Tiger Bomb! EARLY show 3PM - Midnight mat Once Somerville. Sadly this will also be Powerslut's FINAL SHOW.

March 1 (Sunday) Fabulous Pisces Birthday Bash! Black Souls & The Sparkomatics! at Tavern / End O' World FB page Early show 5-7PM

March 6 (Friday) Mercy Uinion, Coffin Salesman, Secret Spirit, The NightBlinders at O'Brien's

March 7 (Saturday) Nervous Eaters, Ace Makers, The Manglers at The Square Root

March 7 (Saturday) The Gala, Muck and the Mires, Dangereens, The Downhauls at The Midway (night show)

March 7 (Saturday) Cortez, Mighty High, Test Meat, Bone Church at OBrien's

March 8 (Sunday) Kenne Highland Clan, Mad Painter, The Fools Agenda, Spaces For Two at The Jungle

March 8 (Sunday) 45 Adapters, Rockin Bob, Skum City, Faction Zero, The Black Snakes, Model Citizen at Niagra's NYC - FB Page for more info This is part of The New York Hardcore Chronicles Page series Back to teh Roots of NY HardCore.

March 9 (Monday) SkyTigers, Brix'n Mortar, Circus Battalio, Rage//Quit at Charlie's Kitchen

March 13 (Friday) Murphy's Law at the Middle East Up

March 13 (Friday) U-Ey at the Buoy, Classic Ruin, Crunchtime at The Square Root

March 13 (Friday) This is Night 1 of a 2-night Whistle Stop Rock festival in Salem!! Featuring: The Knock Ups, The Cold Expectations, The Chelsea Curve at Koto Salem

March 14 (Saturday) A Crash Course for the Ravers featuring Lucretia’s Daggers! WMFO 91.5 - 1-4PM

March 14 (Saturday) Dead Kennedys (three originals and NO Jello Biafra) at Big Night Live - here's the FB page- be sure to read everything you CANNOT do there before you go!!!

March 14 (Saturday) This is Night 2 of a 2-night Whistle Stop Rock festival in Salem!! Featuring: Kid Gulliver, Heather Rose In Clover, Justine's Black Threads... And special guests: The Dents!! at Koto

March 15 (Sunday) Anti-Flag, Grade 2, Doll Skin, Evan Greer at Brighton Music Hall

March 17 (Tuesday) Sonic Libibo, Duck & Cover, Skytigers at O'Brien's

March 18 (Wednesday) Randy Black & The Heathcroppers Plough & Stars Residency

March 20 (Friday) Wine Lips, Zip-Tie Handcuffs, Baabes at O'Brien's Pub FB page

March 21 (Saturday) Brockton Hardcore Punk Shows presents In Cold Blood, Departed, Sick Minds, Divided Life, Eternal Reach at Dylan's in Brockton. FB page.

March 21 (Saturday) POST PUNK II with Chuck Ferreira, Duncan w Johnson, Anthony Kaczynski at Sally O'Brien's

March 21 (Saturday) The Return of the Bentmen w/ CMB at Once FB page

March 21 (Saturday) The Knock Ups, Motel Black, Pigeon Man, The Runouts at The Square Root

March 22 (Sunday) Rodentt, The Doom Buggies, Classic Ruins - 3-7PM matinee at The Midway

March 23 (Monday) Crisis Actors, OVER (PDX),Loretta, Sticker Shock at Charlie's Kitchen

March 25 (Wednesday) Louzy, Pigeon Man, Hippocrisis, Wastebuds at O'Brien's

March 26 (Thursday) Waiver Wire, Scare City, The Planes, The True Jacqueline at the Hotel Vernon Worcester

March 27 (Friday) Hey Zeus, Labor Hex, Razorburn City at O'Brien's

March 27 (Friday) Loom River, Billy Connors Project, The Instamatics at the Square Root

March 27 (Friday) Little Caesar, Diablogato, Little Billy Lost, Pink Mahalares at Koto Salem

March 28 (Saturday) Downhauls, Motel Black, Von Traps at Sally O'Brien's

March 28 (Saturday) Bombpops, MakeWar, Pass Away, In the Meantime at The Hong Kong

March 28 (Saturday) The Zulus at The Paradise

March 28 (Saturday) WhistleStop Rock Festival Portland with Tiger Bomb, Heather Rose In Clover, The Knock Ups, PowerSlut, The Chelsea Curve, Kid Gulliver, Justine and the Unclean at Sun Tiki Studios 6PM start!!! FB page

March 31 (STuesday) Stubborn Hearts, Nowhere Fast, Lotus Kid, The War In Kids at the News Cafe Provi RI

April 3 (Friday) Kid Gulliver, The Steamies, The Winter Project, A Bunch of Jerks at The Jungle

April 4 (Saturday) Loser's Circle, Hopeless Otis, The Bad Reminders, Taken By Vultures at Club Bohemia

April 4 (Saturday) Dark Spring Festival Boston at Once "bringing the best of dark post-punk to Boston from near and far" Early show at 5PM

April 4 (Saturday) Uncomfortables, DNZL, Joe Division, The Damaged at the 13th Floor Music Lounge, Florence MA

April 5 (Sunday) The Grommets, The Fatal Flaw, Trusty Sidekick, Kermit's Finger. MC: Poet Jake Tringali 3-7PM matinee show at The Midway

April 8 (Wednesday) Mad Painter Live on the Heavy Leather Topless Dance Party

April 10 (Friday) Cadillac Heart Reunion, Crunchtime, Doug MacDonald, Loom River at Club Bohemia

April 11 (Saturday) DJ Easy Ed presents the Cranktones with Sax Gordon, the Fathoms, and Easy Ed's Record Hop 3-7matinee show at The midway

April 11 (Saturday) Courtney From Work, The Holts, Rawstrum, OTP at The Jungle

April 17 (Friday) FU's, End of Hope, Northern Skulls, & More at O'Brien's

April 17 (Friday) Dark Thoughts, Conmen, Spiral Heads, PCP + the Knives at The Hong Kong

April 17 (Friday) Appendix, Destrucktions, Innocent, Bloodsuckers at the Democracy Center 45 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge FB page

April 17 (Friday) The Dogmatics, Stop Calling Me Frank, The Billy Connors Project at Sally O'Brien's

April 18 (Saturday) Rock and Bowl at Cape Ann Lanes, Gloucester with U-ey at the Buoy, The Heavy Denims, Jittery Jack FB page for more info

April 19 (Sunday) The Undertones at The Paradise

April 25 (Saturday) Punk Night at The Office with Color Killer, Loser Birds, Jerry’s Got Jokes, Pigeon Man, + More bands TBA at The Office
121 South Ave, Whitman, Massachusetts FB page for more info

April 25 (Saturday) WhistleStop Rock Festival Western Massachusetts - featuring: Heather Rose In Clover, Kid Gulliver, The Cold Expectations, OTP and special guests State Of The Union at HiLO North Adams - FB page

April 26 (Sunday) The Macc Lads at Once 7PM doors. FYI: "The Macc Lads are an English punk band from Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. Self-proclaimed the "rudest, crudest, lewdest, drunkest band in Christendom", the Macc Lads used irreverent, foul-mouthed and politically incorrect lyrics; common lyrical themes were binge drinking, sex and fighting."

April 230 (Thursday) GBH at Brighton Music Hall

May 8 (Friday) Salem Answers-Night 1: This is a music fest to celebrate and encourage the arts, magic, equality, and diversity of Salem! 7-9 at Koto: Accoustic sets with Pink Malahares, Coffin Salesman, Jenn Lombari - 9:30 to close at Koto: Salem Wolves, Oh The Humanity!, Radio Compass, Bad Larry's....9:30 to Close at Opus: Marianne Toilet and the Runs, Losers Circle, Red Ledger, Hyber, Subourban Sunrise FB page

May 9 (Saturday) A Crash Course for the Ravers featuring Glider WMFO 91.5 - 1-4PM

May 9 (Saturday) Divine Sweater, Eagle Jesus, Louzy, Jailbait matinee show 3-7PM at The Midway

May 9 (Saturday) Salem Answers-Night 2: 7-9 at Koto: Acoustic sets with Live Nude Girls, C.Murray, C.Okeeefe - 9:30 to close at Koto: Diablogato, Brix'N Mortar, Hellbound Hitmen, Skytigers, Motel Black...9:30 to Close at Opus: The Gala U.S., Z28, The Von Traps, The Downhauls FB page

May 10 (Sunday) SalemAnswers-Night 3: 7-9 at Koto: Accoustic sets with Carissa Angelo, Opus, Vilanvs, - 9:30 to close at Koto: Stiff Propisition (Glamtastic covers members of Bacterial Husk, Sexcrement, and Brix'N Mortar), Master of Beers (Metallica), Aces High (Iron Maiden), Warthog (Ramones ). FB page

May 16 (Saturday) Baabes, The Knock Ups, Mister Vertigo, Motel Black at The Jungle

May 16 (Saturday) The Hi - End Record Release party at The Square Root

May 22 (Friday) Guilloteenagers, Stigmatics, Acrylic Killers at The Square Root

May 30 (Saturday) Stray Bullets, Duck & Cover, Disco Rice, Silver Screams at O'Brien's

June 6 (Saturday) Jay Allen and the Arch Criminals Record Release Show at The Square Root

June 13 (Saturday) Lyres and GLiDER at ONCE Lounge early 6:30-9PM show

June 13 (Saturday) Sugar Cones, Diablogato, Bunch of Jerks at The Square Root

June 14 (Sunday) Fourth Annual Out of the Blue Art Gallery Benefit FB page for more info as it comes.

June 27 (Saturday) Stop Calling Me Frank, Nat Freedberg, Brad Marino at The Square Root

July 3 (Friday) Andrea Howlett’s X-Ray Specs Tribute Show at The Square Root

September 17 - 21 The New England Shake-Up! Year Seven! in Framingham FB page

CONTACT US AT....misslynbgn@yahoo.com Send us your gig listings, your anything else ya got!! You want your CD reviewed?? Contact us for that too.

Brother Photo: Blowfish

Peace Test Photo: Blowfish

Moist Boy Photo: Blowfish

American Ethos Photo: Blowfish

The New Frustrations Photo: Blowfish

The New Frustrations Photo: Blowfish

Stop Calling Me Frank Photo: Blowfish

Tim - The Steamies Photo: Blowfish

State of the Union Photo: Blowfish