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The BGN News Archive
April 6, 2015
Wednesday was another bill put together by Illegally Blind at the Middle East. Black Beach who I’ve seen several times lately was on the bill and like other shows the light show was an effective mood enhancer. They generated a whirlwind of psych rock. The rhythm section keeps a steady pulse as the guitarist digs deep and shovels out the distorted solos. Each song picks you up and takes you for a ride. Looking for something new and rocking? These are the guys.
The following group was Babes a trio from New Orleans. The guitarist was in a cape and the singer/keyboard player put a cloth over his head and had a veil covering his face. The veil soon came off revealing his face covered in white makeup. Soon afterward his shirt came off too. The music however was not compelling. It was very basic playing that couldn’t parley with the stage antics to make something bigger. I didn’t see the other groups but the room was on the full side and they were there before me and were staying after me. It’s a good bill that can do that on a Wednesday.
Friday was a familiar situation – the Midway and the Real Kids. The lineup earned a "Sold Out" sign on the door. Classic Ruins we missed, and Stop Calling Me Frank we didn’t give attention to because of our yapping.
The Monsieurs get your attention; they demand your attention or maybe a flying chair, microphone or full beer glass thrown to the floor will. All of that happened during the sideshow that made up this set. First off Erin the stand up drummer and Hilken Mancini the guitarist pump out a thumping distorted swirl then Andy McBain takes an offensive stance and launches the lyrics like a threat. I never quite got the lyrics but one got the idea that he was really mad all the time but then you could hear real melodies, catchy melodies even that seemed to belie the anger. By the end of the set I knew I would have to get their CD and give it a listen.
Andy's antics were something to see: He’s singing hanging from a pipe,
sitting in a chair with legs spread out, lounging fashion. He pumps the microphone
stand like it’s a spear. He sticks his head in a woman’s cleavage.
He flops limp into some people who have to lift him up and get him back on stage….it
goes on and on. What a laugh. You feel the energy! When it’s over you felt
like you had gone through the ringer.
On another night I would have left then but this night has the Real Kids.
In 1977 one of the biggest kicks was seeing the Real Kids.
In 2015 one of our biggest kicks is seeing the Real Kids. It just hasn’t
changed. The center that has the sound and soul of what we think of as the Real
Kids is still there; unbelievable but true.
One new fave is All Night Boppin’. On that Dickie
digs into a walking bass line and carries the song almost single handedly. You
could imagine just him playing and the vocals and that would be fine. Dickie
is having a great night, he’s in the pocket all the time. John is looking good and seems very strong. And he's
smiling too! His playing at the end of the generous set is as strong as the
beginning. Billy and John are what you pay attention to. Their guitar interplay
is the cornerstone of the RK sound which you can graphically see during their
cover of Baby Blue as they work their way through the riffs and the singing.
Billy playing the 12 string for a few songs is a highlight. Saturday was another case of catching up with people and groups we haven’t seen in two wintery months.
James Straight and the Wide Stance hadn’t been able to even get to practice because of the snow but sounded comfortable and together doing their off center and acerbic musical diatribes. Joe Fagan was playing guitar under his leg then on a chair. Singer James Straight was as always the engaging front man bringing home the intelligent lyrics. Most of the material was from their representative CD but the last song was a new one called Sex with Lou and that was a standout. One assumes it’s about Lou Miami. It was exciting getting something that good out of the blue. I immediately want it recorded and played on the radio.
I was talking to the group members and a few people in between the sets in the full club. I was catching up with Chuck “Angel” Myra Cadillac Heart’s drummer, was sitting out from a knee operation. Like me Chuck goes was back, beyond punk, to the Boston music scene in the mid-sixties. Richee Johnson was playing drums with the Hearts tonight. I not only like the Cadillac Hearts' music I like the whole idea of the group; the fact that these musicians from the first days of Boston Punk are still playing and writing new songs making them a creative force now. They play mostly Billy Connor’s songs including Ecstasy, the one the Paley Brothers Recorded. Richee plays clean with lots of crisp punctuations. There is a lot to listen to just there. Off in the corner but lively is Gary Soprano feeding the tastiest licks into the mix with an off handed manner that belies his complete control of his instrument. He did this way back with Third Rail, which reminds me – what’s going on with Third Rail and Richard Nolan? I’m satisfied with those two groups but there’s two more to come and the club is full. People are coming out. The Real Kids gig was sold out. The OC45 gig the next day at Midway was sold out. Joanie Lindstrom said on the Late Risers Club that she has never seen so many sold out show already coming up. I’m taking the hint and buying tickets in advance when I can.
We also checked out the scene at Store 54's 4th Anniversary Cocktail and Dance Party. Brother Cleve was busy at the DJ station on stage keeping the music going all night. There was a nice mix of people from the older scene and a lot of young hipsters. This place is popular and it's great that its popular across the board of age groups and scenes - congrartulations to Wayne Viens on a job well done!!
Not by Rock Alone - Steve Reich and Laurie Anderson
lecture reviews |
So with that said.....here are some shows that are happening this week....
April 19 (Sunday)
It's The 5th Annual Hard Core Cotillion...with Gang Green, Antagonizers
ATL, Drug Shock and "Special Guests" (who they'll announce after
3/17!) and Rockin Bob (Cenci) and The BarRoom Heroes. This is
an All Ages 3PM afternoon show.
May 6 (Wednesday) here's
one to put in your calendars my friends: The Meatmen, Against the Grain
and The Humanoids at the Middle East upstairs....(UP???
They sold out the downstairs last time!!) anyway here's the 
May 22 (Friday)-
You have been warned - Book the flight now: Sleep Chamber!! Doing their
only show in 34 years in Tel Aviv, Israel at UTC+02. Not only is this their
first show in 34 years -
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He roves and then rants.... Kenne Highland at Large
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