The BGN News Archive

We appreciate people who book shows because we don’t want to do it. It’s a lot of work and gives us agita. This week we have an interview with Chris and Glen, the two people behind the booking team called Kids Like You And Me (KLYAM), on the occasion of their 10th Anniversary. We find out where they come from, what part of the scene they are involved in and what music they favor. Finally we go over Rama Lama Ding Dong which is the name of their three day anniversary festival. It’s July 11, 12 and 13, and happening at The Lilypad, Dorchester Art Project and the Cambridge Elks Lodge. Unnatural Axe are headlining the July 13 show at the Elks Lodge. To see the interview click the photo below.

Chris and Glen also are in Johnnie and the Foodmasters. They played at O’Brien’s on Friday so we went to check them out.

It's revealed in the interview that Glen worked for a few years at Johnnie’s Foodmasters (as well as another band member) and at the store they play oldies over the store PA. So, that’s what the band plays - oldies, like "Chantilly Lace" etc. They must have worked as butchers because they put those oldies through a meat grinder. Squealing feedback and a close of 100% dissonance was the general drift of the set for the first half

Johnnie and the Foodmasters Photo: Blowfish

Both Chris and Glenn ran around the whole club like it was their private playground. They sang in people’s faces, knocked them about and wrestled one or two to the ground. It’s obvious they were having fun putting a wrecking ball to those oldies. As we looked around everyone was smiling, they were getting the point.

For "Chantilly Lace" Chris sang into a phone just like the Big Bopper used to do. Glen was wearing an apron like a deli guy would. (Photo in the pictures below the show listings.)They did “Rumble”, a song that was meant to be raw. Their version made Link Wray sound like Segovia. They did cover one non-Foodmaster song: "Wild-Man" by the Tamrons.
About half way through they got more musical and that was even funnier. Then the character of the songs was coming through and it seemed even more absurd. “Duke of Earl” and “Going Out of My Head” were attempted. During the final song, “At the Hop”, Glen who had a small wireless microphone like an aerobics instructor went in the bathroom in the middle of the song. Since it was a doo wop number the acoustics in there were not unsuitable.

Tvo Photo: Blowfish

Next up was Tvo. They were serious hardcore. They coordinated their clothes, they were all wearing red and white, and one had blue pants, so it was Red White and Blue for July 4th weekend. The lead singer would jump off the stage at any point and run in front which precipitated a few moshers. At one point the singer stuck his head between the guitarist’s legs and kept singing: very odd, indeed. (Photo in the picutures below the show listings.)

The Cavemen Photo: Blowfish

The Cavemen have been around for a few years. They constantly change personal. We saw them at O’Brien’s once where they wore caveman outfits. Last time we saw them was at Great Scott’s in June of 2017.

Along with the personnel changes they change their sound. This time they seemed much more rehearsed. They were playing extended staccato sections. The heavy guitar stabs were sounding like hardcore Morse code. It was irregular and they were all in sync. It grabbed you. At times they all lowered themselves to the ground while playing softly to then raise themselves, and the volume, again. Nice move.

It was a fun night with some interesting music. All the groups had the spirit of punk. That’s what we love to see.

The next night we were just down the street at Great Scott’s for the Zip-Tie Handcuff album release show.

Daddies Photo: Blowfish

One the bill was Daddies from New Jersey. They put on one crazy show. You can see some of that in the video below. Their sound was not unlike Zip-Tie Handcuffs being garage/psych. They were much loser though which fit in with the lead singers out of the cage performance. One of their go-to moves was the use of twin leads. They made them sound big and dirty somehow rather than the smooth delivery of most bands.

The lead singer was dressed in a patriotic red, white and blue leotard which was open at the chest. He had your eyeballs. He also had your ears with audience pumping cheer leading in between the songs. It all worked and built up over the set. By the time they ended they gave a show that had the audience cheering and one they would remember for some time.

In the mood for some thumping garage? Check out the Daddies Bandcamp page.

Creaturos Photo: Blowfish

Creaturos followed with another garage/psych set. They didn’t have the stage antics of Daddies, can’t blame them for that. They did have a fantastic rhythm section. The drummer would go from fast rolls and busy playing to some sparse slams that he gave all his power to. The bass player had a wonderful deep tone that was easy on the ears but also resonated so you could feel every note. We liked the later half of the set especially when they warmed up. It all seemed to come together in their extended jams.

It was heartening to see a full club for this show. Zip-Tie Handcuffs have worked hard these last few years. The Headspace album was a generous 16 cuts. The new album Warm Shadows continues with their patented sound that was on display at Great Scott’s.

Zip-Tie Handcuffs Photo: Blowfish

The set was stuff from the new release. With the previous bands playing in the same general sonic area as Zip-Tie it was easy to see what makes them different. It’s things that all bands want to do: be tighter, play harder, play better and have good material. They are simply a level higher than most.

Warm Shadows Zip-Tie Handcuffs

You don’t have to go further than the first song on Warm Shadows, “Decisions”, to hear all of that, just like it didn’t take more than one song to get how good this group is live. They had the high vocal harmonies, that we love, all through the new material of the set. It sounded heavier than the older material maybe but then they added one or two sweeter songs where they take their foot of the gas pedal. One new song they did that illustrated that was “Restless Brain” that sounded very faintly like reggae. They had also several instrumental or near instrumental cuts.

They are such accomplished players that there was that level of enjoyment of zoning in on their instruments individually to see what they were doing.

The full club was all jammed up front to be close to the band. It was hard to get photos, sorry about that. We sat back and listened which is what you can do with Warm Shadows on Bandcamp.

John Keegan was at the Midway for Bad Expectations, Crow Follow, Big Giant and Smallest Town Ensemble. Then up in NH where he caught locals Bad Sandy. Click photo below for review and photos.

And in other news.....

The film The Cure – Anniversary 1978-2018 Live in Hyde Park London, directed by long-time collaborator Tim Pope is the Cure's 40th Anniversary celebration. It's showing in selective theaters on July 11. In our area that is the Kendall Landmark Cinema. That's THIS Thursday!

Rock'n'Roll Trivia is back! You think you know a lot until Erin and Brett prove otherwise. It’s July 30 at City Winery. Check out the FB page.

Skybar (Rising WMFO Tues 8pm) has Nat Freedberg coming in on the 9th to play some tunes to talk about his new band Freeloader and plug his new release The Path of Least Resistance on Rum Bar Records. Freeloader has a release show on this Thursday 12th at the Plough. See the listings for that. Freeloader, btw, is Nat Freedberg (The Upper Crust, The Titanics, Satanics, The Flies), Jim Janota (The Bags, The Upper Crust, Justine and the Unclean, Rock Bottom), Jim Haggerty (Rocky Velvet, The Handymen, The White Owl) and Charles Hansen (Gymnasium, The Handymen, Justine and the Unclean, Tom Baker and the Snakes, Rock Botton, Guitarist to the Stars and more...) WOW!!

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

July 9 (Tuesday) Some Kind Of Nightmare, Losers Circle, Nick Barbarian, And Live Nude Girls at Thirsty First Tavern Lowell.

July 11 (Thursday) The Thigh Scrapers, Baabes, State of the Union and The Laces at The Jungle 5 Sanborn Court Union Square Somerville.

July 11 (Thursday) 61 Ghosts, Thee Fightin' Fish, Pop Gun at Opus in Salem

July 12 (Friday) Freeloader is having a CD release party at The Plough and Stars. Who is Freeloader? Freeloader is: Nat Freedberg, Jim Haggerty, Charles Hansen, Jim Janota. Also on the bill the Savtones. Facebook page.

July 12 (Friday) Panic Throttle, Baabes, Lipstick Boys, Lewd at KOTO Salem

July 13 (Saturday) Day Three of the Rama Lama Ding Dong thing: Unnatural Axe, Nice Guys, Atlantic Thrills, Andy California, Johnnie and the Foodmasters at Cambridge Elks Lodge $12 6:30 PM TIX: https://bit.ly/2QoVVVV

July 13 (Saturday) Tiger Bomb, The Gala, Lockette, Gene Dante & The Future Starlets at Koto Salem

July 13 (Saturday) Fable Grazer, Karen Zanes, Joe Perry (SOTU) solo at The Hearing Room in Lowell FB Page

July 14 (Sunday) State of the Union, The Only Things, The Tsunamibots, Pop Gun matinee at The Midway 3-7PM

July 14 (Sunday) The Messthetics, Trinary System (Roger Miller) at Great Scott

July 14 (Sunday) Bruised, Funeral Cone, SAP, Secret Miracle at The Greek Club Union Sq Somerville

And further out there is......

July 15 (Monday) Black Kat Boppers from the UK at Askew in Providence RI. FB page.

July 18 (Thursday) Cruel Miracle, Blindspot, Justine & the Unclean at The Jungle Union Sq Somerville

July 18 (Thursday) The Chats, Louzy at the Middle East Down

July 20 (Saturday) Thee Fightin Fish, Warthog (Ramones tribute), Charlie Don't Surf (Clash tribute), and Meat Depressed at The Midway for a 3-7PM show

July 20 (Saturday) State Line Records night at the Midway Round 2: Hudson Falcons, The Sprained Ankles, Michael Kane & the Morning Afters, Dressed for the Occasion, Coffin Salesman

July 20 (Saturday) Spring Heeled Jack, Party Bois, Diablogato, Catbite at The Middle East Down - all ages!!

July 20 (Saturday) Dogmatics, Jittery Jack & Amy Griffin, Stop Calling Me Frank at the Back Room at The Burren Davis Sq Somerville 6-9PM folks!!!

July 20 (Saturday) Watts, Little Billy Lost, Tiger Bomb, Kid Gulliver at Once Music starts at 9PM

July 20 (Saturday) Thalia Zedek, GLiDER, Sara &the Scaliwags at The Square Root in Roslindale

July 21 (Sunday) A Bunch of Jerks, The Stigmatics, 1.4.5, TRiPLE THiCK at The Midway matinee 3-7PM

July 23 (Tuesday) Stubborn Hearts, The Essays, Street Milk, at the News Cafe in Providence.

July 24 (Wednesday) Brockton Hardcore Shows presents Hoods, Rhythm of fear, Trust in Few, Section H8, Fixation, Instigate at the Middle East Up. 7PM doors.

July 26 (Friday) Oxblood Forge, IL Mostro and Wrought Iron Hex at Koto Salem

July 26 (Friday) Diablogato & The Gala at Askew in Providence RI

July 27 (Saturday) M.O.T.O., Jerry's Got Jokes, Cook Bag, The Trades, The Runouts at The Midway matinee 3-7PM

July 27 (Saturday) Les Sans Culottes, Muck & the Mires, Fireking, Hambone Skinny at The Midway - night time show

July 27 (Saturday) The Knock Ups, Motel Black, Bad at Sex at The Jungle Union Sq Somerville

July 27 (Saturday) The New England Ska Summit; Bim Skala Bim, Copacetics, Hempsteadys, El Grande at Once Ballroom

July 27 (Saturday) The Hi-End, Classic Ruins, The Stigmatics at The Square Root in Roslindale

July 28 (Sunday) Joe Harvard Memorial - 5-10PM Middle East Up. Keep checking the FB page for updates and info

July 31 (Wednesday) Black Leather Lagoon, Poison Boys, Thee Fightin' Fish at The Jungle Union Sq Somerville

July 31 (Wednesday) Heavy Hands, Voting Yes, The Lightweight Champs, TIFFY at The Midway

August 1 (Thursday) Special Movie Night at the Brattle with Chet's Last Call: A Story of Rock and Redemption -showing at 7PM (in betwen showing of Rock'n' Roll Highschool) The Brattle Theater.

August 1 (Thursday) Chet's Last Call After Party at Once Lounge - 9:40 The Classic Ruins, 10:10 The Hopelessly Obscure with Cal Cali, 10:50 Randy Black and friends, 11:40 Esther Rose and friends...PLUS Lots of special guests - the 10 singers who are in the film will perform and Kenne Higland is the Host for the NIght. -- at Once Lounge

August 3 (Saturday) Rawstrum with Tensor at Sally O'Brien's

August 2 (Friday) Cleaver/Walker/Messerly (Of Wussy) with special guests Thalia Zedek and Chris Brokaw of Come at The Midway

August 3 (Saturday) Townies, Bystander, Louzy, Rusty Mullet this is a 3-7PM matinee show at The Midway

August 3 (Saturday) Oppositional Defiance, Red Mantis, Death Pesos, Wrought Iron Hex at The Midway

August 3 (Saturday) Rawstrum and Temple at Sally O'Brien's

August 4 (Sunday) Mid Summer Night's dream: Chris Brokaw & Margaret Airplanemanat Atwoord's 10PM show

August 7 (Wednesday) The Muckers, The Gobshites, Dori Cameron at the Midway

August 8 (Thursday) Green Piece, Sorry w/ slo-anne & The Callouts at The Hong Kong

August 8 (Thursday) Otto Records present 145 & The Thigh Scrapers at The Plough & Stars

August 10 (Saturday) Billy Connors Project, 61 Ghosts, Little Billy Lost at The Square Root in Roslindale

August 10 (Saturday) No Small Children, PowerSlut, and The Knock Ups, at Once

August 10 (Saturday) Muck And The Mires, Watts, The Electric Mess, and A Bunch of Jerks at Sally O'Brien's

August 14 (Wednesday) GLiDER live on Heavy Leather Topless Dance Party ! scat-tv FB page for links

August 14 (Wednesday) Deke Dickerson, Bloodshot Bill, Jittery Jack, DJ Easy Ed at Once FB Page

August 15 (Thursday) 1.4.5., Crunchtime and Glider at The Jungle Union Sq Somerville.

August 15 (Thursday) The Queers, Stubborn Hearts, Meat Depressed, The Parkwoods at Alchemy in Provi RI

August 16 (Friday) Cocked N' Loaded, Hey Zeus, Scissorfight at Great Scott

August 16 (Friday) Baabes, The Von Traps, Silver Screams, Lipstick Boys at O'Brien's Pub

August 17 (Saturday) Stop Calling Me Frank, Muck and the Mires, The Dirty Truckers Boat Party! 3:30- 7PM FB page for info and tix

August 18 (Sunday) Possum, Martin/Morell/Fredette, The Chelsea Curve, Tsunami of Sound matinee 3-7 show at the Midway

August 24 (Saturday) Waiver Wire, Bernie's Garage, Happy Just To See You, Extract 3-7 matinee show at the Midway

August 24 (Saturday) The Humanoids, Bossnova, Oxblood Forge, Renegade Cartel night show at The MIdway

August 31 (Saturday) A Crash Course For The Ravers LIVE Saturdays 1pm to 4pm at WMFO and transmits on 91.5FM Medford. This week we have RICHARD MIRSKY!

August 31 (Saturday) Time & Place, PowerSlut, The Daylilies, Lonely Leesa & The Lost Cowboys at The Jungle - Music starts at 8PM

September 1 (Sunday) A Bunch of Jerks, CRUNCHTIME, Zulu Lulu, The Black Souls - 3-7PM matinee at the Midway

September 7 (Saturday) Buddy Hally Birthday Bash - Performing two sets of Buddy Holly’s music: Evan Shore (Muck and the Mires) - guitar, John Sheeran (Township, Firekinf) - bass, Scott Pittman (Sugarblood Jinx, The Shods…) -drums, and guests Kevin Patey (Jittery Jack), Terry O’Malley (Stop Calling Me Frank) and more TBA! 10PM at The Plough.

September 8 (Sunday) Somerville Rock And Roll Yard Sale - Union Square - 11 AM – 5 PM FB page for more info

September 19 (Thursday) THE ZULUS at The Paradise FB page for tix etc

September 20 (SFriday) Priors, Black Beach, Far Corners, Andy California at the Midway

September 21 (Saturday) PRIORS, Black Beach, Far Corners, and Andy California 8PM show at The Midway

September 21 (Saturday) Lyres and Glider at Once (TIX)

September 26 (Thursday) Baabes, GLiDER, Sara & the Scaliwags, Lily Black at O'Brien's

October 1 (Tuesday) Agnostic Front w/Prong at Brighton Music Hall

October 5 (Saturday) Mudhoney, Pissed Jeans at Brighton Music Hall 6PM doors.

October 6 (Sunday) The Sinister Six, Martin / Morell / Fredette and TRiPLE THiCK - 3-7PM show at The Midway

October 12 (Saturday) Lyres, Tiger Bomb, Glider at Sun Tiki Studios 375 Forest Avenue, Portland, Maine 04101 FB page

October 19 (Saturday) A Crasah Coure for the Ravers has Richard Mirsky - 1-4PM WMFO 91.5 FM

October 20 (Sunday) Stiff Little Fingers, The Avengers at Brighton Music Hall doors 7PM

October 23 (Wednesday) Flipper with David Yow (Jesus Lizard) "40th Anniversary Show" at The MIddle East Down

October 23 (Wednesday) 999, The Clap, Vixen 77 at The Fire Philly PA FB Page

October 25 (Friday) 999, The Clap,the Parasitix, The Transmission Now at the Catasauqua American Legion 215 PA FB page

October 26 (Saturday) The Fleshtones, GLiDER, Muck & the Mires at Once Ballroom

October 26 (Saturday) 999, The Clap, The Bobby Lees, Blank Spots at Coney Island Baby in NYC FB page

October 29 (Tuesday) 999 & The Clap at Randy Now's Man Cave 134 Farnsworth Ave, Bordentown, New Jersey 08505 FB page

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

The Cavemen Photo: Blowfish

Johnnie and the Foodmasters Photo: Blowfish

Tvo Photo: Blowfish

Johnnie and the Foodmasters Photo: Blowfish

Creaturos Photo: Blowfish

Daddies Photo: Blowfish