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The BGN News Archive
Last Sunday we hit O’Brien’s for Boston Cream who are new but have been getting attention from the get go. They have members of the defunct Barbazons and Halleluiah the Hills.
You can hear the Barbazons style in the music but Boston Cream is more single-minded and cohesive in their playing. We knew that Melanie Bernier had the talent to be a front person and she proves it with this band. She’s the dynamo in the center as all revolves around her. Melanie's strong voice is joined by the other members as they get into their groove chants. Lyrics are sparse and repeated as the rhythm stays steady; that's their main thing. It has a 60s feel to it. It’s a psychedelic tribal chant at times. A good example of all this is Satan Is On The Way on
their Bandcamp
page . The entire lyrics are: “Oh! /Satan is on the
way./ Ooo, It's hot.” We'd just seen Mike Holland of the Dazies at the Starlabfest the day before backing Paul Collins. Mike was responsible for bringing Paul to the festival and we love him for that. We also saw Mike do a solo set at O’Brien’s a while back and in that format could see and appreciate his songwriting. That helped us get into this Dazies set.
They started with the punk dance craze song Do The Snake
which would make you think of them as punky garage. The later
songs however were more detailed with interesting guitar work
that elevated the garage aspect without denying it. It’s
intelligent garage which is a nice place to park your musical
car. It was an fun set, the kind that makes you want to hear it
again.
The headliners were A Giant Dog from Austin,
TX. We saw them at O'Brien's a year ago. The club at this point
was full of fans and they were up front and taking in the wild
show that Giant Dog is known for.
We just saw a few songs by The Salem Wolves. They usually play smaller clubs but their sound and presence filled up the BMH easily. They looked like real pros in the elaborate light and fog effects that all the bands had this night.
The Death Valley Girls say a lot of things like this in their Facebook page: “Think of Death Valley Girls as an acid-tripping science experiment that’s been buried alive, and resurrected as a sexually liberated dystopian chain-gang.” They're trying to be eerie and mysterious but dressed in a purple Peter Pan-like frock doesn’t get you there, for us anyway. It all seems contrived but they could play well enough. The bass player climbed over the metal barrier which was hard and getting back harder. The singer started to do the same and somehow ended up being carried by Brian Young of WMFO. It was fun. And the girls were outside later lifting their skirts and comparing leg bruises with each other - yeah, right there on Brighton Ave.
We had heard that Roky does his shows sitting down and playing minimal guitar. It turned out that it was true but the show was very good. The saving graces were the songs, the band and most of all, Roky’s voice. That voice has influenced so many people through the decades. During the whole set we could hear its echo in the voices of Kenne Highland and Jeff Connolly from the Lyres.
When Roky is singing about Vampires and Demons he doesn’t need any gimmicks like Death Valley Girls. It’s all in his voice. He wasn't just sitting...he was hardly moving....and not saying anything between songs except ‘thank you’....but when he sang he brought the goods and the band was spot on. You can hear for yourself in the video clips below.
They also had the required electric jug player.
There was a LOT going on for the weekend. On Friday Keegan
covered the Tavern at the End of the World. He
took in the funky duo of Ten Dollar Mistake,
new punk faves Justine and the Unclean and folk
plus Cold Expectations. Click for review below.
We got enticed by a bill that looked like fun: the Boston vs.
Tokyo Showdown at O’Brien’s on Friday. It was Jittery
Jack and Muck & The Mires for the
USA and The Melvins and The Fadeaways
from Tokyo.
We caught most of the night starting with Jittery Jack.
To us Jittery Jack is an indication of the quality Rockabilly
we have around Boston now. It’s Judd Williams
on drums, Amy on guitar, Johnny Sciascia
on stand-up bass with Jack himself (Kevin Patey)
as front man pumping out the personality. They play originals
and covers but it doesn’t matter what they play... it’s
how they play it. We could listen to Amy riff on for hours. She
also has a few solo records out. Jittery Jack always makes us
feel good.
The Melvins are garage pop/j-pop. The music
was loose with the exception of the bass player who was holding
firm with simple figured-bass lines played with a warm tone. It’s
not often that a bass line sticks in your head but she did that
to us. It came over as light and fun the way it was meant to be.
Then there was the runaway train that is a Muck and the Mires
set. It seems like there’s no start and no finish. It’s just a blur.
The playing and the songs are so good it always seems like the set you're seeing
is the best set they ever did but in reality they are all great. Every song
you hear you think is your favorite until they play the next one and you think
THAT is the best, etc.
We only heard a few songs by Greg Allen and the Fringe
Religion at the Spotlight
last June. We regretted that because the new line up and new
songs peaked our interest. Finally on Saturday at the
Midway afternoon show we heard a whole set.
The new group line up is a trio. That pushes Greg’s guitar
playing to the forefront. Curt Florzcak was such
a stunner in the original group that it was hard to listen beyond
him. Greg’s playing has a thick raspy tone. He chunked out
the chords and even better did slow arpeggios for variety.
It was hard to not notice the drummer who reacted to every twist of the songs.
Sometimes he just hit all the drums at the same time to pound out the emphasis,
other times it was rolls and riffs. He has great style in his drumming and in
his silver satin suit!
The new songs seem simpler and grittier somehow. I could hear some 70's
pop styles in there at places, along with so much else. That’s
the thing with Greg, he has a long and interesting
rock history that comes through to the music all the time.
He has stories of his NYC days that he’s told on Crash
Course for the Ravers that are book-worthy. Some of his
songs contain scenes from those days too. His song Elevator
Girl which is on their EP goes over even better with this
new group. Greg says he’s got more songs ready to put in
the set, but nothing wrong with hearing that set again as far
as we go. Greg played on the last recordings of Jerry Nolan.
Here's a clip
of an interview with Jerry where he mentions Greg. And in
a great turn of events Greg Allen's Fringe Religion WILL be playing
at the Out of the Blue show and book reading of Stranded in
the Jungle: Jerry Nolan's Wild Ride the new book by Curt
Weiss on Nov. 12. They'll be playing
a song Greg wrote when he was playing with Nolan.
Arthur Freedman was at the Middle East Down for the Cameleons Vox show on Saturday.
Also on the bill was the Way Out and The Milling Gowns. Photos below.
And in other news ....
For those who've been around the scene for a long time, the Love and
Flame show at the C Note on Sept 30 will be interesting.
Fred Pineau, T.B. Player and Gary Soprano will
be playing in the group. One perk is that they will be playing Rondy
Rush the song they did in 1977 when they were in Third Rail.
Then it’s regular Love and Flame members, the Count and Lady Caroline.
We hear that Smitt E. Smitty who is now ex of Fireking will be drumming.
Hey band members- looking for a gig?? Keynote Company posted this comment “Who
wants to play Boston in September & October? We have many slots available
at Out Of The Blue & Middle East.” So if you're in a band - INFO
FB here
The nominees for the Boston Music Awards 2017 are coming up
and here's a list of the nominees: AWARDS
Big news on the pop front: Bruce Brodeen is giving up his
Pop Geek Heaven operations. Bruce founded Not Lame records
and released many pop albums when the music world was not in the mood for such.
He’s been a continuing source of pop with his Pop Geek Heaven efforts.
It’s all over now. Sob.
Hey also, don't forget the Fluff Festival in
Union Square on Saturday 9/23 celebrating 100 years of Marshmallow
Fluff which was created in Somerville, MA!! I want a Fluffernutter
sandwich...it's only been about 40 years since I had one. Check
out the FB page. Miss Lyn went a couple years ago and had
an amazing Fluff creation in the cooking contest - Tuna Fish and
Fluff on crackers...the flavors cancelled each other out- it was
wild!!
Here's some good shows coming up .....
September 18 (Monday) The Martians,
The Runouts, Gant and Port City Saints are at Koto
September 20 (Wednesday) X doing
their 40th Anniversary Tour- at the Brighton Music Hall
September 20 (Wednesday) Kris
Rodgers and Soraia are At O’Briens
September 20 (Wednesday) a super-special
Rockabilly edition of Primitive Sounds with host DJ Easy Ed will
be spinning with three top DJs from out of town: James (Los Angeles), El Dedo
(Phoenix) and Skeets (Montreal)....All 45s... All Killer, no Filler!- its at
Brass Union in Union Square Somerville. Starts at 8PM
September 21 (Thursday)
Mailman Carl, Dead Trains, Hambone Skinny, Natty D's,
The Appleyards at Club Bohemia
September 22 (Friday) The Go
Set, Beantown Boozehounds, The Pint Killers, The Disquiets at O'Brien's
September 22 (Friday) The Ataris and The
Queers at The Middle East - this is an early show- 6PM -10Pm
September 22 (Friday) The Bushwick
Hotel, Petty Morals, The Fellowship of Feeding Wolves are at The Middle
East Up
September 22 (Friday) it's Joan
Jett Cover Night & Joan's birthday, at the GREEK - celebrating will
be Cadillac Foxes (featuring andrea gillis, alex necochea,
john sheeran, marc pinansky), The Black Pleather Daddies
(gene dante, scott patalano, jim collins, chuck ferreira &
on guest vocals: erica mantone, melissa gibbs, carissa johnson)
and The Carissa Johnson Band Here's the FB
page for info
September 23 (Saturday) Mother! A benefit
for Harvey Relief with A Bunch of Jerks, Lost Cosmonauts, Nice Boots,
Standup comedy from Jessie Baade and more!! at The Midway.
This is a 4PM show Here's the
FB page.
September 22, 23 & 24 (Friday-Sunday)
The 5th Annual Rat Beach Party is at The C Note in Hull. FB
page here. Lotta bands!! The Black Souls, Hummingbird Syndicate,
Greg Allen & The Fringe Religion, Highway Chapel etc.
And further out we have...
September 25 (Monday) Loser's Circle,
Mongorellis, the Scutches, and Blame It On Whitman @
PA's FB
page
September 28 (Thursday) Name That
Punk Tune!! Hilken Mancini is playing DJ and Queen of Punk Gilmore
"GtotheT" Tammy, Your Game Show Hostess with Most Mostest for a night
of fun, prizes, bitchin' sounds, drinks etc...starts at 7:30 at Once Tix
etc here.
September 28 (Thursday) Patti
Smith discusses her newest book Devotion (Why I Write)
Info and tix here
September 28 (Thursday) Stiff Little Fingers
are doing their 40th Anniversary tour they have Death by Unga Bunga opening
for them - at the Brighton Music Hall
September 29 (Friday) Boston Fuzzstival
Day 2 is at Once - playing: Ava Luna, Ovlov, Horse, Jumper of Love,
Bat House, A Band Called E, Lisa/Liza, Laika's Orbit, WEay Out, earthquake party!,
Mint Green - starts at 6PM (FB
page)
September 29 (Friday) Jay Allen
and The Archcriminals, The Black Souls, Roy Sludge at The Midway (9PM
show)
September 30 (Saturday) Brian
Young's ACCFTR A Crash Course for the Ravers
featuring A Tribute to Thunders with Simon Ritt!
1-4PM WMFO 91.5
September 30 (Saturday) Boston
Fuzzstival Day 3 is at Somerville ARTFarm(just outside Union Sq.) Playing:
Dirty Dishes, MV & EE, Loone, The Kominas, Sammus, Mini Dresses,
Gymshorts, Honduras, Steep Leans, Olden Yolk, Peach Ring, Boston Cream
Starts at 1PM (FB
page)
September 30 (Saturday) Love and
Flame show at the C Note in Hull Fred Pineau, T.B. Player
and Gary Soprano will be playing in the group. One perk is
that they will be playing Rondy Rush the song they did in 1977
when they were in Third Rail.
September 30 (Saturday) Tiger Bomb
w/ Watts & The Connection live at Bayside
Bowl in Portland, ME
October 2 (Monday) Cryostasium,
Rawstrum, Petridisch, Hannah Judson at PA's Lounge
October 7 (Saturday) A Boston Punk Rock
Benefit for Rosie's Place featuring The Welch Boys, Jason Bennett &
The Resistance, Pint Killers, and Guns of Brighton
9PM show at The Midway FB
page
October 8 (Sunday) The Crank-Tones
are at Atwoods. This is a 4PM show. Atwoods is a great place for dinner too!!
October 13 (Friday) Silver Screams,
Idle Pilot, Black Cheers and Psychic Dog at Koto/Salem
October 14 (Saturday) Rumbar Records presents-
The Dirty Truckers celebrate Jamie's Dirty 50th BDay! Also
on the bill- Watts, Kris Rodgers and the Dirty Gems and AM
Stereo at The Midway (9pm)
October 14 (Saturday) The Worried,
Greg Allen's Fringe Religion, Classic Ruins are at The Parlor, Providence,
RI
October 15 (Sunday) Refuse Resist
10th Anniversary Show! with special guests Disaster Strikes, All Torn
Up, Neighborhood Shit, and Cry Havoc This is a 3PM
start matinee show at The Midway.
October 18 (Wednesday) The Nekromantix
and The Brains at The MIddle East Down 7PM- Midnight show Tix
etc here
October 28 (Saturday) Tube Fest,New England's
all day instrumental celebration, is coming to the Midway Cafe - on the bill:
The Fathoms, Tsunami of Sound, SPF4, Matt Heaton and The Electric Heaters, 9th
Wave, The Derangers, The Spytones, The Beachcombovers
November 3 (Friday) The Woggles,
Muck and the Mires, Stupidity, Andrea Gillis Band at The Middle East
Up
November 4 (Saturday) Fireking,
The Billy Connors Project, Hummingbird Syndicate, Tracy Chevrolet
doing a 4PM Matineee show at The Midway
November 4 (Saturday) Loser's Circle
w/ Rebuilder, Dead Bars, and Settlers at OBriens
November 4 (Saturday) Human Sexual
Response at HOB
November 9 (Thursday) The Proletariat
at ONCE Ballroom w/ Siege and Black Beach
November 9 (Thursday) If you are in NYC
or can get to NYC Celebrate Stranded in the Jungle: Jerry Nolan's Wild Ride
the new book by Curt Weiss that covers 40 years of L.A.M.F.
and is A Tale of Drugs, Fashion, the New York Dolls, and Punk Rock. Also there'll
be music by with Greg Allen's Fringe Religion, and ...book reading, panels,
Q&A, guests, book signing. It's at The Delancey in the Lower East Side 7-10PM
FB
Page for directions and more info He's at Out of the Blue/Cambridge ont
he 12! see below.
November 10 (Friday) CH3 (Channel
3), The FUs, Silver Screams, Fast Times Punk at The Middle East Up
- 8-Midnight show
tix here Read about
CH3 here. there's links for tix etc too
November 11 (Saturday)
Hasselfest #9 this year has Pere Ubu
and a ton of other bands at Once- get
the info on the FB page here.
November 10 (Friday) Curt Weiss
covers 40 years of L.A.M.F. and is A Tale of Drugs, Fashion, the New York Dolls,
and Punk Rock in his new book Stranded in the Jungle: Jerry Nolan's Wild
Ride Also, rock and roll with the Thigh Scrapers, Tiger Bomb, Moto,
Glider, and the Lyres starts at 2:15. Here's
the FB page Also added to this show Greg Allen & The Fringe
Religion who go on right after the reading. December 2 (Saturday) DJ Easy Ed
presents: The Cranktones plus Easy Ed's Record Hop!
4-8PM matinee at The Midway...followed by......
December 2 (Saturday)
Watts (45 Release), Diablogato, Duck
& Cover, A Bunch of Jerks at The Midway December 8 (Friday) Rumbar records
is throwing a HUGE record release party of the new Justine
and the Unclean record Get Unclean....It's
at Once and there will be bands in the ballroom and in the Lounge. Check out
this list!: In the Ballroom- The Upper Crust, Hey Zeus, Tom Baker and
the Snakes, Justine and the Unclean ....In the Lounge - Cold
Expectations, Roy Sludge Trio, Pinecone Teeth and Jay Allen
- doors at 7:30 show starts at 8:15. 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.
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Vaughan Oliver, the artist who did album covers for the Pixes,
Throwing Muses, Breeders, and the Cocteau Twins is
having a show at the Lunder Art Center at Lesley College, 1801 Massachusetts
Ave, Cambridge MA 02140.
Here's an interesting new book: Do You Have a Band?
Poetry and Punk Rock in New York City
By Daniel Kane.…"(it) illuminates the connections of
Richard Hell, Tom Verlaine, Patti Smith to Ted Berrigan, Anne
Waldman, Bernadette Maye, and beyond.” It’s about
the punkers at CBGB’s mixing it up with the poets at the
Poetry Project. 
September 18 (Monday) Duck & Cover
and the Quiggs are at Once with a fake version of The Dead
Boys...no Stiv no Jimmy Zero -how can you call that the Dead Boys?? sad.
September 22 (Friday) The Hi-End,
Corin Ashley, Modern Day Idols, The Curtis Mayflower at the Midway
September 24 (Sunday) The Grommets,
Uncle Spudd, Kermit's Finger, The New Frustrations, Sewer Buddies at
The Midway - 4PM Matinee show
September 29 (Friday) Il Mostro,
Silver Screams, BDSX and The Von Traps at O'Brien's
October 8 (Sunday) Petty Morals
are having a Ballroom Blitz at Once Ballroom with a Flea Market and Art
Show -also on the bill Muck & The Mires, The Dazies and Lady
Pill (set times and more are on the 
November 3 (Friday) Indonesian Junk,
Justine and the Unclean & Gymnasium at Tavern
at the End of the World.
November 10 (Friday) The Proletariat
are at Narrows Center for the Arts w/ Black Beach in Fall River,
MA (
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