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Willie BGNTWO.jpg - 5.73 K Ocasac BGN.jpg - 6.12 K The Late Risers Club WMBR at MIT Nervous Eaters pIc by Denise Donahue Johnathan Richman. Oedipus - for a while he had rainbow colored dandruff.
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The BGN News Archive

October 3,2016

Svetlana
The Svetlanas
Photo: Blowfish

The rock week started early with Monday’s Brian Young Appreciation night at Charlie’s Kitchen. The night was put together by Nancy Neon who is booking shows and keeping busy. The rest of the small club had no idea about the Appreciation Night and was focused on the head bangers at the other end of the room. They were Cosmic Bong Destroyer. The place was populated with a very young black leather clad crowd. There's definitely a Monday night scene going there.

B Young
Cal Cali, Jeff, Nancy, Brian, Michele and Mark
Photo: Blowfish
Headbangers
Cosmic Bong Destroyer
Photo: Blowfish

Tuesday it was a much bigger Royale for the 40th Anniversary of the Buzzcocks show. We missed all the beginning acts by our constant yapping because practically everyone we knew was there! The good news is that the Buzzcocks were in fine form the bad news is that the sound mix was so bad it really hurt the show. You could hear the drums and bass very clearly but the guitars came through only now and then. That Buzzcocks signature buzzsaw guitar never could be heard.

Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks
Photo: Blowfish

Still the songs couldn’t be beat. They began with Boredom and the encores were What Do I Get, Orgasm Addict, Ever Fallen in Love and Harmony in My Head. There were plenty of other greats. We saw them in this same hall, then called The Bradford Ballroom, in 1980.

Barbazons
Barbazons
Photo: Blowfish

The Barbazons called it quits at the ME Up on Friday to a full house. The Barbazons always seemed to get attention from the press especially from the repercussions of their previous name: The Fagettes. We’ve seen them a few times at the Middle East and in one of those wouldn’t-you-know-it moments, it was this closing show that they were at their best. The songs really come out strong in their final presentation. The vocals were at their best and the group, who were always on the loose side, tightened it up a bit…just a bit. One different thing they did was having two stand up drummers that were reminiscent of that 60s tribal/hippie sound they seemed to be aiming for.
For the first time we could catch Melanie's vocals and it had a lot of character. Hopefully she'll go on to another group...and maybe lead it.

Earthquake
Earthquake Party
Photo: Blowfish

Bong Wish started the night but Earthquake Party was the first group we saw. We talked about Justin Lally last week as he drummed in Beach Toys this night he played guitar. Earthquake Party is a trio with drums, keyboard and guitar. They are rough and raw the exception is the synth player. She was also in the Mardi Kings. She plays a small Roland using simple lines but they are measured and in time. This became the center as the drums and guitar were playing wild and loose. The songs are short, sometimes just a minute, which we loved. Justin had some hooks in some of the riff structured songs. In the end it seemed too ragtag to hit hard despite the energetic performance. Tightened up it would be a whole new ballgame.

Ravi Shavi
Ravi Shavi
Photo: Blowfish

A big draw for us was Ravi Shavi. They made a big impression on us at the Fuzztival. We’ve been talking them up to whoever will listen. Main man Rafay Rashid has brought a completely new stlye to the scene. It reminds me of the 60’s rock and psych collections from South America or Asia where other cultures absorb and play out their versions of USA rock. Ravi Shavi songs are throwbacks like that, as is Ravi’s performance. They were as good as, and better than, the Fuzztival show. The audience seemed to love them too. We’re going to give our recommendation again to see and hear this band. Other than that we just keep seeing them ourselves and telling you about it.

We've been looking forward to the Upstart Fest because of the Svetlanas who we saw in 2013 . They have a mock (?) Russian back story and the singer rails in a Russian accent.

It was an early show at the Middle East that they pushed back an hour the day of. Last time we went to an early show (Blanks 77 ) they pushed it forward and we missed most of it!

OC45's
OC45
Photo: Blowfish

We made sure we caught OC45 who did a tremendous show in the same place during their fifth anniversary show They were at full-bore again this day. They do some smart punk. They put some twists and turns into the format while still slamming it out with no restraint. The guitarist doesn’t just jump but does it while twisting 360 degrees. He’s ready for the Olympic gymnastics. The bass player is given stage center and pushed forward. You don’t often see that. Some people were singing along with the songs. I’m still trying to get a song to hang on to. I’ll be listening to their Bandcamp for that.

OC45 are simply one of the best local punk bands out there. They’re keeping it alive. If you like punk you should go see them.

Plastic
The Fantastic Plastics
Photo: Blowfish

Next up was The Fantastic Plastics which I just took as comic relief but others liked this duo dressed up like retro future space travelers…or something. It was a little Devo and a little B52’s. We went out to the front bar for a drink.

Svetlanas
The Svetlanas
Photo: Blowfish

Olga, the lead singer of the Svetlanas did her vocal sound check on the floor, barefoot. She never bothered to get on stage. She did the whole show on the floor confronting and diving into the crowd. She was always in the middle of the moshing in those bare feet completely unfazed. She grabs guys by the neck of their shirts, she tried to knock hats off and she stole a guy’s beer, drank it and threw to empty across the club. All the while the band was blazing on stage with a mixture of metal and hardcore and she never stops moving for a second.

Svetlanas
The Svetlanas
Photo: Blowfish

The songs were different ways of saying ‘fuck you’ and ‘you suck’ always with the Russian accent. Olga is always confrontational; in her stance, her facial expression and her singing style. Her voice is a razor-edged growling scream. She made it an exciting set. We still can't figure out if they are really from Russia or not. They take the (mock?) Russian thing and run with it successfully. That's part of what makes them compelling too! We saw them at the 2013 Upstart Fest which was downstairs. They totally impressed us then too! Here's a great quote about Olga's voice: "Olga has quite an unusual voice, kind of like an angry cornered mongoose" -Jello Biafra. I'd say think Tasmanian Devil.

Queers
The Queers
Photo: Blowfish

After a truly wild set we were thinking it would be hard for any band to follow the intense Svetlanas but The Queers didn’t have a problem at all. The Queers are loved everywhere and especially around here since they're hometown guys. It became clear that a lot of the people at the show were there to hear them. The crowd was with them from the first note to the last. They did their punk thing and it was glorious. The Ramones template they use of dumb lyrics and catchy punk music is a winner. At the end they brought the OC45 guys on stage with them and did a few songs with Shenna is A Punk Rocker as the highlight.

Videos from The Upstart Fest at the Middle East

The Fantastic Plastics

Svetlanas

The Queers

What a great show - we heard three excellent punk bands. The Upstartfest was a winner!!

Messaround

Photos of the Messaround - CLICK HERE

In other news

Here's a great video of Muck & The Mires Touring Japan!

WMFO’s On The Town with Mikey Dee show It's Weds 9PM--midnight. This weeks show....10/5 M 8 live

Looks like you guys in Provi have another great club opening Alchemy Grand Opening/Halloween Bash w/Jesse Leach of Killswitch

Just One

There are a million punk songs, this is just one.

A lot of people were surprised when Alkaline Trio sold out four nights at the Brighton Music Hall last year because they wern't aware of them. We were there last year. The group started in 1996 in McHenry, IL. They have had many personnel changes.
It doesn't take too long to peg their sound. It's not too fast or frantic. They go at a clip that's mid tempo and make sure the song has forward motion. It's chopping away at power chords. The vocals are understandable. The songs are well written and describe a scene or situation often about death. The vocals transmit emotion. With all of this cobbled together they have their own identifiable sound.
   
Continental is a song that shows some of their strengths. You can hear the vocal full of dread, sorrow and regret as he seems to see fate looming ahead with no way to stop the acts that lead to the heart breaking death.
The picture the singer paints is chilling. The man in the story is told to ' go wait in the car'. A simple request but is obviously full of bad news as he keeps repeating it as a chorus.
This is a powerful story of drug addiction, it's lifestyle and it's many consequences. One wishes the potential drug user could hear this song take the caution and not go down that horrible road.
The Lyrics.

Alkaline Trio
"Continental"

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

Airplane Man October 3 (Monday) Bob Colby Presents: Mr Airplane Man and The Land of Enchantment at ONCE Lounge - He will present occasional shows at this venue now...These shows are taking place as part of ONCE's "Taco Monday" series, which means two things: 1) You can have some great food beforehand (starting at 5). 2) The shows have *no cover*, but donations to performers are encouraged (no set amount, whatever you can do). Look for the big silver bucket, every dollar that goes in there goes to the artists!

October 7 (Friday) a special event down in Provi....at Darren Hill's store POP, a Book Party for photographer Bobby Grossman's new book Low Fidelity - The Photographs of Bobby Grossman 1975-1983. The book is a trip to the New York Underground through the lens of Bobby Grossman during the exciting time of the emerging Punk/New Wave/No Wave scene. BUT performing for this party is David Johansen!! The book will be on sale. also a Doom & Destiny Collaboration with Shepard Fairey....FB page!! and Pop page for tix etc

October 7 (Friday) State Of The Union, Watts, Pop Gun, and The Knock Ups are at Koto in Salem

October 7 (Friday) Quiggs, Diablo Gato and Tom Baker & The Snakes are at Opus in Salem

October 8 (Saturday) for those of you who were Ska fans- An Evening with Dancin' Randy's Ska Punk Time Machine at Great Scott

Fast Times October 9 (Sunday)The Martians, Reaver, Lion's Share, Injury, Chanticlear This is a 4PM show!!

And further out......

October 14 (Friday) at the Midway it looks like Craig Bell is not on the bill any longer MOTO, The Time Beings, Black Souls, Shiny Beasts Still an awesome show though!!

October 15 (Saturday) The Stigmatics (Randall Gibson's new band) will be on the Crash Course for the Ravers with Brian Young on WMFO 91.5FM 1-4PM.

October 15 (Saturday) Nervous Eaters, Fast Times, The FUs, Crimespree, & Kermit's Finger 4PM show at The Midway

October 15 (Saturday) Panzerbastard, The Crosses (Dan Kubinski of Die Kreuzen), FUs, and The Pragmatics at PA's Lounge

October 15 (Saturday) The Upper Crust, Hickoids, The Grannies & Devil On Horseback at Once

October 15 (Saturday) Grieve, Pink Mass (NJ), horrible earth, Psycho and Gorepedo at The Midway

October 15 (Saturday) Trophy Lungs, Choke Up, Bottlecaps , New Warden & Yo Ticonderoga at O'Brien's - This is Trophy Lungs LAST SHOW- Blowfish is sad about this!!

October 15 (Saturday) The Charms, Last Ones and The Flipsides at The Bayside Bowl in Portland, ME

Lungs October 16 (Sunday) Trusty Sidekick, Jiblantos (featuring the BGN's John Keegan!!), The First Supper and Last Exit To Palookaville - This Midway Cafe show is a matinee 4.30-8.30PM

October 16 (Sunday) Cosmonauts, Magic Shoppe, Rye Pines and Future Spa at O'Brien's

October 21, 22 & 23 (Fri., Sat & Sun) The Boston Rock Opera presents Hair at Once Ballroom.

October 21 (Friday) Fuzbrains Presents: The Time Beings, The Hopelessly Obscure, Glider and If We Go At All at Ralph's Rock Diner in Worcester!

October 22 (Saturday) Burnt Village, The Guilloteenagers, PowerSlut and The Dick Pics - Matinee 4-8PM show at the Midway

October 27 (Thursday) Panzerbastard, Churchburn, Ritual Blade, and Upheaval @ O’Briens

October 28 (Friday) The Vooduo, (from CA), The Crimson Ghosts, The Skeleton Beats & The Outsiders are at Koto in Salem

October 28 (Friday) The Prozacs, BarRoom Heroes, Injury, The Pink Parts and Whoopi Sticks - 4-8PM Matinee Show at The Midway

October 29 (Saturday) Cheech 20th Anniversary Show also on the bill Taxi Driver, Reason to Fight, Words of Truth, & Barfight Champs at The Midway

October 29 (Saturday) Growing Up Spooky - Music and movies from the 60s-00's at The Plow and Stars. The Dazies as The Exploding Hearts, Dirty Bangs as Nirvana, Glass House as The Jesus and Mary Chain and Bruvs as The Beatles

Proles November 3 (Thursday) The Proletariat are at Once: "After a 33 year hiatus, legendary Boston punk rock band The Proletariat has decided to reunite for a few select shows . Original members Richard Brown, Peter Bevilacqua and Tom McKnight will be joined by guitarist Dan Sanders(from the Providence band Idle Rich) and will reunite for a series of shows in Fall 16. The reunion comes on the heels of the vinyl rerelease of the bands groundbreaking debut “Soma Holiday” on SS Records." Tickets!! (FB page)

November 3 (Thursday)Wolfman And The Brimstone Boys, The Evil Streaks, The Devil's Twins and Damnation are at Opus Underground in Salem

November 4 (Friday) The Upper Crust, Topheavy, Gene Dante & The Future Starlets and The Hi-End at The Midway

November 4 (Friday) The Proletariat are at The Met in Pawtucket RI (FB page)

November 9 (Wednesday) Illegally Blind and League Podcast Present: Shonen Knife, Shepherdess, and Birthing Hips at the Middle East Up

November 9 -12 is International Pop Overthrow at PA's Lounge

Ankles November 10 (Thursday) The Goddamn Gallows, Gallows Bound, Tigerman WOAH, Ten Foot Polecats - Middle East Up

November 10 (Thursday) The Sonics will be at Fete Music Hall 103 Dike St, Providence, Rhode Island 02909 - Here's the FB page

November 11 (Friday) The Sprained Ankles, Stop Calling Me Frank, Spectacle, The Johns at the Midway - This is a benefit for Frank Johnson (FB page for more info)

November 12 (Saturday) The Welch Boys, Penalty Kill, BarRoom Heroes, Zero Rights & Words of Truth a 4-8.30PM show at the Midway

November 12 (Saturday) Punk Rock Flea Market at Koto in Salem 1-5PM "Come down and buy some records, some band and sports tees, some homemade crafts and jewelry" There's be punk rock music after 8PM. FB page

November 12 (Saturday) Presented by State Line Records. This is the music after the Flea Market- The northshore's best punk bands will be playing their second show of the year together. Local favorites The Tenafly Vipers and Quiggs bring down the house. Boston visitors Duck & Cover and The Warning Shots warm you up for the local favorites. Let's have a good time. all at Koto.

hasslefest November 23-26 (Weds- Sunday) 4 Nights! Jonathan Richman featuring Tommy Larkins on the drums at the Middle East Up. FB page It was an amazing night when we went in 2014. And for fun read our 1980 interview with Jonathan

December 1 (Thursday) Humanoids, Mam? Ladilla (Spain), Covered in Bees (Maine), Intheshit & Black Friday - O'Brien's

December 3 (Saturday) Muck & The Mires will be on A Crash Course for the Ravers with Brian Young on WMFO 91.5 1-4PM

December 3 (Saturday) Studio Two , The Beatles Tribute w/ Muck and the Mires at The Middle East Up.

December 10 (Saturday) Thrash'n'Bang Christmas Party at the Midway

December 10 (Saturday) Nicole Tamaro Productions Christmas Party with The Silver Mirrors, Legendary Rockin Prophets and + free snacks & swag all at the Greek in Union Sq Somerville.

December 23 (Friday) Raging Teens 20th Anniversary Boston Reunion! at O'Brien's (FB page)

April 22 (Saturday) The Templars (NYC), Battle Ruins (Boston), Shipwrecked (Norway), Fit for Abuse (Boston), Boston Strangler (Boston) at the Middle East Down And it's ALREADY sold out in September 2016!

December 10 (Saturday) Psychic TV are at The Brighton Music Hall FB page

CONTACT US AT....misslynbgn@yahoo.com - Send us your gig listings, your news and anything else ya got!!

OC45's
OC45
Photo: Blowfish
Barbazons

Barbazons
Photo: Blowfish
Ravi

Ravi Shavi
Photo: Blowfish
Plastic

Fantastic Plastics
Photo: Blowfish
Queers

Queers
Photo: Blowfish

 


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