The BGN News Archive

Monsieurs

It was another early week show at O’Brien’s; Lucky United from Providence was playing. We saw leader Jenn Lombari in an earlier band Sourpunch at the Rosebud in 2013, now she has Lucky United. Jenn's previous band was sort of scrappy but you could hear some interesting songs, and her forceful voice and stage energy. All those elements are now developed in Lucky United. They were even stronger than when I saw them last time at the Midway at the Thrash n' Bang Christmas party.

Lucky United

   From the beginning I was struck by her use of the old 50’s chord progression (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIVSzFtTGwo ) in her songs. The progression is old but the attack and everything else is punky new. When you know what’s happening it adds a layer of insight. They used the progression a few times in the early set then the later set was straight punk. Jenn was working her voice and the set was a rave up. It’s was lots of spirit for a Tuesday.

City Mouse

   The headliners City Mouse, took the next set. They are from Kentucky/California and have been together since 2003. They play pop punk and well. The attention getter in the group is the vocalist who has a naturally husky voice that makes everything they do sound like you want to hear again. It’s not only the character of the voice but her ability to sing all the poppy melodies they write. She captures you on the verses and then slams home some catchy choruses and you are hooked. It’s not tidy pop however there’s lots of punk energy in the mix. In one song they repeated a few chords and the drummer did a slow burn getting louder with each repetition ending in a wild pounding as hard as he could deliver. Loved it. The set of catchy songs and energy filled performance won me over completely.
   Their song You on Bandcamp captures a lot.
   The other two bands on the bill Mr. Fahrenheit and The Murderburgers from Scotland sounded (on Bandcamp) like worthy groups too. Good booking for a Tuesday especially.

Richie Parsons

   This year’s International Pop Overthrow was four nights at PA’s Lounge. Thursday we caught Richie Parsons do his Honey and Tears material. It’s always mind altering to flip from the Axe performances to this. Richie tweaked the set list from last year when he played the IPO at O’Brien’s. A new cover song was Blue and Grey by Richard Lloyd which I always want to hear. Video of Blue and Grey by Richie Parsons.
   The drummer was adding background vocals and that was a big plus. Brother Cleave was doing his keyboard magic and Doug had some sparkling moments on lead. Frank Dehler doing the opposite of the aggressive Axe stance just laid back and did the melodic thing. I always wait for his bass lines in Love Letter that make the song for me.

Tripping Souls

    Tripping Souls are from New Hampshire and play 60’s and 70’s style Brit rock. Some of their recorded material has an Oasis feel. They were a big hit with the crowd of discerning pop fans. The songs were simple and super catchy and not a dud in the batch. The guitarist played crisp and crunchy leads that had a throwback feel. The bass player had the knack of playing the right thing. Sometimes it was a figured bass line sometimes melodic but it always worked. The drummer had snappy fills. All together it sounded like a classic older rock set teleported to PA’s for the night. They've only been together a few years. I hope they get a few more local shows, they are worth checking out.

Watts

   Then it was on to the steaming rock bulldozer called Watts. The set was similar to the last few shows we’ve seen. Full on rock, no ballads, no stopping and take no prisoners. By the time they end their set with the crowd chants “Radio, Radio”, I feel like I’ve been beat up…in a good way. There were a couple of times where they are blasting away and all four are singing too. That’s just a great group giving it their all. Watts are big - it’s just that the world doesn’t know it yet.
   At one point I’m listening to the guitars chime away in the familiar way and realize they are all playing with the small amps in the back line. Otherwise not their equipment and it just doesn’t matter. The other bands did the same thing. It’s the playing not the equipment – lesson learned.

Nice Guys

   Friday night at the Middle East Up was sold out. On the bill was Gymshorts, Nice Guys, The Monsieurs and No Bunny.
   Nice Guys were a fun loving off-the-wall group. On the first song one guitarist broke a string. On the second song the other guitarist’s guitar broke. He threw it into the audience where it was passed over everyone’s head around the room and back to the stage. Without an instrument he went into the audience and did most of the set from there.
   The music was ragged and barely held together but it has the primitive beat pounding out that tells the audience all they have to know. The lyrics are short and comical.
   The last song was dedicated to Andy Kaufman. It had the entire band and the audience repeating one line, “I trusted you”. They would jerk to a halt suddenly, then on to more repetitions. It reminded me of Flipper. I Trusted You. Hear more at Bandcamp.

Monsieurs

   The Monsieurs have been posting photos and videos from their European tour and they seemed to be ripping up Monsieurs-style everywhere. The audience this night greeted them with cheers and whoops. The drummer, Erin on the left and guitarist Hilken on the right and Andy posing in the middle like a hero…of what?...doesn’t matter. The set was similar to what I’ve heard before and the songs were the same but they have honed their skills. Their playing is tighter now. The beat and the riffs hit harder. Andy seemed even more emboldened in his persona but he’s always been so over the top that maybe I imagined that.
   It’s impossible not to be transfixed by his stage show. He sneered the lyrics and somehow made singing a weapon. In Kari Ann he brought a woman onstage and sang into her face and then down her body…you had to be there. He got passed over the crowd a few times.

Monsieurs

   The music is simple but structured and melodic. Next to Nice Guys they came off like Burt Bacharach songs.
   I left after Monsieurs but the crowd stayed. Both Nice Guys and Monsieurs are bare bones groups that involve the audience and literary dive into them. This audience totally gets what they're doing and that is such an encouraging thing to see. This is not prepacked pablum this is arty engagement that takes you out of your comfort zone. I would point this out to those who think nothing is as good as the old days. This was a night full of the punk spirit. If you aren’t out there seeing it then you can’t complain.

Hassle Fest 7 Review

In other news...

Andrew Szava-Kovats of True Age Media who brought you Let's Go to the Rat, is at it again....he's just released for his latest doc Women Who Rocked Boston. Check out the trailer here.

Brian Young has reprogramed the WMFO automated D.J. that they call “Rick Deckard”. He’s put in 10,000 new songs; and now one third of the songs are local. The web page will tell if “Rick Deckard”is playing. WMFO web page http://www.wmfo.org/

From Vanyaland - " Music writer and Good Road founder Brian Coleman is leading a team campaigning for a Billy Ruane statue to be installed in Central Square, most likely in or around the Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub." Full story here. To fund the project Coleman is making available Saint Billy Ruane T Shirts. Get yours now!!!

Coming up this week....

November 19 (Thursday) This is going to be a fun gig - Muck and the Mires along with The Ugly Beats from Austin and then The Downbeat 5 at Sally O'Brien's

November 20 (Friday) Caged Heat, Crushed Out, and The Facctones are at The Plough And Stars and this show is emceed by Brian Young of WMFO!

November 20 (Friday) at The Sinclair - Kingsley Flood is having an EP release party also on the bill are Bombadil and Grey Season

November 21 (Saturday) The Upper Crust return to Store 54!! Opening the night is a band representing the other end of the social spectrum: The Peasants. And here's a hilarious Jib Jab viddy with the Crust.

November 21 (Saturday) The Black Souls and Trusty Sidekick at The Tavern at the End of the World.

November 21 (Saturday) at Great Scotts - The Humanoids, Battle For Wyoming , 13 Billion Years and Meth Valley

November 21 (Saturday) Black Box Sounds presents: Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys, Beware The Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion, and Zach Stetson at Arts Emerson Click here for info and tix

November 21 (Saturday) Jon Macey's news band The Hummingbird Syndicate is having a 45 RPM vinyl record Release show: This is the debut show where the East Coast and West Coast band members all perform a 2 hour concert. We will play the new 45 single plus many songs from the upcoming album, POP TRICKS. You will hear an acoustic set in the middle of the show. We will do our own special versions of songs from our influences. This is at Hibernian Hall in Watertown. (Here's the FB Page for the event)

November 21 (Saturday) The Worried, Greg Allen's Fringe Religion, Two Saints and Charlie Don't Surf are at Koto in Salem.

And out in to the future we have.....

Lots of great stuff happening Thanksgiving Eve!!

November 25 (Wednesday) It's Thanksgiving Eve...what better time to head over to the Brighton Music Hall for an amazing line up of The Flamin' Groovies, Muck & The Mires, The Connection and Fireking!! WHOA!!Tix here.

November 25 (Wednesday) A Thanksgiving Eve party over at the Sinclair for the The Daykamp Poster and Photo Show featuring The Sheila Divine, Sidewalk Driver and Weakened Friends.

November 25 (Wednesday) A Thanksgiving Eve party at Atwood's with Jittery Jack and the delightful sounds of DJ Easy Ed spinnin' the platters too!

November 27 (Friday) Reddy Teddy returns to their hometown to play at the Unofficial Winchester High School Reunion. Its at the Winchester Elks Lodge 375 Cambridge St. Winchester. This is an early event starting at 7PM.

December 2 (Wednesday) at Great Scott - Brian Carpenter & The Confessions, Thalia Zedek Band, The Wrong Shapes

December 3 (Thursday) at ONCE - Guitarmy - a celebration of the guitar and its local luminaries - A night of guitar players, vendors, gear raffles, featuring - Lyle Brewer, Marc Pinansky, Alejandro Necochea, Matt Sullivan, Amy Griffin, Russell Chudnofsky, Catherine Capozzi, Charles Hansen, Chris Cote, JJ Rassler, Brian Martin, Tony Savarino, Scott Tarulli, Craig Adams, Eric Salt, and Mike Oram, Melissa Gibbs, Mass Ave Music, Q Division Studios, iZotope and Source Audio LLC. - 20 minutes sets focusing on guitar playing, raffles and more Tix here Starts at 7PM. More info here

December 4 (Friday) Kermit's Finger, Penis Fly Trap, Padded Hell and The Unstables at O'Brien's

December 5 (Saturday) Stingray Body Art is having its 10th Annniversary Holiday Art Show! Featuring works by Walter Sickert, Kristilyn Zombie Romance and Tara Ozella, Sponsored by PBR with beer& wine and DJLotusound. 7-10Pm.

December 5 (Saturday) Corrosion of Conformity with Brant Bjork, Saviours, Mothership at The Brighton Music Hall

December 5 (Saturday) it's the Weisstronauts' Holiday Show with The Weisstronauts, Tsunami of Sound and special guests at the Midway

December 8 (Tuesday) Rocket From the Tombs is at the Brighton Music Hall!

December 8 (Tuesday) The Modern Voice, VAT, Baylies Band and The Korps featuring Ken Kaiser and Kenne Highland at The Midway

December 11 (Friday) Excellent show with Black Cheers, Silver Screams, and Darker Hues at the Greeks in Union Sq Somerville. FB Page here.

December 12 (Saturday) its the 4th Annual Punks for Tots show at the Dover Brickhouse in Dover, NH. Bring an unwrapped toy or 2 canned goods and you get in for free! The Guts (reunion), Genuine Rust, Whiskey Kill, Jimmy Jacked, Diablogato FB event page

December 12 (Saturday) The Neighborhoods are down in RI again, this time at The Met in Pawtucket. (Here;s the fb page) (Buy tix here)

December 13 (Sunday) The Rockin' Holiday Flea Market and Bloody Mary Bash (formerly at TT's) is now at Once (Cuisine en Locale) There'll be Vintage clothing + Collectibles, Tons of rare vinyl records, Knick Knacks, Jewelry, Homemade snacks, Music Memorabilia, Cool Holiday Gift Ideas, If you're looking for it, chances are you'll find it there. ...and of course the Bloody Marys!! It all takes place from 11AM to 6PM

December 13 (Sunday) and then there were two!! another Holiday Flea Market - this one Black Market, is by Boston Hassle: everything from secondhand to handmade including artwork, zines, records, body care, baked goods, books, patches, pins, T-shirts, leather goods, knits, woodwork, pottery, vintage clothing, jewelry, tea, astrology readings & MORE!! 11AM- 5PM at the Cambridge Community Center. More info here.

December 18 (Friday) The Rationales, When Particles Collide, The Static Dynamic and Stars Like Ours are at Great Scott

December 19 (Saturday) A Crash Course For The Ravers featuring DiabloGato. That's 1-4PM WMFO 95.1 on your radio dial.

December 19 (Saturday) The Figgs and The Upper Crust are at Great Scott

This year the Might Mighty Bosstones have decided their shows should feature all old school Boston garage and punk bands!! This is a AWESOME and most wonderful idea!! Here are the line ups:

December 26 (Saturday) Hometown Throw Down with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Neighborhoods and The Upper Crust at the House of Blues
December 27 (Sunday) Hometown Throw Down with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Real Kids and The Queers at the House of Blues

December 28 (Monday) Hometown Throw Down with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Outlets and Stranglehold at the House of Blues

January 2 (Saturday) The Petty Morals celebrate their newly released EP Marked Women at Great Scott along with The Organ Beats, Watts, and Stars Like Ours

January 29 (Friday) The Dictators - NATUR - Neutral Nation are at The Parlor Newport, Newport RI (FB page for mroe info)

January 30 (Saturday) The Dictators - Lenny Lashley's Gang of One - Nick and the Adversaries - Neutral Nation are at Great Scotts BUY TIX here

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

City Mouse

Watts

David Bash intros the Tripping Souls at IPO