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The BGN News Archive
 There's a micro scene of pop punk bands centered around O'Briens, a small bunch of bands rotate on a bill. Sunday last I checked out one of those shows with Trophy Lungs, a fave of mine. They are a hard working band that tours a lot. They have a very personable stage presence and talk straight to friends in the audience. One problem for them is that there is a tradition of throwing beer cans at them. That's unfortunate.  The night was a celebrating a release of a split EP by Losing Streak from NJ and Offseason, a Boston band. Losing Streak has an impressive lead singer. He sung well and had some style at the mic. Pop punk has strong conventions like most genres but Losing Streak did some small tweaks to the formula with some change ups in the intros and that all worked. I left after Losing Steak, but listening to Offseason's 2013's EP Pastimes make me wish I had stayed for them. I've been playing that EP a few times and it has lots of energy and a few songs that are sticking with me. I liked them the last time I saw them when they did a fine Pet Cemetery.  There weren't many people at the gig. Other nights with these same bands had some slamming. But for me I felt like I heard some good music. 
You knew what you were getting on Wednesday at Church. A hardcore bill
was topped by Agnostic Front, the early 80's originators from the CBGB's
scene. The crowd was so primed for the group that the moshing actually started
before the music by about 10 or 15 seconds. Roger Miret the singer said
from the beginning that it was going to be a night of Old School hardcore and
that's what they dished up. Even beyond the group, what hit me was that the
Boston hardcore fans came out like they always seem to do for the notable acts
new and old. Church was sold out and the club was full right to the end.
 I only caught a little of Hammer and the Nails. The crowd seemed like they were just waiting for Agnostic Front for the most part. But I've never seen Church so crowded. 
The punks did come out to make a full-ish club for the punk lineup at TT's
on this past Friday. The Quiggs, who we
last saw in March, have improved. They play with more confidence and the
songs are developing. I have an urge to catch the whole set again!
 That same night back in March when we saw The Quiggs we also saw Duck & Cover, this night they are celebrating a vinyl release of an EP. One of the reasons we like Duck & Cover and the other groups Chris has been in is that they add some new elements into the old punk mold. This gig they are adding keyboards to half the set which are also present on the EP. That gives a more pronounced pop sound to the material. I liked it especially since it's underplayed, there's no denying the punk base. They were playing better than the last few times I've seen them. Chris complained of a sore throat but he sounded alright to me. The character of his voice stamps all his material, another element we like. The background vocals added a lot.  They are still around if not playing with any regularity, SPiTZZ was a welcome addition to the bill. It felt like going home to get a good dose of punk. Notable front man Tom was punk-tuating the lyrics like Johnny Rotten. I was eating it up. They did a medley of Christmas songs done up punk style. It was both seasonal and snarly, perfect. For a very short bit he played a clarinet....that was a scare.  They were stymied by a few equipment problems but soldiered on and the audience stuck with them. I enjoyed that set immensely and had a lot of music to digest and I had to give Bluebloods a pass.  There was one more show before the week ended and winter officially began and that was the Thrash n' Bang Christmas party at the Midway. Thrash n' Bang has been a great addition to the Boston scene both as a website and a generator of shows at the Midway. It's run by Slimedog and Andy who we meet at the door. There were more people than usual for a early Saturday gig (4-8 pm). 
Next up was the Pity Whores, on stage the lead singer
was cracking a few wise acre remarks about other acts and Slimedog, who couldn't
let it go by and answered him in turn. The Pity Whores were
a perfect act for the day. Straight ahead punk with melody and hooks and a jokey
bent to the lyrics.
 During the afternoon Slimedog introduced us to Nick Hebditch from Fast Times, the opening band we unfortunately missed. The catch was that Nick is the son of Nervous Eaters guitarist Allen Hebditch. We talked to Nick about growing up with a Nervous Eater, and a musician, for a Dad. Allen bought him various instruments to try out along the way but we were very disappointed to hear that Dad Hebditch has not gone to see his son's band!! Hey what's that about Allen!!?? Nick has gone to see the Eaters many times and enjoys them, we'd love to see the favor returned and hear what Dad thinks.  Miss Lyn was talking to Jenn Lombardi from Providence who we were impressed by when we caught her at the Rosebud a few years ago. We were struck by her up personality and strong stage presence. Tonight she had a new band called Lucky United but did some of the similar things she did last time which was to add older rock elements into the songwriting. The base is punk but the singing and playing will suddenly sound like a traditional ballad. One song ended on a decidedly unpunkish sixth chord like an English Invasion song would. Everything is stamped with her lively personality and outlook. The band did a cover of Mariah Carey's All I want for Christmas is You! The crowd appreciated the humor in that and had a good time dancing to it. It took us a long time to catch Jenn a second time but she and Lucky United are worth checking out whenever they come to Boston again.  Muck and the Mires, Daddy Long Legs and Thee Itchies |
As we walked in we were captured by Six Foot Serenade the last song
by The Radicals. (
There’s lot’s of good stuff on this DVD, it features a dynamic live
performance filmed at the Bradford Hotel Ballroom where the band opened
for the Buzzcocks in 1980. Ten additional videos are included in the
Muzak Video and Jukebox Gallery Sections. The DVD contains 16 videos in all,
with footage from the Bradford Hotel show and Cantones, along with photos
from The Rat, Cantones, and the Peppermint Lounge in NYC. And
it's a great selection of songs and performances - WOW!! Order yours now my
friends! 
THIS (Saturday) December 27th - Charlie
Don't Surf, Grenades In The Archives and Garbage Point are doing
an afternoon show at The Midway (4-8PM) all ages.
January 2nd (Friday)
Sprained Ankles, Bunch of Jerks and Muck &
The Mires are at the Plough
January 30th (Friday) -
Here's another Endation gig in town again!! We were blown away by them
the last two times we saw them.
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He roves and then rants.... Kenne Highland at Large
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