Mike - Hambone Skinny

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Cantab Lounge’s recent but challenging resuscitation was a bright spot in the live music community last December. The difficulties would continue in light of Delta and Omicron variant upsurges during the holidays and the start of 2022, with bands pulling out of shows and low attendance from the understandably skittish public. Not to mention some bad (and false - ed) publicity regarding some management issues. Despite it all, a great night was had with four locally celebrated practitioners of punk-garage-blues rock. Cold weather and icy road conditions ensured under attendance but those who were there certainly kept spirits up.

Answerman

Answerman bravely kicked the night off and quickly won me over with their unique mix of garage rock and early ‘90s era alternative moods. In fact, when they introduced their song "Mother’s Milk", I incorrectly assumed it was a Red Hot Chili Peppers cover! Nope, it was an original.

Doug MacDonald Band

Next up was Doug MacDonald Band, and the normally two person line-up of Doug on guitar and vocals and Patty Short on drums was augmented by a bass player. Doug and company’s garage rock mix contained a good dose of rockabilly, countrified guitar licks and even some pop style chords to distinguish themselves from the pack.

Shiny Beasts

Shiny Beasts followed and took their garage rock into a little of the blues and jam band territory. They have been a fixture of the live scene for awhile and this was, as far as I know, their first show since the plague.

Hambone Skinny

The headliners, Hambone Skinny, also re-emerged from isolation and took their two person line-up popularized by the White Stripes and slayed with some hot, heavily reverberated Delta blues and punk-garage licks with Steph F’s powerful, feisty drums. They’re now a Rum Bar act, a label renowned for its roster of raw, hard hitting rock.

Cantab Underground certainly had the potential to revive its old Club Bohemia standing, with such an outstanding bill that night. Let’s hope things look up with declining Covid numbers and better weather. I will certainly keep spreading the word.

Doug - Doug MacDonald Band

Steph F- Hambone Skinny

Mike - Hambone Skinny

Henry - Shiny Beasts

Mitch - Shiny Beasts

Greg - Shiny Beasts