The Man - Ron Belanger of Chelsea Curve

Transitions can be hard and painful sometimes. It can involve loss and sometimes unpleasant adjustments and this scene has gone through its share. But it can also mean new, fresh opportunities and revivals of older, once discarded ideas.

Well, the “Ron Voyage” show certainly was a transition well worth seeing. Drummer Ron Belanger of Chelsea Curve is beginning a new life with his family in South Carolina, so the band threw a rockin' farewell bash befitting his solid services. They recruited a bill of equally solid power punk rockers to blaze a happy trail for the Belangers’s move. Additionally, and smartly, with other great competing live events that evening (e.g., False Positives at nearby Square Root), this was a matinee event.

State of the Union

With a bustling crowd of fans, friends and fellow Boston rockers streaming inside, DJ Sherman (a regular for most of Chelsea Curve’s shows) spun some groovy, familiar and obscure, Brit rock before State of the Union addressed us with a hard-hitting set showcasing the trio’s muscle with melody. Imagine a cross between Mission of Burma and the Cavedogs and you’ve got yourself a pretty good idea of their State, particularly with guitarist/vocalist Joe Perry’s (no, not that guy!) dark, brooding but curiously uplifting, anthemic style along with bassist Joe Moir and drummer Sandy Summer providing hard punch. Check out their two EPs “True” and “Panaflex Blue” (both produced by the Neighborhood’s David Minehan) on Bandcamp.

Duck & Cover

Duck & Cover was next and this quartet of veteran Bosstown rockers nuked us with some punk power pop mutation pitched somewhere in the 999/Undertones territory! Like SotU, they worked with Dave Minehan on their recent releases, available on State Park via Bandcamp. Kicking off with “Out Alive” and finishing off with “Stand Corrected,” D&C members Chris "Brat" Wissmuller (lead vocals, guitar), Daniel Sussman (guitar, backing vocals), Michael Dominguez (bass) and Damien Pianka (drums) wasted not a note and brought energy and radiance (radiation?!) to the gathering!

Stars Like Ours

Following these back to back heavy weighters ain’t for sissies, and Stars Like Ours came out shining bright and ferocious! Fronted by lead vocalist/bassist Michelle Paulhus (late of the Dents) and guitarist Kristin Holliday, with Rice on drums, this trio brought a winsome spunky, sweet alt-rock edge to the proceedings. Watching them was as if you were transported back 30 years ago during the heydays of Juliana Hatfield, Letters to Cleo and the Breeders! Their excellent Rum Bar release “Better Every Day” was well represented along with old favorites “All too Often” and “Lines.”

Chelsea Curve

Headliners (and last year’s Rumble finalists) Chelsea Curve brought it all back home with a set of their fast paced, mod rockers and they ably wrapped up their period with drummer Ron Belanger, with whom vocalist/bassist Linda Pardee and guitarist/vocalist Tim Gillis had shared a glorious run wowing the Boston live rock scene, which would take them to tour England, get them on a Boston Calling show and into the esteemed Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble. They fortunately will continue to “Top it Up” and already have two shows lined up, one at Square Root in August and another at the Burren in September!

This transition was ultimately a happy time for all! Until we meet again, Ron Voyage!

All Star Line up of the Night

Chris Brat - Duck & Cover

Joe Perry - State of the Union

Kristin Holliday - Stars Like Ours

Michelle Paulhaus - Stars Like Ours

Linda Bean Pardee - Chelsea Curve

Tim Gillis - Stars Like Ours