The Crystal Ballroom

Halloween 2021 got off to a great start with ONCE Upon a GRCB (Girls Rock Campaign Boston) Halloween show at the recently opened Crystal Ballroom inside Somerville Theater! I was instantly taken in with the elegantly modern design replete with chandeliers and retro chic art charm.

Deva

Most attendees were in costume, lots of skeletons. Despite no advance listing of the acts participating, I did instantly recognize openers Deva, the all-female tribute to new wave robo legends Devo. They regaled us with classics “Girl U Want” and “Mongoloid.” Conspicuously absent from the set was Devo's biggie “Whip It,” which due to its ubiquitous airplay sometimes undermined their cutting edge impact.

Wired for Nirvana

Halloween at the Jungle! Straight from the Crystal Ballroom Halloween matinee, I went into The Jungle for their spookfest for more kooky kostumed tribute band fun!

Kicking it off was Wired for Nirvana, who actually alternated Kurt & Co’s classics with Wired originals but amazingly it gelled quite well!

Gretchen and the Banshees

Then Gretchen Shea and her motley crew (oops, wrong band!) took their turn as Gretchen and the Banshees. Gretchen got to do a mean Siouxsie imitation, and played all Banshees bangers!

Spinal Max

Topping off the night was Spinal Max, and like Wired, they alternated Tap tappers with Max Boras originals and cranked it up to 11, complete with replica of 10” Stonehenge!! No dwarves crushing it, thankfully! I became its proprietor afterwards. It now sits proudly at Keegan’s barn!

Gretchen and the Banshees

Spinal Max

Wired for Nirvana