Freeloader

Matinee rock n roll is all the rage in this pandemic era! Midway Cafe has been hosting Sunday matinee shows for a while, the Jungle has had their brunch shows going on and the newly opened Crystal Ballroom has had some afternoon delights a-happening! And even the venerable night rock club Middle East put on a mid-day event of three Rum Bar bands that ran from 12:30-4PM.

The club generally doesn’t open for business until late afternoon, so upon entering there was barely a soul and the doors were locked shut. But I managed to get the attention of the young sound guy who let me in from the downpour. Slowly the bands came trooping in with equipment and a few steadfast regulars.

It took awhile to get a bartender to start slinging suds to day drinkers, but with Freeloader kicking things off, the club instantly came alive! Guitarist Charles Hanson, vocalist/guitarist Nat Freeberg, bassist Jim Hagerty and veteran drummer Jim Janota served up some great old school hard rock in the Aerosmith tradition with Joe Perry style rip-snortin’ licks, big solid rhythm section and swaggering vocals.

Tim McCoy Rock Quartet

Next up was Tim McCoy (Watts, Paper Cuts, Heavens to Murgatroid) and his quartet, no strangers to good old rock themselves. The addition of a keyboardist gave them a little more of a garage rock vibe and Tim ably kicked things up a notch with his driving bass playing and vocals.

Watts was supposed to be on the bill but their guitarist was indisposed due to surgery so Tim played a couple of Watts songs he co-wrote with him in his honor.

The Hi-End

Headliners Hi-End really brought the house down with their AOR rock and AC/DC style, right down to lead singer Johnny Carlevale’s Bon Scott/Brian Johnson screechy vocals. By the end of the show, I was well fed with great rock and it was only 4pm! Hail, hail matinee rock n roll!!


And so the season begins!

Our beloved last old rock club standing, the Midway, puts on a holiday matinee banger with five of some of the most vital local rockers in town. And I, along with other funsters, are also enticed by free pizzas advertised! Food for rock!

Grommets

First up is The Grommets, a JP based punk rock trio. Upon the bassist asking the audience if the sound/vocals is coming through, I blurted out that it was “fast, furious and in your face,” which he instantly loved hearing and desired to be reviewed as such. And, unbeknownst to him, I was the designated reviewer and photographer for The BGN, so he will get his wish! Fast, furious and in your face, very much describes the Grommets, in a bright, upbeat, spirited way! They brought up the bassist's father to guest on one song, and covered "It Sure Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas." I don’t know if I agree with that!

Kermit's Finger

Next up was Kermit’s Finger, and with a name like that you’d think one of those quirky nerd rock bands. Far from it! This trio raised the feral cat punk of Grommet into bull chargin’ hardcore territory!! The power and volume so high I had to plug, which I rarely do at shows (I know, bad thing).

Instagrams

From hardass terrain to surf rock waters with the next band, The Instagrams. After a heartfelt reading from poet Jake Tringali, who did recitals between acts, they introduced themselves as the Lewds but transformed to the Instagrams tonight. They got down to business with some heavily reverbed/tremeloed guitar riffs, incendiary bass lines and classic surf drum beats!

Baabes

After a half hour of wiping out, out comes the Baabes. And, boy, do they raise the bar into overdrive with their intense, dynamic style and the outrageously exhibitionistic lead singer Johnny Brain Box, he just goes full-tilt Raw Power Iggy beserko while the band distills the essence of the best rock, glam and punk energy.

Stop Calling Me Frank

Just when you think it can’t get any better, however, Stop Calling Me Frank! ambles onstage to the strains of wind down listens and gets the party started again for one last blast. Most of their songs are about drinking beers and, appropriately enough, Santa Claus! Three of the members wore Santa hats. All that was missing was the snow and skaters. No problem, we can leave all that for the Hallmark channel!

Jake Tringale - doing the poetry interludes

So, all in all - plenty of thrash 'n' bang!! I went home a happy camper! Until next weekend…