Jay Allen’s 60th Birthday Bash

The “C” word: Community, came up frequently at the big Jay Allen bday bash at the French Club in scenic Waltham. Other words like “we”, “church” and “rock” were not far behind. A microscopic symbiote had infiltrated our biology and put us in fear of community. It makes sense, that as we learn to outsmart the nasty critter, that we celebrate the return of community.

I guess that makes Jay Allen a pillar of the community. After we mourned the losses of Asa Brebner and Trick Wallace, it is uplifting to celebrate community in the name of someone who is still actively with us. Between his faulty 'Toaster Oven,' his 'Balls Trilogy' and his Spanky and Our Gang, Froggy rasp, Jay and his Arch Criminals are the epitome of DYI Boston rock – and the vibrant, supportive community they represent.

The French Club house is full. Blue Ribbon BBQ keeps our belly’s full, the drinks are cheap and strong, and the mix of hard rockin’ bands - all doing short sets that concentrated their best schtuff – kicks ass. A big buzz buzz bounces around the room. All are tributes to Jay’s one-of-a-kind personality and his linchpin status in the local rawk community. Jay also donated significant change to both the Jimmy Fund and Smile Train.

Given the number of bands, and the fact that everyone and their mother was in the crowd, I’ll spare you the minutia of a set-by-set breakdown. Suffice to say that no one left anything on stage. The dancing – especially by those two little girls – is shake your partner do-si-do.

I was into the crowd shots to the point that the Unclean and Baker’s Double Down crew were saying goodnight before I made it back to the stage. I can only hope that Blowfish and Miss Lyn are swayed by my swept up in “community” argument and forgive me. Mea Culpa! The shots are in the attached slide show. If you want a copy of a specific shot hit me up in one of the usual places and we’ll send you a copy.

On this night we are truly all in this community together and, know what, you can’t beat that.

Editor's note: Don't worry John we too are about community! So we love to see the 'people' shots. We have a big, loving community of rockers here and we at The BGN love it. I mean that's why we do what we do!! Happy Birthday to Jay with many more to come!