Month: October 2012

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AM Stereo @ Radio 10.5.2012

I love AM Stereo. How much do I love them? I just saw them twice in a week and if they played again tonight I’d be there. This set of disaster rock* was to celebrate the release of Nicole Tammaro’s new rock photography book. I’ll have pics from Bands For Babs coming up soon.

* Boston’s finest since 1998!

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Mike Savitkas @ Radio 10.5.2012

Mike Savitkas played an assortment of heart-on-sleeve rockers to open the release party for Nicole Tammaro’s new photo book.* Sometimes all it takes is a one man, a good song and an acoustic guitar.

* The book is well worth picking up. Good stuff.

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The Upper Crust @ Davis Square Theatre 9.29.2012

The Upper Crust looked down their noses at those assembled at the Davis Square Theatre for the Crash Safely benefit. Their Rocque was more than the crowd deserved, peasant that they are. The Upper Crust delivered their special brand of noble debauchery in grand style.

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Sidewalk Driver @ Davis Square Theatre 9.29.2012

It’s the lovely and talented Nicole Anguish’s birthday* and she wants to go see Sidewalk Driver. Who am I to say no? Tonight’s show at the Davis Square Theatre is a benefit for Crash Safely, a group raising money to help end Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The band is pulling out all the stops. We’re treated to a tornado whirlwind of confetti blasts, addictive melodies, killer harmonies, wailing guitar solos, driving rhythms, high-kicks, hijinks and songs about Tad’s face.** A glorious cover of “She Bop,” the hilarious back-story to “Jenny Don’t Really Like The Boys” and a special birthday dedication made the night all the more magical. Is it too late to convince Sidewalk Driver to play a show on my birthday.

* She of Daykamp Creative and The Decals, who are doing a reunion show Thursday night at the Bands For Babs benefit!!!

** OK, one song about Tad’s face. The rest were about natural disasters, radio, dancing with friends, kidnapping and the wonders of magnets. Some of those may have been metaphors. Most probably were not.

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Triple Thick @ Davis Square Theatre 9.29.2012

Triple Thick! Whoa! I’ve seen their name on bills with some of my favorite bands since the Abbey days, yet somehow I’ve never managed to catch one of their shows. Boy, have I been missing out! Their killer mix of garage rock, power pop and early-Dictators-like-proto-punk is right up my alley. I love this band. Thank you Crash Safely for putting on this fantastic benefit so I could finally see what I’ve been missing.*

* Oh, and for raising money to help end Multiple Sclerosis (MS). That’s a pretty good thing, too. Seriously, go donate if you can.

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Thick Shakes @ Davis Square Theatre 9.29.2012

Thick Shakes rattled and rolled their way through a set of raucous garage rock numbers at the Davis Square Theatre. This reverb-o-rama was part of the Crash Safely benefit. Good rock for a good cause.

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Cotton Candy @ Davis Square Theatre 9.29.2012

Cotton Candy opened up the second night of the Crash Safely benefit to raise money to end Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This dynamic duo delighted the Davis Square Theatre crowd with a non-stop barrage of jingles, wit, nostalgia and pop culture references. This was fun.

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Fit To Be Tied @ Radio 9.22.2012

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: any day I get to hear a Barbusters tune is a good day. Fit To Be Tied was back for another go at the Joan Jett catalog. They made me a very happy man (again). I’ll never tire of hearing this crew cover “Light Of Day” and “This Means War.”* Throw in an everybody-sing-’cause-y’all-know-the-words version of “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll” and you have the perfect end to another night of revelry put together by Nicole Tammaro. Well done, everybody.

* I’m still waiting for Fit To Be Tied to cover The Hunzz’s “Rabbit’s Got The Gun” to complete the Joan-Jett-in-Light-Of-Day holy trinity.

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Gene Dante w/ The Other Girls @ Radio 9.22.2012

Last year, Gene Dante and The Other Girls both did sets for the Joan Jett Tribute night that Nicole Tammaro put together. For this year’s event, the two acts joined forces like some kind of hot-blooded, leather-clad, rock ‘n’ roll Voltron. Yowza.

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The Acro-brats @ Radio 9.22.2012

The Acro-brats brought a healthy does of punk rock attitude to Nicole Tammaro’s Joan Jett Tribute night. The guys tore through these classic tunes with reckless abandon. Like last year, Erin Wickens jumped onstage to help the ‘Brats close out their set with a bang.