Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
The sounds of Plume’s prog/psych blend swirled around the basement of The Cantab as I snapped a few photos.
Cribbage brought the commotion and the instrument rotation to The Cantab.
Nicole Tammaro once commented: “Dirty Truckers shows are fun. Everybody plays. Everybody gets up on stage.”
The Dirty Truckers show at Radio was fun. Everybody played. Everybody got on stage.
Watts was the seventh band to play at Radio. When they performed their song “Radio”, they became the fourth band to perform a song with the club’s name in the title.
I posted this little tidbit on Facebook.* The next day I saw a comment from Wattsman Dan Kopko asking “Yes, but how many of those bands have a song entitled ‘Radio’?” I informed him that the answer to his inquiry was three.** Everybody chuckled.
This has to be some kind of good omen for the club.***
* Hey! Did you know that Daykamp Music has a Facebook page? Go like it. I’ll wait here.
** Sidewalk Driver, The Rationales and, of course, Watts all played their own songs called “Radio”. AM Stereo played their song “Southern Rock Radio”. Unfortunately, no one covered Elvis Costello.
*** And/or clever booking by Ashley Willard.
*AM Stereo are criminally underrated. Their sound is cut from the same cloth as The Replacements, but ends up coming off more like Superdrag meets Superchunk. Superdrunk, if you will. Just listen to the songs. “Drink Club”, “Money Store”, “The Company Line”… damn, there are so many great ones. They’ve got meaning and still manage to knock you silly. I love these guys.
Oh, they also played their song “Southern Rock Radio”, making them the third act in Radio’s young history to play a song with the club’s name in the title. Remember this when we talk about Watts’ set from this night…
* Purveyors of Boston’s finest disaster rock since 1998.
This is my first time seeing Brownboot. When I wrote about their record back in June, I mentioned that their sound reminds me Humble Pie. Well, here I am at night number two of Radio’s existence and Brownboot is covering “30 Days In The Hole”.
I love it when a plan comes together.
Miskatonic
Favorite Records
2008
Miskatonic is breaking up soon, but in 2008 they brought us another EP of synth-happy new wave inspired power pop. This three song effort sounds and feels very much like their debut full length, Let Us Entertain Us. If you liked that record, you’ll like this EP.
“Favorite Records” is the standout track. The song is infections, with snappy drums, pop culture references and a sing-along chorus. There’s also some cool interplay between the guitar and keyboard. Vocalist Elizabeth Firger seems more confident on this EP than on Let Us Entertain Us. The darker “Sudden Silence” has a cool ending that works well with the song. “Taunt” closes out the EP, showcasing some nice contrast between the verse and chorus.
Where to get it:
John Powhida International Airport closed out opening night at Radio. J-Po brought along an entirely different flight crew since the last time I saw him.* One thing remains constant**; you can’t swing a funny bunny on stage at a JPX show without hitting a talented musician.
Also worth noting: Radio is awesome! Congrats to everyone who helped get the place off the ground (including owners Aimee McGrath and Josh Banville and booking agent Ashley Willard).
* Come to think of it, both Rudds shows I’ve seen this year had entirely different line-ups.
** You know, besides Mr. Powhida himself. So I guess two things. Oh, and the songs. Three things. Everything else changed, though. I think. I’m not so sure anymore.
[INTERIOR – SIDEWALK DRIVER PRACTICE SPACE]
KATE: I’ve got this awesome new song I want to teach you guys.
JARED: Remember that time I used Richard Bouchard’s face as a slide? How great was that?!?! And I jumped off of A.J.’s kick drum.
KATE: Speaking of A.J., where is he?
JOHN: He’s going to be a little late. The Rolex folks needed him to swing by the factory so they could set their watches to him.
TAD: Has anyone seen the Sparkle Fairies? I can’t seem to find them.
KATE, JARED, JOHN: Not again!
[LAUGH TRACK]
KATE: Really guys, I’ve got this new song to show-
JOHN [INTERRUPTING]: In the last seven days we’ve opened for the B-52s, rocked the big Township gig at Brighton Music Hall and blown the roof off of Radio on opening night. Not bad.
JARED: And I used Bouchard’s face as a slide!
[TAD RETURNS COVERED IN GLITTER AND CONFETTI]
TAD: I found the Sparkle Fairies, but now the Confetti Monster has gotten loose!
KATE, JARED, JOHN: Oh, Tad!
[LAUGH TRACK]
KATE: You guys aren’t going to learn this song tonight, are you…
JOHN: No. I’m busy learning “Big Bottom”.
JARED: I’m practicing slides on Bouchard’s face.
TAD [OFF SCREEN]: I could use a little help in here!
KATE: Argh! Let’s just watch Maru videos and look at these photos from the Radio gig up on Daykamp Music…
The Organ Beats are lighting up the Radio stage with their bombastic power pop. The band is tight. The crowd is into it. They’ve already forgotten the brief blackout that delayed the start of the set. A good hook will do that.
Two bands into Radio’s existence and I’ve already got a good feeling about this place…
