Category: Blog

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Parlour Bells @ The Sinclair 12.15.2012

Parlour Bells had a big year in 2012. Their Rumble set was one of the highlights at this year’s event. They opened the first ever show presented by Daykamp Music.* The most dapper band in Boston did the same for the last show presented by WFNX while they were still on terrestrial radio. When fall rolled around, they showed off their versatility with a show-stopping performance at the debut of Lounge Act. Well, add one more biggie to the list. With their opening set at OldJack’s Holiday Homage, Parlour Bells became the first Boston act to grace the stage of the newly-opened Sinclair.

I can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2013.

* I’m sure they will consider this a watershed moment in their rock n’ roll careers.

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OldJack – Holiday Homage (2012)


OldJack
Holiday Homage
2012

On their new Holiday Homage single/EP-thingie, OldJack have managed to turn the sugary sweet Mariah Carey classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You” into a smoldering, well, OldJack holiday song. A soulful lead vocal, gritty guitars and those trademark OldJack backing vocals breathe new life into this well worn number. It’s a great arrangement by a great band. Toss in one of those let’s-get-our-friends-together-and-sing-about-better-times-ahead songs* and you’ve got a release worth adding to your Christmas playlist.

Where to get it:

* In this case the friends are Brendan Boogie, Dave Mirabella, Keith Pierce, Jess Collins and Nate Leavitt. The song is “The Christmas Song (10th Anniversary Remix)”

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Sidewalk Driver @ Brighton Music Hall 12.14.2012

When Boston Band Crush puts on a Holiday Spectacular, Sidewalk Driver is going to be involved. That’s a given. The fact that this was the last show to be presented by the beloved music blog made their appearance all the more fitting. There was a lot of love in the room. There were inflatable unicorns in the room, too. Those poor inflatable unicorns.

Richard Bouchard was “dragged” on stage during “Dancing With Her Friends.” The joy of the moment was palpable. These are the moments we need to hold on to.

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The Field Effect @ Brighton Music Hall 12.14.2012

Friday night was a big one at Brighton Music Hall. Boston Band Crush presented their final show. Richard Bouchard put together one heck of a bill for the Boston Band Crush Holiday Spectacular. After a compelling opening set by Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men, The Field Effect took the stage to release their new CD, Cartography. The band tore through a bunch of tunes from that record before busting out their Wham! cover.

Oh, one more thing. The Field Effect took the stage in holiday sweaters.* I feel like I should warn you about that before you look at the pictures.

* Which they quickly shed due to the warmth of the stage lights. At least that’s the excuse they’ll use.

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Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men @ Brighton Music Hall 12.14.2012

Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men opened the Boston Band Crush Holiday Spectacular* with a powerful set that included their twisted and beautiful take on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. This is one of the most dynamic acts in town.

* This was the last show to be presented by Boston Band Crush, which closed up shop earlier in the week. Sad face.

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The Field Effect – “Last Christmas” (2012)

The Field Effect
“Last Christmas”
2012

If you look down there a little bit you’ll see a player for The Field Effect’s cover of “Last Christmas”. I’m not going to say too much about it. It’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect when an excitable young band that loves a pop hook covers Wham!* That’s a good thing if you like guitar melodies, vocal harmonies, obligatory sleigh bells and a rhythm section that packs a punch. I do.

Where to get it:

* Which happens all the time, right? No?

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Brendan Boogie & The Broken Gates @ Radio 12.6.2012

Brendan Boogie has an ongoing residency at Radio the first Thursday of every month with his latest band, Brendan Boogie & The Broken Gates. It’s a rocking outfit who play well off each other. Most of the material is new, but fear not. Mr Boogie still knows how to write a memorable tune. You’ll have one or two new favorites by the end of the set.

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Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men – “Have Yourself…” (2012)


Emily Peal & The Band Of Skinny Men
“Have Yourself…”
2012

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight

Never have those words sounded so foreboding. Emily Peal & The Band Of Skinny Men have turned a holiday classic inside out. The dark clouds that hang over their rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” makes the warm and familiar feel detached and cold. Every piano chord and string-like swell increases the hollow, empty feeling that the now haunting melody planted deep inside you. It is dispiriting and beautifully executed. I can’t stop listening.

Where to get it: