Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
Birds Make Birds are raw. They push you and they pull you. They make you go where they want you to go. They caught me off guard. I’m glad they did.
Monophonic
High On Pills And Good Times
2011
Monophonic’s High On Pills And Good Times is an EP of no-frills rock ‘n’ roll. “Mental Millionaires” really shines. It’s got energy, a driving riff and a cool vocal hook. You feel like you’re right there with the guys in the band. Did I just hear them talking to each other? I think I did. The song jumps out of the speakers. The outro guitar solo victoriously crashes and burns. Nice.
Someone needs to throw these guys on a bill at The Rosebud with The Dirty Truckers and Watts. I’d be there having a beer and enjoying the show.
Where to get it:
The Fatal Flaw released their new CD, Narrow Hours, at TT’s last Friday. They even gave away free copies at the show. Nice chaps. Have a look…
This may be the sparkliest version of “Tornado” you’ll ever see!
I sit here tonight editing photos of Sidewalk Driver at TT’s and Massachusetts is in the middle of some crazy weather. It’s mainly a lightning event here, but the storms out in western and central Mass are horrific. Tornadoes? Seriously? While I’m editing photos of Sidewalk Driver? This is just too weird.
As for the show, Sidewalk Driver is real. Sidewalk Driver is amazing.
Oh, I almost forgot. I’ve still got some video of Sidewalk Driver performing “Tornado” to edit. You might not want to get out of the basement just yet.
Brendan Boogie
The Cassingles
2011
This is what Brendan Boogie does so well. He writes a catchy tune and pairs it with some witty lyrics revealing an unfortunate truth. Then he does it again. And again. And a fourth time for good measure. Now he’s got an EP’s worth of material. He throws it up online for a free download and throws a party at The Rosebud to celebrate. He’s done this five times so far this year. He’ll do it again next month. The man is an EP making machine.
The Cassingles is my favorite of these EPs to date. There are songs about porn stars, obviously doomed marriages and wanting to be Paul McCartney. Then there’s the one about falling in love with the significant other of a war veteran… with a Purple Heart. That’s just wrong, right? I mean, c’mon. Yet, somehow, Mr. Boogie manages to pull out some universal feelings in all of these songs. This guy may be a little too knowledgeable about the human condition for his own good.
Where to get it:
Hot Protestants make a big noisy racket. That must be why I like them.
Here is a moving picture (it’s even a talkie) of The Future Everybody playing some music in a Central Square rock club.
In the future, everybody will go to TT’s and listen to catchy sets of power pop. Even if the band goes on first. And it’s a holiday weekend. And there’s a big sporting event going on. And there’s an almost five year old that will probably wake everybody in the house up at five o’clock in the morning.
For me, the future is now. Or, more precisely, the future was this past Friday.
And now, some pictures of The Future Everybody…
The New Dumb
You’re Welcome
2011
The New Dumb have a new mini-EP available for your enjoyment. What’s a mini-EP? Two songs. It’s a free download. Why not give it a listen? You might like it. What does it sound like? Sort of like early The Get Up Kids meets the Buzzcocks. It’s got spunk. “Nihlist Wishlist” gets stuck in my head.*
Where to get it:
*The spelling of “Nihlist Wishlist” may be a typo or it might be intentional. I don’t know. Do you? Either way I like the song.