Swamp Bear @ Moe’s Lounge 2.10.2012

Ed Llerena of Cask Mouse also has a project called Swamp Bear. Talented dude. He played a few songs down in Moe’s Lounge as part of the new Practice series.* I always like when Ed comes out from behind the drums during a Cask Mouse show, so catching this Swamp Bear set was a nice treat.

* Practice is hosted by Keith Pierce of Mellow Bravo. It’s fun!

The Russians @ Radio 2.10.2012

I said most of what I needed to say about The Russians in my recent love letter to the band. Friday night the band rocked a little and rolled a lot. Man, do I love these guys…

Black Helicopter @ Radio 2.3.2012

Black Helicopter descended on Radio with massive riffs and set list wristbands.

13 Billion Years @ Radio 2.3.2012

13 Billion Years rose up from the primordial ooze to play their debut show at Radio. It was awesome.

Cooling Towers @ Radio 2.3.2012

Hot on the heels of their show at Great Scott, Cooling Towers were a last minute fill-in on a bill at Radio. I was already planing on going to this show, but having this crew on this bill certainly didn’t hurt. I dig their vibe.

Parlour Bells @ Radio 1.28.2012

It’s Groundhog Day and I feel like I’ve written this post before. You know, the one where I tell you I that think Parlour Bells are pretty great.

Somehow my previous posts singing the band’s praises don’t adequately describe just how good this outfit is getting. Their set at Radio for the Winter Rock Formal was incredible. It was at times dramatic, joyous, haunting and seductive. I wouldn’t mind reliving this one over and over again.

Eddie Japan @ Radio 1.28.2012

Eddie Japan is probably my favorite band to feature a trumpet.

I don’t mean that as some kind of backhanded compliment. This is a full-on compliment punch. The trumpet is never an afterthought. It never feels tacked on. Eddie Japan have managed to take a decidedly non-rock instrument and weave it into the very texture of their sound. It doesn’t define their sound, but rather compliments it. It’s not an easy thing to do. Eddie Japan do it well. The whole band is aces and plays to the song. Well done, gentlemen.

Broken Wings @ Radio 1.28.2012

Broken Wings wrote all of the big hits of the ’80s. I just never realized it. Funny how that happens…

Wait. Something’s not right. Maybe this is all an elaborate hoax. Those accents don’t seem entirely authentic. Hmmm. Either way, it’s good fun.

Camden @ Great Scott 1.26.2012

Camden bashed their way through a set of hyper-pop. These guys aren’t messing around.