Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
The other day I heard some music coming from my new work neighbor’s area. I recognized it immediately.
“Are you listening to Lenny And The Piss Poor Boys over there?” I asked.
“Yup.”
We’re going to get along just fine, new work neighbor.
Little did I know this exchange would be a sign of good things to come. Lenny Lashley performed an impromptu set during the Idle Barons Ball at the Midway that very Friday night. What a nice way to end the week.
June 18th, 2011 was a good day.
This particular Saturday started with a party for my Big Little One, who recently turned (I can’t believe how time flies) five years old. That afternoon, with some help from my wife, I convinced the boy to hop on the train with me to go see OldJack as part of Make Music Harvard Square…
We take the red line a few stops and arrive about 5 minutes before OldJack are scheduled to perform. Looks like things are running behind schedule. That’s not a good sign when you’re with a potentially overtired boy and dinner time is rapidly approaching. We say hi to Dan Nicklin. Big Little One seems bothered by the noise from the other bands playing. Look! A candy shop! Let’s go get a lollipop.
We walk out with a blue raspberry Dum Dum* and a fresh start. Across the street there’s a little less commotion. That’s where Big Little One gets a couple of licks in before dropping the lollipop in a puddle. Back over to Hidden Sweets we go. This time we emerge with a bubble gum flavored Dum Dum.** Big Little One tells me he’s going to wait until we get home before he eats this one.
The boy is pretty antsy by the time OldJack kicks into “Love Me Or?”. Initially he’s put off by the volume (he’s wearing earplugs and covering his ears, so there’s no real danger), but he settles in by my side as the band plays on. He’s focused. Big Little One is taking it all in. He’s sitting on my knee, now. Content.
OldJack doesn’t seem as intense in the bright of day. It’s a nice change of pace. There’s an ease about them in the afternoon sunshine. The weight they often carry into the wee hours of the morning is lifted. The band, and those watching, are left to enjoy the moment.
I feel a tugging on my leg. Big Little One wants to go. It’s only a few songs into the set, but he’s hungry. And tired. We head back toward the train.
“Dad, when we get in the car can we listen to that band on a CD? I want to hear that song.”
“Which song?” I ask.
“The first one. I want to hear that song.”
“Sure thing, buddy.”
*The lollipop cost 12 cents. The cashier at Hidden Sweets tells me that’s the minimum amount charged on by-the-pound candy. This information is going to come in handy in a bit.
**The bubble gum Dum Dum would also end up getting dropped. The boy was very tired. Thankfully, we had a spare at home.
I’m a sucker for Parlour Bells.
There’s something about their ’80s inspired, moody pop that gets to me. It’s more than just the catchy tunes. Everyone in the band knows exactly what needs to be done. They’ve also got style to go with their substance. They’ve got showmanship. They’ve got a flask.
This Rosebud show proves that the fantastic set I caught at Brighton Music Hall a couple of months ago was no fluke. Parlour Bells are onto something.
This was my first time seeing Muy Cansado. By the middle of their set I was hooked. Their sound echoes of Boston bands gone by, but it pushes forward. A nod to the past, a wink to the future and a new fan walks out the door of The Rosebud.
The Future Everybody opened up another fine show at The Rosebud.* Turns out their guitar based power pop with keyboard icing goes well with just about anything.
*In this case “another fine show” refers to both The Future Everybody playing first on another great bill (as they did here and here) and yet another great night at The Rosebud (like this one or this one). We’re spoiled here in Boston. You know that, right?
And now we say goodbye to Ad Frank And The Fast Easy Women. Their farewell set will forever stay in the memories of all the jilted lovers and hopeless romantics that packed the room. It truly was a thing of beauty.
Count Zero are quirky, eccentric and a little bit zany. In honor of Ad Frank And The Fast Easy Women’s final show, they even did a cover of “The Cuddle” with Fast Easy Woman Sarah Rabdau. Nice touch.
MEandJOANCOLLINS brought their moody and combustible brand of indie rock to the TT’s stage to help give Ad Frank And The Fast Easy Women a proper send off.
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.
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…
