Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
This is Naked On Roller Skates. They’re a real spark plug of a band.
Abbie Barrett came out with dark grey clouds hanging over her set. She was up to some serious business. This was quite a shock to me, as my only previous knowledge of Abbie’s work was the song she wrote and recorded (oh, and performed on this very night) with Brendan Boogie that includes a reference to clubbing baby seals. I wasn’t exactly ready for the brooding songstress that came out with her band, The Last Date.
All storms eventually pass, and such was the case at The Rosebud. Midway through her set, Abbie and her band ventured into some more lighthearted material. The transition made me appreciate both the cloud and its silver lining.
Brendan Boogie is a man with a plan. His plan was to release six EPs in the first half of 2011 with a celebratory shindig thrown every month. He just successfully completed* this cycle with another fun night at The Rosebud in honor of Songs From The Armory Vol. 3.
The opening featured Brendan Boogie and his latest co-conspirators playing the songs from the new EP. It was loose and fun for just about everyone involved.**
The second part of the set had Brendan and The Best Intentions ripping through some of their finest material. I know there was a lot of (probably well-deserved) hype about a certain catch-us-before-our-reunion event elsewhere in town, but Brendan and his gang were putting on a memorable show of their own. No regrets here. It was a blast.
* Well, he did take April off, so the sixth EP didn’t come out until July. For some reason I feel the need to mention this (again). I don’t know if this is because I don’t want people to think I don’t know how to count or if I just like giving Brendan a hard time. It’s most likely the latter, but the former gives me a plausible out.
** Seriously, almost everyone had fun with this part. Almost…
Leo Blais opened yet another night of high quality music at The Rosebud. We’re spoiled around these parts.
The Tenafly Vipers fired riff after riff at the late night revelers who made their way to The Midway for the Idle Baron’s Ball. They even inspired some unusual, uh… dancing, I guess. For these photos, we’re sticking with the loud, fast, action rock side of things…
Jay Allen and his cohorts created a rock n’ roll ruckus at the Idle Barons Ball.
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.
