Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.20.2012

Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck’s modern Americana took the 2012 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble tiara* on Friday night. It was certainly no easy task. The band faced tough competition on all of their nights. Through it all they won over judges with well crafted songs and an astonishing display of musicianship, both individually and collectively. Swampy, dirty, twangy and heartfelt, these guys can flat out play.

Congratulations to Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck!

* In reality the Rumble tiara is more of an actual crown now.

Garvy J. And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.20.2012

Garvy J. And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance’s 2012 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble run was dazzling. Dueling EBows, distorted twelve-strings, a massive rhythm section, psych-tinged tunes and a smooth vocal croon all sparkled under the TT’s lights. It was simultaneously joyous, achingly gorgeous and slightly mind bending. Spectacular.

2012 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble Winner: Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck

Motherboar @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.20.2012

Brutal. Devastating. Unrelenting. Throw all of those terms at Motherboar’s 2012 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble Run. They were the heaviest band in this year’s competition and they didn’t shy away from that distinction. They pummeled the TT’s crowd with three sets of punishing metal. More importantly, they were also a blast to watch. The may not have donned the Rumble tiara (what a sight that would have been), but their Finals set proved why they got the wildcard. Motherboar is one of the best bands in town.

2012 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble Winner: Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck

Garvy J. And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.13.2012

Anngelle Wood is introducing the band, but I’m not really paying attention.* Behind her, Garvy J. And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance are already stealing the show. Once they have the stage to themselves there will be no stopping them. Garvy J. is in full command of the situation, manipulating the crowd with guitar swells, a cool confidence and sonic bombast.

Garvy J. And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance take Rumble Semifinal #2.

* During their preliminary round set, Garvy J. And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance launched into their set before Anngelle could introduce them.

The Rationales @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.13.2012

In case David Mirabella and his bandmates in The Rationales didn’t know it already, a large contingent of their fans sang along to remind them that they have some of the best songs in town. When the band plays them with the fire and passion that they did in the Rumble Semifinal, it’s going to be a good night. Last night was a good night.

Semifinal Night #2 Winner: Garvy J. And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance

Ghosts Of Jupiter @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.13.2012

Ghost Of Jupiter threw down another slab of vintage goodness during Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble Semifinal Night #2. The band plays a kind of throwback rock unadulterated by the music of modern times. It’s not ironic. They’re not mocking, mimicking or doing a tribute act. Ghosts Of Jupiter are simply their own child of the ’70s. These guys were locked in Friday night, laying down a heavy groove that would have made their forefathers proud.

Semifinal Night #2 Winner: Garvy J. And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance

Sherman Burns @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.13.2012

Sherman Burns’ blistering riff assault earned them a spot in the Semifinals as one of the wildcards. These guy weren’t about to blow the opportunity. They unleashed another barrage of high intensity, high volume fretboard acrobatics on the TT’s crowd. Anyone who missed their prelim set is probably still wondering what just hit them. These guys were one of the big Rumble surprises for me. I’m a fan.

Semifinal Night #2 Winner: Garvy J. And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance

Motherboar @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.12.2012

Motherboar did the same thing in their Rumble Semifinal set as they did in the preliminary round: lay waste to TT’s. Would you want it any other way? Expecting something different probably would have left you disappointed Thursday night. I didn’t see too many disappointed faces during Motherboar’s set. Then again, it was hard to see much of anything through all of the flying beers and pumping fists.

Semifinal Night #1 Winner: Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck

Cask Mouse @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.12.2012

Boy, oh boy, do I love Cask Mouse. Every time I see them I fall further under their spell. It’s comfort food for your soul. Their Rumble Semifinal set went from whisper quiet to full on hootenany without ever rushing to get from one place to the other. All in due time. You’ll know when you’ve arrived. Just listen for the clapping and stomping.

Semifinal Night #1 Winner: Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck

Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.12.2012

These guys have to be some of the best musicians in town. Heck, Jeff Berlin’s drum check before the set started would put a lot of drummers to shame. Individually and collectively, the guys from Bow Thayer and Perfect Trainwreck are playing at the top of their game right now. It’s impressive.

Bow Thayer and Perfect Trainwreck take Rumble Semifinal Night #1.