Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
Dave Mirabella is a supremely talented songwriter. He manages to get to the heart of the matter with a few chords from his Martin and a memorable melody. He played down in Moe’s Lounge as part of Bands For Babs. As an added bonus, his brother Mike (also his bandmate in The Rationales) jumped behind the kit.
The Decals played their first show in 10 years at Bands For Babs. I was right up front watching my favorite Boston band of all time playing some of the best you-done-me-wrong punk tunes this city has ever seen. Just as I was thinking that I must be the happiest person in the room, I looked over and saw Barbara “Babs” Walsh herself standing up, singing along to every song.
OK, Babs, you win this time.
Full Disclosure: I’m married to a member of The Decals. I still think it’s safe to say that their set was awesome.*
* Because it was.
I was really anxious on October 11th, the first day of the Bands For Babs benefit. Having “Never Intended” by Eric Salt & The Electric City stuck in my head all day helped to calm me down. After being upstairs at Radio for The Modifiers and AM Stereo, I bopped down to Moe’s Lounge to catch as much of Eric Salt and his band as I could. Just as I walked into the wood-paneled sanctuary, The Electric City kicked into “Never Intended” and everything was right in the world.
There was no way a benefit for Barbara Walsh was going to happen without AM Stereo being a part of it. Their set at Bands For Babs was the second time I saw them in a week. I was as happy as a clam.*
* I had to look up the origin of that phrase. It was buggin’ me.
I can’t think of a better band to kick off the Bands For Babs benefit than The Modifiers. Barbara Walsh and The Modifiers go way back. Their set was like the first robin of the spring. It was going to be a fun couple of nights at Radio helping out our dear friend.
This is tough to write…
I’m going to get right to it. On July 3rd, our dear friend Barbara “Babs” Walsh suffered an AVM/stroke. She went into a coma. The news was brutal. Babs is one of my favorite people in the entire world. Anyone who knows Barbara understands what a big supporter she is of the Boston music scene. Any band that has endured her brutal honesty is better for it.* Even moving to L.A. several months ago didn’t slow her down. She had already been back this way a couple of times, attending shows and catching up with all of us who miss her. Suddenly, she was fighting for her life. Devastating.
This is easy to write…
You know what? Babs is a tough cookie. Her recovery, thus far, has been tremendous. Now we’re putting on a show with a bunch of her friends to help with the financial side of things. What kind of show? How about a two night blowout at Radio! Bands For Babs! Upstairs! Downstairs! Rock! Punk! Metal! Reunions! We’ve got it all in store for you. The show details and Facebook events are listed below. We hope you can make it out to our good ol’ fashioned rock ‘n’ roll extravaganza and help get Babs get back on her feet.
There’s also a website for donations: Funds For Babs
Both shows are at Radio.
Early shows! 8pm start time!
Presented by Boston Band Crush and Daykamp Music.
Poster by Daykamp Creative.
Night #1
Facebook event
Upstairs:
12a Rule
11p Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents
10p The Decals
9p AM Stereo
8p The Modifiers
Downstairs:
11:30p The Charms
10:30p Dave Mirabella
9:30p Eric Salt & The Electric City
Night #2
Facebook event
Upstairs:
12a The Dents
11p Devil On Horseback
10p Watts
9p Gymnasium
8p Spin-Off!
Downstairs:
11:30p The Dirty Truckers
10:30p Reverse
9:30p Dirt Mall
* Barbara has been particulary vocal about her distaste for the Dirt Mall song “The Demons & The Damned.” It’s already a long song, but I’m thinking we may bust out an extended version for this occasion. Just for you, Babs!