Love Love continued the parade of merriment at the Q Division Holiday Party.
Love Love @ Q Division 12.11.2015
Fuzzy @ The Middle East Downstairs 10.3.2014
Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy! Fuzzy!
OK. I think I’ve got that out of my system. Fuzzy is just one of those bands that will make me do stuff like that. I’m a sucker for their perfectly succinct indie rock nuggets. The band played The Middle East Downstairs as part of the Pipeline! at 25 shows and I smiled the whole time.
Robin Lane And The Chartbusters @ The Middle East Downstairs 10.3.2014
Robin Lane And The Chartbusters are legends in this town. If you need a refresher on why, this video explains it much better than I could. The band reunited for the Pipeline! at 25 shows.
Jenny Dee & Several Men Of Mystery – Jenny Dee & Several Men Of Mystery (2013)
Jenny Dee & Several Men Of Mystery
Jenny Dee & Several Men Of Mystery
2013
Three country tunes from Jenny Dee and some of her very talented friends?* Yes, please. Opening track “You Had It All” is a duet with Roy Sludge. I’m pretty sure I knew this one was going to be great before I even heard it.** “Never” has suitably weary and worn backing vocals from Bill Janovitz and Chris Toppin. It’s always a treat when those two team up. Also, I’m a sucker for a weepy lapsteel. The EP closes with Jenny Dee & Several Men Of Mystery tearing it up on “Looking For Clues.” Jenny notes that this song is a reworked tune from her gig with The Downbeat Five. Given the song’s fiery nature, it’s certainly not hard to believe. The band really cuts loose here. Sometimes sad songs can make you happy.
Where to get it:
* Duke Levine, Bill Janovitz, Chris Toppin, Ed Valauskas, Tom Arey, Roy Sludge, Matt Pynn, and Ben Zecker? Good, Lord. Even Eric Salt gets in on the action, playing the tambourine on “Looking For Clues.”
** It is.
The Phil Aiken Army @ Radio 12.6.2012
Phil Aiken has assembled a most impressive troupe to help him deliver a fantastic set. The Phil Aiken Army effectively lodged the future-classic tune “Holiday Overload” into my brain before launching a blistering cover of “Gimme Shelter” into Somerville night.
Fuzzy @ Midway Cafe 11.9.2012
When I got home from seeing Fuzzy at the Midway, I went straight to Facebook* to rave about the band. Long Fuzziless stretches will do that to you. These are some of the finest indie-rock/power-pop/whatever-you-want-to-call-them tunes you’ll ever hear. Fuzzy are one of my favorites. To see the lineup of Chris Toppin, Hilken Mancini, Winston Braman and David Ryan sharing the stage for the first time in some 15 odd years was a little magical. I wish every day was Chris Toppin’s birthday so this would happen again and again and again.
* Hey! Did you know Daykamp Music has a Facebook page? It’s right here, in case you missed it up top there. Why not give it a little love.
Buffalo Tom @ Midway Cafe 11.9.2012
When you think of Boston bands that consistently write great songs, Buffalo Tom should be in your head. It’s no wonder Chris Toppin had a hard time paring down her wishlist for the band’s set at her birthday bash. Buffalo Tom played through a bunch of those request in front of an appreciative full house at the Midway. They even had a little help from their friends.
Tanya Donelly @ Midway Cafe 11.9.2012
Tanya Donelly backed by Buffalo Tom at the Midway? I never thought I’d see this. I’m not going to think about this one too much. It’s a special occasion. Special things happen. I’m just going to enjoy hearing some of my favorite Tanya-penned tunes* (along with a cool cover of “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”) and count my blessings. It is almost Thanksgiving, after all.
* “Slow Dog” anyone? So good.
Bye Bye Airplane @ Midway Cafe 11.9.2012
Bye Bye Airplane left the Midway crowd with a handful of well crafted indie rock tunes at Chris Toppin’s Birthday Bash.
Honeysuckle Rose @ Midway Cafe 11.9.2012
Honeysuckle Rose found birthday guest of honor Chris Toppin and friends* doing an Anita O’Day inspired send-up of, you guessed it, “Honeysuckle Rose.”
* These friends also included Phil Aiken, who I didn’t get any shots of. The night was moving pretty quickly at this point. I can tell you he looked something like this.