Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
Where ya been, Parlour Bells? Haven’t seen you around much lately. Oh, you’ve been writing some new tunes like “Celebrities On Ice?” In that case, take as much time as you need.
It’s good to have you back, though…
Parlour Bells dazzled the crowd at The Daykamp Poster & Photo Show with their always entertaining mix of glam and grit.
It was a gorgeous day in Cambridge for Make Music Harvard Square. Of the nine or so acts I really would have liked to catch, I managed to see two. Instead of focusing on all of the bands I missed, I will bask in the glory of my boy referring to Goddamn Glenn as “Shiny Pants Guy” when we were talking later about the fun we that afternoon. I’m feeling pretty lucky.
Richard Bouchard has been putting together some pretty great shows over at TT’s lately. This particular Thursday night kicked off with Parlour Bells filling the club with charisma, wit and moody pop tunes. Their tactful mix of songs and showmanship never gets old.
It can be tough having a late slot on a school night. You have to dig a little deeper to keep yourself going. It ain’t glamorous loading out late and getting up early. Some bands can’t cut it. They pack up and go home. Other bands put on their shiny jackets and step onto that stage like there’s no place else they’d rather be.
Parlour Bells…
Parlour Bells had a big year in 2012. Their Rumble set was one of the highlights at this year’s event. They opened the first ever show presented by Daykamp Music.* The most dapper band in Boston did the same for the last show presented by WFNX while they were still on terrestrial radio. When fall rolled around, they showed off their versatility with a show-stopping performance at the debut of Lounge Act. Well, add one more biggie to the list. With their opening set at OldJack’s Holiday Homage, Parlour Bells became the first Boston act to grace the stage of the newly-opened Sinclair.
I can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2013.
* I’m sure they will consider this a watershed moment in their rock n’ roll careers.
Have you ever wanted to hear the history of Parlour Bells told by a martini-sipping Goddamn Glenn over a stylish rendition of “Pet Names?” Today is your lucky day. Look past the haphazard camera work and marvel at the band’s closing Lounge Act number.
Here are Goddamn Glenn & The Parlour Bells Players doing that old Irving Berlin standard “Get Thee Behind Me Satan.” This was a highlight among highlights during their Lounge Act set.
Photos from this how can be found here.
Parlour Bells are a natural fit for a lounge themed show. They’ve always had a swanky vibe. Reborn as Goddamn Glenn & The Parlour Bells Players, the band passionately embraced Anngelle Wood’s Lounge Act show at Radio. They stripped back the songs and rebuilt them with a red velvet touch. Magen Tracy and Nate Leavitt stepped out and nailed the noir-tinged sound while Brendan Boogie and Paul Myers kept things buttoned down behind them. Frequent Parlour Bells collaborator Joel Edinberg added some drama on the sax. The mood was set for Goddamn Glenn to do his thing. This may have been the finest performance of Glenn DiBenedetto’s career. He crooned. He swooned. He sat down with the ladies. It was a great reminder that even high expectations can be exceeded when you take the time to mix a mid-song martini.
The Globe Bar is open.
Video from this show:
