The Field Effect didn’t disappoint with their highly anticipated Rumble set. The band delivered one of the most intense performances of this year’s event, showcasing their dynamic songs and almost unfathomable tightness. Amazing.
The last band of Rumble Prelim Night #4 played the “We’re Twin Berlin And We’ll Play Without Pants If We Want To” card. Good thing they actually were Twin Berlin, or things might have gotten awkward with the pantslessness and stage trashing and all. The band’s antics fit right in with their trashy post-punk.
Camden took the stage with a devil-may-care attitude and walked off with a win on Rumble Preliminary Night #2. The last band of the night played it fast and loose, easily putting on the most fun set of this year’s event so far. Look out!
Velah closed out the first night of this year’s Rumble. I continue to be impressed with their high-wire act. Somehow they remain on the tightrope, balanced between the atmospheric and the immediate. They’ve got the songs. They’ve got the sound. Impressive stuff.
Good things happen when Nate Leavitt plays guitar. I’ve seen it over and over with Parlour Bells, Old Jack, The Blizzard Of 78, Brendan Boogie and Phil Aiken. He’s got a way of leaving an impression. His solo sets are no different. Listening to Nate fingerpick the hell out of his Martin on “The World Today”* made me wish the song would never end.
Oh, Parlour Bells, how you enchant. Sometimes you rumble. Sometimes you croon. You always entertain. The dynamic set you performed for an adoring crowd at the Thank God For The Night release show was one more chapter in this rock ‘n’ roll fairy tale.
When Boston Band Crush puts on a Holiday Spectacular, Sidewalk Driver is going to be involved. That’s a given. The fact that this was the last show to be presented by the beloved music blog made their appearance all the more fitting. There was a lot of love in the room. There were inflatable unicorns in the room, too. Those poor inflatable unicorns.
Richard Bouchard was “dragged” on stage during “Dancing With Her Friends.” The joy of the moment was palpable. These are the moments we need to hold on to.
Boston Band Crush, my favorite music blog of all time, just closed up shop. I’m devastated.* Do yourself a favor and read Ashley Willard’s closing announcement and Richard Bouchard’s Farewell Crush. If it wasn’t for BBC, Daykamp Music probably wouldn’t exist. I’d still be out there taking pictures, but they’d just be piling up on my hard drive. Their enthusiasm was contagious.
I’ve had the honor of working with the Boston Band Crush folks on a few occasions. Helping Ashley out with One Night Band photos has been an amazing experience. It’s such a special event to be a part of. I’m thankful for the opportunity. This past July, Daykamp Music worked with Richard to present our first show together. A few months later, when a good friend of mine needed help, Richard stepped up to the plate again. He did everything he could to help make the Bands For Babs benefit the success it was.
I will forever be grateful to everyone that contributed to Boston Band Crush. I’ll miss you terribly. How will I get over it? For starters, I’ll be hitting up one last Boston Band Crush show! Friday night is the big Boston Band Crush Holiday Spectacular at Brighton Music Hall! You’ve got the synth-pop stylings of Freezepop topping the bill. Sidewalk Driver will have Glam-ta in tow. Confetti is sure to fall like snow all set long. The Field Effect covered Wham! for Christmas. Come see if Doug Orey is sporting some George Michael stubble as they release their new album, Cartography. Opening the night will be Emily Peal and The Band of Skinny Men. They’ve got a new Christmas cover of their own. Just don’t expect it to be merry or bright. Anngelle Wood of Boston Emissions will be organizing a toy drive for the Division of Children and Families of Cambridge/Somerville/Allston/Brighton at the show. Bring a toy when you come out to celebrate with Boston Band Crush one last time.
By this point in the Radio first anniversary show, any pretense of civility had long since been abandoned. We were now in the spray champagne and jump onstage to provide “backing vocals” part of the evening. If only there had been a band to come along and blast shimmering confetti all over the place while cranking out some glammed-out-pop-rock hooks the night would have been perfect…
If you’re looking for the tipping point of the One Year Of Radio show where the event went from dignified celebration to rock ‘n’ roll debauchery, look no further than OldJack’s set. There would be plenty of time for things to get really out of hand, but this band of merrymakers certainly played a role in the decline of local civilization. They brought the songs. They brought the show. OldJack helped us find our way to the place we knew we had to go.
