Motherboar @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.7.2012

I’m going to keep this one short. Motherboar took Prelim Night #6 with the most ferocious Rumble set I’ve ever seen. Awesome.

Sherman Burns @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.7.2012

I don’t know what I was expecting from Sherman Burns on Preliminary Night #6 of The Rumble, but it certainly wasn’t this. This was a full on sonic assault delivered with deadly precision. It was impressive. I kept watching bassist Andrew Mildenberg wondering what would happen first, him flubbing a note or his head flying off. Thankfully, I don’t think either happened.

Preliminary Night #6 Winner: Motherboar

The Grinds @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.7.2012

How have I not seen The Grinds before? I’ve seen everybody in the band perform before. I’ve intended to see them before. Thank you Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble for finally getting me to see The Grinds. Their set to open Preliminary Night #6 proved what I always suspected. I really like The Grinds.

Preliminary Night #6 Winner: Motherboar

The Bynars @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.6.2012

I love the Rumble. It brings out the best in bands. The Bynars had all of their blips, bleeps, pings, pongs and blurps in perfect alignment during their set at TT’s for Preliminary Night #5 of the 2012 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. The catchy pop tunes underneath it all were precision tuned. The Bynars also had their sense of humor engaged, subtly pointing out that the song they had just played, “Dancing In The Dark”, was a cover. Well done.

Preliminary Night #5 Winner: Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck

Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.6.2012

Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck won over the Rumble judges with some amazing musicianship. These guys play to the song so well. They gather ’round Bow’s gritty tales, pick them up and carry them along to wherever they need to go.

Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck take Preliminary Night #5.

Brownboot @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.6.2012

Brownboot slayed. The band’s Rumble set had the feeling of a huge rock n’ roll band playing a secret show in a small club as a treat to their die hard fans. The guitars were loud, the songs brought the house down and everyone got sweaty. Talk about a band rising to the occasion. This was Brownboot’s finest moment. That was one hell of a show.

Preliminary Night #5 Winner: Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck

Pray For Polanski @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.6.2012

Pray For Polanski kicked of Rumble Preliminary Night #5 with a set of fierce, angular riffs and intense vocals. Their songs feel very personal yet strangely detached. I was caught pleasantly off-guard, much like guitarist Aviv Rubinstien was when he tripped over his amp. Aviv came up smiling and so did I. Once again, The Rumble has turned me on to a cool band.

Preliminary Night #5 Winner: Bow Thayer And Perfect Trainwreck

The Fagettes @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.5.2012

The Fagettes were on fire last night. The band closed out Preliminary Night #4 of The Rumble with a set that burned hot and fast, leaving a trail of wreckage that included one bass amp and dozens of delightfully confused TT’s patrons. That’s life in a rock n’ roll band…

Preliminary Night #4 Winner: Cask Mouse

Parlour Bells @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.5.2012

Last night’s Parlour Bells set at TT’s was intoxicating. The band was well prepared for their showdown in the Rumble prelims. Parlour Bells drew the crowd in with their glamourous, sultry pop. The performance was dynamic and engaging. Their songs are superb. They are one of the finest bands in town, yet somehow get better with every show. They may not have won the night, but don’t count them out yet.

Preliminary Night #4 Winner: Cask Mouse

Never Got Caught @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.5.2012

Never Got Caught performed a punishing set on Preliminary Night #4 of the 2012 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. Never Got Caught brought the heavy to TT’s on a diverse night of music. These guys can play.

Preliminary Night #4 Winner: Cask Mouse