Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
When Darling Pet Munkee aren’t playing their songs inspired by the advertisements in the back of old comic books, they’re covering the songs they were likely listening to while perusing said comic books.
Did you miss the photos from this show? They’re right here.
Darling Pet Munkee draw their inspiration from the ads in the back of old comic books. They wear skeleton costumes and X-Ray Specs. They’ve got to be one of the geekiest bands around. That’s what makes them so fun.
Parlour Bells
“Airwaves”
2012
There’s a big show at The Paradise on Saturday night. Some former WFNX DJs are putting together an event to celebrate the WFNX that was.* Parlour Bells are on the bill for good reason. They are a band that has always championed radio as being essential to the local music scene, even in a time of readily available digital downloads and internet streaming. They are tireless supporters of Boston Emissions, Boston Accents and any other radio program devoting time to playing Boston artists. They even performed on the resurrected WBCN rock bus. I believe Glenn DiBenedetto when he sings “now my radio dial is missing two front teeth.” He means it.
“Airwaves” is a sentimental reflection on the state of Boston radio in June of 2012. It strikes a chord by revealing the emotion of a specific time and place. “Airwaves” is a song about how fans of Boston radio feel right now. It’s immediate. You can’t listen to Nate Leavitt’s delay drenched guitars and not be reminded of the countless U2 radio anthems broadcast by both of our recently departed rock radio stations. It’s a consoling echo. I’d be lying if I said the song wasn’t playing in my head last night as I lay in bed. The sound of the Metropolitan Chorale** was ringing in my ears as prepared for a new day.
Where to get it:
You can also watch a mini-documentary on the making of “Airwaves” right here.
* See what I did with the link there? Garvy J And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance are part of the show, too.
** Kerri-Ann Richard, Richard Bouchard, Anngelle Wood, Michael Marotta, Chris Mulvey, Lisa Libera, Leesa Coyne, Adam Ritchie, Rishava Green, Matt King, Michael J. Epstein, Sophia Cacciola, Jessica Sun Lee, Adam Anderson, Michael Gonzales, Ken Marcou, Tom Roppelt, Joel Edinberg, Rachel Blumenthal, Sarah Rabdau, Peter Moore and Dan Nicklin all lend their voices to the song.
Here are The Vivs at Precinct. They sport a classic Boston indie sound that they’ve gussied up with some three part harmonies.* Not willing to settle for the embarrassment of riches that is three competent vocalists in one band, The Vivs invited Sophia Cacciola** up on stage for a particularly haunting number.
* In the grand Boston rock tradition, The Vivs even busted out a Kinks cover.
** Recent “Best Female Vocalist” winner in the Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll for her work with Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling.
The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library experimented with playing along to a silent movie they made. If this is anything like the way Mr. Epstein “experiments” with new bands, expect to see more of this in the future.
The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library at the Somerville Public Library? I’m in.
I’m always looking for opportunities to take the boys to see some live music. Big Little One has been into taking pictures lately, so I thought this would be a good opportunity for him to do his first live shoot. I grabbed his camera (and mine of course) and we headed out for the Somerville Library.
We got there a little late. The band was already playing. The PA wasn’t working properly, but this may have been a blessing in disguise. Michael and his bandmates were able to deftly balance their levels with good old fashioned playing dynamics. It made for a folksy performance that suited the songs well. A song like “Lymph Nodes” is made all the more rousing by voices moving air without any amplified assistance.
As for the boy, he had a blast. After the first song he ditched his kiddie camera and convinced me to hand over my iPhone. He spent the rest of the set snapping away. So, what kinds of photos does a five-year-old take?* The most amazing live music photos ever.** See for yourself. The Instagram photos at the end of this set are some of his shots from the day. He even chose the black-and-white filter all by himself.
* To be fair, he’s almost six.
** Full disclosure: I may not be entirely impartial.
Why am I posting pictures of Space Balloons playing at a birthday party for a three year old? I’m adding some visual spice to some friendly advice. If you are throwing a party for a kid you should hire Space Balloons. Hell, if you’re throwing a party for an adult you should hire Space Balloons.
Gene Dante is becoming one of my favorite performers in town. Whether he’s playing solo, doing Joan Jett covers in leather chaps or rocking out with The Future Starlets, the guy delivers. He’s frickin’ magnetic.
I know I’m late to the party on this one. Let me have my moment.
Darling Pet Munkee
Glows In The Dark!
2012
Darling Pet Munkee is what happens when the kids who grew up on comic books, The Cramps and The Misfits decide to make a record just for the hell of it. The kids in this case are Michael J. Epstein, Sophia Cacciola and Catherine Capozzi. Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling meets Axemunkee in name and sound.
The subject matter for Glows In The Dark! (and the band’s name) comes from the ads in the back of old comic books. Songs like “X-Ray Specs”, “Kung-Fu Sandals” and “MONSTER S-I-Z-E MONSTERS” are given a garage/surf treatment. Even the ubiquitous “Sea-Monkeys” are fodder for this trio. The band’s website reveals the inspiration for each track, which is quite the fun read. Thankfully, the songs focus on what the products could have been rather than the inevitable disappointment delivered by the postman. Although, if a “Darling Pet Monkey” showed up at your door, disappointment would be the least of your worries.
Where to get it:
Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola
“Eight More Days of Hanukkah!”
2011
Tonight is the fourth night of Hanukkah. Wouldn’t it be great if it could go on forever? Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola seem to think so. They wrote a song about it. The duo’s plan involves adding eight more days of Hanukkah after every holiday. Like Groundhog Day. And St. Patrick’s Day. And Christmas.
If this song was the basis for a Rankin/Bass holiday special, it would probably end with everybody realizing that Hanukkah is more special when there are only eight days. The rest of the year we can carry Hanukkah in our hearts. This isn’t a Rankin/Bass special, though. It’s an Epstein/Cacciola special. In their version, every day would actually be Hanukkah. There would be an endless festival of lights.
We’re going to need some more candles.
Where to get it: