Spirit Kid @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.14.2011

Spirit Kid was the one band in the 2011 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble that I managed to catch in each round. Their performance on Semi-Final Night #1 was easily their best. The band seemed both at ease and full of energy. It was urgent and effortless. This was the set that turned Spirit Kid from the band I like into the band I can’t wait to see again.

Spirit Kid won the night.



Spirit Kid @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.5.2011

Spirit Kid put their ’60s pop-inspired songs on display during Preliminary Night #3 of the 2011 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. It was a non-stop hit parade.* Although they didn’t win the night, their performance was strong enough to earn them a wildcard selection.



*Well, not really. However, in a just world, all of these songs would be hits. Also, I don’t think songs can actually be paraded about.

John Powhida International Airport @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.5.2011

By now we all know that John Powhida International Airport took the tiara in the 2011 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble.  Congratulations to J-Po and his flight crew on their well earned victory.

Here are some photos from the night that started it all for them.  The band rocked, rolled, shook and shimmied their way to a Preliminary Night #3 victory.  Good times.



Cult 45 @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.5.2011

Any band that can pull off a cover a Sabbath’s “The Mob Rules” is OK in my book. So… Cult 45, you’re OK in my book.

Cult 45 represented the horn-throwing underbelly of Boston rock during Preliminary Night #3 of the 2011 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. Rippin’ guitar riffs, driving bass, pounding drums and wailing vocals are the name of the game here. Cult 45 has all of these in spades.



The 2011 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble…

So, here we are on the eve of the 2011 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble Finals. Head on down to T.T. The Bear’s Place tomorrow night and check out John Powhida International Airport, Spirit Kid and Old Jack as they vie for the coveted Rumble Tiara.

Anngelle Wood has done a remarkable job with this institution. The Rumble is a crash course in Boston’s awesomeness. The 2011 edition has been a celebration of our fantastically eclectic music scene. I haven’t been able to attend all of the shows, but I’ve enjoyed myself immensely on the nights I’ve made my way down to Central Square.

Over the next several days I’ll be posting up some pictures from this year’s festivities. The Autumn Hollow Band are already on display. Watch for photos of John Powhida International Airport, Spirit Kid, Sidewalk Driver, Mellow Bravo, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling and Cult 45.

Tomorrow night should be a lot of fun.

The Autumn Hollow Band @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 4.5.2011

The Autumn Hollow Band is a band that sounds like The Band. Band band band. They have one foot in rock, one in folk and one in country. They are a three legged monster of Americana.

Speaking of feet, a good portion of the band was barefoot during their set that opened Preliminary Night #3 of the 2011 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. As they finished their set, I ruminated that topping The Autumn Hollow Band’s set would be a challenging feat.*


*John Powhida International Airport would go on to win the night, but we’ll have more on that later.