Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
My favorite Boston band ever* had a little reunion and made Sally O’Brien’s feel like the Abbey Lounge. The Decals are the best. Honest.
* This would be true even if I wasn’t married to a member of the band.
It’s sinking in. The news that The Phoenix has had it’s last words is hitting the area music scene hard. Others have written about the details and the impact on the arts community far better than I can. That’s not what this is about. This is about thanks.
My first published photo was in the pages* of The Phoenix back in 2001. It was for a feature on The Decals.** It was one of the first promo photos I ever took, as evidenced by the chain link fence in the background. I was beside myself when I saw it in print.*** My photo in The Phoenix?!?! No way! It really meant a lot to me.
I want to offer a personal thank you to all the folks who have championed the Boston music scene at The Phoenix over the years. You’ve given valuable exposure to so many bands I love.**** May you go forth like the seeds of a dandelion on a summer breeze. I hope you turn the whole F’n town yellow.
* With a thumbnail on the cover!
** Another footnote! Nicole Anguish was a member of The Decals. Her first design job was at The Phoenix. She’s now the creative force behind Daykamp Creative.
*** It felt a lot like hearing one of my songs on the radio for the first time, which happened to come courtesy of WFNX.
**** Including one I was in and one I married into.
The Decals played their first show in 10 years at Bands For Babs. I was right up front watching my favorite Boston band of all time playing some of the best you-done-me-wrong punk tunes this city has ever seen. Just as I was thinking that I must be the happiest person in the room, I looked over and saw Barbara “Babs” Walsh herself standing up, singing along to every song.
OK, Babs, you win this time.
Full Disclosure: I’m married to a member of The Decals. I still think it’s safe to say that their set was awesome.*
* Because it was.
This is tough to write…
I’m going to get right to it. On July 3rd, our dear friend Barbara “Babs” Walsh suffered an AVM/stroke. She went into a coma. The news was brutal. Babs is one of my favorite people in the entire world. Anyone who knows Barbara understands what a big supporter she is of the Boston music scene. Any band that has endured her brutal honesty is better for it.* Even moving to L.A. several months ago didn’t slow her down. She had already been back this way a couple of times, attending shows and catching up with all of us who miss her. Suddenly, she was fighting for her life. Devastating.
This is easy to write…
You know what? Babs is a tough cookie. Her recovery, thus far, has been tremendous. Now we’re putting on a show with a bunch of her friends to help with the financial side of things. What kind of show? How about a two night blowout at Radio! Bands For Babs! Upstairs! Downstairs! Rock! Punk! Metal! Reunions! We’ve got it all in store for you. The show details and Facebook events are listed below. We hope you can make it out to our good ol’ fashioned rock ‘n’ roll extravaganza and help get Babs get back on her feet.
There’s also a website for donations: Funds For Babs
Both shows are at Radio.
Early shows! 8pm start time!
Presented by Boston Band Crush and Daykamp Music.
Poster by Daykamp Creative.
Night #1
Facebook event
Upstairs:
12a Rule
11p Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents
10p The Decals
9p AM Stereo
8p The Modifiers
Downstairs:
11:30p The Charms
10:30p Dave Mirabella
9:30p Eric Salt & The Electric City
Night #2
Facebook event
Upstairs:
12a The Dents
11p Devil On Horseback
10p Watts
9p Gymnasium
8p Spin-Off!
Downstairs:
11:30p The Dirty Truckers
10:30p Reverse
9:30p Dirt Mall
* Barbara has been particulary vocal about her distaste for the Dirt Mall song “The Demons & The Damned.” It’s already a long song, but I’m thinking we may bust out an extended version for this occasion. Just for you, Babs!
