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ivan@stellysee.de
| From | Andrea Kremer <kremer@shore.net> |
| Subject | two more cents and then some... |
| Date | Sat, 19 Apr 2003 11:44:30 -0400 (EDT) |
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A few recent show reports-slash-plugs I've been meaning to post, for them
what cares:
1) The Suggestions at the Kendall Cafe, Cambridge MA, 4/11/03
As usual, John B. & Co. rocked the party, though it was a somewhat small
and chatty party (which is sadly typical of the Kendall). The new material
from their "Mix Tape" EP became instantly stuck in my head, particularly
"Be True," an infectious, anthemic song of the sort you used to hear on
the radio. I will continue to preach the Suggestions gospel on any musical
pulpit I find (and they also get a very good response from the weekly
crowd at the pottery studio). Their music, while obviously informed by the
classic canons of powerpop, new wave and rock'n'roll, has a certain
indefinable something, a personality, that makes it uniquely and instantly
identifiable as theirs. Consummate performers and a swell bunch of guys.
2) Mike Gent at ZuZu, Cambridge MA, 4/14/03
If you ever get the chance to see Mike Gent, you should. He's in a whole
bunch of great bands -- most notably the Gentlemen, the Figgs, and the new
Candy Butchers lineup. So when I saw an advertisement for a solo acoustic
performance called "Mike Gent's 'Unhappy Hour' in a small restaurant/venue
called ZuZu (part of the Middle East nightclub), I couldn't resist. I
didn't know what to expect from a solo acoustic Gent, but I was truly
amazed at what I heard. His singing is soulful and expressive (with a
killer falsetto!), his playing deftly melodic. He was also joined at
various points by Scott Janovitz of local rock outfit Dragstrip Courage
(they did a *great* cover of TMBG's "I've Got a Match"), Brett Rosenberg
of the Brett Rosenberg Problem, and Corin Ashley of The Pills. It was one
of the most enjoyable and memorable shows I've seen. Catch him if you can.
3) The Trouble Dolls, The Lizard Lounge, Cambridge MA
Caught an excellent set from NY's Trouble Dolls, who opened for Ad Frank
at the Lizard Lounge last Tuesday. I would describe the Trouble Dolls as
what would have become of the Archies had they graduated from Riverdale
High, gone on to an exclusive liberal arts college, and ended up living in
Manhattan and working in the publishing industry. I don't know why I think
this -- it might've been the fact that there were two girls, two boys and
a tambourine. More to the point, their sound managed to be both
bubblegum-sweet and interestingly edgy. Good singin', good playin', and a
good (albeit unfinished) song called something like "Stand Clear (of
Closing Doors)." I'd definitely go see them again if they come back to
town, and I did pick up their 3-song CD "I Don't Know Anything At All,"
which I am quite enjoying.
Tonight I'll be catching an early set by Boston's own Lemonpeeler at TT
the Bear's, 9pm. Whew!
Your overextended list-buddy,
Andrea
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