2 posts tagged “cambridge”

The evening started with walking from one end of Central Square to the other, and then crossing over that path diagonally. Finally, we landed in Central Kitchen and proceeded to eat and drink to a ridiculous sum. However, I did have a handful of the best fried potato product ever -- the frites there are insanely amazing.

Anyway, finally headed over to the Middle East, as the show was upstairs. We saw a local-ish band with a name that I do not remember do some surf/rockabilly. There was something about the lead singer, and how his band had been pretty big 15 years ago, but then his brother (who was also in the band) died, and then he stopped playing altogether. The things you learn outside while smoking, I swear.

Oh, also, the lesson for the night? Pay it forward. There was a girl on the ground throwing up like madness, and her friend looked fairly terrified. Went to the shop and go them some gum and water, and tried to track down the thired person in their hapless band of college girls. Third Girl was totally put out that her friend was ill, and even the Second Girl wavered on going with the First Girl in the ambulance that finally came to collect her. Seriously, kids today.

Back inside for one of the best live performances I have ever seen by the World's Greatest Sinners. I can't even describe why it was so amazing except the fact that there were saxophones and singing and gorgeous ladies and it was amazing. AMAZING. At one point, the lead singer said, "We're going to do it fast, because it seems like you like it when we do it fast," and I was like, "Huh, is that a Tina Turner shout out?" and then they kicked into "Ragdoll" and I lost my mind. Seriously, I may have been the only fucking person who knew the words, but who cares? "Do I love you, my oh my? River deep, mountain high, oh oh ohhhhh yeeeeah!" Classic. We stood there and pretty much said, "How the fuck did we not know about this band?" I love how this city just brings forward so many different genres of music, and so many talented folks.

Then, randomly saw one of the boys from Disc, a ridiculous indie film I did ages back, and got caught up. Finally went back inside to randomly see one of my friends onstage with the Gobshites. Hilarious. Earlier, I had asked a friend if it would be like Black 47 when he warned of impending pogo'ing, and he said "Well, yes, but without the rage." But what is Black 47 without the rage? Actually, it probably does sound a lot like the Gobshites. (I recommend "Drinking Again," if only for the singalong insanity. I love a singalong!) In classic fashion, the lead singer was wearing a tee shirt that said, "I didn't fuck your missus" on the front and "But I did fuck her girlfriend" on the back. Or something along those lines. And of course was having a go about Shane McGowan at the bar afterward.

Finally, what we all came for: World/Inferno Friendship Society. I don't even know how to describe this music. Some people say Northern Soul, or Soulcore or whatever, but it's just entertaining. Pogo'ing like madness, singalongs, glints of the lead singer's red eyes (contacts, I hope!) in the lights, more people on stage than it could support, and just an entire room filled with happy folks. It was a pretty amazing feeling.

Cab ride to Dear Girl's house ended in hilarity as Her Boy showed off a guitar he had won that evening and we discussed our levels of drunkitude. Home for sleeps, and My Boy went to work this morning like a good darling. I seriously think he's only missed work once -- he's gone sick, hungover, half asleep. He is just way more hardcore than I am.

So, things learned tonight: Being nice always helps, there is always more music than you think there is, and sometimes eating copious amounts of fusion cuisine is just necessary.

Like usual, it starts with a boy. And it ends at an area club watching a band that seriously sounded like it stepped out of the early '90s. The bad part of the early '90s.

Right. I will admit, loud and proud, of my love for Oasis. Okay? Noel Gallagher is a fucking g*d in my opinion. They are the best fucking Beatles tribute act of all time. I hated the Beatles until Oasis came along! No fucking joke. ANYWAY. So, here we have my love for Oasis, so you know I can totally appreciate terrible pop pub rock. On the other hand, there is my massive hatred for bands such as the Goo Goo Dolls and the Gin Blossoms. I hear that sort of music, plaintive Empire Records-style crap and I want to seriously shake babies.

Anyway. So we go to see this band. This band called Minky Starshine and The New Cardinals or SOMETHING. Yes, I know. See, I was totally fine with the fact that the lead singer considered Minky to be his alter-ego, blah blah blah, mostly because he was older than me and still rocking badges on his lapels, but I guess I was expecting something a bit more. Um. Rocking? Anyway. I felt like I was stuck in VH1, circa 1996. Yes, I know. I think I may have enjoyed myself more if the band actually engaged with the (albeit minimal) audience. Because some of the smallest shows I've gone to have been the best, because the band used it as an opportunity to hone their craft of showmanship, of performance, not just using the good acoustics for a rehearsal. Because, ultimately, that's what this felt like. No movement on stage, nothing. I can forgive a lot re: musical stylings, as long as you entertain me. But if you don't entertain me, I don't care how good you sound (Hello, Tool at the Tweeter Center last fall!), I'm going to fall asleep. I could go home and listen to your album if I wanted to hear you. Going to a show is about the entire experience.

(Seriously, while writing this, I had to go to that MySpace page a couple of times and I seriously am listening to Maximo Park on 11 right now to clean out my ears. Agh!)

Look, it's fine, it's honorable, keep on keeping on. But. Like. I want to stop being crazy because they are nice enough guys and all, but I just read on their blog that they were selected by the CW to be used on an upcoming show this season. Are you fucking kidding me? I remember when the WB first started using "indie" music in their shows -- it was actually awesome to see bands like Guster on television and hear things that you normally wouldn't on primetime. That only lasted for less than a year, until the corporate whores upstairs figured out that they could repackage the tunes on compilation albums and make a fucking mint and pay the bands close to nothing for their music. SO. On top of the fact that I was bored fuckless, to find out that they actually were selected to be on the CW plus the fact I think the CW is run by a bunch of See You Next Tuesdays, I just have no space in my tiny black heart to like this band.

I really, really wanted to like this band. Who wouldn't like a 30-something hipster with crazy hair and badges on a well worn blazer? Come on! This is my bread and butter, people. What would it take?

Maybe if Minky learns how to shake his ass on stage. Maybe.