Thrash N' Bang!!!

Brunt Of It / Sami K & The Fast 4 / Old Edison / The Pity Whores / Pink Parts
Midway Cafe Jamaica Plain MA 4/20/13

I’ve been to the Midway many, many times. More days than some of you have been alive. And I’ve seen many things, some things none of you have seen. But today I saw something that I’ve never seen at the Midway before- a marriage proposal! This afternoon, during a Red Line Rebels set, Jay the singer of that band proposed and was accepted by the sweet Stephanie. And after he dropped and almost lost the ring the band roared into “Snot Rocket.” It brought tears to my eyes.

But tonight is another punk show and I must pull myself together, emotionally and physically, because I have a job to do. And so do the Pink Parts, the lead off band tonight and a band I’ve seen a couple of times before but never got a chance to review.

They are an old school punk band and when I say punk, though they appear to be young, they are very true to the original meaning of it even if it gets a bit sloppy at times. Fronted by a yelping, screaming female who reminds me of Poly Styrene from X-Ray Spec, this band turns in a passionate, true take on punk rock that is exciting, fun and real. Are they the most skilled band around? Not at all. Are they a band I would like to see more often and encourage other to see as well? Always.

Now here is a band, The Pity Whores, who I would encourage no one to see. Not because of their music, which is great- a neat mix of classic punk, hardcore and pop/punk- but because of their vile and disgusting human attributes that involve naked displays of derrieres (bum bums).

But tonight I can forgive these miscreants, these mongoloids of music because of such a fun, rockin’ set they turn in. Leading off with “Rock N Roll High School” by the Ramones (not an easy one to pull off) to such original romantic power ballads as “You Make Me Want To Puke” and “I Wanna Fuck You” …Well, all I can say is this is a band that fulfills all the yearnings of your heart, your soul, your scrotum- wrapped up all in one neat little package.

Old Edison is next and though main man Will is unable to attend due to illness you know these merry music makers will soldier on. Partly acoustic shout along, partly drunken reverie- this band knows how to be punk without a fast song amongst their repertoire. Acoustic guitar, fiddle even a banjo- just think of them as Boston’s Pogues and leave it at that.

Sami K and the Fast 4 are next. They’re a traveling band with roots in Brooklyn and L.A. They are a roots reggae band. They have a “dub” sound to them and a deep bass groove and this style they do very well. Not exactly my thing but they’re very good at it.

Brunt Of It is up to take it out. Unfortunately, the Jamesons and Narragansetts have taken their toll on me. But have no fear, I’ve seen this band before and know they play in the ska/hardcore style with horns. And though my memory banks have been erased tonight I know them as probably the top local band in the style they play. And I’m sure they played well tonight and I’m sure I had a good time.

Hope you did too.

(Slimedog)