Coffin Salesman / OC45 / Burn Burn Burn / Bundles
O’Brien’s Pub, Allston, MA 11/3/18
Like the last show I attended where I watched the whole set by the first band, believing it was another band on the bill. This week, I did the same. I thought I was watching Burn 3x’s but, in fact, it was Bundles.
Bundles is a band I’ve seen listed on a few bills before, but this was my first time seeing them live and I hope, it’s not my last.
Their music falls in that melodic/punk category with emotional, almost exasperated vocals that recall both The Buzzcocks and Husker Du to me.
And I believe they deserve to be mentioned along with those great bands with their exuberant, expressive, exciting songs. Though melodic and catchy, there’s tons of passion and guts in their singing and playing. A great start to the night!
Burn Burn Burn, a band from Seattle is next. A band I reviewed before, that also work in that melodic/punk style. And they seem to have crossed paths on the road, with OC45, many times.
They have a mustachioed singer who I, at first, took to be Freddie Mercury, but alas- I was mistaken!
They do have a tight, powerful band that plays fast and loud and really gets the crowd going. My arch-nemesis, Blowfish from Boston Groupie News, arrives with his entourage and bodyguards and gaudy, golden neck chains and really likes them. I do too. But though good, I have to tell him I liked the first band better.
OC45 is up next to take the stage and TNB feels a connection with them as they started about a month after we did, which was May 2011. And not only are they one of the best melodic/punk bands from Boston (you’re gonna wait a long time if you’re waiting for me to use the “P” (pop) word), they are probably the most dedicated band we cover, touring constantly.
Andy witnessed their first show, at the Midway then, and we’ve been pleased as punch to see them develop and grow, while we’ve become bogged down with allegations of taking money from Russian punk promoters and tapes of me being anointed, not with holy water, but by something else from Russian naughty ladies.
OC45 instead, has great energetic, catchy tunes never lacking in grit and realness that still reflect going against the grain, against society and embrace the true meaning of punk as much as any band, I know.
They’ve always had the same core of Adam, Derek and Nick on the stringed instruments but have had countless drummers. Tonight they have a female drummer, named April, who kicks ass more than any other drummer I’ve seen with them with before.
The highlight of their set, for me, is “FTW (Fuck The World)” where, it seems, every musician in the joint, joins them onstage to sing along.
I always expect to enjoy an OC45 show, I always have. But I did not expect them to be this great tonight! Probably the best I’ve ever seen them.
This is Coffin Salesman’s record release which is what started as Aria Rad’s, of the defunct hardcore/punk band The Radicals- solo acoustic project, which has grown now into being- a full six-piece band.
Aria’s first solo release was one of my favorites of the year and I don’t think anyone writes better lyrics of all the bands I write about.
I’ve seen him solo but not with this band that includes a female back up vocalist, keyboards and a violinist! If you came here thinking you were about to receive your typical punk rock performance than you are about to be greatly disappointed.
But if you’re open to a performance with lyrics full of anger and disillusionment, pointed against society and life, packed with a delivery and passion that suits such emotion. Backed by a band and music that seems to change from acoustic contemplation to thrash metal like vibrancy- well, then you might experience a performance that isn’t punk in music per se- but is so, in every other detail.
Though quite different than the music preceding them, it somehow fits perfectly with the vibe of tonight. Aria even crowd surfs during one of his songs. You’re missing a great show if you’re not here but you can check out his new album and my review, on-line as you read this.
Watching the show tonight I realize that I’m not just at a nightclub but really, I’m at my house of worship. Holy as any mosque or church could be to any followers of a religion.
This is where I go to profess my faith, what I believe in, on weekends just as others go to their church, synagogue or mosque.
It’s the only place I’ve ever truly felt at home. Not really at home with my family, not at any office or workplace, not at any other kind of public gathering for work or enjoyment.
This is my religion, this is my home, this is my love, this is my philosophy.
This is my life.
A lot of folks in bands or fans come up to me and thank me, for writing about them or encouraging and endorsing the scene, the bands they love. I do, truly appreciate that.
But I also feel, that it’s like being handed diamonds and being told, “Thank you for accepting them.”
And that’s how I feel tonight.
(Slimedog)
