Hudson Falcons / Stray Bullets / The Sprained Ankles / Nick Ferraro & The Graniteers
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 2/10/18
Nick Ferraro and The Graniteers are playing when I walk in. Isn’t New Hampshire the Granite State? Perhaps they’re from there, or perhaps, this is neither here of there. But this is eighties style punk/garage/pop and this is music I’m not adverse to as I grew up on music like this. That is, going on the assumption that I did grow up.
This is stuff they called “power pop” at one time.
But my head and neck is boppin’ to the rockin’ songs- pop that has substance, not meaningless tripe. ( Tripe- A type of fish that has little or no substance or taste.)
Nick has a nice rhythm section, I assume they’re the Graniteers. Towards the end of their awesome set they have a song where the drummer plays an elaborate drum break at the end of lines but always pulls back just in time. I think, this is a great start for the show.
The Sprained Ankles are next. I didn’t get this band at first. Why is a band I describe, closer to Meatloaf than The Meatmen play punk shows? But they are a band that truly causes me unremorseful glee.
Much like most metal/hardcore, power violence, grindcore bands I cover- they have two female back-up singers and a keyboard music. (Editors note: He is being facetious or merely foolish.) And play music that has roots more in fifties and sixties pop songs than in punk rock and beyond.
And yeah, I’m still not sure why they play shows like this and not Bowling Banquets for Guns For All Senile Senior Citizens, like the ones I usually play. But I still truly enjoy them.
My friend, Nick, says they remind him of The B-52’s. And I can see that and it is a great reference.
Before one song someone yells to the singer, “What-a-ya think of Donald Trump?” And he says, “If I really had to go, I’d take a dump- right now, here on stage. A dump for Trump.” But thankfully, there’s no nods to GG Allin today.
I like a song best called “Roleplay,” for obvious reasons.
This band has lots of humor, lots of surfin’, rockin’ beats and is lots of fun!
And lots of my favorite folks are here today. Did I mention this show is sold out? Kim with her new spiked sandals, LauraMom, Gail and Christine from Salem. Dan (who finally got a handshake), Mike- Dowd and Murray, Jo & Carolyn- it’s a treat for me to see them all!
Stray Bullets play next and they play a genre that is not my favorite, ska/punk (my favorite genre is disco versions of country rock songs that is referred to as dance-a-billy.) But when you play any genre as well as these folks do- well, I always enjoy seeing them.
Though, metal/hardcore band Lunglust has a killer rhythm section, too. I nominate Scotty, on drums and Jameson, on bass (sounds like a whisky distillery team) as the best rhythm section we cover.
These guys could play Italian/Goth, Irish/Reggae or Russian/Emo and I’d probably still love them.
The band starts with the anti-drug dealer song. “Knife To The Pusherman,”- I’d suggest the knife needs to wielded towards the pharmaceutical, legal drug dealers- maybe that’s fodder for a future song. But they turn in a less political but still powerful and potent set today.
The Hudson Falcons, though I know I’ve seen them before, are a band I’m less familiar with. And though, I do know they’re celebrating their 20th Anniversary as a band today. I’m celebrating my 22nd birthday, right here, Sunday May 20th with Kermit’s Finger, Revilers, The Lost Riots, Uncle Spudd, Time Out Timmy, Linnea Svenka and ten or so large pizzas.
This is what is known as a shameless plug.
But The Hudson Falcons are a “street punk” band. This tag is not used as much now, but what it describes is Oi, mixed with hardcore and punk, much like the band The Ducky Boys.
And if that sounds like a potent recipe, well, in fact it is! And what these guys play today is a set that reflects on that and produces in spades.
They do a cover of The Dictators “Stay With Me,” and end with a cover of Stiff Little Fingers great “Alternative Ulster” with Jason Bennett (of Jason Bennett & The Resistance) hopping on stage to sing along.
Did I mention that Michael Kane, of Michael Kane and The Morning Afters was singing songs in between sets? And that Aria Rad (Coffin Salesman) wrestled the acoustic guitar away from him to sing one song. You know, the one that does, “You do a pretty good impression of being you.”
Did I mention that Kim is still looking so sweet and that I’m still cowering at her lovely feet?
Did I mention that this was a really, great show?
I didn’t!
Well, that’s all true.
Me, I’m done with doing impressions of me.
It’s about time for me to, truly be me.
While you all, walk on.
(Slimedog)
