Red Line Rebels Farewell Show
Red Line Rebels / The Pity Whores / Empty Vessels / The Radicals / Red Tape / Losers Circle
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 9/22/13
The Red Line Rebels were one of the first bands we reviewed in the last two and a half years and they might be the one we’ve reviewed the most often. But it was always fun and exciting to see them each time.
Jay, the singer is a great performer reminding me of Iggy Pop, my pick for best of all time. Tommy, the excellent guitarist, is one of the most creative players in the punk rock scene. Josh, a very skilled bassist, now has a ska band called Hobo Chili. Jaymz, the superb drummer, is versatile and adept and still plays in the great rock’n’roll band Hope & The Husbands,
Though it was sad to see that this was their last show it was a great lineup and turned out to be one of the best shows of the year. And I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of these guys.
So sit back, relax and let your mind and your senses be enveloped by the seductive soothing strains of dual texting.
Slimedog- Before we start I have to check, it seems sometimes I have misconceptions about what we’re about to see. Well, actually all the time so do I have this right- this is the Red Line Rebels kick off for their world tour where they will play in 127 countries with a movie and soundtrack to follow along with a reality series?
Andy- Yes, I believe that is correct. In fact, I recently purchased the RLR action figures. Very realistic.
Slimedog- Oh, No! I’m wrong again. Jay (the singer) just told me it’s their last show. I will cut this part out. I don’t want to appear stupid. Losers Circle is up first and I do believe it’s their last show as well.
Andy- Yes I believe I heard they’re working on a new band called Winners Square.
Slimedog- Oh, No! Jaime (singer/bassist) just told me we’re wrong. Actually they’re a new band from the ashes of Refuse Resist.
Andy- Hmm, this is all very troubling. I think we need new sources. Tell the one-eyed deaf mute to find a new job.
Slimedog- Jaime asked if I’m sick of seeing his band but with great pop/punk like this I look forward to each time I see them.
Andy- Well, I was a bit queasy earlier, but I think it was just gas. They have that old time Boston punk thing goin’ on.
Slimedog- True, now Red Tape is taking the stage. I hear they’re retiring from their long musical careers after the show.
Andy- Yah, to focus more on High School I imagine. Too bad, because they’re an awesome band.
Slimedog- Oh, No! Steve the dad says I’m wrong. I guess that makes sense. Add their three ages together and they’d still be younger than Slimedog. They’ve got the moshers going.
Andy- That dude’s their dad? Wow he looks more like their bodyguard. Yah, the crowds really diggin’ them.
Slimedog- Really good mix of hardcore, garage and punk. I just asked Aria (singer/bassist) of The Radicals if it’s indeed their last show. He said, “No”, and in fact they’re doing a split CD with Losers Circle.
Andy- Whew what a relief, I finally passed that gas that was buggin’ me. I’m gonna move to a different location while The Radicals take the stage.
Slimedog- The Radicals are political extremists who want to shut down the government. Ha! Like that would ever happen.
Andy- Hey speaking of government, isn’t Mayor Menino your neighbor?
Slimedog- Actually we live together, he is my partner. We’ve kept this secret for political reasons but now the truth can come out. This band sounds great, all three sing. And they mix hardcore with punk and street punk.
Andy- Yes, they’re very good. Nice edginess to their sound. We’ll have to keep an eye open for these guys.
Slimedog- When you see Tom Menino with his wife that’s actually me in drag. He really loves this music and soon he’ll be going to these shows. I’m sure I have this wrong but I hear the Empty Vessels have lost half their members.
Andy- Yah, but I heard they’re not lost. They just misplaced them. Looks like they’re gonna play regardless.
Slimedog- I see, perhaps they should look under the bed. This is just guitar and drums with no vocals. I can tell by your look of glee that you’re digging this.
Andy- No I’m just feeling relieved as I just passed a bit more gas. Not quite sure what to make of this. The drummer looks like he may faint at any moment from over-exertion.
Slimedog- More experimental music than punk but I dig it. If anyone finds their members please drop them in a mailbox addressed to us. Tom would hate it if I lost my member.
Andy- Yup. OK, who’s next?
Slimedog- The band I pray will break up every day. The deplorable, disgusting, demonic Pity Whores.
Andy- Oh really? I thought they moved to California to become actors. Well good then, I like them.
Slimedog- I don’t want these perverted Mongolian sheep herders to break up. I want them to break in two! I must admit though, this is the set of the day so far on such a strong bill.
Andy- Agreed. They definitely get up for their live shows or maybe it’s the Viagra.
Slimedog- I went to throw a cupcake at them, to hopefully blind them, and on my last throw it went into the mouth of Rory (bassist/ sheep herder) just as the song was ending as well as the set!
Andy- Hmm, maybe you injured him or maybe he wanted more cupcakes. At any rate, it’s time for the stars of the show to take the stage.
Slimedog- Yes, the Red Lines might be the band we’ve seen the most of any band on our site.
Andy- Oh, I thought Reason To Fight was playing, but the Red Lines are good, too. But in all seriousness, it will be sad to see them go.
Slimedog- We’ve seen them from when they didn’t have a regular drummer but they always had a great punk spirit. And as they got better they became my favorite Boston band but I think it was more in part to them having that total punk spirit.
Andy- True and they saved their best performance for the end. Jay is pulling out all the stops for this one.
Slimedog- “Skate and Destroy,” “Repo Man”, “Deported To Hawaii,” all the great tunes amongst the silly string craziness.
Andy- And lots of audience participation as well. It’s more like a party in here than a music show.
Slimedog- Great show and good way to send them out. And don’t worry about the mistakes we made, I’ll take them all out.
Andy- What mistakes?
