Red Line Rebels / Tenebrae / Empty Vessels / The Loud Ones / The McGunks / F.O.A.C.
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 1/20/2013
It’s another Sunday matinee at the Midway- Oi! Oi! Oi! I arrive bearing my gifts of myrrh, incense and frank’n’beans; just like the wise guys or the wise kings brought to baby Jesus, I bring coffee and strawberry/banana smoothies to the Midway staff.
I divvy out my treats and take my spot at the side of the bar to observe the festivities. Up first is F.A.O.C. (Fry All Orange Chipmunks) I mean, F.O.A.C. (Fry Only Almond-scented Chipmunks) is first and though there’s a sparse crowd ’cause it’s early, they’re more than willing and able to rip into their set. They’re very young and have the former drummer of OC45. They play loud, intense, very in your face hardcore with a high register lead singer. They do a great job of getting the proceedings moving and look like a band that could move up in the lineup soon.
Punk veterans, The McGunks, are next and are more suited playing in the wee hours when folks are a wee bit more in the mood (drunk) than second on a matinee bill. They respond astutely, though, kicking ass as they’re wont to do. A great version of The Clash’s “Career Opportunities,” is their cover today replacing what I saw them do the last time, namely a medley of “Shout” with “Ace of Spades.” These guys aren’t hardcore, more traditional punk mixed with rock’n’roll and coined the term “punk’n’roll” which I use often and fits them to a tee. If you’re into seeing a local band in a club you won’t find much better than this.
The Loud Ones are next and by looking at them I get a bit fretful. The guitars are all guys that look older than me and what, with their long hair, wrinkles and scraggly, long beards look like they’re about to break into “Truckin’” by the Greatful Dead. The drummer looks like he’s played in L.A. Guns and the singer like an older nerd from an Indie band. But when they do play, what they do break into is a style that encompasses very early hardcore and traditional punk like The Dictators. This they do very well with a drummer that is better than good. They all sound great, though, and do an excellent cover of “Skate To Hell”. It just goes to show that it doesn’t matter how old you are or what you look like, it’s how you sound and if you want hardcore punk, look no further-this is it!
Empty Vessels are next and as usual, set up on the floor in front of the stage instead of upon it. I notice Allison, the guitarist, has a light pink kitty-kat upon her amplifier today. I find out later that’s its actually beige and stuffed, not real, which totally destroys all my connections to reality, fragile though that might be. Intense death metal vocals, noise guitar, hardcore rhythm section- this band fits with no categories while covering them all at the same time. They play a great, intense set as always and they’re a hard working band, as well, as after kicking ass here they’re off to Connecticut to do the same later on tonight.
Tenebrae is a band I’ve only seen once before and it was almost a year ago, but I have good memories of them and have heard good things so I’m not surprised that when I see them today I think they’re great. They play heavy, intense hardcore with a little metal influence and are a very aggressive onslaught of hardcore goodness. They’re reputation is valid, in my book, and I hope to see them more than once a year and I hope that it’s soon.
Red Line Rebels are the last band on today’s strong bill and after a few numbers, Josh, the bass player has technical difficulties with his bass and has to borrow one from Tenebrae. What is kinda funny but tragic just the same as his car is outside with a broken break line that he’ll have to leave at the club tonight. I ask him if he read his horoscope today. While Josh battles with his bass, lead singer Jay entertains the crowd with a fascinating discourse of the use of pottery in ancient Phoenicia that has the crowd rapt in concentrated awe. Me, I just go and take a piss.
Eventually, they get it together; turn in an awesome set of skate punk with such fine English madrigals as “Skate And Destroy” and “Snot Rocket.” Plus a dedication to the much missed Little Red Ryan Hood with “Deported To Hawaii,” her recent destination.
Another great Midway matinee following one just the day before; I hardly miss one of these the whole year and I’m glad for it. You will, too, if you check them out- you’ll be hooked!
And like the wise potato chips, I mean, wise men of Jerusalem I can only predict, I mean suggest…what were we talking about?
(Slimedog)
