Richie Parsons / The Grommets / The Instamatics
The Milton Porchfest, Milton, MA 9/22/18
So I hear there’s a new nightclub in Milton.
It’s called The Milton Porchfest.
Last week I did a review from The Roslindale Porchfest, so I assume they’re both part of the same chain.
You know, like House Of Blues. And it appears they’re geared to challenge that chain’s market and, from what I’ve seen so far, they just might!
I remember when House Of Blues was first in Cambridge. It was a funky place to see blues legends and have Southern cookin’.
The current HOB is probably the least appetizing music joint I’ve ever been in!
When you take in account I’m speaking from forty years of going to “music joints,” and that I’d rather visit the laundry room of a nursing room than the House Of Blues, again- well, you get my point.
This is another open air, outdoors performance venue. Much like whatever Great Woods in Mansfield is called nowadays. What bloodless, corporate sponsorship do they have now? Let’s go with The Burger King Center!
Unlike that place, though, The Porchfest chain vows to have shows throughout the dead of winter and I look forward to spending four hours out in the open during freezing, sub-zero temperatures this coming winter.
But much like the Roslindale club- there appears to be no entrance, no fee and no bar. (How do these people expect to make a profit? I guess they must have low overhead.)
And when I hear there’s no bar I become a bit unruly. I topple lawn chairs, hurl debris at passing kids on bicycles, verbally berate a sedate meeting of soccer moms on the sidewalk, causing them to flee away in anger.
I’m quickly placated by The Grommets who offer me some beer, of which I partake, and some brie that is located in the manager’s office. And, thankfully, all calm and order is restored.
Which allows me to focus on the first band performing today, The Instamatics.
They are a trio who do surf, instrumental covers of which I’ve had the most delightful pleasure of witnessing, several times before.
But alas, with all the police action I’m evoking, at the same time, I catch preciously, little of their set.
So let’s disregard them as I will be seeing their next performance next Saturday, at the Midway Cafe. But I must inject that they are a truly, worthy band of playing the opening set of this brand new venue.
The Grommets command the elaborate stage next, equipped with a wonderful state of the art, solar light system. The lovely, and charming Eric The Fruitbat, played bass in the previous band and this one, as well. He is joined by his lovely, and charming wife, Kris Krost on guitar along with the lovely, and charming Ida Wishiquitwhileiwasahead on drums.
Eric and Kris shared vocals, much like they share household chores, though I do take note the Kris has to nag Eric to sing his songs.
They lead off with a song about deleting friends, not only from Facebook, but from your life called, “If Your Phone Doesn’t Ring, It’ll Be Me.” A little later a song called “Cerveca,” (Spanish for beer,) which I toast with, “Migusta cerveca!” (I love beer in Spanish.) But I love this song, too. (But not as much as cerveca!)
They play a traditional punk style with many stops and starts that recall to me Devo and many other great, quirky new wave/punk bands that relied on emotion, truth and creativity, if not so much on finesse.
But for me, this band, this set- is perfect.
Richie Parson is the last to perform. Alas, he is bass-less and I feel it’s baseless that he has no bass to play with him.
I become agitated again. I’m pushing grandma’s into potato salad, I’m barking at passing dogs and up the wrong trees, I’m exposing my succulent man breasts to the soccer mom’s who recoil in horror. (Though I feel I do detect, a gleam of interest in their eyes!)
But I have no time for that, because you see- Richie Parsons is a local punk rock legend leading the early Boston punk band Unnatural Ave, (Their big song was “They Saved Hitler’s Brain.”) Based on a crazy, sixties movie. (This is, much like what Spandau Ballet once sang, is true!)
And earlier today his bass player did slice his finger with a buzz saw blade. (Ouch!) And much like Spandau Ballet explained- this much is true!
I guess it’s pretty sad when a writer constantly has to state when he is actually telling the the truth. I guess, a journalist I’ll never be.
Oh! And Richie had another excellent band- surf/punk with saxophone- The Future Dads! Check them out on youtube. (Future Dads- Dorchester Summer.)
And today, he has an excellent drummer and lead guitarist to back up his new songs which are more of the pop/rock variety, and his high registered voice is just as strong as it was forty years ago.
And though his style is not my forte’! I can honestly say, (what a foreign concept for me), that they are top of the notch songs whatever genre you want to fling them into.
For me this was a pleasant, fall afternoon no matter what the several police reports filed against will probably try to contradict.
Next Saturday I’ll be back at my usual place of business, the Midway Cafe.
Oh, wait! Someone just told me they’ve been bought out by a chain?
Guess I’ll be at The Midway Porchfest, it’s new name.
And could a rose smell any sweeter?
(Slimedog)
