STREET DOGS / DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR / LENNY LASHLEY / DEAD ELLINGTON
Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA 12/11
So tonight we’re checking out one of the Street Dog’s annual Xmas shows, returning to Boston to play a weekend at the Paradise each year. Andy and I had little exposure to them before catching them this time last year. We thought they put on a pretty good show so we’re back for more. I guess it’s not cool, according to some folks, to like the Street Dogs. Once a band “makes it” I think a bit of jealousy sprouts up; “why didn’t my band” or “why didn’t my favorite band” have the luck they had. We try to skirt free of the politics of why or why not we should like a band and take them for how they sound; and for us they put on a great show.
Before the bands play we notice Jake and Nick the Knife from BarRoom Heroes who was one of the support bands from last nights show. We were hoping they came unattended as we could turn them in as runaways to the police for a sizable reward, but alas, Carrie the Mom/Manager is on hand. Not that it isn’t always great to see her, it just spoils our diabolical plans. Shortly after that we see Ian from Brass N Ammo (giving me a cd to review) and also, Jason and Audrey with little Trinity from the Punks For Princess charity (http://www.facebook.com/#
Dead Ellington are up first, a Boston band I’d have heard of but not heard. First thing noticed is the Xmas caps and costumes they have on. A special note for the bass player dressed in some kind of green pajamas. I was hoping they’d play a death metal version of “Take The A Train” instead we get a pretty, nifty set of pop/punk tunes. The band has a lot of energy that builds as the set goes on. A definite good start to the night.
Lenny Lashley is next but in a bit of a surprise has a full band with him. The pedal steel and mandolin players are joined by upright bass and drums. They’re all excellent players but it’s still a good set based predominately on his strong songwriting. I do miss not hearing one of my faves “Viva Rock N Roll” but I do get to hear something described as a “sad Christmas song” that more than makes up for it. I’ve only seen him now a few times but he’s got me sold.
“Death Before Dishonor” are next and we get the impression they’re feeling a little bit out of place as the singer is almost apologetic about being there. They’re a bit more on the heavy side as he states but they’re still a very good band. They do hardcore which falls more on the metal side than punk, I’d say; but they always put on a great show and tonight is no exception.
Now it’s time for the Street Dogs who start with men in kilts playing bagpipes. “As you would,” as Andy Bang would say. Then they’re off and running, toning down the “Irish Punk” style with a more straight ahead pop/punk one almost like early Green Day. All I know is they have a great drummer (and bassist, as well), and a lead singer that besides having a good voice knows how to interact with a crowd. They mix it up with some slow and acoustic numbers and for a few introduce an accordion player who they say is on a three day bender (he does look very drunk). And as the set goes on we notice Lenny is brought up to sing (they call themselves “Streetbuster”), the BarRoom Heroes guys to sing back up, Mark Doherty from Dead Friends is up there, even little Trinity to ride on the guitar players shoulders.
More and more people are invited up until for the final encore everyone from the entire crowd is invited onstage. It just proves that if a band is prepared for this to happen it can be a very cool thing. I saw this a few years back on the Iggy and the Stooges reunion tour. No one gets hurt or hurts the band and everyone just has a crazy, fun time. Oh, look- there goes Ian flying across the stage! I, wisely, stayed out of all of this as, if I hadn’t, it’s unlikely that I would be writing this review now. But I think this is a pretty good Christmas tradition and I can’t wait to get these presents again.
(Jim Slimedog)
