Rock N’ Roll Rumble Night #6
Streight Angular / Motherboar / Sherman Burns / The Grinds
TT the Bears, Cambridge MA 4/7/12
We went to the Rock N Roll Rumble, (a yearly battle of the bands, basically), last Saturday night, mainly to root on the only two bands in it that have profiles on our site. First up, let me say all the positive stuff about The Rumble. It’s great to have an excuse to bring a lot of different bands together and get people riled up enough to come to shows. It’s great exposure and prizes for the bands and it creates more awareness of the bands in the local scene. And though I certainly applaud WZLX in putting this on, I can’t help but think of what the average listener of that station is like- probably someone my age who just sits around all year just waiting for Lynyrd Skynyrd or Bad Company to come to town and wouldn’t be caught dead at a local punk or metal show. And I know it’s to be expected, but when I look at all the really worthy hardcore, punk and metal bands on our site passed over, it just says to me- something’s not right. But again, these are my praises and complaints and overall, I’m glad this event happens every year.
The crowd seems heavy on the punks and headbangers tonight. Up first is one of our own bands, The Grinds, who have seemed to have had a very successful year or so. Fronted by two gals, Erin Wickens and Chrissy Spoiler, (the later of the late great Spoilers), this band plays garage rock with punk energy and pop harmonies. They lead off with their local hit of last year, “Don’t Need You,” then continue blasting down the walls, taking no prisoners. They play a very tight, organized, passionate set and Bang and I agree, it’s by far the best we’ve seen them. Whatever happened to that scruffy band with the timid singer? That’s long since passed and though they’ve been saddled with playing first, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they take the night.
Sherman Burns is next and they describe themselves as a Progressive Grunge outfit. I overhear Jimmy Thrash muttering something about “a cross between Robin Trower and Emerson, Lake and Palmer,” but he’s four sheets to the wind. This band sounds more metal-ish to me but not like a typical metal band. They’re pretty intense and though I’m not totally sold on them, I’m glad there doesn’t appear to be any bands influenced by Wham tonight. Don’t laugh, I’ve seen bands playing 80’s new wave pop in this current Rumble and it’s not a pretty sight.
Motherboar, one of the most popular local metal bands on our site, plays next. They play brutal, aggressive modern metal music with the growly vocals and pounding rhythms but they’re not really on the thrash side. They are frequently nominated, and have won, for Best Local Metal Band before in many contests. They put on a strong performance but I worry that their sound will be too extreme for the judges. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Around this time Bang and I chat with Melanie and David of The Fagettes. I saw their set two nights ago in the Rumble. They’re the kind of band that doesn’t fit easily into any category and it’s one of the reasons I love them. One of the best live bands in Boston in my opinion, and in my opinion, Melanie has the best stage presence of any performer in town. (Don’t mention this to them as they are very modest). Fun, fun band and I was shocked when they didn’t win their night (though their set was marred by sound and technical difficulties), anyways, big recommendation from me.
Up last is Streight Angular. Now, here is a band no one would accuse of being boring. All the members look like George Clinton of Parliament/Funkadelic dressed them what with their psychedelic clothes and war paint. Also, those little green disco spots are being projected on the crowd and dancers who are sometimes on the stage and sometimes in the crowd offering candy from a basket. Sorry, young man, my mother warned me about accepting candy from a stranger! Though visually entertaining I notice my attention wandering after a few songs and I conclude that the material is just not there.
Still with two very good bands, (The Grinds, Motherboard) and two not bad ones, (Sherman Burns, Streight Angular) it’s better than what I would expect from a typical (Wham) Rumble night. I got my fingers crossed for The Grinds and the announcement is being made. Motherboard wins! And later next week it’s announced that Sherman Burns got a Wild Card pick. Good luck, guys!
(Slimedog)
