Swaggerin’ Growlers / Stray Bullets / Uzuhi / Red Line Rebels / Red Tape / Surf’s Up Spicoli
Midway Café, Jamaica Plain, MA 10/6/2012
Today is a sold out show at the Midway for a Saturday punk matinee; considering I’ve seen Reagan Youth, Guttermouth and The Vibrators here and none of them sold out this is quite the accomplishment. So kudos to Jay Genoa for putting on this show, I guess the draw was The Stray Bullets reunion today who used to play underground shows nearby but thanks, also, to all the fans coming out because you make the scene even more than the bands. And the evening local punk show sold out as well, but that’s another story.
I bring my usual smoothies and ice coffees for the staff and I’m shocked- it’s a miracle! Bartenderess Jill has taken my example and has vowed never to let alcohol pass her lips again. She says the only alcohol that will ever pass her lips will be wine at mass on Sunday mornings.
So onto the show. First up is Surf’s Up, Spicoli which is a three piece surf instrumental band. I’ve seen them twice before and they were good but today they’re burning on all cylinders. Why I always see them playing punk shows is a little surprising but it’s great for me as I enjoy the genre immensely. Pretty authentic sounding, too, as I had to ask if they were doing covers or not- turns out its all originals and a great start for the show.
Red Tape is next and it’s only my second time seeing them but I know it’s gonna be great. I believe this is only the second show for this young crew, also a trio, who though named for a Circle Jerks tune play garage punk’n’roll and would have fit in nicely playing at The Rat on any bill back in the eighties (believe me, I should know). This is a fun, enjoyable band to hear and they get the crowd moshin’.
Red Line Rebels are next with their faster than the speed of light hardcore. The instruments go so fast that it settles down into this whirring sound of a machine along with the sarcastic guitar phrases and intro’s lending a Dada like comment on the absurdity of life. These songs are over quick so I do miss the entirety of “Snot Rocket” (not to be confused with “Rocket Man” by Elton John) while in the mens room milking my lizard. But I do not miss, unfortunately, the horrible sight of the bass player from that ghastly band, The Pity Whores, as he is hoisted upon the shoulders of another debaucher, with his pants down and his hind quarters in plain sight of view. Lead Singer, Jay, takes a few whacks at his derriere and all I can say is that he is in need of stricter discipline. Perhaps with Sister Dominatrix Madeline at the House of Perpetual Agony before he changes his evil ways- Let us pray!
Shawn Refuse is here today, the last sold out show here was when his old band, Refuse Resist, played their farewell show a few months back. He is accompanied by the lovely and charming Lyz Red and is celebrating his 55th birthday. I encourage her to give Shawn his birthday spanking and whack away like Jay but alas, it seems more like a daily occurrence for them. Seems it’s true that the secret to a successful life is discipline.
But now we turn our eyes, hearts and minds toward Uzuhi. They are a Japanese band from New York. We had featured their video before but it did not prepare me for this total assault on my senses. First of all they have a singer with one of the most commanding stage presences I have ever witnessed. He talks directly to the crowd, a lot, and with a serious expression that masks a sly humor. He has the crowd eating out of his hand after the first song.
Secondly, they play a style of music that I would describe as Queen jams with The Circle Jerks while they are all on acid (okay, ecstasy). I told my description to several people who saw them and everyone agreed with me.
What this means is they’ll have a totally thrashing hardcore or metal beginning to a song and then in the middle go into a waltz or a progressive, jazz rock interlude. And actually, they fall into the later more than the former much to my chagrin.
But they’re so much fun to see I don’t mind the music at all. The singer has so much control over the crowd that during one song when about fifty people are going wild, moshing in front of the stage, the music suddenly stops and he says, “Everyone- Sit Down,” which they immediately do. He then selects a girl from the crowd, Ali, our local Jewish punkette, and has her sit by him on the stage while he proceeds to sing a short love song to her. Then he says, “Everyone- Get Up,” and everyone leaps up to commence moshing once again.
Stray Bullets have a tough act to follow but since so many folks are here to see them they have an easier go at it. They do a kind of ska/punk, if you’re familiar with songs like “Mirror In The Bathroom” by Madness then you can get where they’re coming from. This style they do quite well and the crowd eats it up. It’s not really my thing but the crowd loves them.
Swaggerin’ Growlers round up the day with a quick set before the night show begins. I’ve seen them before and I know they’re quite popular but when you have a banjo and accordion in your band you’re gonna have a hard time pleasing me. But I do like Old Edison now so I guess there’s hope, yet.
I’m next door eating tacos. Gotta get some nourishment before the evening show tonight. The boys with the bald heads and bomber jackets are congregating outside of Doyle’s, the girls with little hair on top but long blond locks on the side are there, also. A pretty fun afternoon has just passed and it looks like a fun evening awaits me, too.
(Slimedog)
