Taxi Driver / Honest John / Pink Parts / SPO
Middle East (Up), Cambridge, MA 6/13/15
When Andy informed me that we were going to a Saturday punk matinee show- not at the Midway in Jamaica Plain near the quaint and resort like Roxbury, but to one taking place in the Middle East, you can imagine my trepidation.
But when we arrived in the Middle East (in a relatively short span of time) all my fears were put to rest. Many of the people spoke English and though the bands consisted of strange looking individuals who sang, I believe, in a foreign tongue- I believe the brotherhood of punk was extended warmly, like hands across the waters, hearts across the seas.
And though I imagine that most of the individuals we write about today have been beheaded or are in the process of becoming head-less or, lacking of head. I think it was all worthwhile in the ongoing quest for humanity, besides, of course, filling our need for a live review.
So sit back, relax, strap yourself in for the ride of your life. Watch your soul catapult through the universe then ricochet back again as we enter the supreme and solemn realm of dual texting.
Slimedog- Wow, it looks like they really changed the place?
Andy- What makes you say that? It looks the same to me.
Slimedog- Is this the Midway?
Andy- No this is The Middle East upstairs.
Slimedog- I got to stop drinking so much. Even at home I don’t know where I am half the time. I keep asking the cat if he knows when the bands start. So this club is named after one of the most dangerous places in the world?
Andy- Not quite. I believe this place was called The Middle East first and a few visitors liked it so much they decided to bring the name across the sea.
Slimedog- Is it also because our bands who play here are akin to musical terrorists who want to lop of the heads of the music industry?
Andy- Not sure. But I think the name derives from the fact that nobody could figure out weather they were in the middle of Cambridge or East so they just went with Middle East.
Slimedog- Well it certainly looks like they do good business. I guess I’ll stick to my plan of naming my new daycare center “Nazi Concentration Camp.” Hey, the first band is called something like P.O.R, what’s that stand for?
Andy- My flier says they’re called SPO and they play something called “pulp punk.” I tell you, after hearing a few of their songs, I’d really like to beat them to a pulp.
Slimedog- Well there’s nothing wrong with how they play. They’re really miss-booked I’d say. They just made me think of the band Bare Naked Ladies, and now Queen. These are thoughts I need not in my mind.
Andy- Yeah maybe I’m being a bit too harsh. I’d say they’d do well at weddings.
Slimedog- Or a bar mitzvah in Iran. Well, now for something completely different it’s Pink Parts.
Andy- Cool. How many pink parts are we talking about?
Slimedog- Well they’re a trio headed by a female guitarist/vocalist who sounds like Poly Styrene from X-Ray Spec and plays guitar like J.Mascis or Neil Young.
Andy- So basically it’s just her pink parts on display?
Slimedog- I can’t see that far but I really like this band. They have a raw, early punk sound to them. One of the few true punk bands I know.
Andy- I see your point. They do remind me a bit of punk days gone by. They have a nice cookoo edge to their sound.
Slimedog- I agree. Now the bassist is singing Luka by Suzanne Vega.
Andy- Hmm, probably the last song I’d ever think of hearing at a local show, but then again it’s been a strange show so far.
Slimedog- I dig it but if old Suzanne-ah heard it she’d probably loose control of her bodily functions.
Andy- Or perhaps she might beat some unsuspecting kids.
Slimedog- Or hopefully beat me with a cane while dressed as a nun for my most grievous sins.
Andy- All this talk of beatings is putting a lump in my pants, I mean throat, er, I mean let’s move onto the next band before something evil happens
Slimedog- Yes, let us pray to Lemmy to deliver our souls. Now Honest John is playing and honestly, this is the best I’ve heard them.
Andy- Yes, I agree, they’re quite sprightly. Lot’s of cool hardcore energy. And nice slam dancing as well.
Slimedog- Their tempos usually change a bit but today they’re in full throttle overdrive. I think their new bassist makes them more ballsy.
Andy- Speaking of balls I think we’d better cover ours as there are legs and arms flying every where in the pit.
Slimedog- Yes, I’d like to add that Honest John is like a guy who goes to a prostitute and pays more than he’s asked to pay. In the same way this band delivers more than one could reasonably expect.
Andy- Yes, sort of like getting a handy and a butt blast all at the same time. You’re not sure weather you’re coming or going or in which direction. But I digress. Who’s up next.
Slimedog- After a five month absence Taxi Driver returns again.
Andy- I guess they couldn’t stay away. It’s good to have them back,
Slimedog- Yes, this is a hardcore band that touches all bases- punk, metal , Oi- it’s all played here and played well.
Andy- True. Now I think it’s time for us to dive into the mosh-pit ourselves and bust a few moves.
Slimedog- Well since they’re ending with “Skinhead” by Darkbuster I think you should.
Andy- Doing that whirlybird thing is quite liberating as your fists fly off into various unknown faces and also quite tiring. Now, I think it’s past my bedtime.
Slimedog– I’m always asleep by ten. Hey, Simon who miraculously didn’t catch on fire today is staying for the techno-dance party. Looks like we’re hitchhiking.
Andy- He’s such a d-bag, let’s go…
Slimedog- Yeah, but don’t worry. I stuck a timed exploding device up his ass…
