The Last Stand / Straphangers / Midnight Saints / Fast Times
Midway Café, Jamaica Plain, MA 6/29/13
Another fine Saturday afternoon finds us hard at work at another fine punk matinee show at the Midway. And though many have sacrificed their lives or their manhood’s in this endeavor known as dual texting we know that our duty to inform, relate and educate knows no boundaries
As required by the North Dakota Agricultural Association (ndag.org/) I will again warn you of the inherent dangers of dual texting and to ask all to refrain from such tasks. Please leave these dangerous activities to the deranged people like Andy Bang and Slimedog who are qualified in doing so.
So sit back and relax but safely strap yourself in for the wild, unbelievable ride that will take you from this galaxy to the next and back again simply known as dual texting.
Slimedog- So according to my notes this is a multicultural international arts and crafts festival?
Andy- Really? How so?
Slimedog- My notes say, “Celebrating the diverse cultures and peoples of the world we have bands from Bolivia, New Zealand and Vermont.”
Andy- Vermont is correct, but I’m pretty sure there are no bands from Bolivia or New Zealand. Just Cape Cod and New York.
Slimedog- Oh, shoot! So this is just another punk show?
Andy- Yes, but it should be a very good one featuring some awesome east coast bands.
Slimedog- Well, I won’t stand for it. I won’t let this defer from my appreciation of multiculturalism. First up is Fast Times…from Bolivia and I am digging their crazy pan flutes.
Andy- Hmm alrighty then. Looks like you’ve had too many anchovies on your pizza again. Fast Times is an awesome high energy punk’n’hardcore band that always turns in an enjoyable set. And today is no exception.
Slimedog- Agreed. Jaymez (drummer for Hope & The Husbands and Red Line Rebels) is calling for an encore of my favorite tune by them, “Taco Time.” I’m gonna go in front of the stage and sing along.
Andy- A great tune for sure. Let’s grab some beef, cheese and lettuce and sing along.
Slimedog- I’m gonna grab my beef in the mens room. Now it’s time for Guam’s finest band- Midnight Saints.
Andy- It’s my first time seeing the Midnight Saints live. I was talking with the lads earlier and they’ve just become a threesome having jettisoned their singer.
Slimedog- Yeah, they’re actually from Vermont. I’ve seen them before, I believe in Guam or maybe Providence. They’re very good.
Andy- They’re playing lots of interesting stuff. Some ska, some punk, always fast. “Linoleum” by NOFX. Good set, very good.
Slimedog- I reviewed them on a split CD with Cry Havoc. Good match as both bands bring great hardcore along with some progressive elements. Now the Midway explodes with colorful dancing and folk melodies from New Zealand!
Andy- And it looks like the band brought their own dancing girls as well.
Slimedog- It’s the Straphangers from Queens, New York. Their second visit here. It’s a bit of a holiday for them as theirs nothing to do in New York, ever.
Andy- Oh yah they were awesome the last time they played here. I can hardly contain myself with anticipation.
Slimedog- It’s funny how the two guitarists are on the floor with the singer on the stage.
Andy- Maybe they’re playing a modified version of “monkey in the middle.”
Slimedog- I don’t know about that but I do know they play awesome thrash metal mixed with hardcore and have a female singer along with a dame on guitar.
Andy- Yes they have an awesomely unique sound. Kinda like funky metal with a twist. Both their sight and sound are very enjoyable.
Slimedog- And talk about enjoyable sights- take a picture of me with Brittany the guitarist. This will be the 13th redhead I’ve gotten my picture taken with while wearing my Damn Broads shirt.
Andy- My pleasure. I believe the next band is also from New York or is it Ecuador?
Slimedog- With their tambourines and mandolins along with them leading a string of donkeys it can only mean this band is from New York.
Andy- True, it’s The Last Stand and they’re tearing it up with New York Style hardcore.
Slimedog- I guess they’re an older band and though they are good they are my least favorite band of the day.
Andy- Well the first three acts definitely set the bar very high, but these dudes are holding their own with their Beastie Boys meet Rage Against The Machine thang. All and all, another great Midway Cafe musical afternoon.
Slimedog- Yes, though I was originally disappointed, I leave with a smile on my face which has nothing whatsoever to do with the seventeen drinks I’ve had.
Andy- Perhaps it has more to do with the holes in your pockets and that you never wear underwear.
Slimedog- I must be too drunk to understand that. Till the next time.
Andy- Next time…
