The McGunks / The Manglers / Baabes / The Grommets / The Instamatics
Earth Day Festival and Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 5/4/19
I went to the Earth Day festival at Stony Brook Park for the punk “stage” last Saturday. The stage consists of a few slabs for the drummer to set up upon and two tiny speakers for a P.A. with an oversized beach umbrella above it, while in other parts of the park, bands play on full stages with large P.A.’s.
I’ve been going to this event for several years but I clearly recall the first time I attended. I wandered aimlessly about for an hour and an half in utter misery, in an unsuccessful quest to find the punk stage. I was besieged by hordes of hippies, their unkempt ways and their most disgustingly, smelly music contaminated my ears, music seemingly designed by farmers with some debilitating brain disease.
I gave up. I left the park. But as I was driving down the road, I happen to look out my side window and spied black t-shirt clad folks upon a small hill.
“That’s the spot”, I cried out in jubilant fashion, taking my eyes of the road, just for a second and then crashing, smashingly into a nearby lamp post.
They put the punk stage next to the skate park, which makes perfect sense, but is also cut off from the rest of the festival, as it’s on the very outskirts of the park. Think of Siberia in relation to Moscow, Russia. (“Keep them away from the normal people!”)
But at least now, I know where the punk stage is. I can attend without being accosted by any repellent hippies. I can enjoy the music with only a few mad dashes into the real festival for Indian food.
As I was looking for parking I heard The Instamatics playing my favorite song by them.
They’re a surf, instrumental trio that specializes in odd covers and they were doing a song by electronicas’ “Chuck Berry”- namely, Kraftwerk and their song, “The Model,” done instrumental, surf style.
I did catch most of their set and was pleased with what I heard. Unlike, if I was at some other part of the park, hearing some local band playing a Phish song- that would cause me to want to pour gasoline upon my ears and light them on fire.
My friend Jen A. Talia was there, I met her here for the first time, last year. Also, one of my punk daughter’s, Kendra, showed up- much to my surprise and delight.
The Grommets were next and after a song or two they asked the crowd how they sounded. “Terrible,” I shouted out. But really, that was a lie or should I say a “Presidential tweet.”
They played a great set of their authentic punk tunes, with vocals shared by Eric and Kris, whose songs and performances capture the true spirit of early punk. Though, I must tell you that I do consider myself a member of the band, now- so, I’m not sure if I’m impartial. I only sing one word in one of their songs, but in my estimation it is the pinnacle of their performance as I feel my performance is simply, magnificent beyond words.
Though it is a small part of their show, I feel it’s the most important. Just as on my body, my member may be my smallest part, but it is the part that gives nearly everyone I know, the most overwhelming pleasure.
Baabes played next who I had heard very good things about. I’d been told they played traditional punk but I would classify these guys more as proto-punk, both of which I love.
Their songs at times made me recall the New York Dolls, The Dictators and The Mc5 and they have a great, engaging front man along with a tight, rockin’ band and they did not disappoint in the slightest. And I can’t wait to catch them again.
At last it was time for The Manglers who play covers of classic punk tunes. They sounded wild and electrifying as always, but a big surprise was when they did a cover version of my favorite AC/DC song, “What’s Next To The Moon?”
Andy Bang fist introduced me to that band, playing their album “Powerage” for me, nearly forty years ago. I was hesitant to listen then, as I heard that they were “heavy metal,” something I was uninterested in- but I was pleasantly surprised. Around that time he also played me Motorhead’s “Ace Of Spades,” with the same result.
The Manglers, also, elicited excitement from me by playing one of my favorite Iggy & The Stooges songs, “I Got A Right.” And a bit later the Stooges tune, “Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell,” which is where I feel my pretty face is destined.
Let me tell ya folks, my nipples were exploding in excitement along with my smallest part!
At the end of their fun set I called out to Brian, their lead singer- “What’s the name of the band, The Maggots?” And he proclaimed that I was, indeed, correct.
But the day is not over. There’s a matinee punk show at the Midway about a mile away, and as I walk the fifteen minutes back to my car, barely making it. I figure I just might catch the last set of the day by The McGunks.
I arrive just before they play.
Bob McGunk, is the mainstay of the band. He sings and plays guitar and writes the songs. Bobby has played drums in this band for many years now. Peter, the old bassist, is back now on guitar, along with the “new guy” James who’s played bass for this band several years, now.
And they play punk’n’roll, music that straddles The Clash along with The Rolling Stones. They play working class joys and sorrows. They play gutsy, rock’n’roll mixed with passionate punk in songs with real and meaningful lyrics. That hit to the core, the soul of your being, relating to the essence of our lives.
At least it does to mine.
(Slimedog)
