Walk The Plank / Rodent Lord / Fast Times / Phil McCaffrey
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 5/26/13
So Brett Threat of USA Waste, Maine’s finest punk band, organized a punk festival up there with all the moose’s and bands came from all around bringing their indigenous animals with them, also. A couple of the touring bands wanted to hit Boston on their way back and he asked me if I could oblige. So I set up a show with Walk The Plank from Washington D.C. (who I knew were awesome from seeing them at the Firehouse once) and Rodent Lord from Pennsylvania.
I did have the Pity Whores headlining this bill but as their visa’s from Mongolia unexpectedly expired I’m happy- No! Ecstatic to report that they all have been deported, as least for a short while, and no longer will we have to put up with their vile, scandalous ways.
Before the show I found out that the lead singer for Walk The Plank is the son of the great, legendary local D.J. Carmelita, who I’m quite aware of growing up in Boston. And I also found out that he kept his being in a band a secret from his mom till he finished college!
So Phil McCaffrey is up first doing a solo set. I knew him first from The McGunks and then as a songwriter/vocalist of The Doll Eyes who turned in my favorite album of the year a couple of years ago. He mentions, on stage, being nervous as this is his first sober solo performance but I’ve never heard him in such good voice, recalling Paul Westerberg to me at times.
He does a couple of old Doll Eyes songs I recognize- “Irish Catholic Blues” a great tune has a background vocal part in the verse and I find myself singing that at the bar while a few people notice. The crowd is mostly quiet and respectful to the performance and I, myself, am riveted and it turns out to be, on a very good show, my favorite set of the day.
Now Fast Times is next and they’re Cape Codders meaning they are one part vodka as well as one part cranberry juice. Me, I prefer Greyhounds (vodka and grapefruit juice) but there ain’t no dog tracks, anymore, and I’d rather listen to these guys, anyways. Much like vodka and whatever citrus fruit you mix it with, they kick ass, much like many of the bands we know from the punk/metal crew of the Cape.
Fast Times are a nice mix, like a Greyhound or Black Russian, of hardcore, skate punk and pop punk. The next day as I walk around, their tune “Fast Times” keeps repeating in my ear. I like Ruby Red grapefruit juice with my vodka; I call it a Red Greyhound. And I like Fast Times; I call them a great band.
Rodent World is next, playing what I might call Anarchy Punk. Their lead singer who is shirtless and shoeless, flails himself against the floor with spasmatic convulsions. The long haired blond bassist frequently inserts revved up proclamations in-between songs that may or may not make sense. Me, I dig their craziness, wildness and energy and I think the crowd does too. This is all in the spirit of punk and they turn in a great set.
Now it’s time for Walk The Plank and though I’ve seen them before I’m unprepared for such an explosive set. I liked them before but they sound better today. They really tear it up with the small but appreciative crowd. Intense, energetic and propulsive they deliver a set of hardcore punk that would make any mother proud. Both this band and Rodent Lord held themselves well with our strong local talent and I’d be glad to help either of these bands out again if I can, they should be proud.
And you should be proud, also, if you’re from Boston with a history of one of the best local scenes around., not just now but always. At one time only Boston and New York had the only original/punk scenes in the country, and I can vouch for that ‘cause I was there.
Of course, I was only three.
(Slimedog)
