Friday March 29th 2024

Austen’s Dead / Salacious Crumb / Mock The Earthquake / Swarm Of Eyes

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Austen’s Dead / Salacious Crumb / Mock The Earthquake / Swarm Of Eyes
Presidents Rock Club, Quincy, MA 11/30/13

 

So this was another benefit show, for cancer research if I’m correct- I just straggled in off the street, out of the cold. I look for someone to pay, maybe I’m too early- oh, well.

Now, this show has an odd lineup with every band having a different style but I hear something about a Quincy connection with the bands but I’m still uncertain about that. But I do know I’m here- of this, and only this, am I certain.

And I was certainly drawn by the opening band, Swarm Of Eyes, one of our favorite metal bands on our site. They’re a little more Western Mass and New Hampshire based so I was glad to catch them close at hand. And I was certain after hearing them again why we think of them so highly.

Not thrash metal, per se, but lots of energy in the rhythm; not progressive or experimental, per se, but always interesting and clear, concise additions to the music that even a lout like me can understand, and topped with death vocals sung by an engaging front man that knows how to work a stage.

What can I say? This is progressive metal I can understand with the energy and aggressiveness of punk along with a bunch of great songs and great players.

They cover “Blitzkreig Bop” by The Ramones and “Skull” by The Misfits, the latter much better than the original, I believe. And maybe the punks think they’re pandering with these covers but this is part of their usual set and tonight the band has its usual effect on everyone- immensely awesome.

Mock The Earthquake is next and the style of music they’re playing I’m not too familiar with but familiar enough to know this is what’s known as “Modern Rock.” They do this style well and the crowd definitely enjoys them. But, you see, I never go to shows with these types of bands so it sounds strange to me though I realize it’s more mainstream to other people. Sorry, you may as well ask me to review Egyptian Reggae- I gotta pass.

Now Salacious Crumb I know from maybe ten years ago when I first became aware of the local punk scene again with bands like The Dimwits, The Spoilers and Zippo Raid. Chad, the guitar player of this band and Taxi Driver now was in Zippo Raid at the time. And though I can’t recall if I saw this band at that time, because they broke up right about the same time I was becoming aware of the scene, I’m thinking I didn’t because they certainly leave a good impression on me tonight.

This is eighties Boston punk without a hint of hardcore, just high energy garage punk that has every song passionate and exciting. When I talked to Chad earlier he mentioned that they had planned on covering “Blitzkreig Bop” as well but wouldn’t because Swarm Of Eyes had already done it. But it appears they decided to do it after all and look!- Randy, the singer from Swarm Of Eyes, is up they’re singing in the mike along with Salacious Crumb’s singer that just adds a nice touch to the proceedings. I notice a lot of camaraderie between the bands tonight and I notice that I’d love to hear this band again soon.

Austen’s Dead is the last band and I guess this is a reunion of a pretty well-known band from fifteen years ago. They describe themselves as hardcore but the way they sound doesn’t fit in with my interpretation of hardcore.

These guys are really great players, the drummer is phenomenal, but instead of hardcore these guys sound like Led Zepplin to me if that famous English band could play their instruments. (Ooh, did he really say that!) Funk elements and progressive music mix with the hardcore vocals causing me to think of bands like Rush and Primus and sorry, but these are images my eyes do not want to see or my ears want to hear.

But the crowd loves them so who am I to say they’re wrong. Like the second band it’s just something I don’t listen to.

And I loved this show because I loved Swarm Of Eyes and Salacious Crumb. I love the President’s Club for putting shows on like this and for the punk community for sponsoring so many benefits.

I love Mexican food because it’s so tasty; and girls because they’re so beautiful in vision and so pure and true in heart. I love beer because it makes me think the world’s all right. And I love Harry The Cat- and for that I have no excuse.

 

(Slimedog)

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