Bad Movies / Out Of System Transfer / Whoopie Sticks / Red Tape
Church, Boston, MA 10/13/14
So this is at Church and I must say it’s quite realistic. After genuflecting and crossing myself with holy water I enter to see a row of pews and bartenderesses dressed as nuns. Except these nuns have fishnet stockings and high heeled, long black boots with whips instead of the long flowing robes.
I wander up to the bar and find out instead of sacramental wine, on Monday they have a shot and a beer for six dollars! They’re out of rye and Schaefer beer so I settle for whiskey and a sixteen ounce Naragansette.
I’m a little weirded out by the confessional booth in the men’s room but other wise this is turning out quite nice.
Red Tape is the first band, a band I haven’t seen for awhile as one of them was out of commission with a broken arm. They are a young punk/hardcore trio that have the sound and feel of early punk but combine that with songs that have abrupt tempo changes and even changes in time signature. This is done in a subtle and non-showy way that never detracts from the fire and passion of the songs.
They have a unique sound that only reminds me at times of the Angry Samoans, with their vocals and some funny songs. This is one of TNB’s best young bands and it’s great to have them back.
Now, instead of having a priest come out and give a sermon the club has a comedian come out and tell some jokes. It’s not very funny except when someone from the crowd replies to him. When he starts talking about a first date I hear Mikke Worm yell out, “Is there bondage involved?”, that makes me chuckle.
Whoopie Sticks is next with their abrasive, raw sound- more punk in attitude than in music. The set starts off a little slow but once they get into a groove the crowd responds positively.
They have a style that reminds me of the art/punk bands of the eighties and are one of the most original bands on our site. At certain times they conjure up a very exciting grungy, garage vibe that makes the hair on my arms stand up! They must have a half dozen gigs under their belts now and they just get better each time I see them.
Well, the comedian is back. And so am I. Back to bar for another shot and beer!
Out Of System Transfer takes the stage next. This is a band from Brooklyn who call themselves “folk punk” or “anti-folk.” And they’re not selling CD’s but giving them away.
They have electric bass, acoustic guitar, ukelele, mandolin and trombone- along with lots of vocals. They do not sound like your typical punk band, of course, but they do play with more balls and guts than lots of bands who call themselves punk.
They play “Chemical Warfare” by The Dead Kennedys. They do a song by Crass. They play a great set. This is a fun band who really knows how to play their instruments and really, really know how to have a good time.
Is that the comedian again? He’s very self-deprecating but in this case he may be right! No worries, back to the bar for another shot and beer.
“I don’t feel that great. I’m at the start of my period. Yeah, I bleed sometimes.” That’s what Linn, the singer of Bad Movies says during one of the pauses between songs.
I suppose some would say “too much information” but I think it’s one of the most honest and real comments I’ve ever heard said on stage. But I guess that should be no surprise because Bad Movies is one of the most honest, real, true punk bands we have on our site and one of my favorites.
And this band kicks ass every which way from Monday. And women who rock have more balls than a major league baseball game.
I’m in the front of the stage. I’m raising my first, singing along. I know the words and have little fear of being crushed as this is a very peaceful moshing crowd tonight.
This is powerful, this is real, this is punk, this is passion. This is all that and anything else you can think of that starts with the letter “P”. Pulverized to smithereens, demolishing all the gray, dreary boredom and sadness of life with one mighty, musical blow.
And I’m out of here. That’s it and that’s that and I’ve never had more fun at church since I was an altar boy and I snuck some sacramental wine after mass, behind the altar, and skipped my way home.
(Slimedog)
