Barroom Heroes / The Martians / The Pink Parts / Noisebreaker / Whoopi Sticks / Jay Gauvin
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 10/29/16
Jay Gauvin is a member of The Prozacs, a Western Mass punk band that is very good and who have a connection with the Pajama Slave Dancers, one of the best and funniest local punk bands, I’ve ever seen (Andy & I saw them probably fifty times in the eighties.)
And he does an opening set, just him and his electric guitar that Derek, the soundman, told me was “awesome,” and I believe his word. But I missed it. But I do see…
Whoopi Sticks! And after the first song, David, the guitar player, claims to have the scariest costume on today. And to prove it he rips open his shirt to display a white t-shirt with “Donald Trump Supporter” written upon it. He gives a sarcastic rant about how Trump will “Make Rape Great Again,” alluding to Donald’s dating habits.
But meanwhile, back on stage, we have a new female bassist named Elanora, and a fellow filling in on guitar dressed as an Asian Ghost.
Now, Lindsey, my punk daughter, who is the drummer/singer/songwriter/stage director of this band, is costumed as if Strawberry Shortcake’s ballerina was a cat?
My colleague, Blowfish, who writes for bostongroupienews.com is in the crowd. He mentions how much he likes their song “I Don’t Wanna Be A Person No More” and I agree as it’s one of my favorites. And he comments that she sounds a bit like Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spec and I relate that she is influenced by her and owns a jacket with that band’s name upon it.
This band plays rough, raucous, punk influenced creative music- that jerks about in rhythm and explodes with intense emotion in front of your eyes and ears. And in my humble opinion, turn in a great set.
Noisebreaker is next and Blowfish, along with his website partner Miss Lyn, comment how great this bands Halloween costumes are. I say, “I saw them for the first time, about a month ago, and they were dressed up even crazier then. In fact, the bassist who’s dressed as a women today, had a cuter outfit last time.”
The band’s guitarist/singer has a women’s bathing suit from the forties and a bulls-eye painted on his bald head, Blowfish feels the drummer is dressed as “Booji Boy” from Devo. And the bassist has something scrawled with black magic marker on his bosom, I can make out the name “Carissa Johnson” who is a local singer/songwriter and is, in fact, here today.
They play humorous, sixties influenced, somewhat psychedelic rock and are, without a doubt, the strangest band I know.
As they start their set I see someone standing still towards the back of the stage, they have on a horse’s head and a whip in their hands. They stand still like a statue throughout the set.
They play a slow song called “I Feel Sad,” which I believe to be the title as only those three words are repeated about forty-seven times. And then they blend into my favorite tune by them, “I’m On Drugs.” The singer is no longer sad as he has relates how he has purchased, and taken, drugs before today’s set and feels very happy, indeed. But then it shifts to a bad trip scenario, he’s freaking out! He throws his guitar down and pleads with the rhythm section to stop playing but they soldier on as he screams in agony.
Then they do a very fast version of “Somebody To Love” by Jefferson Airplane, during which, suddenly the horse person in the back springs to life, whipping the band members and causing the singer to leap from the stage, crashing to floor, signaling the end of their set.
I appreciate this band, because when I read back what I wrote, it sounds like one of my “flights of fancy” where my imagination takes hold- but all of this really happened!
So after their unique and fulfilling set, I ask Carissa, why does the bassist have her name written on his chest. (Oh, and it’s revealed that she was the horse person.) It turns out it says, “I owe Carissa Johnson five dollars” I guess, a promissory note.
And though I’ve only had a couple of beers, I feel like- I am on drugs.
The pink parts play next and I’ve always loved them. I mention to Blowfish and Miss Lyn how they have the sound of the original punk era and they agree. This is wild, raw punk- not extremely fast but loose, emotional and thrilling.
Their songs are like roller-coaster rides where any second they could fall apart and fly off into space. When their lead singer, Meredith, plays an infrequent solo it reminds me of J.Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. They play such an awesome set, that turns out to be my favorite of the show, that I ask them to play our Xmas Party and they agree!
Which is- Saturday December 10 4pm all-ages at the Midway Cafe- along with Jenn Lombari of Lucky United, Crimespree, DestrOi and free pizza all show! (This is a plug.)
And another band playing that party is The Martians who play next. They played the night before and their singer Calzone is a bit “tired.” They start with their usual song “Strangle You” and the guitar player, Hoodoo, is looking at Calzone as if that’s what he wants to do to him.
They play a bunch of songs like “Spaceman” and “Those Unknown” from their great first album album “First Encounter,” and that album will surely be in my top five of 2016, and due to their outstanding display of professionalism today, earn a spot on TNB’s Xmas Party.
BarRoom Heroes is up to take it out. I’ve been seeing this band for five years now, when the two brothers, Jake and Nick were something like, fourteen and twelve. They could barely play then and seeing them today I realize, they are one of the tightest outfits we follow, along with having great stage presence and rapport.
I get a pleasant surprise when I realize they’re playing one of my favorite songs by them- “Gay Nate,” whose complete lyrics are- “We got nothing against him. He’s just our friend, Gay Nate.” It’s about a former classmate who they accepted for what he was, being gay, backed by some blistering Ramones like music.
One of my favorite moments is when Big Joe Packard picks up Hoodoo, not a small guy himself, and trots him around the pit.
But there were lots of great moments to this day, that I just relayed.
(Slimedog)
