Losers Circle / Fat Heaven / Noisebreaker / Stupyd Cow / Whoopi Sticks
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 9/10/16
After the Whoopi Sticks set, I’m at the bar with my punk daughter, Lindsey, on my left and the soundman/doorman, Derek, on my right.
“The last time you played here,” I say to Lindsey, “Derek said to me- “The difference between how she sounded when she began and now… (he gave a quick shake of the head and blink to the eyes to indicate it was astronomical).”
“And I agree,” I say, “And I know it was at the last gig he said this, but I can put it in this review and make believe it happened today.”
But now I don’t have to and now, I realize, I haven’t relayed the set that just happened.
Overcoming technical difficulties with a drum pedal, the Whoopi Sticks turn in their usual fun, frantic, fearsomely fervent, first set.
During the intro to their song “C.I.Anal” which is against the C.I.A. use of anal torture (except when practiced on Slimedog), Jamie from Losers Circle, sitting at the bar laughs and proclaims, “That’s the best title of a song that I’ve ever heard.”
A new favorite song by them is the early punk influenced song called “Fuck You.” After they play it, my girl Krystal says to me, “If you really know Lindsey you know how funny it is that she has a song with that name.” And I agree.
And though they’re once again looking for new members, if you listen to their EP, I believe you might agree with me that it’s one the best releases this year.
Stupyd Cow is next and they are a loud, high energy pop/punk trio from Maryland. They have a very, tight rhythm section and a singer/guitarist who mentions he’s hung-over, after nearly every song. (Hey, it’s Sunday afternoon. So is everyone else here?)
They look like they’re having a lot of fun and it looks like the crowd is having a lot of fun, also. They play an excellent set and finish with threats to play “Don’t Fear The Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult but instead end with a cover of a song by Offspring.
Noisebreaker is next to take the stage. They have a guitarist with a shaved head wearing a purple velour shirt, a male bassist in a plaid skirt, leopard skin blouse and knee-high nylon stocking and a drummer who, shockingly, dons a red, white and blue hat. (How outrageous!)
Their set starts with an explosion of “Kick Out The Jams” by The Mc5 and is followed, not much later by “Helter Skelter” by The Beatles. Though enjoyable, this is not a punk band. They’re closer to a psychedelic rock band with humorous songs.
My favorite by them has the singer freaking out in paranoid delusions in the verse only to proclaim in the chorus, “I’m on drugs.” After the song the drummer says into the mike, “Don’t mind him, he’s on drugs.” Which causes the singer to chide him for giving away his condition.
Maybe not the best band I’ve seen this year but possibly, the craziest.
Fat Heaven is a band from New York laying down some tight, energetic pop/punk who have a great female drummer, much like the Whoopi Sticks. This is my second time seeing them as I recently saw them at Koto in Salem, Japan.
I liked them the first time I saw them but today their set sounds more raw and wild and I like them even better. They play a great set and end with a cover of “Roots Radical” by Rancid inciting a lot of crowd participation.
Losers Circle is up to take us out, who I feel is one of the better pop/punk bands of Boston. They’re a trio consisting of two-thirds ex-Refuse Resist and one-third ex- The Radicals. And what they add up to is some pretty, potent pop/punk with a lot of added hardcore grit and passion.
All three sing lead and at about their third song they hit upon my favorite by them- “Won’t Back Down.” But I hear several new numbers and I think it’s about time I hear a new release from them, as well.
They end with a great set of a great, mostly pop/punk show, with a cover of a song by Blink 182. (Anyone else notice the theme of ending sets with popular nineties punk bands today?)
After the show I’m talking with one of my favorite young gals, C.J. A beauty that doesn’t realize it, a pearl amongst the sea of souls.
“Are you gonna put our conversation in your review,” she asks me.
“Well, you never know,” I say.
Then I think she’s asking me if I thought the show was pop or punk?
“No, you’re Poppa Punk. That’s who you are,” she tells me.
“Uh, I think I’m more like Grandpa Punk, at this point,” I say to her.
And turning to Matt, the young drummer for Losers Circle standing there, I say to him-
“And I hope you’re still doing this when you’re my age. And I hope you’re having as much fun.”
(Slimedog)
