Opposition Rising / Rum Rebellion / Taxi Driver / Words Of Truth / Honest John
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 9/7/14
This is my first time at the Midway Cafe. I’m a bit put off at the intimidating decor. All plush seats, velvet carpets, antique paintings upon the wall. I’m thinking- “Could a place this swank be compatible to punk rock and allow the bands to express and exhibit their multifaceted charms?”
The doorman, T.J., looks displeased with my slightly scuffed sneakers. Jill, the bartenderess, seems to turn her nose up when she notices me and then scurries to the other side of the bar.
I resign myself to being out of place in an environment that is just too classy for myself- the slimedog who lives and breathes the city life of polluted skies, city debris and clogged sewers.
I’m escorted to a seat to await today’s entertainment. I order a root beer and brace myself for the musical onslaught that’s about to be born.
Honest John is the first band today. They play their goulash of hardcore, experimental dissonance and doom. They debut their version of “Patches” by Clarence Carter, about a poor boy providing for his family as his pappy’s life fades away, which causes everyone in the joint to cry. Well, actually, only me.
“But I can still hear pappa sayin’”
Aw, fuck him- it must be haircut day! Jay Genoa, Dan (lead singer of Honest John) and myself are all sporting new haircuts today!
Forget Patches- it’s time for Words Of Truth to play. This is heavy hardcore leaning toward the New York style. Some songs they play fall into the straight ahead hardcore but mostly it’s the heavy style that they favor. A very tight band, very good songs and though they do not play any Clarence Carter songs they, along with Honest John, provide potent sets of hardcore to set the show off right.
“I’m really hungover but at least I haven’t thrown up yet,” No, that’s not me, that’s what Danny the lead singer of Taxi Driver is saying and coincidentally, they are on stage.
They play their tasty mix of Oi/ street punk/ hardcore and metal and though this is a band that will never be accused of slickness they are fun to see play, seems like they are having fun and are a blast to listen to.
They do a great song with the chorus of “You dirty son of a bitch.” They do a cover of Slayer’s “South Of Heaven.” They do a very good job of playing a great set and at no time do they recall Spandau Ballet or Flocks of Seagulls. Thank God.
Now it’s time for a band from Portland. No- not Maine, fool! Oregon. Where the beavers build dams and everybody’s earthy crunchy or lumberjacks.
This band plays a kind of acoustic punk and has a guy on fife who towers way over me. They may play acoustic instead of electric guitars but their music is a full frontal punk assault.
I’d call them an Irish punk/ Oi/ hardcore band and the song that sticks in my mind is called “Beer Run.” I’m glad they found their way from over three thousand miles to the Midway and the crowd seems to think so too- everyone enjoying their rowdy presentation.
Now, it’s time for one of the more popular hardcore bands on our site and one of the most political ones, as well. They start with the song they got their name from “Opposition Rising” and follow it soon after with “Fuck The World And Everyone In It.”
Which I take as a more positive spin on the hippie vibe of “love the one you’re with.” The song says “fuck” but means “make love” of course, to everyone, and every thing in the world- including inanimate objects such as fire hydrants, garden sprinklers or the ground itself! Forget hug a tree, why not fuck a tree! Remember- Make Fuck Not War!
Today’s moshing is amazing. It’s the most intense I’ve seen this year for a small show. Opposition Rising is just coming off a tour and play in that heavy, New York hardcore style with maybe a little less of the metal influence. They have an engaging front man, a very tight rhythm section and some great, meaningful songs.
And in no surprise play an awesome set. A fitting end to a great show.
This Midway Cafe, even with it’s intimidating atmosphere, would appear to be the perfect place for punk music. No telling if I’ll be here again, but I will be if they keep on booking shows like this one.
The batenderess smiles at me as I take my leave but I feel it’s the smile of derision and pity. The doorman bids me adieu and is polite but I sense he’s glad to get rid of me.
Again, I wasn’t completely comfortable here- but it seems that there is no where in life where I feel at home, where I feel a sense of belonging; with one exception, that is; there is a place- and that is in the Boston punk community.
(Slimedog)
