Jay Genoa’s New Blood Showcase
Slitstitch / Jimmy Jacked / Middle Son
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA
Sometimes you can hear the crickets chirping.
There’s lots of states in America where there’s lots of trees, rocks, bugs and animals and such but not so much in the way of people.
I’m a city boy, Boston born; mostly Boston lived.
I’m used to being crowded. Stuffed in a streetcar or in a smokey, noisy nightclub. Nature, though I do like, is a strange environment for me.
But in states like New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine- there’s lots of open spaces; you can hear the crickets chirping.
Sometimes you can hear them though where you’d least expect.
This is a Sunday matinee at the Midway, a New Bloods Showcase where even the promoter, Jay Genoa, has not shown up (pre-wedding plans occupy him, I believe). And one band is from Vermont and another from Maine.
And if I count correctly the only people here besides the staff, the bands and a few girlfriends and friends the fans brought are three people- me, myself and I.
Sometimes you can hear the crickets chirping.
Now, Middle Son is the first band playing today. I notice one of their amps has “Midnight Saints” stenciled on it. I recognize them now as remnants of our best (and only) Vermont Band on our site- Midnight Saints.
They say they are a mix of punk, ska, hardcore and metal.
I say they basically play hardcore with a progressive edge. Either way I’ve found them a fun band to see and the new band is no exception. They have a great split that we reviewed with the Connecticut band Cry Havoc, a band I’d describe the same way even though the bands do sound different from each other and if you’re familiar with Cry Havoc you know that’s very good company to be with.
They play a great set and it’s wonderful to see they’re still carrying on.
The next band to make its way toward the stage through the commotion is Jimmy Jacked. They’re mainly from Maine with the singer being from New Hampshire.
This is old school punk from The Ramones era and before. This is in your face aggression, humor, absurdity, passion and glee.
When the singers, who’s off the stage, sings a line- something about “going through that door” he pushes the door of the Midway to swing open and then continues about on his merry way. TJ the soundman and I just look at each other in amazement.
But really this band is just playing off the joy their music inspires- the excitement, velocity and fun.
They do a cover of Circle Jerks “When The Shit Hits The Fan,” from the great Repo Man movie. They also cover “Uncontrollable Urge” by Devo. They punk, they rock, they rule. They are the second band from Maine on our site and along with USA Waste- both are great and both represent the people and moose of Maine splendidly.
Slitstitch is a trio I’ve never seen before. They seem quite young, such innocent lads. I’ve reviewed their CD before and have formulated a theory that they are, in fact, the illegitimate offspring of The Pity Whores. And DNA testing has now confirmed my suspicions to be true, I’m glad to relate.
They’re a trio with a guitarist who has the the same kind of growly, gravelly voice of singers like Bob McGunk. And they mix pop/punk and punk’n’roll in a tasty, nasty concoction that’s sure to set your heels a clickin’ and your heads a reelin’. They throw a bit of country influence in as well and play a pretty great set according to my scientific calculations.
I got to hear three pretty great bands today and it’s a shame a few more people weren’t here as I’m sure they would say the same.
I believe the spirit is still around but the vast majority of people are still mislead by paltry entertainment- video games made for children, movies like Batman vs. Superman which are really cartoons and should be just for children. Society has lots of music, art and life without a spine, without feeling, without passion with only the dollar sign beaming behind.
Someday it may change but for now- screw those fucking crickets.
I’ll enjoy these bands right now.
(Slimedog)
