Stop Calling Me Frank / State Of The Union / The New Frustrations / The Only Things
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 8/27/17
The Only Things are a band I feel, is a band not known to a lot of people. But I know them as having one of the very best albums I’ve reviewed this year.
And though some hardcore fans might dismiss them as “indi”, for me, there’s too much burbling energy and quirky genius in the music to only makes me think of a great, eighties new wave/punk band.
And though they really don’t sound like them, they make me think of The Pixies, which I think is high praise, indeed.
This is the third time I’ve seen them play live and I’m pleased to report a new album is in the making. I know this because, the second song is introduced as being from it, a song with a great Bo Didley/Lust Of Life kind of beat to it.
The high-light of the set for me is their moderate waltz called “Your Walk Home,” from their last album “Hit List.” Which I would describe as simply glorious and elegant, and causes me to tear up every time that I hear it.
But wait! The last song they play is “Let’s Go To The Moon,” from an earlier album that is definitely the best song I’ve heard this year. They extend the song into a quasi-reggae and then into a hardcore rush!
And if I need to tell you that I am impressed with their exuberant, emotional, eccentric set- then I guess you haven’t been listening.
But for the last half hour or so, I’m so glad I have.
The New Frustrations describe themselves as “punk rock, power pop,” and there’s an eighties feel to this band, too. This is a band of excellent musicians who are “slick” in the best of ways.
They start with their excellent song, “Radio Generation,” that sounds like it could have been a hit song for The Jam. The second song of the set is a four chord, garage rocker that would fit in with any of garage rock bands of the sixties, the original “punk” bands.
During a song the guitarist breaks a string and not only does The Only Things guitarist lend him his guitar, but after one song he has restrung the original guitar and hands it back to him! It’s the first time I’ve seen this happen but just goes to show how great our scene is!
They do a cover of “Somebody Got Murdered” by The Clash and “We Want The Airwaves” by The Ramones. And play their great tune, The Replacements like “Right As Rain.”
After the set I tell their guitarist that I was singing along with the chorus of that song, something that I do as rarely as producing a coherent music review.
Before the next set I notice people looking behind my seat and conferring, and no- it’s not because of my bodacious ass but it seems Joe Perry, the singer of the next band, State Of The Union, (and guitarist for Aerosmith), has found a five dollar bill on the ground. They try to hand it to me, but on my last purchase of an adult beverage- (are we to consume them while enjoying adult entertainment?)- I used the only five I had in my wallet. They refuse my offer of a drink so I end up putting it on the bar, as a tip for the bartender. Then Joe, makes a point of telling him where it came from! Like I heard someone note recently, just goes to show how great our scene is.
State Of The Union, who I’ve only seen once before, is a trio with an awesome, female drummer and two male string-slingers who sing. And again this band create an eighties punk/new wave style with their dark clothes and somewhat, dark music.
But it’s also pretty energetic with their second song a cover of Agent Orange’s “Speed Kills” and a bit later The Neighborhoods tune with the lyric,”I’ve been a boy I know what you’ve been going through.”
“We’re Taking You For A Ride,” is my favorite song of their originals and they end with possibly, my favorite Ramones tune, “Beat On The Brat.” Great set, worth much more than five dollars.
Stop Calling Me Frank is last and this is a band that Andy and I used to see in the eighties playing in places like Chet’s Last Call. I distinctly recall the lead singer back then, on stage with a scally cap and short leather jacket and a short neck Budweiser in his hand (they don’t make those anymore and they don’t make bands like this anymore, as well.)
Instead of a punk band, this band was more a “roots” orientated band- but not like the dull, commemorative type those bands can sometimes be- but a joyous, wild rock’n’roll/early rhythm and blues party band- with a saxophone!
And when they tare into the old rock’n’roll classic “Ubangi Stomp” – “when it hits it drives the cool cats wild,”-on their second tune. I remember then, why I remember I used to like them so much.
Their sax player does an excellent job and compliments their awesome style (this is the music I like more than punk) and listening to their lead singer, who actually is named Frank, and how hard they rock, I note that Frank does have a lot of Bon Scott in his delivery and I’m envisioning AC/DC with a sax.
They play a great song called “My Baby Is An Ax Murderer,” and follow that with a cover of “Stay With Me,” by The Dictators. The later causes me to approach the front of the stage and sing the required seven “My’s,” of the chorus into the mike.
It was a great show with a lot of great people. I reconnect with Vinny, who I haven’t seen for ten years, and appreciate seeing Kimi Hendrix, as always, dancing her butt off as well.
And it’s been a pleasure, to relay my pleasure, of seeing this show to you.
(Slimedog)
