The Dimwits Reunion Show
The Dimwits / The Black Cheers / Tenafly Vipers / Spectre Hawk
Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA 9/21/2012
I knew I wasn’t gonna miss this show since it was the reunion of The Dimwits. They happened to become my favorite local band for many years, once I did find out there was a new punk scene in Boston. And it’s funny because the first time I reviewed them live, in the paper The Noise, I didn’t even see them. They were the last band on that night and I had to leave before they played. I was allotted 150 words per band in live reviews and I wanted to get in stuff about other bands (like The Spoilers who I saw that night for the first time) so I decided to give them a line or two saying they were good. I can tell you, I was more than right!
Lots of members from other bands in the crowd tonight, seems I know everyone- The Spoilers, The McGunks, Doll Eyes, Full Body Anchor, Acro-brats are all represented, even Lauramom is here!
But onto the show, Spectre Hawk is up first and they’re an unassuming bunch of guys (and gal) who play in a style of garage rock mixed with early punk. They’re a fun band and good opening band getting the crowd primed up. They please me with their apt cover of Generation X’s “Ready, Steady, Go.”
Tenafly Vipers are next filling in at the last moment for some band that canceled. They were called this afternoon and I’ve seen them several times before but I’ve never seen them quite as good as tonight. Their style is not punk, not hardcore, closer to metal but really, this is hard rock or maybe “Ferocious Rock” as this is in the manner they’re playing tonight. They knock my socks off.
My pal Swid is in the crowd, he plays in The Black Cheers (amongst many other bands) but I know he’d be here, regardless. I noticed on Facebook today him saying he paid for a shave. I have to check in with him to confirm it was his face and not his pubic hair that got shaved as he is prone to play, at times, without garments on his lower torso. Smooth shave there, Swid!
This is my second time seeing The Black Cheers and I think I’m getting more of a handle on them. I wouldn’t pinpoint these guys as punk, hardcore or metal either. To give an example, their song, “Delete Delete” makes me think of Black Sabbath, Motorhead and AC/DC all at once. Not a bad thought at all to my way of thinking. Growly, raspy vocals; excellent drumming, really tight band- they have a bit of street punk and garage rock in their as well but really this is just a solid rock band and at this music they call rock they excel. Like the Vipers- They Rock!
Well, now that we’ve had the bands who can play their instruments it is now time for The Dimwits. I kid! The Dimwits style is definitely hardcore with a sense of humor and traditional punk influence, also. A little bit like The Angry Samoans but with more modern influences. The guitarist and drummer, Sean and Chris, play in the old-school hardcore band, By The Throat, now and tonight are rounded out with The Sheik on snarling vocals and Paul adding able bass.
They have the joint rocking playing some of my old favorites like “Mongoose” and “Leach” and even do their heartwarming cover of Edie Brickell’s “I Am What I Am,” or whatever that existential buffoonery song is called. Oh yeah, I remember now, on their record, (and they have two excellent ones) they simply refer to it as “Edie Brickell Song.” Ha, Ha!
The Sheik was always a great front-man, Chris one of the best punk/hardcore drummers in town, Sean and Paul putting in exactly what was needed for every song on their guitars and they just had great tunes usually with exciting tempo changes and amusing lyrics as well.
I’ve certainly missed them and from the size and reaction of the crowd I think others have, too. They have a Facebook page so even though it won’t be a regular thing it looks like they may not be against doing this again. I hope this happens and if you heard this band I’m willing to bet you would, too.
As Edie Brickell might say- “Oi! Oi! Oi!
(Slimedog)
