The FU’s / Rockin’ Bob Punk Band / The Welch Boys / Refuse Resist / Taxi Driver / Ice Cold Killers
Great Scott, Allston, MA 2/11/17
This show is Prt One of an annual event put on by TJ Welch and The Welch Boys. In the past it’s been a benefit for the Pine Street Inn, but talking to TJ he informs me they wanted to shake it up a bit this year and have the donation go to a place called The Mansion, which is a rehab in New Hampshire. He tells me one of The Welch Boys roadies had success there.
The Ice Cold Killers are the first band I see tonight. Before their set TJ informs me that they’re a New York Oi band, but the first few numbers are exploding with so much energy I’m wondering if he’s mistaken. That changes a bit when I hear the Oi influence but what I really hear is the sound I call “punk’n’roll.” And this band has more energy within them than ten hardcore bands, this might be the highest energy band I know!
The song that really sticks in my ear turns out to be “Rhythm Of War.” I find that out later because I was so impressed with their set that I decided to review their bandcamp material, which is on-line at the same time you’re reading this. They play a great, exciting, fun, fast set.
Taxi Driver is a Boston band that started around the time OC45 started which means, they started around the time TNB did- about five and a half years ago. It’s easy to classify this band as hardcore as Danny, their diminutive singer (he’s also named in the song “Danny Sucks” by The Martians) sings and growls in a rough, hardcore voice. But this isn’t your typical New York heavy hardcore influenced band. While there is a big influence of metal it’s more of a traditional metal in their style.
Either way you slice it, they play a tremendous, thundering set. And end with a great cover of Slayer’s “South Of Heaven.”
Refuse Resist are the next band to play, formed from the ashes of Loser’s Circle. Somehow, I think I got that backwards but what I do get right is, this band was known to be the best Boston hardcore band when TNB started. And when they do the occasional reunion show there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind why they held that position. The set they played last year, finished number two amongst the thirty-seven shows I witnessed.
And I’m far from being disappointed tonight. I remember using words like “fierce” and “ferocious” to describe them before- and it’s not just Shawn’s gruff vocals that leap out at your throat, it’s the music as well. Their music is like a grizzly bear with rabies attacking your ears!
Second song in they play “Fuck The I.R.S.”- as someone with experience working in tax departments I would, strongly, suggest not to do that. But shortly after, they do a song that takes the words Shawn’s grandma used to say, “Always Do What Is Right,” and that’s something we all should get behind.
Jay, ex- of Red Line Rebels, crowd surfs from the stage. Shawn’s better half, Lyz Red, stage dives even while sporting a cane she’s using from a recent operation.
At this point I get inspired to stage dive and crowd surf as well and make my way towards the front of the stage. But someone, wisely, alerts the staff and they guide the elderly, intoxicated man back to his seat.
Refuse Resist end their great set with the song “Why Am I Still In Massachusetts” knowing full well that Shawn and Lyz will be back in the Big Apple, shortly, where they now reside. (But they’re always welcomed back here, anytime.)
The Welch Boys take the stage next and start their set off roaring, perhaps being ignited from the explosion that followed before.
But this band can hold it’s own with anyone, as they are poised to prove, being one of the best well established bands we cover. Per usual, now, they do a cover of the great song by the Anti-Nowhere League “Pete Townsend Is A Pervert.”
And towards the end of their great set they have a former member and one of Boston’s best drummers, Sam Jodrey, sit in. His mother used to be a bartender at The Rat in the early eighties which means, she used to serve drinks to Andy & I at that time. He does a wonderful job as do The Welch Boys.
Bob Cenci was an original member of Jerry’s Kids, one of the first hardcore bands in Boston and has spent time in another original hardcore band, The F.U’s.
His newest band is called Rockin’ Bob Punk Band and they play a slightly, less high-octane version of the punk that is prevalent today.
I like their style because it harkens back to the early days and reminds me of bands like The Modern Lovers. The highlight of their set for me, is their cover of “Spymaster” by one of the best, early Boston punk bands- La Peste.
Talking to their bass player after the set I mention how, back in the day, their set would have been received as kick-ass but with all the aggressive, hardcore influenced music going on tonight it appears more tame.
But what they sound to me is a garage rock/punk trio playing an early Boston punk style extremely well.
Did I mention The F.U’s (who got their name from a Wendy O.Williams interview where she said, instead of The Plasmatics, the band would’ve really liked to call themselves, “The Fuck You’s”).
They proceed to play a wonderful, hardcore punkin’ set. (The last one with bassist Ed Lynch, sadly, as he will focus his energies on the band Mongorellis while growing watermelons in Wyoming.)
I’m drunk and the moshpit’s not too deadly, besides- security are off eating cheeseburgers… so I get to sing along with one of my favorite tunes, “Young, Fast Iranians” – sure to become a smash hit with the upcoming war. They end their perfect set with a patriotic ditty, a cover of “The Ballad Of The Green Berets.”
Can’t wait for next Saturday, Part Two with another great lineup.
But as Daffy Duck used to say, “That’s All Folks!”
(Slimedog)
