Urban Waste / The FU’s / No Tox / Middle Son
Cantab Lounge, Cambridge, MA 1/23/15
This show went on at the Cantab Lounge. The only club around that vaguely reminds me of The Rat. Maybe because you descend into a basement. And it’s dank and unfancy. Though here, none of the patrons are nodding out but the older sound man, who is frequently napping. Besides that they’re very open to all sorts of shows. Today we’re going to sample four flavors of hardcore. I think more bands should play here and more fans should think of this place as a place to go.
What is about to take place before your very eyes is dual texting. Probably the most dangerous and ludicrous activity that TNB is involved in. We warn you ahead of time, if you are not totally inept, suspect and a reject from a toy factory you should think long and hard before involving yourself in such nefarious behavior.
But in the mean time, sit back, relax and let the various levels of human consciousness strip away like layers on a peel of a tangerine as you enter the obscure, the paradoxical, the alarmingly addicting and at the same time, repulsive world of dual texting.
Slimedog- Well, according to my accordion we are seeing our old friends from Maine tonight- USA Waste.
Andy- Not sure, but I’m pretty sure USA Waste broke up. So I don’t think it’s them.
Slimedog- Actually they’re still playing. I think you’re thinking of Jefferson Starship. These guys tonight are from New York- Urban Waste.
Andy- Oh yah, I was thinking of Jefferson Airplane who is even more broken up. Urban Waste? Really? I thought Municipal Waste was playing. And I think the first band is Middle Finger or something.
Slimedog- No, it’s a band from Vermont. I believe they’re called Phish.
Andy- Oh really? We’d better go buy lots of drugs then.
Slimedog- No, I’m wrong. I’d rather cut my nose off and eat it then sit through those clowns. It is, in fact, Middle Son, who we knew at one time as Midnight Saints.
Andy- What happened to the other sons?
Slimedog- I don’t know but I do know that this is our favorite punk band from Vermont.
Andy- Well that’s good. I’d hate to see a band from Vermont we didn’t like.
Slimedog- Yeah actually this is the only band we know from Vermont. In fact, I think they may be the only people left living there. Nonetheless, they are a fine band mixing prog and ska in with the hardcore.
Andy- Cool. Hard to believe one could combine Rush, Toots & The Maytals and Black Flag and make it all sound legible, but these Vermonters must be very clever folks.
Slimedog- Agreed and enjoyable to hear also. And talk about enjoyable! These guys No Tox are more fun than a barrel of monkeys!
Andy- Yes and nearly as much fun as eating frozen pizza with no teeth,
Slimedog- I’ll take your word for it. These guys were in Toxic Narcotic and I’d say they are the best hardcore band in Boston now.
Andy- After a listen it’s hard to argue with that. Great music at a blistering pace. Looks like they’re trying out a new bass player. The previous guy must have spontaneously combusted.
Slimedog- Yes, that’s Joe Packard. He’s permanent and doing great. He has a tall order to fill here but he appears to be the right size to fit it.
Andy- True. Hey I just ran into our old friend from Boston Groupie, Blowfish. Good thing testicles come in pairs.
Slimedog- Why is that?
Andy- Well, I just ran into him and I’m pretty sure my knee hit his groin.
Slimedog- Oh how dreadful! Which reminds me, there is an all girl band from Sweden who only does songs by No Tox- they call themselves No Cocks.
Andy- Sounds exciting. Hey guess what else rhymes with cocks.
Slimedog- It may come as a shock but I can’t think of a single word.
Andy- Well the leader of the next band, of course, John Soxx, of the mighty FU’s.
Slimedog- And they have Steve, one of the original guitarists and Bob Cenci on guitar as well. He’s an original Jerry’s Kids member.
Andy- I think this is their best lineup. They sound awesome.
Slimedog- Yeah this is the band that invented Boston hardcore. This is the real deal. Hey, they just played “Young, Fast Iranians” and said it was a Ganggreen song!
Andy- More like a Straw Dogs song. Speaking of Ganggreen I think I have it on my left big toe. Hey I think John has a birthday coming up in April. I wonder how old he’ll be?
Slimedog- Late seventies, I’d guess. Hey, I forgot to tell you, while we were waiting at the bar upstairs before the show, Simon left with a female giraffe so we shouldn’t have any accidents tonight.
Andy- Good for him, it’s about time he found someone who is better matched to his two foot appendage.
Slimedog- It is hard to face life’s problems standing tall and erect. Well, here’s the headliner- Urban Waste!
Andy- These guys are a fun band from the original New York scene. Did you know John Waste was 14 when the band started?
Slimedog- No, I just know them to be one of my favorite bands in the current New Your scene and tonight they sound great!
Andy- Yes I concur. What a great way to kick off 2015. I hope all the shows this year are as exciting.
Slimedog- I agree I couldn’t imagine a more exciting show. Oh No! Simon just entered in flames. Seems he was smoking in bed and not the good kind! Quick, douse him with that bottle of alcohol, strap on the saddle and let’s ride!
Andy- Ok let’s go. But I wonder what happened on his date. Maybe he was just too hot to handle.
