22-Sep: The Sound of Our Town show
Brett Milano’s book The Sound of Our Town: A History of Boston Rock & Roll is out, and there was a big show for the book last night downstairs at the Middle East. Unfortunately I got there at around 9:30 / 9:45 and missed favorites Muck & the Mires and Robin Lane and the Chartbusters (whom I’ve never seen, but apparently the original line-up will be playing the Lizard Lounge in October). Also missed the Twinemen and Willie “Loco” Alexander. Such is life.
But I did managed to see:
- Dennis Brennan, who did a crazily awesome just terrific super-duper version of the Remains’ “Don’t Look Back.” It was probably the highlight of the night. Brennan also did a Push Push song which was fine, but his take on “Don’t Look Back” was a revelation — I kind of wish he would return to big rock and try to get into the larger rooms. But I know that’s hard for an older guy nowadays.
- Peter Wolf. Great as always. How does he stay so skinny?
- Barrence Whitfield: Wonderful; didn’t do “Mama Get the Hammer” (can’t have everything).
- The Neighborhoods. Wow. They were as hot as they ever were; they just tore the place down. They’ve been playing reunion-esque gigs, though not really enough right in Boston. I would love to see them do a whole set.
- Lyres. Solid.
- Andrea Gillis. Wow, she was really on. Great version of “River Deep, Mountain High.” I have always wondered why the Rudds never gave her a showcase song.
- John Felice came out to sing “All Kindsa Girls.” Many smiles in the audience.
- The house band, with Asa Brebner. It was a little hard for me to tell if John Powhida was in the house band or just playing songs with it. Anyway, all good.
Others: Appearance by “The Shods” (not really, I guess it was just Kevin?), and the Gravel Pit. Sadly, I’m afraid, the audience would have been better served by the Gentlemen. I saw Mike Gent roaming around with his guitar (so maybe there was something juicy afterwards), but after four Gravel Pit songs I had to split.
During the show, I also saw in the audience quite a bit of Boston rock and roll royalty: E.g., Eric Martin (the Neats), Mary Lou Lord, and many others.
I have a bit of fear to read at “The Noise Board” that Aerosmith showed up at the end. But I bet they didn’t.
Brett Milano got some mic time, and he expressed his gratitude to a great community of rock and rollers.
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