Synapse Fest, Day One

Although I didn't stay for the entire day (per usual) and showed up late (per usual) all in all what I saw was phenomenal and if you weren't there, well, you fucked up. I managed to catch The Young Leaves, Uzuhi (NYC), The Hotel Year, Algernon Cadwallader, All Set, Now Denial and Sinaloa before I left. I managed to film some video, but I'm not much of a videographer, so bear with me.

When I arrived, The Young Leaves were in the middle of their set and weren't half bad, although they weren't quite half-good either - I wasn't particularly impressed. But when you're playing a 2pm(ish) time-slot to a room full of bands and their girlfriends (and me, I guess) it's hard to play like its your last chance on stage. Not bad though; a little cleanup on tone, a tighter set with less tuning etc. between songs and a greater stage presence will help these guys out a lot.

Next was Uzuhi, originally from Japan, now relocated to NYC.

I expected an interesting set, but this band blew my mind, almost literally. This was the kind of set I shouldn't get to see on a tiny stage on a Saturday afternoon, but I'm not complaining; Uzuhi belongs on a big bill tour with someone like Andrew WK. Full of energy, presence, style, variety, jokes, sincerity, and a well-ordered set, Uzuhi was like opening an unexpected sweet gift from a rich relative: "Holy shit, really? This is awesome!" Except that the sweet gift was Uzuhi and the rich relative was The Raven. I'm not sure if it's awesome to The Raven as your rich relative or not yet... Either way, go see Uzuhi if you get the chance, this band's character and refreshing style is well worth it.

Uzuhi live at The Raven in Worcester, Massachusetts

Algernon Cadwallader followed soon after Uzuhi with a great set, as I had hoped and expected.

I've wanted to see this band live for quite a while now, so my opinion of their live set may be a little biased (although I don't think the bias even matters much - this band is great nearly any way you look at it). This Kinsella influenced American Football-esque band is one of the most upbeat and readily enjoyable bands I've ever heard - and the live set reflected this. Upbeat, yet down to earth, fun and energetic, yet sincere and well, energetic, Algernon Cadwallader is something you have to hear for yourself (but it's also fun to try to figure out how to say their name. Hint: pronunciation is on their Myspace... now you have to click). 

Algernon Cadwallader playing "Some Kind of Cadwallader" and "Look Down" at The Raven in Worcester, Massachusetts

Undeniably fun, amirite? "OH MAN, IT'S TAKING ME OVER!" It's great. Note the drummers shirt that says, "band t-shirt". Made me chuckle a little. One of my favorite parts of their set (not recorded) was a song opening beginning with rim clicks on the drums, which started. And then kept going, and going, while the vocalist (intentionally) talked to us about the day, etc. Poor drummer looked like he might pass out from the repetition. 

Algernon Cadwallader playing "Spit Fountain" at The Raven in Worcester, Massachusetts

You could tell a lot of the people who showed up early on Saturday were there for Algernon (myself included).

 
The room was filled with energy and it was a set I won't soon forget - I hope to go to Philadelphia soon (their hometown) to catch another show of theirs. Great excuse to go down there and get a philly cheese steak...

Next was All Set from Milford, Massachusetts. This uptempo "optimistic" pop-punk band isn't exactly my cup of tea by any means, but they're pretty damn good at what they play, and I've really got to give them credit for that. I could easily see a younger version of myself being absolutely enthralled by this band (and I mean this in the most positive way possible). They sounded very solid and put forth a professional stage presence - although they could very well be some of the nicest kids on earth. They handed out an EP after their set (thanks, guys) with 5 songs on it. It's recorded very well and is well worth a listen. Hit them on myspace and get your hands on a copy!

Now Denial from Lowell/Boston put on a pretty great set after All Set. They too put on a strong live set, although I think it was slightly lacking in the stage presence department. I think this is partially intentional, especially considering some of the slower tempo parts present in their songs, many of which throw down for 4-5 minutes without becoming repetitive or uninteresting. Some of the guitar parts were monstrous, reminiscent of Baroness or Torche, although many other parts were nothing like them and had a much more straight forward feel. I think Now Denial put on a contrasting set complete with long developing parts as well as right down the rail jams that kept it all interesting. With some more energy and a slightly more tight-knit live show (parts here and there seemed slightly off) I think they'll be a great band to watch live. And check out their artwork too - it's great.

Now Denial playing live at The Raven in Worcester, Massachusetts

Synapse Fest II - this weekend!

Saturday AND Sunday (Nov 6th and 7th)! I'm really pumped for this set-list, there's a lot of bands on the bill that you won't normally get to see in Worcester (or get to see in general, really). And it's at the Raven (bar). Beeahs kid, Beeahs.

LOOK AT THIS LIST JUST LOOK AT IT WOOOOW! It's like reading a Burroughs book. For real though, it is hard to read, so here's the setlist and links to bands (that I can find).

Saturday:
12:00 pm - Andy&Zeus
12:30 - Bar Sinister
1:00 Gone Bad
1:30 - Moons
2:00 - The Young Leaves
2:30 - Uzuhi (Japan/NYC)
3:00 - The Hotel Year
3:30 - Daniel Striped Tiger
4:00 - Algernon Cadwallader (PA)
4:30 - All Set
5:00 - Now Denial
5:30 - Sinaloa
6:00 - Handguns (PA)
6:30 - Born Without Bones
7:00 - The Thickness
7:30 - Ten Thirty Nine
8:00 - Have Nots
8:30 - Late Nite Wars
9:00 - Maker
9:40 - Energy

Energy at the end? How sick is that? And Algernon Cadwallader? Daniel Striped Tiger? Sinaloa? So stoked. THAT'S ONLY DAY ONE!

Sunday:
12:30 pm - Tremarche
1:00 - Darkwoods
1:30 - Dirty Work
2:00 - New Reality
2:40 - Rock Bottom
3:20 - Myself In Shambles
4:00 - Matahari
4:40 - Lifeless
5:20 - Unite Resist
6:00 - Halo Of Snakes (PA)
6:40 - Crypter
7:20 - Coke Fiend
8:00 - Tracks
8:40 - Troublemaker
9:20 - Villain

This day has a lot of great local hardcore-punk - the whole day will be pretty nuts. The whole weekend's gonna be insane.. Then Monday happens :(

Here's the vitals:
Site: 
 The Raven
258 Pleasant Street
Worcester, MA 01609-2042
(508) 304-8133

 Price:
Saturday: 
$8 before 1pm, $10 after. Doors at 11am bands at 12pm.

Sunday:
$10. Doors at 12pm.

Both days all ages.

EXTRAS?!?:
Saturday night after-party in the same place! 18 and up, free if you paid for a ticket, $5 otherwise. Drink specials! Music guests (w/dub_bub DJ Treeman (morlock music) Patty Wagon and more)!

Punk Rock Flea Market: Do you have a bunch of records and want to get rid of some? Maybe you have old shirts you don't fit into anymore? Or maybe you're an artist and have some stuff to sell? Did you start your own record label and want to throw it out there? 
E-mail: Exploreragency@gmail.com




Skate EVERYWHERE


I'm going to try and film a few sets and put them up on here along with some set reviews and updates on the bands that really stood out. Stay tuned! Also - if you have any info you want to add, please feel free. 


"DIY OR DIE"
 

Unreliability/Spontaneity pt.2

Credit Matthew Griffin, 2010

Antietam and crowd

I went to another show this past weekend at a friend's house of mine on 10 Gates Street (Main South) in Worcester, and yet again, per usual, showed up late (which actually wound up to be just on time, in my opinion). This was a house show, and a weekend, so naturally I had a backpack full of beer and a six pack in my own personal fridge (aka my stomach). I showed up just as the band Tremarche had finished setting up their gear and was about to play, so I moseyed on up to the front to see one of their very first sets (I think?) For one of their first shows Tremarche sounded excellent- especially for a three piece in a living room playing through equipment that wasn't theirs. The punk/hardcore influenced rock and roll had a groove to it that I haven't seen live in quite some time, and the trading of vocal patterns between the bassist and guitarist really kept the set upbeat, energetic, and fast paced. Kudos, props, and all that jazz (can I say that?) to those guys, it sounded great. The next band was Britney's Spear from Clark University, and I'm not going to lie or even attempt to review their set as I wasn't in the living room anymore.. Like I said, it was the weekend and I was too busy meandering about and mingling with friends. They played for what seemed to me to be a little too long, but I didn't exactly have a stopwatch either. The next band, Antietam from Worcester has been a staple to the community for quite some time and consistently puts on a very fun show - this one was no different. Everybody in the tiny 15'x10' living room was pushing one another, crawling on eachother, singing along, and all together having a good time. By this time, my own personal fridge was even more stocked, making their set even more enjoyable. 'Meat Wallet' is a particular favorite of mine (and others' as well it seems). After their set, sweaty and worn out, I left the house to go to another party and missed the touring band from New York, whom I wished I'd now seen (although I haven't heard anything positive or negative about their set). It was a fun night, but I can't really say I was in the right state of mind to really judge the quality of the music. Also, thanks to Matthew Griffin for taking pictures that evening, they came out looking great.

Links:
Antietam - http://www.myspace.com/antietamworc
Britney's Spear - http://www.myspace.com/britneysspear
Tremarche - I don't think they have a page up yet, I think they're waiting for new recordings. Update soon!

I'm not quite reliable

So, as it turns out I'm not quite as reliable as I pretended to be in the last post. I didn't go to that Iron Cross show, nor did I go to Wormtown Brewery's Oktoberfest. I did, however, get a chance to see a show that I'll talk about instead. Maybe I'll describe myself as spontaneous instead of unreliable.
Anyway, the show I went to was at the Hotel Vernon in Kelly Square. It was a Worcide benefit show. Apparently some "crooked fuckers" (credit FYC) broke into their tool shed, stole equipment, and ruined the bags of concrete they were going to use for the next little skate park job. Bummer, right? So it was donations (aka free, although I helped out) and Vernon has $1 draft beers - sweet deal.

I showed up a little bit late and the first band I caught was Bovachevo; an interesting four piece of some older dudes who put on a great show. Some parts, and the tone (although it could just be the ship room in the Vernon) reminded me of older Botch mixed with classic punk feel. The somewhat awkward yet maliciously grooving guitar riffs with a simple, yet hearty and appropriate blend of fast paced drums really set the stage for the frontman/bassist who really held everything together with his intensity. Although somewhat repetitive at times, some parts were very intriguing and it was a great taste of variety that I haven't seen very often in 2010, especially in Worcester. Next up was It's Alive (not on the flier), a modern prototypical punk/hardcore band who had a really fun set. The frontman was dressed for halloween (I'm assuming) in what looked like a lucha libre version of Captain America, streamers and all. Though not terribly original, they play what people know and love, and those kids really do know and love fun - it was a very a "wholesome" set. Like your grandmother's pot pie. The last band I stayed for was Tinsel Teeth from Providence, RI and they weren't quite your average homebrew. They were like taking fake blood, masks, girls, hardcore, and tossing it all together in some oddly sexual milkshake that won't bring (many) boys to the yard.  Though more of a punk/hardcore Lady Gaga meets Slipknot-esque stage show than a traditional set (like It's Alive's), it was interesting and entertaining to say the least. In the first song of the set, the frontwoman proceeded to take her skirt off, eat fake blood, throw her wig on the floor, and do some booty-grindin' with some guys up front, all while the rest of the shirtless, masked members played the music. Though far from the most thought out music, the set was not your average bear, and really was quite entertaining - especially because I think the band displayed an overarching air of unconventional femininity, which is something rarely seen in punk/hardcore these days.

Tinsel Teeth

I didn't get a chance to stay for the rest of the show, and I showed up late, so this is all I really got a chance to review. All great bands though, go out and see them if you get a chance!

Links:

Bovachevo - http://www.myspace.com/bovachevo

Tinsel Teeth - http://www.myspace.com/tinselteethy

It's Alive - I can't find it online. Let me know if you know their page.