Sunday 1 December 2019

1,162-1,165 BOSTON 2019, Featuring LETTERS TO CLEO, BILL JANOVITZ and the ANGIEC BIRTHDAY BASH!, Various venues in Boston, MA, USA, Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th November 2019

Gig Specifics:
1,162 LETTERS TO CLEO, Speedy Ortiz, Boston Paradise, Friday 22nd November 2019
1,163 BILL JANOVITZ, Boston The Burren, Saturday 23rd November 2019
1,164 LETTERS TO CLEO, Speedy Ortiz, Boston Paradise, Saturday 23rd November 2019
1,165 THE ANGIE C BIRTHDAY BASH, Boston Q Division, Sunday 24th November 2019

After a “slight return” to my regular early 2000’s Rock’n’Roll bolthole of Boston, MA, USA in March 2017 (gigs 1,028 and 1,029), that being the first time my footsteps had muddied the banks of the Charles for full on 9 years, I was kind of expecting not to be back anytime soon… little did I know…! One of the new friends I made on that most recent trip was local DJ (and co-host of the ACLU benefit show that comprised gig 1,028) Angie C Shaw; we became fast friends over Facebook, bonding over our love for music and Boston rock in particular, and she gave me a heads-up earlier this year about her 50th Birthday plans, ultimately inviting me over to her confirmed “Hot AC Sunday Funday Birthday Bash”. A tempter in and of itself, but when it coincided with a “homecoming” double-header from Boston post-grunge powerpop heroes Letters To Cleo, a band whom I’d adored back in the 90’s but only saw a couple of times during their sole UK sojourn in 1996 (gigs 321 and 324), it became a really enticing prospect…! A few hurdles to overcome first, but luckily Rach was happy for me to fly over (and more than a little jealous too, Rach being a massive LTC fan but never having seen them…), I got my leave from work aligned to make a long weekend of it, sorted out a cheap – economy, hand luggage only! – flight, and Angie sorted me with some accommodation with Dennis White, a chap I’d also met on that 2017 visit. So it was suddenly all systems go for David Does Boston – Take 11!

A stupidly early start on Friday – up at 5.15 am! – to drive to Heathrow, get the car parked and check in in time for my 9.40 flight, then an equally stupidly turbulence-affected flight (when the cabin crew are also strapped in and they can’t serve the food because it’s “too dangerous”, you know you’re in for a bumpy ride) still got me into Boston about lunchtime. Quickly bored after an hour or so poking around an increasingly rainy Harvard (Boston testing me at this point, given I’d brought no change of shoes or trousers!), I then popped over to Q Division to wish old friend Ed Valauskas, bassist with local heroes The Gravel Pit, a happy birthday! Enjoyed a chat mainly about our kids (!) before I headed over to Dorchester, hitting Dennis’ place just as mine host arrived home. He fixed me up in “The Elvis Room” (a veritable shrine to Elvis Costello, whom Dennis has seen 80+  times!), before we Uber-ed over to the Paradise (this is how we do, now, apparently… taxis are so 2015!) for about 8, rather inevitably running into man-about-town “The Peach” Pete Stone outside!

Took a wander in for openers Speedy Ortiz, who played a very Veruca Salt-esque mid-paced and oft-times off kilter stompy post-grunge US alt-rock fayre. Striking and vivacious vocalist Sadie Dupuis, apparently a local lass, was gushing about being back in her old stomping grounds (“it’s great to be back here – I used to come here when I was 18!”) and about supporting her idols Letters To Cleo, and I liked “Plough” (their tribute to old Boston venue The Plough And Stars) with its’ “freaking the fuck out” hook-line, as well as their obvious jumpy enthusiasm onstage, although the sound was often drum-dominated and the set seemed overlong at 45 minutes. Still, a pretty good start overall…

Hung out on the balcony, totally failing to bump into anyone I knew (later for that!), then took a spot on the floor, house left, just behind a tall bloke who was leaning against the stage. Bah! As the clock ticked on past the Cleo’s scheduled 9.15 onstage time, I noticed guitarist Greg McKenna lean out from backstage in an attempt to catch the DJ’s attention to say the band were ready to play! Eventually the message got through, and the Cleos took the stage, joined last by vocalist Kay Hanley, deadpanning, “we’re doing this again, huh?” Oh yes, indeed we are… this year with extra added Brit fan!

From the off Letters To Cleo sounded utterly amazing; despite this being only gig 4 of a 5-date mini-tour, they sounded tight, tough and road-tested, the rock totally on point, and, like so many of their late 90’s Boston contemporaries, waaaay better live than on record. Dynamic, kinetic, joyous, rocking like bastards, and in Kay Hanley possessing a frontperson par excellence; the Homecoming Queen, focus of all the attention in the room, stripily attired and tousled hair piled high like a young Kim Wilde, she was commanding, smart-mouthed and sassy, swaggering and strutting the stage as if she owned it. Which, of course, she did… Hard rocking, grungy opener “Go” segued into an almost 60’s-esque colourful and groovy “4 Leaf Clover”, and an early “I Want You To Want Me” was terrific, bettering even Cheap Trick’s original (I know, I said it…) with a thrillingly cacophonous climax. “Veda Very Shining” was utterly blistering, a hard-edged, amphetamine-fast and rocking thrill-ride, and “Awake” saw pretty much the whole band bouncing in time to hard-hitting sticksman Tom Polce’s strong-armed drumbeat. A diversion into their Christmas EP material didn’t break momentum for long, the scorching late-set double of “Demon Rock”/ “Fast Way” roaring back with a vengeance, Kay also admonishing phone photo takers (of which I, regrettably, was one…) and suggesting they/we, “be in the present!” Point taken!

The circular choral hook of “I Got Time” ended the set proper, the band returning for an encore, with guitarist USA Mike Eisenstein (with whom, similarly to Bill Janovitz at the Buffalo Tom Bristol gig last December, no. 1,115, I’d exchanged glances during the set but again wasn’t sure whether he’d recognised me) giving me a shout-out for, “coming all this way”(I guess he did, then…)! The Cleos then brought bona-fide Boston rock legend Greg Hawkes of The Cars onstage, to play some funky organ on a Cars cover encore triad, Kay clearly in Fantasy Band Camp here and totally unable to wipe the huge grin from her features throughout, remarking, “this is so awesome!”. Awesome indeed, but so was the whole set!




Hung out by the upstairs backstage door afterwards, running into EdV, USA Mike, Tom Polce, old Senor Happy buddy Joe McMahon, and visiting American Hi-Fi guitarist and old friend Jamie, a man who seems utterly impervious to the ravages of time, looking possibly younger now than when I first met him in 2000! Eventually we were ushered in backstage, much socialising ensuing with the Cleos and their entourage, including birthday girl Angie C and partner Dave. Eventually Dennis (slightly worse for wear at this point) and I reluctantly tore ourselves away, sorting an Uber back to his place after an utterly stellar evening of rock!

A fairly early start on a bright and chilly Saturday saw Dennis and I (amazingly in good shape after his heroic amounts of imbibing!) heading out for a superb breakfast in Quincy, making a couple of stops to walk his dogs on the journey. An afternoon shopping trip to Harvard was problematic, a huge chunk of the Red Line “T” replaced by an interminably slow bus service, so I got back to Dennis’ at 5ish. His mate Tom had happily sorted us guest list spots for Bill Janovitz’ set at the snug Burren backroom (standing room only, but who cares?), so we headed over there in a slow-moving Uber (taking ages to inch through Chinatown in particular) for just before 7, having just enough time for a quick greeting and handshake with Bill before he took the stage, bang on 7 for his first set of 2 of the night.

This was the relaxed, urbane Bill, playing to a small room of friends, acquaintances and other assorted diners, kicking off solo with a couple of Buffalo Tom deep cuts (“Sunday Night” in particular being welcome, and featuring the requisite amount of intensity and melancholy, albeit low-key!), then being joined by a band including brother Scott, and also Cleo’s drummer Tom, pulling a double shift tonight! “This is a Crown Victoria reunion – we broke up after a couple of years [but] no-one noticed!”, quipped Scott before an understated and delicately countrified “Fireworks On TV”, and an almost soulful, confessional “Mary Kay”. The material (described as a “Last Waltz” set by Bill) was largely Crown Victoria stuff, more understated and alt-country than the Tom whilst still retaining Bill’s usual oeuvre of raw passion and melancholy. “Helpless” was chiming and melodic, with excellent harmonies from Scott and Tom, then Bill brought the set to a close, promising “a new drummer for the next set – I can say that with certainty!”

I was off and running then… I’d arranged a lift with Tom to The Paradise, so we headed through the kitchen where Joe was waiting with the motor running! He dropped me and Tom off around the corner from the venue, where I left Tom to go in (parting with a huge bearhug from this affable gent – a real pleasure to run into him again after nearly 20 years!) as I collected my will call ticket. Speedy Ortiz were already midway through their set, which was more of the same heavy-hitting languid post-grunge, albeit sounding fuller and brighter than last night, with vocalist Sadie again throwing compliments around (to the Cleos and Boston in particular) with gay abandon.

The place felt considerably fuller tonight, so I grabbed a spot close to last night’s house left position, albeit a couple of rows further back. Tried to squeeze through but couldn’t. Bah! No matter, we didn’t hang around tonight, Angie C introducing the band onstage pretty much on time, and being surprised with a massive birthday cake and birthday singalong in the process! Following these festivities, Letters To Cleo weren’t in a mood to mess about either, bursting directly into a powerful “Demon Rock”/ “Fastway” double-whammy segue, with Kay, sporting rock-star chic tonight (black support band t-shirt and ripped – nay, savaged – jeans) again “on it” from the off, bouncing around as if on rubber knees, exhorting the hometown crowd to sing along throughout. An early “Cruel To Be Kind” was lovely, delivered with just the right amount of deliciously understated harmony, Kay and Michael thereafter conducting an onstage band pow-wow (“we want to get it right for you people!”) before an angular, rocking “I Got Time”. “Awake” again saw the band bounceathon, Michael also prowling his corner of the stage like a young Bob Mould (!), and the slower-burn “Jennifer” was introduced by Kay as, “a rock’n’roll hymn to Dorchester,” the accompanying backdrop slideshow illustrating this point. “Veda” was again a blistering amped-up powerpop delight, but that was even topped by rampant set closer “Pizza Cutter”, the undulating harmonies a feature of possibly the highlight of this homestand.

A relaxed and buoyant band then took the stage one last time, in Christmas hats and tinsel and accompanied by Speedy Ortiz, to run through their “Christmas” EP tracks, their reading of locals The Dogmatics’ “Christmas Time (Sure Don’t Feel Like It)” the flippant, acerbic best number. I didn’t hang around tonight, however, making a quick visit to the merch stand and a lap of the top balcony, running into Melissa Gibbs and Jen Trynin for a nice chat and catch up before heading off. An early departure tonight, as I was unsure as to my ability to hail a cab, Boston being all Ubers these days, and this proved to be the case, so I abandoned that idea and took the “T” for a happily swifter than earlier Green-bus-Red transfer, back to Dennis’ for midnight, totally wiped out but elated after another brilliant Cleo’s performance!

Unsurprisingly, Sunday didn’t start quite as early – particularly as it was totally bucketing it down! Dennis and I eventually headed off just before lunchtime to grab another Quincy breakfast (hey, I liked it yesterday, so stick with what you like!) then I took it easy back in the “Elvis Room” before we headed off to Q Division for 3 pm. This was to be the venue for the Angie C Birthday Bash, with socialising and buffet in a side room and an impromptu stage set up in one of the recording studios. This was clearly to be the social event of the season, as I immediately ran into so many old Boston rock friends (EdV, Jamie, old Gravy friend Michael Jordan, Ad Frank, “The Peach”, Kay, Michael, Jen, Melissa and a later arriving old Pills buddy Corin!), and met a whole swathe of hopefully new friends (hi Keith, Josh, Rice, Hilken, Kirsten… plus legendary Boston music scribe Brett Milano!). Also greeted Angie and Dave, of course, and gave Premiership footy fan Angie a present of a Liverpool FC shirt personalised with “Angie C – 50” – judging by the hug I received, I think it went down well…!


In between the chat and general party spirit and bonhomie, there was some music too! First up, the excellently named PRETENDICA, featuring Cleos guitarist Greg McKenna and a vivacious vocalist in Linda Gioscia, regaled us with some authentically-delivered Pretenders covers (including, happily, my favourite, the racey “Tattooed Love Boys”) and one Elastica number, their “Stutter” being miles better than the oft-shambolic original. Then, with a slight shuffling of personnel (notably Ad Frank in for Greg) and costume (Linda donning a blonde wig and alluring short dress/ boots combination), they became HEY! BLONDIE!, again delivering a fun party set of Blondie covers, my highlights being “X Offender” (which apparently features in the set because Ad wouldn’t join the band unless they played it!) and “Dreaming”, the drum-dominated 60’s-esque pop classic, drummer Mike Gioscia putting in a hell of a shift to channel Clem Burke!


I grabbed another quick chat with Jen Trynin, hanging out with Hilken Mancini, and got the chance to more rationally convey my admiration for both her recorded output and rather excellent book. However, before I get the chance to tell Hilken what a fan of Fuzzy I was in the day, they were called to the stage, as BAND OF THEIR OWN were next up. Angie introduced them onstage after a lovely short speech, then BOTO played a relaxed, fun and sparkling set of well-chosen covers. BOTO are a loose collective of distaff luminaries of the Boston Rock community (and herein ends any references to gender, as I appreciate that anything I, as a white male non-musician, have to say on this point may come across as dangerously patronising), who are quite simply supremely talented musicians and performers. Case in point being that the shining star of the last 2 evenings, Kay (who, in taking lead vocals for a couple of numbers, is admittedly reining it in this afternoon), didn’t even come close to being MVP of this performance. Nope, for me that honour went to Hilken, although Jen ran her close with an astonishingly impassioned reading of Tom Petty’s “Refugee” (typical that the first time I get to see Jen perform, she’s doing a cover… still, it’s, ahem, better than nothing…!). Anyway, it’s Hilken; high kicking, husky voiced, posing and strutting onstage, owning it and delivering a stunning version of “Different Drum”, the highlight of BOTO’s set. Although kudos also to Melissa, who delivered a Stevie Nicks cover with all the commanding growl of a Patti Smith…!

Then, a total surprise; the birthday girl’s beau, DAVE DOW, hopped onstage, accompanied by Josh on guitar, with the intention of singing a couple of numbers for the birthday girl. He eased into first number, Men A Work’s “Overkill” and those present let out an audible gasp – Dave, who’d apparently never sung before, was utterly crushing it! Spot on pitch and delivery throughout; about 3 seconds after he went up through the octaves for the final verse, I was looking around for my jaw. On the floor…! This was not only the highlight of his four song vignette, but one of the musical highlights of the weekend, no foolin’, and judging by the conversation I overheard between Dave and BOTO and Belly stalwart Gail Greenwood, I wasn’t the only one to think that…!

Next up, I had a promise to keep, and Kay helped me to keep it, signing my daughter’s copy of the “Josie And The Pussycats” soundtrack and sending her a lovely video message, which just about made Kasey’s day/week/month/year. There was time for one final act, BIKINI WHALE, a B52’s tribute led by my old Gravy buddy Michael, playing “under the watchful gaze of Emperor Caldes,” (a huge painting of Gravel Pit drummer Pete, propped up at the back of the stage and keeping watch all evening!) and channelling the kooky goofiness and deadpan delivery of Bill Schneider perfectly. Once again, they were great, faithful to the originals and a perfect party band to round things off. However, the weekend began to catch up with me, and when Dennis suggested bailing just before the end, I happily joined him, saying my goodbyes on the way out.

An early night for an early start, as Dennis (who’d been the perfect host) drove me to the airport for my 8 a.m. flight, a less bumpy ride seeing me back in Heathrow earlier than expected (despite 20 minutes of circling because we were so early!), and home just before 10 p.m. Elated and buoyed once again by another stellar weekend in Boston; whenever I fleetingly thought I was out of place, an interloper, there was always one old friend or other there to greet me. Once again, the Boston rock community showed nothing but the most amazing hospitality to this Brit Boston Rock fan, and for that I’m forever grateful.

As for my “Live Band of the Year”? Well, after that incredible homestand, it’s got to be LETTERS TO CLEO! Oh and yeah… Happy Birthday Angie!

No comments:

Post a Comment