417 SENOR HAPPY, The Gentlemen, The Lizard Lounge, Cambridge, MA USA, Tuesday 10 August 1999

A "touristy" day today, walking the Freedom Trail, going up Bunker Hill Monument and shopping in Quincy Market! But after a day off, I'm ready for some more Boston Rock! Awake at 9 pm after a short nap in a slight panic, as I don't know when tonight's show starts, or even where the Lizard Lounge is! A call to Tremont sorts things out, and Pete Stone comes to the rescue of this stranded and flailing Brit, picking me up at 10. What a gentleman!

We head over the Lizard Lounge in good time for the Gentlemen, who are basically Mike Gent, backed up by the Gravel Pit minus Jed, indulging their more trad-rock and bluesy urges. The set veers between hard rocking blues and a more West Coast FM radio sound, with Mike Gent’s harsh strident tones complementing the material well. The guys are more restrained than Saturday, due to the restrictions of the Lizard Lounge (it reminds me of playing in someone’s front room; the band set up in the middle, and everyone gathers around) which mutes their dynamism somewhat. They’re not the Gravel Pit (despite the fact that they are, well, three quarters anyway) but the set is still well rocking and fun.

Senor Happy are on soon after, and Tom Polce (my “awesome” conversationalist) and Joe McMahon (who I met at the Pit aftershow party and who reminds me of my friend Rich, being equally round, bald, bearded and funny) prove able back-ups for vocalist Derek Skanky. Derek has somewhat of a “reputation” around town, but onstage is very talented and knows it. The set initially disappoints, but picks up when Ed’s roommate Dave joins on extra guitar, and their understated moody bedsit guitar pop takes on an extra edge. The groovy, edgy and deliciously short (less than a minute long!) “Take You There” and “Soon” are the highlights of a fine set.

Get a cab back to Ed’s, as he has to pack the stuff away at the rehearsal space. Hit the hay just after 1, when it suddenly hits me what a busy day this has been.

445 SENOR HAPPY, FRANCINE, Trocadero, The Lizard Lounge, Cambridge, MA USA, Wednesday 24 May 2000

Ben and Jerry's ice cream in the rain precedes a fine lunchtime in the company of Gary Waleik, formerly of my all-time favourite band The Big Dipper. Then, a trip to Boston Aquarium for Rachel and myself this afternoon, before meeting friends for late tea in the upstairs restaurant of tonight's gig venue! I try the clam chowder on EdV's previous recommendation. Tastes like... chicken! (It does!). We head downstairs at 1/4 to 10, just as first band Trocadero play their last number. Again, I can't honestly say I take much notice of them as I'm busy saying hey to people. EdV and Carrie show up, as do Pete Stone and ex Letters To Cleo drummer Stacy Jones (more of him next gig!). Ed also introduces me to Jim Gilbert of The Sheila Divine, and I do the same to a wobbly-kneed Rachel!

Francine come on just after 10, with Clayton Scoble, vocalist and main inspiration, starting off with a solo acoustic number. Their subsequent set is very fine; full of intelligently crafted songs, thoughtful without being too clever, played with understated yet obvious charm. Clayton is evidently a pop kid and a Brit-ophile, and it shows, with Kinks, XTC and even Squeeze as notable influences in their warm, hooky and melodic pop. Speak briefly to Clayton afterwards, and gratefully receive free copies of the new EP. I introduce myself as "Bill from Arlington," following previous e-mail conversations with the man. Clayton, that is, not Bill.

Senor Happy headline and come on at 11. I'd spent some of Francine's set in conversation with Joe McMahon and "awesome" Tom Polce of the Happy - poor Joe had lost the only pair of glasses he owns, and was squinting at everybody! Nevertheless, he and the rest of the Happy boys play a blinder (sorry Joe!) with a really toughened up set of their introspective bedsit guitar pop. "Soon" was particularly rocking, and a clutch of newer, more countrified songs augment a fine set. Derek Skanky, Happy vocalist and the awkward lump that jumped onto 2 enthusiastic Brits at the Bills Pit show, is again an excellent frontman, dynamic and forceful. I must confess, however, my attention wanders at the presence of Gigolo Aunt John Skibic in the audience. He totally fails to recognise me, and why not? I'm seriously out of context!

Congrats to the Happy chappies afterwards. Josh is heading out on tour with Juliana Hatfield, accompanied by the Aunts backline John and Fred, and John tries to persuade us to come out to Vermont tomorrow to see them. A lovely idea, but we already have plans...

466 SENOR HAPPY, Feedback, Bills Bar, Boston, MA USA, Thursday 19 October 2000

Each time so far I've been in Boston, The Happy have had a gig scheduled! This trip is no exception, as Rachel and I hit Bills Bar at 10ish after The Pedro The Lion gig earlier, running into incredulous Happy boys Tom Polce and Joe McMahon for greetings and chat. We stop to pay attention to support Feedback, who play some good shiny US pop rock, slightly derivative but fun nevertheless, recalling such as The Knack, apart from the final number which shamelessly appropriates the chorus riff from Nick Lowe's "Cruel To Be Kind"! The DJ makes a note of this too, by playing the "original" immediately after their set. By this time James Horrigan has joined us, and following the usual greetings we launch into a critique of plagiarism in music! Typical James!

Senor Happy take the stage (amazingly, this is the first time I've seen them on a stage, the other 2 occasions being at the Lizard Lounge) at 11. I never tire of mentioning that "live" The Happy are a seriously tougher proposition than their slightly understated, almost countrified bedsit angsty pop is on record. Tonight they once again prove themselves to be tough boys in a "live" environment, with a clutch of new numbers - some even new since May - sounding completely and thoroughly sorted. With Josh Lattanzi out of town (this time with Nina Gordon's band), lead guitarist chores are taken by Bill Guerra, James' new room-mate and a former Expanding Man. His presence toughens up the sound notably, with "Soon" sounding almost punky as the superb Tom Polce brings the bombastic drumbeats very effectively.

An ace newie, "Get Up And Go Out", brings the set to a fine close, and it suddenly hits me just how tired I am. James has already cleared off at set end, so Rachel and I follow his lead, pausing only to chat briefly with EdV's ex room-mate Toirm (a Bills Bar regular, it seems), ex Sterling Pat Emswiler and Brett Rosenberg, who turns out to be a band-mate of Geoff Van Duyne from last night's Evan Dando gig. Exactly how bloody incestuous is this Boston rock scene??!!