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...

705 FRANCINE, DURESSE, plus 2 other supports, The Abbey Lounge, Boston MA USA, Saturday 15 July 2006

Despite an early flight the next morning, the only way to celebrate our last night in Boston on this whistle-stop visit is with a gig! So we were lucky that old faves Francine, who'd just put out another deliciously understated CD "Airshow", were playing at the Abbey, a venue we'd not yet been to!

So, Rachel and I "T"d and walked the 20 minutes from Central to Inman Square, hitting this scuzzy little bar venue (reminding Rachel of the Short Stop in LA!) at 9.30, just as the first band were rounding off. Got drinks in and watched the Red Sox beat the As 7-0 on TV (we'd been to Fenway the night before, to see the As hammer the Sox 15-3. If only Schilling was last night's starter!) while the Gentlemen's CD played over the PA. Aah, Boston, there's nowhere like it...

We'd got there early primarily to check out Duresse, ex Wheat man Ricky Brennan's new band. Ricky actually took vocal chores this time, ripping through some challenging guitar rock which alternated between the thoughtful, low-key approach of his former band Wheat, and some rip-roaring, almost Buffalo Tom-esque US indie rock. All hooky and catchy, all memorable stuff, and easily the best new band of this trip, the best new band out of Boston for ages!

Thought I recognised a familiar face afterwards, so tapped him on the shoulder - it turned out to be former Wheat man Kevin Camara! 5 years had passed since we last ran into him, but we caught up immediately with one of the few people on this planet who renders even me incapable of getting a word in edgeways. Another band played, but Kevin was talking up a storm so I can't remember even hearing them!

Amidst all this, we also managed to talk to young Mr. Brennan, catching up, gratefully accepting copies of the Duresse CD, and chewing the cud about his new band and his modest yet realistic ambitions. Just enjoy playing, that's the thing!

Francine came on at 10 to 12, late due to set-up issues. Now expanded to a 5-piece with the addition of former Baby Ray guy Paul Simonoff on keyboards, their set majored on the more introspective, slow-burn bedsit pop of the new CD, rather than the oblique, word-heavy cerebral pop of old. As with most Boston bands, it made much more sense "live", taking on some verve and life. However I have to say that set closer, oldie "East Hampton", was by some distance their best number tonight; itchy, scratchy and devilishly catchy.

And thus finished the Boston rock for this trip. Ran into a happy and drunk Pete Stone, discovering a closet Mighty Lemon Drops fan in the process. Then off for some kip at 1.15 am before a 5.45 am taxi and an early flight home!