Weakened Friends Lead Berklee Alumni Billing at the Red Room at Cafe 939

Last Thursday, Weakened Friends played their last headlining show of 2019 at the Red Room
at Cafe 939. Including Mom Rock and Lady Pills, the billing boasted three bands almost entirely
comprised of current and former Berklee College of Music students for an expressive showcase
of Boston-based talent.

Mom Rock made a splash as they dove headfirst into an unrestrained, energetic set that
prompted Weakened Friends’ Annie Hoffman to later liken them to a bucket full of Red Bull. By
contrast, Lady Pills retorted to Mom Rock’s full throttle hyperactivity with the slow burn of their
moodier, atmospheric style of music that gradually shifted back and forth between ambient and
driving. Weakened Friends closed out the evening with a selection of songs mainly from their
latest album, Common Blah, and newer tracks, including the single “What You Like,” the band’s sole release of 2019. Despite frontwoman Sonia Sturino’s self-deprecating remarks about not being educated at Berklee and only playing barre chords, Weakened Friends’ powerful
performance of their raw, emotionally honest songs betrayed neither lack of depth nor inability.
If nothing else, last week’s Weakened Friends gig demonstrated Boston’s wealth of talented
local musicians.

See below for photos from the show (in order: Weakened Friends, Lady Pills, and Mom Rock):