Now in its 34th year of operation, vcialis 40mg the Rock N’ Roll Rumble showcases some of the best of the ever-awesome Boston music scene for 9 nights starting April 7 th. Let’s check out the bands competing this year at T.T. The Bear’s in Cambridge.
Night One
Coupling intensity and sincerity in the shifting dynamics of their gritty indie tunes, cialis
The Okay Win combines a lower-dynamic post punk vibe with Weezer-esque alt-
rock mentalities and quicker paced, troche catchy indie tunes.
Key Song: Seeds
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Described as “Nine Inch Nails with a backbeat,” Cancer Killing Gemini’s sound
blends elements of industrial, electronic, and slower punk music, and makes for
a whole bunch of compelling tracks. The heavy bass, drums, and synths of Cancer
Killing Gemini will literally force you to groove to their beats. It’s infectious, and I
love it.
Key Song: Anode (Robot Girlfriend)
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Vanya Records’ own New Highway Hymnal like to get noisy. But this is noise with a purpose, bringing the best out of a single uber-distorted/psychedelic guitar, one bass, one drum set, and the yearning vocals of lead singer Hadden Stamp. Described
on their Facebook as “Peyote punk,” it’s pretty simple to see where that label comes from.
Key Song: Through Stained Glass
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Channeling Death Cab for Cutie’s experimental indie vibe, Velah combines harder
rock sensibilities with softer, more pop-oriented indie rhythms and beats. The
combined vocals of guitarist Jen Johnson and Nick Murphy are beautifully haunting.
Key Song: Wanderlust
Night Two
Never have I ever heard so much awesome yet frightening noise come out of two
instruments (one of which is a 4-string guitar). Reminiscent of Fugazi and Biffy
Clyro, the bold dynamic changes of Endation are sure to have you banging your head
one minute and grooving along the next.
Key Song: Sex Partner Sex
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Anyone who says any press is good press clearly hasn’t had very much legitimate
good press. Featured in both the Phoenix and Alternative Press as a band to look out
for in 2013, The Deep North’s unique blend of indie instrumentals and hard rock
hooks will have people thinking about Death Cab…but you know, with a kickass
female lead vocalist.
Key Song: Wake Up
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Herra Terra have a sound that I can only describe as the Sonic Youth of electronic
rock music, but that you actually want to dance to. Infectious beats and massive
walls of keyboards and guitars are sure to have you moving on the floor.
Key Song: Portals
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Fast-paced garage rock hooks and singalong choruses define this Boston quartet,
with a groove-inspired sound reminiscent of Rooney (when Rooney was good) and
the Strokes. When these pop-infused indie rockers take the stage, prepare to lose
control of your feet.
Key Song: Talking About You
Night Three
“A Town Called Nowhere,” the first song off of Eddie Japan’s latest release, sounds
like it belongs in a damn Tarantino movie. Combining melancholic vocals with
hooky backing guitars and bass, and topping all that off with blaring trumpets and
strings, Eddie Japan’s classical-infused pop-rock sound is fresh and welcome.
Key Song: A Town Called Nowhere
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My ears hurt…in the most awesome possible way. Supermachine’s hook-heavy, hard
blues-infused rock is far heavier than some of the other bands at the Rumble, and
their choruses are the stuff of a headbanger’s dream. Gotta love those heavy riffs.
Think Ram Jam, but kicking more ass.
Key Song: Buffalo
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Glenn Yoder and the Western States
Their latest release Javelina will have you wondering if you’re listening to the next
Tom Petty, maybe with a little Uncle Tupelo thrown in. With heavier hard-rock
tunes mixed with Americana-tinged folk rock, Glenn Yoder and the Western States
bring a rougher alt-country feel to this year’s Rumble.
Key Song: Just Want You To Love Me
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There aren’t many bands that have me reminiscing about moshing as a young punk
in DC, but Blackbutton has succeeded. With waves of noise and gritty, alt-rock fuzz
backed by a gloriously loud rhythm section, Blackbutton is definitely a band to
watch when they release new material later in 2013.
Key Song: Still Kids
Night Four
Clapalong beats and catchy riffs characterize this eclectic 6-piece group, whose
music is a fantastically fun mix of Americana, pop, and folk/blues-driven rock.
Their Steve Almond-produced debut record, My Sweetheart the Destroyer, had me
bouncing in my seat.
Key Song: Lay Low Geronimo
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Whitcomb’s instrumental sound ranges from the nu-metal of Deftones to the
straight-up hard rock of Queens Of The Stone Age, and is never boring, but always
loud. Their lyrics are taken from the poetry of poet James Whitcomb Riley, giving a
dark art vibe to their loud, hook-heavy songs.
Key Song: What Redress
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Lifestyle have been around for a while, but their synth-heavy, dancey power pop has
never gone out of style. I dare you not to get out of your seat when the beat starts
and Lifestyle takes the stage.
Key Song: Ghostship
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Taking a break from power pop, Twin Berlin’s goal is to have their music punch you in the face, then have you coming back for more. With their raw, underproduced, garage-rock sound, Twin Berlin’s DIY ethic and stripped-down recordings are reminiscent of the Hives and the Strokes, mixed with kickass punk ideas.
Key Song: Can’t Take, Take, Take
Night Five
Fresh off of SXSW, Coyote Kolb’s soulful, backwoods-infused blues country will
bring an “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” vibe to night five of the Rumble. Getting
back to the gritty country roots of rock, Coyote Kolb may just inspire a few whiskey-
soaked concertgoers to start clicking their heels.
Key Song: Big Brother Blues
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WFNX faves The Field Effect have had a busy year already. Coming off of some killer
shows at SXSW, the Boston-based Berklee foursome bring a fresh energy to the
indie rock scene, combining Doug Orey’s heartfelt, down-to-earth lyrics with tight
istrumentals, The Field Effect are sure to be crowd favorites at the Rumble. I’m
pretty sure we played their single “Ogunquit, ME” about a hundred times in the span
of 3 weeks at WFNX.
Key Song: Ogunquit, ME
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Suicide Dolls’ stripped-down, three piece garage sound keeps the awesome tradition
of lo-fi alive. The Connecticut natives have been compared to Sonic Youth and
Dinosaur Jr., but look for them to make their own mark this year at the rumble with
dance-worthy melodies and catchy riffs.
Key Song: Smash
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A self-described “punk-soul explosion,” White Dynomite certainly bring a new
dynamic to this collection of bands this year. With a sound focused on Iggy Pop-
worthy “raw power” and a decent amount of fuck-off noise, White Dynomite might
be one of the most exciting, fresh bands at the Rumble, not to mention having a
wicked cool name.
Key Song: White Dynomite
Night Six
Relative newcomers to the Boston indie scene, Parks bring a pop enthusiasm that few will rival at the Rumble. Their 2012 debut single, “Sweater Weather,” gives hints of the Shins and Phoenix, and is just plain fun to listen to.
Key Song: Sweater Weather
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Bringing the volume up just a little bit, Jack Burton vs. David Lo Pan’s hardcore
sound is sure to make your eardrums explode. That shouldn’t frighten you though,
since you’ll be too busy rocking out to notice. This group reminds me of another
Northeast-based hardcore group, Farewell, Dreamer, but brings a more musical side
to their raging heavy sound.
Key Song: Automanipulation (Mind over Matter)
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With her gorgeous voice driving a new band, Ruby Rose Fox is a band that departs
from most traditional group dynamics, blending soul and relaxed lounge music.
Simple grooves give off a vibe reminiscent of Feist, Florence Welch, and Lily Allen,
but with more soul.
Key Song: The Dread
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Closing out the final night of preliminaries, The Daily Pravda bring their far-reaching
sound to the Rumble, intent on boggling our minds and ears trying to figure out
“where have I heard that before?” The answer is nowhere. With influences ranging
from Bowie to Sunny Day Real Estate to the Pixies to the Beatles, The Daily Pravda is
a brilliant musical collaboration focused on simple melodies and harmonies.
Key Song: Holidays On The Run
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Well, there you have it. Every band from every night of prelims at this year’s Rock
N’ Roll Rumble. The competition begins every night at 9:30 (doors @ 8:30), starting
April 7th, at TT The Bear’s in Cambridge. If all goes according to plan, yours truly will
be there every night to soak up the rockin’ action. Later gators.