Everybody’s Favorite Irish Drinking Songs Band at Finnegan’s March 16 2014 photo by Kelly Tierney Longley

Everybody’s Favorite Irish Drinking Songs Band leprechaun

I got out of work at 7, and knew Everybody’s Favorite Irish Drinking Songs Band were due on at 9:30, or 10. Something had caught my eye, and I though I had seen that BE AGGRESSIVE were playing at 242 Main. I checked into it and was correct. I sent a message to Jaw Knee Bee, and they were putting gear on the stage. I was out the door in minutes and walked in to some aggressive rock. They were playing as a three-piece with John on bass, Pete Bolduc ripping it up on guitar, and Keeth Maurice pounding out the drums. I caught 6 or 7songs, and had a great time. I was pretty stiff and cold when I walked in, but they had me in top rock form by the end of the set. Many of the songs were new, and all of them were good. Most of the songs made me work to try and catch up with them, which is always a good sign. I’m so glad I put the effort in.

I was pretty hungry, so as the last notes rang out, I booked down to Mr Mikes for a slice, then headed back. Lee Corey Oswald, from Portland Oregon, were on stage and rocking. The four-piece, two guitars, bass, drum rocked hard with pop sensibilities. They reminded me a bit of a heavy Longwave mixed with punk pacing. They played fast and hard, yet let the songs sprawl a bit, and play out however they needed to. The guitar player who sang had a pretty good voice, and the two guitars played through Marshall amps just rocked the place. I really enjoyed their set. I ended up buying a cassette (easier then carrying an LP for the rest of the night), so I will need to check about buying something in listenable form.

After their set I headed to Finnegan’s to see if EFIDSB were getting ready, but there was an empty stage. I found out they were supposed to go on at 10ish, so I headed back to 242 and walked in with Boston’s Choke Up on the stage. Also a 4 piece with 2 guitars, bass, drums, Choke Up played classic punk. It was loud, fast, aggressive and had screamed vocals. The band were super tight and took the songs through tons of changes. They were very comfortable switching speeds in the songs and had some nice harmony guitar action going in a couple of them. They played beautifully and had the small crowd bouncing around a bit.

When they wrapped up, I just stayed. The bands sets had been pretty short and the switchovers pretty quick. It was not long until Burlington’s Dented Personality hit the stage. With two guitars, bass, and drums, the four-piece played more straight forward rock songs with nice melodies. They were not as intense as the bands before them, but still rocked hard. While the songs could use a bit more complexity, they were fun and had me rocking for most of the set. The guitar player in the middle sang most of the songs, but the guitar player on the left sang one. It would have been better if the sound guy was at the desk to turn up his mic, but the place is small enough that you could hear him a little. After several cool songs, they got up from their instruments and sat on the front of the stage. They had us sit on the floor and one of the guys grabbed an acoustic guitar. The singer began singing, then the drummer sang the next part. All four alternated verses and choruses, and it really highlighted their talent. After that we all got up, they put the electric guitars back on and rocked the place hard two more times.

As the last note rang out, I headed back to Finnegan’s and Everybody’s Favorite Irish Drinking Songs Band were on stage. This version of the band was pretty stripped down. There was an electric guitar player that I did not know, Matt Thorsen on harmonica, Matthew Stephen Perry on acoustic guitar, Buck on banjo, and the mighty duo of Diane Sullivan and Rebecca Rogers on lead vocals. I grabbed a Harp, not the instrument, and a songbook and joined in the singalong. They played the classics like Wild Rover, Bugger Off, and Jackie Wilson Said. Matt did a nice job singing One. Buck was in fine voice for Dirty Old Town. The whole show was pretty loose, but nothing but fun. They tossed lots of stuff to the audience and I ended up with a leprechaun statue, because apparently always showing up has some benefits. The bar was fairly empty, so most of the people that were there were there for the band, so there was a good spirit for the show. They wrapped the night with O’Paranoid and Beer Beer Beer, and a good time was had by all.

The walk home was cold and quick and I was asleep not long after arriving. Today is a 10 hour work day, but I will have lots of great music running through my head to keep me going. Thanks guys and girls!!

I had a great time seeing music last night. I knew there was no way I could see all that I wanted, but set up an ambitious plan and carried it through. I got out of work at 7 and did a quick turn around and was at Radio Bean a little after 8. Milton Busker was on and playing his heart out on acoustic guitar. His playing was subtle and exciting at the same time. His songs evoked a full band, but it was just him on stage. I was pretty mesmerized for the set until the last song where he just rocked hard and I bopped around in joy.
After he finished I headed to Juniper and saw Swale play in a lobby. There were a bunch of people sitting around chatting and Swale set up and played a bunch of their most gentle songs. Gorgeous versions of Soul Piggy Bank and Middlesex left me blissfully happy. A couple of songs wanted to rock a bit, but they held it tight. It just wasn’t a rocking environment, but it was so great to hear them play. I knew I could not stay for the whole show, so when the clock said go, I slipped out the door.
I cruised down to Manhattan Pizza and Pub and settled in, but soon The Mountain Says No hit the stage with a furious version of their title song. The rest of the set was high energy rock and roll, and it was great. I’m still learning their songs, but I really like several of them. I loved every moment of their set, and hope to see them again soon.
After a quick break, Black Rabbit came on and rocked the place hard. Familiar songs like Neighborhood and 89 were balanced with newer songs like the one about the cold. In honor of the mural on the wall, they covered The Ramones song I Don’t Wanna go down to the Basement. They had me rocking from first note to last, and I was overflowing with joy.
As the last note faded away, I grabbed my coat and hit the road. I got a pretty good night’s sleep, and now it’s time for work and then do it all over again tonight. This time, with a little less walking.

 

I had a great time seeing music last Saturday at The Monkey House. I met up with Christopher Larrow and we arrived at the show with Kelly Ravin and band onstage. He was singing and playing electric and was accompanied by a stand-up bass player and a twangless pedal steel player. I listened to the country song they were playing as I settled in, but the next song had a nice pop sound and some great lyrics, and it just blew me away. They followed with another country song and closed with a rocker that had a slight Floyd vibe. The band were smooth and elegant, and I need to find out what those two songs were!
Nathan Curtis showed up after that and soon Swale took the stage. They started slow and song by song got more rocking. They were going at a good clip, but just dd not take it over the top. They slowed things down for another song or two, then built the rock again. They climbed a little higher, but still not to the heights they can hit. They brought things down almost too much with Old School, then used If You Get Lost to ramp things up. By the end of the set they were in full glorious all out rock mode and I was blissfully happy.
Vedora followed with a solid set of mostly new songs. They tossed in a couple of classics but the new songs took center stage. I’m still getting to know them, and like them a lot. I really liked the set, but it was not quite as dynamic as some of the shows in the past. The new material seems a bit more tightly constructed, and I’m sure I will get used to it soon. They closed with a Matthew Hastings guitar workout on Sober, and that was that.
A band called Great Western Plains, from Maine were set to follow, but I was just drained. I took the easy ride home from Nate and called it a night. I’m bummed I missed the last band, and should have showed up earlier, but I loved what I caught.

Sorry, I totally slacked about writing this up.   But….

You know it’s a good night of music when late in the second set the band says they have three long songs left. They say this is the shortest one, and play Comfortably Numb. They leave the stage, come back and play Pigs On A Wing (part1) and let it flow into Dogs, then follow with Echoes. I love Dark Side Of The Mountain!!!!!!

Tonight’s show:
Hey You
Lucifer Sam (w/Arnold Layne chant)
Another Brick Pt 2
Matthew Bryan Hagen crooning San Tropez
Childhood’s End? (with wicked jam)
Arnold Layne (W/ Lowell Thompson)
Wish You Were Here->Fearless->Us And Them->Fearless with Lowell and sax player (Jake Whitesell)
Young Lust with Kelly Ravin
Have A Cigar with Kelly (epic Jam)
end of set 1

Set 2

Obscured By Clouds->When You’re In
Run Like Hell
One Of These Days
Speak To Me->Breathe->On The Run->Time->Breathe (Reprise)->Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Comfortably Numb

end of set

encore

Pigs On A Wing (Part 1)->Dogs
Echoes