New England Music News

Boston music news: August 15, 2008

Notes on Grimis and 30 years of Boston punk

By MICHAEL BRODEUR | August 12, 2008

Grimis

In addition to a new disc from BROKEN RIVER PROPHET, this week sees the release of a new CD from GRIMIS (no relation to the amorphous purple fake-milkshake shill), who drop their homonymous third album of infectiously jangly guitar pop on Sunday August 17 at the Middle East upstairs with BASEMENT BAND, BLASTRONAUTS, and CHRIS DELORENZO. “New Pavement” (posted on their MySpace page) doesn’t quite sound like new Pavement, but it does reflect their predilection for simple, cheery melody and sporadically showy guitars. . . . For those of you who think cheery melodies and infectious jangles can fuck right off, you’ll be pleased to note that Church is hosting “UNNATURAL AXE: 30 YEARS OF BOSTON PUNK AND BEYOND,” a two-night (August 21-22) shitshow of local punk to be reckoned with. The OUTLETS (with JOHN SURETTE of BOYS LIFE), BAND 19, AVENGING ANDY PRATT, JUST HEAD, WATTS, and BEACH COMBOVER play Thursday; CHEETAH CHROME, WILLIE LOCO ALEXANDER AND THE BOOM BOOM BAND, the DOGMATICS, MISS CHAIN AND THE BROKEN HEELS, and the NEW FRUSTRATIONS play Friday. Which probably means that the liver ward at Mass General will handle Saturday. Have fun!

Related: Boston music news: August 1, 2008, Wild nights, West coasting, More

Boston music news: August 1, 2008
Two promising local indie-rock up-and-comers have up and come out with new CDs for your enjoyment.
Wild nights
I don't need to break this news to you returning LGTBTQ-folk, but for those of you just joining us in Boston, a bitter little amuse bouche to start off this otherwise super-tasty survey of our current gay-nightlife situation: our gay bars kind of suck.
West coasting
As I watched this season's 16 Project Runway hopefuls squinting into the setting sun during their champagne reception atop the Title Guarantee Building in Los Angeles, it was hard not to view the scene as a sad little metaphor for the state of the show. What's supposed to feel like the beginning of something new sure looks a lot more like the end of something old.
Bring the trauma
Even with the new order completely renovating the rock biz, some things have to be done the old-fashioned way. And after having their asses duly kicked by the old-fashioned way this past month, the five-piece London orchestral-pop combo known as Fanfarlo are eager to be done with this, their first US tour (which comes to T.T. the Bear's this Thursday). It's been a doozy.
Road worriers
Right around this time 10 years ago, our van died in the desert plains of Arizona on some godless stretch of I-8.
Spring fever
As action-packed as the holidays are, they can be a real dead zone when it comes to decent shows.
A. A. Bondy | When the Devil's Loose
I just don't get most of alt-country — what is it even alting us out of at this point?
Born Ruffians | Say It
Over the past half of Warp’s robust 20-year run, the label’s enduring legacy as a vanguard force in electronic music has drifted as its tastes have gone positively eclectic. The mixed-media future folk of Bibio, the experimental soul of Jamie Lidell, the polished post-punk nuts of Maximo Park.
Boston music news: June 20, 2008
My, what a busy week! Especially if you want new CDs.
The future is now
Even with all the promise of the new year ahead, it's hard not to feel a little stiffed in the Future of Mankind department. Here it is, 2010, and there's nary a flying car to be seen.
Gus Gus | 24-7
Letting the music take control is a primary tenet of the dance-floor ethos — but that's only because dance music is by nature submissive. Even at its most sonically rich, dance music remains a utility, and even when it demands your attention, it does so in service to your good times.
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