Bradley’s Almanac

[Live in Boston] Covers from Superchunk, Rival Schools, + Wild Flag

Posted on March 13, 2011 at 12:30 pm | 5 Comments

Sharing a few live cover songs, all recently performed here in the Boston, on this gray Sunday afternoon…

First, a song from late in Superchunk‘s set at the Royale back in September. This one was both a gift for aging fans of early Boston hardcore in the crowd and maybe a quick, minute-long lesson for some who weren’t even born when SS Decontrol was putting out records almost 30 (!) years ago. Featuring rare lead shouting vocals from guitarist Jim Wilbur…

[MP3] Superchunk – “Glue” (SSD cover)
live at the Royale, Boston, 9/21/2010

After their hectic 2010 of record-releasin’ and audience-rockin’, Superchunk have taken some well-deserved time off so far this year. On deck, though, is a Record Store Day shared 7-inch with Coliseum, each band doing a Misfits cover. Look for the limited-edition split, a co-release from Merge and Temporary Residence Ltd., on April 16th at finer record shops.

Next up, Rivals Schools, who hit the Brighton Music Hall last weekend and closed their set with a cover that was no surprise to fans of frontman Walter Schreifels‘ old band, Quicksand. The Smiths‘ “How Soon Is Now?” was a live staple of their shows, and was released in studio form as a bonus cut on their classic “Slip” album. I never got a chance to see them do it, so I pretty psyched to see them give the song a run through…

[MP3] Rival Schools – “How Soon Is Now?” (Smiths cover)
live at Brighton Music Hall, Boston, 3/5/2011

The Rivals Schools reunion is in full swing, with “Pedals” (just their second album after 2001’s ace “United By Fate”) hitting shelves and servers last week. It’s a worthy follow-up, especially considering the 10-year gap, and the new tracks fit perfectly in place in their live setlist alongside all the excellent old stuff. Their short U.S. East Coast tour just wrapped, and they’ll be spending most of April overseas before hitting the West Coast in May. Check here for dates.

And finally, Wild Flag. The quartet made their Boston debut last Monday, and I’m still on a bit of a high from it (and still suffering slightly-dulled hearing in my right ear – should have left those earplugs in, but I was feeling it, man). How they were able to meet and squash my ridiculously-high expectations is a mystery. Oh, wait, no it’s not, just look who’s in the band. Show of the short-year so far, I’d say. Until they come back. Here’s the set-closer, a ferocious Patti Smith cover, fronted by Carrie Brownstein…

[MP3] Wild Flag – “Ask The Angels” (Patti Smith cover)
live at Brighton Music Hall, Boston, 3/7/2011

Wild Flag has a handful of live dates left on their current tour (including a stop at SXSW later this week). If you’re fortunate enough to catch them, check out the merch table for their first official release: The “Future Crimes“/”Glass Tambourine” 7-inch. Produced by Spoon’s Britt Daniel, the two tracks are a tease for an eventual Fall full-length on Merge. If you can’t make it to one of their remaining March shows, then get ready for Record Store Day on April 16th, when the 7-inch will also be one of Merge’s special releases.

Comments

5 Responses to “[Live in Boston] Covers from Superchunk, Rival Schools, + Wild Flag”

  1. blureu
    March 13th, 2011 @ 2:26 pm

    Thanks for the Wild Flag. I hope we get to hear more of the show.

  2. Ryan Spaulding
    March 13th, 2011 @ 7:38 pm

    I was bummed to miss the Wild Flag set so this is cool, thanks Brad

  3. MatthewB
    March 13th, 2011 @ 8:01 pm

    Love the Rival Schools track. Thanks Brad. So bummed I missed this show 🙁

  4. David
    March 14th, 2011 @ 10:08 am

    Thanks for the Wild Flag song. That show was truly incredible.

  5. bliv
    March 14th, 2011 @ 11:22 am

    Thanks for the ‘Schools! I’m also very happy they’ve been playing this song. Any plans to release the full show?

Leave a Reply





  • BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
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    with Q&A and Book Signing
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    and Mary Holland
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    with special guests
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    @ City Winery

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    doing CCR songs
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    with authors
    Peter Orner & Nick Flynn
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    @ Regattabar, Cambridge

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    presenting 'King Sorrow'
    @ Brookline Booksmith

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    @ the Sinclair

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    @ the Orpheum

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    Converge's SADDEST DAY Fest
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    @ Roadrunner

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    @ Berklee Performance Center

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    J. Robbins Band plays
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    The Del Fuegos
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    @ the Sinclair

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    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, January 15th
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    "Piano & Voice" performance
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    Shame
    @ Brighton Music Hall

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    The Residents
    Eskimo Live! Tour
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    Greg Freeman
    Golomb
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    and Teen Suicide
    @ Roadrunner

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    Brandi Carlile
    The Head and the Heart
    @ TD Garden

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    @ TD Garden

    Friday, February 20th
    Marissa Nadler
    @ the Somerville Armory

    Saturday, February 21st
    Margo Price
    @ the Royale

    February 28th
    Ratboys
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    @ the Sinclair

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    Spiritual Cramp
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
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    Dropkick Murphys
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Tuesday, March 17th
    Dropkick Murphys
    @ House of Blues

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    Julianna Barwick
    & Mary Lattimore
    @ the Somerville Armory

    Friday, March 20th
    The Hives
    The Chats
    @ House of Blues

    Saturday, March 21st
    Cass McCombs
    Chris Cohen
    @ Brighton Music Hall

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    Militarie Gun
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    @ House of Blues

    Monday, March 23rd
    Westerman
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, March 26th
    The Format
    Piebald
    Adult Mom
    @ Roadrunner

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    Ladysmith Black Mambazo
    @ Sanders Theatre

    Wednesday, April 1st
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    @ Roadrunner

    Thursday, April 2nd
    On Cinema Live! with
    Tim Heidecker
    & Gregg Turkington
    @ the Wilbur

    Friday, April 3rd
    Patrick Watson
    @ Somerville Theatre

    Saturday, April 4th
    Puscifer
    Dave Hill
    @ the Wang Theatre

    Thursday, April 16th
    Rhiannon Giddens
    @ the Orpheum

    Saturday, April 18th
    The Last Dinner Party
    Florence Road
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, April 19th
    Heavenly
    Swansea Sound
    Jeanines
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, May 14th
    Melody's Echo Chamber
    @ the Royale

    Tuesday & Wednesday
    May 19th & 20th
    Belle and Sebastian
    play "Tigermilk" (19th) and
    "If You're Feeling Sinister" (20th)
    @ the Orpheum

    Thursday, June 11th
    Echo & the Bunnymen
    @ Roadrunner

    Wednesday, June 26th
    The Church
    The Singles Tour
    (rescheduled from 8/1/25)
    @ Somerville Theatre

    Friday, September 4th
    Peter Hook & the Light
    play New Order's "Get Ready"
    @ House of Blues

    Saturday, September 12th
    Rush
    @ TD Garden