[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…
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…
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…
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.
[Listen Local] ENDLESS WAVE album release @ Great Scott tonight
Posted on March 5, 2011 at 6:24 pm | No Comments
If you’re in Boston and reading this on Saturday evening, March 5th, then you’re in luck – you can still make it over to Great Scott to catch Endless Wave at their album release show (and if I was a better blogger, I’d have given you more notice). They’re batting clean-up in a line-up that includes The December Sound, J/Q, and Eksi Ekso (who are also releasing their brand new record this evening).
Even if you don’t make it over, grab the song below to hear how Endless Wave’s new “Notes From The Compound” LP kicks off. This track’s a top-notch slice of layered guitar-psych anchored by a killer rolling bass line, and gives you a good idea what you’re in for…
The rest of the record (which was recorded at the famed Camp Street Studios/former Fort Apache location just before it closed down) can be streamed and purchased at their Bandcamp page, and a very-limited-edition CD version of “Notes…” can be had at tonight’s show (for free… so arrive early). The album’s right up my sonic alley, and I’m hoping my previous plan to catch Rival Schools a couple blocks away at Brighton Music Hall tonight allows me to skip over to Great Scott to see some of EW’s set. At the very least, I want to try and grab one of those discs. Head to the band’s Facebook page and do that ‘like’ thing or hit up their Twitter to stay in the loop, and check out their 2010 debut EP, “City Walls”, on Bandcamp, where you can snag the track “Ocean Drive” gratis.