Boston 8/7/10
We started the epic drive to Boston early in the morning. After a couple hours we entered into the New Jersey Turnpike. Its pretty terrible, maybe the worst. It’s hideous and the system of tolls forces you to stop at the same service center over and over. Sunaco’s littered Sbarro’s and Nathan’s. Hot Dog meals for twelve dollars and cashew bags for seven. Although we were starving we fasted in protest of the hideous New Jersey turnpike and its power over the sheeple.
Once through New Jersey we swung through New Haven Connecticut and picked up the lovely Taylor Stepien. She joined our smelly entourage of boys and we powered through to Boston. Upon entering the city the smell of the air immediately brought back all sorts of memories. Boston is somewhat provokes somewhat bittersweet emotions in both Sam and I. Although its a fantastic city, I think both of us have always taken issue with people’s general approach toward life.
We drove through Alston and pulled up to the venue on Wadsworth St. I had been to a bunch of shows in this general area and had fond memories of shows in dusty basements filled to the brim with rowdy kids. This would not be one of those shows.
When we started to unload our gear we both finally got to meet the terrific Andy Plovnick. Andy is pretty much one of the coolest guys I know, and Im really happy we got a chance to play music and hang out with him. He makes really psychedelic synth worlds, and kinda looks like he belongs in 1973. This isn’t to say Andy is by any means insincere or some uberfashion guy, of anybody I’ve ever met Andys persona and appearance fit him perfectly. He’s the kinda guy who you just wanna hang out with and talk about Sade-Lovers Rock. Other characters of note began to trickle in Tom Barry, Jenny Tuite, Danny Mr. Id, Joel from the fantastic Big Bear, and Marion.
After a short time there was kind of a deal made about Sam not wanting to share drums and how we were going to set up. This was the first clue upon the general attitude of the show. I like Boston, don’t get me wrong, there is just a vibe of apathy and coldness that I find prevails in the city and I once again got a taste of it. The first band played, Mom’s and Dad’s and to be fair I didn’t really listen to them as I was busy getting my stuff ready. Most the crowd clamored about outside while they played and there was a general tone of disregard toward most things besides bro-ing down with the crowd that you already came with. We set up at the same time as andy and it was super intense. We were already getting hassled about time, and our combined set-up had 6 keyboards, drums and a whole bunch of amps and other shit for 3 people. It was quite a sight to behold. Andy played a short set of crazy psychedelic synth jams reminiscent of predecessors and now friends, the other Zorch from the United Kingdom.
We played next, and when we were all sound checked hardly anyone was inside. I went outside and stood on a chair in the middle of the crowd. I yelled “who wants to join a band” and shook my bag of tambourines. A few looked up, but most ignored. I yelled “I’ve got shit to shake,” and couple interested hands reached out, but most still ignored. I began to shake my tambourine and yelled everyone ready, someone in the a bro circle said “if it’ll stop you from annoying me.” I just can’t get down with this attitude, if I were at any given party and someone came outside with a bag of tambourines and yelled “who wants to join a band,” I would already be thinking of the band name. What else do you go to a party for? To talk to people you already know? To sit outside at a house show? Seems crazy to me. In any case, I gather a small parade of tambourine players and we went through our set. In general we had sound problems and there was a general pressure for us to just finish because it was apparently getting late for music. We wrapped it up, and started to hustle to get our stuff off the stage as quickly as possible. We are all dripping in sweat, andy included, furiously wrapping cables and ignoring all our friends so we can move stuff as fast as possible. Its at this point someone walks up to us and asks “Do you think you can move your stuff so we can set up?” Andy and I exchanged glances and I politely explained that that is in fact what we are doing. It has since then turned into an ongoing joke. After rushing off the stage, the last band, Blood Meridian played a set that was over an hour. This was there last show and I can really speak on their music because I once again didn’t really listen and was just disenchanted by the whole experience. In any case, kind of a bummer to drive ten hours to a city we lived in for four years and be rushed off the stage after a lackluster response, only to have the band after you play a double disk metal journey.
We made our way to pizza and then back to Joel’s house. I would have to say that our morning conversation with Joel and his wife Jordan were our favorite part of the Boston adventure. They are super charming, fun and accommodating. We exchanged stories of touring and they told us some amazing ones about the band Onieda. They’re awesome, their band (Big Bear) is awesome, their apartment is awesome, their really high desks with no chairs are awesome and Jordan’s map drawing skills are giving google a run for their money.
The show was questionable in Boston but on a level of seeing old friends and making new ones it was quite a success.
