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Clea Simon Book Launch Barb Wire Dolls / Svetlanas Human Sexual Response / Unnatural Axe Boston/Cambridge November 2, 3 & 4, 2017
Dear Diary, Ok, so I don’t really have a diary, but it seems like the best way to cover the (use Daffy Duck voice here) plethora of musical action of the past few days. 11/02/17 Clea Simon had a packed house at Harvard Bookstore for the debut and reading of her new, local rockcentric mystery novel - World Enough. Great to see a book (you remember those?) pull a Thursday night crowd that would make a band proud. The murder mystery plot draws from the Boston rock scene of the early eighties. Simon read the first chapter. She sets up her protagonist, a not brand new rock gal out to see one her favorite, back in the day band. She name checks the Rat, the Channel and Jumpin’ Jack Flash. The crowd of mostly Simon friends and contemporaries is drawn right in. She takes Q and A. Simon’s assures everyone that “No, that isn’t your band” and no, “that is not you” in chapter two. If you were there, and you haven’t really left - or, if you remember back in the day with a bittersweet smile - then World Enough will take you back, twist you up with mystery novel hijinks and play entertaining tricks with your rock and roll memories.
From Harvard to Union Square. Nice smokeysweet Mezcal cocktail and Mushroom panini at the Independent. Up to Thunder Road for one of their infrequent punked-upish shows. Caught Svetlanas and the Barb Wire Dolls. Svetlanas bring the cathartic aggression. Lead singer Olga is a Tasmanian Devil with a TV Eye on you. Barb Wire Dolls sound like they are pulling in two directions. The punk rock girl group with a couple of guys kick it. Their split alter ego is trying a bit too hard for a radio friendly hit. No sin in that, but definitely a less satisfying work in progress. They did get close to the balance point with some of the late set tunes.
Svetlanas dropped out of the tour the next night. The band was scheduled to play Jewel in Manchester. Some of the patrons were showing their Nazi colors. According to the Svetlanas crew the Barb Wire Dolls took an “everyone is welcome” attitude. Svetlanas gave that a big double bird and said “Nyet”.
11/03/17 The big Human Sexual Response Reunion. Warmed up with a good crew at the Cask and Flagon. Landed in my sweet spot at HOB’s - center, 15 feet from the stage. Unnatural Axe kept it to the hits of the hits, Creeper, Hitler’s Brain, The Man I Don’t Want to Be, a couple Le Peste covers and added first half, tenor horn spice from Moose Parsons. They set a fine table.
HOB was bursting with buzz and anticipation. The HSR reunion did not disappoint. The sophisticated harmonies rang out - 12345678910. Larry’s vocal’s pushed, pinched vocals, unmistakable as always - evocative on the slow tunes like Anne Frank Story and House of Atreus and pop post punk heaven on Andy Fell. HSR was always about the interplay. Malcom Travis’s drums and Chris McLaughlin’s bass push but never overpower. Rich Gilbert keeps his focus on the changes, twisted atmospherics and short bursts (sigh) of his mad guitar chops. They even threw in the Zulu’s Never Again. If this was HSR’s swan song, it was one hell of a wake. Thanks for the memories!
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