Satch Kerans – Toad, Cambridge, MA – June 25, 2009

The Peopl(s)

Satch Kerans (vocals, guitar) & band (sorry guys…can’t find your names)

The Place

TOAD is a small neighborhood bar and music club featuring live music seven nights a week (never a cover!) Intimate and inviting, Toad boasts a huge range of local rockers, in addition to our legendary bartenders. As the Boston Globe says, “ Toad is a find in every sense of the word. From the nightly no-cover music (which has attracted a cult following) to the neighborly vibe, to the dozen or so microbrews on tap, it’s a one-of-a-kind bar and music club with a one-of-every-kind crowd.” Toad is located at 1912 Mass. Ave., right next door to Christopher’s – a perfect spot for a meal before the music or a late night bite! Toad is a 21+ club.

The “Thing”

Boston’s Bruce? or New England’s Petty? Satch made me have flashbacks of Jersey Shore with that friendly and familiar blue collar, stripped down rock that I grew up around. Great time overll, happenin 1st set with dancing in the corner before a relatively early departing Thursday night crowd made it  aprivate show for about 8 of us.

Good luck with the new disk Satch.

Melvern Taylor and his Fabulous Meltones @ Toad, Cambridge, MA – Junes 25, 2009

 

The People(s)

Mlevern Taylor (ukulele), Dave Livingston (guitar), Sir Bob Nash (snare drum)…Johnny Grant (stand up bass) unfortunately was fishing…or something.

*apperance by “guerilla trumpeter” (I intriduced myself and forgot her name…I suck)

The  Place

TOAD is a small neighborhood bar and music club featuring live music seven nights a week (never a cover!) Intimate and inviting, Toad boasts a huge range of local rockers, in addition to our legendary bartenders. As the Boston Globe says, “ Toad is a find in every sense of the word. From the nightly no-cover music (which has attracted a cult following) to the neighborly vibe, to the dozen or so microbrews on tap, it’s a one-of-a-kind bar and music club with a one-of-every-kind crowd.” Toad is located at 1912 Mass. Ave., right next door to Christopher’s – a perfect spot for a meal before the music or a late night bite!  Toad is a 21+ club.

The “Thing”

The thing with Melvern Taylor and his Fabulous Meltones, even without their compadre on the bass, is that…well, they’re a good fucking time.  A nice change of pace from the abudance of rock & americana that dominates that area’s scene, the ‘Tones inspired a  mini tropical dance party for all ages next to the stage. Also, not enough canbe said about the placement of “guerilla” musicians in the crowd…I look forward to seeing the full staff in the future.

Ross Livermore Band @ Toad, Cambridge – May 23, 2009

 

 

 

see the full show gallery at ViscerevieW

The People(s):

Ross Livermore, (Vocals/Guitar), Brad Garone:, (Guitar/Vocals), Paul Dumas, (Drums/Vocals),  Max Spaderna (Bass/Vocals),  Jon Bousquet (Saxophone).

The Place:

TOAD is a small neighborhood bar and music club featuring live music seven nights a week (never a cover!) Intimate and inviting, Toad boasts a huge range of local rockers, in addition to our legendary bartenders. As the Boston Globe says, “ Toad is a find in every sense of the word. From the nightly no-cover music (which has attracted a cult following) to the neighborly vibe, to the dozen or so microbrews on tap, it’s a one-of-a-kind bar and music club with a one-of-every-kind crowd.” Toad is located at 1912 Mass. Ave., right next door to Christopher’s – a perfect spot for a meal before the music or a late night bite!  Toad is a 21+ club.

*Photographers Note: Limited space becomes even more limited when band includes horns, keys or any other extended instrumental contributions. Options: 1- shoot early set for less crowd/more access 2- lose signficant amount of weight to increase efficieny of crowd navigation OR 3- grab front seat on bar/bench or ledge in back by door to Christophers with longer lens.

The “Thing”

 The “Thing” with the Ross Livermore Band is that I saw them at the wrong time. I saw them on a random Saturday afternoon, in a partially filled Toad…and they were great. It was a waste that they played so well for so few, although I’m positive none of us minded. I kept thinking how great it would be to see them in front of a packed bar or even better…an outside venue and be able to see all the airguitars (and airsax…if there is such a thing) and dancing girls. As a dead head at heart, I could appreciate some serious guitar work on the solos yet they only reach their peak when all 5 are kicking at once.

Good time and will definitely see them again.

The Gilded Splinters @ The Lizard Lounge – June 20, 2009

 

see the full gallery from the show at ViscerevieW

The People(s)-

The Gilded Splinters including Josh Buckley (lead vocals/guitar), John Carbone (Keys), Russ Patterson (Drums) and Glen Diesel (Bass).

The Place:

The Lizard Lounge – Cambridge, MA – Named this year’s Best Small Music Venue by Boston Magazine, Lizard Lounge is an intimate live music club located just north of Harvard Square at 1667 Mass. Ave. in Cambridge (downstairs from Cambridge Common Restaurant … a great spot for a meal before or after the show). With its subterranean location, sensuous red lighting and fabulous bartenders, Lizard Lounge brings a unique intimacy to performances.  As the Boston Globe says, “Everybody knows that the Lizard Lounge, with its low lighting, plush Persian rugs, quality live music, and laid-back vibe, is one of the most soul-nourishing hangs in town.”

*Photographer’s note: Taking pictures in low light is one thing, navigating the crowd in the Lizard Lounge with a camara bag over on your shoulder, pint of Mojo IPA in one hand and camera in the other = 117 individual apologies, 13 small spills and a lesson learned to find a good spot early and to stay there.

The “Thing”-

The “Thing” about the Splinters, in this place on this night, was the rise in intensity (if you can even imagine) that just a bit more space brought out in Buckley and crew. While  adept at making any venue work for their unique sound (e.g. their excellent recent performance on Toad’s mini-stage in May), give them a little room to rock out, and look the fuck out.  It’s great to see someone truly get off while performing music they create, and even better to be part of the crowd that’s brought along for the ride. It was a great way to head into the closing set with Andrea Gillis, and certainly set the tone for what was a great night in the basement.

If you haven’t…you should.