The Automatic Great Scott Boston

A 'Buzz' band in the UK which sometimes has a reputation of being pretentious, The Automatic showed none of that when they came to Boston.
The band stood around openly and chatted to all before soundchecking where they were totally unfazed with us listening and taking pictures.
The sterns were dire, we had seen them before and I had forgotten just how much I find the vocalists totally lacking.
So for about a crowd of 30, The Automatic came on, did a set of about 11 tracks and played their asses off. Apart from the drummer everyone came down into the audience whipping up audience participation and enthusiasm.
More real than you might expect from the album, (why does every producer want to take the kick of live playing out of albums?) this band showed they still knew how to play and get a small crowd going.
Why the larger boring American acts get audiences whilst these bands don't I am unsure but your loss my gain.

Gig Calendar format

So I am messing with the format of the sidebar - if anyone looks here feel free to tell me what they think - I will probably ignore them!
as you can tell I am a Last.fm junkie - totally hooked.

Switches at the Paradise Lounge

So we get a hot British Indie band and they end up playing to a handful of folks.
It seemed like everyone and their brother was actually at the White Stripes gig at the nearby Agganis Arena filling up the local bars and monopolizing all the parking spaces. But those of us who know better were happy to See Switches, four young guys, originally based in Guildford now in London play a great little set. The album comes across as a bit contrived an even a little fey. But seeing these guys live they kick it and provide a major guitar, bas and drum background which definitely gives more grit.
They played, Drama, Queen, Message From Yuz, Lay Down The Law, Coming Down, Lovin It amongst others. after 30 minutes they left the stage and as they did I shouted out -'What no Killer Karma' - they looked at me went ' OK then lets play killer Karma' asked me my name and dedicated the song to me, then played another track 30 days or something(???).
Oli the guitarist was supremely friendly taking lots of time to chat both before and after playing telling us how well the tour supporting the Fratellis was doing.
Seeing bands like this bothering to come to Boston is what it is all about.
A really really nice night.

Two from Scotland and one from San Fran

so last week, bummer that switches postponed, hope it doesn't become a cancellation.
65dos?, don't you guys know how nasty the visa process can be, almost as nasty as me trying to get 20 miles in 75 minutes - truly disgusting.
Twilight Sad on Wednesday were excellent as ever, for four guys with only one guitar and a bass beats me how they create that wall of sound. but it reverbed, the drums drove onwards and James' performance enthralled as all as his inner demons drove him onwards. The music is enthralling, supremely Scottish as his accent is accentuated rather than hidden but addictive.
OK, I have a soft spot as they know us and seem happy to acknowledge us and talk a little, and I have no problem with their accent unlike some over here. So prejudiced but I couldn't see anyone hearing and seeing these guys without feeling you have been seeing a truly cathartic event.
But guys more music please, take some time off and write some more, I am eager to hear more.
Then the Hedrons, four women who rock out. Honestly not really my type of music, but amazingly nice people who try their hearts out and are genuine as can be. Of course the decent accent and the use of the St. Andrews flag makes me happy too.
A great effort regardless of crowd size, I enjoyed this and would make an effort to see them again because they deserve to be seen. You go Girls!
Then Scissors. The band that makes me smile like a goofy fool. I smile, I twirl, i dance and I reinforce the place in my heart for the guys.
There is some thought amongst the fans wondering about sexual orientation but you know who cares? The boys give their hearts out in their performance and we love them back.
Sort out your legal wrangles guys get played and play the size of venues you deserve.
Irrelevant fact, I dreamt one night about going to a gig of their and finding it suddenly in an Orpheum sized venue and my seat getting ever further back as I grouched about knowing them first while thrilling they had made it. It felt so right to be sitting in a crowd of girls who were just bubbling about getting to see the guys.
So minuscule an audience, and a short show (40 mins) but we got Private Hotcha (dedicated to us- Love ya Bryan), X's are forever, Lay down your arms, your boys will find a home plus others.
All tracks were amazing and at separate times Bryan, Robby and Steve all came down to try and whip up the audience.
If getting them an audience is necessary perhaps they just need to do supports but I love these small intimate shows and only want the best for them.

The Alarm Boston July 10th

An open letter to Mike Peters
I have been listening to the Alarm for many years but this was the first time I saw you live. You blew The Fixx and The Psychedelic Furs out the water. The crowd didn't start enthusiastic but you had everyone in the palm of your hand by the time you finished. Your joy at being alive and performing live was beautiful, I came interested in seeing you live and left proud to have seen you. You are a fighter, a consummate performer and came over as a wonderful person.
I wish you every luck in all you do and beat that big 'C' for all of us will you. We would be poorer people for not having you around