PLAYGROUND BOSTON

OK, so I don’t normally do this. Usually when a band sends me a press release, I’ll use that as a reference point, do my own research, and write my own article about the show/CD/news the release is in reference to – never including any actual text from the e-mail in my writeup. However, for this show The New Dumb sent me what was probably the funniest press release I’ve ever received, and I kind of think I have no choice but to share with you, our amazing PGB readers, some of the highlights from it. But hey, before I do that, I just want to say that the clever press release sure as hell isn’t the only reason why this show has been selected as a PGB Pick. The main reason is that this is an incredible lineup of indie rock, sure to be an excellent way to spend a Sunday night after a long weekend of Halloween festivities. Before I get to that release, here’s a bit about all the bands (OK fine, I ended up doing my homework anyway, I didn’t rip EVERYTHING from the press release, honest!)

I’ve been hearing about Future of the Left from some friends for a few months now (Thanks, Mark & JB) – I’ve checked out their stuff and its pretty damn good. The band features former members of McLusky and Jarcrew, and has a bit of a tongue-in-cheek take on the usual indie quasi-punk rock sound. I’m excited to see what this Welsh trio brings to the table for their live shows – they’re a sonic force to be reckoned with on their recordings, I can only imagine what they can do in the flesh. Check this track out and see for yourself…

Future of the Left – “Arming Eritrea” – Travels with Myself and Another

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The Beatings have been a staple in the Boston music scene for 10 years now, putting out 5 albums and crossing the country on tour many times in that span, but never failing to return home to rock out with their local fan base whenever possible. Their typical pervading noise rock style has gotten a little more accessible with the release of their latest album, “Late Season Kids,” but you can still recognize their signature style in just about every song off the new album. This will be the last show in town to support the new album, which hit #3 on the regional charts. They’ve been playing in town all season long, so they’re planning on taking a little break after this for some much needed R&R. So this is your last chance for a while to catch a show that Thurston Moore listed as the #5 best on his 2008 list! Here’s a track for your listening pleasure…

The Beatings – “Can Not Complete” – Late Season Kids

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Which brings us to The New Dumb, a self-described indie punk rock band from Allston. This trio has a great sound – driving basslines, a little bit of twang to their guitars, and a certain casual, almost nonchalant sensibility to the vocals that makes their music all the more catchy. What I’ve heard from their album shows a healthy amount of versatility too, its not just another case of a band with all their songs sounding exactly the same. Without further ado, here’s a sample from the aforementioned press release, titled “11 Reasons Why This Show Will be Awesome.” I sincerely hope you enjoy it as much as I did. While we’re at it, here’s some reading music for you…

The New Dumb – “NICE/YIKES” – If You’re Hearing This, We Didn’t Make It

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1.  FUTURE of THE LEFT are a real, honest-to-goodness professional rock-and-roll band from Cardiff, which is in Wales, which is in the United Kingdom, which is where The Beatles came from.  These poor fellows will be nearly 3,200 miles away from home for this show.  If you were that far from home, and if by some unknown device, you were suddenly in a touring rock band and they were accomplished members of the media, let it be known that they would definitely write an article about YOU.  And it would be a really flattering one.

2.  FUTURE of THE LEFT’s new (released June 09) album, Travels With Myself and Another, is officially critically acclaimed.  It got an 8.0 from Pitchfork, an 8 from NME, a 9 from Clash Music and 4 stars from SPIN.  When you add those up, that’s a 29.  Pretty damn impressive!

3.  THE BEATINGS are an outstanding band from Boston, MA.  Also – you are (at least sort of) “from” Boston, MA.  In case you aren’t aware, humans from Boston have a rich tradition of standing together, in firm opposition against oppression.  When the British landed their submarines in Boston Harbor in 1776, the young Bostonian press back then did a totally kick ass feature on Paul Revere and his band.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

4.  THE BEATINGS also just recorded a fabulous new album entitled Late Season Kids, released in September 09 on Midriff Records.  It really is fabulously great, and despite the title, it unfortunately features no information on how to “season” “kids” for the purpose of eating them.

5.  THE NEW DUMB are another very excellent band, yet again from Boston, MA.  In addition to being way-handsome and totally charming, they are incredibly approachable and almost always available for interviews and/or clever quips despite their busy schedule full of totally important things.

6.  THE NEW DUMB also released a new album (August 09) entitled If You’re Hearing This, We Didn’t Make It.  The album’s name is a rare triple-entendre (”entendre” being French for ‘deeply awesome play on words’) – which is one more entendre than Bon Jovi’s 1986 opus, Slippery When Wet.

10.  This show is on Sunday November 1st, the day after Halloween, a holiday that TO THIS VERY DAY, still horrifies millions of innocent pumpkins and their families.  Your choice not to write an article about this violently evil celebration will surely be seen as taking a stand in favor of pumpkin awareness, and for that, I thank you kindly.