The (Legendary) Thundergods with the Single Whips and the Baseball Furies at the Bug Jar, March 10th, 2001

A very interesting show indeed if I do say so myself. I finally wrote on the bathroom walls of the Bug Jar... if you want to check it out, it's in the first stall- the one that is right there when you open the door. Now let's roll:

The Single Whips, consisting of Otto on guitar / vox, a guy on bass, and Rob on drums, played what I'm pretty sure was their third or so show as a band together to start off the evening. They were suppossed to debut at the original Holly Day, but we all know what happened to that, right? I'm not going to say that this was a good set, because technically, it really wasn't. There were false starts, equipment troubles, and the vocals were not very audible at times. However, what I think to be the most important part of performing (infact, I was just talking about this yesterday), they continued on and got through the set, without really seriously stopping, and provided the music that was promised. (I have basically adopted a no stopping rule when I play / sing unless it's going to crash and burn terribly). Now, I know that I said that it wasn't a good set right? However, I do do think that they have a good sound. Lots of nice, jangly chords- which I think are the best kind- that sounded refreshing, and some pretty groovy bass work in parts. One song that stuck in my mind was Wombat Combat, a nice upbeat ditty. Even two of the Purrs got up there at one point to sing with them. And like I said about the Purrs, with more shows and time, the Single Whips will have a solid set. But in the mean time, check them out at a show to show your support, or head on down to the Bop Shop, and tell Otto and Rob how cool it is that they play in bands. Wait, that's something I'd do...

The Baseball Furies from the lovely city of Buffalo, NY (can't say I've been there much to visit- it's usually just for shows, but Elmwood Ave kicks) followed the Single Whips and preceeded the Legendary Thundergods. The email I received about the show stated that the band sounded like "See You In Hell, Kid" era T-Gods, a pretty accurate reference, so I thought I knew what I was in for. An interesting bunch indeed- their singer looked like a cross between Paul Simenon from the Clash and Richard Hell of Televison / Heartbreakers / Voidoids / indie movie called Smithereens fame, the guitarist looked like he was straight out of the 60's- infact my grandma has a shirt like the one he had on, but instead of bull heads or whatever was on it, hers has an elephant pattern, and she likes to wear hers with a skirt, not jeans. The drummer and bassist don't stand out; well, the drummer's shoe kept coming untied a lot. Play a song, tie the shoe. And the bassist and guitarist were having a posing contest, which always makes a show enjoyable. Anyways, the band didn't strike me too much at first- they just seemed to be overly brash and kinda sloppy- there was no real formation, just stuff. I enjoyed them better as the set went along and I got more into the style of the band; there were some songs that really had it together and down. Combined with the high energy level that the band put forth, it wasn't bad at all.

Rochester's "50 percent more Legendary than yesterday, only half as Legendary as we will be tomorrow" Thundergods closed out the evening of Rock and Roll at the Bug Jar, and once again, proved just how entertaing they are to see and listen to, even with the 'ads' for Under Roos ("The underwear that's fun to wear") and Galaxy Graphics ("When it comes down to nothin' all we got is Galaxy Graphics") interspersed. The band played a high-octane mix of old and new cuts and classics- all dedicated to Matt from the Priests' because it was his birthday- which included the likes of "2 Much Woman", "Die, Die My Rock'n'Roll Angel", "Soul Crusher", "Girls! Girls! Girls!", "St. Louis Blues" (a W. C. Handy cover that I've never seen them do live. I also just discovered that it's in my book of piano rags), and a groovy little tune called "Huggin' and Kissin'". I liked that one the best. They pulled out the good old American flag (because Rock and Roll, is as American as it gets) a few times, but the swinging of it was just a little scary because I was a) right in front and b) by Matt when he started swinging the flag on the floor, and even gave into Frank's shouts of "Talk About Me!" (or was it the fact that he threw his glass at them?)and played it, with Duke making yet another comeback. The place was, to say the least, a venerable rock and roll party right from the start, and the Thundergods only heightened it. I was so jazzed, I had to go to the bathroom about 5 songs into their set so I wouldn't wet myself! And I'm sure I'm not the only one.

The Grinders, The Priests, and The Purrs at Richmonds, February 17, 2001

Well, well, well, it was another rollicking good time on a Saturday nite for yours truly, and I'd just like to give a big thank you to everyone who was nice to me and did what they do best. (Wow, that sounds really bad!) Now on with the review...
Rochester's new all-girl band the Purrs got the rock and roll started this show. Consisting of a bassist, guitarist/lead singer named Sarah (whom I met, and she was very nice), a drummer and one girl who in the words of my cousin is the "Ben Carr" (for those of you who don't know the Mighty Mighty Bosstones too well, Ben basically dances around on stage and sings when needed) of the Purrs, and considering that they haven't performed out too much, they did okay. There were slight discrepancies at times far as pitch and blending and all of that goes; stuff that a "normal" person wouldn't notice too much but unfortunately for me, is one of the downfalls of being 'blessed' with having a perfect-pitch ear. The band had a short set peppered with a mix of both original tunes and covers of high-octane songs, most notably, "I Hate Myself For Loving You", which was energetic and entertaining. At times they reminded me a bit of the early Donnas. With more time and honing of their sound, the Purrs will be even better to see live. (I said something like that about the Haymakers when that review from the May 2000 Temple show was still up, and then they broke up a couple months later. Let's hope that the same fate doesn't strike the Purrs).

NB: I'm trying something different for this review. Let me know what you think. Email me.
The Priests were smack dab in the middle, the audiences' twisted redemption before sinning once again to the sounds of the Grinders. And what a beautiful act it was. Matt slithered and kicked around the stage while moaning and wailing the Priests' dark and striking songs about the "living dead" and "streetwalkers" who are buried in the "black hills of Georgia" next to "Xiola Blue". Towards the end of the set, mike stand knocked into the audience, he was reduced to convulsing on the stage like an insect on its last life after being sprayed mercilessly with RAID by an un-loving human. Guess he finally gave into the temptation of the music. Mr. Tyranny's (Colin, I was told by his girlfriend) looming presence on stage was as foreboding as the ghost of death. With his stinging guitar that hit the listener like a whip in the face, he ripped it up and back down again countless times during the show. Rob and Rags, bassist and drummer respectively, were the keepers of the hyptnotizing rhythms from the crypt for the evening. Shrouded in red lights and shadows, they kept the beat strong and alluring from beginning to closing shroud. While Rob lured his victims of redemption through his showy and contorted positions, Rags looked eerily out into the audience from behind his drums, searching for the one person who would break down and give into the allure of his darkness. How can one not have some sort of awakening while this is happening?! Strong, solid, and wonderful. Go get yourself saved.

The Grinders closed the nite of rock and roll with a drunk, brazen and racous set that just about knocked the joint down. Or at least has caused them permanent banishment. Shots and booze were generously given to the band and Todd throughout their set, and as more alcohol was consumed, the show got much rowdier. Opening with older tunes like "My Girl" (you all know how much I love it) and "Sunglasses", they then proceeded to get sloppier and messier with each respective drink and song. Frantic Frank (h.s.h.h.)of the Frantic Flattops made an appearance at the show and for the wonderful ditty "Lotion", actually put up with Todd's cock poking into his neck... I'm paraphrasing Todd here to an extent, those aren't my words. Todd was sitting on Frank's shoulders. By the time "Crack Your Head Open" (my 2nd fave) rolled around, everyone was thoroughly spent. A couple guys up where I was standing took the mike during the refrain/chorus echos, and I made sure to hog it a few times, hee hee. I need to stop living vicariously through everyone elses shows and start my own band. Jet stepped in for a few songs, one of them being a very rowdy and fun version of "Jumpin Jack Flash". By this point, the 15 or so people by the stage were about ready to rush it... Todd was about ready to collapse soon afterwards, though he kept talking about a party at his house, and though he wanted to end the set, the crowd won. Probably the worst version of "You Can't Judge a Book By the Cover" that I've ever heard was slurred out. I don't remember what they closed with. Sorry. While this was certainly not the best set that I've seen, it was amusing as all hell. Especially when you're one of the few sober ones in a crowd of people who are fairly drunk.

HOLLY DAY, the official Garage Pop tribute to Buddy and featuring a whole shitload of local musicians- no poseurs- at the Bug Jar, February 3, 2001

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Christina Ginger made her third local appearance at this fine event, a great evening filled with wonderful music that saluted one of the best writers in Rock and Roll history, Mr. Buddy Holly. Even Ritchie Valens got a nod here and there...
The Quitters- or should they be called the Crickets?- were the official house band for the nite, performing with the likes of themselves and local guests Phil Marshall, Christina Ginger, Paul Britton, Meghan Taylor, Jen Santoro, Mike Murray, and Greg Townson. The set consisted of 22, yes twenty-frickin'-two songs that kicked everyone's ass. ("That'll be the Day" opened, and others such as "Listen To Me", "That's My Desire" which was sung very nicely by Dave, "Little Baby" sung by me; sorry for blindly leading the Quitters at times, "It's So Easy" sung by Jen Santoro, "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" sung by Meghan Taylor, "Tell Me How", "Down the Line" and "Peggy Sue Got Married" sung by Mike Murray were just some of the songs done during this set). While it started out a little shaky, the Quitters soon managed to redeem themselves and give the music the treatment that it deserved. They rocked, rolled, shouted, crooned, and most importantly got everyone in the hip-shakin' mood the rest of the nite brought on. Each and every guest did a terrific job up in their spots; Phil Marshall even brought along his guitar and plugged in to play along. There were no bad or half-hearted performances from this bunch of guests. Greg Townson closed out the Quitters' set with a kick-ass red-hot version of "Real Wild Child". Jumping, kicking, and running all over the stage and into the audience, he sounded good and became the new example for promoting Ritalin. I'm joking! I can't wait until the next tribute show. That is, if they want me up there again.
Otto of the Single Whips provided the entertainment after the Quitters. Wearing a gas mask and going for a sampled and mixed loop of "Words of Love"(for the drunk girl during the Quitters' set) and another song that is escaping me. Bleeps and blips were worked on top of the loop until they were all that was left playing . An interesting spin on some fairly straightforward and clean cut Buddy songs.
The "Squids" followed Otto with three Buddy tunes, "Crying, Waiting Hoping", "Wishing", and Blue Days, Black Nites". Consisting of Rob on drums, Duke Galaxy on Guitar and Vocals, Andrew Want on guitar and providing background tidbits on the songs, and some guy who I didn't recognize on bass, the Squids put up with T-Clap Jimmy's yelling and performed nice and catchy renditions of the Buddy songs. I personally liked the "da da/do do" breakdowns in "Crying...". And of course, since it wasn't just Buddy who met his tragic end on Feb. 3, 1959, with Duke's wail of "Ritchie died too!", the band broke into a stirring (if slightly off key) rendition of "La Bamba". I know I was singing along.
What do you get when you mix medium-grade sleaze with Buddy Holly? The Grinders' set. Ha ha. They too did three Holly songs, "Oh Boy", "Lonesome Tears", and "Rockabye Rock", closing with what was suppossedly a Hollies song according to what Todd told me before the show. Whatever. Anyways, "Oh Boy" was different... it didn't strike me too much, but I enjoyed listening to "Lonesome Tears" and "Rockabye Rock". "Lonesome Tears" suited them well, and they must like it, as it was played at Richmonds as well. Good set, enthusiastic, and amusing when Dave Snyder started screwing around with Todd's mike. The other tune was also very good, though lyrically unintelligible. The band handled it well and it had a lot of good energy about it.

The Veins kicked it up even further after the Grinders in a way too short yet very explosive 2 song set. Consisting of "Not Fade Away" and "Well, Alright" (my favourite of the two) it kicked the asses of just about everyone who witnessed it, commanding one to watch and listen to their glam and heavy sound, thus reducing them to 'wishing' they could conjure up such force and greatness in their own measly lives. The Veins' set stung and throbbed like a bite from a rabid dog. I loved it.

Nod followed the Veins, however, I was somewhat per-occupied during this time trying to remain inconspicuous in the back of the band room near the bathrooms. I did see that Greg Townson got up and played drums with them, other than that, I didn't pay too much attention. Sorry. I don't know what songs that the band played, and the strains that I heard didn't attract my attention too much anyways. I know that Nod has been around for 10 years, and that's great, but they just didn't do it for me. (PS: The guy who I didn't write too nicely about at Diddley Day, he likes to be called Scrappy Joe, and he's in Nod. Oops.)

Once again, the now Legendary Thundergods closed the show with a bang, bringing up former member Duke Galaxy for a Thundergod "reunion" of sorts. With seven rockers ranging from the Rob/Thunderbunny pairing on "Peggy Sue" that opened the set to the full out five-man band that closed it with a rendition of "Girl On My Mind", the set was truly a sight to be seen. Following "Peggy Sue" was the T-gods version of "I'm Gonna Set My Foot Down", lovingly wailed by Thunderbunny. However, I would like to say something about this. When I originally signed up back in early October, I, Christina Ginger, was given that song to sing by Jimmy no less. So I lovingly worked on it, knew it inside and out, and with a month to the original show, was told by Rob that it had been given away. But I didn't hear to whom. After a bit of confusion, I ended up with "Little Baby", a song that I do like and enjoyed singing. I would like to say that I'm happy that "I'm Gonna..." was given to a worthy band, but I still am determined to sing the song someday SOON as it's still as fresh today as it was when I learned it. Now that I'm done with that public ranting, I'll get on with the rest of the review. "Rave On", a song that I think is pretty groovy followed "I'm Gonna Set My Foot Down", and then Duke Galaxy took the stage for two and a half songs, "Girl On My Mind", "Everyday" and the beginning of "Donna" by Ritchie Valens. Once again, entertaining, and great. Then of course was the five man blow-out at the end on "Baby Won't You Come Out Tonite"... holy shit, I didn't know there was that much room on the Bug Jar stage. A great way to end a terrific (give or take a couple incidents) nite.