Live Shows: Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys, Eight Foot Manchild, and Lovina Falls, The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA 7/12/25

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One of my favorite things is going to see a diverse live bill. Anyone can put together a show with three pop punk bands on it, but it's a challenge (and far more interesting) to put three unique bands on the same show and have it work out perfectly. Saturday night at The Sinclair saw the steamcrunk of Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys, doombrass heroes Eight Foot Manchild, and the baroque pop of Lovina Falls, and it was perfect.

Opening the show was Lovina Falls, the current musical project of Valerie Forgione of Mistle Thrush. This was my third or fourth time seeing them in just a few months, and I'm still entertained every time. It's been interesting to watch Lovina Falls adjust and discover their sound over the past two or so years, and I think they've nailed their current sound down. It's an engaging blend of the baroque pop they started out with mixed with a more rock based sound. Songs like "Ellery Way" and "Vaulted" continue to be favorites, and the dance party eruption of "Hologram" is the perfect way to end their sets.

Up next was Eight Foot Manchild, and it's been far too long since I've seen the world's first and therefore best doombrass band. The only other time I was lucky enough to see them was a show at The Jungle where they were down a horn player, but Saturday saw them at full strength with three horns, guitar, and drums. Their live show is a giant cacophony of metal with horns, and it's glorious. Playing with clips of vintage sci-fi and horror films were behind them, Eight Foot Manchild are a spectacle in the best way. Songs like "Circle of Salt" and "Mister Kubrick" were a delight live, and the band busted out a cover of Dead Kennedy's "Nazi Punks Fuck Off" for good measure. At the end of their set, they sort of morphed into marching band Conical Cacophony and played three songs on the floor while the Army of Toys set up.

Closing out the evening was Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys with their most politically charged set yet. While the dominating theme of their set was still love and family, there was plenty of anger directed at the current administration through a "FUCK ICE" banner and the live debut of "Brick Through a Limousine." They also played other more politically charged songs including "Hollow Points" and "Soldiers Came." It wasn't all heavy as they also played more fun songs such as the viral in Germany hit "Goth Beach" and their The Shining ode, "Dull Boy." Even angry the Toys put on an amazing and fun show that somehow melds alt-rock, metal, folk, cabaret, indie rock, and countless other genres into a sound that is all them. Plus, they're fantastic at putting together bills that are just as diverse as their sound is.

On Repeat...

Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

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Photo by Alexa Viscius This may be Liam Kazar's debut single, but the Chicago based musician already has an impressive resume, having worked with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and others. "Shoes Too Tight" features childhood friend Spencer Tweedy on drums, Lane Beckstrom on bass, and Ohmme on vocals. It's an absurdly fun and groovy little song that is a party waiting to happen. What he gives us here is a timeless song that could truly have been released any time since the 1960's (ok... maybe not the 80's...) There are elements of classic rock, 60's crooners and R&B, indie rock, modern Americana... it's really just packed with everything in a cohesive song that maintains the vibe the entire way through. You can watch the video for "Shoes Too Tight" below. For more on Liam Kazar, check him out on Instagram and Twitter . He's also raising money on his Bandcamp for Constellation and The Hungry Brain. ...
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The Freqs - "Witch"

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Photo via Facebook When you're a rock band from Salem, MA, you have to have at least one song about witchcraft. The Freqs have fulfilled their obligation with a banger of a song. "Witch" is this giant monster of a song, filled with fuzz and strained, screaming vocals. This is the type of song that doesn't usually exist in this century. It's giving me some serious 90's flashbacks, like if Hum got aggressive or Alice in Chains decided to do some damage on the college charts. As great as the vocals are in "Witch," what's really drawing me in is the instrumental break down that takes over about halfway through. This is the kind of song to make the hipsters and the headbangers equally excited. You can listen to "Witch" below. For more on The Freqs, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram . The Freqs · Witch
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Dutch ReBelle - "GOONIEZ"

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How is Dutch ReBelle not a national superstar at this point? The Boston MC just released "GOONIEZ," and I know I'm a bit out of touch with current mainstream hip hop, but this song is absolutely killer. It's a stripped down hip hop song that has this futuristic space age sound to it. Plus, ReBelle's flow is unsurpassed. You can't listen to her and not be completely sucked in. The song has a feel reminiscent of classic Missy Elliott. As much as I love that we can still see Dutch ReBelle in smaller Boston venues, "GOONIEZ" proves she should be playing much larger venues nationwide very, very soon. You can watch the video for "GOONIEZ" below. For more on Dutch ReBelle, check out the artist's website . 
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