If It's Too Loud...

Outdoor shows are great, but they do have their issues, mainly weather. I had been planning on seeing Gut Health, Tetchy, and PV on the patio at Ralph's in Worcester Tuesday night, but as I was getting set to leave, there was a downpour at my house. I kept checking weather reports for Worcester, which kept saying there was a roughly fifty percent chance of rain. I decided to risk it, and luckily it all worked out. PV opened up the evening's music, and I'm not really quite sure how to explain them. Every time I thought I knew what they were as a band, they changed it up completely. It started off as pure art rock noise, with a violin being used as a noise instrument. From there, they morphed into an instrumental quartet. It was a bit more straightforward rock, but still with an art/noise sound. Then, they started adding some vocals. It was still rock based, but maybe now with a little more punk thrown in. PV are the type of band music writers are going to hate because they d...

As part of Matthew Flynn of Thought Bomb w/Matthew Flynn's fortieth birthday celebrations, Ralph's Diner hosted an evening of unique, experimental, and at times odd music. We got Providence's Minibeast and Brooklyn's Hard Nips teaming up for a birthday celebration. The night had a very laid back feel, more like a party than an official show. Part of this was most likely because I seemed to be the only person in attendance who didn't personally know Matthew Flynn and was just there for the night. Minibeast, led by Peter Prescott (Mission of Burma, Volcano Suns), took the stage as a trio. Prescott took vocal, guitar, and electronic noise duties along with a bass player and drummer. Minibeast take the loops that Mission of Burma trailblazed with and pushed them even further. It was loops upon loops upon loops. At one point in mid song Prescott left the stage to order a drink from the bar, and the song just kept going. It was a high energy performance heavy on noise, bu...

As venues open and shows are ramping up again, I haven't been quite comfortable going inside a venue yet. My COVID anxiety hasn't settled down yet, so for right now I'm sticking with outdoor venues. Luckily, Ralph's, everyone's favorite dive bar/punk and metal club in Worcester, is currently hosting shows outside on their "patio." Patio is in quotations since it's really more of the end of their parking lot that's kinda cordoned off with some tables and chairs. There's a PA, but no lighting system except for streetlights and some string lights. In other words, it's pretty perfect if you know and love Ralph's. I finally made it down to one of these since Service was playing. They are one of my favorite discoveries from last year, and I couldn't wait to see their ultra-aggressive noise punk in person. For a band that hadn't played a show in who even knows how long at this point, they mastered that tight but loose combination I nee...