I don’t get it
Last night Ez and I made it two in a row by going out to see Hail Social at TT the Bear’s Place in Cambridge. I only found out that they were headlining when we got there. I’ve only ever seen them opening for other bands before, so I was a little surprised to discover that they weren’t going on until 11:35. This gave Ez lots of time to drink beer, and it gave me lots of time to fiddle with my camera (it was very dark, but I managed to get a few shots) and linger scoping out band types… I’m such a loser fangirlie sometimes. When we arrived around 8:15, the Hail Social guys were bumming around watching tv–I think it was FOX. They left shortly after we arrived, but later returned to play pool and watch the other bands.
The first band made us chuckle. They looked like they were about 16, and very full of themselves. It was kind of cute, though. I think the one guy had delusions of White Stripes (or similar) grandeur. He started off their set by reading a chunk of The Pokey Little Puppy in an insolent sing-songy bark while his bandmates made noise. Their lyrics were kind of hysterical–one song went something like: “I killed her, I killed her, I killed her, now she’s dead.” Mind you, I’m probably just a jerk and don’t know that it was a cover. We’re pretty sure the guys’ moms were there whooping away. Hey, if you’re 16, it’s a pretty good gig.
The second band, Jet by Day, was straight-up 80s-style hard rock. One of the guitarists was wearing a Mastadon shirt. They were good at what they did, though it wasn’t really my thing.
Then there was yet another band before Hail Social. The Firebird Band were interesting. Ez found them silly, I think, and I can totally see that. I sort of admired their dedication. All but the drummer wore eye make-up, their collars were up, they used synthesizers with no particular sense of irony or even self-conscious nostalgia, they danced in a slightly coordinated way.
They had a very particular attitude that I haven’t seen in such an honest incarnation in a long, long time. And they were from Chicago. And they covered Love Will Tear Us Apart, for goshsake. Ez thought they were Korn fans, but I think he was way off base. (Ez probably doesn’t know what Korn really sounds like, anyway–I sure don’t.) What can I say? I cut them some slack.
Finally, at something like 11:45, Hail Social took the stage. As we all know, 11:45PM in the Boston area is like 2:30AM in most cities. But I’m not sure I buy that as an excuse for Hail Social’s sparse crowd. Part of me thinks, “Are they really not that good?” But I know that is not the case. I saw them open for Interpol last October and I really liked them. So did lots of others who saw them open for Interpol. I bought their album when it came out this August, and it’s totally infectious.
There’s not one bad song on it. It’s not particularly pretentious, and they don’t have slick clothes or packaging, but their songs stick in your head. Their rhythm section is awesome and Dayve has a good voice that sounds the same live as on record. They’ve played with Of Montreal, Ted Leo, and a slew of other bands. They’ve been featured in Alternative Press and Spin, and have had lots of other good press. I just don’t get why no one shows up when they play up here. It must be because I’m not making enough noise about them. Even Ezra likes them (don’t say you don’t…). Go ahead, give them a chance. Here’s their Polyvinyl site, which includes an mp3 of the song “Hands Are Tied.” Or, you can listen to “Get in the Car” here. And/or I can make you a CD/tape. (Yeah, the lyrics are pretty simple, but they’re better than “I killed her, I killed her, I killed her, now she’s dead.” Anyway, focus on the sound.) Listen at least twice. OK. Plug registered.
