BRP./THE PEACOCKS/CLASS PRESIDENT – THE MIDDLE EAST

BRP./THE PEACOCKS/CLASS PRESIDENT – THE MIDDLE EAST

By Rick Fleck

It seemed to be a Lowell foray into the Middle East in Cambridge on Friday, March 1, and they sold out the house. All four bands – The Ghouls, Class President, The Peacocks and Belching. – have ties to the music department at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, either as current students, former students, or alumni. The music department at UMass Lowell is considered one of the best in New England. Its presence in the former mill town has made Lowell one of the hottest live music destinations in the Greater Boston/Merrimack Valley area.

My experience is that when I go to shows with multiple bands, the “quality” or experience of the bands tends to increase as the night goes on. Tonight, that was not the case. The bands were complementary and there was a steady display of talented, fun, exuberant rock 'n' roll throughout the night. My understanding, speaking to some in the crowd, was this Belching. was the biggest draw and their fans were definitely out in force. But the house was packed before the Ghouls first took the stage, and it stayed that way until the final curtain call.

Ghouls, alt-rock with a punk emo veneer, kicked things off with an interesting performance. Opening their show with the song “Pocket of Gold”, frontman/singer/guitarist George Danahy seemed to be toying with the audience at times. For example, he rushed to the edge of the stage with false seriousness, only to stop short with a disarming smile. During an unexpected and inspired cover of “Careless Whisper” by Wham!, he kept going nonchalantly and jumped into the crowd. The packed floor somehow made room to give him the space he needed to unleash a blistering solo.

The funny thing is, Ghouls aren't really a “guitar god” kind of band. But I find that young bands care less and less about labels, pigeonholing and clearly defined genres, and follow their songs wherever they lead. I love seeing a talented band like Ghouls have a frontman you just can't take your eyes off of. Like it or not, a frontman can make or break a band and the Ghouls have a rare find in Danahy.

Rounding out this talented quartet is Peter Trainor on guitar, giving the band the luxury of dual guitarists, both of whom can play lead. Providing a solid musical backbone, including their own flashy moments, were Jacob Babcock on bass and Bryce Maher on drums.

The Ghouls finished their set, fittingly enough, with the song “Goodbye”. This is a band to watch. I'm very interested to see what different directions they take with their art. The Ghouls are a band with the chops and creativity to take their music and stage performance anywhere and everywhere.

Rick Fleck photos

The Class President was next to the Middle East Upstairs stage. Here we had another frontman who was pleasantly different from the fanatics I expected. Looking like the kid next door you wouldn't mind taking your daughter on a date, soft-spoken and seemingly shy, Eddie O'Sullivan transformed into a pop punk madman when the music started. He had a stage presence that invoked a mixture of Billie Joe Armstrong and a young Iggy Pop. Starting with “Gordon Bennett”,

The Class President played through a tight progression of songs including “Boy Wonder,” crowd favorite “Annie” and a cover of the Foo Fighters' “Everlong.” “Everlong” was expertly played, well placed in their set and a lot of fun. Class President finished their set with the rocker “One More Year”.

The audience was a mix of UMass Lowell students, fellow musicians, friends and fans. Class President is the music, as a Boomer, I tend to relate to that demographic – young fans shunning the pop boom they're being force-fed and looking for other musical beats. College rock, indie rock, post punk – you name it, it's garnered an enthusiastic crowd.

Songs like “End Up” and “I Need a Break” could rock with the best of them and also included quieter more introspective moments, reflecting what it means to be a young adult trying to make sense of the fucking world that is inheriting. It's important to have artists like Class President provide the soundtrack for these transitory times. Good rock 'n' roll has been playing that role since the days of Chuck Berry and Elvis. As The Who would say, “the kids are all right.”

The Peacocks are a band I have a bit of a connection with. I first saw them almost a year ago to the day at Lowell music venue Taffeta, where guitarist Josh McDonough blew me away. They then performed live on the WaveRadio Boston live stage in October and I was lucky enough to be there. I met the guys and was drawn to the show in the Middle East mainly to see them.

The Peacocks are an archetypal power trio led by a singer/guitarist, along the lines of Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Pat Travers Power Trio. Unsurprisingly, their set included an incendiary cover of Hendrix's “If 6 was 9.” You have to have a big pair or a lot of talent, or both, to cover a Hendrix song. McDonough pulled it off with ease and a healthy dose of showmanship.

My favorite song by The Peacocks is “Troublesome Child”. It's a staple and I hope it stays that way. It's a beloved throwback to the trio's early 70s blues-influenced hard rock. It is full of confidence and bravery. You could put this in a classic rock set between ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughan and it would be right at home. The Peacocks introduced exuberant new drummer Graham Nasson and new song “Shelter in the Breeze”.

“Shelter in the Breeze” brings a twist to the Peacocks' growing repertoire. Without an extended guitar interlude, it was more of an introspective track and perhaps a preview of things to come. McDonough's guitar playing on the song reminded me less of Hendrix than of early Scorpions guitar maestro Uli John Roth. The synergy between bassist Ethan Whipple and McDonough is remarkable. You can tell they've been playing together for a long time. I expect big things in the future from The Peacocks. See them in a small club while you still can.

Finally, we had the band that many in the crowd were coming to see, Belching.. Belching. is Leo Folan on vocals and guitar, Joe Milia on drums, Matt David on bass and Nathan Richer on guitar. Belching. closed the night with style, energy and plenty of volume. They have an enthusiastic and loyal following. a fan base that seems to know all the words to all 16 songs that fit their setting.

There was a great variety in the songs as well. 'My Back Hurts' kicked off the show with some adrenaline pumping punk rock. “Mrs. Nothing” was a ballad performed by Folan on acoustic guitar, out of left field, dare I say complaints. It was a highlight of the show. “Fake ID” was a slow tempo with a very creative vocal approach that was in many of the songs. Think Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips and you're in the right ballpark. I loved it. Folan's vocals captured and held your attention. “Fake ID” had me jumping and laughing at the same time.

What more could you ask for on a Saturday night in March in Central Square? The encore that preceded everyone stepping out into the refreshing night air was Toxic by the one and only Britney Spears. I like to think of myself as a cover connoisseur and this was one of the best I've heard in a long time. Plus, I love it when a band takes a song, changes it and rearranges it and makes it their own. I was surprised that I knew all the words. I had a blast singing along with the power and the exaggeration Belching. imbued the song with.

Boston is full of bands that may not be well known, but should be. This was a full package of up and coming bands that deserve your attention. If you live in the greater Boston area, check their social media pages for dates and go check them out. Middle East Upstairs is a great intimate venue (capacity 200) for bands just cutting their teeth. Belching. posted on their Instagram “Thanks to everyone who came out and helped us sell a venue we grew up in! It was a dream come true and we are beyond grateful!” It's a rock 'n' roll circle. Continue the cycle!

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