ROCK FOR A CAUSE
at Merrimac College ~ 12/03/05
by
Paul Ramone | Age: 24 | Cambridge, MA
Charity concerts tend to be great way to bring people together to support a good cause and hear some decent music. In the case of ìRock for a Causeî, the music is beyond decent; itís some of the best the northeast has to offer and the charity is one of the coolest out there, the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. When I heard about the show I was very impressed by the bill. Waltham is definitely one of the most badass rock bands Beantown has produced. I saw their Permission to Film DVD a while back and was very excited to hear more. Of course, most of their shows in or around Boston fell on nights when I couldnít make it. But, now, here was something that benefited a really cool charity, and fell on a Saturday night that I had nothing planned on. The rest of the bands on the billó Todd Martin, Pete Kilpatrick and Six Day Slideó were, with the exception of Todd, bands I had heard of but never seen live. Todd was someone I saw a while back at the Paradise. I was truly amazed with his performance. So, now there was a third reason to go see this show. I checked the concert website and got directions to Merrimack College in North Andoveró a hike from my digs in Cambridge, but I figured, why not.
Arriving at the show, I was first surprised with the stage. I was expecting some little run down college theatre room and was instead met with a massive stage with hundreds of lights. Something you expect in the Garden. (Well not that big, but it felt that way). I timed it just right, because as I walked in the door, Todd Martin was taking the stage. What a show he puts on. He played a lot of material from his new album but there were a few older tunes I recognized as well. He truly has mastered the use of his effects pedals, singing in perfect synchronization with his just-recorded self. I was sad to see him leave the stage after only a 30 minute set.
Up next were Pete Kilpatrick and his band, which featured Averiís drummer, Matt Lydon. I was pleasantly surprised with their set. I caught myself enjoying several of their tunes which had the feel of John Mayer but with the funk of Dave Matthews. After Pete finished up was Six Day Slide. I had heard from some friends that these guys were worth checking out, but I never got around to it. Now I realize what I was missing. Six Day Slide was a sick rock band. Their set was well assembled with songs that easily flowed together. With influences of Matchbox 20, guitar solos reminiscent of AC/DC and a completely indie vibe, I really liked what I heard and saw. These guys know how to write a good pop rock song, without that mainstream sound I am used to hearing on the radio. I decided to grab a copy of their 4 song EP, and it was definitely worth the $5.
Finishing out the show was Waltham. All I can say is WOW. What a good time they are. I love how the lead singer, Frank, can get the ladies going. Itís just so much fun to watch. Listening and watching Waltham was like a blast to the 80ís, in a good way. They summed the fun up in their last few songs, ìCherylî and ìFast Times at Waltham High." Both are just good rock songs and are so damn catchy. I hope these guys make it big, it would be nice to see them take over MTV... or is it MTV2 that shows music now?
After the show I found the guy in charge of the whole thing and had a little chat. Phil was a really cool kid. Just by looking at the production side of thing, he knows what he is doing. We talked for a while and he explained the background of the concert. I didnít even know it was their 3rd show. He gave me a quick list of past bands that have played and itís like a Whoís Who of Boston music: Missing Joe, Averi, Chauncey, Mappari, Will Dailey, Labb, No Oneís Kind and many many more. Phil said that his MySpace inbox is full of interest from bands wanting to play future shows. So, my next obvious question was, whenís the next show? According to Phil, itíll be sooner rather than later, but no dates are set. He has a website going with all the information about the show and where they have been and what they are doing in the future. He sayís they plan on getting off the college campus and into Boston but when probed about when and where, he kept quiet, responding with a simple, ìThere are lots of options."
At the end of the night, I was glad I trekked up to Merrimack. Not only did I see Waltham, the purpose for going, but I saw some other great bands and have something new to follow. These kids have a great idea with ìRock for a Causeî and I have a feeling they will succeed with all of their future shows.