Day 2 began with Boston’s the Susan Constant. The Susan Constant are refined musicians with a knack for unpretentious power-pop/rock. They are some of the nicest guys I’ve met in the music industry who just genuinely enjoy playing music.
Zanois, the brainchild of Zane McDaniels played next. After some initial technical difficulties they served up a blend of keyboard oriented electro-rock that sounded like a Cake fronted MGMT as conceptualized by high-school prodigy. While we’re on the topic of high-school musical prodigies, How to Catch Shadows, not quite old enough to have a driver’s license, took stage next. HTCS is a one man band, acoustic guitar and vocals with a heavy Ben Gibbard (Death Cab/All-Time Quarterback) songwriting influence.
Free Idea sponsored Flight of the Navigator were up next. Flight of the Navigator, aside from having a brilliant name (go see the movie if you haven’t), are adept at writing catchy neo-emo songs in the vein of Taking Back Sunday.
Battleships, playing one night only as a 3 piece (normally there are 5 members) stormed the floor next. The local hardcore heroes captivated everyone in the audience with anyone who knew the words yelling along. Another local favorite, Sans Heroic (who have a CD release show @ Andrew Hall on May 15th) played right afterward. Sans Heroic have mastered entwining soaring melodies with driving alternative/rock instrumentation and it was noticeably appreciated by everyone in the audience.
After Sans Heroic had retired for the evening, swirling lights began to take shape on the opposite wall and I knew the Scopes Trial was up next. The Scopes Trial is a small army of a band with songs about how Alexander Hamilton sucks, Jon Bon Jovi killing vampires, and a port-a-potty space ship that explodes in outer space. They are equal parts entertaining, talented, and absurd, I don’t think anyone was able to look on without thinking, “What the fuck is this?” and then convincing themselves, “Whatever it is, it rules.”
From Sky to Sea, armed with a light show and projector, began their ambient set. FStS’s intricate instrumentation produced a sound that is both atmospheric and haunting and no one said a word, just listened with mouths open, as they unveiled each song.
It was nearly 10PM at this point and I was worried that everyone would head home soon, but almost everyone stayed to see Quixote and Sincerely, the Management rock the rest of the night away. Quixote played first, introducing their folk-twinged indie-rock sound to a foot-stomping audience. Then Sincerely, the Management, glowing under the black lights, got everyone to move their feet with their dancey sing-a-long-invoking sound. It was a perfect way to end the Second Annual Mass Recovery Fest.
Without the help of these people Mass Recovery Fest would have not been possible or at least not nearly as sweet: All of the bands that played, Andrew Mello, Nick Stockwell, Tim Jobin, Vanessa Roberto (thanks for taking pictures), Justin Demers, Kevin Padden, Chris Londa, Mike Ellison, Rob Wilcox, Dan Saraceni, Shannon & Erin, and anyone who danced and enjoyed themselves. Stay tuned for more Mass Recovery + Andrew Hall shows.
4/11 @ The Coalmine (7 Durant Street, Lowell, MA). Coalmine Canary + State Champion + Mansions.
4/24 @ The 119 Gallery (119 Chelmsford Street, Lowell, MA). Math the Band + Coalmine Canary + Factors of Four + the Brave Little Abacus + the Sinbusters.
4/25 @ The Coalmine (7 Durant Street, Lowell, MA). Quixote + Factors of Four + Packrat.
5/15 @ Andrew Hall (39 Main Street, Lunenburg, MA). Sans Heroic (CD Release Show) + the Sharpest + Always the Underdog.
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