Walk down any Allston street on a Friday night and you’re sure to hear the extravagant sounds of youth at play. Although The Secret House of Pancakes had to tone it down to unfortunate neighbor requests during their Halloween show, this past Friday they brought a great round of local talent playing their hearts out on acoustic instruments.
The crowd was gathered in the front room of the basement, squished between the shelves along the back wall and the bar counter to the right of the door, but still with enough room to move and sing to all the music. There’s nothing more intimate or awe-inspiring than being face to face with the best unheard musicians of your generation.
Mr. Lee’s Defense Squad, S.H.O.P. owners, local show organizers and laugh-generating folk musicians, started off the night with Andrew Lowrey on the ukelele, Chris Marinacio on the molodica and guest (and BU Sophomore) Sam Dudley on the trombone, playing their crowd favorites like “Swine Flu” or their rap medley. Mr. Lee’s is well known to everyone who attends these shows, and should be to everyone in Allston. It’s obvious how much fun these guys are having playing their music, and it’s just as much fun to listen.
Playing next was Golden Melodies, BU Sophomore Greg Neithemer’s acoustic punk solo project, though again Sam Dudley was featured on a few songs. Golden Melodies delivers a full, raw sound, even including harmonica occasionally with his sincere, rough voice and steadfast acoustic strumming. The trombone made the sound even fuller and they entertained the crowd with heartfelt originals and solid covers.
Another Allston-native band, Stay On Top, energized the audience with up beat post hardcore numbers, where melodic singing intermixed with occasional screaming over two acoustic guitars and drums. They’re a genuinely fun band full of catchy rhythms; everyone in the audience couldn’t help but dance and laugh along, just like the band members themselves.
And last but in no way least, the eagerly anticipated (by those faithful fans who heard her play the Islington Showspace in Allston a few times last year), Sofia Albam under the moniker Squinch Owl took the floor to sing her heart-wrenching songs. Though only 20 years old, Albam has a breathtaking, mature voice that croons out lyrics of love and life, but in the way where you instantly recognize the feelings (and almost regret not being able to word it that way yourself). The atmosphere of the show slightly shifted as everyone was mesmerized with her performance. Along with her full set of original songs, friends joined her for a few covers, including “Holland 1945” by Neutral Milk Hotel which erupted into a full-fledged sing a long. Squinch Owl and friends are currently on a five week Northeast tour, but if you can’t catch her at a show be sure to download her albums on her bandcamp (donations of any kind very much encouraged and greatly appreciated to help fix their tour-van troubles!).
This show was just one example of all the greatest bands you’ve probably never heard hiding out in Allston, just waiting to wow you with a great, close experience in the nearest basement venue near you.
