Welcome to the first in a series of posts previewing the 2016 Rock And Roll Rumble, our city's annual throw down that doubles as a monthlong local music festival unlike any other. This year's Rumble goes down April 3 to April 22 at ONCE Ballroom and Lounge in Somerville, is organized and presented by Boston Emissions with Anngelle Wood, with the Verb Hotel and Vanyaland on board as official sponsors. For our full Rumble coverage, click here; for tickets and venue information, click here.
What You Need To Know:
Rock And Roll Rumble Preliminary Night 1
Sunday, April 3 at ONCE Ballroom, 156 Highland Ave. in Somerville MA
With The Digs, Gold Blood & the Associates, Weakened Friends, Big Time Kill
Doors at 8 p.m., 21 to drink, $10 in advance and $15 at the door
Advance tickets, Facebook event page
How The Night Stacks Up:
If this year's Rock And Roll Rumble has a so-called Group of Death (a term borrowed from soccer's World Cup, where four strong countries are assigned together with only two able to advance), it's likely Night 1. We're not in the business of predictions (at least not this year), but we will say that any of the four bands on this night can easily advance -- The Digs could set a tone and breakneck pace early with their sweaty, punk-fueled garage rock; the rock and soul dynamo known as Gold Blood And The Associates could be a dark horse to win the entire thing, following a recent Rumble tradition of older, more seasoned bands showing the new-jacks how it's done; Weakened Friends come armed with some of the catchiest and punchiest guitar-rock songs in New England; and the glitchy, industrial-pop fury of Big Time Kill is designed to electrify and awe. All told, Night 1 is a varied evening of very distinct sounds. Get to know each of the four bands playing the Rumble's opening slate below; use the slider to scan back and forth through each participant.
Get To Know The Bands:
10:30 p.m.: Weakened Friends
HOMETOWN: Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts
SONG YOU NEED TO HEAR: “Won Yet”, off their September debut EP Gloomy Tunes
BIO: Formed in June of 2015, Weakened Friends just wanted to really have fun with music again. Although a fairly young band, all three members have been playing in various New England based bands (The Box Tiger, Field Effect, Worried Well) for years. In September of 2015 they released the EP Gloomy Tunes and a new single “Waste” in November. The songs are short, moody, candid and to the point. They’re not over thought in anyway, which crafts a really relatable and approachable sound. Despite their name the trio really are the best of friends making music they enjoy. “Essentially we’re a band about how we’ve all got weakness, but you know true friends don’t judge you for that..our songs are about that”
VIDEO YOU NEED TO WATCH: “Honestly”, from their EP release party at the Doc Martens store on Newbury Street
WHY THEY CAN WIN: Because they are a supergroup of bands we love dearly (The Field Effect and the Box Tiger), and their debut EP was one of the best records of 2015. Put on “Won Yet” and race down the Mass Pike at midnight — it’s a new form of therapy. Sometimes life is all about the song, and Weakened Friends have some killer fucking songs.
TWITTER: @wkndfriends
