Ten Foot Pole (photo: Emvision Productions)
Walking into a venue like the Middle East in Cambridge, MA is always weird. It’s a venue with a reputation, having been around for quite a while. It almost feels like you can’t be in the right place, figuring out which entrance is for you, (it has an upstairs, a downstairs, a corner and a restaurant, all part of the larger complex) and then sliding past tables into a back room where the shows take place. The shows here almost feel secretive because of it.
Opening the show on this particular night were locals Great Lakes USA. They came off like a faster Make Do And Mend. The sound of the Middle East was really on their side and made them come off exactly as they do on wax; up-tempo and full of piss and vinegar. It was an intense way to kick off a night.
Great Lakes USA (photo: Emvision Productions)
Next up was a band from Dover, NH called The Cryptics; with more speed than Great Lakes USA and more straight punk than hardcore. However, this seemed to be an off-night for them. The singer mentioned that everyone in the band (save for himself) were fill-ins. This probably contributed to an overall lack of chemistry and energy (again, save for the singer).
The final supporting act was some of Boston’s favourite sons: Burning Streets. Out of all the bands, they probably got the most energy from the crowd, and they gave as good as they got, tearing up the venue for 45 minutes with pure rock ‘n’ roll. There’s a nagging feeling in me that wants to compare them to The Clash, but I can’t explain why. There’s an urgency and determination to the way they play live that says “get out of my way, I have to do this.”
Ten Foot Pole (photo: Emvision Productions)
The crowd thinned out slightly once Burning Streets left the stage, which was a huge mistake for those who left early. Ten Foot Pole came up to the stage and immediately got busy with their brand of ’00s skate punk, and those who stuck around were treated to quite a fantastic show. Vocalist/guitarist Dennis Jagard’s joviality throughout the band’s set made for a fun atmosphere, a bit more upbeat than the more intense openers. The band’s energy shone through from the first note to the last, as did their chemistry. Ten Foot Pole made their technical chops readily apparent without being grandiose. They ripped through their set, which made it seem all the more fleeting. But that’s probably the point; to give people a good time while leaving them hungry for more.
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