Cassavettes

Man, Band in Boston has a bit of buzz going their way. And I’m really happy about it! I can’t think of two nicer people to receive such buzz. Check out this Daily Candy article (thanks to Elyse on this). Plus, there’s a Cassavettes mention!

On their weekly podcast, they spin tunes from local and national acts (like Aberdeen City and Cassavettes) performing in town that week.

And hey, they got our name right!

Well, here is a succinct, yet sweet review: “On Our Own – Cassavettes: These guys are probably the best band ever! Go to www.cassavettesmusic.com for more info.”

Thanks!

I keep forgetting to post this…

Congrats to good friends Andy and Jen on this nice write-up! They deserve it!

OK, right now I’m not in the best shape to write at length. Tonight, I caught the Lemonheads at Avalon and then high-tailed it to the Castlebar to see an amazing Neil Young tribute put on by the Cult of Point Break Society. Apparently, I’m not OK to write, but I’m OK to hyperlink. Either way, this show was a revolving cast of characters (good buddy Kier Byrnes of Three Day Threshold, Will Dailey, Matt from the Motion Sick) playing a fine tribute to Neil’s Tonight’s The Night. Totally fucking awesome is a good description. Kier is a good man, too, good times aplenty with the guy tonight.

I’ll post more in depth about the Lemonheads show later, too, but know this: the new rythym section, borrowed from the Descendents, is about the best idea rock and roll has had this year. I can’t recall being bowled over by a drummer that much. Totally cool.

OK, sleep now. Talk soon. See you real soon, too.

Goodnight,

Glenn

The big holiday show was, well, better than I expected. We made a couple hundred bones, we got free pizza and drinks, and I played in an enormous stocking all night. All in all, pretty fun stuff. We were a little rocky, and Matt was a little wasted, but we still played pretty decent, I thought. I attempted a kneeslide in the stocking, but the wood floor was surprisingly obstinant. I was stopped dead in my tracks.

We opened with a solo Glenn rendition of “Time of the Year,” a song I improvised for a CD sampler four years ago, “Snowman Meltdown in the Sham-Rock Greenhouse” for Derrick Sheen’s startup Sham-Rock Records. It’s only a minute long, but I got them to close the curtains and then open them for the big show, so that was cool. Plus, everyone was having a good time. Scott wore a nice Christmas-y sweater and a Santa hat, Mike wore a festive scarf and a sharp shirt, and Matt, well, Matt didn’t do anything too seasonal, but his mere jolly presence is enough. Here’s a shot of a couple of good boys, doing those good boy things…

So, as the season is now upon us and I’m still feeling the holiday spirit of last night’s show, I’d just like to say thanks — for everything. The year 2006 was a big stepping stone for Cassavettes, and it’s due to folks like all of you that we were able to accomplish some of the things we did. Before the month is up, I’d like to do a month-by-month year in review. Maybe this next week. In the meantime, thanks again and have a happy holiday season!

Love, Glenn

Nice write-up on the Globe’s Sidekick cover today.

Song, dance, and roller derby

Blossoming Boston rock act Cassavettes leads the entertainment at tonight’s Milky Way Lounge Holiday Party (which conveniently falls on the first night of Hanukkah). The band just released the country-tinged rock album ‘‘It’s Gonna Change,’’ something you can read all about on frontman Glenn Yoder’s blog at cassavettesband.blogspot.com. Yoder and friends will be joined at the bowling alley by soul crooner Lee Wilson, the dancers of Thru the Keyhole Burlesque (below), and the Boston Derby Dames, who will be rolling through the bar throughout the night. The show is free, but you’re asked to bring a can of food to donate to the Boston Food Bank.

It starts at 9. Milky Way Lounge & Lanes, 403 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-3740. milkywayjp.com [Meredith Goldstein]

If you’re a new visitor, make yourself known. Or don’t. Your choice. But welcome either way.

Hey, and as far as the show tonight, it’s going to be cool. We ran through a practice without Matt last night, but just working on some possible new material. So, expect a pretty standard set with maybe a few holiday barnburners in there. I may dip into the Sham-rock Records archives here. Should be good!

Oh man, it’s almost over. I took the two hardest exams yesterday (including a law final that I may have totally failed, and may have failed the class for the first time ever… results pending), I submitted my final paper, and now I have one more final to go. Then, sweet freedom! So, here’s the good news: Since we finally did what downstairs-caliber bands do (sell out the Middle East upstairs), the club is looking for a DOWNSTAIRS bill in the new year to stick us on. THIS IS GREAT! The goal for 2007 is to play bigger rooms, and already we’re playing the Paradise Rock Club on Jan. 19. Plus, I just heard today that the Jan. 19 show has already sold 300 tickets, and it’s about 450-capacity room, so get yours soon! Let me link to the event on Ticketmaster. So yeah, this is going to be wild. 2007 is shaping up nicely. I still have to put together a faux Texas tour in March, so I’m on the scent now. I emailed some clubs last week, and perhaps buddy bro bros Black Tie Dynasty will get us the hook up. Speaking of BTD, we saw them last night and holy shit they’ve come a long way. I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess, with all the good things I read and the good records and all, but their live show was exponentially better than when I last saw them at Hailey’s in Denton.

Now, this Friday, we’re playing an intimate show at the Milky Way Lounge & Lanes, just a few holiday songs and our new single. Any requests? Hopefully, we’ll move a few records and have a few laughs. It’s the holidays, afterall. Good cheer. WERS asked us to do a live set in studio on Saturday, so I just have to check with my brethren on that, before confirming. I’d be into it. And I may play a basement show at the former Heats’ house that evening, if we’re done.

But as noted, with this extra time, I’m going to take in as many local shows as I can in the next couple weeks. Some that I would like to check out:
12/13- Dearborn Valley and Johnny Mazcko at SkyBar
12/14- Okay Thursday at the Abbey
12/15- Lemonheads at Avalon (but dang! we’re playing the Milky Way, so nevermind)
12/16- Vital Might at Middle East downstairs (if we’re through cutting the live set at WERS and I don’t do the basement gig)
12/21- Christians & Lions at the Abbey
12/22- The Unattainables at the Midway

Then, I’m out of here. But see? Plenty of tunes going this month. I’ll be busy, I guess. Plus, the Mavericks play on TV the 13th and 20th, so I’ll have time to sit around the house, too. If anyone wants to go to these shows, let me know, I’m sure a group will go to a number of them. Or if I missed any, let me know. I’m always looking for a good show, good time. So, hey, it’s a bit late, but I’m starting to feel the season (beyond this cold). Therefore: HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Let’s make them great.

Love, G

In my various blog searchings, I came across a true gem earlier today. A Taylor Hicks (of American Idol fame) weblog linked to us! Most of the comments are lukewarm, but it’s refreshing to get constructive criticism/praise, rather than unexplained bashing/love. So, I told them so, in a comment of my own. Check it out here. For real.

Plus, lest we forget, that Jen & Andy, the fine folks over at Band in Boston, have posted our live set we cut in early November. Full of quips and what not, I’m sure. Haven’t listened yet, but I soon will. Follow the link!

UPDATE: Listening to the podcast, and I’m digging it. I forgot about how many dogs (3) were there and how frequently we referred to them. Without a doubt, the coolest part thus far is the Spanish style guitar solo Mike does in “The Nadir” to compensate for lack of distortion and also Scott’s comical voice crack at the end of that song, followed by his own laughter.

Well, it’s a relief. I wish I could describe the night with more exuberance, but all I recall is telling someone (sorry, don’t recall who) the following accurate description of my feelings after last night’s CD release show: it’s like a burden lifted after you take a big test. After so much money and time and hope building toward it, I’m glad to have cleared it. Which isn’t to say it wasn’t one of the coolest nights in history. It’s just the test analogy works for me right now because I’m knee deep in studying. GARFUNKEL! (Wouldn’t that make a great exclamation?) But yeah, and unfortunately, I wore my concern. Aram asked Tara why I looked anxious, and the response wasn’t surprising. He’s in the same boat. Also, real quick, special thanks to Mammoth Press for declaring yesterday Cassavettes Day.

Anyhow, here’s how the night went. Bummer: The show was delayed due to an earlier show at the club running long, so we didn’t do a proper soundcheck or anything, nor did we set up our merch table as well as I’d hoped. We never got our holiday lights functioning (perhaps it’s true that when one fails, they all go). Big ups: We sold the show out. Not only did we do that, we did it early. Around 10:30 p.m., and they had to turn away about 30 folks. The feeling following that is both excitement for our first sell-out, but also disappointment because some of those kids were people who support us by coming to every show. I guestlisted and did what I could to get whoever I could into the show, but still a number couldn’t get in. Anyhow, the show brought out an interesting array of people — my plane buddy Dave, Jabe, our normal friends and fans, Bobby, etc. All in all, it felt good. The room was packed, and I do think that played a part in what resulted in less dancing that normal. But still, people were grooving, getting into the “fiesta” theme with maracas, etc. Plus, there was a surprising number of people in the crowd who knew a large portion of the lyrics, even though they didn’t have the CD yet. That was cool. And of course, Fritz appeared in an oversized Christmas stocking. Not sure exactly why still. The band played pretty well for the most part, I think, though I couldn’t hear anything except drums and Mike’s vocals. Halfway through the first song, I felt my voice go. This cold that has been plaguing me didn’t have an affect on my vocals for all other performances over the last couple weeks, but it hit me hard onstage. It felt like going through puberty all over again. I kept my voice in the mid-level, not too high, not too low, so that it wouldn’t sound horrible. I’m still not happy about it. But then again, I’m known to focus on imperfection, or so I’m told. We ended up doing the switching instruments thing at the end, and it worked out OK. Though for some reason Chris told Scott to wrap it up. Ha. Anyway, my final thoughts coming away from the show were that a) we should never open with “It’s Gonna Be Alright” again because I think it’s something the live show should build to and b) having Jabe join the band onstage for “Lightning In A Bottle” was pretty much the coolest thing ever. It sounded great, it was fun to jam with him a little, and it just felt right. I’m excited for the next phase of this band; I think selling out the Middle East moves us into a new class of where we should be playing. It’s going to be an exciting 2007!








Also, major thanks to the Matts for hosting the afterparty, even though it was crowded (in a good way). I hope I got enough money to you. I didn’t feel much like drinking last night, so I kept everything in moderation, which is perhaps why I didn’t enjoy the later night activities as others (like Dukes, who proudly strolled around the apartment in his boxers). Highlight of the party: Scott’s one-man dance show. While others may argue that his dance-off with Zack B. was better, I disagree. Scott’s solo dance was incredible. Just incredible.

Anyhow, in the next few weeks, I’m going to see SO many local shows, it’s not funny. But it’s going to be great. All I need to do is get through these tests first. Wish me luck.

Love, Glenn

Hey, no more sadness. I’ve forgotten ALL WEEK to post this nice blog review that Ryan’s Smashing Life (which was just nominated for Music Blog of the Year! Help this guy out and vote for him!) gave us. Ryan has some really kind things to say, including the headline: “A Prediction: Cassavettes Will Change Boston.” Thanks, Ryan!

Also, “Based on some early buzz, this might just be what you should be listening to this winter… Here is the new sound of Boston’s indie rock!” Very kind words, sir.

One thing of note, though. Not to split hairs here, but just so we’re not usurping another’s crown, although Ryan says we won the Boston Music Award earlier this year, we didn’t. We actually lost to a great band called Lucky 57. Here’s a blog about that fateful night. But hey, who’s keeping score?

I’m liking the buzz. I’m feeling it. Tomorrow is going to rule. Now, let’s see if we can manage a rehearsal beforehand.