vundabar

Vundabar

Boston’s Vundabar delivers sardonic wit through sophisticatedly crafted jangle-pop songs - the result of which is pure rock gold. With song titles such as “Oulala,” “Holy Toledo,” and “Smile Boyo,” Vundabar does a good job at not taking themselves too seriously, but despite what some whimsical titles may suggest, their songs are more profound than they may appear.

There's somewhat of a paradox inherent in Vundabar's songwriting - a conflicting sense of nostalgia contrasted with the realization that they couldn't sound more current. The music they make feels like something that should have been heard a long time ago, while simultaneously continuing to forge ahead sonically.

Vundabar's high energy live show is the stand out quality of this band and is an art they’ve undoubtedly perfected by touring non-stop around the country. Vundabar’s shows never fail to be captivating, complete with infectious jams, guitar moves galore, intricate drum work, and humorous stage banter to top it all off, the band has become known for putting on an entertaining show.

Vundabar plays Shea on January 7th but before then, give this classic set a listen for a preview of what the band has in store!
Hayden Sitomer

math

Math The Band

Providence's Math the Band has performed at Shea a handful of times over the past six years, and with the release of their first full band record “The Album” earlier this month we revisited their live sets from 2010 and 2014.

Having long ago established their own brand of high energy dance punk, Math the Band has an impressive ability to get any crowd stoked. Their sound merges electronics (a mix of vintage synthesizers, drum machines and repurposed video game noises) with rock & roll guitar riffs and fast-paced dual vocals of members Kevin Steinhauser and Justine Mainville.

A Math The Band show is no place to stand in the back with your arms crossed. It’s easy to imagine the energy in the room listening to both their recordings here at Shea. You can practically hear Kevin and Justine jumping around excitedly as they played their instruments - a common occurrence at any Math The Band gig. The audience too seems just as lively, laughing at the band’s occasional stage banter.

“The Album”, which includes a fuller lineup and a slight tweak to the band name, features more of that fast and loud spirit you can hear in the older recordings. The record is available now via their Bandcamp- Jane Wiseheart

lowfat

Low Fat Getting High

Low Fat Getting High's name may be a bit misleading - there's nothing watered down about the heavy tunes they're serving up.

LFGH uses their pounding bass and head-banging riffs to stick it to everyone from cops to their friends to themselves. Closing in on the vein of bonafide shredders, Low Fat Getting High harness their imposing sonic stature for their own brand of power-anger. Only in their hands can cries of “Got no more feelings” and “I don’t ever feel good anymore” feel empowering.

If your ideal pity party involves marinating in your misery, this isn’t the place for you. But for those of us who want some intensity to embrace the raw anger, we need whatever crazy stash Low Fat Getting High is getting high on (It’s probably responsible for making “the mic taste like peanut butter”).

Low Fat Getting High, please take me to your dealer.
-Michael Sosnick

washer

Washer

If you’ve been to a show in Brooklyn in the past year there’s a good chance you’ve seen Washer. They’re your favorite band’s favorite band. Maybe you even caught them at a show with their label-mates and longtime buddies Big Ups and saw all of them in the front row, shouting along to every word of Washer’s set.

There's a good reason for that - Washer’s brand of punk is immediate, and catchy. On “Joe” singer Mike Quigley comes out of the gate full force and doesn’t let up until the end of the song’s short 2 minute run time. That’s not to say they can’t slow it down though. Songs like “Eyelids” are a slow burn and you’ll have a hard time getting that bass line out of your head.

This set here from September of last year has them doing what they do best. Give it a listen and you’ll immediately understand why every other band on the bill is so stoked about Washer - they play Shea on 8/13 for Bueno & Doubting Thomas Cruise Control's double record release.
-Ian Donahue