Well folks, I’m a slacker. What can I say? I’ve got so much on my plate I got a little behind on my reviews for these Emergenza bands. But here’s what I’m gonna do: I’m going to jam two weeks of Boston rock down your throat so hard you may not be able to think, let alone survive. I apologize in advance to all those too wimpy to take it, so let’s get to it. Rewind back to Friday, January 12th at the Middle East. It was a somewhat diminished lineup for the number of bands, but the quality of music was as good as ever. Cut Down the Tall Trees, aside from having a environmentally unfriendly name, kicks serious ass. Imagine speed metal drumming fronted by Sonic Youth guitars, but way more “so”. They are certainly very original. The Shadows Smile is an industrial Goth-heavy band driven by electronic beats triggered by a band member, and at least he pretends to play the drums. He is the mad maestro of the band sitting behind the kit flailing wildly. New Ditty has a few veterans in it from last year, and this new project which still has a decidedly rock-metal sound, is a marked progression from anything they had written in the past. Deep in the Hole has the singer from New Ditty, but I can’t help but feel that this band performs their material with their collective tongue in their cheek. Funny lyrics and unexpected medleys delving into some very drastic music variations kept it interesting. Burned in Effigy is a very grungy three-piece that takes a lot of there inspiration from the scene 10 years ago, but really do put their own spin on things as far as the song-writing goes. A Dose of Reality jammed their pop-rock sound very well. The drummer of this band is also a veteran, and solidly led the band through some very sing-songy lyrics and some interesting variations on very simple, catchy time signatures. In the end it was New Ditty, Deep in the Hole, Burned in Effigy, and A Dose of Reality moving on to the next round. Saturday the 13th had a few more bands and some real, um, “interesting stuff”. I’ll clarify when I get to that. Jekus Crobe, now having participated in their 3rd year of Emergenza, brought out some old tunes I recognized and some new ones as well. They nail the three-piece pop punk thing to a “T”. Bullet is a rock and roll band. They were AC/DC shirts, the singer took lessons on stage presence directly from Jack Black the riffs are scorching, the tunes are solid. They are a rock and roll band. The Maple Street Project, though one of the older groups in Emergenza, are giving the kids a run for their money. With great folk influences, searing 4 part harmonies, and excellently written songs, the set they played reflected their experience and practice. Rothchiild, the self proclaimed euro-trash rock band had an awesome set. With one of the more original vocalists I’ve heard yet they barged around the stage with a unique brand of scuzz-pop. The Yer’ Moms are what I was referring to as “interesting stuff”. Bass, guitar, cello, and a certified clown college grad on lead vocals set the bar for weirdness. The attitude, style, and delivery of the music, is way out there, and the lyrics just put it over the top. Everything they said may someone blush, every song had a message, and the government would likely assassinate these dudes where they aware of their existence. I liked it a lot. The New Someday Japan, despite having never heard Built to Spill sound similar to them. But not in a bad way, their songs are original, but the tones and delivery and arrangements have that dirty indie-rock sound. Boston Lonely are a real pro bunch of guys, writing tunes that are heartfelt, but not soft, catchy, but not annoying, and a highly polished sound and performance that I can see them going somewhere very quickly. In the end it was Boston Lonely, The New Someday Japan, The Yer’ Moms, and Rothchiild m