HEATH MILLER
Worcester’s diy pop punk band, Hedge has been doing something right. The three piece punk band made up of Peter on bass, Christopher on guitar and Cody on drums, has spent the last year turning heads with their debut record Better Days, and now they’re back with a sophomore follow up called Freeze Frame High Five, out March 27th on Best Brother Records. To celebrate, they’re throwing a release show at Ralph’s Rock Diner on Friday, April 3rd. Doors at 8, music at 8:30, fifteen bucks to get in.
If you’ve been paying attention to the local scene at all, you already know about Hedge. Frontman Christopher has been a presence in Worcester music for years, cycling through different projects before landing on this one, and it’s clearly where he was always headed. The band draws from the good stuff. Jawbreaker, Dinosaur Jr., Hüsker Dü, Superchunk. But it never sounds like homework. It sounds like a band that genuinely loves these songs and wants you to love them too. Better Days had that quality in spades, and the singles from Freeze Frame High Five suggest they haven’t lost a step.
The show itself is going to be a good time beyond just the music. Local comedian Shaun Connolly is hosting, doing sets in between each act. It’s a format with real roots. Think Sonic Youth bringing out Pat Oswalt before they played. “Hedge is one of the best new bands out of Massachusetts right now,” Connolly says, “They asked me to do standup, so I’ll go up in between each band and do a couple jokes.”
The rest of the lineup holds up too. Hey I’m Outside and Ezra Cohen are making the trip in from out of town, and Jake McKelvie opens the night with a solo set. Honestly it’s the kind of bill where you don’t know which act you’re most excited about, which is exactly how a release show should feel.
Ralph’s is the right room for this one. It’s a small stage, a good crowd, and a band that’s earned it. Come out, hear the new record loud, and grab a copy while you’re at it. April 3rd. Don’t miss your chance to grab Freeze Frame High Five on vinyl.
