Joshua Lyford
It’s obvious that (altogether, now) satisfaction is the death of desire, but in a monstrous case of, no, please, anything but that, Satisfaction is the Death of Desire, the debut album from Connecticut’s Hatebreed released nearly 30 years ago. While that is an interesting tidbit, it also shows a sense of perseverance (groaning is not allowed here) as their annual-ish Summer Slaughter tour hits the Palladium on Sunday, July 5. They’ll be joined by a legitimately unfathomable 12 bands including Bleeding Through, Devourment, Edict, Rose Lane and Vomit Forth. Most importantly for the interests of this column, however, is Worcester’s High Command who – if they don’t have an actual reenactment of the Battle of Bannockburn live on stage – will at least sound like it.
In a delightful surprise, Worcester’s Mountain Man shadow dropped their latest EP, FOUR, at the tail-end of June and if you are already aware of the collective, then you’ve already splayed yourself to better absorb the frenzied and beautiful energy. If not, this is as good a time as any to tune in. As one obviously intelligent and likely quite handsome listener wrote, “A forlorn march through the desolation of our modern world, FOUR is frantic feeling paced by faithful rhythm and dour urgency.” Available on all streaming platforms. Chills, yeah?
If you are a sicko (you are reading the third paragraph in a column written by an astral-projected hound dog in a wizard hat, FYI) you are legally obligated to attend The Great American Trash On Tour at Ralph’s Diner on July 2. If you aren’t a sicko, then perhaps it’s time you called Ye Olde Loser Shoppe to renew your prescription for bad vibes. Regardless, New Fear City is laying down some lunacy with no ring wrestling deathmatches that also includes live music and burlesque dancing. If you’ve ever seen Santa and Jesus vying for the top spot in a battle to the death, you already know what to expect, if not, drink some water, eat a carb-heavy dinner and prepare for the best night of your life.
If you – a member of the elated multitude – find yourself downtown between 11am and 3pm on a Wednesday between the moment you read this and August 26, well you are one lucky so-and-so. This is, of course, because the Out to Lunch series is back. Food Trucks? PARKED. Farmers Market? STOCKED. Music? LIVE. Honeycomb, Brown Eyed Women, Flame, Polyrhythmics
featuring Adryon de León (YOU spell Polyrhythmics without looking it up, big shot) and Acoustic Winos will all contribute to a beautiful midday sojourn while you are led to wonder: has something significant happened to our climate that forces us to leave our little downtown fountain turned off so frequently? Hmm.
In more challenging news, after decades (or, in the parlance of this beautiful column: several Satisfaction is the Death of Desire’s worth of time) Greendale’s Pub officially shut their doors on July 1. Sad news for area blues fans.