This is a condensed version of Tim Lewis’ blog, which highlights musical events in the Burlington area.

September 3, 2019

I had a great time seeing music last Tuesday at The Monkey House. It was set as a show with a band I really wanted to check out, one I had seen once and wanted to see again, one that I loved and one I knew nothing about.

I got out of work at 6, had a little time to eat and relax then took the lovely walk to Winooski. I got in and settled as Lake Waves took the stage. They opened with a song about dirty fingernails and their breezy indie rock sound caught the room. I remembered liking them when I saw them a couple of months ago and instantly remembered why. They followed with a song about being hung out to dry then played their banger, the one about little things that come and little things that go is beautifully crafted pop that also rocks. It sounded huge that night. The next song was slower and more dreamy and I think it was about raking leaves. They ended with another pop epic about not wanting to be on your own. It was a great set and each bad that played after gave them a shout out.

After a quick break, The Silent Mile took the stage with a roar. Their heavy off-kilter indie rock was fast and fun. The first song was furious then they played a huge version of the single All I Want. They played a new song with no lyrics that built into a huge rocker then told us some tales from Last Summer’s Odyssey. They rocked us through some Sleepless Nights then closed with something huge and loud that oozed passion and angst. I had been aching to check them out and I can’t wait to see them again.

Up next, Heavy Sleeper came from Boston to play for us and let loose a flowing heavy jangly sound. They played songs about dying alone and not fearing changes and never letting you go. As the set progressed the sound became less bouncy and was a little more smooth as their lush music filled the air. They played the new single Castaway then played a huge fuzzy poppy slice of gorgeous rock. It may have had a lyric about letting it get away, but either way, it was wonderful. They brought the pace up to full throttle on a song about waking your love and called it a night. They were really good. I’m glad to get to know them.

Just in case we had not already rocked enough that night, Doom Service unleashed their smooth heavy indie punk rock on us. It had been way too long since I’d seen them and I was elated to correct that. Stories of comic books emanated from the stage then the band launched into Monsters Are Due On Maple Street. The song refers to the Twilight Zone episode of the same name and makes some fantastic points about human nature and rocks blisteringly hard. They hit us hard with Collider then welcomed us to the Hellmouth. We went prospecting with the Miner 49er then the Curse brought us down. The Other Iron Sheik rocked us hard and we ended the night with a little Jurassic Bark. They are such an amazing band and all of their songs are so much fun. I just love it every time I get to hear them play.

I hung out for a little bit then took the long walk home. It was another great night of music in our town.

September 10, 2019

I had a great time seeing music last night at The Monkey House. I had plenty of time after work to get some dinner before taking the misty walk to Winooski. I got in and settled and said hi to ace new bartender Diane Jean, then it was showtime.

The lights went down, the dancers started grooving and The Wet Ones lit into their fast cool surf-rock set. They played surf rock songs with a western feel and songs with a spy feel. Everything was instrumental and flowed through fun challenging changes, though the overall sound was super smooth. They played one with a surf noir feel and then played one that was slow and pretty. They played one that felt like a High School prom song that ended furiously. Late in the show, they played one that began slow and sultry then Amy Wild took the bass line in fun directions. The band let the song build and build before crashing to a conclusion. They kicked it hard for one more song and called it a night. The Wet Ones are lots of fun and should be seen anytime possible.

Up next, The Pyros let loose some fun jangle pop/rock and took the songs to fun places. They infused elements of rockabilly and 50’s soul into their indie-rock sound. They opened with a song called Please Go Away and followed with one about validating me. They sang a song about Yellow And Dark Blue and had me bopping around happily. They played a song about a royal flush that had a mellow opening and a heavy ending. As the night went on, it was clear that each of the three band members was extremely good and added lovely touches to each of the songs. They played the full new ep with Coffee, Christian Mingle, and Casanova, and all of the songs were strong and fun. Life got a little scary on a song about a zombie, then we went Hydroplaning for a while. You’re So Beautiful You Scare Me made some sort of sense then they closed with a ’50’s inspired song called Tears I Cry Shoo Be Do Wop, or something like that. Their whole set was great and I’d go see them again in a heartbeat.

As is often the case, I did not know anything about headliners B-Boys so I stood and listened as they roared into their set. The music had a punk base and they took it in indie rock directions. They came out of the gate at full throttle with a song that said look at me then they asked us to prove it or sue me. The next song had a bit of a Hawkwind flowing vibe then they played a punchy punk song that had a couple of smokes. The next one had a hint of the Talking Heads and the one about how you don’t go my way was a little Beastie. As the set went on some songs had a nu-wave feel and there was at least one epic punk song. They ended with one that had a Rush vibe and closed with a beautiful fast loud punk song. They were really good.

At some point early in the evening my coworker Nathan Curtis showed up, and he was nice enough to give me a ride home. It was another great night of music in our town.

September 11, 2019

I had a great time seeing music Wednesday night at The Monkey House. The walk to Winooski went quickly. I got in and settled, then wandered to the front and stood in awe as Ouzkxqlzn began to play. She began by playing some cello parts and putting them into the loop. She added a little guitar and even had a microphone on a bowl so when she tapped it, a cool sounding beat entered the mix. The sound of a radio playing Runaway Train by Tom Petty entered the mix and the swirling sound was intoxicating. Characters arrived and told their stories then faded back into the music. Late in the set, a character said we gotta move toward love then the distressed tape sound of Runaway Train returned. Lauren Costello finished the set on cello and I swear she was playing to the distressed sound rather than the song. It was a mesmerizing set as always.

Up next Community Garden began with a big flowery sound and a nice rocking flow. The bass was especially insistent all night long, whether the song was slow or fast. Though they played as a guitar, bass, and drums trio, there were some keyboard sounds triggered in the mix somewhere. They played songs about the new normal and about not sweating it. A song about brushing it off was cool then they played a really fun rocker. They played an appropriate song called Planting then closed the set with a song about being high. It was a really nice set and I’m very glad I was there.

A band from Austin called Grivo followed and let loose a huge wall of rocking sound. They began a bit slow with a song that was kind of bright and shiny and dark and sleepy at the same time. The sound built and built and cascaded in waves from the stage. They sang a bit but the voice was more of an instrument in the mix and the lyrics floated behind the veil of the music. It was a huge heavy show and I’m so glad I was there.

The set break was reasonable then Father Figuer took the stage. Armed with a new bass player, the band let it’s music flow from quiet gentle parts to a ferocious rock sound, before easing back down again. Most of the set was that familiar sound but a few songs were a bitmore concise and almost poppy. The show was super fun and it’s cool to watch them progress as a band. They mentioned that they were recording a new album, so I guess we will find out where they are going soon. I had a great time listening to them play as always.

I hung out for a little bit then took the long walk home. It was another great night of music in our town

Text and photos by Tim Lewis.

Tim's Triangle Tribune: September