Beach Week at Black Cat
As far as I can tell Beach Week normally perform as a trio. This performance was as a duo, and I'm guessing the result was more rock-n-roll than usual. I say that because the one recording I can get my hands on seems more focused on the vocals, more girl-group-ish, more "clean". This show was more like garage rock, more aggressive, rougher around the edges, and kind of fun that way. Still, a bassist wouldn't hurt.
Pile at Black Cat
Some band pairings are really weird. Pile played a very long set because Big Ups didn't, and the reason that happened is that they're totally different types of bands. Pile is one of those heavy but artsy bands whose songs seem to be composed like classical music. No pop-y verse-chorus-verse structures here. Their songs on their albums aren't particular long, but live they seem to be playing longer pieces with distinct movements, like they're performing the soundtrack of a dramatic play. Not really my sort of thing, but interesting.
Big Ups at Black Cat
As you look at these photos pay attention to lead singer Joe Galarraga's shirts. First, how many different shirts was he wearing anyway? And second, a lot of people in the audience wanted that Dope Body shirt. Now there are two bands who should really consider touring together.