It was an exciting weekend a few weekends back, finished my second to last MBA class, got to go to two of my favorite cities, Boston and Salem, Massachusetts and while there attended an amazing show featuring Barrence Whitfield & The Savages, The Gaslight Anthem, and the ever incredible Mighty Mighty Bosstones in the middle of Boston’s City Hall!  It caused for a celebration!  In fact, it was to celebrate lead singer of Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ Dicky Barrett’s 50^th birthday!  It was also the first time I photographed outside of Pennsylvania and New Jersey!

After I was able to clear up the confusion with security about photo passes, the first band I photographed was Barrence Whitfield & The Savages.  I must say, I wish Barrence and his group played every show I attend.  They sounded not only tight, but they got the crowd amped for what’s to come.  Their sound was just straight good ole rock ‘n’ roll.  You couldn’t help but want to move to their sound.  Just listening and watching these guys, you could tell they knew what they were doing.  I think anyone can get into Barrence Whitfield & The Savages, and if they are near your city just go see them, you’ll have a fun night.

http://www.barrencewhitfieldsavages.com/

What can be said about Gaslight Anthem?  Music’s sweethearts.  My third time seeing Gaslight Anthem and again it was outside.  Maybe playing outside is their favorite, but every time I see them, they put on an amazing show and are all smiles.  This show was no exception, especially Brian Fallon.  He was all smiles the entire show and sticking his tongue out.  Maybe it is Boston?  He did show his love for Johnny Cupcakes by kissing the sticker on his guitar.  However, the guys played a short set of everyone’s favorites with jokes in between songs.  The highlight of the show must have been when Dicky Barrett came on stage and sang backup vocals for The Patient Ferris Wheel.  If you listen closely on the record, you can relive it over again.  Being a short set, no new songs were played off their new album Get Hurt.  What you can do though, is go HERE and pre-order a copy.  I think this might be their best material yet and I hope to get to see them in Philadelphia next month for a longer set.

http://www.thegaslightanthem.com/

Closing the night was Mighty Mighty Bosstones.  One of my favorite ska bands, anytime I see them I have to jump in the pit and be young again.  Not sure why, but they do something to me.  The show opened with a video of many, many, many people wishing Dicky Barrett a happy birthday

.  It is amazing all the people he met.  The playing over 25 songs and had many special guests, including family members.  Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem sang on one of my favorites, “Someday I Suppose”, Lenny Lashley of Street Dogs sang and played guitar on “The Bricklayer’s Story”, Jimmy Kimmel, yes that Jimmy Kimmel, played bass clarinet on “The Impression That I Get”, and old guitarist Nate Albert played on the three encore songs.  This had to be my favorite performance from Mighty Mighty Bosstones.  Not because of the guests, but because everyone that played and the crowd was just happy.  Everyone was happy to help Dicky Barrett celebrate his 50^th birthday.  50 is a big year and for that age, Dicky can still bring it on stage.  I was happy to see Mighty Mighty Bosstones in their home state and I am happy it was for a major celebration.

http://www.bosstonesmusic.com/