DeNiros,
Serum, Spackle at the Linwood Grill, Boston
by William D.
Wallace
In retrospect, I would have to call this gig, "Babe-o-Rama does the Music Bowl." All three groups had lovely, talented women, each of whom I commanded to service me sexually or I'd tell the truth about their bands (Please humor Willie, he's basically a nice guy.) The DeNiros hit the stage fronted by John Surette (ex-Boys Life). Once again, beautiful rock babes were on the scene, this time in the forms of bassist and drummer. What a great surprise, to hear one great real pop-punk tune after another. In this age of bullshit, copycat punk bands, it was a pleasure to hear the real thing just as tight and driving as the Buzzcocks and as sing-along as Generation X. With his army-green Telecaster, Surette cranked out chunky punk whose every lyric could be understood. "I'm doin' it all for you," "I used to feel alone," and "It doesn't really matter, nothin' ever matters." The band's old bass player and drummer had recently left the DeNiros and the manager took up the bass to keep the band going. I honestly never would have guessed that she had only been playing bass with the band for a few weeks. About two-thirds of the way through the set, the material sagged a big. But if hearing Jim Carroll's "These Are Friends of Mine Who Died" gets you off, and you are not just a trendy retard but someone who actually likes real punk songs, then you should check out the DeNiros.