This Is Boston, Not MTV

The Varmints
Assorted Varmints

(Endoras Box)

When it comes to cool 1960's influenced garage/pop, what's the most stompin' city in America?

If you answered Boston, well then you're absolutely...close. New York still has a firm hold on that honor, but Boston comes in a close second. And, like legendary second place Avis, Boston tries harder.

Already a city rich with a stompin' past, from The Barbarians, The Remains, The Modern Lovers, and The J. Giels Band (before they got too corny), Boston now has another new flavor to tempt us with...The Varmints.

Those among you reluctant to try new flavors need note that The Varmints should taste rather familiar, as heading up the hard-rocking combo are Billy Borgioli, formerly of Bosstown's kingpins The Real Kids, and Frank Rowe of Classic Ruins. Together they and their mates have hit the studio again for their first full length release, Assorted Varmints, a collection assembled by Boston scenemaker Nancy Neon. This collection features new songs, their 1997 debut single "Ain't No Good," and even a few radio performances, all brought together to paint a picture of a band that can rock, be melodic, be adventurous, but always be conscious of the concert stage, as every song on the disc sounds custom made for live performance.

The show begins with the crunchy guitars of the fast-paced "The Hard Way." Borgioli has a clear voice with a touch of raspiness in keeping with the band's bar-friendly sound. Pete Taylor keeps perfect time on drums with some tricky fills.

The Varmints aren't going for an all-out retro sound or attitude. Instead, they take the finest vegetables form the Garden Of Garage Delights and incorporate them into a modern mixing bowl, and the end result is something digestible for fans of both the old sound and newer vibrations.

Some bands that came to my mind as I listened...The Smithereens, the 1970's Kinks (and not just because they too have a song called "The Hard Way'), and The Knack.

"Ain't No Good," their first release, and one which wowed the Boston press, is indeed the finest song on the disc, with its rev-it-up-and-go feel. Another highlight is the fast paced "Maybe," which showcases some active bass from Carl Biancucci (one of two bassists on this disc, the other being Billy Daley who plays on the majority of the disc), and further demonstrates how The Varmints like to hit the ground running when they break into a song.

While listening to this disc, there's no escaping the feeling that The Varmints are an intense live band. The high energy of songs like "That's Out" bring forth a mental picture of a crowd bopping and swaying.

In an age where modern music (read the stuff MTV feeds the world) has lost sight of rock and roll in its purest form, it's natural to feel a need for a band to bring about a return to such music. The Varmints sound not so much like a band meaning to revive anything...they sound more like one made up of musicians who simply never strayed away from the straight and narrow, and have just seen their sound become a welcome one again.

Check out The Varmints. Their music is not only where rock and roll has come from, but also where it hopefully will go.

To purchase Assorted Varmints, write to varmints2002@aol.com

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