Last week I had the pleasure of seeing Black Helicopter, Awesome Color, and a few other bands at The Abbey Lounge. I'd write up a proper and official review of the show, but I accidentally drank a lot and just remember loud rock, dark-rimmed glasses, cute girls, and tattoos. I do remember that Awesome Color was really loud and messy-they jammed in a "no, we do not smell like goddamn patchouli" kind of way. They're also Sonic Youth affiliated, so I have way awesome street cred now-in no way did the Boston alt-weeklies influence my presence at the show. I'm no sheep.

I was surprised, in a good way, by Black Helicopter. Many of my friends who don't listen to "indie" rock often don't get that most of the indie bands I like sort of sound like they're playing good ol' rock and roll. Black Helicopter reminded me a lot of Hum, in that their thang is loud rocking mixed with a lead singer with a muzzled baritone. This is clearly a good combination, and the band's live sound translates well on record-if Jess bugs me enough I will surely remember to fellate the gang via a positive review of their new record, Invisible Jet.

In other news, I stuck out like a sore thumb at the Abbey, as I was wearing cargo shorts, a collared t-shirt, and glasses that did not have black frames. If you end up going to see a show by your lonesome (one of my friends bailed AROUND THE CORNER from the goddang show because of some girl, the other came late), remember to dress so that you blend in with the rest of the herd. Next time I'm rocking a bandana and some magic marker ink on my arms.