If you weren’t already aware, Boston has a pretty rad underground Goth scene. Bringing that scene some more attention it rightfully deserves beyond clubs like Man Ray and events like Xmortis is Dark Spring Boston who put the focus on the artists with their events which bring you the Goth Rawk, Post-Punk, Goth Punk, Darkwave, Electro and so many more sub-genres under the Goth banner. For their fifth annual event(s) on April 11th at Sonia, Dark Spring Boston brings together the likes of Faux Fear (Reading, Pennsylvania), Rosegarden Garden Party (Dallas, TX), Komrads (Rochester, NY), Stare Away (NYC) and Boston’s own Ex-Hyena and PILGRIMS, the latter of which will also be utilizing their DSB performance as a release show for the recently released Gemini LP.
And speaking of release shows, the reason we added the little (s) after event above is because Dark Spring Boston is starting a little early with a special warm-up show on April 9th at Middle East Upstairs featuring Hemlock for Socrates (Pittsburgh) and Coffin Salesman (Boston) with DJ Dragnet (The Netherlands, who’ll be spinning at the special preview night as well as during the main event on April 11th) in support of Salem’s own Spirit Hotel who’ll be celebrating the recent release of their Rêve record!
Most importantly, though, following all that word vomit is this query: Who should you make sure and check out while there? Um, well, all of ’em if we’re being honest??? Each artist embodies the spirit of Dark Spring in some way, representing different facets of the darkness in an absolutely fabulous way. In other words, there’s something for everyone at Dark Spring Boston.
Faux Fear embodies the origins of Goth (Trust us and give their The Trends of Youth record a listen) and Komrads is solo Industrial in the vein of early Ministry or modern Black Magnet/Youth Code (Recent release Dead Saints & Devils is peak Old School) while Rosegarden Funeral Party is a lush, ethereal modern Post-Punk prophet in the vein of Siouxsie and the Banshees if you need comparisons. Speaking of comparisons, Stare Away gives us big Sacred Skin vibes with the way they wield the Electro Rawk banner especially on latest single “Faithless Hum“.
As for the local? Well, we’ve been dying to cover Electro sensations and multi-Boston Music Awards nominated Ex-Hyena for a bit but keep missing our chance in a timely manner. Most recently, they’ve unleashed the “Dark Lights” EP via Re:Mission Entertainment and it’s an undeniably infectious collection of tracks. Then there’s PILGRIMS with their just released Gemini record to promote/celebrate which is a worldly collection of all things Darkwave/Post-Punk that’s equally dynamic and dark. If you were a fan of the short-lived Los Espookys show we think you’ll find that the PILGRIMS sound could easily fit into the soundtrack for any episode of that supernatural absurdist comedy.
Preview-wise, and as previously mentioned, Spirit Hotel will be celebrating their Rêve record which has been sitting in our drafts for a spell (It’s been a MONTH and a half on our end, okay?) which is magnificently melancholy and masterfully executed. Also on board, Coffin Salesman is out in support of their concept album The Redeemer which is like the greatest soundtrack to a Folk Horror classic that doesn’t exist with hints of Tom Waits, Jim Jarmusch and Nick Cave throughout with Hemlock for Socrates bringing tunes they describe as sounding “like the sci-fi / fantasy section at the used book store” and one listen through recent “Ghost Heart/Glass Forest” double single and we’d have to agree and also add in some definite Spooky airs in there along with some heavy Trip-Hop feels. Last but not least, DJ Dragnet will be spinning throughout each event and you can get a taste of what’s in store there by heading here.
Dark Spring Boston featuring PILGRIMS, Ex-Hyena, Rosegarden Funeral Party, Komrads, Stare Away and Faux Fear is happening at Sonia on April 11th and you can get your advance tix now when you head here. For the Spirit Hotel-led pre-DSB pre-party with Hemlock for Socrates, Coffin Salesman and DJ Dragnet on April 9th, head here. For the most direct news, including the latest on upcoming events and more, head towards the Dark Spring socials which can be found together when you click here.
