Can we just plaster this post with the weeping emoji? Or the heartbreaking one? Because who can choose between these artists?? Same goes for each night but this is the first night where 3 out of the 4 entrants have been gushed upon by us fairly recently (That said, is it shitty to link to our own reviews when talking about tonight’s artists because we’ve got some built in posts is all…) so it’s fair to say we’re coming in a little biased as to why this night might be our favorite of all the preliminary rounds. And with that, let’s dissect what’s happening over at Middle East Upstairs on Thursday, April 13th:
The Freqs (9PM EST): We just tackled their recently released banger called Poachers (Why don’tcha read all about that here) which is a ginormous Rawk opus that’s got all the swagger of QOTSA, the sonic stadium vibe of Royal Blood, and the fuzzed out ferociousness of Death From Above 1979. And they’re the opener on Night 4, people. Prepare yourselves now with all the pertinent music links located together here and head here or here for the rest of the socials.
The Endorphins (945PM EST): If ever there was a band up to the challenge of following The Freqs, it’s The Endorphins! The Nothing Is Real record they released at the end of 2022 (And reviewed here) still slays, also made it pretty dang high up our year end best list last year, and is still a mainstay in the RNRF tape deck if that says anything. Their brand of timeless Nu-Alt is just what the doctor ordered for those missing the days of massive melodic noise the likes of which Pixies and Sugar became synonymous with during their subsequent rises. Head here for ALL the links ahead of their Night 4 appearance.
Tysk Tysk Task (1030PM EST): And now for something a whole lot different! Kind of. Fitting in with the fuzzed out theme of the evening, Lowell’s Tysk Tysk Task fit the sonic mold in the respect that they can definitely bring the loud but also have a secret weapon in Samantha Hartsel whose vocal presence along with guitar work make the outfit continually stand out with a body of work that’s this living, breathing thing that constantly swells and sways like the unpredictability of the ocean. Can you dig? Get the tunes by heading here, check out our review of their latest album here, and then follow them across their socials by clicking here, here, or here.
Ruin The Nite (1115PM EST): The only band we weren’t previously familiar with on Night 4, Ruin The Nite might just be the palette cleanser attendees need following such a robust 3 rounds of amped up Alt in some shape or form. Soulful Americana that encompasses the classic “Boston” sound, Ruin The Nite is like Jackson Browne mixing it up with Against Me! and The Gaslight Anthem at a Dropkick Murphys show. Add in a horn section and loads of piano throughout and Ruin The Nite is easily one of the most unique bands on the entire Rumble bill in 2023. Check out all the tunes and social media links by heading here.
And that concludes our preview of Night 4 of the 2023 edition of the Rock And Rumble which takes place at Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge on Thursday, April 13th. Doors open at 8PM with a 9PM start time planned. Ticket links for all shows are located here with “Full Boat” passes for the whole shebang available here. For the latest on all things Rock And Roll Rumble-related, be sure to check out ye olde socials by clicking here, here, here, or just skip the middle man and visit the main website here.