I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: September 25, 2019] Boyscott

I hadn’t heard of Boyscott before this tour either.

It turns out that the Scott of Boyscott [Scott Hermo Jr] grew up on the same street in Montclair as Evan Stephens Hall (they’re about six years apart).  I don’t know if that’s why they were chosen to play these local dates, but whatever the reason, it was great to have them open for Pinegrove.

It’s surprisingly hard to find out who was on stage with them.  The live band was a five piece, although their album was recorded by a three-piece.  Names associated with the band include: Emma Willer of Slumbers on guitar, John Lewandowski of Super Low on drums, Ellen McGirk (keys and vocals who I am pretty sure was not there), and bassist Noah Miller.  There was also someone with one name on a second guitar and percussion.

They played same light indie-pop.  What I really liked about the band was that none of the songs were simple verse chorus verse. Each one had some interesting middle part or new section or even just an unexpected stop mid-song.

By the second or third song I was really enjoying their set.

My biggest takeaway from Boyscott is that Scott was incredibly happy and excited to play at Union Transfer.

He told us it was the biggest show they had ever played (this was their first night with Pinegrove).  A dude in the audience shouted something about New Brunswick and Scott said they’d played to 20 people in New Brunswick at a house party last night and the dude shouted WE WERE THERE!

They opened with a quiet song called “Emarassingly Enough” but I enjoyed that the song had a few tempo changes. There were some wonderful backing vocals from (I assume Ellen).

I liked it more when they picked up the pace a bit on “Lake House” which featured more great vocals harmonies from Ellen.

One of my favorite songs of their set was one I can’t find the name of (I assume it’s not on the album Goose Bumps).  It had a cool bass line  and propulsive feel.

They played a half a dozen or so songs and I think the thing I’ll remember most about them (aside from Scott seeming so genuinely happy that so many people were applauding them–it was really cute) was seeing just how happy drummer John Lewandowski was.  He smiled through every song.  he sang along (with no mic, so just happy to sing along) and he occasionally hit those cheap-looking chimes and his wood block for extra pizzazz.  It was really fun.

I believe they ended the set with one of the songs that I see mentioned a lot “Blonde Blood” a rather irresistible bouncy song.

I really enjoyed their set quite a lot.

Scott told us that they had a CD for sale.  “Maybe you’ll see the typo on it.  [pause] I did,”  I bought the CD but I find I am not enjoying it as much as their live set–it doesn’t quite have the energy.  But I’ll be sure to give it a few more spins.