I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: September 5, 2023] Hurry

I was supposed to see Hurry open for two previous shows.  A Restorations show that was cancelled because of COIVD and a Nada Surf show that I didn’t go to because it was the same night as something else.

I was positive about them, but a little dismissive as well.  Perhaps it took them to release their newest album Don’t Look Back for them to perfect their blend of perfect Nada Surf/Teenage Fanclub pop songcraft.  Indeed, their album is named after a Teenage Fanclub song.

Originally, the project was a solo venture for Matt Scottoline who played bass in another band.  Scottoline has a knack for simple pop hooks and songs that you can’t help but tap your toes to.  The rest of the band is Rob DeCarolis: Drums; Joe DeCarolis: Bass; Justin Fox: Lead Guitar and , a fifth member who (amusingly) sang occasional backing vocals and banged a tambourine but mostly just seemed to hold a drink in his hand.  Turns out this guy was Ian Farmer of Modern Baseball (and owner of their record label) who sat in for this whole set.

I was sucked into their music right from the get go.  The melodies and harmonies were wonderful.  All of the songs were from this new album (which came out last month).  The only exceptions were “When I’m with You” (which is their biggest hit and was features in two TV shows a few years ago) and “Don’t Look Back” the Teenage Fanclub song that they got their album name from.

As he was singing I kept thinking how much these songs would fit perfectly with Nada Surf on a playlist (I had forgotten that they were supposed to play that show together).  And their Teenage Fanclub cover was just right.

I also really enjoyed Justin Fox’s lead guitar work.  It was never flashy or show offy, but it really tastefully added some nice melodies to the songs.  Scottoline played lead on “When I’m with You” and a few other places, but I felt like Fox’s work was just a little bit more impactful.

I really enjoyed them and Matt was a funny front man.  When he said that he just learned that he lives in the same neighborhood as someone from Washer, he said believe it or not.  And when someone said they didn’t believe it, he commented, “well, you’re a terrible audience.  But, I still have to play the rest of the songs, and there’s nothing that either of us can do about it.”

Hurry recently played a Free at Noon, but it turned out to be the exact same set, so I’m glad I didn’t go there on Friday (but you should totally listen to it).  They also played an album release show at Johnny Brenda’s on August 11.  So they’ve been getting a lot of hometown love lately.  Deservedly so.

I’m under the impression that they weren’t originally supposed to play this show (I only saw that they were on the bill yesterday), so I’m guessing maybe Speedy Ortiz asked them to play with them after Sadie watched their show back in August (she said she watched it from her favorite spot at the bar).  I’m glad they did.

SETLIST

1. Didn’t Have To Try ⊗
2. When I’m With You ≅
3. Parallel Haunting ⊗
4. Something More ⊗
5. Beggin’ For You ⊗
6. Like I Loved You ⊗
7. Don’t Look Back (Teenage Fanclub cover)
8. The Punchline ⊗

⊗ Don’t Look Back (2023)
≅ Guided Meditation (2016)