Fri 12/20 @ 9PM
In some cultish music circles, short-lived ’60s high school bands that released a 45 or two before vanishing into college, day jobs, and family raising have attained the status of icons. That’s seemingly due less to their distinctive achievements (they’re usually pretty similar) than to the romanticism of the vanished and obscure.
Parma’s Alarm Clocks were one of an army of such bands, existing for only a few years in the mid ’60s and releasing one single. But that single, “No Reason to Complain,” has been anthologized, re-released, and covered by other bands who are fans of what’s come to be called “garage rock.”
Back in 2006, the band regrouped to celebrate the 40th anniversary of that single and got bitten by the bug again.
They’re now an ongoing concern, with two original members — vocalist/bassist Mike Pierce and guitarist Bruce Boehm — along with new members drummer Vince Bartolotto and lead guitarist Tom Fallon. With the years that have passed and a confident, professional garage rocker Fallon (New Salem Witch Hunters, Satan’s Satellites) in the lineup, you can bet they don’t sound like novices just finding their way around their instruments anymore — a large part of what inadvertently created “garage” rock.
The band is playing at the Happy Dog. European garage rock aficionados are jealous. DJ Lord Albert will also be there spinning tunes.
Admission is $5.