The Kickbacks |
So, you want to go to a festival, but a) you sunburn easily, b) you require bars and bathrooms within 20 paces at all times, c) you only have enough weed for yourself, and d) you really don't want to see My Morning Jacket. Your options may be limited, but the solution couldn't be more convenient: from Thursday, November 20, to Sunday, November 23, the International Pop Overthrow (IPO) makes its annual trek to Boston — this time settling in at Church. Corralling 34 local and traveling pop talents for five bills over four days (with no show above $10), IPO is the perfect antidote for people who could easily see themselves dying at Coachella somehow. Below are some highlights of the fest, but visit www.internationalpopoverthrow.com for the full lineup.The Kickbacks, “Even The Blues”
Thursday, November 20 at 10 pm
The Kickbacks offer the kind of lax, carefree, twinkly-yet-hefty guitar pop that made "college rock" seem like such a spot-on reduction for a few fond years. It doesn't hurt that singer Tad Overbaugh adds a heaping tablespoon of Matthew Sweetener to each track on their latest offering, Even the Blues.
1.4.5., “Let’s Groove”
Friday, November 21 at 11:30 pm
Headlining Friday is 1.4.5., a venerable Syracuse throwback power-trio first formed by Paul Armstrong (of the Flashcubes), Ducky Carlisle (formerly of the Ohms), and Dave Devoe in 1980 — but they're even throw-backier than that. A little Ramones, a little Professionals, a little Stones, a lot of beer, and plenty of reason for you to stay the whole night.
Oranjuly, “Personal Ads”
Saturday, November 22 at 10:30 pm
Some indie-pop is about as enjoyable as flossing way too hard, but Oranjuly truly fulfills indie-pop's promise. They've got punchy rhythms, lovable hooks, and smile-inducing stylistic twists and turns to spare. The only thing they don't have at the moment is a drummer—applications are now being accepted via MySpace.
Food Will Win The War, “Traveling”
Sunday, November 23 at 2 pm
Don't forget, IPO's got two bills on Sunday, and though the night bill (featuring Gene Dante & the Future Starlets, Lemonpeeler, and Apple Betty) is impressive, missing the early set from NYC's Food Will Win the War would be a big mistake — especially if you like smooth, smoky, fine-tined, scaled-down fare à la Elliott Smith or Erlend Øye.
