• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

FOTOBOM: THE CHILLS @ THE MIDDLE EAST

Written by TIM BUGBEE Posted February 25, 2019 Filed Under: Fotobom, MUSIC, Reviews

All Rights Reserved / © Tim Bugbee

 

The word ‘seminal’ gets tossed around a bit cavalierly these days, when any decent band with a pulse and a couple of dusty records are suddenly reissued on some boutique label, and are suddenly yanked out of obscurity and proclaimed the as long-lost Beatles or some such nonsense. Martin Phillipps is a rare case of underselling that particular adjective. As the man responsible for some of tightest, most sweetly crafted pop songs emanating from a farflung corner of the world, the packed room at The Middle East was buzzing with excitement.

 

If you are wondering what he’s been doing since the last time they played town (was 1996 really that long ago?), you can refer to the preview published a few days ago. Phillipps and his crack band breathed new life into the classics and the new material nestled in like a long-lost twin sibling. The fairly short but sweet set at ~70 minutes hit all the right marks, from the sublimely perfect and oh-so-aptly titled “Heavenly Pop Hit” to the mid-tempo soul-bearer of “Deep Belief,” and especially the song that Phillipps proclaimed a song of optimism (despite the current leader), “America Says Hello.”  A sideways love song in “Wet Blanket” showcased the supple bass lines of James Dickson, and the ever-lovely yet subtly harrowing “Pink Frost” had the timeless chiming chords burrowing in skulls all around the room. The encore closed with another song about a vanished friend, with the rave-up guitar  lines punctuated by Erica Scally’s keyboard lines that carried the melody. A much needed return from a true master of songwriting; Martin, don’t wait a few decades until the next time!

 

NYC-based quintet Brion Starr played the tour kickoff in Gotham the night before and traveled up with the band to lend support again. Starr’s backing band and their youthful visages suggested that they might have had a hard time actually gaining entrance to club had they not been playing that night, but they have definitely checked out their parent’s Velvet Underground collection.

 

Photos from both bands:


Created with flickr slideshow.
TIM BUGBEE
More from author
  • TIM BUGBEE
    https://digboston.com/author/tim-bugbee/
    FOTOBOM: BLUE ÖYSTER CULT @ CHESHIRE FAIRGROUNDS
  • TIM BUGBEE
    https://digboston.com/author/tim-bugbee/
    FOTOBOM: BAT FOR LASHES @ THE SINCLAIR
  • TIM BUGBEE
    https://digboston.com/author/tim-bugbee/
    FOTOBOM: MODERN NATURE, OLDEN YOLK, CARINAE @ THE LILYPAD
  • TIM BUGBEE
    https://digboston.com/author/tim-bugbee/
    FOTOBOM: WEEN @ HOUSE OF BLUES

Filed Under: Fotobom, MUSIC, Reviews Tagged With: Brion Starr, Cambridge, Flying Nun, Fotobom, Martin Phillipps, New Zealand, The Chills, The Middle East

WHAT’S NEW

IT'S HARDER THAN EVER TO FIND A BATHROOM IN BOSTON. WHAT'S THE CITY DOING ABOUT IT?

IT’S HARDER THAN EVER TO FIND A BATHROOM IN BOSTON. WHAT’S THE CITY DOING ABOUT IT?

ON NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION, PROTESTERS CALL FOR EVICTION MORATORIUM

ON NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION, PROTESTERS CALL FOR EVICTION MORATORIUM

WU AND CAMPBELL TO SPEAK AT MAYORAL CANDIDATE WEBINAR

WU AND CAMPBELL TO SPEAK AT MAYORAL CANDIDATE WEBINAR

Hard right wingers casually tour the Capitol during last week's attack. Via C-SPAN.

HOW TO DEFEAT THE HARD RIGHT

BAKER URGED TO SIGN GAME CHANGING CLIMATE BILL

BAKER URGED TO SIGN GAME CHANGING CLIMATE BILL

APPOINTED SOMERVILLE OFFICIAL SPURS OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC MOB SCENE

APPOINTED SOMERVILLE OFFICIAL SPURS OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC MOB SCENE

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • APPOINTED SOMERVILLE OFFICIAL SPURS OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC MOB SCENE by MARC LEVY
  • INSIDE THE FIGHT TO DOCUMENT THE HORRORS AT AMERICA’S OLDEST WOMEN’S PRISON by SHELBY GREBBIN AND ISHA MARATHE
  • VIDEO: COP WHO BRAGGED THAT HE HIT PROTESTERS SHOWS HOW BAD APPLES THRIVE IN BOSTON by CHRIS FARAONE
  • THE WSJ FEATURE ON WORCESTER’S POLICE CHIEF IS PURE COPAGANDA by BILL SHANER
  • STATE LOOKS TO SPEND $75K TO PREVENT FUTURE STORROWINGS by DAN ATKINSON

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

Footer

digbos

The candidates will be interviewed about the upcom The candidates will be interviewed about the upcoming race. https://digboston.com/wu-and-campbell-to-speak-at-mayoral-candidate-webinar/ #politics #mayor #campaign #Boston #Massachusetts
Participants took to the streets in the hope of sw Participants took to the streets in the hope of swaying the Biden administration. https://digboston.com/on-national-day-of-action-protesters-call-for-eviction-moratorium/ #housing #justice #protest #national #Boston #Massachusetts
“They refuse to respond to this humanitarian cri “They refuse to respond to this humanitarian crisis where people really need them. We’re just ignoring this problem and it’s getting worse and worse.” https://digboston.com/its-harder-than-ever-to-find-a-bathroom-in-boston-whats-the-city-doing-about-it/ #politics #unhoused #homeless #bathroom #public #health #Boston #Massachusetts
Environmental #justice and #climate change advocat Environmental #justice and #climate change advocates are pushing for its passage. https://digboston.com/baker-urged-to-sign-game-changing-climate-bill/ #environment #globalwarming #legislation #politics #Massachusetts
In short, it’s amazing. For details, check the # In short, it’s amazing. For details, check the #video … https://digboston.com/video-night-shifts-tea-party-is-subtle-love-for-people-who-hate-most-hard-teas/ #review #fun #beer @NightShiftBeer
HOW TO DEFEAT THE HARD RIGHT: Some thoughts on the HOW TO DEFEAT THE HARD RIGHT: Some thoughts on the Capitol attack and building a more democratic nation. The latest from DigBoston's @jasonpramas. https://digboston.com/how-to-defeat-the-hard-right/ #democracy #politics #Capitol #US #America #attack #Biden #Trump #grassroots #movement #analysis #strategy #MAGA
“Should Mayor Walsh be confirmed by the Senate, “Should Mayor Walsh be confirmed by the Senate, I am ready to take the reins and lead our city through these difficult times.” https://digboston.com/walsh-to-wash-janey-to-become-1st-black-boston-mayor-1st-woman-to-lead-city/ #politics #Boston #Massachusetts #BlackLivesMatter
APPOINTED #SOMERVILLE #OFFICIAL SPURS #OUTRAGE WIT APPOINTED #SOMERVILLE #OFFICIAL SPURS #OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC #MOB SCENE: Mayor Curtatone says “We’re taking it seriously and doing our due diligence” https://digboston.com/appointed-somerville-official-spurs-outrage-with-tweets-from-dc-mob-scene/ #politics #controversy #Massachusetts #Capitol #Congress #WashingtonDC #MAGA #Trump
“If #Massachusetts agencies could skirt the publ “If #Massachusetts agencies could skirt the public records law by characterizing the receipt of documents as a loan, that would have been [an] invitation to a substantial amount of mischief.” https://buff.ly/3biXVf1 #transparency #politics
RECAP: #BOSTON CITY COUNCIL HEARING ON CREATION OF RECAP: #BOSTON CITY COUNCIL HEARING ON CREATION OF SANCTUARY SAFE SPACES⠀
https://digboston.com/recap-boston-city-council-hearing-on-creation-of-sanctuary-safe-spaces/ #politics #Massachusetts
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]