All in Live Reviews

All Live Reviews

Live Reviews

Bubba's

Bubba's is without question a venue bound to attract eclectic bands. Allston, Massachusetts's Cropduster kicked things off early with a set of what they call "cough syrup rock," a potent blend of atmospheric keyboards and thick guitars, and a good soundtrack for a lost weekend. Portland's own Ruler of the Raging Main brought lively, hook-laden garage-rock in one of their rare live shows. Fast-risers Sun Gods in Exile (née Burnt Orange) laid down some southern-fried hard rock. Already catching on quickly, the Sun Gods have an album in the works, due later this year from Small Stone Records. Only those who like their rock hard-edged and of a classic vintage need apply.

Speaking of vintage, local favorites Ogre sound like the best parts of the '70s in one band. The fact that bassist/frontman Ed Cunningham's voice resembles the late Bon Scott's paint-peeling tenor is only part of it. As a live act, Ogre are almost unnaturally focused, the byproduct of nearly a year playing together, with Cunningham and drummer Will Broadbent creating molten grooves under Ross Markonish's mile-wide guitar tone and epic solos. From the ominous, slowed-down-Sabbath doom of "End-Days" to the straight-ahead stomp of "Drive" (both from 2008's one-track concept album Plague of the Planet), Ogre have something to offer even the most jaded headbanger.