In true club circuit fashion, my coverage of this gig was hampered because it was an all ages show - one of the most poorly handled as far as keeping track of the underage crowd I've ever been to. Since some of the bigger "club" venues in the Phoenix area have closed for one reason or another, the smaller clubs are where you have to go for the music. I'm used to getting a bracelet taped around my wrist and a stamp on my hand to prove I'm over 21 if I order, am carrying around, or have a drink on my table.

Boston's outdoes themselves to make the under 21 fans miserable. I wouldn't have noticed quite as much if my photographer hadn't been under 21, but it was still a rip off to underagers. We got the bracelets and hand stamps when we checked in at the "door," but just to make sure, Boston's has about a 10 foot high chain link fence running from the side of the stage all the way back to a one person opening at the bar. If you're under 21, you have to stay on the side of the fence BESIDE the stage - no front on views for these patrons.

Since AZ law does not allow alcohol on stage, my photographer could only take pictures from ON the stage, but not in FRONT of the bands. Considering she was doing this from the back and far sides of the stage, I think she got some pretty good shots. But you have to excuse the profiles and back shots - there's only so much you can do when you're that restricted. The stage wasn't all that big to begin with, and these were both high energy bands that moved around a lot in a small space. Not very helpful when you're trying to take pictures of them!

Anyhow, we arrived just before "The Claymores" took the stage, and lead singer Paul Innocenti had even printed a set list for me, since their 3-song EP won't be released until later in February. He's joined by Grant Seuer on bass and Jeff Evans on drums. I've seen "The Claymores" once before, again opening for "Windigo," late last summer. I remembered them being a high energy band, but had forgotten what type of music they played. If you ask Paul, he says the trio is a rock band. I think they're more of a hard rock/speed metal/hardcore/howling vocal/rapcore kind of band. Whew! that's a mouthful.

The club was pretty packed, and "The Claymores" got a warm reception when they charged right into their first song, "Black Like Tar." This was a great lead in, because the band was in high gear from the get-go. "The Real You" featured a lot of drums, howling vocals and SPEED. I really wonder how some of these bands manage to play so fast and still keep a clear, tight sound! Next up was a slow(er), heavy rock number called "Creeper." The song calmed things down just a bit, only to be pulled in by "Suck." In my opinion, this was one of their best songs, with a kickin' beat, great riffs and super speed, although the bridge in the middle slowed down a bit.

One of the bands favorite songs, included on their EP, is "Dogs." This was another great number with a lot of pace changes and vocal changes. Starting out in super-speed mode, song slows down with a howl then does a quick reverse to super speed again. Changing over to a speed metal instrumental bridge, the song slows down and speeds up again a couple times. Interesting tune. "Z" started out with a fast intro and semi-melodic vocals which eventually became the familiar "shout more than sing" kind of vocal. The drums were featured again on "Z," and Grant gave it a bang up ending.

On "Identity Crisis," we were treated to a fast, punk beat intro, followed by a good skip-beat to back the vocals - sung this time, but I couldn't understand the words. The sound system wasn't all that great. "Phantoms" was a bit slower song, with spoken word/rap vocals that had lots of emphasis on the words and a good backbeat. The final song, "Enemy," kicked ass with it's SUPER speed, hard ass drums and big time instrumental bridge. All in all, "The Claymores" did a great set. Well worth a listen. (Note: For information on how to obtain "The Claymores" EP, contact "marellg@music-reviewer.com" and your requests will be passed on.)

Without much hassle, "Windigo" was set up and landed on stage running. With a deep bass (David Curwin) and drum (Dave "Jr." Newlin) intro, lead singer (Matt Strangewayes) and guitarist (Jason Wilhite) got things rolling with the opening track from their CD, "The Ballad of Reichen Overgraaben." This is one of my personal most requested songs, but on this night I picked a different one for my "dedication." However, that didn't stop me from enjoying this song to the max! The band was really on, and the crowd was going nuts - obviously I'm not the only person that likes the song.

Next up was the song, "Post-God," a request from "The Claymores. This song was more rapcore, and the band did an extended version. Remember me mentioning that chain link fence? "Windigo" has a big fan base in Phoenix, and they LOVE their fans. So much so, that they played a good portion of their set facing that big ol' fence so the under 21 crowd could see too. In fact, Matt climbed the fence and hung over the top of it, while he was singing, and boy were those folks ever happy. Even with the flu, Strangewayes gave that audience everything he had - including his stage antics and fence climbing.

"Wobblies" was a big hit with the crowd that night, and dedicated to ACCESS to the MUSIC ZONE (See, I always get one dedication!). Because it was going over so well, we got an extended version of "Wobblies" as Matt slapped hands in the crowd, sang over the fence and generally strutted around the stage. This was followed by a cover of a "Clash" song, and I'm embaressed to say that I don't know if this is the title or just the lyrics, but it was "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?" Other possible title - "Jeremy."

I couldn't catch what Matt was saying, because by this time I was outside behind the stage (the back of the stage is also a chain link fence - must be nice for the bands, but it was damn cold standing outside in the middle of Januray, even in Phoenix) taking notes and listening. I don't like to fight crowds. This is leading up to the name of the next song which I didn't quite catch, but Matt did say it was a new one. Could have been G-Cleff or Go, but I'm not really sure.

By now I was into the usual backstage conversation with the press from the other band, and was only half listening to what the next song was. I know it had a great guitar intro, Matt's trademark sing-song rap verse and at least one lyric, "Nobody gets hurt . . .," (or maybe it was the "Never . . ." chorus from "Bad Things") but that's about all I caught on that song. Joe Nugent was around that particular weekend, and he joined "Windigo" on stage to sing "The Nutty Shenanigans of Joe Nugent and the Unquenchable thirst for Kowledge via Association With Latitudinarians (Born to Rock). This one pulled great crowd response too, and all I could see was hundreds of hands and arms reaching up to the stage for a high-five or whatever they could get. This song is a heavy rocker anyway, and live it's just plain amazing.

"Windigo" closed their set with "Strangewayes Prison," another slightly extended version, but no encores that night. The flu was getting the best of Matt. Still, you would never have known the guy was sick, and this band is a total other story when they play live as compared to their album. The album is great (see review in this issue), and emphasizes instrumentals more than the live show, but "Windigo" live is a whirling, twirling, bouncing, lay down on the stage while singing, climb the fence and generally go wild on stage band. They have a great raport with their audience, and that's what will keep their loyal fans following them from club to club. I really hope they get to tour outside the southwest in the near future. They deserve to be seen and heard live as well as on CD. Meanwhile, if you ever get to Phoenix, look for them to be playing somewhere and track them down! It's well worth it!