Once again the kindness, generosity and incomparable sense of community that defines the unique Boston music scene comes together to support a dear friend and drummer, John Sands, who in November suffered a terrible heart attack. He is expected to recover, but the recovery is going to be long and arduous and the medical bills are building up.
Two legendary Boston musicians, Aimee Mann and Lori McKenna (also two artists Sands has played with) will be preforming during a very special benefit show for his family at the Paradise on 1/21. Other performers and special guests will be announced later. There will also be a silent auction. More info on that at the bottom of this post.
“John’s family and friends are touched by the love and support they’ve received from the community during this very difficult time,” said local bassist and longtime Sands friend Richard Gates, who has spearheaded benefit efforts. “John faces a tough road ahead, but I can’t think of a better way to help him and celebrate him on his way to recovery than with a benefit show featuring a lineup of some of his favorite artists and collaborators. He’s a passionate about the artists he accompanies, and he’s a musician’s musician. Plus, he’d be the first guy to pass the hat for anyone else in need, so we’re happy to help do exactly that for him.”
Tickets are $40 and are available via Ticketmaster, and the Paradise Rock Club box office. Concert organizers are looking for additional items for the silent auction. Anyone wanting to donate items can contact concert organizers at teamhuggybear@gmail.com. Information on how to make individual or corporate donations to the John Sands Care Fund is also available at: http://www.teamhuggy.com
Friendly People’s debut, self-titled 3-song EP gives a concise taste of a promising young Cambridge, MA-based band. Their jangly indie pop is peppered with hints of Americana, roots rock and folk with vocals that owe a debt to Neil Young. The EP’s clear highlight is its opening track—their namesake song—“Friendly People”. It’s a tremendous, positive track buoyed by a horn section in the bridge which lends a mariachi feel. “A Lot of Work To Do” brings out Harvest-era Neil Young, starting as a plaintive acoustic ditty which builds slowly into a passionate electric number. Closing track, “Branches”, follows the same acoustic-to-electric path. As the song builds, it introduces tribal rhythms that are reminiscent of 80s indie-punk legends, the Volcano Suns. Friendly People are scheduled to record their debut full-length in March. If the Friendly People EP is indicative of what we can expect from this young group’s next batch of tunes it will be a record to keep an eye on later in 2012.--George Dow
