Man, I’ve been waiting to let this out for weeks!
On May 27, Seven Days and Higher Ground will present a show that will surely go down in local music history.
Get ready for a performance from Burlington’s long-lost rawk heroes, The Pants. And I’m talking original lineup, too. Plane tickets have been purchased, accomodations arranged. The band is prepared to rock one last time.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with these four geniuses, I’ll try to catch you up.
In the ’90s, there was a musical renaissance in ‘ol B-town. The scene boasted dozens of good bands, and a smaller circle of truly great ones. Smack dab in the center were The Pants.
Featuring Tom Lawson, Neil Cleary, Paul “Pistol” Jaffe, and Eric Hutchins, the group created vibrant, intricate, balls-out rock that lives on in the hearts of fans.
The chemistry between the band, while never as volatile as say, The Police, contributed greatly to their power and presence. Ask anyone who saw one of their shows, and they’re sure to agree.
In fact, a lot of powerful folks took an interest in their career, including members of Phish. Needless to say, The Pants should’ve been huge.
Unfortunately, the band sputtered out before taking their music to a national level. For many, myself included, this was fairly upsetting.
Since then, Burlington has weathered some lean years. Clubs came and went, and for a while, the scene appeared to be on life-support.
But it’s a lot better now. In fact, one local band in particular, The Jazz Guys, remind me of The Pants in their prime. It’s been my long time wish that the new batch of rockers could have the opportunity to see these trailblazers.
Now, after a great deal of negotiation, it’s gonna come true.
Memorial Day weekend ’06 is looking pretty awesome. Make sure to buy your tickets this Friday, ’cause if this first show sells well, they’ll add a second one.
Here’s an excerpt from The Pants’ “Sometimes”for your listening pleasure.
Stay tuned to this blog, as well as my SoundBites column for updates, interviews and behind-the-scenes hullaboo.
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Ari — You gotta come back for this!Neil, the next reunion should be at the Apocalypse. Probably not far off, so you should still be in practice.;).
Hmmm. Nope, sorry Casey.Your band did make a big, scary sound though. Plus I think I was high.Additionally, and not to steal thunder from the announcement, but The Pants-close-Toast show in 99 (?) was already in itself a reunion. But this time I swear we’ll never do it again, really really ever. Y’know, unless… I dunno.
We already had a reunion, and if I remember correctly, it was a little bit before the Pants Close Toast show. It was a fine evening.And Neil, you have my permission to continue being frightened of me.GRRRRR!
I was kinda hoping for Rocketsled myself. That’s back when I was kinda afraid of Casey. Now he has a picture of himself up on the interweb next to a kitten. How times have changed.
Wow! Who else is playing? My vote is Swale as Wide Wail, didn’t they play a gig like that sometime recently? I was too young to go to shows when the Pants were around, I could only listen to my brother’s CDs and wish I were a few years older. Hmmmm what other Burlington bands could/should reunite? Rocketsled?!?
hehe, Debbie Reynolds. I wonder if the cape was ever returned.
I seem to recall giant, frothing lizards and Debbie Reynolds, but what do I know?
I must have made it up then. Anyhow, you gents put on a good show, and I look forward to the one upcoming.
Lessee, a Pants show at Toast… lights, fog… a mosh pit…Hmmm… Nope. Nothin’.Sorry!
New Year’s Eve of 1996/1997 at Club Toast. The Pants and Wide Wail did an epic show. There were lights, fog, and a “mosh” pit. Does anyone remember it? Casey this is very good stuff. Monday’s can be somewhat boring usually, but not this one.