The Figgs with Corin Ashley and the Russians opening ~ 2009 December 18 ~ T.T. the Bear's, Cambridge, MA
Band personnel: Mike Gent (lead and backing vocals, guitar); Pete Hayes (drums, backing vocals); Pete Donnelly (lead and backing vocals, bass)
Opening bands: Corin Ashley band opened; The Russians with Scott Janovitz were the second band
Set List
The Figgs' set list is available at Setlist.fm, here.
Review
I first got to know the Figgs as Graham Parker's backing band, but they are a great band on their own. They've been around since the 1980s and have put out quite a number of albums. They're a straightforward three-piece rock band with two excellent songwriters, Mike Gent, who plays lead guitar, and Pete Donnelly, who plays bass. These two guys also sing really great harmonies together. The trio is completed by a terrific drummer, Pete Hayes. All three guys have the rock 'n' roll look and personality. By this I mean they're very entertaining on stage (not that they're arrogant SOBs because they are not -- they're a bunch of nice guys).
T.T. the Bear's is a bar venue down a side street in Central Square, Cambridge, a couple of doors down from the Middle East, where sometimes more famous names will play. T.T.'s is just a regular old bar with a good big stage, a dance floor for standing in front of the stage, a couple of other rooms to get away from the music, and a great backdrop for picture taking -- an urban skyline painting behind the band. I think it makes the pictures fun to look at so please do scroll through the slide show by clicking on the thumbnail to the right.
The first performer was the Corin Ashley band. Corin played good power pop, and he gave me a copy of his CD, so he made an instant fan. John Powhida of Boston area band the Rudds went up on stage to sing a few songs with Corin. I'm not sure if he didn't want to be recognized, but he pulled his knit hat down over his eyes.
The second band was the Russians, with Scott Janovitz on guitar and lead vocals. I know Scott from his time playing keyboards with the Figgs when they were backing up Graham Parker, but for this band he plays guitar. And he has grown some facial hair since the last time I saw him. I also enjoyed his set.
Then the headliner came on, the fabulous Figgs. They played a high energy set, mostly of songs from their own deep catalog, but they did play a couple of Kinks kovers (the seasonally-appropriate "Father Christmas" and "Victoria"). Toward the end of their show Pete Donnelly took his microphone down onto the dance floor, and the three musicians gathered around the mike for an impromptu set while surrounded by the audience.
More Figgs
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Click for 2009 Concert Page with links to all 2009 concerts ... Click for Main Concert Page with links to all years