Scene in Boston: Taxpayer

This marks my first post on Left Turned Right and I am honored to be a part of such an excellent crew of people working to spread their common love of music. I am starting out with the beginning of what will become a regular segment from yours truly: Scene In Boston. I have the distinct pleasure of residing in Boston, MA and it just so happens that this city of 574,283 people has a pretty killer music scene. As I discover more bands from the Bay State, you'll get the down low right here on Left Turned Right.

TAXPAYER

For the purposes of MySpace, Taxpayer packages themselves as a rock/indie/alternative band and overall I agree with the assessment. As with any great band though, the label they apply to themselves does not particularly do them justice. With some definite indie rock flavor, it’s apparent that these guys borrow heavily from alternative bands like The Pixies. Their sound is difficult to describe but one thing is clear: they rock.

I had the pleasure of catching this five-piece from Cambridge a little over a month ago and they've been in heavy rotation on my car stereo, iPod, and computer ever since. As they took the stage at Great Scott in Allston that night, I turned to my comrade Kevin and smugly said, "Three guitars...they better be able to back it up." Back it up they did. I haven't been to a show that loud since I saw The Black Crowes play Toad's Place in New Haven four years ago. They weren't just loud though; they were powerful, tight, and wholly impressive.

Front man, and one third of their guitar wall, Jared Marsh is a highly energetic and passionate singer, and even has a pretty good sense of humor. Their main chops up front come from former Bang Camero guitarist Maclaine Diemer, who actually trades off between the axe and keys. That’s not to slight their other guitarist though, Mike Jones, who aside from sharing a name with the Houston rapper, channels the very best of what The Edge has to offer but with his own distinctive ambiance that fits into Taxpayer’s repertoire perfectly. Rest assured that if Jones can draw a comparison to anything involving U2, and have it be a positive one, it’s an accomplishment in and of itself. The rhythm section of Tim Peter, bass, and Rob Adams, drums, does their part by holding it down, while doing a great job of contrasting the three guitars. As for the interplay of the three guitarists, Taxpayer balances it very well using alternating rhythms, highly textured layers, and lead lines that accentuate the positive. Watching them play together is just as entertaining as the listening to the music they’re putting out.

I’ve been able to get my hands on two of their three full lengths, 2005’s Bones & Lungs and 2009’s Don’t Steal My Night Vision. Both albums are rock solid and present a band that has matured over the years while maintaining a sound that is all their own. Recommended tracks from Bones & Lungs include: Gifts With Strings Attached, When They Were Young, and Bottleneck. Highlights from Don’t Steal My Night Vision: We Have Arrived, Settle Down Ghost, and Night Vision. Overall, if you’re thinking of picking up either, I would recommend Night Vision as my favorite of the two.

Check them out and help support local music:
www.taxpayermusic.com
www.myspace.com/taxpayer

RIYL: Moros Eros, Cold War Kids, The Pixies, The Arcade Fire, The Killers