The entire week before the show, I was apprehensive, because I listened to, arguably, the best Bosstones album, "More Noise and other Disturbances." I was fearful that, at most, I would hear only "Where'd You Go?" and nothing else from that classic ska album. Man, was I wrong. First, of all, I was very impressed that the whole band came out in full suits, despite the hellacious humidity and the 95 plus degree weather. They were styling from the word "go." Dicky Barrett came out and asked us to repeat after him. He then proceeded to emit that gut-wrenching, yet beautiful wail at the beginning of "Dr. D." I was so happy. The Bosstones went on to play many songs off of "Devil's Night Out," "More Noise And Other Disturbances," "Don't Know How To Party," and "Question The Answers." They played all of the essential songs with fire and energy and made being crushed by 10,000 ignorant frat guys worth it just to be in the front row of the general admission field. They performed "Dr. D," "Cowboy Coffee," " They Came To Boston" (i don't wanna swear, but i think i'm gonna have to), "Someday I Suppose," Kinder Words," "Lights Out" (pump, pump, pump your lights out!), "Where'd You Go?" "Pictures to Prove it," "Drugs & Kittens," as well as a handful of other songs, the titles of which I can't remember.
Dicky also did a great job of yelling at the frat dumb-asses to stop their drunken brawling, since they were ruining the show for others. Despite what a lot of people say, the Bosstones put on a wonderful show with a very heavy dose of great ska-core (i can't believe i used the words 'great' & 'ska-core' one after the other!). There is a reason that the Bosstones have their name. I think it's because they put on a mighty, mighty damned fine show. Even if their albums have never lived up to the potential shown in "More Noise..." their live show still shows us all that they have a lot to offer the punk and ska communities in the way of a good, fun show. Be sure to check out the Bosstones Homepage, for more information on this band.