Local artists shone at NEMA Hard Rock Cafe showcase; Thomas Anderson Band, Fil Pacino, Singlecast, In Spades, Elementary

Hosted by the boisterous Bryan Tann of the Tanndemonium radio show and sponsored by Granite Coast Entertainment, the New England Music Awards hosted an artist showcase at Faneuil Hall’s Hard Rock Café in Boston last Saturday night. Each band had something special to offer, and each received quite a welcome and quite a boost from the ever so enthusiastic Mr. Tann. Man, can that guy announce a band.

Thomas Anderson Band had a big, hefty guitar sound and front man Anderson’s smokey, smooth vocal. The players behind Anderson began with a bopping beat and a rocking groove to give Anderson a platform to showcase his personalized voice, a vocal quality that shone on every track.

Thomas Anderson Band made one feel they were hearing a voice that could be on the radio. “Closer” featured lead guitarist Mitch Livstone playing notes that rang out with a dreamy tone. Together with Anderson’s accessible vocal quality, it made this winsome song something which quickly grows on a listener. On another original number, “Dreaming On,” Thomas Anderson Band played a motor powered style, like their song was climbing up a hillock with the traction strength of an all terrain vehicle. This muscular authority made their song a powerful anthem.

“Hearts On Wheels” offered deliciously jangling guitars and pushy drumming, a beautifully paced rocker, laced with a flinty, incisive guitar line. “Is This Love?” moved like a pleasant day dream on a warm sunny day, showing Thomas Anderson can set a mood with his songwriting. At his own gigs, he probably gets a hundred couples on the dance floor with this sweet ditty.

“Nashville” was a mournful song about the struggle of life rather than life’s sorrows. It was also another Thomas Anderson Band song with tremendous power, a thumping groove pushing the song boldly into the listener’s consciousness.

All of Thomas Anderson’s songs had subtle sophistication and wide swinging narrative arcs accompanied by wide, sweeping guitar phrases, and other artistic flourishes that could not be ignored. His songs also had a lot of personality, making the listener feel the presence inside each song.

Up next was the Fil Pacino Band, a hard rocking four piece that jumped out of the gate with a thick, thumpy sound and an aggressive lead vocal swagger. Pacino on rhythm guitar and Munk Duane on lead guitar created a bracing wall of six string sound on each number. Pacino’s quirky, rough timbre and his steady delivery at the microphone made for one edgy band. Their grooves were involving and moved each song forward with an authoritative stomp. Pacino and his boys really hit their stride on their new song, “White Light.” A spacey guitar intro built into something huge while Pacino belted out his lyrics like a man possessed. His epic vocalizing and hooky, drawled chorus pulled the listener right in, like something meant to be played on radio.

Pacino’s “Secrets” slid in nice and smooth, riding into the atmosphere of the room and gently taking it over. Pacino worked his magic, letting his story unfold with his hearty vocal melody and dark coos. Drummer Greg Settino offered up a primal rhythm on his toms, all combining into something edgy, foreboding, A cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” showed the band’s influences, as they got the song correct in many of its knobby bass, fiery lead guitar details.

Next band Singlecast made a big, bold presentation with a feisty guitar attack in each of their songs. This three piece played guitar riffs that came from dark, fearsome places. “Today” blasted out of the speakers with pure rock and roll abandon. The rhythm section played it with a sonic boom while the lead guitarist unleashed a screaming, frenetic melodic phrase. Some of the Singlecast set list played out like an epic monster movie. A ferocious attack of giant guitar phrasing would be swiftly followed by a monster rhythm section. Their song “Mexico” was a rocking, chanting travel song with a lead guitar spearheading its way through forests carved out by the pounding bass and thunderous drums. “Fall In Your Light” was pure radio accessible, hard driving rock, and its bass runs were particularly full and energetic.

Fourth band, In Spades are still young enough to get signed. They opened with a brisk cover of Chuck Berry’s “Rock And Roll Music” before getting all bright, sweet, and melodic on pop rocker “Sweet M.”

It didn’t take long to realize this was the catchiest bands of the night. Their new song “Love Placement” made me go “Wow!” In Spades nailed a perfect cover of Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May” that they rocked up with an inventive, invigorated lead guitar phrase. Their songs “How Do You Sleep?” and “Stay Away” were winners which drew most everyone in the room to their stage before they closed out their impressive set with Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” But, getting back to “How Do You Sleep?” It was a rhythm guitar charged number that felt huge in its chord progression and in lead singer Andy Maglione’s consistently fierce belt. Look for In Spades to make a favorable impression throughout the New England music scene in the coming months.

The grand finale of the evening came when funk-rock cover band Elementary slapped out a funk vibe with riffy guitar rhythms, punchy bass, and irresistible drum beats. Gliding saxophone work and vibrant keyboards highlighted classics like Men At Work’s “Land Down Under,” Lionel Ritchie’s “Hello,” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” By popular demand Elementary got to encore with Sublime’s “Santeria.”

What a night. Five bands. Each much above average. Each coming from a different musical background and set of influences. This New England Music Awards showcase was only one of many, and it was only one slice of what the New England music scene has to offer. All involved should be encouraged to keep up the good work.