The Squid and The Wail

As Boston's Rock N Roll Rumble limps to its couldn't-care-less conclusion (Who won: the embarrassing white boy rap, the embarrasing white boy indie pop, or the embarrassing white boy "classic rock"?), we sadly add another band to the list of those that were totally slept on while they were here.

Squids have indie cred up the wazoo, with roots in the UK riot grrrl scene (Helen played in Petty Crimes) the DC hardcore scene (Sonia's high school band was recorded by Brendan and Guy from Fugazi), and DetroitMotherfuckingRockCity (Kristin did time in Surrounded by Snakes) and their sound certainly evokes the intersection of these scenes. Two-minute-or-less songs that are fast, dissonant, spazzy, shouty, pretty much all the things good about "post punk" or whatever you call it. They're just as likely to make weird animal noises as they are to sing actual lyrics.

In their 3 or so years of existence, they've released 2 albums (the newest will be available at this show), written a diss song about Larry Summers (presumbably the reason he left Harvard), designed some of the coolest costumes this side of a UV Protection show, and performed inside an inflatable tube.

And now, alas, the cold embrace of grad school shall take them away from us. Thus, you have one last chance to see them:

TUESDAY NIGHT, Apr 24, 8PM
Oxfam Cafe, Tufts University, Medford
It's free. It's all ages.

I know, I know, you've never been to a show at Tufts; or been to Medford. There are directions here. Ride your bike. Walk from Davis Square. Drive your SUV. Don't Be Lame.

Also on the bill are The Big Digits (fitting, since the Squids met at a BD show), and XBXRX.

See them now, rather than paying $50 to see them in 20 years when they're playing their reunion show at the Paradise.

We've dug up a rare Squids white label dance remix. This isn't what they sound like at all:

SHOOTS (White Label mix)