This article originally appears on Boston Band Crush ). Boston rock legends Mission of Burma are headlining a benefit show for the Center for Arts at the Armory in Somerville on 1/24 at The Somerville Theater.
Mission of Burma began in the late seventies churning out some of the earliest of what most people call post-punk (I’d call them downtempo punk or something along those lines). They made their clearest mark in history not primarily via their own notoreity, but more by setting the stage for, and heavily influencing a wide range of artists including REM (often covering “Academy Fight Song” live and releasing it as a fan club 7″), Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, Moby (who covers “That’s When I Reach for My Revolver” on Animal Rights – considered so controversial still in 1996 that MTV made him change the chorus lyrics to “That’s when I realize that it’s over…” to get airplay – hear the horrible lyrical mutilation here), and many other modern indie, punk, and post-punk acts.
“That’s When I Reach For My Revolver” (live – unofficial)
Late ’70s/early ’80s punky Boston garage rockers The Neighborhoods open. The band has toured with acts including The Ramones, Cheap Trick, and David Bowie. They also have tremendsouly deep ties to Boston music. In 1994, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith was forced to leave unexpectedly in the middle of an Asian tour due to family illness. The Neighborhoods’ David Minehan was flown to Japan where he performed in Whitford’s place for several days until Whitford returned.
The Neighborhoods perform “Prettiest Girl” and “No Place Like Home” on TV show in 1979:
Tickets to the show are $25.00 plus $1.00 restoration fee and go on sale December 20. It is an all ages show. Doors open at 7PM with an 8PM show time. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the box offices of the Somerville Theater located at 55 Davis Square in Somerville and the Middle East Music Club located at 472 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge. You may want to call ahead if you want specific types of tickets…
Notes from a commentor: If you want Mezzanine or balcony tickets instead of floor tickets you have to go to the Somerville Theater or ticketmaster. The Middle East can only print “best available”, which is still floor tickets right now.