The Winter Rock Formal Returns. It’s a Thing.
For a second year in a row, The Winter Rock Formal brought out a sharp-dressed crowd and turned a cold night in Boston into a rockingly elegant affair. The night began with a brand new game show. Where The Dating Game served as last year’s spoof, it was The Newlywed Game that served up the awkwardness with a Boston rock twist in the form of the “Bandlywed” Game, hosted by Brendan Boogie.
Another hit from last year that again made The Formal a signature event was the Prom Fabulous Photo Booth. Combining the vibrant photography of Rachel Leah Blumenthal with the talented set design of Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola, the booth is comprised of a balloon-festooned trellis that captures the colorful, fun tackiness of a high school prom. As the night progressed and the inhibitions slowly gave way to cocktails, guests lined up to ham it up in the booth resulting in an album with hundreds of wonderful shots. See them all here!
The night also gave us the debut of Broken Wings, featuring Sarah Rabdau and Peter Moore in character as the secret authors of all your favorite hits from the 1980s. Eddie Japan then brought their suave brand of rock to the stage, proving they were made for classy events like The Formal.
Parlour Bells used the evening as an opportunity to showcase a brand new song, “You Don’t Wear That Dress, The Dress Wears You,” adding the smooth saxophone stylings of Joel Edinberg to their sound for the track.
Returning to headline the second year were Gene Dante & the Future Starlets, who delivered their electrified rock theatrics and were reunited with Sophia Cacciola (Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library) for a head-turning duet of the band’s anatomical anthem “C-Star.” And speaking of duets–it may have been the moment that Gene Dante joined Parlour Bells for a momentous cover of the Queen classic “Under Pressure” that left people buzzing long after the show ended.
With two Formals on the books, it’s pretty safe to say that it’s no longer just an event. It’s a thing.
“Under Pressure” as Performed by Parlour Bells & Gene Dante
“You Don’t Wear That Dress, The Dress Wears You” Debut Performance
“C-Star” Gene Dante & the Future Starlets (Featuring Sophia Cacciola)
Bid to Play Abandoned Nightclub Makes 2011 “Year in Boston Rock”
Sometimes it’s not the destination but the journey that matters. And, as a bright 2011 for Parlour Bells winds to a close, that was certainly case when it came to the band’s campaign to perform at the abandoned Faces nightclub on Route 2 in Cambridge, MA. The Boston Phoenix expressed immediate interest in the grassroots effort to perform at the site where the Heart Beatings artwork was photographed, and followed the story until the end. While the site developers were initially receptive to the campaign, the small scale of the event did not accomodate the band’s performance goals and they dropped their bid to play.
But as the year ends, the efforts did not go unrecognized, and in The Boston Phoenix’s ”Year in Boston Rock” feature Parlour Bells earned a hat tip for giving the campaign their best shot.
The Faces building has since been demolished, but Derek Kouyoumjian’s Heart Beatings images live on as some of the last artistic photographs of the site.
Parlour Bells Unwrap “O Holiday” As Part of Boston Rock Christmas EP
On December 15, 2011 The Boston Phoenix hit newsstands with a very special gift to its readers: a QR code download link to an 8 song holiday music sampler from some of Boston’s hottest acts. Shakedown: The Phoenix Holiday EP, curated by Phoenix Music Editor and host of 101.7 WFNX’s Boston Accents Michael Marotta, the collection includes the premiere of “O Holiday,” the newest single from Parlour Bells. Of the track, Michael Marotta says “…the noir-pop smarts of Parlour Bells dress Bowie in red and green garland and sparkle like the Corner Tavern on Christmas night. Vocalist Glenn di Benedetto, wearing mistletoe as a halo, positions himself as a fine holiday crooner, a glam Michael Buble for the guyliner-and-flask set.”
Parlour Bells are part of this collection that also includes artists Moon Crew Featuring Ra3x, Eldridge Rodriguez, Streight Angular, Halston, Quichenight, Happy Jawbone Family Band and The Hush Now.
Dave Navarro Approves of Parlour Bells’ Jane’s Addiction Cover Via Twitter
On Thursday, October 27th the legendary guitarist of Jane’s Addiction, Dave Navarro tweeted “Great @parlourbells cover of Jane’s Addiction’s Classic Girl!” He was referring to the stripped-down acoustic cover that Glenn and Nate had recorded in preparation for their one night transformation into Jane’s Addiction for a Halloween cover show at Radio in Union Square, Somerville MA. Glenn di Benedetto and Nate Leavitt cut their teeth on Jane’s Addiction back in high school, so becoming Perry and Dave for one evening had been a long time in the making. And reading Navarro’s tweet just one day before the show made doing the tribute even sweeter. How Navarro actually stumbled upo the track is still a mystery, but Parlour Bells were honored to get this nod of support from one of their earliest influences. You can find Parlour Bells’ cover of “Classic Girl” here on their Bandcamp page, the link to which Navarro included in his tweet.
Here’s footage from the Halloween performance, where they played “Classic Girl” live:
Parlour Bells Request the Last Dance of Faces
When the Boston Globe recently reported that developers were planning to throw a predemolition party for the long defunct and dilapidated Faces nightclub, Parlour Bells naturally felt compelled to ask for one last dance with the fallen discotheque. After all, it was in the back lot of Faces where Glenn di Benedetto and Nate Leavitt found the perfect setting for Derek Kouyoumjian’s crime scene photography that would become the signature artwork for their debut release Heart Beatings. The band has created a Facebook page to gather support and petition the developers that they perform at the event, and even the Boston Phoenix has thrown their support behind the band’s effort to bid adieu to what has become both an eyesore but also a gritty, even romanticized icon of the Bay State’s landscape.
Boston “Speaks Up,” Makes New Single #1 and Sets Record!
In its debut week, “Speak Up,” the new single from Parlour Bells was voted number one in the 7/31/11 local song poll on Boston Emissions on 100.7 WZLX. Thanks to all who voted! And, according to show host Anngelle Wood, the Top 5 made history of sorts as it featured singer Glenn di Benedetto twice in the same poll. His duet with Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, a cover of the Eurythmics classic “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” also made the Top 5, landing at number four. Help keep both of these tracks in the Top 5, by voting here on the Boston Emissions webpage!
Listen to “Speak Up”
“Speak Up” – New Single Now Available for Download! Debuts in WZLX Local Song Poll!
“Speak Up,” the new single from Parlour Bells is now available for download from our Bandcamp page! The track also debuted on Boston Emissions on 100.7 WZLX and has been included in the 7/24/2011 local song poll. Click here to VOTE and keep “Speak Up” in the Top 5!
Glenn Has “Sweet Dreams” With Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling
To promote their upcoming 7/22/11 show at Lizard Lounge in Cambridge MA, Glenn joined Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola of Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling for a dusky cover of the 1983 Eurythmics classic “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” Initially, it was just planned as a “top secret duet.” Glenn works on a multitude of projects with Epstein and Cacciola, including producing the second video from their The New Number 2 debut, a cover of “First We Take Manhattan,” which will also be premiered at the Lizard Lounge show. With this, and the locally produced Special Friends sitcom in development, it was only a matter of time before they teamed up musically. In fact, the duet worked out so well, they decided to record it in time for the show. Check out Michael Marotta’s take on their collaboration in the Boston Phoenix.
UPDATE! On 7/25/2011, Adam 12 of 101.7 WFNX featured the song in the “Undercover” segment of his afternoon program!
Stream it here!
Ring Our Bells! REMIX Our Song!
Bands, DJs, Knobtweakers! We’re excited to kickoff a collaborative music experiment called The Heavy Dream REMIX Project. We want you to remix and put your own creative spin on the track “Heavy Dream” from our debut EP Heart Beatings. It’s not a contest! It’s just a way for bands and artists to cross-pollinate their styles with ours. Interested parties should drop us a line at ParlourBells@gmail.com.
THE FIRST TWO REMIXES ARE UP! Download the “Heavy Dream Remix Project” where you can also get a free copy of the original EP version from Heart Beatings.
VIDEO! We also produced this short video for the first remix.
Parlour Bells Help Welcome THE DEARS to Boston
On March 30, 2011, Parlour Bells opened for Dangerbird Records recording artist THE DEARS of Montreal at Brighton Music Hall. The Dears have been getting a lot of airplay lately for their new single “Blood” on 101.7 WFNX. Also on this exciting lineup was Garvy J, of the highly popular and adored Boston act The Elevator Drops. Check out video of Parlour Bells performing “Speak Up,” which also includes highlights of The Dears from their set.
Opening for Dangerbird Recording Artist THE DEARS at Brighton Music Hall, 3/30/11
Parlour Bells are excited to announce that they will be opening for Dangerbird Records recording artist The Dears at Brighton Music Hall on Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Doors open at 8PM. 18+
Tickets are available here at Ticketmaster.
Turnout Gets Decked Out for Winter Rock Formal
Beautiful and Damned: The Winter Rock Formal, an event designed to stand apart from the traditional weekend rock show experience was a huge and memorable success. Parlour Bells singer Glenn di Benedetto worked with the acts and the venue to combine elements of a high school prom and a soiree ripped out of the pages of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, where guests were invited to get dressed up in creative formal wear. The event, held at Church on 69 Kilmarnock St in Boston, MA included a balloon-festooned trellis where decked out attendees could ham it up for the camera, DJ Dave Duncan who spun a mix of French pop, John Hughes era new wave and hip hop, and featured live acts Highly Personal Trash, Parlour Bells and Gene Dante & the Future Starlets. Photos from the event by Rachel Leah Blumenthal of The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library can be found at a Facebook page built to commemorate the evening. The night also kicked off with a Boston rock version of the classic Dating Game TV show, infamously promoted with this video mashup:
Parlour Bells to Perform in Winter Rock Formal February 18, 2011
Parlour Bells is performing in a unique, Valentine’s week event being billed as “Beautiful and Damned: The Winter Rock Formal,” at Church on 69 Kilmarnock Street in the Fenway area of Boston on Friday, February 18, 2011. The bill also includes Gene Dante & the Future Starlets, Highly Personal Trash, and a cocktail lounge dance set by DJ Dave Duncan of 101.7 WFNX. Guests are encouraged to get all decked out and glammed up in creative formal wear. There will a prom-style photo booth and a rocked-out version of the classic “Dating Game.” Doors are at 8PM and tickets are only $8, available at the door or online for advance purchase here. There’s also a Facebook event page for more show information.
A Fantastic Release Show for “Heart Beatings”
Sincere thanks and gratitude to our fans and friends for making our Heart Beatings release show at Rosebud in Davis Square on January 15, 2011 a huge success. Here are some video highlights from the evening, including “Out of the Ether,” “O’ Holiday” and “The Gargoyle.”
“Heart Beatings” Release Show, January 15, 2011 at Rosebud
Parlour Bells will formally celebrate the release of “Heart Beatings” on January 15 at Rosebud in Davis Square, Somerville, MA. The release is part of a killer lineup that includes Sarah RabDAU & Self-Employed Assassins, Low Static Romance (the new collaboration of Brendan Boogie & Magen Tracy) and St. Helena, who are also celebrating a new release.
“Heart Beatings” is now available for download on the band’s Bandcamp page where you can also order a physical copy.
Debut EP “Heart Beatings” Now Available for Download, Release Show in Works
Parlour Bells are excited to announce that their debut 5 song EP “Heart Beatings” is now available for download on the band’s Bandcamp page. And for those of you who still like to put the music in your hands, you also have the option to preorder the physical CD now and it will ship on or around November 9. The hardcopy purchase also includes an immediate download of the 5 track album in an array of digital formats. Parlour Bells are also planning a “Heart Beatings” release show and party soon. Be sure to check back here or connect with Parlour Bells on Facebook for updates on the show!
“Pet Names” Featured on Second Boston Band Crush Music Sampler
Boston Band Crush, the local music blog that The Phoenix calls “essential,” have included our first single “Pet Names” on the second edition of their BBC Local Music Sampler. It’s packed with a ton of awesome artists and is FREE to download!
Parlour Bells Makes Radio Debut with “Pet Names” on Boston Emissions
The first single, “Pet Names,” from the forthcoming “Heart Beatings” release premiered on Boston Emissions with Anngelle Wood on 100.7 WZLX on Sunday, 9/26/2010.
