When you hear a band on the radio, the natural assumption that most people make is that they have a national following, but this is not necessarily the case. Like most hard rock bands today, Bobaflex has pockets of the country where they are a household name, and other areas where they are relatively unknown. With no meaningful local radio outlet for Bobaflex’s style of music on Long Island, the band’s show this past weekend was played to a relatively small club crowd, but you wouldn’t have known it by the band’s energetic performance.
Most people don’t realize the dedication that it takes to make it as a touring hard rock band today. If they did, they would have a deeper appreciation for performances like the one that Bobaflex gave over St. Patrick’s Day weekend on Long Island.
Given that this was my first time seeing Bobaflex, I was initially disappointed to learn that the band would be playing an acoustic set, but it didn’t take long to realize that they still rock harder than most bands even when they are forced to “unplug.”
Following a heavy band featuring growling vocals with an acoustic performance could have sucked the energy out of the room, but Bobaflex’s version of “acoustic” is unlike most. Truth be told, the energy level rose as the McCoy brothers (Marty and Shaun) and Dave Tipple laid acoustic guitars and impressive vocals over Tommy Johnson’s thunderous drums and the heavy bottom of Jymmy Tolland’s bass.
As the band progressed through a set that included radio hits “I’m Glad You’re Dead” and “Bad Man,” and the vastly underrated “Never Coming Back” off of their last release, Charlatan’s Web, you couldn’t help but wonder why this band has yet to blow up. From heavy-hitting tunes like “Chemical Valley” and “Bury Me With My Guns On” to an inspiring cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sound Of Silence” to a whimsical interpretation of the theme song to the television show, Cheers, Bobaflex played with an enthusiasm that is usually reserved for high-energy crowds.
On a cold, rainy night at a club on Long Island over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, the crowd to see Bobaflex was much smaller than it should have been, but those who were there were treated to a show that they won’t soon forget.
Many bands that have enjoyed the radio success that Bobaflex has would have bemoaned the fact that circumstances forced them into playing an acoustic set to a relatively small crowd, but not this band. Not only did they play a kickass set, but they also showed their gratitude to those who stayed for their entire show by hanging out with the crowd afterwards and handing out copies of Charlatan’s Web to anyone who didn’t already have it.
Bobaflex is currently in the studio working on their next album, and if the acoustic version of the band’s latest anthem, “Dry Your Eyes” is any indication of what’s to come, there is a lot to look forward to in the coming months.
If Bobaflex is playing anywhere near your town, make it a point to get out and see them. You will not be disappointed!
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