[phlipcam video] JP Fest @ the Temple: Thick Shakes, Big Big Bucks & Amoroso

Published Sep 28 2010, 03:54 PM by Liz Pelly

Friday’s JP Fest at Temple Sound & Stage -- known around town and in show listings simply as The Temple -- somehow managed to fit 12 sets by local garage rock and electronic acts into less than five hours. Bodies of Water Arts & Crafts’ all-ages festival featured a stand-out, noise-punk-influenced, genre-bending set by Skimask; a super-fast, all-too-short set by the Needy Visions; a DJ set by Chris Devlin of Spank Rock; a rare Amoroso reunion; and eight other acts alternating between the main stage and the floor.

The Temple, situated at 670 Centre Street in JP right next to the Whitehaus, actually does kind of feel like the all-purpose room of a Temple but with more ambiance and a small art gallery attached, and since March it has served as a recording studio with the occasional live show. The venue is noticeably more spacious and accessible than basements and lofts where DIY gigs in Boston usually take place; JP Fest drew nearly 100 attendees, but the space felt comfortable, not crowded.

Making the most of their short set time, Thick Shakes sped up their songs and managed to play six of them in just 13 minutes. Below is a quick version of their garage-pop single “Baby You’re a Starfish,” which came off sounding a bit more punk than usual. (Note: The phlipcam video is also really dark, because the bands on the floor were sans lighting. It happens.)

Another highlight were the Big Big Bucks, who gave an enthusiastic crowd a fuzzier rendition of songs from their March release, Crucial Schmooze.

Also check out some of Amoroso’s reunion set:

Next up for Bodies of Water Arts & Crafts, who were also responsible for August’s Campout Fest: the super-epic Homegrown Fest II, which hits -- where else? -- the Temple in October.

Filed Under: The Temple