Angry Salad

at the Jamaica Pond Roadhouse
by Elissa Dennis

Before the advent of grunge and the resurgence of punk, there used to be simple rock. No political agenda, no angst and no real purpose other than having fun. Angry Salad happens to be one of those rare rock bands that is not attempting to save the world; the boys are just trying to look good, sound good, and have a good time. They succeed.

While the Jamaica Pond Boathouse is not exactly a traditional venue, there was a good sound system and a decent turnout of parents with kids. Frenzied five-year-olds turned the “pit” into a ring-around-the-rosy circle. Just PG-rated family fun. Imagine that ever happening at the Rat? I can’t either. Then again, I don’t really see Angry Salad ever playing the Rat. They’re too clean; guys who you would take home to meet your parents, if you were in the habit of taking guys home to meet your parents.

I could get all metaphorical and attempt to explain the band’s silly name, but I have no idea where they came up with the Angry part, they don’t even seem miffed. But like the lyrics, it doesn’t really hinder the enjoyment if you have no idea what they mean. It’s easier to just go along for the ride.

The song structures were predictable and the choruses were hummable. In short, they were fun pop-rock tunes that didn’t make you think too much. The originals seemed as familiar as the eclectic selection of souped-up covers that included a rockin’ version of “Jack and Diane” mixed with “Pump Up the Volume.” And for the young Lion King fans in the audience, the band offered “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Unfortunately, I was late, so I don’t know if they played their stellar cover of the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” but I’m sure they did.

Of course, any self-respecting band that plays a free show for little kids (after selling out the downstairs of the Middle East the month before) has got to have a sense of humor, and fortunately Angry Salad does. During the show the singer took off his plastic Eddie Vedder smile long enough to remark “We’re not too sexy for ring-around-the-rosy.” And they weren’t. But they are sexy enough to be playing the clubs again soon. Check them out there, and ask them to play some Barney. If nobody’s looking, they might kick your ass.