This entry is about the Halloween show at the Middle East in Cambridge. However, first I have to say: we are looking for a fourth roommate for January. If that person should be you, please email me.

The Halloween shows seem to have picked up momentum since they started. Last year I just went to Great Scott to see the show; this year the big show was at the Middle East (both Upstairs and Downstairs), plus there were shows leading up to it starting Friday night.

The idea behind the Halloween show, for those not initiated, is to dress and perform as a retired or non-existant band. For many fans, it’s the closest they will ever come to seeing this retired band.

Paper Thin Stages as the Talking Heads

I missed this. However, I heard it was really good. The pictures show their dress based on Little Creatures.

Baker as Huey Lewis and the News

I’m not a Huey Lewis fan; I only know Hip to be Square and the fact that they had a song in Back to the Future. Given that, their performance seemed to be a solid reproduction of the band. Apparently they had the option to perform “ironically”, and they didn’t. I’m not sure what it means to perform “ironically”.

I discovered later that night that a high school friend was the drummer for the band. Neat!

The Appreciation Post as Rocket from the Crypt

I had no idea who Rocket from the Crypt were, but the cover was great! A punk band with trumpet and sax. The horns made their darker sound slightly brighter, almost turning the long punk into pop.

Ho-Ag as Devo

If I had to pick a local to pretend to be Devo, Ho-Ag would be my pick. They perfectly captured the quirkiness inherent in Devo’s work. This involved two sets of costumes (jumpsuits, then short workout shorts, tight shirts that read ‘Ho-Ag’ in Devo-esque writing, and crash helmets) and a custom kick drum head. They did all the favorites except Satisfaction, and between songs they told us of the evils of de-evolution. Right on.

Harris as the Police

I came in towards the end of this set, so I had to stand in the back. What I saw from back there was the packed floor singing along to their favorite Police songs, where even the vocals were done perfectly. If I were told that it was a recording I wouldn’t be shocked: it was spot-on. And there are a lot of Police fans.

Bakula as the Wipers

Just as surprising as it was to see all the Police fans, it was both surprising and disappointing to see that the Wipers had maybe 30 fans. The Wipers are quite possibly my second favorite non-local, and this was my chance to see them in some capacity.

Most people wouldn’t recognize Greg Sage and far fewer would recognize the rest of the Wipers, so Bakula instead dressed as a hotdog, mustard, and ketchup. Despite this, they played the songs accurately but with the energy, excitement, and enthusiasm of a live performance. I know it wasn’t really the Wipers, but it was, in a sense, satisfying to finally see them live.