IBookThings Raises The Dead
CoCo's Clubhouse rises like a phoenix!
On June 6th, 2024 IBookThings hosted its first show at the newest venue they’ve added to their roster, aptly named Coco’s Clubhouse in Cleveland Circle - having talked with IBT (Cody) before the show, I was able to gain some lore that this was a venue nearly a decade ago but had to forego hosting shows due to an unfortunate incident. Nicoteens, Today Junior, Declaw, and Unseemlier gave the ceremonial kickoff for this venue!
This was my first time catching Nicoteens, although they’ve been on my radar for over a year. They kicked off the night with energetic and aggressive emo-twinged rock. As their vocalist (Ethan) ebbed in and out of the crowd, they seemed to channel the spirit of 2005 Adam Lazzarra. The rest of the band was locked into each other, showcasing incredible musicianship and songwriting. Through their 30-minute set, they proved themselves as a band to keep your eye on; a highlight of the set was when Nicoteen’s manager, Emma, hopped on vocals for a song. Personally, I think it made the set that much more memorable, and I’m looking forward to catching them again soon!
After Nicoteens finished up their set, hometown heroes Today Junior took the stage. If you haven’t caught a Today Junior set, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but you’re missing out. It’s as simple as that. As always, the three-piece rock outfit took the stage and began to dig into their incredible catalog. With Harry (Vox/Guitar) and Mike (Drums/Vox) being brothers, it’s easy to understand why they are always locked in. The left hand always knows what the right hand is doing. Hanna (Bass) keeps everything locked down so that the melodies have every opportunity to shine through. From “Sweet Little Nothings” and “In Massachusetts” to their crown jewel, “See You Again,” it’s impossible not to leave the show with one of their songs in your head. In addition, something wild is always happening on stage. It’s impossible to take your eyes off the performance.
After Today Junior wrapped up an incredible set, a coin was flipped. As with many things in life, luck and chance play a part in how a night goes. For Declaw and Unseemlier, a coin decided their night.
Declaw won the coin flip and won this bill's coveted third spot. I’ll start off by saying I’m something of a Declaw Stan. This was the third time I’ve seen them in the past 6 months, and I’m showing no signs of fatigue. If you’re looking for some tasty garage-rocky tunes made by three very kind people, you can stop looking. Head over to your preferred streaming service and give them a listen. They love to rock out and play their music; you can see it on their faces from the moment the first note is played. Smiling ear to ear as they rip their set. Boston is lucky to have Declaw, and it’s only a matter of time till everyone realizes that.
Finally, Coco’s Clubhouse invited Unseemlier to the stage. If you were feeling a bit tired by that point in the night, they immediately fixed that. Having seen Unseemlier’s sister band, Little Low, at Obrien’s just about a month before, I had an idea of what to expect. Expectations were not only met but exceeded. Unseemlier is like getting a Guinness, but you’re unaware that it’s actually an Irish Car Bomb. They took the stage and turned the octane all the way up. If the venue weren’t in a basement, all the car alarms in the neighborhood would’ve gone off. The energy they brought to the stage was that of veterans. Each member knew their place and channeled their feelings into the crowd—the perfect way to end this momentous occasion.
I’m personally looking forward to more shows at Coco’s clubhouse. Boston needs as many small venues as possible; we are bursting at the seams with talented bands and musicians. If you see a bill come up for Coco’s that interests you, make it a priority to make it out there.
Photos and article by Alex Ilyadis