The Felt Fanatic
A new star rises in Massachusetts...
Salem’s Kinda Nuts
You ever walk into a venue and go “damn, this is really DIY as shit’? Well, that’s what happened August 31 with Dowsing Rod, Bombpack, Moveset, and Petal Dance. You know, I don’t think we’ve ever been so confused looking for a spot for a show. Google Maps is now one of my enemies.
The Felt Fanatic was the perfect place for a type of show like this one. I really enjoyed that the store was in a closed off area from the town, in addition to the intimate feel to the night. Being shoulder to shoulder with everyone in the crowd was pretty nuts since I had no clue that this show sold out for presale; Karma and I had to snag one of the 20 tickets left at door! I’m really proud of all the bands that played this packed show.
The Rod Dowses Once More
Rowan Piesik
Opening the show, Dowsing Rod took the stage and opened the night with songs that absolutely rip. When I say Dowsing Rod is one of the best DIY Bands in Massachusetts, I truly mean it. I really feel like these guys are so influential to Massachusetts. They top so many different artists with their creativity and are truly one of a kind to see. Every time I go to see Dowsing Rod, these guys go crazy. Like, crazier than anyone else in the room. No one’s moshing? Fuck it, Matt’s two-stepping for everyone and maybe slipping on a weight in the process.
I have to say, the lighting for this venue really set the vibe for the show— it created a really nice fluorescent vibe to the room and matched the energy of Dowsing Rod’s music. Opening with Forage, Dowsing Rod had me going a lil’ nuts… These guys never fail to knock my socks off.
Hearing new music is like a blessing, bro. Spoiler but not so spoiler alert, Dowsing Rod has an upcoming banger. The chords of this song were really unique and something I don’t hear a lot in many other songs. Dowsing Rod has a creative mindset when it comes to their music and I absolutely love it. What truly distinguishes Dowsing Rod from other emerging artists and bands is their remarkable ability to strike a balance between raw, unfiltered energy and an undeniable sense of thoughtful musicianship. In an era where music can often feel overproduced or formulaic, Dowsing Rod brings a sense of urgency and authenticity— capturing the unpolished spirit of punk while still displaying an impressive level of craft and precision in their songwriting.
They Packed the Bomb!!
Rowan Piesik
Bomb Pack, an alternative rock band coming from Massachusetts, draws a modern rock influence while maintaining their own distinctive edge. The band’s music is driven by potent guitar riffs and propulsive rhythms, but what truly sets them apart is the lyrical creativity woven into their songs. From lyrics about being broke in our current economy to freeing their soul, Bomb Pack brings a sense of uplifting to some older genres.
With momentum growing behind them, Bomb Pack seems ready for bigger stages and wider recognition. As they continue to create new music and perform to increasingly larger audiences, their sound and presence in the alternative rock scene are only gaining strength. With their combination of talent, passion, and a clear artistic vision, Bomb Pack is emerging as a band on the rise, ready to take their place among the most exciting new acts in alternative rock.
What makes Bomb Pack particularly interesting is their ability to breathe new life into these older influences without simply replicating what came before. They heavily remind me of Misfits. Instead of feeling like a nostalgia act, they seem to reinterpret these genres with fresh energy and a modern sensibility. Their sound pays homage to the guitar-driven rock and grunge-inflected alternative that used to rule rock radio, while incorporating their own unique twist that makes their music feel relevant to today’s audiences. It’s as if they are re-journeying through the past, not to repeat it, but to reclaim what’s been forgotten and give it new purpose.
Moving the Set
Rowan Piesik
MoveSet took the stage not long after Bomb Pack. This 5 piece Massachusetts Emo band had their debut show, playing music from their upcoming EP. It was truly an honor to be in the same room with a band that has so much potential building up for their upcoming future.
I found it hilarious that they had a short set— Dillon, MoveSet’s lead guitarist, mentioned that each song they played was around a minute and a half long. This really impressed me, solely because of how much talent they were able to squeeze into these shorter moments. There’s something about DIY bands that always impresses me; Whether it be the composition or the lyrics, these guys really know how to write a banger regardless how short the songs are.
MoveSet’s action packed performance was truly one of a kind. Being restricted to a small intimate space did not stop them from putting on their debut show; they still managed to blow my eardrums out— it was so worth it. MoveSet brings out the amazing skill of writing unique guitar riffs, almost sounding as fifth wave My Chemical Romance.
Petals do be Dancing
Karma Eap
Ending the night in lovely witch city the headlining Petal Dance. The band was electric with their music similar to Dowsing Rod’s punk with a hint of shoegaze mixed in. Unfortunately I couldn’t match the bands energy/ understand the lyric from how dead I personally was from our day. But regardless left revived, awakened if you will after witnessing their performance and hope that the bands potential will guide them to become a larger DIY band in Massachusetts.
Rowan Piesik
Petal Dance had such an amazing set. I walked into the building and immediately felt the energy they were giving. Like, lowkey, they really served. I myself can never get into shoegaze-y bands, but holy fart bro. It was ethereal as FUCK. I really enjoyed the guitar parts of each artist— it was crazy to just sit and listen to these guys. I’m super excited for Petal Dance to release music because I need to hear their stuff again.
I love the music scene. Seeing some sweet bands in such a small space was awesome sauce (not like this was put out a month later or anything, ha…). The Felt Fanatic was such a perfect place for this show to go down. This was probably one of my favourite sets from August— it was super duper awesome to experience!