Concert Review: March 5th at Pub on Park

by Jack Downey '23 on April 8, 2023
A&E Co-Editor


Arts & Entertainment


While many PC students went away during spring break, including a large portion of the class of 2023 who went to Punta Cana, some of us remained in the frigid temperatures of New England. However, a recent local show warmed things up significantly.

On March 5, a concert consisting of four bands occurred at Pub on Park in Cranston. The order of the acts was as follows: Neglected Witches, The Hopeless Romantics, Bozo Brain, and Vertigo. Neglected Witches took the stage at around 8:00 P.M., their outfits and stage demeanor immediately catching the attention of the audience. With amps cranked to the max, the band kicked off the show, with even the bass coated in fuzz and distortion. Bassist and singer Quinten Ouellette showcased some remarkable vocal chops, jumping from sinister low tones to shrieking highs and back as if it was child’s play. Guitarists Evan Lachance and Joey Raymond chugged and shredded away on their guitars, and drummer David Costanza kept things moving the entire time. Overall, fans of heavy music should absolutely check this band out.

Following Neglected Witches were The Hopeless Romantics. Something notable to mention about this group is that it is made up entirely of PC students. Declan Henry ’24 and Reid Kieper ’24 both sing and play guitar, Colin McNamara ’25 plays bass, and Sean Smith ’24 plays drums. The last gig this band played was nearly a year ago, so anticipation for their return was high, and The Hopeless Romantics absolutely delivered. Featuring a nice blend of originals and covers, their set had something for everyone. Members of the crowd actually stood up and moved close to the stage during the band’s take on Nirvana’s “School.” Some of the band’s original material also drew positive reactions from the audience, including the songs “If Only I Knew” and “Maybe We Weren’t Meant to Be.” This band is definitely one PC students should check out.

Up next was Bozo Brain, a two piece hardcore band featuring Meg Pereira on bass and vocals and Tate Lymburner on drums, though the two switched off at one point during the set. While it might seem as though a two piece band would have a hard time creating enough sound to entertain an audience at a rock show, this couldn’t have been farther from the truth. With Pereira’s amp being channeled through multiple effects pedals and two amps, the sound of her bass was massive, and Lymburner’s drumming added a steady backbeat under the wall of sound. From the opening song “Bozo Brain,” which serves as a mission statement for the band, the crowd was hooked by the pounding melodies and powerful lyrics. In a scene where hardcore bands are as numerous as the stars, Bozo Brain manages to stand out.

Finally, Vertigo closed out the night with a sound so massive it could’ve filled a stadium. The band is only a trio, consisting of Jake Draven, Meg Pereira, and Drew Correra, but they sound like a group twice their size. Draven’s guitar playing, which encompasses both rhythm and lead playing within the same song, is enhanced by a wide array of pedals as well as a built-in pad that allows him to control frequencies with a swipe of his finger. His howling vocals ride on top of the shrieking guitars like a fierce wind. Meanwhile, Pereira’s bass remains as loud as ever, and Correra’s drumming adds an insane amount of dimension and scope to the songs. Throughout the past year, the band has improved their craft and are now a tight live unit, so they were very exciting to see, and the audience was captivated until the last note.

To check out these bands, follow them on Instagram: @neglectedwitches, @officialhopelessromantics, @bozo_brain, and @we.are.v3rtigo.

A Closer Look at Pub on Park

by The Cowl Editor on October 28, 2021


Arts & Entertainment


A Closer Look at Pub on Park

A Hidden Gem in Rhode Island’s Music Scene

Jack Downey ’23

There are many amazing music venues in Rhode Island. AS220, Askew, and News Cafe are but a few of the local haunts for live music. One of the best places for live music that has recently emerged on the scene is Cranston’s Pub On Park.

Located on 655 Park Street, Pub On Park first appears to be just another hip Providence-area restaurant. Facing the street is a wall of windows, and there are several potted plants in the corners of the building. The front wall features large words “Pub On Park” with a silhouette of a lion underneath. For any unsuspecting passerby, it might seem quite niche.

However, in reality, Pub On Park is a promising venue that is opening itself up more and more to local musicians. On Aug. 15, the venue held a show featuring three young, local acts: The Park Hill Romance, an emo-tinged alt-rock band with a sound that harkens back to the gloomy atmosphere of the early to mid-2000s; The Keegan Turner Band, a rock group with a classic sound that still sounds fresh and original; and The Celler Dwellers, a bar band that plays a wide array of covers. The concert generated a surprising turnout, filling the tables in the restaurant. It was clear that the musicians and attendees alike hoped a similar event would happen again.

Flash forward to Oct. 3. The same bill was assembled to perform, although Celler Dwellers ultimately dropped out. Despite this setback, the crowd was even bigger than that of the Aug. 15 show, with people flocking to the venue despite the rain and a legendary matchup between the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was an incredibly memorable, fun night.

Aside from live music, Pub On Park offers a wide variety of food and drink. They are most known for their pizzas, often served to patrons during shows. The bar staff is incredibly friendly. The spacing in the restaurant is also very comfortable, with ample room for people to come and go as they please.

An additional detail about Pub On Park that makes it such a cool place is it attached to Legion Bowl and Billiards. Simply walk through a door between the bar and the jukebox and you’ll find yourself in an expansive room with several pool tables, a number of arcade games, and multiple lanes of candlepin bowling. The most spectacular aspect of these connections is simply how many pool tables there are at the Legion Bowl portion of the venue. The pool hall area stretches farther than even the candlepin lanes, with table after table as far as the eye can see. Very few places are as dedicated to pool as Legion, making it a rare treat within a rare treat.

At the end of the day, Pub On Park is a charming establishment that is certainly on the come up, and if it continues to host more local bands among its potted plants, chances are it will become a mainstay in the Rhode Island music scene.