The Minus Scale, This Wretched Vessel, Good Samaritan, and Too Late The Hero @ The Dover Brick House, Jan. 10

Last Sunday’s packed all-ages rock extravaganza at The Dover Brick House included some solid local acts. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised and impressed. The Minus Scale, This Wretched Vessel, Good Samaritan and Too Late The Hero filled the bill for the latest installment of the all-ages One Head in the Oven music series put on by local promoter Sparky.

The Minus Scale, who hails from the usually peaceful town of Exeter, showcased extremely solid songwriting and onstage energy which resulted in a tightly wound and explosive performance—skillful dynamics, impressive guitar licks, and pulsing drum beats that always seemed to hit in all the right spaces. Highlights of their set were the very radio-friendly “One Last Chance” and the recently released “What is It.” The band claims “indie/rock/emo” territory, but I heard more of a pop/punk style that leaned toward the likes of early Green Day, Lit, and Fall Out Boy. The group was clearly a favorite with the enthusiastic audience, who crowded the stage and sung along with each song the five-piece act threw their way. Catch more of this up and coming (and regionally touring) band on their site www.theminusscale.com or download tracks at their page on Myspace. 

This Wretched Vessel presented a blend of old-school metal with some of their own harmonic chord configurations. The lead singer reminded me of Rivers Cuomo, so I felt like I was watching Weezer cover Megadeath songs. Good Samaritan offered a pop sensibility to their punk sound. So much so, that at times I expected to see the director of “The OC” or “Laguna Beach” yell “Cut!” after the end of some of their tunes. Highlights of their performance included strong drumming, a charismatic frontman, and more well-crafted songs. Finally, Too Late The Hero took the stage, but alas I became weary after a couple of straight forward metal efforts, laced with burdensome screaming, and I bowed out before the end of their set.

While shows that cater to high school kids seem few and far between, people are coming out to them in droves. Props to Sparky and the folks at The Brick House for continuing the One Head in the Oven series.