Six Going on Seven

Heartbreak can be the best thing for you

by John O'Neill

It didn't happen overnight, but it would seem to the casual observer that Boston's Six Going on Seven exploded out of nowhere becoming one of the region's most buzzed-about bands. In fact,

they redline the indie hip-o-meter with a résumé that includes a second-ever show opening for Girls Against Boys, a cut on the much-loved They Came from Massachusetts (Big Wheel) comp, a single on Boston's (now) hip Hydrahead Records, and the honor of first act signed to a record deal with New York-based super-cred label, Some Records (run by Quicksand's Walter Schreifels and CIV's Sam Seigler). And now that Miltown's impending greatness has receded to a fuzzy, warm memory, the Sixes stand as Beantown's Next Great Hope to break on the indie circuit and make a little noise. Standing tall, throwing a big shadow, high in the saddle, on top of the world . . . and working a day job?

"People see things like Fugazi and Superchunk on the indie level and don't realize you can count that type of success on one hand," says vocalist/bassist Josh English from his day gig as a shipping clerk. "Everyone else is working at a coffee shop and playing in a band. You aren't making a living at it, it's all for the love of the music."

In reality, Six Going on Seven, a band of literal outsiders with no initial hometown connections, have been scratching on the door of the Boston scene for the better part of four years. English traveled 3500 miles from Portland, Oregon, to hook up with old college pal, Will Bartlett, and Fort Worth transplant James Bransford. Briefly a four-piece, the trio solidified into its current line-up within the first year and has since blazed a steady path to the top of the local heap. The must-see rumblings began almost immediately, though there were still plenty of dog shows played to empty rooms along the way. Then, just as their first full-length, Self-Made Mess, was released, the hinges blew; and Six Going on Seven were dropping out of everybody's mouth as one of the hot, young acts to check out. Amid rave reviews, 5000 copies of Mess were shipped and sold, and the band made two passes across the country in support. Then they returned to 9to5 life, local gigs, and worked on the studio follow-up, Heartbreak's Got a Backbeat. Ready for release this weekend (with a local CD party this Friday at the Space), Heartbreak stands to, at the very least, bring the lads another rung up the business ladder -- though you could also imagine the larger "alternative" zines falling all over themselves to make the band one of '99's pet projects. And with good reason.

Where the debut disc introduced a band who wrote smart, if somewhat obtuse songs, the new album zeroes in on the pop band who were hiding beneath overdubs, time changes, and trying to shake a case of the Pond-Bitch Magnet-Sunny Day Real Estate influence.

"I guess we came closer to writing a good pop record. The first album, in terms of pure song structure, is more `artsy,'" English agrees. "It's another stage of the band. The stuff we're writing now I wish were on this album. You gotta keep trying new stuff, even if it doesn't always succeed."

While longtime fans may find themselves a little unsettled by the more straight-ahead neo-garage approach the band opted for, the emotional bite and tough but sweet sonics remain in tact. It's only now Six Going on Seven sound more like a band who've found a skin of their own -- and it fits great. Songs like "How To Sell the Brooklyn Bridge" and "Reverse Midas" hit with the same body-blow intensity that mark the band's earlier work, rubbing up well against the softer, yet no-less affecting "Valentine, They're Dropping Like Flies" and "Proof Positive." Overall, the album is a major step in terms of direction, without sacrificing any of the clever songwriting that marked most of Self-Made Mess. English comes across with another armload of keen lyrics that sparkle, amuse, and crackle with a passion that boarders on punk poetry. And that's the real selling point of the band -- everyday situations that are universally identifiable that somehow sound brilliant from the band's vantage point.

"Lyrics are big. A lot of [musicians] I really enjoyed seemed to put equal weight on the lyrics," says English. "I write phrases down all the time and piece them together. Once in a while I go to town writing. But I constantly write down phrases, even if they aren't immediately applicable. I won't force it to work. The marriage of [lyrics and music] has to be right."

The band head out across country for another shot at the brass ring on March 24, beginning the tour in Philadelphia. Some Records, one of the few labels that actually allows artists to develop at their own pace, is so optimistic it's ready to ship 10,000 units this time out; and plans are on for a tour of Europe and Japan later this summer. And Six Going on Seven teeter on the edge of possible fame one more time. Only now, it seems far more probable.

"I think I'd be lying if I said we didn't think of that, everyone's real dedicated," English says with a hint of humility. "I'd like to have a run at it, and if this album takes us there that's great. If not, we'll keep making albums till one of us has a kid! As long as we can keep doing that we'll be happy."

An offer you shouldn't refuse

The Worcester Phoenix Best Music Poll kick-off party was an unqualified success (we lost count somewhere around the 350 mark) and nobody made their presence known any better than the fledgling MAFIO (Music and Friends International Organization). Numbering nearly 50 members, the local musicians' group will be holding an open meeting at Cafe Abba this Sunday, March 21, at 2 p.m. Much along the same lines of East Coast Audio Entertainment, MAFIO is a collaborative effort designed to act as a support system for local entertainers as well as an open platform for topics of debate. All interested musicians and fans of local music are encouraged to attend. For more info, call Skip at Cafe Abba at 799-9999.

And don't forget to keep those Best Music Poll ballots coming. So far, we're off to a great start. But we can never get too many. See page 21 for your chance to vote.