Reviewed by Jeffrey B. Remz
The musical journey of Ana Perotte and Carlotta Cosials – aka the Spanish band Hinds – has not exactly been paved with gold, but you would never have known that – for the most part – based on their demeanor in concert.
That meant the pony-tailed Cosials was a potent force on the stage before about 250 faithful, dancing about, throwing out kicks and just simply enjoying herself. Perotte seemed just as happy with how the night was going although she was a but hamstrung, wearing a boot after breaking a bone on her foot in Mexico City the night before the tour started.
As for not always having a straight shoot career, Hinds had to change their name from. Dears after being sued by another band with the same name. Their record label dropped them. They couldn't tour, like pretty much every other group, during COVID. A few band members left two years ago.
Cosials may have mentioned some of these misfortunes during the show – their first full-fledged show in the Boston area in six years - but Hinds seemed determined to leave any negativity in the dust.
Hinds is a garage rock band with some punky overtones at times as well. The songs were on the fast and furious side, and despite their Spanish origins, Hinds sings in English (towards the end of the show, they did sing "Castigadas en el granero" and "En Forma" in Spanish). That would include a very fine cover of The Clash's "Spanish Bombs" before launching into one of the best delivered songs of the night, "Superstar." Cosials handed most of the leads with Perotte having her time as well.
The group kept it all female, augmented by bassist Paula Ruiz and drummer Maria Lázaro, who both joined Hinds last year. Ruiz and Lázaro both were very locked in. Ruiz also helped with backing vocals on many songs further spiking the songs.
Hinds may have endured tough times throughout their career but perseverance and nights like this – where the simple joy and fun of making music were palpable – go a very long way to make it all worthwhile.
San Diego-based band The Happy Return got the night rolling with a fine set of indie pop. Like Hinds, the quartet, including brothers singer Davin Eagleston and drummer Bryce, were clearly having a strong outing and time in their Boston debut. This was a tight quartet and the perfect complement to Hinds. With their fourth album on the horizon, The Happy Return are well deserving of a return visit.