ROCK CITY WEEKLY:
The Best Allston Music Offerings (02.11.09)
The SIS Preview by Miriam Lamey

As much as it would be easy to hate Valentine's Day, I can't bring myself to do it. The holiday is all about the haves vs. the have-nots; those who are happily coupled and those who are single. Couples are expected to shower one another with gifts, single people simply feel like shit (try being the receptionist and deliver flowers to the office all day while getting none for yourself...it will make the most independent people feel left out.) In that case, this weeks events all fall on the big V-Day so feel free to drag out your sweetie to one of the following, or have a wild singles night out.

Happy Endings (Great Scott)
Happy Endings used to thrive in the Paradise Lounge and fell off the Boston social calendar once the Lounge stopped functioning as a gig space. The alt-dance night returns to Great Scott, this time partnered with Club Fuxx and the King Evrock. A splendid night of debauchery, dance tunes, a bit of punk, disco and electronica is guaranteed for all. Take full advantage of young, single hot things and head over en mass with other kids looking for a laugh, some boozing and hopefully a hookup.

Will Dailey and the Rivals (Harper's Ferry)
Please tell me that you've seen the YouTube clib of Will Dailey singing on CSI with Gary Sinise playing bass? Actually, trying to play bass is a more accurate description. Either way, while Mr. Sinise will probably not be making a guest appearance at Harper's Ferry on Valentine's Day, Mr. Dailey will certainly be taking the stage to display his singer/songwriter expertise and croon in a Ryan Adams-like fashion. Dailey's folky, rocky tunes have a good blend of soft introspection and driving energy in a cross-country-road-trip manner. The poppier, country-spiked “Peace of Mind” is a great vehicle for Mr. Dailey's strong, warbling vocals and jangly acoustic guitars, while the more dramatic, coffehouse gem, “Rise” will prompt a mass swaying and lighter-waving. As many of the tunes lean towards the swooningly romantic, your best bet is probably to take a date to this one.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/willdailey

Forest Henderson (O'Brien's Pub)
Like R.E.M.? Appreciate modern pop-folk and pleasantly cavernous melodies? Then you might as well pop over to O'Brien's pub on the V-Day for a true dive-bar romantic experience. Or to escape all valentines whatsoever. In any case, Forest Henderson have some solid, accessible tunes. The dreamy, xylophone-like notes that saunter through “The Things That I Could Do” add a loungey drama to the rockin' riffs and clippy percussion. For fans of slower, funk-rock, check the mildly Chilli Peppers-like “13 Steps.” Certainly not as spicy as the aforementioned legends, “13 Steps” presents a sexy swagger, thanks to a pronounced bassline and hi-hat heavy percussion. Forest Henderson look to a curious range of influences for their music, and the bands personal twist makes for a pleasantly intriguing sound.
Check the Myspace for more: http://www.myspace.com/foresthenderson