10 things I love about Boston

#2. Josh Lederman y Los Diablos

I don't know who else is in running for the title of "hardest-working man in show business" now that James Brown has passed on, but I nominate Josh Lederman for the honor. In addition to being lead singer and lyricist for the sublimely-named "Josh Lederman y Los Diablos," Josh is also a freshman composition instructor at Emmanuel College--one of the school's most popular teachers. He also leads the screenwriting club at EC, and is usually teaching one or two screenwriting classes at other local schools as well. I can't really imagine James Brown raising the roof at a concert and then going home to grade a stack of five-paragraph persuasive essays, but Josh does it, G-d love him. Perhaps that's what gives his music its poignant aura of nostalgia and last-call desperation. Josh is always up for an encore--you would be, too, if you were him.

J.L.y.L.D. bill themselves as "Irish-Jewish Folk Punk," but while that may accurately describe the ethnic and aesthetic makeup of the band members themselves, the actual music is more like a sort of upbeat, user-friendly Tom Waits. A lot of their tunes are done to a waltz or polka beat, which means that you need no native rhythm of your own in order to dance to it (a big help for me). There are probably better "serious" bands in Boston--my favorite of those would be the Dresden Dolls--but Josh and his Devils are the ones I want to hear when I'm in the mood to slam down a Corona and shake my flat white booty like I just don't care. Check them out, buy a CD, book 'em for your next party or wedding reception--you'll be glad you did.

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