Preview: International Pop Overthrow @ the Great Scott

International Pop Overthrow
The Great Scott, Allston
Friday Nov 2 - Tuesday Nov 6
$10 // 7 PM // 18+ except for 11/3, 21+

Sounds cool, doesn't it? Well, we certainly think so. The International Pop Overthrow, the brain child of creator David Bash, comes to Boston for the Festival's 5th year. The 5-day long event will showcase local bands whose sound can be classified as indie, rock and/or pop. But wait - pop? I thought it was the pop overthrow? The IPO website states its aim is "to give every worthy band who'd like to play their music in a festival atmosphere the chance to do so, and the other is to bring pop music the attention it so richly deserves." Keep in mind that when we talk about pop we're referring to solidly and accesibly composed rhythms with catchy hooks - NOT necessarily the Top 40 tween pop music that would first come to mind.

Bostonist spoke with David Bash and asked what drew him to Boston's music scene:

This is our fifth straight year doing IPO in Boston. I chose Boston in 2003, initially because I knew several quality bands from there who had played IPOs in various cities, and I knew of several others who I wanted to invite to the festival. To my pleasant surprise, the scene exceeded my expectations during our first IPO there, in November 2003. Over the years I've come to know the Boston pop music scene as one of the richest and most eclectic of any city in which we do IPO, so it's always a treat to come back, as well as refreshing as each year I find so many good bands of whom I wasn't aware in previous years.

After its stay in Boston the IPO will continue to New York City and then Toronto for 10 more killer days. IPO is exactly the kind of kick-ass, fist-pumping, local artist-supporting, rock-out that Boston needs more of. Bash hand picked all the bands himself and therefore recommends them all - attend as many of the nights as you can and show your local Boston artists some love.

IPO logo from their MySpace