The legendary Boston rock band Tree is back, and frontman/head honcho Dave Tree joined me on the phone with an update.
For the uninitiated, Tree formed in Westwood, MA in the late ’80s. By the mid-’90s, the group of school friends had cemented their status as one of Boston rock’s prime movers. Their sound was a mix of hard rock and hardcore punk. And frontman Dave Tree crafted lyrics that spoke to the political and social issues of the day.
If you were a rock fan in Boston in the ’90s, it’s a safe bet you had a copy of Plant A Tree Or Die or Downsizing The American Dream on CD or cassette tape. Tree was a fixture at the annual Boston Freedom Rally, which took place each year down on the Common back in the day. They were live, they were loud, and then–like most local acts, after a time–they were gone.
But now Tree is back. And the timing couldn’t be better.
All those social and environmental issues Dave Tree was screaming passionately into a microphone about three decades ago? They’re still relevant now, sadly. So Dave has rallied a new set of troops and put together a new iteration of Tree. But the message is the same: wake up. And, in this particular case, come through.
Boston Rock Band Tree Returns
Tree has been playing out live in recent weeks, and they’ll be headlining the Jay Potts Memorial Jam this Sunday, December 4 at the Magic Room in Norwood. It’s not a benefit show, but a memorial for another important name in the Boston rock pantheon. I talked to Dave about Jay Potts, the upcoming show, and the return of Tree. You can hear our conversation below and check out some more music from Tree. Plant a tree or die!
