Massachusetts (1143)

• February 3, 2026
• Colleen Johnson
• 16
• 0

(photo credit: Band’s social media)

A band that was no stranger to the city of Boston for years will be making their long-awaited return to Boston for two shows this week, the Maine-based Sparks the Rescue! The shows are going down at an iconic and well-loved venue in Allston, O’Brien’s Pub. Probably one of the very few small club venues in a city that has lost so many of those spaces, it is the perfect choice for what is sure to be a rowdy and really great gig. 

The band is fresh off the release of their first new tunes in years this past fall, and while those are sure to be present in these shows, considering their recent 20th anniversary show in Maine, the sets are sure to be mixed up and filled with nostalgia. I’ll be at Thursday’s shows, which still has limited tickets left, with Friday’s being sold out. Another thing that’s special about this venue is that, sadly, if you snooze, you lose. O’Brien’s is one of the city’s institutions that is old-school, and has tickets that can’t be pumped up in cost; they’re only available on the venue’s website or at the door. And buying at the door isn’t a risk you should take with this one. 

The band hasn’t been strangers to Boston over the years, but more on the covers side of things in places like Ned Devine’s and The Harp. When the band returned to its original lineup circa 2020, the band focused more on returning to its original material, while putting the cover side of things seemingly more on the back burner. The unit is fresh off the release of their first new music in years this past fall as aforementioned, and especially with “Ice Storm of ’68,” it’s an indication that the band will be moving more towards their original sound. Fittingly, considering there are some beautiful screams back in action with original member Marty McMorrow making his return in 2020, providing some unclean vocals to fete long-time vocalist Alex Roy. While these two tracks are sure to have a moment in their two shows this week in town, it also serves as a teaser to the new music promised on the horizon for the band. 

No need to fret, though, for long-time listeners of the band. These sets are sure to be filled with a lot of your favorite tunes from a band that’s been playing music for over twenty years now. And that shows in their live performances, a live show that has unfortunately not been seen by fans in MA for over two years now. The band was due to open up for The Ataris and Wheatus at Big Night Live in October, but that show unfortunately was canceled at the last minute due to illness in The Ataris’ camp. Being no stranger to shows in the area for two decades now, and the majority of time having a solid local bill in support of their headlining gigs, it’s only fitting that for both shows the band will be feted by two mostly local openers. The first night will feature Megan from Work and 5ever, and the second night, the band will be having We Demand Parachutes and Borderlines. In the early days of the band, many VFW shows, Middle East day shows, and bigger gigs like Paradise Rock Club were home to the band’s shows, often chock-full of locals when it wasn’t Sparks actively on tour. 

But don’t let my blathering make up for missing this gig, whether you’re a longtime fan of the band or they’re a recent discovery for you.  It’s a show I’ve been privy to catch for years, and the band is one of the nicest in the game. You can pick up limited tickets for Thursday’s show here, and hope to see you at the gig!

 

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2/5: Sparks The Rescue with 5ever and Megan At Work at O’Briens, Allston, MA

2/6: Sparks The Rescue with We Demand Parachutes and Borderlines at O’Briens, Allston, MA