Despite Fountains of Wayne Frontman, the 'Truth Gets Old

I am easily impressed by famous people. I always feel like it is some big deal when I sit near somebody who a bunch of people know, or pass by someone more famous than I am. Chris Collingwood is a founding member of Fountains of Wayne, a band that gets a lot of great press and this month played on Conan. The rock star sat with his mates and another man, who I think is also in the band, held a baby as they drank beers at the Dirty Truth last night.

First the Fountain frontman, then we see Billy Bragg grabbing a cup of joe to go while we sat at Haymarket.

The Dirty Truth is the uber Northampton scene, and their chilliness is starting to grate on me. Plus, the music is impossibly loud, and all my mates and I want to do is talk. Again and again when we come here I wonder why.

They brought out a Victory lager for Shoul, he took a sip and said it was flat. The tousle-haired waiter disagreed, but did us the minor courtesy of asking the bartender his opinion. Another twenty-something dude came out and declared that the beer was fine, while all of us sipped it with disgust. It was a showdown that the customer should have won, but somehow lost. (Here is his account of last night

You won't see us in the Dirty Truth any more, we'll be somewhere else on a Friday night where we can hear each other talk and though no rock stars may be present, the staff will be a little nicer.

The Dirty Truth: A Good Old Honest Beer Bar

Last night I went again down to the big city. It was time to meet Cindy and some other pals at a bar I've never been to, but I've always admired: The Dirty Truth. This place was originally built as a Pan Asian joint. But they went out of business, amidst declarations by the Connecticut-based owner that Northampton "didn't appreciate fine food." Well the same fancy expensive sinks still grace the bathrooms but now the focus is on the 40 taps lined up on the back wall. Taps for fine beers, of course.

The selection of drafts was beyond compare here in the Valley. Most of the beers I didn't recognize, but the list was rife with Belgian, Californian, and German brews of every type. I settled for a California Stone Pale Ale and it was hoppy, brown and good. Cindy wanted a lighter beer but had one like mine after a sip.

Northampton needed another bar, believe it or not, even though the small city is already full of great choices. This Dirty Truth will thrive, because they're cool, they serve great appetizers like the hummus with big slices of grilled bread. These guys are here for the long run, they've got Northampton down.