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2009-10-17 The Dreaded EventCreated about 3 weeks ago
2009-10-03 - The Motion Sick Aloud Sidewalk Driver John PowhidaCreated about a month ago
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This blog has been around a little over a year and I've gotten the chance to cover and be a part of a lot of awesome things. But what's topping my list of highlights right now was the opportunity I had on Sunday evening to have a delightful phone call with one of my (and probably yours also) musical idols, Mr. Gordon ...Gano (of Violent Femmes fame). I have to admit, I was super nervous when I hit 'dial' on the phone. However, within a few minutes, we settled in and we were sharing a few laughs. I even had the pleasure of having Gordon school me on not being familiar with Penn and Teller. My goal with the interview was to scratch the surface of Gano as a songwriter and craftsman, and to get the scoop on his new album, Under the Sun, which he worked on with the Ryan Brothers (formerly, and possibly presently, of the The Bogmen). They are on tour with Gano now, and will be appearing at The Middle East Downstairs on Thursday (11/12/09). Opening up the night are two Boston-Band-Crush-recommended local bands, Mascara and Sidewalk Driver. If you can't make Boston, but you are in Northampton, Gordon Gano and the Ryans are stopping there first on Wednesday 11/11/09, playing at The Ironhorse. Tickets for the Middle East show are available at Ticketmaster or at the box office, or at the door the day of the show. On to the interview: Sophia: You are touring on a new record, Under the Sun, which you are backed by the Ryan Brothers, how did you get hooked up with them? We all lived in the same neighborhood. At a certain point, somebody made an introduction. Must have been a mutual friend, and I feel like it probably started as ‘you don’t know Billy or you don’t know Brendan?’ Like, oh, I thought you knew each other. That would have been probably about 10 years ago. It was at the time when The Bogmen had very recently split up. It was somewhere around then. Of course, now, they play occasionally and get a lot of fans out to see them. That was what was happening and we’d just see each other in the neighborhood and we'd talk about different things – and a lot of music, and yeah, it was good. Then, somebody brought up something about how they were working on music, some music that was used in films and TV and other things like that. The idea came up to see if I’d be interested in hearing some instrumentals and to see if I would come up with lyrics. So that’s how that started. And I’m guessing it was probably Brendan’s idea; maybe it was my idea! I know that sounds like something I’d like to do! ...and I have done it! So I don’t know - it was a mutual thing. Speaking of the neighborhood, I remember the first time there was a hand off, when [Brendan] had a CD of tracks of instrumental music, that for some reason, I don’t know, it was a burning issue. I don’t think we had to do it right then, but something worked out where he was at the laundromat and I went to the laundromat and he handed me the music. I got very inspired by it and wrote stuff and then I’d get that back to them and they liked what I was doing and that was the process. And then I’d have ideas. The music was sometimes very detailed in how it was all written out and other times would just be just one guitar with a guitar riff that would go about 20 seconds. So it would be the full range of incredibly minimal and very little to something that was very, very finished as far as lots of things happening musically. I’d often use the melodies that were there in their tunes and sometimes I came up with a counter melody or some other things, but it’s still all coming from their music. Then we worked on the arrangements together, and I would sometimes have ideas which we’d always try out – sometimes they didn’t work and sometimes they did. This song they wrote as a waltz, but then I think, why don’t we try it, or I’d like to do it as something that’s almost like a punk-rock song that’s in 4 instead of in 3 and really fast instead of really slow, but it’s still their chord changes and their melody. So it’s them with the music, me with the lyrics, but I was very much involved with the music as well. Sophia: So it just clicked... Yeah it clicked and we really liked what we were coming up with and after we had a whole bunch of songs, we thought, well let’s go into a studio and record them, and which ones do we want to approach first, and which ones do we want to do and who and how and where we wanna do it. We did all that, then it was like, okay, does anybody want to put this out? ...and Yep Roc were very enthusiastic about it. Sophia: That's a great label, a lot of good company on that label. Yeah, I was surprised that I’m not the oldest one on that label! It’s people kind of from my time frame, but even a little earlier! Sophia: Was this a new way of writing songs for you? Working from the music to write lyrics? I had had a couple of attempts at it. I wrote some words and sang on a recording, the collection was called No Talking Just Head, which was in essence Talking Heads without David Byrne. The rest of them had all these people contributing, doing the lead vocals and writing songs...writing along with the music that the rest of them had written. Because I had a relationship with Jerry Harrison going back to when he produced the Violent Femmes record in the mid-'80s, called The Blind Leading The Naked. That was another fun thing to find out talking to Billy and Brendan (The Ryans) before we started working together is that The Bogmen had a record produced by Jerry Harrison. That was fun to just laugh about. I know Brendan knew about that. I don’t know, I’ve never asked them if that gave them an idea about [working with me] or not. That was one time where I wrote something to some music that had already existed. I don’t think I had done anything more of that sort, but I’d done it that one time and I think that it was successful enough so that it exists, but I think I’ve gotten in a better place with it. Sophia: You've been writing songs for a long time, how do you find yourself evolving as a songwriter? I think I care more about detail and, if I can say a fancy word, the craftsmanship of it. Exactly what words, exactly where, and subtle changes that connect in ways which perhaps only give me pleasure (laughs), maybe nobody else! The challenge is then me doing a live show. I go 'oh man there’s so much to remember!' It’s not like it goes verse-chorus-verse, the same. There are always these little changes, but they’re good! Now it’s like, 'oh no, now I’ve got to remember all of it, and deliver it!' But, so far so good, it’s the performer part of me shaking a fist at the songwriter part of me, or the lyricist part of me going 'why did you do that! it’s good but why? why?!' Some of these Ryans’ compositions lent themselves to something that would have more expansiveness, like going on a song journey of sorts so I think it stretched out some of my writing and some of my telling of a story in a song. In some respects, you know, I’ve done that before. I care more about small details. Sophia: Songwriting by trade then.. Yeah, hopefully, so far so good! (laughs) Another thing, I think it’s the songwriting, I think it’s my voice. Also I’m very happy that I can hit lower notes, which happens usually as you get older, but I can also hit higher notes than before. And I think that goes against what usually happens, so I’m very happy with that. And I definitely hit some higher notes on the record, sometimes with some back-up vocal parts and lower notes, so I’m happy about that, but that wasn’t what I wanted to say! (laughs) Oh it was getting higher, it was getting lower, but that was just a side-point to the real point. Somebody that I’ve just met in the last 3-4 years said that the person they know sounds like, that’s the person they know on this record (Under the Sun). When they listen to the Violent Femmes, that’s not the person that they know. It’s more me how I am now, even though I’m very proud and happy about all that Violent Femmes stuff. Excepting the sprinkling of songs here and there which sometimes I can cringe or be embarrassed about, but they're never really the ones most people like – and maybe with good reason! (laughs) So if somebody knows me from the last few years, that voice and that person [from back then] doesn’t sound so much like me. Sophia: I’ve been listening to the record, and there's a religious element. In particular, I’m referring to the name of the record, Under the Sun and the song, "Oholah Oholibah." Definitely it has. Sophia: I mean it’s not new for you. No, it’s not new at all. There are a couple of songs on Violent Femmes records that I think are gospel songs. In fact one of them was put in - which was an incredible honor - it was printed and put in a church hymn book, "Jesus Walking on the Water", was the song, which was from the second album called Hallowed Ground. Sophia: ...and you had the Gospel side project, of course. Yes, that’s right, The Mercy Seat, in the mid ‘80s. Even if it’s just a verse of scripture, I read some bible pretty much everyday, and I think there was something in a song or something might trigger an idea and yes, Under the Sun, interesting. Sometimes when Brendan would hand off some music to me, usually the songs wouldn’t just be ‘untitled no. 1, untitled no. 2, untitled…’ and I’m very glad! So there would be a working title; something. Sometimes I would use that title to use that as a jumping off point to writing things, and sometimes not at all. But I think it’s possible ‘Under the Sun’ - I wonder if he had that written when he handed that off to me, which had the biblical reference, but then really the song isn’t about that. But "Oholah Oholibah", maybe I just read...it was around the time when I heard that Read More
We do quite like Mr. Kevin Hoskins, national booking agent over at the Middle East (which we also quite like). Tomorrow is Kevin's birthday, and to celebrate he has put together a solid lineup of local and traveling acts:Viva VivaMean CreekCropdusterWild Yaks(fr. NYC)18+$8adv/$10dosMaker's Mark must also quite like Kev...in because they're sponsoring the event. Drink up kids, and don't forget your party hats. Read More
And here now is the video that we spoke of last week, directed by Noah Blumenson-Cook.
Boston Band Crush Sophia Cacciola just wrapped an interview with Gordan Gano (of Violent Femmes fame). He's rocking The Middle East this Thursday. Interview to be posted soon.
This Tuesday, November 10th and the second Tuesday of every month is Rock 'n' Roll Social night at The Model Cafe in Allston. For the last six(!) years, The Social has provided Boston area music people with a place to get together, drink, and talk about their latest projects. The Social attracts people from every area ...of music industry: musicians (of course!), bookers, promoters, radio DJs, producers, writers; really everybody involved is likely to show up. Bring your show flyers, cds, business cards, and your elevator speech. This will be a very special social as it marks the 6th anniversary of the meet-up which started in 2003 at the departed Abbey Lounge. Boston Band Crushers will there to hang out and talk shop. 7 PM -10 PM (though tons of people hang around after the official end time) FREE. RnR Social on Myspace and Facebook Read More
The name says it all. When this band screams into your brain with an intensity like this....BREATHE is what one needs to remember to do. This Boston band will hit you in the chest and truly knock the damn wind right out of you!BREATHE has been on the Boston music scene for a few years now and has graced the stage wit...h bands such as Killswitch Engage, HateBreed, Bury Your Dead, Suicide Silence, Korn, Disturbed, Reveille, Powerman 5000, Taproot and so on and so on. Let's just say these guys have played with freaking everyone! They have been on stage at historic local venues such as the Avalon, Axis, The Palladium and now the new House of Blues. Back in 2007 they debuted there cd "Follow the Silence" with such an immediate response that is seems like this band spins an infectious metal sickness that leaves you gasping for more.Now I caught the band performing recently at Harpers Ferry in Allston, MA and lets just say the room was vibrating with an intensity to see these guys play. People pacing around with drink in hand and anticipating the onslought is an good indication what was forthcoming. Breathe front man Danny Lopez comes at you with an unsuspecting aggression channeling through an evil growl to full on scream. Singing in this genre is hard to sound controlled but this guy has it all set. If you aren't paying attention it will send the hairs on the back of your neck standing straight up. Guitars in this band are a great surprise and axeman Jesse Fugate has the old school metal sound with bits of hardcore sneaking in to keep themachine guns blazing. New second guitar Steph Curran is an awesome addition to this band. This girl can shred! I could feel a passion and fire that translated straight through her fingers, I think my hair might have actually gotten singed. The second level of axe adds another layer that makes this band sound HUGE! Bass Mark Avery and drums Steve Jenson bring some real intense low end and the speed that make this band hit you straight in the face with a force that only can be experienced.Breathe has a new EP "The Fire Within" and a video for all your metal fix viewing pleasuring. With being an opening band for the Boston's Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) this year and working on taking over the world person by person, this is a band to watch! Metal is still a huge force in New England and with this band being a local Boston example, get ready to get your face melted right off! But just remember to BREATHE...check em.Peace,SixX Read More
...wherein Part 2 will be the online debut of the video here on BBC early next week. But see it first (and on a bigger screen, we're sure) tomorrow night at the Magic Room in Brighton! Jaggery will open at 8:30; the video premieres at 9:45 and then BFoO will take the stage.The Magic Room155 N. BeaconBrighton Ma
Quiet week here on el blog. Not for lack of things to write about though! We just so bizzy bizzy. Thankfully we have lovely helpers like Sophie and Amy and C.D. and Lisa and Justin (our brand new guy!) to help out. Hooray for them! So here's what you should know going into tonight: You'll need to clone yourself. There...'s no other way. Too many good shows happen tonight. Like... ⢠28 Degrees Taurus @ Precinct ⢠Cassavettes (CD release), Movers & Shakers, You Can Be A Wesley, Quixote, Jookabox @ Middle East Downstairs ⢠The Welch Boys, Dead Friends (CD release), Gozu, Chris Skel & The Original Sins, Burning Streets @ Middle East Upstairs ⢠Oranjuly, Roman Traffic, This Blue Heaven @ O'Brien's ⢠Shoney Lamar and the Equal Rights, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling (our own Mike & Sophia's band), Mrs. Danvers, Justin Shorey @ Church (see Sophie's post about this show) I'm going to start with dinner in Allston and hopefully make stops at most if not all of the above. I'm already exhausted. You? Read More
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past month or so you're probably aware that there is a completely spectacular bill appearing tomorrow night at Church presented by Hear Now Live:Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling: This duo, made up of the secret spy alter-egos of two of the cofounders of this very blog plays... intense, dark indie art-rock with a punk soul.Shoney Lamar and the Equal Rights: I'm not sure what glowing things I can say about these guys that I haven't already said in previous posts. Raucous, in-your-face, dancey punk-folk with a crazy charismatic front man.Mrs. Danvers: I'm intrigued by Mrs. Danvers's bio, where they're described as "a real rarity: an all-female, queer-identified quintet who makes unashamedly catchy, energetic danceable pop/rock." From what I can hear the "danceable pop/rock" description works, and I'm extremely excited to see how they translate live.Justin Shorey: Dylanesque, insightful folk rock with a vintage feel. I've been sitting here for twenty minutes trying to verbalize why I love Justin's music so much, and I just found this description from Band in Boston, which I'm going to use because it's kind of perfect: "Justin comes from the Woody Guthrie school of folk â catchy, emotionally charged, but with tongue planted in cheek enough to keep it from getting maudlin." So there.Basically if you don't come early and stay late you're kind of beyond redemption.Church69 Kilmarnock StBoston, MA 0221521+, $107pm door! Read More
Friday is the very last day to apply (via Sonicbids) to showcase at SXSW 2010. SXSW 2009 was one of the big things that really got Boston Band Crush rolling with written interviews before the bands headed down to Austin and video interviews while they were at the festival. Now, weâve got even bigger plans for c...overing SXSW 2010 and weâre off to a big start! Last Wednesday, I had the great pleasure of sitting down with SXSW Creative Director Brent Grulke and Sonicbids Founder and CEO Panos Panay to discuss how the application and selection process works. So many of us refresh our e-mail inboxes repeatedly from January to March waiting to get that coveted band showcase offer from SXSW. I hope that by sharing my conversation with these gents, this process is demystified. Rather than conducting a formal, structured interview, Brent and Panos were generous enough to offer their time for an informal conversation. As such, the following is heavily edited and restructured. Iâve reorganized their statements into categories. Iâve preserved sequentiality wherever possible, but not completely. THE APPLICATION Mike:What happens after a band submits an application on Sonicbids? (Editor's Note: The Sonicbids submission system allows artists to send their EPK, electronic press kit, to a booker/promoter who is offering a gig opportunity. The Sonicbids EPK can contain a bio, photos, press clips, audio, video, tour dates, and other relevant information.) Brent: Weâve got a group of about 80 people around the world, most of whom Iâve known for a long time, many of them former journalists or former musicians, who can access the EPKs. We have a web-driven interface where they can enter remarks and grades. We have at least two people do that for every single act. Then, acts that look most promising and acts that have wildly disparate ratings get reviewed at least once more. Last year we had just shy of 10,000 applications and I anticipate that weâre going to receive about the same number this year. We had about 1,800 acts perform last year. We always issue more invitations than that because obviously there are a number of acts that have applied, but cant make it. We try to make our determinations for the international acts first because they have to have more information before anybody else. If they donât know something by the beginning of December, the likelihood that they are going to be able to come is very small. The ones that we torture the most, of course, are Austin bands, our friends and brothers. We know that they need a weekâs notice, tops. Maybe a couple hours notice. We know theyâre going to be able to make the gig. Obviously that is very strange. Quick everybody, make sure that all the Norwegian acts get listened to because if they donât have their government applications in by next week they cant get state funding. (Editorâs Note: many other countries offer artistâs grants for things like traveling to perform at SXSW.) Itâs a bizarre way to do it, but that is what we end up doing. As for domestic acts, we know that American rock bands are going to get in the van and drive. Thatâs what makes American rock bands good rock bands. So even if theyâre in Boston and theyâre only getting a monthâs notice, theyâre going to fucking get there. Maybe thatâs a little mean spirited, but I know itâs going to happen! I never know how many of the Norwegian bands we have invited are going to make it. THE GRADING CRITERIA Brent: Everyone involved in the grading is a music lover, first and foremost. So, if any individual, whether itâs me or one of the people that I work with, loves a band, thatâs all there is to it. There doesnât have to be any greater justification. That very personal response informs a good part of the decision making. However, that criterion alone doesnât really do anyone any favors. We want artists that are as committed to what they do as we are to what we are doing. We also get a lot of advice from friends and people we trust. If someone I trust calls me up or sends me an email and says, âI saw this band and this band rocks! You canât really tell from their recordings right now. Itâs really early on, but Iâve seen them and theyâre really great,â then the process gets changed a bit. Also, Iâm not going to reject somebody just because I think they suck, especially if they have an audience. Iâm willing to recognize that itâs not my deal but itâs clearly somebodyâs deal and it would be disrespectful, egomaniacal, and bad business for me to deny that act. Weâre really looking for people that want to be artists. They donât want to be musicians, they donât want to be performers, they donât want to be stars; they want to be artists. We want people for whom itâs save your life kind of creation; that intense a feeling. Then combine that intensity with a real focus on making a living, finding a way to be able to do it as much as they can, through whatever means necessary to continue. Weâre looking at an overall package. I hate even to use the word package, but weâre looking to identify people aspiring to be great artists and busting their asses to do it. We respect those kinds of people and we want to feature them. Thatâs our ideal. I have to meet economic expectations of venue owners too. The venue wants people in the door, so if I want to invite bands that are really cool that might not have an audience, I need to balance that with some people that do have an audience even if that is music that I donât personally connect with. MAKE YOUR APPLICATION/EPK STAND OUT Of course, the music is far and away the most important element of the EPK. I can also tell a lot by the attention to detail that people put into their EPKs. Artists reveal their art in a lot of nuanced ways, sometimes in ways that theyâre aware of, and sometimes in ways that theyâre not so aware of. I frankly love EPKs because I used to have a box full of physical product. Now I can have people all over the world judge. Your love and care for the EPK reveals something about you. How you decide to present yourself in words and photos reveals a lot about who you are as an artist. No, it doesnât work the same way as actually seeing a live performance, itâs a different thing, but it still gives me a lot of very valuable information. Panos: We were talking earlier about video and how important a live video is. It doesnât necessarily have to be something that is super polished. A video shot with your iPhone that shows how awesome you are on stage and the crowd reacting goes a lot further than the super polished video that you spent 5, 6, or 10 grand making; a video that makes you look like an MTV or VH1 act, thatâs not what heâs looking for. Iâve always had this idealistic feeling that everyone should be on the same footing and ultimately, we should all start with the same tools. It should be a bandâs passion, energy, and commitment that come across rather than the toilet they send you through the mail. The funny thing is no one remembers this bandâs name, but everyone remembers the toilet! Brent: I still have it in my yard. Panos: You have the gimmickry. I experienced this first hand having been an agent and seeing bands spending tons of money sending press kits. I know artists that would spend $30-$40 per press kit, just to make it stand out. I always felt, so, what if you donât have that money. How can you ultimately be on the same footing and let your voice come across rather than having the gimmickry speak for you. Brent: You see through bullshit really fast anyways. An artistâs self-written bio better be clever. The smart bands know that the writing itself should be clever. Cool, you said something about yourself by writing something clever, which may or not have anything to do with the band, but rather just the fact that you have to have a bio. I donât give a shit what bands are saying about themselves. I do care what other people say. For example, what you say about an act on your blog; thereâs an opinion worth noting. I absolutely have to put disproportionate weight on what other people say about acts. Seeing that implies that they are serious about it. Theyâve at least figured out a way to get someone else to pay attention to them. Panos: One of the features that Brent actually helped us launch on Sonicbids was plug-ins. It helps create a duality between what a band says about themselves and what the blogosphere and general web says about the band. (Editorâs Note: Plug-ins give EPK viewers access to friend and play counts from sites like Myspace and Last.FM as well as relevant search results from the web, Twitter, and blogs). INDIE ARTISTS Brent: We now have a lot more acts play, but for years it was about 10-12% of the acts had some major-label affiliation, about 40-50% had some sort of real indie affiliation â or they had real distribution at least - and the other half were either completely self-released or totally unsigned. Strangely, the numbers since day one have remained relatively consistent. We always aspire to having art more than anything else. The goal isnât to get rich. Itâs great that thereâs money involved so we can continue doing what we do, but thatâs it. Weâve always been indie. LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES Mike: Do you use, or have you considered using, representatives from different cities to get advice on local acts? Brent: There are times that Iâve done it formally and times that Iâve done it informally. People will sometimes come to me and say, âHey, can we do aRead More
Zowie, another great weekend of music with lots of choices. On Thursday, unfortunately the UK band, Heavy scheduled to play at Great Scotts has cancelled their tour so if you were planning on checking them out, sorry. But don't fret, there's an awesome show at the Lizard with Jenny Dee & the Deelinquints, the Rudds... and Brett Rosenberg. Friday starts a big weekend for the Plough and Stars which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with a plethora of bands playing and it's free! Friday night has Andrea Gillis , The Family Jewels and others at the Plough. If that's not your thing there's another free show on Friday over at Sally O'Brien's with the Doom Buggies, Monophonic and Axemunkee. Also on Friday is Do Not Forsake Me Darling and Shoney Lamar at Church. Start your Saturday at the Milky Way in JP by having brunch with the Rock Bottom Boys (not certain what they're doing but I'm betting it'll be entertaining). Saturday is night 2 of the Plough celebration with Angeline, Monique Ortiz and others. There's also a benefit for local rocker Stephen Fredette at the Lizard with Drug Rug, Chris Brokaw and many many more. At Church on Saturday you can see Muck and the Mires (back from their European tour where they were livin' on Hamburg time), along with the Swinedells and the Marvels. And if you find yourself in the Foxboro area, Super Diamond's playing at Showcase Live and if you've never seen Surreal Neil lead his band you are definitely missing out. Sunday is the last night of the Plough's 40th Anniversary weekend and this night rocks with the Konks, Triple Thick, The Ragin' Teens and more, wow! And at Mass Art's Pozen Center Dan Deacon will be performing on Sunday, a little wacky but should be a cool show. On Monday Dan Auerbach (of the Black Keys) will be at the Paradise. The Rock n Roll Social is celebrating its 7th Anniversary on Tuesday at the Model and there's talk of raffles, treats and beer. Neko Case will be at the Wilbur on Tuesday (and now you can even get yourself a drink at the show as they finally got their liquor license). On Wednesday the Rakes abruptly cancelled their tour and broke up so they won't be playing at Great Scotts but Free Energy is going ahead with the tour and will be there. Also Treat Her Right and Friends are at the Lizard. Thursday, 11/5: Heavy at Great Scotts CANCELLEDJenny Dee & the Deelinquints, The Rudds and Brett Rosenberg at the LizardFriday, 11/6: 40th Anniversary of the Plough and Stars with the Family Jewels, Andrea Gillis and more (Free)Blue October and Cracker at House of Blues CANCELLEDThe Swell Season at BerkleeLyle Lovett at the OrpheumSuzanne Vega at Sanders TheaterHerman Dune at TTsJookabox at the METhe Doom Buggies, Monophonic and Axemunkee at Sally O'Briens (Free)Do Not Forsake Me Darling and Shoney Lamar at ChurchOsso at TuftsPicture Plane at BrandeisSaturday, 11/7: Country Brunch with The Rock Bottom Boys at the Milky WayMuck & the Mires, The Swinedells and The Marvels at Church40th Anniversary of the Plough and Stars with Angeline, Monique Ortiz, Jimmy Ryan and more (Free)Steven Fredette Benefit at the LizardWolfmother and Heartless Bastards at House of BluesReal Estate and With Girls at Great Scotts SOLDOUTSuper Diamond at Showcase Live, FoxboroFrankie Valli and the Four Seasons at Citi Performing Arts CenterSunday, 11/8: 40th Anniversary of the Plough and Stars with The Ragin' Teens, The Konks, Triple Thick and more (Free)Dan Deacon at Mass ArtBrother Ali at the ParadiseRoger Daltrey at the House of BluesDeertick at ChurchThe Squirrel Nut Zippers at Tupelo Music HallMonday. 11/9: Lights and Major Stars at Harpers FerryThe Squirrel Nut Zippers at Tupelo Music HallDan Auerbach at the ParadiseTuesday, 11/10: 7th Anniversay of the Rock n Roll Social at the ModelNeko Case at the WilburDeastro and Max Tundra at Great ScottsNosaj Thing at the ParadiseWednesday, 11/11: Treat Her Right and Friends at the LizardThe Rakes at Great Scotts CANCELLEDBoat at Pa's LoungeFree Energy at Great ScottsWhite Denim at TTsIf you have any additions to the list, please send them to me at amy@bostonbandcrush.net before Wednesday to have them included in the weekend's postings.And Looking Forward...11/12 Melvern Taylor at Toad (7p)11/12 Gordon Gano & the Ryans at the ME11/12 Jenny Dee & the Deelinquints at the Lizard11/12 John Powhida International Airport, Logan 5 and the Runners, Weisstronauts and Mercy James at TTs11/12 Lovewhip, You Scream I Scream and #1 Dad at Church11/12 The Low Anthem and Blind Pilot at the Paradise11/12 Brian Wilson at Lowell Memorial Auditorium11/12 Neko Case at the Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH11/13 My Own Worst Enemy, Classic Ruins, Port Charles Quintet and Mars at Precinct11/13 Slim Jim and the Mad Cows at the Plough11/13 Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs at the Regent Theatre11/13 The Motion Sick and Static of the Gods at the ME11/13 Bob Dylan at the Citi Performing Arts Center11/13 Mike Doughty at Newbury Comics, Fanueil Hall (12:30p)11/13 Mike Doughty at Regatta Bar11/13 The Cranberries at the Orpheum11/14 Johnny Carlevale & The Rollin' Pins at the Plough11/14 Radney Foster and The Knucklebusters at Johnny D's11/14 The Scissormen at the Lizard11/14 The Jesus Lizard at the Paradise11/14 Bob Dylan at the Citi Performing Arts Center11/14 Dinstock 2, a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with the Beatings at the Beachcomber, Quincy11/14 Ian Adams at the Baseball Tavern11/14 Amanda Palmer & the Nervous Cabaret at the House of Blues CANCELLED11/15 Shonen Knife at Great Scotts (charming off kilter pop music from Japan, can't wait)11/15 Dryin' N' Cryin' at TTs11/15 Reckless Kelly, Scott Miller and Girls Guns and Glory at the ME11/15 J Tillman at the ME11/16 Grant Lee Phillips at Passims11/16 Laura Viers at the ME11/16 Pants Yell! at ZuZu's (LP Release Party)11/17 Dirty Projectors at the Paradise11/17 Grant Lee Phillips at Passims11/17 Ray Davies at Berklee11/18 Cub Country at the ME11/18 Elliot Brood at TTs11/18 The English Beat at Tupelo Music Hall11/19 The Books at the Rose Art Museum, Waltham11/19 Chandler Travis Philharmonic at Johnny D's11/19 Jenny Dee & the Deelinquints at the Lizard11/19 Lars Vegas at the Alchemist11/19 Sean Bones at the House of Blues11/19 Evangelicals and the Holiday Shores at Great Scotts11/19 International Pop Overthrow (IPO) with The Buckners, Doom Buggies and more at Church11/20 International Pop Overthrow (IPO) with The Stompers, Big City Rockers, Fox Pass and more at Church11/20 Thalia Zadek and Shepardess at the Milky Way11/20 Thunderpants Johnson'sHillbilly Orchestra at the ME Corner11/20 Dave Aaronoff at the Plough11/20 Devendra Banhart at the Berklee11/20 Metric at the House of Blues11/20 The Beatle Butchers at Toad11/21 Times New Viking and the Axemen (fr NZ) at Great Scotts11/21 International Pop Overthrow (IPO) with The Lights Out, The Motion Sick and more at Church11/21 The Vivs and Buttercup at the Plough11/21 Neon Nite with Port Charles Quintet and Kenne Highland at the Cantab11/21 Jetset, The TimeBeinz and The Balls at Ralph's, Worcester11/21 Baroness and Earthless at the ME11/21 The Beatle Butchers at Toad11/21 Kingsley Flood at The Rosebud Diner, Somerville11/21 MassAveAThon!11/22 Sonic Youth and The Feelies at the Wilbur Theater11/22 The Watson Twins at the House of Blues11/22 International Pop Overthrow (IPO) with The Rationales, Sal Baglio and more at Church11/23 Sonic Youth at the Wilbur Theater11/23 Vagiant at Charlie's Kitchen11/23 Echo and the Bunnymen at the House of Blues11/23 Julian Plenti at the Paradise11/24 Melt Banana, Melt Banana Lite at the ME11/24 Hilken Mancini and Tom Novotny at the Alchemist11/24 Tin Soldier at Harpers11/25 Jenny Dee & the Deelinquints at the Lizard11/27 Pixies at the Citi Performing Arts Center11/27 Do Make Say Think at the ME11/27 Charles Spearin at the ME11/27 Bryan Scary & The Shredding Tears and The Black Hollies at TTs11/27 Roy Sludge and Friends at the Plough11/27 Bebel Gilberto at the Paradise11/28 Sam Reid and the Riot Act at Atwoods11/28 Andrea Gillis at the Plough11/28 The Pixies at the Citi Performing Arts Center11/28 Zero 7 at the House of Blues11/28 Themselves at the ME11/29 The Mountain Goats and Final Fantasy at the Wilbur Theater11/30 Elvis Perkins in Deerland and the Bowerbirds at the Paradise12/1 Big Pink at the Paradise12/2 They Might Be Giants at the Borders Bookstore, Braintree12/2 Brendan Benson at the ME12/2 The Flobots at Harpers Ferry12/2 Russian Circles at the ME12/3 Sloan at TTs12/3 Pelican at Harpers Ferry12/3 Nitzer Ebb at the Paradise12/4 Friendly Fires at the Paradise12/4 Tin Soldier at Pa's12/4 The Script at the House of Blues12/4 Spoon at the Orpheum12/5 My Own Worst Enemy at the Cantab12/5 The Ragin' Teens Holiday Hoedown at TTs12/5 Hooray for Earth at Great Scotts12/5 Ted Leo and the Pharmacists at the ME12/5 Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles at Johnny D's12/6 El Vez and Los Straitjackets at the Paradise (Viva Christmas Extravaganza!)12/6 Wye Oak at Great Scotts12/7 Company of Thieves at Great Scotts12/7 Weezer at the Agganis Arena12/9 Holly Golightly at the ME12/9 Raphael Saadiq at the House of Blues12/11 Ships in the Dark and Richard James at Harpers12/12 Bang Camaro at the Paradise12/12 John Powhida International Airport at the Rosebud Diner12/12 Peter Tork & Shoe Suede Blues at the River Club, Scituate12/13 Rooney and Tally Hall at the ME12/13 The Arctic Monkeys and the Screaming Females at the House of Blues12/15 Christmas with Aaron Neville at Showcase Live, Foxboro12/16 Grant Hart, The Lights Out and Ian Adams at the ME12/17 Fanfarlo at TTs12/18 The Figgs at TTs12/18 Girl Howdy and Roy Sludge & Friends at Johnny D's12/18 stellastar* at the Paradise12/18 The Elevator Drops at the ME12/19 Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents and The Phil Aiken Army at the Rosebud Diner12/19 Pa's Holiday Party with Pants Yell!12/19 The Big Big Bucks and Drink Up Buttercup at Great Scotts12/23 TT's Annual HolidRead More
This week's update of what local music shows in the Boston area are playing:Commercial RadioBay State Rock on WAAF 97.7/107.3 fm Hosted by Carmelita. Sundays 10 pm - 12 am.Milquetoast & Co. - AppealPony - CakeWelch Boys - Head in the SandCassavettes - Seek CoverPlanetoid - Lord of this AsteroidThe Complaints - WeakTony... the Bookie Orchestra - She Don't Wear BlackAxemunkee - Dali's Dark DreamMuy Cansado - The Other NightDarkbuster - Hometown ZeroProspect Hill - 4 AMChimaira - Painting the White to GreyForgetful Jones - Acapulco GoldSarah Blacker - Countin' Penniesthe Atlantics - Lonely HeartsThe Doom Buggies - GravityJenny Dee and the Deelinquents - When It's OverRedlock - UnsatisfiedNew England Product on WFNX 101.7 fm Hosted by Dave Duncan. Sundays 11 pm - 12 am.CONSERVATIVE MAN "The Heist"AD FRANK "You Are I Am"HOORAY FOR EARTH "Form"MISSION OF BURMA "1-2-3 Party!!"CASSAVETTES "Shotgun Wedding"TONY THE BOOKIE "Georgia's Song"LOS WUNDER TWINS DEL RAP "The Wunder of It All"STREIGHTANGULAR "Oh Oh Oh Baby (I Love The Radio)"DPONY "Radge"THE BEATINGS "Worth The Wait"PAPAS FRITAS "Hey Hey You Say" (Classic Local Track of the Week)REVERSE "Flourescent"VAGIANT "No Mercy"Boston Emissions on WZLX 100.7 fm Hosted by Anngelle Wood Sundays 10 pm - 12 am.guests: cassavettes and black fortress of opiumtugboat annie - separationvagiant - sugar daddytelevandals - firearm waltzmorgan knockers - down on methe beatings - nothing ventured, nothing gainedmuck and the mires - do it all over againad frank and the fast easy women - bones and ashescassavettes - ordinary girlscassavettes - lights oncassavettes live - golden fleecekingsley flood - catherdral wallsdrug rug - coffee in the morningold jack - used to playdo not forsake me, oh my darling - dance of the deaddead friends - dead friendsdead friends - mojo machinereverse - blues in Dblack fortress of opium - afyonkarashisar battle cryroman traffic - halls and butchered (recorded live on Boston Emissions)black fortress of opium - black rove burnsCollege RadioMIT - WMBR - Pipeline! - Tuesdays 8 to 10 pm. Hosted by Jeff Breeze, Mike Reed, John Hecker.Cassavettes âGolden FleeceâJoe Pernice âIâm Your PuppetâGary Higgins âDonât Wanna LoseâTiny Fires âMagpiesâthe David Wax Museum âMy Jalopy HeartâMV + EE âSnapperheadâMission of Burma âOne Day We Will Live ThereâNeats âWaterâDoomriders âCrooked Pathâthe Points North LIVEthe Points North INTERVIEWTufts - WMFO 91.5 fm - On the Town with Mikey Dee - Saturday from 9 pm to 12 am. Hosted by Joel Simches, JoEllen Yannis, Steve Harnish, Brian Young, and Shilo McDonald.The Kickbacks - Figure You OutThe Lights Out - Money or TimeAction Verbs - BustopAction Verbs - Fake RolandAction Verbs - (...)Action Verbs - Matchbook Maps66 Breakout - Goin' Down SlowJack and the Jakes - Kick YouThe New Collisions - Ones to WanderAd Frank - The Vampire Who Opted for DeathThe Weisstronauts- Pleasant Valley SundayThe Rationales - No GuaranteesThe Sift - With You Without YouThe Montogomerys - Don't Let It Bring You DownThe Steamy Bohemians - Sorry I made out with your GirlfriendThe Doom Buggies - RocketShakeyfoot - Bust It Out HighTownship - Big BadAtlantics - When Your YoungVarsity Drag - LIVEPods - BlackoutVarsity Drag - AnimalVarsity Drag - In This WorldThe Montgomerys - My WifeDavid Bowie - Sound and VisionTufts - WMFO 91.5 fm - The Dweezil Show - Saturday from 7 pm to 9 pm. Hosted by Phil.The Muppets - Muppet Show ThemeJuliana Hatfield and Tanya Donnelly - Josie and the PussycatsGuided by Voices - I Am A TreeCharm Farm - SuperstarBetter Than Ezra - Conjunction JunctionFaces - Stay With MeFrank Zappa - The Torture Never Stops The Smiths - How Soon Is NowThe Sounds - No One Sleeps While I'm AwakeJulian Cope - SafesurferJoan Jett & the Blackhearts - Fake FriendsBuffalo Tom - Lolly Lolly Lolly Get Your Adverbs HereMGMT - KidsDuran Duran - A View To A KillThe New Pornographers - Use ItPhil Collins - SussudioRadiohead - Paranoid AndroidNew York Dolls - Personality CrisisThe Wildhearts - ChutzpahDavid Bowie - Moonage DaydreamThe Clash - London CallingXTC - Dear Madam BarnumFrente! - Open Up YOur Heart and Let The Sunshine InThe Luxury - Ordinary WorldMichael Jackson - Thriller Read More
How cool is this:What: It all kicks off at 6 p.m. with musically inspired, bite-sized tastes created by 8 of Bostonâs most notable up-and-coming chefs as well as wine, beer, and cocktails crafted by Church Boston mixologists. At 8 p.m. the party moves over to the club where 3 rollicking New England bands take the sta...ge for a full night of music. Deer Tick headlines along with openers Coyote Kolb and You Can Be A Wesley.When: Sunday, November 8, 6-11 p.m.Where: Church Boston, 69 Kilmarnock St., behind Fenway Park What's especially cool is that the event partially benefits our old pals ZUMIX, a local music education center for kids and teens. Get your tickets here! Read More
Wheat Jukebox The Ghost The Motion Sick The Needy Visions
Can anyone guess what might be today's theme?The Susan Constant - "Charles de Gaulle" [download]There are several aspects of a good musical leitmotif. I mean, most bands don't even bother with them, let alone know what they are. "Charles de Gaulle" is a fantastic example of a group making use of the device that is sadl...y absent from most modern music.In the case of The Susan Constant's "Charles de Gaulle, the leitmotif is introduced in the very top of the song. A slow rising chord progression and a strong, swooping and dipping melody line combine to create the ride that this song becomes.The theme of "Charles de Gaulle" proves itself capable at varying levels of speed and power, from the earnest beginnings of the track to the thumping, pounding pulse of the chorus delivered at full throttle. The rhythmic call and response of the vocal and guitar in the chorus really brings the hook home, as the vocals accentuate the word "-waiting-" and the guitar answers with its own slashing accent. The chorus will stick with the listener, whether or not they have a silly little mustache.The Crushing Low - "Dead Man's Hands" [download]Sometimes, bands give themselves a perfect name. Now we can't assume that each of The Crushing Low's songs sound just like the moody "Dead Man's Hands," but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the other songs are at least in the same vein.If we can get behind this idea, then we can probably expect more guitar driven melancholy from the remainder of the band's catalog. "Dead Man's Hands" is powered by guitar, but not exclusively so. While the signature riff returns after phrases and in turbulent breaks, the chorus rises abruptly into the clouds and mountaintops, with the familiar guitar theme not too far behind, as a sort of micro-nod to the dynamic present in some of U2's more epic songs.Towards the final quarter of the song's length, things open up into new territory, a bass-powered coda that is brief yet memorable in it's almost dance-like finale to the heretofore downwardly mobile sound. "Dead Man's Hands" shifts gears and invites us to shift gears with it.The Painted Lights - "Perfect Circle" [download]Like a strong-willed musical personal trainer, The Painted Lights grab your arm with "Perfect Circle" and give you an enthusiastic "Let's do this!" and then pull you along through a song that is supremely lively and upbeat.The Painted Lights' EKG meter bounces all over the place, never coming remotely close to flatlining or even slowing down. Their strength lies in their ability to bring us along on the trip.Even if you don't think you have the energy to possibly deal with any sort of bounciness or musical chutzpah, that's OK with The Painted Lights, they have energy to spare. And they do communicate and share their energy with the listener throughout the track. The group doesn't so much pull the listener along as they impel the listener, lending their energy through the music, and not asking for any back.The Sound of Growing Up - "Drifting" [download]Have you ever heard, or possibly even considered what the post-modern doo-wop sound might be? Especially if it was backed by what sounds to be an oddly-amped ukulele? Is this truly The Sound of Growing Up, or is this the sound of the last human in future world, a human who has taught his robotic companions how to clap in rhythm, use a tambourine and of course play that weird electro-uke.Ignoring the grim reminder of humanity's future demise, one realizes that one can really get into the oddly off-kilter sound of the appropriately titled "Drifting." The sound of youth is tempered by the "Oh, well" tone of the vocals, as if the singer is somewhat exasperated. You want to help him, but you also delight in earnest, chin-up spirit of the performance. Maybe he'll survive after all, with a little help from the robots, God knows there are plenty of them hanging around at the Stata Center, so hang in there, little buddy.Want to submit your band's song to C.D. On Songs?To be reviewed in a C.D. On Songs column:Be a Boston-based band/artist.Email a single mp3/m4a/etc. (or a download link to one) to cdonsongs (at) gmail (dot) com, with the subject line "C.D. on Songs" (DO NOT send us a bunch of songs and make us pick, we will ignore you). We require a file â not a streaming link.Include album cover art if you have any. If you don't, a band photo or logo is acceptable.We will assume that we have your permission to make the song downloadable on Boston Band Crush (readers will want to hear it, after all).If that's not ok with you, say so and provide us with a link to the song on an embeddable player like ReverbNation â something we can include in the post (and not just link to). Read More
As I walk into Charlie's Kitchen, the enthusiastic crowd are mostly packed like sardines toward the front of the stage awaiting Ships in the Dark to start their set. I grab myself a beer and take out a pad of paper and pen so that I can jot down a couple notes to write this here review. This being my first show review ...for BBC, I did not realize that having pen and paper on hand would cause such a stir. Within the 10 minutes of my being there, I must have met at least half of the crowd - parents, aunts, uncle, a sister, girlfriends friends and fans - all wanting to tell me how great Ships in the Dark are. One gentleman jokingly threatened to "find me" if I didn't write a good review. Well fear not, sir, for I now have no intention 0f doing so.Ships in the Dark begin their set with a funky, upbeat, pop-rock number. At first listen, I couldn't tell watch was funkier - the bass line or the keyboard - until I realized that the keyboardist, Scotty King, was rocking both on the keys. The band progressed through the set with a ebb and flow of emotion, dynamic, and intensity. Songs like their fourth in the set, Out in L.A., remind me of poppier late 90's rock such as Phantom Planet, with a light-hearted feel wrapped up in a rock 'n roll shell. Other songs in the set, such as Our Depression and their closer Landslide (both of which can be found on their myspace) cover more serious issues that many of us can relate to. The lead singer, Gabe Rossi, takes the audience through all of these issues with a convincing amount of emotion, while lead guitarist/back-up vocalist, Matt Munson, seals the deal with sweet vocal harmonies reminiscent of early 90's alt rock, and sweeping guitar licks reflective of modern acts such as Coldplay.Possibly the most impressive thing about this band is the musical talent in use of dynamics and musicianship. Munson plays everything on the guitar spectrum from sleepy triadic diddies to rip-roaring, wah heavy solos. Drummer, Max Monaco plays in a similar fashion. He obviously has the musical knowledge of when it's appropriate to let loose within a song, and when all that is needed are cymbal swells. King shines on the keys with styles ranging from modern to ragtime. Gabe Rossi even takes out a violin for their last number and manages to switch from a rhythmic stutter to an AC/DC-esque lick.Perhaps that is why for such a young band, Ships in the Dark have an impressive fan base in number and enthusiasm. Or maybe it's simply because according to a fan who insisted I quote her, yet remained anonomous "They are all incredibly handsome." Read More
It would be easy for me to say something about how cute Jemina Pearl is when I say you should go see her play at the Middle East Downstairs Wednesday night, but I fear she might take it the wrong way and kick my ass. She's almost the antithesis of herself when you see her live (or at least she was when I saw her play w...ith be your own PET a few years back) - the cute little blond girl with powerful pipes owns stages, spits high in the air, tells audiences to Fuck Off, and, back in the day, I was even vaguely reminded of Iggy Pop, who's featured on her album Break It Up (check out the video for that track, called "I Hate People," below). And, after hearing the album, too, I'm looking forward to hearing these songs live, songs that vaguely remind me of be your own PET with angry, bitter undertones hidden within the bouncy end-rhyme.11/4Middle East DownstairsIslandsJemina PearlToro Y MoiAll Ages, $15 Read More
Boston Band Crush
Show Crush: Ships in the Dark with Final Flash - Tonight at Charlie's Kitchen: Though Ships in the Dark are a new band on the Boston music scene, these guys have plenty of former experience and talent. With members hailing from.. http://bit.ly/3SViNi
Boston Band Crush
Contest Crush: Win a pair of tickets to The Low Anthem at the Paradise, PLUS their album on vinyl!: Providence band The Low Anthem has had a great year, touring internationally and playing major festivals like Bonnaroo and the .. http://bit.ly/37BKNV
Boston Band Crush
Condensed Crush: All the crushes you need in one handy post!: With Mike and Sophia away for the weekend and me gearing up for my big rock show(!) tonight, we've hardly had time to blog. But there's plenty happening that you sho.. http://bit.ly/V9iw7
Boston Band Crush
Blogger Crush: Justin_Emile: Hi there!My name is Justin Emile, and I am a self-diagnosed web-surfing addict and music connoisseur. When Ashley gave me the opportunity to further indulge in both of these lifestyle decisions, I c.. http://bit.ly/17K4ZV
Boston Band Crush
Video Crush: Televandals "Good for Nothing": BBC favorites Televandals have just released the video for "Good for Nothing," the lead single off their forthcoming album. It features jangly guitars and a Joy Division t-shir.. http://bit.ly/3SQtEZ
Boston Band Crush
Information Crush: Amy's Show List: Apparently Halloween Weekend means every band in the area is appearing as another band, could be entertaining or just confusing I guess we'll have to check them out to find the answer. On Thu.. http://bit.ly/tNG0T
Boston Band Crush
Video Recap Crush: Brendan Hogan, Gretel, and Hey Mama, 10/19 at The Lizard Lounge: Brendan Hogan Gretel Hey Mama http://bit.ly/1RQd6h
Boston Band Crush
Show Crush: Autumn Hollow Band tonight at Church with Kier Byrnes (Three Day Threshold) and more!: Sorry for the late notice on this one kids! But if you're looking for something to do tonight, go help Autumn Hollow Band finish.. http://bit.ly/Urylj
Boston Band Crush
Lesson Crush: Lauren Flaherty to teach group voice lessons at Club Passim: Starting next Wednesday, Nov. 4, Boston Band Crush friend/singer-songwriter Lauren Flaherty (left) will be leading a six-week group vocal workshop at th.. http://bit.ly/rfsD0
Boston Band Crush
Radio Crush: Local Music Playlists, Week of October 19 to 26: This week's update of what local music shows in the Boston area are playing:Commercial RadioBay State Rock on WAAF 97.7/107.3 fm Hosted by Carmelita. Sundays 10 pm -.. http://bit.ly/UexTz
Boston Band Crush
Contest Crush: Win tickets to Forest Fires (Christopher from Everyday Visuals) / Miracle Fortress / Liam Finn this Sunday at the Middle East down: One of my favorite albums of the whole wide decade is Liam Finn's debut, I'll Be.. http://bit.ly/2Jhr1F
Boston Band Crush
Show Crush: The Beatings, The New Dumb and The Future of the Left @ TT's this Sunday, 11/1: Three reasons to go to this show:1) The Beatings are in my top three Boston bands EVAR. I'm not sure who the other two are – I haven't .. http://bit.ly/175oLO
Boston Band Crush
Trick or Crush: A run-down of local Halloween shows: Many many many rocking choices this year for Halloween. Here's a round-up for you.THURSDAY 10/29Arts At the ArmoryDr. Gasp's 7th Annual Halloween Special - Dan Blakeslee's (a.. http://bit.ly/4BaeS
