February Record A Day #Instagram

Hashtag fun times. Record A Day continues into February.

The vinyl community came together for thirty-one days to show off the best-of-the-best in categories like “Compilation/Soundtrack”, “Collection of an artist” and “More than two colors”, allowing people some serious bragging rights on Instagram. Part enlightening camaraderie, part daily one-upmanship, record collectors filled the photo sharing social network with prized wax possessions. And it's happening all over again beginning February 1st.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XX

We're spritzing in the month of love with cocktails, playlists and self promotions.

We can count up to made it to XX! We ❤ music, especially local tracks from bands like The Appreciation Post, The Dirty Looks, Vundabar and Old Gray. And to prove our undying affection, we are tri-hosting a show on February 15th with RTT Presents and Refuse Rethink Rebuild Records featuring Shambles, Rebuilder, Save Ends and Save Ends' Canadian counterpart, Laureate from Montreal.

To toast the fresh tracks on this February playlist AND the upcoming Bishop And Rook’s Flirty Thirty Birthday Show, try an Aperol Spritz submitted by Jay over at Boston music blog, Clicky Clicky Music.

The Middle East Is Not Ready To Retire

Co-owner Joseph Sater explains the family’s idea to keep the Middle East Nightclub open. (image credit)

The Boston Metro reported today that the fine folks at the Middle East Nightclub “aren’t ready to retire and close the Middle East.”

The Middle East co-owner Joseph Sater discusses the club’s positive plans to develop a 100-unit residential expansion atop the Central Square complex, including a sound-buffering gallery floor, rooftop common space and a possible deal with the city to provide scooters or bikes to reduce the additional traffic these units could bring.

The fate of the Middle East has been up in the air since the property owner passed away late last year. The potential loss for this historic music venue that houses three night clubs, two-family style restaurants and a restaurant/lounge sent the local scene into a frenzy and community sounding boards such as the Facebook group Save Our Scene began to organize in an attempt to support the club's ongoing existence.

Read the full story reported by Linda Clarke of the Boston Metro on page 9. Visit the official Middle East website for upcoming shows and information about its restaurants.

The Appreciation Post Comes Back With 'Slip Away'

Worth the wait. The Appreciation Post comes back with Slip Away EP

Boston's power-pop-punk band, The Appreciation Post, is celebrating the release of their highly anticipated 6-song EP Slip Away on Friday January 31st at TT the Bear’s in Cambridge and you’re invited!

Things Are Starting To Get Real

Follow Bishop And Rook on Instagram so we can get love notifications!

Oh man, things are starting to get real around here! Our very first show is happening on February 15th at O'Brien's Pub in Allston and features some of our very favorite Boston bands including Shambles, Rebuilder and Save Ends as well as an international guest band, Laureate from Montreal. Check out these cool flyers we made!

Who knows, if this show goes over well, RTT Presents and Refuse Rethink Rebuild Records might let us have another three way tri-host another show and feature EVEN MORE BANDS. Think about it.

It's my birthday man, come hang out! View the official Facebook event page for show details!

Boston Calling Announces 2014 Lineup

Someone found the golden ticket! (image credit - Twitter user @brandnewrockfan)

Boston Calling got all interactive with Bostonians last night as the three-day, two-stage festival planted hidden vinyl records around town that would reveal the highly anticipated lineup of the May 2014 event. Music lovers deciphered a list of riddles including "Don’t pound the pavement too hard, just go where you can find a few beans and there is bound to be a hipster scene" and "Follow the flavors and the beats of the east and your hunt can come to a cease. Watch that clock and think indie rock".

After the official Boston Calling website waved the flag last night, alerting the masses to begin braving the 16 degree weather in search of vinyl, social media notifications of lineup announcements began buzzing and an official announcement video was tweeted from the event's account around 8:40 this morning. Tickets for the event will go on sale January 31st.

The May 2014 lineup includes Jack Johnson, Death Cab For Cutie, Modest Mouse, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Brand New, The Head & The Heart, Tegan & Sara, Bastille, Jenny Lewis, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, The Neighbourhood, Phosphorescent, Built To Spill, Kurt Vile, Walk Off The Earth, Warpaint, Cass McCombs, The District, Tigerman Woah!, and Magic Man.

New Music - Salita Hits the Scene with Vibratious Force

Assaulting audiences with organic, loud and epic rock anthems.

For many locals, the moniker, “Kicked in the Head”, brings back nostalgic feelings and miscellaneous shenanigans of the young, wild and evolving Boston music scene of the late 90's and early 2000's.

After three records and a nine-year hiatus, KITH singer, Gary Hedrick, has returned to front the new rock outfit, Salita, with the help of bassist Peet Golan (Waltham), guitarist Rich Crimlisk (The Morgan Knockers) and drummer Eric Taranto (Dysentery). This four-piece reaches back to the old school punk/post-hardcore sounds of the DC era while assaulting audiences with organic, loud and epic rock anthems that turn the senses inside out.

Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling Premieres "Episode 15: The Girl Who Was Death" Video

Moral of the story, don't go out drinking with Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling

Boston’s Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling released a new music video last week for "Episode 15: The Girl Who Was Death” (originally premiered on boingboing.net). If you’re new to the game, DNFMOMD has been on a quest to write and record 17 songs, each one based on and inspired by an episode of the '60s cult sci-fi TV series, The Prisoner.

WMBR's Pipeline Has A Special Announcement to Make

WMBR's Pipeline scheduled to play a special broadcast at a special time

WMBR’s Pipeline, a weekly two-hour broadcast dedicated to unearthing the “newest and localest” tunes New England has to offer, broadcasted from the MIT campus and hosted by the man, the myth, the legend, DJ Jeff Breeze, has a special announcement to make.

#BandcampRoulette

Here's a little jam by Boston's Só Sol that's as quaint as the snow on your windowsill. "A Good Place" off the band's 2012 Bereavement EP is as coffeehouse as we can get. For the love of wax, someone put them on vinyl! Catch Só Sol with Somerville's horror-surf rock outfit, Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion, next Monday (1/27) at Zuzu for a free Monday night show.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Dressing for the Scene 101

Turn off your computer right now.

It has come to my attention that this article is in desperate need of being written. Ladies, consider this an intervention.You’re doing it wrong.

Blackbutton Premieres New Single "AM Clouds PM Sun"

Blackbutton at TT the Bear's during their Single Release show 1.17.14 (image credit)

Boston rock trio, Blackbutton, thrashed the stage (figuratively and literally) with their distorted set of originals and a nearly indistinguishable cover of Nirvana's "Breed" last night during their Single Release Show at TT the Bear's in Cambridge. As part of the Stripper Series, a set of singles corresponding with 1960's stripper Polaroids, the band premiered a turbo boost of adrenaline via "AM Clouds PM Sun".

The guys plan to release at least five songs in the series according to drummer, Justin Emile, but like any creative process, the project depends on inspiration. "AM Clouds PM Sun" first premiered on Boston music blog, Vanyaland, the morning of the show and is an addition to Blackbutton's diverse musical portfolio.

Sign up for the Blackbutton mailing list to gain VIP access to new singles as they are released, and head to the band's Facebook page to download their first two singles in the Stripper Series, "Still Kids" and "Canopy" for free.

Day Drinkers & Parents Rejoice! There's A Show For You!

All ages matinee punk show = No excuse to miss this show

There are a few matinee shows happening in Boston the next few Saturdays for all you earlier risers / day drinkers, including an all ages punk show on 1/18 and a family friendly Rock n Romp on 1/25.

Blackbutton Single Release Show - January 17th

Blackbutton Single Release Show. We're dying to see who the next stripper is.

In mid-December, Blackbutton spent a day at Q Division Studios for Converse Rubber Tracks Boston and recorded their third single from the Stripper Series. To celebrate its release, the band is putting on a show with friends The Year Million, Jessica Prouty Band, and A Wish For Fire. Join in and get your free copy of the single :Friday, Janu:ary 17th at TT The Bear's Place in Central Square, Cambridge. (Set times can be found on TT's website). This show is $10, 18+, 8:30pm doors. For additional details, view the official Facebook event page.

Taking Back Sunday Releases New Song "Flicker, Fade"

Taking Back Sunday has released the first single, "Flicker, Fade," off their anticipated sixth studio album, Happiness Is (Hopeless Records), which will be available for purchase on March 18th. "Flicker, Fade" can purchase on iTunes today. Happiness Is will be the band's first record in three years. After several lineup changes, the band reprised the original Tell All Your Friends lineup of Adam Lazzara, John Nolan, Eddie Reyes, Shaun Cooper and Mark O'Connell in 2011 to record their self titled album. 

#BandcampRoulette

The beautiful and haunting sounds of Center of the Sun (NC), a band rumored to be on permanent hiatus via the abundance of exaggerated Facebook finale posts, lives on in the Bandcamp directory. “Cease” off of their 2012 record, Machine Gun, is a melancholy mixture of Metric and Mazzy Star. The entire record is reminiscent of Julee Cruise (Twin Peaks) and the beautiful multicolored splatter vinyl is still available for purchase at Self Aware Records.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

“Courtesy Moans” Makes My Lady Bones Tingle

Allston's Lady Bones is the next band to put on your radar.

See what I did there? Back in September, Allston indie rock band Lady Bones collaborated with local experimental rock band, Horsehands, to release a 4-song split. Side note, if gremlins made music, I’m certain it would sound something like Horsehands’ contribution.

Hold/Transfer Premier Music Video for “Spoken For”

Boston shoegaze dreampop band Hold/Transfer, side project of American Thread's Michael Taggart, premiered a new music video for single, "Spoken For". The haunting song serves as a soundtrack to this homemade-style video of the quintessential dream girl next-door. Check out more tracks from Hold/Transfer on Soundcloud and follow the band on Facebook for information on the upcoming release of the band's first full-length and release show.

The Hotelier Announce 2014 US Tour with osoosooso

Boston It Band, The Hotelier, recently announced a 2014 US Tour with osoosooso to support the release of their upcoming full-length record, Home, Like No Place Is There (available for pre-order on Tiny Engines). The indie record label recently released two tracks off the anticipated February album.

Bishop And Rook on Nick Burka On The Music

Bishop And Rook featured on Nick Burka On The Music

Bishop And Rook recently infiltrated the folk, soul and bluegrass Boston music blog, Nick Burka On The Music, to bring the influence of indie rock! Hashtag networking. Read about the upcoming The Color And Sound show happening January 31st with The Appreciation Post and get educated on Nick's adventures on his side of the Boston music scene.

Bishop And Rook Guest DJs the 'Break Out Bands of 2014' Podcast For Mutiny on the Microphone

Tune into Boston podcast, Mutiny on the Microphone, for music
and informative tidbits about the local scene.

Oh geeze, someone let us talk on the radio.

Kristin discusses her predictions for breakout Boston bands of 2014 in this week’s Mutiny on the Microphone podcast!

We must be doing something right because Adam over at Mutiny and the Microphone was nice enough to let me stumble my way through a list of eleven bands that blew my mind in 2013 and can only get bigger in the New Year. I promise, only one kitten tangent. Not too shabby for our first podcast appearance.

Boston Bands Announced for 2014 SXSW Festival

The SXSW Festival rocks Austin, Texas March 6-17

Bent Shapes, Gentlemen Hall and Mean Creek among the Boston bands announced for the 2014 SXSW Festival happening March 6-17 in Austin, Texas.

Visit the official SXSW site for additional event details.

South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and Media Conference, the world's leading music industry event, offers attendees the opportunity to explore the future of the music industry during the day at panels, talks, the Trade Show, Music Gear Expo and other conference activities at the Austin Convention Center. At night, the absolute best mix of musical performances from over 2,200 regional, national and international acts take place at the SXSW Music Festival. Altogether, SXSW presents unmatched networking opportunities, career-building conference programming and over 100 stages of music for showcasing bands and conference attendees. SXSW Music is now in its 28th year.

We're Featured on Blog Better Boston's {hub}LINKS Roundup!

What What! Bishop And Rook's January Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Playlist is featured on Blog Better Boston's 2014 {hub}LINKS Roundup. This month's theme is "everything new", including the new songs of Boston bands such as Kurt Von Stetten, Sarah Rabdau & The Self Employed Assassins, Slowdim and Rebuilder. Plus a deserving Chamboard Mimosa.

Calling All Ruffians. Rough Francis to Shoot Video for "Not a Nice Guy"

So you wanna be in a music video? Vermont soul punks, Rough Francis, put out an all call for extras to fill the room during an upcoming video shoot for "Not a Nice Guy" off of their 2013 LP, Maximum Soul Power. Director Mark Covino (A Band Called Death) will be behind the camera at North End Stuido, Burlington, VT, on Saturday, February 15th.

The Objective: To pack the space with as many people as possible and have a wild rock show. "We encourage crowd surfing and friendly slam dancing throughout the set. We also want to encourage people to wear their favorite punk band tees, especially local band tees. This will be our opportunity to show the rest of the world that there is a thriving underground scene in Burlington VT. Please join us."

According to the official Facebook event page, Rough Francis will not mime to their own music, they will actually play live (you might just hear the same song a few times).

This event is all ages and BYOB (because VT is awesome). Show time is at 9pm, Free 294 North Winooski Ave. Burlington, VT.

Old Gray Premieres Acoustic Version of "I Still Remember Who I Was Last Summer"

In late December, New Hampshire post hardcore screamo band, Old Gray, premiered a stripped down, acoustic version of "I Still Remember Who I Was Last Summer", off of the 2013 record An autobiography, available on Bandcamp as a name your price download. The band is currently on tour Boston punks Lovechild. Follow Old Gray on Facebook and Twitter for additional information.

24 Bands. 9 Nights. 1 Crown. The 2014 Rock 'n' Roll Rumble Dates Announced

2014 dates for the 35th Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble have been announced! Soon to be revealed bands will be invited to compete for the coveted Champion title at TT the Bear’s in Central Square, Cambridge on Sunday, April 6, with six preliminary nights to follow. 24 bands from Boston and New England will take part. Band selection has been underway and invitations go out in January.

#BandcampRoulette

From the band that gives us the killer line, "Broken hearts under flannels," brother/sister duo Great Thunder's (PA) Can't Turn Her Head is your Sunday morning Bandcamp Roulette pick. Stream/purchase their whopping 23-track avant-garde record, Groovy Kinda Love, today.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Record Store Score - NKOTB

Total score at Armageddon Records in Harvard Square (image credit)

We may have waited 15 minutes in the snow for a bus to drive us to a record store...but it was obviously worth it. New Kids on the Block 'You Got It (The Right Stuff)' 12" version, 7" version AND the instrumental track for all you karaoke fans out there. Follow Bishop And Rook on Instagram for more pictures of vinyl as we participate in the #JanuaryRecordADay post-a-thon.

Studio 52's Capital Idea - Allston Rock City Hall

Allston's premiere practice space announces capital idea with future venue space, Allston Rock City Hall.

Studio 52, Allston’s warehouse-turned-artist-space, known to house some of today’s best and brightest bands including Mellow Bravo, The Field Effect, Big D and the Kids Table, and over 100 more, is just about a few months out from getting that much more in tune with the Boston music scene with the addition of an in-house performance space called Allston Rock City Hall (ARCH).

Positioned as a facility that is an inspiring, clean, and positive environment for artists and musicians to perfect their craft, Studio 52 is run by artists, for artists.

General Manager and Owner Rich Anton, and Director of Operations Glenn Michael decided upon the idea, the way so many of us achieve epic epiphanies, over drinks. Initially, ARCH will operate as a private event hall, sans the sale alcohol or public admission, in hopes to someday acquire a state liquor license. In the meantime, Studio 52’s Allston Rock City Hall is the ideal setting for private parties to art galleries, rock shows to sponsored events.

Bands interested in renting spaces at Studio 52 can swing by their website. Follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter for ARCH updates.

Read the original article written by Steph Hiltz of the Boston Globe (1.2.14).

Faces In The Floor - Self

Local independent label Electric Lighthouse Recordings releases the hard rock sounds of Faces In The Floor with the new EP, Self. Recorded over a two-day period in the now defunct Rosebud Bar & Grill, Self is the most recent recording from Electric Lighthouse.

Boston-based Faces In The Floor is a hard rock quartet, formed in 2009. In 2010, the band recorded and released a 5 song EP, A Conflict Of Time, and wrote and recorded their debut full-length album, Bones, at Lionsgate Studio in Boulder, Colorado in 2011.

Self is available for purchase on Bandcamp for $3. Check out other releases from Electric Lighthouse at electriclighthouserecordings.com. Follow Faces In The Floor on Twitter and Facebook for additional information including show dates.

31 Days of Vinly on Instagram

Show off your vinyl

Like most fake internet challenges, I said no to this until I started reading the list and thinking of all the records I'd pick. So needless to say, my #1 is up. What are you listening to? The best part of this Instagram post session is reading all of the narratives from the other vinyl lovers using the hashtag #JanuaryRecordADay.