Refused Comes to The Sinclair June 1st

Refuse comes to Cambridge 6.1.15

The Sinclair in Harvard Square announced that quintessential Swedish hardcore band, Refused, will be coming to town June 1st. Ticket pre-sale will be on sale Friday, April 3rd at 12:00PM EDT. Event information can be found on The Sinclair's website.

Do617 Pop-Up Record Shop April 18th

Free event! Things to do! PBR! Allston! Do617!

Hey vinyl junkies, here's a free event for you.

The fine folks at Do617 and Pabst Blue Ribbon have teamed up and bring the vinyl to you as they present the Pop-Up Record Shop, Saturday, April 18 at Brighton Music Hall!

Great Lakes USA, “Shaking Hands” Off Upcoming EP 'Stumblin’ Distance'

These guys... Stumlin' Distance is estimated to be released this June.

Check out the new track from Great Lakes USA, “Shaking Hands” off of the upcoming EP Stumblin’ Distance (Black Numbers), originally premiered on punktastic.com. Follow Great Lakes USA on Facebook and Twitter for additional announcements.

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New Great Lakes USA Record Confirmed
The New Punk Is Coming...

The New Punk Is Coming...

Fuck yeah punk rock! (image credit)

Several local punk bands holding prime positions on our music radar are revealing that new music is in the works for 2015.

Great Lakes USA finally confirmed after years many months of hearsay that their next LP Stumbling Distance is in the works with a tentative release date of June.

The Black Cheers uploaded an ominous teaser video to their Facebook page yesterday.

And word on the street is Grenades in the Archives have some new jams on deck.

Get ready. Do you have new music you want to submit to Bishop & Rook? Learn how here.

Elder Homecoming Show with Leather Lung, SET & Worshipper

Wrapping up a month-long tour that stretched from Rhode Island to SXSW in support of their latest album Lore (released via Armageddon Shop), Providence's heavy psychedelic rock band Elder will play their homecoming show at TT the Bear’s in Central Square, Cambridge on Monday, March 30th. A 5-song record with tracks averaging a hypnotic 11:49, Lore is the band’s third full-length album, featuring the interplay of heaviness and melody which has become the hallmark of Elder’s sound.

Opening the night are stoner rock bands Leather Lung, SET (Worcester) and Worshipper, presented by Grayskull Booking.

The show is 18+, $10 advanced (buy here) / $14 day of and doors are at 8pm. Head to Bandcamp to purchase Lore now.

New Great Lakes USA Record Confirmed

Stumbling Distance due out June 1st, 2015.

Boston punks Great Lakes USA confirmed via Facebook this morning that their highly anticipated and long awaited follow up to 2012's Live Fast, Die Whenever is happening.

"We are stoked to announce we are once again working with Coffeebreath And Heartache (they will be handling vinyl) & Black Numbers (CD & Digital) to release our new EP, 'Stumbling Distance' on June 1st 2015!

This is the first collection of jams featuring Mike Przygoda shredding on every song and we could not be any more stoked about this.

You are all in for a treat."

Cheers! You can see Great Lakes USA with After The Fall (NY / Bridge Nine Records), Heartsounds (CA) and Tied To A Bear at O'Brien's Pub in Allston on May 12th.

WTF Radio 92.9 FM...

Tell us how you really feel... When you hear the word "spring", some might think beer gardens, others may revel in parking ban lifts, Radio 92.9 FM went for cleavage. This morning, Boston's alternative radio station that "plays more music and less blah blah blah" posted this picture on Twitter with the caption "Welcome back Spring!". Pure class and noted.

According to the station's bio, "Our music geeks are connecting Boston’s passionate music fans and keep you up to date with music news, concerts info, and chances to meet and hang out with the biggest artists in Alternative." And inappropriate, audience alienating, tasteless commentary.

Julius Earthling 'NFL Bliss' Record Release Show

It's a record release show ya'll!

Two bands we totally gushed about on Mutiny on the Microphone the other week are playing tonight FYI. Fight the windstorm and make your way to O'Brien's Pub in Allston for Julius Earthling's record release show. Stream the NFL Bliss EP in its entity on Bandcamp now.

Sharing the stage will be garage band Laika's Orbit, dreamy indie rockers Digital Prisoners of War and fuzz garage band Grave Ideas. The show is 21+ with valid ID, doors are at 8pm and is $7. Full event details here.

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The Stereo State - Just Kidding

Holyoke's The Stereo State have some bad news.

After announcing an indefinite hiatus after their FEST appearance in 2013 and a surprise resurgence a year later, Holyoke's The Stereo State was back in the game, scheduled to open for Banquets in Allston and play Montreal's notorious Pouzza Fest this year.

Unfortunately, the melodic punk band took to Facebook (again) tonight to break news of changing plans.

Per the band's Facebook page:

"Unfortunately we are not going to be able to play May 15th in Allston or head North for Pouzza Fest, sorry about that, we are very bummed! Thank you to @ryanagate and everyone at @pouzzafest for having us, we'll make it up later this year or next year! We do have a release to announce very soon, so stay tuned for that! In the meantime, I'm going to have my baby girl and we are continuing to write a killer fucking record!-Andy & TSS"

Which leads us to the question, #‎TSS2015‬?

Follow the band on Facebook for further details.

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Zip-Tie Handcuffs Premier Music Video for "Weird Being"

2015 Rock 'N' Roll Rumble participants, Zip-Tie Handcuffs, released another trippy video utilizing projections, this time for track "Weird Being" off of their 2014 LP Sundream, available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp now.

Zip-Tie Handcuffs will be battling it out along with Nate Leavitt Band, The Dirty Looks and Murcielago during night #5 (4/17) of the Rumble preliminaries at TT the Bear's in Central Square, Cambridge. Tickets are available now.

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Zip-Tie Handcuffs Melts Your Face with “Psychotic Dance”

New England Bands Head to Skate And Surf Fest

Tickets available now. #RoadTrip

New Jersey’s Skate And Surf Fest 2015 lineup consists of an entertaining array of local, national and international punk rock bands including several from the New England area. This year, the multi-day event at Asbury Park Oceanfront will host headliners, The Dropkick Murphys (Born & Bred Records), as well as Big D and the Kids Table (Strictly Rude Records), Defeater (Epitaph/Bridge Nine), Rebuilder (Panic State) and Connecticut’s Sorority Noise (Top Shelf).

2015 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble Preliminary Schedule

Schedules for nights 1 - 6 of The Rock 'N' Roll Rumble have been announced! Which means we are now committed to a dinner rotation of Veggie Galaxy and Thelonious Monkfish this entire week. Individual tickets and the FULL BOAT 9-day passes are available via TT the Bear’s Ticketweb site. All shows are 18+. Follow the Rumble on Facebook and Twitter for additional updates.

Exclusive Beach Slang Afternoon Show at Firebrand Saints

See Beach Slang at Firebrand Saints this Saturday 3/14/15

Here's your exclusive, VIP insider tip of the day. Beach Slang (PA) will be at Firebrand Saints (1 Broadway, Kendall Square, Cambridge) this Saturday, March 14th, for a very special midday show before their SOLD OUT show with Cursive at The Sinclair later that night. The band will be accompanied by Boston post-hardcore band, Choke Up.

2PM / $5 / 21+. Presented by Eye Design. Facebook event details. Boom.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXXIII

'She Knows' how to make mean cocktails (image credit)

Happy almost spring you guys! Have you gone to a show lately? The Class of the 2015 Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble was announced, we have Rebuilder’s ‘Rock & Roll in America’ record release coming up, Great Lakes USA and The New Warden are playing Friday 13th. Get out there and socialize. And maybe order an Irish Sprite while you’re at it. Here's our March 2015 Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Playlist.

Introducing the Class of the 2015 Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble

This might be our favorite Rumble lineup yet. Zip-Tie Handcuffs, Yale, MA, Raw Blow what?! Boston Emissions with Anngelle Wood (100.7 WZLX) took to the airwaves Sunday night to announce the class of the 2015 Rock 'n' Roll Rumble.

Stream "The National Bohemian" off of Rebuilder's Upcoming Debut LP

Rebuilder's 'Rock & Roll In America' release show - April 3rd at O'Brien's Pub, Allston

In celebration of their upcoming debut full-length album ‘Rock & Roll In America’, Rebuilder (Panic State Records) is scheduled to play their record release show at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston on Friday, April 3rd. We’re keeping it local and celebrating the immense talent of the Boston music scene by featuring post-hardcore band Choke Up (Black Numbers Records), Somerville indie punk outfit Bundles and kitschy ‘spaceman looping artist’ Sundog, along with special guest DJ Mateo Williams of WMBR 88.1 FM’s Late Risers Club (MIT) who will be spinning vinyl records of the punk variety in-between sets. The event is presented by Bishop & Rook Music Blog, is 21+, $8 and doors are at 8pm. Advanced ticket link available here. Get additional details via the official Facebook event page.

Stream an exclusive first listen of "The National Bohemian" off of Rock & Roll In America after the jump.

Bandcamp Reports Fans Have Given Artists $100 Million USD

Dolla Dolla Bill, Y'All. Bandcamp reports major milestone.

Bandcamp took to Facebook to announce a major milestone. Per the music streaming website, fans have now given artists $100 million USD through Bandcamp. Fans give artists $3.5 million every month on the site, and buy more than 16,000 records a day, which works out to about one every five seconds, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

"So a big, big thanks to everyone supporting artists on Bandcamp, and to all the artists and labels posting great music too. We wouldn’t be here without you. P.S. We worked out of the public library for the first four years of Bandcamp’s existence. In May 2009, fans gave artists $12,823.12. It was the first time we’d crossed the $10K-in-a-month mark."

Read more via the Bandcamp blog.

25% Off Vinyl Records at Newbury Comics

3 days only (3/6-3/8), receive 25% off all vinyl records at Newbury Comics. Find a location near you. See website/store for complete details.

Party with Trophy Lungs this Sunday 3/8

Punk rock party at the Middle East Upstairs 3/8.

It’s his birthday and he’ll drink all the beers if he wants to. Head to the Middle East Upstairs on Sunday, March 8th to celebrate Trophy Lungs guitarist, Kevin Bogart’s, birthday with performances by After the Fall (Albany punks recently signed to Bridge Nine Records), Remnants (NY, ex-members of The Broosevelts), Tied to a Bear (members of Choke Up / collectively decided to be too cool for the internet), Bear Child (NY, Justin from Deep Pockets), presented by Wormwood Joint.

Doors are at 8pm, $10, 18+ with valid ID. Additional details can be found on the official Facebook event page.

Remember, Sunday is Daylight Savings Time, turn those clocks forward one hour and don't miss the first act.

Eye Design Presents Premiere Show at Firebrand Saints

New show, new venue, get on this. Saturday, March 7th.

Celebrate the first show at Firebrand Saints featuring indie shoegaze band Guillermo Sexo (Midriff Records) meow metal until we can't meow metal anymore you guys, experimental noise rockers Linear Downfall (TN) and surf rock outfit Beach Toys, presented by Eye Design. This show is $5, 21+ with valid ID and starts at 9pm. Get full event details here.

Firebrand Saints is located at 1 Broadway in Kendall Square, Cambridge. Close to the T, offers free parking and the kitchen is open until 11pm.

Music Video Premiere: Soft Pyramids "Trouble"

As a follow up to their previous DIY music video, "Around This Town" off of the 2014 LP Fossils of the Free World, Soft Pyramids returns to the Napoleon Complex to bring us Lindsey Buckingham's 1981 song, "Trouble”. Putting a shoegaze spin on the retro track, Soft Pyramids takes it slow with a dreamier, sincere rendition.

For anyone who tends to observe various aspects of a live performance, this unique split screen concept provides an intimate, in-the-moment experience for the viewers at home; achieved when filmmaker Tim Stabers matched two separate takes, side by side, and utilizing one video’s audio.

Soft Pyramids will be playing Empire in Portland, ME on March 7th with Foam Castles and Leveret (event details) and O’Brien’s Pub in Allston on March 11th with Dead Trains, The Sun Lions and Peach Pit (event details).

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First Batch of Awesome Day Fest 2015 Bands Announced

So ominous it must be important. Coming May 30, 2015.

The first batch of participating Awesome Day Fest 2015 bands has been announced! It’s happening! The annual neighborhood music event will be held on Saturday, May 30th, 2015 in “The Aspen of the East” beautiful Allston, Massachusetts, curated by Jesse Sherman and Midriff Records.

“Awesome Day Fest is a day long party celebrating the music, art and spirit of Allston “Rock City”, MA. With bands and BBQ during the day and rock at night we hope that folks will come out, spend the day with us and experience what makes Allston, MA so special. Make a day of it!” states Midriff Records.

Confirmed to participate in this year’s event is Weird Womb, Sidewalk Driver, Kudgel, Shatner, Vic Firecracker (reunion), Petty Morals, Guillermo Sexo, Crooked North, Eldridge Rodriguez, Party Bois, Codetta (reunion) and Diablo Gato. More to come.

Additional information including individual show tickets, “all venue” wristbands and a full lineup of participating bands will be added to Midriff Record’s blog regularly. Follow Awesome Day Fest on Facebook and Twitter for announcements and attend the all-day event May 30th.

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Velah Calls it a Day

Velah Calls it a Day

Boston alt-indie band Velah has ceased to be a band. Per Facebook this afternoon, the band stated:

"Hey everyone! Apologies to be the bearers of rather crap news but we've decided to call it day. We had a blast for the time we were together but unfortunately we just ran out of gas. Thanks to everyone who came out to shows and supported us the last few years - we are eternally grateful. Have no fear, we're all still making music though! Check out Jen and Mike in Pale Hands, Danny's work in Black Foliage and Justin drumming his heart out in Blackbutton. Nick is working on guitars which you can ogle at here, somervilleguitarco.tumblr.com XO"

The band recently played with now Brooklynites, Boom Said Thunder during their homecoming single release show back in January of this year. You can stream Velah's releases on Bandcamp.