The Greatest Thing You’ve Never Seen – US Air Guitar Championships Qualifier Round Comes to Boston

"Make Air Not War" - Register for the Boston qualifier round of the US Air Guitar Championships.

Do you have what it takes to be a professional air guitarist? (per the video below, it apparently takes zero guitar and zero fucks). The event that is part miming, part music (mimesic?), The US Air Guitar Championships qualifier round returns to TT the Bear’s on Saturday, June 6th. Competitors edit a 60 second track to shred to during the first round. Top 5 from round 1 make it to the second round where they will shred to an edit they have never heard. The top 3 entertainers of the night will move onto the semi-finals. The event includes a special halftime performance by acoustic comedy dudes The Daley Grimes. You must be 18+ to register.

Register online.

Doors are at 5:30PM, $10, ticket link, Facebook event link.

The holistic event includes qualifying rounds in 23 cities, regional conference semi-finals, wildcard playoffs and national finals being held in the nation's biggest exporter of air guitars, Portland, OR. The winner of the National US Championships jetsets to the World Air Guitar Championships, held in Oulu, Finland.

Matt "Airistotle" Burns (NY) holds the 2014 National Air Guitar Champ title. He also holds the 2012 National Champion title, the 2011 New York Champion title and a 2010 Dark Horse Wild Card title. His signature song is My Chemical Romance's “Dead!” and sources confirm his mom is proud. Press play below to see Mr. Airistotle thrash around the stage like a skinny punk rock pixie boy, doing things only someone with an invisible guitar could do.

For more information, visit www.usairguitar.com

Scruffy the Cat Announced as Part of TT the Bear's Farewell Blowout Showcase

1980’s staple rock ‘n’ roll Boston band Scruffy the Cat has been announced for final night of TT the Bear’s 8-night Farewell Blowout showcase on July 25th. Tickets to be released soon. Event details. Visit TT's concert calendar for up-to-date show information.

Scruffy the Cat played out from 1984 through 1990. The band reunited in 2011 for a few shows in the Boston area, with the initial show being arranged as a benefit concert for cancer-stricken lead singer, Charlie Chesterman*. Chesterman passed away in November of 2013 after losing his battle with colon cancer, he was 53.

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scruffy_The_Cat

Regina Pizzeria Parent Company Files For Bankruptcy

Historic Regina Pizzerias files for bankruptcy (image credit)

Earlier this afternoon, Boston Globe* dropped a bomb that Regina Pizzeria parent company (Boston Restaurant Associates Inc.) filed for bankruptcy in federal court Wednesday (5/20).

In addition to 17 Regina Pizzerias, including the historic North End location (established in 1926), Boston Restaurant Associates also owns two Polcari’s Italian Restaurant locations in Saugus and Woburn.

The decision was said to have been made based on changes in sales, high leases and operating costs.

It is reported that the Regina Pizzeria locations in Allston and at the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut are operated by other companies that license the Regina name, and are not expected to be affected by the bankruptcy.

Read the full story at www.bostonglobe.com

*Originally reported by Dan Adams

Pre-order The First Vinyl Pressing of Old Gray's 2011 Demo + June Tour Dates

Pre-order the first vinyl release of Old Gray's 2011 Demo.

Bad Timing Records, in conjunction with Cam Boucher's (Old Gray / Sorority Noise) new label, Flower Girl Records, will release the first vinyl pressing of Old Gray’s '2011 Demo'. Like the previous vinyl release of‘Do I Dare Disturb the Universe’, Demo is a one-sided 12" with a screen-printed B-side. Limited to 200 Blue w/ White Splatter and 300 Blue. Pre-orders are now available.

The release date is June 30th. Vinyl will be shipping slightly after that date. All vinyl purchases come with a digital download -- if you want only a digital download, find that over at Bandcamp.

And for the super savvy shopper, there is an Old Gray Demo + Somos / Sorority Noise split bundle offer.

Old Gray will be hitting the road for a quick Northeast tour this June, coming to The Middle East Upstairs on June 28th with Milo, Clique and Yeehaw! (presented by Bowery Boston). All ages, 7PM doors, $10 advanced/$12 day of, ticket link.

Full Tour Dates

June 24 | Asbury Park, NJ | Asbury Lanes
June 25 | Philadelphia, PA | Philamoca
June 26 | New York, NY | Silent Barn
June 27 | New York, NY | Riis Park Beach Bazaar (Matinee)
June 27 | Hamden, CT | The Space
June 28 | Cambridge, MA | Middle East Upstairs




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Old Gray "Do I Dare Disturb The Universe" Released at 5PM Today

The Restless Atlantic - 'Chasm'

‘Chasm’ is a 9-track modern-day melodic rock record strung together by the sincere efforts of a young band.

You could name drop for days if you were to attempt to compare ‘Chasm’, the debut LP from The Restless Atlantic, to a similar sounding record. And that’s not necessarily a terrible thing. The Portland, Maine quartet demonstrates their influences from classic rock to grinding mid-era screamo, with a sprinkle of nostalgic 90’s emo to ground their driving sound.

#BandcampRoulette – Your American Math

Bandcamp Roulette, the radio edition.

That time when you turned on the radio to catch the bridge of a song you’ve never heard before. Shazam could not help you, the internet vaguely knew what you were talking about, but your perseverance uncovered one, lonely and borderline defunct MySpace page. With just two tracks to entertain your new obsession, your success was bittersweet and you began to mentally sift through your list of college radio station connections who could possibly burn a copy of your new favorite record of songs you haven’t listened to yet.

Athens, Georgia 5-piecee Your American Math made a record 'Motors Into The Drink' in 2003. That record has a 10:04 song called “Annual Headache Drive”. 88.1FM WMBR has been playing it sporadically since its release date twelve years ago. And we now know what love is.

“Your American Math delve into Radiohead tunefulness as much as they do the Slint workouts. Intermittent traces of Omaha folk are juxtaposed with the jazzy weirdness of Karate…On a track like the stunning, exhausting "Annual Headache Drive," the band's careful craftsmanship truly pays off,” Stein Haukland – www.ink19.com

  anual headache drive from your american math on Myspace.

First Batch of Bands Announced for the 2015 Boston Fuzzstival

We're getting that fuzzy feeling again.

Illegally Blind took to the internets to announce the initial Boston Fuzzstival 2015 lineup late yesterday.

The three-day festival (August 6-8 at The Middle East) features some of the best bands in the region that make psychedelic/fuzz/garage/surf rock noise including 2015 Rock 'n' Roll Rumble champions Zip Tie Handcuffs.

Line Up (so far)

DrugRug
Bloodshot BILL
CREATUROS
Ghost Box Orchestra
The Barbazons (formally The Fagettes)
Littlefoot
Herbcraft
The TeleVibes
The Mystery Lights
NICE GUYS
Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion!
Zip-Tie Handcuffs
GYMSHORTS
Blinders
Wakes
Mini Dresses
Midriffs
Soft Eyes

Schedules and additional bands TBD. Visit the official Facebook event page for full details.

Big Time Kill Amps Up Devo's "Girl U Want"

We put synth in yo' synth.

Oh hai you guys, another cover from a local band. Earlier this week we listened to Pulitzer Prize Fighter’s cover of The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights” and Save End’s rendition of  Jawbreaker’s “Oyster”. Today we’re digging the electro-industrial interpretation of Devo’s “Girl U Want” from noisy synth-fueled rock band Big Time Kill released earlier this year. Look for their debut EP out this summer.

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Pulitzer Prize Fighter Covers "Such Great Heights" - Free Bandcamp Download
Local Bands Contribute to Jawbreaker Tribute Album

Ghost Thrower Premiers New Track "Oranges"

Ghost Thrower premiers "Oranges" off of the upcoming record "Batsy" out this Friday, May 15th. Stream the the track below.

Local Bands Contribute to Jawbreaker Tribute Album

Michigan Indie label, Save Your Generation Records, has done a whole mess of leg work to create “What’s The Score”, a Jawbreaker tribute album. The 12-track record is available as a digital download to be released June 23rd and as a limited edition vinyl record (200) estimated to ship out July 28th. Pre-orders available now.

Rebuilder Spring Tour Kickoff Show May 11th at Charlie's Kitchen

Rebuilder tour kickoff show Monday, May 11th at Charlie's Kitchen.

Rebuilder is hitting the road and crossing borders this May as the self-proclaimed ‘gnarly rock band’ makes appearances at Pouzza Fest in Montreal and Skate And Surf in Asbury Park, NJ.

Pulitzer Prize Fighter Covers "Such Great Heights" - Free Bandcamp Download

Pulitzer Prize Fighter taps brings the harmonies with Postal Service cover.

Boston's pop alt band Pulitzer Prize Fighter have released a cover of The Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" as a free download on Bandcamp. "For the foreseeable future we'll be periodically dropping free covers in between original releases," states the band's Facebook page. PPF will be releasing a new single entitled "Wicked" sometime next month.

Related Stories:

Pulitzer Prize Fighter Releases New Single "Lies" Off Upcoming EP
Pulitzer Prize Fighter Wins with Debut EP
Music Video Premier: Soft Pyramids "Trouble"

Death Comes to The Middle East 5/31

See Death live at Middle East Downstairs on May 31st.

Bowery Boston presents Death at Middle East Downstairs on Sunday, May 31st. 18+ (with valid ID), 8PM doors. $23 in advanced, $25 day of (ticket link).

Death was a garage rock and punk rock band formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1971 by the brothers Bobby (bass, vocals), David (guitar), and Dannis (drums) Hackney. Death officially broke up in 1977. In September 2009, a reformed Death played three shows with original members Bobby and Dannis Hackney, with Lambsbread guitarist Bobbie Duncan taking the place of the late David Hackney. In 2011, Drag City Records released a new album, "Spiritual • Mental • Physical", with demos and rough cuts that predate the 1974 sessions. An independent documentary film about the band titled "A Band Called Death", (trailer below) directed by Jeff Howlett and Mark Covino, was released in 2013 on Drafthouse Films. Death frontman Bobby Hackney is father to Bobby Hackney jr., Urian Hackney and Julian Hackney of Vermont punk band Rough Francis.

Sorority Noise Releases Teaser Video for Upcoming LP "Joy, Departed"

Sorority Noise's sophomore LP and debut release on Topshelf Records available 6/19/15.

Hartford, CT emo rockers Sorority Noise have released a teaser video for upcoming record “Joy, Departed”. The band's sophomore LP, and Topshelf Records debut, will be available June 16, 2015 on CD, vinyl and digitally.

Get notified when pre-orders for the album become available via Topshelf Record's website. Head to Bandcamp to stream and purchase the 2014 LP "Forgettable" (Storm Chasers Records) now.

Taco Party To Open Storefront in Somerville - Everyday Reported to Become 'Taco Tuesday'

Taco Party coming soon to Somerville.

Taco Party, the all vegetarian / vegan Mexican-inspired food truck slinging Chimichurri Tempeh Tacos, Tofu Tacos and Chorizo Seitan Tacos, is getting a brick and mortar store of its very own according to a recent Facebook announcement.

"Checks have been written, keys handed over. I can now officially announce Taco Party the restaurant! We've always had such great experiences in Somerville so we've chosen Ball Sq as our new home. 711 Broadway is the spot. I won't be so bold as to choose the opening date yet but we will act fast! Can't wait to put a roof over your heads!"

Taco Party hit the streets in 2013 with Keith Schubert (ex-The Raging Teens) behind the wheel. The truck can be found in the Boston area Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and is also available for catering. Follow Taco Party on Facebook and Twitter for updates and truck schedules. And visit www.tacopartytruck.com for complete information.