Anonymous Post-Hardcore Band Premiers New Track Off Debut EP

At the Heart of It debut EP out March 3rd. Pre-order available now.

New Hampshire’s At the Heart of It revolves around the belief that music is a tool for social awareness and a means to open the lines of communication with their listeners. Looking to keep the focus on the music and message, rather than on the band as individuals, ATHOI chose to be interviewed as a single entity. “We are a five piece, and will go by our first initials for identification's sake. R. A. J. T. N.”

Lady Bones Joins Midnight Werewolf Records

Big news from the Lady Bones camp. Exciting news in the near future.

Boston-based Midnight Werewolf Records (Kal Marks, Sneeze), specializing in both vinyl and cassette releases, announced yesterday that local indie-rock trio Lady Bones has joined their DIY label.

Per MWR's website:

"Lady Bones has been rocking out for almost 4 years and have self-released a split cassette (with Horsehands) as well as a three song demo (which you can listen to here). This band right now is one of my total favs and trust me when I say I am honored to welcome them to the MWR family. Keep your eyes peeled, cause damn, we got some exciting fucking news to announce in the very near future. Keep the shit in your pants and go shovel the sidewalk you asshole."

(We kept the last sentence in there for a PSA moment. Lazy jerks.) Lady Bones is just one of many Boston-area artists to recently align themselves with a complimentary label in the ever-Herculean task of producing and promoting local music.

Related Stories:
“Courtesy Moans” Makes My Lady Bones Tingle

Great Lakes USA Rumored to Release New Record in 2015

Rumor has it...

Rumor has it a new Great Lakes USA record is on the horizon. At least that's what the internets told us. The band has been dropping hints via Instagram and Facebook at a follow up to their 2012 Live Fast, Die Whenever LP (Black Number Records). Pro tip, if you go to a live show, you can maybe possibly hear new, unreleased tracks.

In the meantime, see the Boston punk band at Charlie's Kitchen on February 2nd during the first annual Punk Rock Groundhog Day Show with Rebuilder and The Black Cheers.

Somos Drops Off February Dads Tour

Somos takes some personal time (image credit)

Somos frontman, Michael Fiorentino, took to Facebook this afternoon to announce the band's decision to drop off the 12-stop February Dads / Roger Harvey tour, citing personal matters.

Per Facebook:

"We have some unfortunate news to share: we are no longer on the February tour with Dads and Roger Harvey. Dropping a tour is a tough thing to do, and I want to be very open about why we came to this decision. I have struggled with anxiety and depression, and it eventually built up to the point where touring in February was daunting and unmanageable. I recently started to get serious about treatment, but we want to have a few months off while I pursue the goal of dramatically improving my mental health.

We plan on continuing to tour and make music, once I take the proper time to address my health. We sincerely apologize to Dads and Roger Harvey, as well as to anyone who bought advance tickets.

-Michael"

Trophy Lungs Join Antique Records, Plan Debut Full Length, Drink More Beer

Boston's Trophy Lungs join local label, Antique Records

Boston party punks, Trophy Lungs, join local boutique label, Antique Records (Born Without Bones, Sledding With Tigers, Blind Mice) and announce plans for a debut full-length record entitled Day Jobs, out later this spring.

Trophy Lungs recently spearheaded the Solidarity Mixtape, a punk compilation to benefit the Black Lives Matter organization. The band will be hitting the road at the end of January to play the likes of Philadelphia and Brooklyn.

You can download their 3-song 2013 EP No Judgement (Death to False Hope Records) on Bandcamp for free (at a name your price donation) now. Follow the band on Facebook for additional release and tour details.

Rock 'n' Roll Rumble 2015 Announced

#RUMBLE2015, it's coming to get ya.

Rock 'n' Roll Rumble 2015 dates were announced last night by event organizer and local music advocate, Anngelle Wood of Boston Emissions on 100.7 WZLX.

Ch ch check it out and follow The Rumble on Facebook and Twitter for additional announcements.

Preliminaries: Sunday, April 12, 13, 14 // 16, 17, 18
Semifinals: Thursday, April 23 + Friday, April 24
Finals: Friday, May 1

Read up on last year's champs.

Today Junior is Playing A Lot of Local Shows in February and is Letting You Know About It

25% of February will be a Today Junior set. YOU CAN'T ESCAPE.

Allston indie band, Everyday Today Junior, recently posted a flyer on Facebook listing upcoming February shows. 7 dates in all. Please note, Somerville, Allston and Cambridge are not in different states. 25% of the month will be a Today Junior set. You can't be busy every day! Eventually you'll see this band!

An ominous "MORE DATES TO COME..." message leads us to believe there will be a highly anticipated Jamaica Plain show in the future. But we can only speculate.

Kal Marks' Drummer Departs

4 last shows on the books. Image by Louis Roe.

Boston’s melodic indie rockers, Kal Marks, took to Facebook today to announce the departure of drummer Nick Egersheim. Egersheim, who joined the band in early 2013, will stick around to finish out the last of their scheduled shows.

Per Kal Marks' Facebook page:

“We unfortunately will no longer be playing with our drummer Nick. We really appreciate all that he's done for us and his terrific playing.

We would like to continue on playing. We understand its very big shoes to fill. So if you would be interested in the spot or have any suggestions, you can message us here or at Kalmarksmusic@yahoo.com.

Otherwise we'll still be playing the following shows:

1/9 Allston Ma. @ O'briens w/ Palehound, Pupppy, Lady BONES
1/30 Wesleyan College w/ Pile
2/12 Brooklyn NY @ Palisades w/ Big Mess & more TBA
2/13 Philadelphia PA w/ Big Mess, Left & Right & more TBA

THANKS”

Just a Lonely Fart, the latest 3-song release from Kal Marks can be purchased on Bandcamp today, $3 for digital and $6 for a limited edition 7”.

Shambles Goes To Allston...One Last Time. Final Show 12/23

Shambles cover one last Saves the Day song tonight (12/23) at O'Brien's Pub

Man. Did you hear? Shambles' last show (we won’t say ever because we live in the moment!) is happening today, Tuesday, December 23rd. Ending it where they started it, and where they did all the middle parts, O’Brien’s Pub in Allston.

Shambles is like that nice guy who you’re not that into, but he’s got a cool personality and is great BFF material. And although he might get kind of jealous when you start dating someone, when that someone breaks your heart, he’ll be right there to make sure you have a date to the school dance.

So obviously, we were beyond distraught to hear about Shambles’ decision to break up.

Convinced we weren’t the only ones, we polled the audience for some genuine reactions and asked the question:

What is Allston Without Shambles?

Your 2014 Punk Artist of the Year Award Goes To...

2014 BMA Punk Artist of the Year nominees

Congratulations to The Hotelier for taking home the "Punk Artist of the Year" Boston Music Award last night at the Revere Hotel. Home, Like No Place Is There is a great record, Tiny Engines is a fantastic label. The band sells out rooms, they play all ages shows for the kids. Deserved win. (Whether or not they even knew of their involvement in this year's BMAs).

And congratulations to St. Louis' Foxing, co-headlining band during The Hotelier's 2014 summer tour, for making their debut BMA appearance...

Because that's not The Hotelier.

Listen to "Among the Wildflowers" off of Home, Like No Place Is There, plus 9 other local songs released this year in our Local Picks for 2014 post.

View all this year's BMA winners.

The Stereo State is Back #TSS2015

Holyoke's The Stereo State is back and ready to rock your brains with a new LP.

Back in June of 2013, the Holyoke melodic punk band, The Stereo State, called it quits, citing member migrations.

Brandon Spence took to Facebook to announce the news. "It kills every one of us to say this but unfortunately The Stereo State will not continue past the end of the year. Andy has decided to move on to bigger and better things and we will not play under the moniker "The Stereo State" without him." Stereo State officially folded after their appearance at FEST12 in Gainsville FL.

Roughly one year later, the band's Facebook page was resurrected with big news.

Choke Up Latest Boston Band to Join NJ Label, Black Numbers

Boston's Choke Up sign to Black Numbers. Set to release debut LP in early 2015.

All the big news. One of our favorite bands emerging from the local Boston punk scene, Choke Up, has signed with independent New Jersey label, Black Numbers (Great Lakes USA, The Color and Sound). Yay!

Bishop And Rook Joins Boston Scene Party

Join the party at www.bostonsceneparty.com

Ermahgerd you guys! We’re making friends and making history! Bishop And Rook is proud to announce our involvement in Boston Scene Party, a community group of local bloggers brought together by a shared commitment, enthusiasm and genuine love for the Boston music scene.

Chandos Sign to Carpark Records, Plan to Release Debut LP in 2015

Chandos sign to DC label, Carpark Records. (image credit)

Chandos (formally Chandeliers) of Allston Rock City have some big news. The band took to Facebook earlier this morning to announce they have signed with DC label Carpark Records (Cloud Nothings, GRMLN, Speedy Ortiz) and are releasing their debut LP, Rats in Your Beds, on January 27, 2015.

To celebrate, the band has shared a track from the LP, the electrifying “..Pretty Sure it’s ‘Tang Top'” via Impose Magazine. Per the label’s website, “Expect shows in the Northeastern U.S. this winter and a larger tour in January.” You can pre-order the 11-track LP at Carpark Records now.

Somos Joins the No Sleep Family

So much news! So much touring! So many links! Boston indie/emo band, Somos, announced today that they are the newest addition to the No Sleep Records family.

Saves the Day Announce 'Through Being Cool' Fall Tour

Listen to 'Through Being Cool' in its entirety after the break to further your complete
and utter mental breakdown over this news.

Saves the Day took to Facebook Thursday afternoon to announce details surrounding their upcoming fall tour, confirming that every twenty-something and thirty-something's collective dream has just come true. Saves the Day will be celebrating Through Being Cool's 15th birthday by playing their hit record (ranked one of the top 10 most influential albums of 1999 by Alternative Press) in its entirety at The Palladium (Worcester) on November 30th along with Say Anything performing Is a Real Boy and Reggie and the Full Effect singing songs off of Under the Tray. Additional tour dates can be found on the official Saves the Day website.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 10th.

An Easy Breezy Night With Spirit Kid And Friends

Retro pop singer Spirit Kid is leaving Boston for the land of eternal sunshine. Before he peaces out to California, see Spirit Kid tonight during the 'See Ya Later Tour' with equally retro pop band Beach Toys and spooky surf rockers Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion during this edition of Rad Castle Presents at Zuzu in Central Square (21+/free/event details). A cold beer on a warm night with summer-loving music sounds pretty groovy to us. Get amped up for this evening’s show by watching Spirit Kid’s new video for “Severance”. Fun fact, we live (lived?) on the same street.

Nearly 80 Boston Bands to Play Pipeline!'s '50 Years of Boston Rock' Festival

Close to 80 reunited Boston-area bands sign on for Pipeline's 50 Years of Rock Festival (image credit)

“Did you get the ridiculous email about the thing Bob has put together for the fall?” Pipeline! DJ Jeff Breeze asked me. Indeed I did.

An event designed to blow all of these all-day festivals out of the water, and an undertaking even the current station staff can hardly believe, WMBR’s local live music show Pipeline!, will celebrate its 25th anniversary with 13 shows featuring close to 80 reunited Boston-area bands performing at 5 venues for over 5 weekends.

It’s safe to say you’ll have at least one show to go to this fall.

Pretty & Nice Announce Indefinite Hiatus After New Release

After 9 years, Pretty & Nice go on indefinite hiatus (image credit)

On the coattails of the band’s recent single release, Boston’s indie / electro pop band Pretty & Nice took to Facebook and Instagram yesterday afternoon to announce an indefinite hiatus. [More details after the jump]

The Young Leaves Lose Their Bassist

The Young Leaves (from left) Rico (drums), Christopher (vocals/guitar), Lindsey (bass)

After a whirlwind season of releasing a record, touring, and growing support in their local scene, Holliston based distorted indie pop band The Young Leaves took to Facebook this morning to announced the departure of bassist Lindsey Nogueira.

"Hi. So as of yesterday, Lindsey is no longer in The Young Leaves. She's an excellent musician, great person, and the departure was COMPLETELY amicable. Lindsey rules and we'll always love her. With that said, we are continuing on as a 2-piece. I have an elaborate and weird rig being made right now so I can play bass and guitar simultaneously and it's going to get dumb...a good dumb. Anyway, thanks for being awesome everyone. See you in the pit."

Frontman Christopher Chaisson, who has lamented over previous bassist rotations in a 2012 article and who is credited for guitar and bass on their most recent record Alive and Well (Baldy Longhair Records), will take over both instruments for the time being. The Young Leaves are scheduled to play punk rock festival-extraordinaire FEST 13 in Gainesville, FL later this year.

Alive and Well can be purchased in digital format and on vinyl at Baldy Longhair Records online store.