First Annual JP Porchfest

The 1st Annual JP Porchfest happens July 19th with after party at The Milky Way.

As reported by The Boston Compass (it’s free, go get one), Jamaica Plain will be hosting the very first JP Porchfest Saturday, July 19th from 12 noon to 4p, with a Portchfest After Party at the Milky Way (4:30p-8p) with $5 all you can eat pizza.

The JP Porchfest features over 55 bands performing on over 30 porches throughout the neighborhood. Organized by Marie Ghitman and Mindy Fried, this free, all-volunteer event celebrates JP’s creative talent and diversity, using music as a vehicle to weave the community together.

“We were inspired by Porchfest events around the country, especially nearby Somerville, which has held a Porchfest for several years,” said Ghitman.

“We are thrilled and amazed at the overwhelming response from the community, including musicians of all genres, and the many people who have offered their porches to musicians,” commented Fried. “The energy is positive and we are certain that this is the first of many JP Porchfests.”

Visit the official JP Porchfest website for map, schedule and artist information, and check out their Facebook page to get all social with the event.

Western Education Dishes On 'Let Your Secrets Out' LP

Hear Western Education's new LP live on July 5th at Middle East Downstairs.

In 2012 Western Education hit the scene with their indie pop S/T EP and synth pop The Weekend Sessions EP. In 2013 they showed their teeth with noticeably harder rock values on the single “Rivals”. And in 2014 the Lowell-based quartet proved ambition and a snazzy blazer could get you far in the 35th Annual Rock N Roll Rumble.

With their name still fresh in the media; Western Education prepares to release their first full-length Let Your Secrets Out (7/8/14) - a fusion of all their musical efforts up until now, with a large synth overlay and an abundance of confidence.

The Color And Sound Signed to Black Numbers

The Color And Sound Signed to Black Numbers. Wrapping up next EP Peace of Mind.

 

Boston's rip roaring all for one and one for all indie band The Color And Sound are officially signed to Black Numbers record label (NJ). And to kick off the relationship, Black Numbers is re-releasing team Color and Sound's Spring Tour EP, available for the first time on vinyl.

If you act on this pre-order now, you could snag one of the limited edition vinyl records on gold (100), blue (150) or white (250). Also available is the "3 Pack" bundle which includes all 3 variants and the "Test Press Pack" bundle that includes all 3 variants and a test press (limited to 30).

In addition to the re-release of the Spring Tour EP, the band states, "[We're] excited to announce that we have wrapped up our next EP Peace of Mind, which will be released this fall." You can catch The Color and Sound live at The Sinclair in Harvard Square, Cambridge on July 19th along with Sidewalk Driver, The Venetia Fair and Salita.

Pre-order your The Color And Sound Spring Tour EP vinyl now.

Followers of Bishop And Rook can attest to our admiration for the 2014 Rock N Roll Rumble alumni. In an effort not to rewrite the book for the third time, we quote ourselves from the spring 2013 review, The Color and Sound – The Kids Just Want to Have Fun, "As skeptical as one can be when keyboard, xylophone and banjo appear together at a punk rock show, the infectious romp stomping celebration and high velocity stage presence of The Color and Sound are extraordinarily successful in raising one’s adrenaline level."

Black Numbers is also home to Tiny Moving Parts, Crimes, Banquets and fellow Boston band Great Lakes USA.

Music Through the Pen of Sketch Artist Louis Roe

"Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something."
~Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

The Boston scene is in no way perfect, but it does expand beyond literal music, constantly evolving to feature new artistic forms of appreciation and participation by way of writers, photographers, bakers, clothing makers and sketch artists like Louis Roe.

Mellow Bravo Calls It Quits

This morning, Boston’s rock n’ rollers Mellow Bravo took to Facebook to announce the end to a five year era.

“Greetings friends and fans. It is with heavy hearts that my band-mates and I must report that Mellow Bravo is calling it quits. Sorry for the news, but as Alexander Graham Bell once said ”When one door closes, another one opens…” You can expect to see each of us pursuing other musical endeavors down the road soon. Thank you for all of your support and friendship over the past 5 years. Respect and good tidings.”

The announcement comes just three months after a teaser post hinting to an upcoming third full-length album.

Mellow Bravo’s 2011 LP Strut along with the 2013 EP Ripper and a few singles can be downloaded for free on Bandcamp. The 2012 S/T LP is available for purchase via Small Stone Records.

Eye Design Records, Harris Hawk Record Release, Treat Yo Self Extravaganza

Eye Design Records debut during the June Treat Yo Self / Harris Hawk Record Release show

Eye Design, a local booking outfit and co-curator of the monthly art and music series Treat Yo Self, will present an extra special show Wednesday (June 11th) along with partners in crime and musical DIY champion Boston Hassle, at Middlesex Lounge on Mass Ave. in Central Square.

In addition to the June installment of the local blended medium event, Eye Design will present the debut showcase of newly established label, Eye Design Records. The night will consist of musical stylings of the current EDR roster, Onslo, Horsehands (which we previously described as gremlin rock) and Idiot Genes as well as a record release celebration of 2014 Rock N Roll Rumble alumni Harris Hawk.

Showgoers can also enjoy art from Eric Perkins, Adrienne Pizzo and Sylvie Mayer. Preview the awesome that you are in for by listening to Eye Design Records' first compilation below and available on Bandcamp for free (at a 'name your price' suggested donation).

The show starts at 9pm, is 21+ and has a $5 cover. Full details can be found on the Facebook event page.

Follow Eye Design, Eye Design Records and Treat Yo Self for additional shows and label information. Middlesex Lounge is located at 315 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXIV

Looks like coffee. Tastes like delicious.

 

I recently read an article about how it's 'finally iced coffee season'. Clearly that person was never inches away from certain death by snow plow while en route to the 24 hour Dunkin' Donuts for some cold brew during a blizzard. But now that it is "socially acceptable" to drink your coffee over ice, why not add some Frangelico? And I mean, since you're on your wild streak, you might as well listen to new music by The Bamboos, Masked Intruder, Speedy Ortiz, White Murder and Dry Heeves. Drink up. Press play. Get down with your bad self.

A Night At Great Scott - In Photos

All music, all on Instagram. (okay fine, some kittens too)

Sometimes we review bands and sometimes we suggest they all play together in a strategically planned lineup. Thanks to all the incredible talent that played Great Scott last night and to everyone who came out to support. Don't be lame, go to a show. Boston Shows Tumblr, 88.1FM WMBR's Concert Report and our very own Go To This Show tab feature upcoming local shows for your listening pleasure.

Traditions Sing Honest Pop Punk on 'Cycles' EP

Digital, CD and Vinyl copies of Cycles available now on Bandcamp

While every other band is fighting to claim they have the most oppression to overcome, the biggest heart break to sing about or the least amount of fucks to give, Western MA pop punkers in Traditions introduce themselves as a band that acknowledges they’re probably retelling a story in a similar fashion, they’re just doing it their way. "Every story has been written already. We know this. We’re just trying to be honest and give everyone our version."

This mission statement either sets the bar or levels the playing field of expectations for what you are about to hear.

Somos on Tour with I Am the Avalanche This Summer

Boston's Somos (Tiny Engines) will be heading out with New York's Rust Belt Lights (Adeline Records) and I Am the Avalanche (I Surrender Records) for their East Cost Summer Tour beginning July 18th in Brooklyn, NY and boomeranging back up to finish on August 2nd in Amityville, NY; making stops in Hamden, CT and Providence, RI along the way.

Somos recently released their debut LP, Temple of Plenty in March of 2014 and played a sold out Record Release show at The Middle East Upstairs with labelmates The Hotelier. (It was all ages, the Red Bull was flowing). You can purchase Temple of Plenty on vinyl and in digital format on Tiny Engines' site now and head to Bandcamp to stream the album in its entirety.

Full List of Tour Dates
FRI July 18- Brooklyn, NY @ St. Vitus
SAT July 19- Atlantic City, NJ @ The Boneyard
SUN July 20- Virginia Beach, VA @ Shaka's
TUE July 22- Charlotte, NC @ Milestone Club
WED July 23- Orlando, FL @ Backbooth
THU July 24- Tampa, FL @ Epic Problem
FRI July 25- Lake Worth, FL @ Propaganda
SAT July 26- Jacksonville, FL @ 1904 Music Hall
SUN July 27- Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
TUE July 29- Richmond, VA @ The Camel
WED July 30- Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
THU July 31- Hamden, CT @ The Space
FRI Aug 1- Providence, RI @ The Met
SAT Aug 2- Amityville, NY @ Revolution

Bishop And Rook Presents a Night at Great Scott

Hang out with Bishop And Rook and all these fine bands May 29th.

By our powers combined, we will create a totally stacked showcase and offer it to all music listeners 18 years of age and older! Bishop And Rook and Refuse Rethink Rebuild Records presents The Dirty Looks, Yellabird, Wrong Body and The Darker Hues at Great Scott in Allston on May 29th.

Yellabird - "Dead Hand Blues"

See Yellabird May 29th at Great Scott, Allston

2014 Rock N Roll Rumble semi-finalists and all around impressive rock duo Yellabird released a new track in anticipation to their upcoming 2014 EP Debts. "Dead Hand Blues" is currently available for free download (at a name your price donation) on Bandcamp along with previously released track "Tired Eyes".

I had the extreme privilege of judging Yellabird during their Rumble preliminary round and without hesitation, immediately understood this was a band to watch out for. To put a live performance into perspective, a favorite comment of the night was, "Wait...there are only two people on that stage?" See Yellabird live when they play Great Scott in Allston along with The Dirty Looks, Wrong Body and Darker Hues on May 29th. Event details.

ACME Band Supply - Local, Knowledgeable, No Bullshit

"Band merch is fashion and branding. It’s not slapping some ink on a shirt."

"Bands needed a quality, local, knowledgeable, no bullshit, and inexpensive place to source their merch needs. ACME was started out of necessity;
both personal and for the scene."

With a combined 30 years of experience, veteran screen printers and co-owners of ACME Band Supply, Shawn Flores and Chris Huer, have been outfitting local and national bands with custom products since the late 90's, specializing in stock specifically designed for the music industry.

To get a sense of the deep rooted capacity of the headlining establishment that is ACME, you need to understand its bedrock, which includes Shawn Flores one upping a band with its own merchandise.

“While in high school one of my classes was Graphic Design and Print Production. The school copy center. Everyone who ever took that class literally used it to bootleg band shirts. I heard a year or two ago that my screens were still intact and kids were using them. Anyways, Big D and the Kids Table had horrible merch.”

#BandcampRoulette

See New City Ghost open for The Okay Win at TT the Bear's 5.17.14.

Pensive and emotive, New City Ghost channel the all the melodramatics of Mayday Parade with their upcoming 5-song EP Ossa Cava. Previewing two songs on Bandcamp now, the Rhode Island quartet are withholding their alternative rock, show-us-your-teeth track "Wake" for the May 20th release date. But you may be able to get an advanced listen during their set at The Okay Win's Record Release Show May 17th at TT the Bear's Central Square, Cambridge.

Follow New City Ghost on Facebook and Twitter for additional shows and record release information.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Somerville PorchFest 2014

Somerville Porchfest May 17th 12-6p.

On Saturday, May 17th musicians and bands throughout Somerville will celebrate and utilize an underused public venue: The Porch. Acts—ranging from bollywood funk, cosmic americana, killer blues, Moroccan, Balkan, gospel, American space rock and clawhammer banjo—will serenade passersby from porches throughout Somerville fo’ free.

There are three time slots are based on three quadrants of the city; east to Central will be 12-2; Central to Willow will be 2-4; west of Willow 4-6.

Preview the bands, get an idea of what your Saturday itinerary should look like and play around with an interactive map at the official Somerville Arts Council’s website.

Some of our favorite names this year are “Lonely Winter Hill Hammered Dulcimer Club (of One)” at 11 Fenwick St. (12-2p), “Grump Old Men’s Old Time String Band” at 10 Willow Ave. (2-4) and “The Parking Tickets” at 242 Willow Ave. (2-4).

Oh and then there are these punks covering Toto's "Africa" at 5 Forster St. (12-2p).

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXIII

A Gin Gimlet because we're turn of the century classy folks who like new music. (image credit)

Hanging on the porch, listening to new music, sipping on gin and juice. That’s how it goes right? First all the of the snow, now all of the rain. But that’s not stopping us from cleaning off the patio furniture and buying citronella candles. WE WILL DAY DRINK ON OUR PORCH THIS MONTH. And we shall do it with a Gin Gimlet while listening to the May Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out playlist featuring Plague Vendor, Mean Creek, The Okay Win, Banner Pilot and PINS.

Soccer Mom - S/T

Soccer Mom's self-titled LP drops May 1st. Get your copy now.

May Day! After a nearly 2-year production intermission, Boston’s Soccer Mom releases their self-titled full-length album today. Soccer Mom (100m Records) is the follow up to the band’s 2011 EP You Are Not Going to Heaven and 2012 double single Brides/Canoe.

"Soccer Mom is a painstakingly crafted, likely career-defining collection that positions the act for national attention. The LP contains powerful and beautiful music explosively rendered from charred shadow and blinding light."

-Clicky Clicky Music

The band will be celebrating the release of the LP this Saturday, May 3rd at Great Scott (Allston) with Palehound, Bedroom Eyes and Infinity Girl. The event is 18+, $9 and 9p doors. View the official Facebook event page for full details. Soccer Mom is available on limited edition vinyl and in digital format and can be purchased via the 100m Record Store. Follow the band on Facebook for additional show dates.

2014 Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Champions

Goddamn Draculas for the win (image credit)

And your 2014 Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Champions are Goddamn Draculas!

One of our favorites from the preliminaries, DRAX powered their way through each round with gruff, rigger, some fancy lighting and those signature harmonies, ultimately taking on Petty Morals and Await Rescue during the sold out Finals night and then the crown.

The Dirty Looks - Line of Sight

Download your copy of Line of Sight on Bandcamp today.

With the recent success of local emotive bands like The Hotelier and Somos, we’re keeping the next band to emerge from that camp, The Dirty Looks, tight on our radar.

Their 4-song EP Line of Sight (Green Line Records) is the follow up to the 2013 split EP with Fairgrounds.

The Dirty Looks successfully create an air of relatable vulnerability with their music. Line of Sight hits all the right points; melodic guitars, crucial intermission breakdown with tide turning conclusion, and vivid imagery with lines like “Skin and bones hiding under the table, Rearranged to the point of disabled.”

Released April 18th, free Bandcamp downloads of the EP ran out within 24 hours. Digital downloads have been replenished at a name your price purchase, physical CDs are available during live shows.

Follow The Dirty Looks on Facebook and Twitter for additional information and upcoming show dates.

Old Gray, Tiny Moving Parts Split

Old Gray Tiny Moving Parts split out mid May. Pre-orders available now.

NH manic emotional poetic musicians Old Gray will release a split 7” with equally heart-on-sleeve Minnesota band Tiny Moving Parts mid May.

The brain melting post-hardcore collaboration will be put out by Kind of Like Records and Broken World Media, and limited to 500 copies.