Win Tickets to the Eldridge Rodriguez, PowerSlut, The I Want You, Sundog Show

I can haz tickets to O'Brien's Pub on 12/19 plz?

Oh hai, free stuff! We’re giving away a pair of tickets to Friday night's (12/19) Eldridge Rodriguez (Midriff Records), PowerSlut, The I Want You, Sundog show at O’Brien’s Pub, 3 Harvard Ave., Allston.

Enjoy an evening of indie pop, provocative rock and roll, androgynous waif-core (?) and one dude in a space suit. What does this even mean? Who cares, because you could get in for free. 21+/9p/$8 (but, you know, complimentary if you’re lucky). Get all the fine event details here.

But How Do I Win Tickets?!

Sorry! This raffle is over.

Sidewalk Driver Premieres New Music Video

Watch out basic bitches, Sidewalk Driver has a new music video.

This song. Playing every time I enter a room.

Quick question, can Tad teach my how to apply false eye lashes? Glamorous, fabulous, and anything but basic, Boston’s power pop rock band has released a new music video for the title track from their upcoming second full-length album, My Face. Follow Tad as he builds a glam army in a quest to take over the world. Or probably just to have some people to dance around him.


Experience Sidewalk Driver during their record release show (presented by Indie Rock Ranger) on January 17th at The Sinclair in Harvard Square, Cambridge with The Organ Beats (also releasing their latest album), Worshipper (featuring members of Township, Mellow Bravo, The Dirty Truckers, and Cult 45) and Leo*Leo. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased in advance here.

You can also pre-order My Face for $15 via the band’s Pledge Music site now.

“Fun Rock” Band Baby Baby Rolls into Allston Rock City December 20th

Bowery Boston and Ryan's Smashing Life presents Baby Baby 12/20/14. (image credit)

Hey Boston. We heard you were looking for a good time.

At first listen, we couldn’t tell if Atlanta’s Baby Baby was absolutely ridiculous or totally amazing. We quickly settled on the latter, and you will too.

Rebuilder Plays WMBR's Pipeline! November 11th During Pledge Week

Rebuilder plays WMBR's Pipeline! 11/11 8p-10p during Pledge Week. (image credit)

Days after recording their upcoming LP (due out early 2015 via Panic State Records), Boston’s self-proclaimed “gnarly rock” band and 2014 Boston Music Awards "Punk Artist of the Year" nominee (vote now), Rebuilder, will be offering up some brand new music live and on air tonight during WMBR’s local music segment Pipeline! with the one and only, don’t get him started on the best ice cream in town, Mr. Jeff Breeze, as pledge week continues for the free format community radio station.

Cocked N' Loaded is Calling it Quits and Going Out in Style

See Cocked N' Loaded play their last two shows at O'Brien's Pub 11/7 and 11/8

Cocked N’ Loaded is calling it quits and going out in style. The band took to Facebook to announce their two farewell shows featuring a whole mess of special guests.

No Sleep Records 2014 Fall Sampler

Huntington Beach, CA label, No Sleep Records, recently released their 2014 Fall Sampler which includes a track by Boston's Foreign Tongues. "Luxury", off of the 2014 The Felix Culpa / Foreign Tongues Split, is one of 18 tracks on this free, limited time digital download. Snag your copy here for free before they're gone.

Kurt von Stetten's 9th Release, 'Animals'

The 9th full-length by Kurt von Stetten is available now.

Before anyone can even begin to reflect on Broken, But Not Undone’s one year anniversary, Kurt von Stetten has released a brand new LP because he can't stop, won't stop, and clearly has way more follow through than most people. Animals (Static Motor Recordings), is the Boston solo artist’s 9th full-length record. Since 2006 von Stetten has released a full-length album every year on which he plays every instrument.

Five Boston Bands to See in October

Friends tell friends about good music. Five Boston bands to see before the end of the month.

Friends tell friends about good music, and hey, you seem cool. Out of the DOZENS of shows happening this month, we’ve pulled five must-see Boston bands you need to catch in person before the end of October. So immerse yourself in cultural activities, sleep when you're dead and go to a local show.

Rebuilder "Punkin' Spice Tour" This Fall

Hey ladies, Rebuilder is going on tour.

Always keeping it classy, Boston’s gnarly rock band, Rebuilder, has announced they will be hitting the road mid-October during the eleven-show, East Cost/Midwest "Punkin' Spice Tour" to promote their first full length record due out in early 2015. The soon-to-be released record will be recorded at Getaway Recording with Jay Maas (Defeater) and released by Panic State Records (NJ). The tour kicks off in Burlington, VT, crosses into Canada and ends in Baltimore, MD during the Feed the Scene Birthday Show with The Dead Milkmen, before playing their homecoming show at historic O'Brien's Pub in scenic Allston.

In lieu of a Kickstarter campaign to fund the new recording, people are encouraged to purchase merchandise that includes strategically placed Bill Murrays and Bill Cosbys, via Rebuilder’s Bandcamp page. Donations can also be made to refuserethinkrebuild@gmail.com via PayPal.

The 2014 Rock N Roll Rumble alumni's 2013 S/T EP and Rebuilder Christmas EP can be downloaded for free (at a name your price donation) on Bandcamp now. Follow Rebuilder on Facebook and Twitter for additional show and release information.

Listen to Rebuilder live on Boston Emissions with Anngelle Wood (9/14/14).

Tour Dates

October 16 242 Main Street Burlington, VT
October 17 Atomic Cafe, Montreal, QC, Canada
October 18 Hard Luck Bar Toronto, ON, Canada
October 19 Small’s Hamtramck, MI
October 20 Reggie’s Chicago, IL
October 21 Candlekeep House Cleveland, OH
October 22 TBA Pittsburgh, PA
October 23 House show Richmond, VA
October 24 The Hook Up Virginia Beach, VA
October 25 Metro Gallery Baltimore, MD w/ The Dead Milkmen
October 30 O’Brien’s Allston, MA

Bundles - S/T EP

The S/T debut EP from Boston's indie rock trio, Bundles, available now.

Maybe it’s my long-standing fondness for Jetavana Grove, but Bundles’ debut S/T EP is quickly moving up the submission food chain to becoming a top favorite for 2014.

Emerging from just below the radar at an accelerated pace, the Boston indie rock trio has played their first show, racked up appearances at several venues including The Cantab, O’Brien’s and Great Scott, and released a 4-song 7”, all within what seems to be a five month period.

But it was a strategic matter. Taking shape in the fall of 2013, Bundles quietly developed their sound before pressing a record and playing a sold out release show. After a lineup change earlier this year, bassist Brian Jones explains, “We decided it was time to record and hit the ground running. This whole thing was a long time coming. It just seems that things are starting to come together now.”

With lyrics so intensely fanatical that they're sung at a partially inaudible level, Bundles mirrors the feverish and desperate pleas of The Lawrence Arms. Painting a picture of a habitually plagued protagonist and representing the underdog endeavor with energetic and infectious live shows. Also, this mustache.

Rightfully hitting their stride, Bundles plans to continue writing and potentially release another EP in 2015. In the meantime, you can and should see them rock out at O'Brien's Pub in Allston on November 23rd with Astpai (Austria) and Art Thieves, and purchase their S/T 7" (available in coke bottle clear, white and black vinyl, limited to 300) on Bandcamp today. Follow Bundles on Facebook for additional show dates and release information.

Who Are Lesser Knowns?

Meet Lesser Knowns and download their new songs for free.

“This is the point of the show where we introduce the band.”

Nick LeBlanc, Dan Letourneau, Dan McMahon and Riley Mello are Lesser Knowns and by the sounds of it, they’re rocking out whether you know of them or not.

In true Blues Brothers fashion, you literally get a rundown of the rocking and rolling quartet with “How Y’all Doin Tonight”, one of two new tracks in the first of many EP releases this fall.

“It won't really be a traditional record,” explains McMahon (guitar). “We wanted to mix it up a little bit and try releasing EPs in batches and in multiple formats,” with the first release available on cassette tape later this month, and digital and vinyl formats reserved for future tracks.

The comprehensive catchy, riffy, swagged up rock and roll project will be the band’s 5th “record” and will be celebrated on September 15th at Charlies Kitchen (Harvard Square) with Spectral Bat and L.A. Jeff.

“How Y’all Doin Tonight” and “She Loves to Dance” from the first installment are available for free download (at a name your price donation) on Bandcamp now. Follow Lesser Knowns on Facebook and Twitter for additional release information and show dates.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXVII

Welcome Freshmen! Here's a drink, and some music, and a bunch of shows you should go to.

Man I'm going to miss the abundance of parking I've grown accustom to over the past few months, but if it means more kids in the clubs, then by all means, move right on in. While you're screwing together your MALMS or BESTÅS or whatever other IKEA item you inevitably will toss after the school year, take a break now and then for a glass of hard apple cider sangria and a new music playlist.

Weird Womb – 'Laziness' EP

Get Weird with Brooklyn's Weird Womb and their upcoming EP Laziness.

There’s no hand holding. There’s no foreplay. There’s just raw, dirty, grunge rock and roll…and I like it.

Midriff Records houses an eclectic bunch of artists, representing an astonishing 12% of the participating acts in this year’s Rock N Roll Rumble, including the spectacle that is Gondoliers. This month, the independent boutique label announced the addition of an equally vexatious band, Weird Womb (Brooklyn, NY) to its roster.

The Life Electric at Great Scott August 28th

Grab your free download of  The Life Electric's "Gone, Gone, Gone" before it's gone.

On Thursday, August 28th at Great Scott, Allston, Boston's electro-pop rock band and 2014 Rock N Roll Rumble alumn, The Life Electric, will take the stage with The Static Dynamic and Brent Battey's (The Wondas) new project, Le Roxy Pro.

Having opened for the likes of Neon Trees, Crash Kings and Marcy Playground under their collective belt, The Life Electric have set out for the ultimate goal in 2014: to make an epically catchy, inspired, and maybe a little weird full-length record. In anticipation for said record, you can download their 2014 single "Gone, Gone, Gone" (Zippah Records) for free now.

Advanced tickets for this $8/18+ show can be purchased online, and additional event details could/should/would be available on the official Facebook event page. 

Show flyer design by Nicole Anguish of Daykamp Creative.

F*ckfest 2014 - Local Music Showcase

F*ckfest - Ending summer with a bang August 23rd.

Join Park Slug and RTT Presents on August 23rd for an all-day / all-night BBQ and party at the legendary O’Brien’s Pub in Allston. F*ckfest is a 21+ event with a $10-15 sliding scale, cost includes food. The music starts at 3:15pm and features some of our favorites like Wrong Body and Ghost Thrower, Rock N Roll Rumble Class of 2014 members Harris Hawk and Z*L, and topped off with a headlining performance by Faces in the Floor (rumored to be their last show). Get all the details from the official Facebook event page.

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.

Free Ghost Thrower Starter Kit

Local indie rock outfit, Ghost Thrower, has released the Ghost Thrower Starter Kit - a collection of nine tracks from six releases, available for free (at a name your price donation) on Bandcamp. You can catch Ghost Thrower live during F*ckfest at O'Brien's Pub (presented by RTT Presents and Park Slug) in scenic Allston, MA on August 23rd.

Download your copy of the Ghost Thrower Starter Kit now. If you like what you hear, full versions of sampled albums can also be purchased via Bandcamp.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXV

Gin and new music ahoy! It's the Salty Dog and a brand new playlist for you.

It's summer! We made it! We dug ourselves out of the snow and now we're racking up our electric bill with AC abuse. New England you are my home. While the venues may be parched due to festival season, we have some mew music for your listening pleasure including tunes from Geronimo!, Atlantic Thrills, Slothrust, Speaker for the Dead and Zooparty. Plus, the July 2014 cocktail, straight from our love affair with gin, the Salty Dog.

Slothrust – Who Here Ever Went to Summer Camp?

Slothrust at O'Brien's Pub 6.21.14 (Instagram)

Not only do I have a giant XX chromosome girl crush on Slothrust front lady Leah Wellbaum, but the New York three piece as a whole is a pretty fucking awesome band and rocked the room at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston during Friday night's As Built Presents show.

Slothrust (Ba Da Bing Records) is a bluesy indie rock band with hints of nostalgia and a bit of a bite, like a fine boxed wine that gives no fucks. And in case your wet dreams weren’t moist enough, dare I say, “Black Sabbath cover?”

Convinced their lyrics are rhetorical non sequiturs, scribbled down on Post-it Notes and rearranged like magnetic poetry tiles, Slothrust’s songs string together these abstract thoughts to create epic singer songwriter brain garble set to tremendously powerful music.

I like cats, do you like cats? Of course you do you sassy motherfucker.
-“Crockpot” (Of Course You Do)

Slothrust is the type of band that seduced me into writing music reviews. Do yourself a favor and see them at TT the Bears (Cambridge) on July 17th with Licious, Mal Blum and Sylvana Joyce & The Moment, because no matter how much you dig them on Bandcamp or Spotify or Soundcloud, nothing compares to the cupid's arrow of their live set.

Follow Slothrust on Facebook and Twitter and purchase Of Course You Do on CD and vinyl via Ba Da Bing Records now.

2014 Granite State Music Festival

Get your tickets for the 2-day New Hampshire music festival.

Head to Concord, New Hampshire June 21 and 22 for the Granite State Music Festival. This year’s bands include Lucius (NY), Adam Ezra Group (MA), Kingsley Flood (MA), Tristan Omand (NH) and more.

In addition to live entertainment, the non profit organization offers the new Kid Zone, an activity and music area for kids 16 and under, locally sourced food and a solar powered beer tent and beer garden along the beautiful Merrimack River.

For complete event information, please visit the official Granite State Music Festival website. Buy your tickets now.