A Fool’s Night Out April 4th

Download your free promo compilation, no joke.

Skank ‘n’ stroll your way over to The Midway Café April 4th for A Fool’s Night Out featuring some of Boston’s premier ska bands including The Copacetics, The Allstonians, The New Limits, The Screw-Ups and special guests Rude Sounds Selectors.

In celebration of the highly underrated April Fool’s Day, BostonSka.net and Date Night Records have compiled a promo compilation containing a few previously unreleased songs from participating bands. It’s free. No joke. Get it now.

And a good time was had by all! May we add, ska music is excellent drinking music. The Midway Café is located at 3496 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain. Don't have a car? There's Lyft and Uber and no excuses. A Fool's Night Out is 21+, $6. Additional details can be found on the official Facebook event page.

A Review of the Drunk Nuns, "A Parting Shot" (EP)

Download your copy of A Parting Shot for free on bandcamp.

One of our favorite local punk and hardcore enthusiast, Nick Gold from Run, Don't Walk Music Blog, covered the new Drunk Nun's A Parting Shot EP with such enthusiasm that we really couldn't have said it better ourselves. So we asked politely, and he let us repost his review on Bishop And Rook. Networking.

Urban Outfitters Launches 'Bike Shop' - Sells Artisan Booze Bags

We totes mcgoats bet these will be zooming around Allston this spring Urban Outfitters' Bike Shop

Hipster Mecca, Urban Outfitters, made the obvious move to include a new Bike Shop on their site, catering to the carbon footprint conscious by selling everything from designer rides to quirky accessories and fashionable storage options.

We especially like the Fyxation Bike Wine and Beer holders. Now you can tote your microbrews and vegan fermented grape juice efficiently, for all the world to see.

#RUMBLE35 Spotify Playlist

Anngelle Wood and WZLX have created a #RUMBLE35 playlist of all twenty-four Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble competing bands to get your taste buds wet for the upcoming 6-night preliminary round. A continuous playlist created for the event, this is one of the first times you can actually appreciate the genre jumping, scene meshing quality of the Rumble and wonder how in the world only one band can win. Check out Rumble Watch 2014 for all our event coverage.

The Rock 'N' Roll Rumble is an 18+ event with proper ID required. Tickets for the preliminary round are $8. View the complete 6-night preliminary round schedule and buy advanced tickets here (these shows will sell out). The 'Full Boat' 9-night pass can be purchased online now. Follow the Rumble on Facebook and Twitter for additional announcements.

Foreign Tongues To Release Local EP

Sweet Empathy Leaving Me available April 8th on Youth Conspiracy Records.

Despite Foreign Tongues’ singer Cameron Moretti announcing, “This will be our last show for a while,” during the Wrong Body Record Release party at O’Brien’s Pub (Allston) last Friday (3/14), Moretti clarifies that the band is not going anywhere, and his statement was more of the literal sense.

Ask The Dead...About Their Latest EP

Catch Ask The Dead live at O'Brien's Pub in Allston on March 30th.

Ask The Dead are loud, determined, and not at liberty to divulge certain information.

Await Rescue Release New Single "Forms of Flight"

Download your copy of 'Forms of Flight' today.

Await Rescue released a new single just in time for the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. “Forms of Flight” is the first track to follow the 2012 EP Everyone You Know. Earlier this month, Anngelle Wood announced the complete line up of the 35th Annual Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble, which includes Await Rescue, during her weekly WZLX local music segment, Boston Emissions. The Boston rockers will close out the 6-night preliminary round on Saturday, April 12th, competing against Harris Hawk, The Color and Sound and Yellabird. A total of twenty-four local bands will be hashing it out in April. See the complete preliminary round schedule and find a link to purchase your tickets in advance here.

“Forms of Flight” can be downloaded for free (with a recommended donation) on Bandcamp now.

A Minor Revolution Launch Major Weekend Warrior Tour

Consexual Sense available March 14. Pre-order your copy today.

The live free or die New Hampshire punks in A Minor Revolution have been busy. From announcing their inclusion in this year’s Canadian punk rock Pouzza Fest, to putting the finishing touches on the band's second release, Consexual Sense (out this Friday 3/14), A Minor Revolution is preparing to rock out at a venue near you.

No to the Effing Way - Hi Fi Pizza Closed

Only the good die young, amiright? (image credit)

I mean, we haven't eaten here in over 12 years, we make gross-face whenever someone reminisces about eating here and actually told a member of Diarrhea Planet we'd recommend Cinderella's for pizza while sitting in here, but it saddens us to find out Hi-Fi Pizza in Central Square has closed.

Wicked Local Cambridge reports that after 40 years of rusty trusty service, the go to late night drunk punk pizza place across from The Middle East / TT's has shuttered its door. A lot of obvious shady details surround the closure but Property Manager Michael Simon of Central Property Management LLC, which owns 492 Massachusetts Ave., told the publication "the restaurant’s mechanics were not up to code and it would simply be too expensive to try to keep a restaurant in that location." Shock and awe...shock...and...awe. Read on for the full story.

On a separate note, Cinderella's sells Toscanini ice cream.

Social Media Workshop for Bands, DJs, Artists, Comic Creators and More 3/21

You need this class. Trust us. Register now.

Middle East Club box office manager, Clay Fernald, and Mmmmaven DJ and production school will host an intensive first level course in using social media for DJs, producers and bands at Mmmmaven headquarters in Cambridge on March 21st. Most bands' social media habits are painful. Register for this event. It's for your own good.

Punks with Hearts - New England Basement Records Release Catz Bop Vol. 1

32 New England Bands, one cause. Proceeds benefit the Human Society of Nashu, NH

New England musicians use their power for good when it comes to karma-infused causes. From the This Is New England - A 100% Benefit Compilation allocating proceeds between brain cancer research and The One Fund, to the Boston Does Boston 3 night, 2 CD comp benefiting the Animal Rescue League of Boston, local musicians prove their interests spread beyond cheap beer and record collections. 

The Roadside Dolls Hitchhike onto Our Radar

Grab your free download of Boston's The Roadside Dolls today.

Let the proverbial needle drop for 10 minutes as the nostalgic music of Boston’s The Roadside Dolls drifts through your living room like an inconspicuous breeze.

A Letter From The Editor

This week I said "goodbye" to one of my biggest musical influences. I contribute a lot of my passion for music towards the impact my dad had on me. Without him, I would not have had the motivation to start Bishop And Rook. And without music, I would not have been able to connect with him on such a deep and meaningful level. I am a music lover, a record collector, and a fan who went beyond the Top 40. Just like my dad.

-Kristin

Before They Were #RUMBLE35

Before they were #RUMBLE35, they were playing local shows and putting out music, eager to attract new fans and new opportunities. ... I mean, they're still doing these things, but now they have "Rock 'N' Roll Nominee" to add to their repertoire! With a rising bar tab and our laptop running on low battery, Bishop And Rook has previously featured several bands of the recently announced Rock 'N' Rumble Class of 2014.

Follow Bishop And Rook on Twitter and Facebook as we post a new band's 'Before They Were #RUMBLE35" story at 1pm each day this week.

Catch Continental at The Middle East

Catch Boston's Continental at Middle East Upstairs 3/4/14.

The blue collar Boston rock and rollers of Continental will be hitting the stage at The Middle East Upstairs this Tuesday (March 4th) along with The Tossers (IL), The Gobshites and BarRoom Heroes. We were able to chat with frontman Rick Barton for a few minutes about his take on the Boston music scene and future endeavors with Continental.

Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Class of 2014

The 'World Series of Boston Rock' begins April 6th

The Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Class of 2014 was officially announced on air last night during WZLX's Boston Emissions With Anngelle Wood. This is one stacked list. 'Full Boat' 9-day passes are still available. With such a stellar lineup, you pretty much have to go to every show. 24 Bands. 9 Nights. 1 Crown.

ACME Band Supply's 'The 50 Deal'

The merch company behind The Mighty Mighty Bosstones has a deal for you.

Going on tour? In the market for some swag? Check out ACME Band Supply’s 'The 50 Deal'. 

ACME’s ‘The 50 Deal’ is an ideal starter kit and includes 50 cotton Ts’, 50 one inch pins and 50 beer koozies for $350 plus tax. Spread the word about your band while making a profit with custom and professional merchandise.

With over 15 years of experience in commercial printing, the Marshfield-based full service print shop is the merchandise mastermind behind notable acts like The Dropkick Murphys, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Big D and the Kids Table, Frank Turner and Less Than Jake, as well as yours truly.

Take advantage of this limited time '50 Deal' offer and contact ACME at info@acmebandsupply.com today.

For a complete list of print and design services, visit the official ACME Band Supply website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram for product shots.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXI

Petite, delicious, punk rock. Oi Oi Oi! (Image credit)

Do you suffer from Chronic Polar Vortex Syndrome? Symptoms include numbness, loss of balance and weeklong Netflix binges. If so, non-medical tests have concluded that music and alcohol can help! Our "all lion, no lamb" March Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out playlist is an ideal addition to any Hashtag Fuck Snow party and includes locals like Ghost Thrower, Twin Berlin and OC45 (they all have shows coming up, go to them). Plus get seasonal with a Baby Guinness shot, a delicious concoction we first had while hanging out with Joe Sib and Dave Hause at Highland Kitchen after their set at the Somerville Armory a few years back. Cheers!

The Color And Sound Featured On The Glamour Kills Free Spring Compilation

Free download. Free download. Free download.

Boston’s The Color And Sound are among the latest and greatest bands to be featured on the GK Spring Sampler, put out by rock and roll retailer, Glamour Kills. This free, 18-song compilation includes Mixtapes, You Blew It! And The Swellers. Glamour Kills, founded in 2005, is an edgy yet palatable lifestyle brand, influenced by music, and features all of our favorite things, like this shirt.

Download your free copy now and see The Color and Sound and The Swellers at Great Scott (Allston) March 26th.

Streight Angular Is Having A Super Party Fun Time This March

I’m just as unsure of what I’m watching here, as the band is unsure of what to do with their hands, which sounds about right for Boston garage/noise/what are calling it these days band, Streight Angular.

The twice-nominated Boston Music Awards band, (once in 2011 for Artist of the Year and again in 2012 for Song of the Year for “Everyone is Syncopated”), released the official music video for “Will Smith” earlier this week. Originally featured on the 2013 An Open Letter to Miley Cyrus EP, the track has resurfaced in 2014 as part of the whopping 22-song record, Super Party Fun Time!, which can be streamed on Bandcamp.

Partake in some super party fun time with Streight Angular during their CD release show March 1st at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston with Death Waltz ’76, Hope & The Husbands and Powerslut (9p/$10), see the official Facebook event page for additional details.

The music video release party for "Will Smith" is scheduled for March 22nd at The Middle East Downstairs.

What's A Girl Gotta Do For A Record Release Show?

From snow storms to shit shows, Atlantic Thrills will finally get to play their Record Release Show.

Man, Atlantic Thrills can't catch a break. First, the Providence, RI garage surf band’s Record Release show was canceled due to the impending February 15th snow storm. Now, in light of the Great Tasty Burger Debacle during a 2/22 Eye Design show, the band’s rescheduled date happening this Friday (2/28) and co-presented by The Boston Hassle, Treat Yo Self and Eye Design, will to need change venues.

OMG IKEA? WTF!? Expedit Discontinued. Internet Explodes

The Mayans were wrong! The end of the world is now!

IKEA's recent announcement sent vinyl message boards, and German Facebook fan pages, into a flurry of OMG-level panic when the some-assembly-required particleboard furniture giant proclaimed the minimalistic shelving unit, EXPEDIT, would be discontinued. The Mayans were wrong! The end of the world is now! With a roughly 13.25" opening, this cubic bookshelf was an ideal storage solution for 12" records, and a much prettier option than milk crates.

Fear not! Per IKEA spokesperson Janice Simonsen and The Huffington Post, a replacement has been promised. The KALLAX (or the Expedit 2.0) "has the same internal sizes and uses the same internal fittings," and features rounded edges presumably to be more child-friendly, if you're into that sort of thing.

However, if you're a purist and a sucker for straight lines, don't worry. Like most IKEA products, the Expedit will likely continue to be found among it's various Swedish cousins in the used furniture section of Craigslist. Fun fact, if you push your driver's seat alllllll the way to the front, one 4X2 section of the Expedit fits PERFECTLY in a 2012 Honda Fit. You know, if death by airbag to the throat isn't a deal breaker.

We hope you like change...

Just for fun, Google "IKEA Expedit Panic"

#BandcampRoulette

If you're in the mood for some instrumental math rock, let us point you in the direction of Newport, Rhode Island band, Maslow. "Blue Above and Below" off their 2014 EP Tangents features the New England duo jamming through the highs and lows of the genre's signature time changes and complexity. The 7-song EP is available for free (at a name your price donation) on Bandcamp now. Head to Facebook to keep up with future Maslow tour dates.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Submit Your Band to "A Fat Wreck" Punk-U-Mentary Soundtrack

Via The Dying Scene, Boston's ska punks, Big D and the Kids Table, are among the bands set to feature songs on the upcoming “A Fat Wreck” punk-u-mentary. A contest is now open for you to submit your band to be featured on the physical and digital Fat Wreck Chords Tribute compilations, and one grand prize winning band to be featured in the documentary itself.

Per the official "A Fat Wreck" website, "Pretty much any bands that submit a quality track will be on the digital release of the tribute comp! [within reason]. It will have links to your social and be a great way to showcase your band to the "Fat Wreck" Loving community," while the physical version will be limited to a handful of spots. Voting starts March 1st.

Get full submission details here.

The Dirty Looks at TT the Bear's 2.17.14

February Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out band, The Dirty Looks, (formally Emerson) will be at TT the Bear's in Central Square, Cambridge tonight (2.17.14) along with America Verse and Landing Feet First.

According to a recent interview with Green Line Records, The Burlington, MA indie rock band will be putting a new record sometime in March. Right now, you can download their contribution to the 2013 Fairgrounds / The Dirty Looks split for free on Bandcamp.

Birhday Bash Thank You!

The prettiest O'Brien's Pub has ever looked (image credit)

A blizzard couldn't stop this show! Despite rapid snowfall, the kids came out to O'Brien's Pub in Allston for Bishop And Rook's Flirty Thirty Birthday Bash with Shambles, Rebuilder, Laureate (Montreal) and Save Ends. Click through to the bands' Bandcamp pages to stream and download music.

2014 Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Early Bird Full Boat Tickets Now Available

Get on the boat. 9-night passes for the 35th Annual Rumble are on sale now.

Special Announcement!

The 2014 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble Early Bird Full Boat Special! A limited amount of 9-night passes, good for every night of the 2014 Rumble are on sale now.

Beginning April 6th, twenty-four local bands will battle it out at TT the Bear’s in Central Square, Cambridge for the crown during the 35th Annual Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble, hosted by Anngelle Wood and WZLX.

Get your Full Boat pass today!

Have a Crushed Out Valentine's Day

Special 24-hour only free download of Crushed Out's "Sweaty Dress" single.

For 24-hours, the rock n' roll surf blues duo, Crushed Out, will be offering a free download of their single, "Sweaty Dress", on Bandcamp in honor of Valentine's Day. The Brooklyn band will be in the area on March 29th at The Press Room in Portsmith, NH.

Download "Sweaty Dress" now.

Message from the band:

"Happy Valentine's Day! We are celebrating with a FREE DOWNLOAD of our slow dance love song Sweaty Dress. It will be available for the next 24 hours only. Enjoy! XOXO - Franklin & Moselle."

Pre-Order Somos' 'Temple of Plenty' Today

Temple of Plenty will be available March 25th. Pre-order your copy today!

In case you missed it, Boston’s Somos premiered their new single “Dead Wrong” off of Temple of Plenty (Tiny Engines) on Pitchfork yesterday (2.11).

"’Dead Wrong’ literally bounces, its elasticity derived from the drumming, which is deceptively complex and solid, but also the rhythm of Fiorentino's lyrics,” states Tiny Engines. The fluidity of the new single certainly showcases the thoughtful advances in sound, from aggressive, rollercoaster punk on the 2012 Demo EP to the joyriding indie rock previewed on the soon-to-be-released LP.

The debut full length record will be available on March 25th and you can pre-order it over at Tiny Engines on yellow with blue and orange starburst (limited to 105 copies), opaque teal (limited to 130 copies), transparent gold (limited to 150 copies) and traditional black vinyl now (limited to 215 copies).

Swing by Bandcamp to download the band’s 2012 four-song Demo EP for free.

Somos will be on tour with labelmates Save Ends this spring. Follow Somos on Facebook for additional information on the new record and show updates.

Somos / Save Ends Spring Tour
APR 12 - Albany, NY @ The Icehouse
APR 13 - Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar
APR 14 - Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class
APR 15 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
APR 16 - Flint, MI @ TBA
APR 17 - Pittsburgh, PA @ The Roboto Project
APR 18 - Doylestown, PA @ Siren Records
APR 19 - Copiague, NY @ The Wood Shop

Bishop And Rook at WMBR Cambridge - Hashtag No Swearing

DJ Jeff Breeze working. Kristin creeping. Follow Bishop And Rook on Instagram!

From podcasts in January to FCC regulated radio in February, Bishop And Rook is making the rounds on the airwaves!

Our friend DJ Jeff Breeze over at WMBR's local music show Pipeline! was nice enough to let use hang out Tuesday night, talk shop, promote the Bishop And Rook Flirty Thirty Birthday Show happening February 15th in Allston, and let said Birthday Show band, Save Ends, jam out live on air. Hashtag No Swearing. Hashtag Muffins.

We had a blast playing Rebuilder, Shambles, Choke Up, The Okay Win, M.G. Letterman and not actually knowing what to do in a professional radio station.

Listen to the February 11th show over at the official Pipeline! website, follow them on Facebook and Twitter, and tune into 88.1FM (Cambridge/Boston) or listen online every Tuesday from 8p-10p for the newest music coming out of the New England area.

Bishop And Rook's Flirty 30 Birthday Bash

You have been formally invited...so that pretty much means you have to come.

Big news music fans! Ryan over at RTT Presents was nice enough to let me put my name all over his February 15th show. I couldn't think of a better way than to spend my 30th birthday than at my favorite Allston hang with some of raddest bands in town (and Canada).

#BandcampRoulette

Montreal emo band, Laureate, creates movie soundtrack magic with the title track off their 2013 EP Leave a Light On. Head to Bandcamp for a free digital download or purchase the EP on vinyl for $10 and see them live at O'Brien's Pub in Allston on February 15th.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Patrick Simas - Sweaty Acoustic Folk Punk From Southeastern, MA

Patrick screams punk songs at bars and in basements and we like him.

From the depths of the South Shore comes the lion-hearted, iron-willed Patrick Simas, a one-man show of oi, punk and acoustic bar songs, and he’s ready to bleed and break some strings.

The Okay Win Release New Single, "Reaction"

Stream The Okay Win's new track, "Reaction" on Soundcloud

Boston's The Okay Win is back on the scene and excited to share the first track off Nothing’s Not Moving, the anticipated follow up to the 2012 EP, Leveled, scheduled to be released early this spring.

“Reaction” continues the band’s emotional, indie rock sound into the New Year. Follow The Okay Win on Facebook for additional release details and show dates.

Keep the Boston Compass Alive

For $2 a month, you can help keep the Boston Compass alive.

The relatively viral and low cost nature of the internets may have snuffed out the Zine Era, but in true Boston underdog fashion, independent music newspaper, The Boston Compass (a monthly newspaper navigating you to underground, above ground and all around awesome happenings in the Greater Boston area), continues to supply the masses with local music news and events. However, tied to a shoestring budget, the Compass needs your help.