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.

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.

#BandcampRoulette

It's like a mystery grab bag. A free mystery grab bag.

This is a free demo by a Philadelphia pop punk quartet called Moto Surf. It was released yesterday. It was performed by a band that has zero internet presence and recorded at a studio that still hasn’t built a website. Now you know as much as I do.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

The New Warden – 'Lightspeedugly'

Download Lightspeedugly by The New Warden for free.

The New Warden played a show that didn’t include Trophy Lungs on the bill. They also released a new 4-song EP. I don’t know, I thought both were newsworthy.

After a productive weekend of drinking and playing music, the Boston pop punkers have announced the release of their 4-song EP Lightspeedugly via Death to False Hope Records. Recorded in 2013, Lightspeedugly is the follow up to The New Warden’s 2012 record, Still Life.

Head over to Death to False Hope Records to stream and download Lightspeedugly now. Follow The New Warden on Facebook for additional show dates.

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.

Close Out Your Summer With "Gwen Stacy"

Stream single "Gwen Stacy" on Bandcamp today.

If the Cure could collaborate with Arctic Monkeys, “Gwen Stacy” would be that posh and electric love child. The single off of A-C-K by Burlington, VT singer-songwriter and frontman for folk rock outfit Bandleader, Patrick McCormack, is on point with a sleek and sophisticated sound, fitting for roof top cocktail parties to backyard barbeques, available pre-release for your listening pleasures, and an ideal addition to your vacation outro playlist.

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.

The Cardboard Swords - O'Brien's Pub 8/14/14

Check out Grand Rapids' emo band, The Cardboard Swords at O'Brien's Pub 8/14.

Feel feelings and score that perfect year book quote at O’Brien’s Pub on Thursday, August 14th when The Cardboard Swords roll into town.

Emerging from the Grand Rapids, Michigan DIY scene, this newish three-piece is all pining and poetry with the 2014 Remnants EP. Influenced by Taking Back Sunday and Death Cab For Cutie, this Midwestern band presents a less abrasive range of passive aggressive reflections.

When they’re not writing lines like “Life may or may not be about finding true love, but it’s certainly not about begging for it from someone,” that appears in the spoken word interlude of “Flannel”, The Cardboard Swords are advocates for the do it yourself and do it together local scenes like Do-It-Together Grand Rapids, an open collective dedicated to supporting the local cultural scene of the city and the greater artistic community by propagating, promoting, and engaging the public with performances - Musical and Otherwise - In the context of house shows and small DIY/DIT venues. A cause that any conscious Allston/Boston scene supporter can respect.

Dudes singing about girls gets me every time. If you’re riding the emo wave with bands like Old Gray, Hotelier and Somos, you’ll enjoy The Cardboard Swords.

See The Cardboard Swords along with band BFFs Moses (MI), Loud Clappers and Antennae Wedding at O'Brien's Pub, Allston, August 14th ($7/21+/event details).

Remnants is available for purchase $3 or more on Bandcamp now. Follow The Cardboard Swords on Facebook and Twitter and learn more about them and the Do It Together Grand Rapids scene by listening to the band's guest spot on West Michigan Indie podcast.

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.

NERVOUS Releases a Track-A-Day from New Record

For the next nine days, NERVOUS will provide new music for your ears.

It’s going to be a NERVOUS next few days. The Boston indie rockers announced last week they will be releasing a track-a-day off their latest record Decode beginning Monday, August 4th.

“Everything is different in music these days so I was trying something different or at least not as common,” states Addam Zaino (guitar/vocals).

The 9-track record, featuring new and re-recorded songs, is the first “real” release following a batch of EPs and demos made available by the band in earlier years.

Zaino, who is already finishing up the band’s next EP, hopes to host a record release show later in the year. In the meantime, you can follow along in the excitement the reveal by tuning into Facebook and Bandcamp each day for a new announcement, or download your copy for free today.

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.

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]

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXVI

Salted Watermelon Frosty - Pairs well with fresh music and another Salted Watermelon Frosty (image credit)

It's August 1st. It's a Friday. Leave your job, right now. Go to the store. Buy all the ingredients to make a Salted Watermelon Frosty, press play on your Spotify app, and give yourself a long weekend because summer is almost over and you need to enjoy this shit before you start making beer fridges out of snowbanks again. New music from Free Pizza, Sneeze, Paws, Pup and more in this volume of Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out.

Announcing the 2nd Annual Punk N Roll BBQ

Happening 8/3. All proceeds go to Rawkstars Inc., purchase your tickets now.

Do you like punk? Do you like BBQ? Do you like special announcements?!

Bishop And Rook is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Punk N Roll BBQ and Fundraiser!

Local boutique label, Ocelot Records (formally Boston Bloghead), will continue the trend of all-day punk rock music and good food at Allston’s O’Brien’s Pub Sunday, August 3rd with performances by The Down and Outs, Zip-Tie Handcuffs, A Minor Revolution, Dead Cats Dead Rats and more.

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.

Trophy Lungs Announce August Midwest Tour

Boston’s Trophy Lungs (Death To False Hope Records, Drink Or Die Records) will embark on a Midwest tour this August to promote their latest EP No Judgement. The tour kicks off in Florence, MA on August 9th, hitting states like Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin along the way, and wrapping up with a proper homecoming show at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston on August 22nd with Great Lakes USA (Black Numbers / Boston punks with hearts on their sleeves) and Sad And French (Black Numbers / Not French, not from France. From NY and a damn good band). Follow Trophy Lungs on Facebook for tour updates.

Full Tour Dates

Aug 9th - Florence, MA
Dog Day Fest II w/ Banquets, Placeholder, Choke Up.

Aug 10th - Buffalo, NY
Bird House w/ Blackbird Raum

Aug 11th - Cincinnati, OH
Chambers House w/ Lockland Breaks

Aug 12th - Chicago, IL
Fireside w/ Tens, Dog & Wolf

Aug 13th - Indianapolis, IL
Hoosier Dome

Aug 14th - Iowa City, IA
Public Space One w/ Rational Anthem

Aug 15th - Minneapolis, MN
Eagles Club w/ The Turkletons, Drones

Aug 16th - Milwaukee, WI
Bremen Cafe

Aug 17th - Lansing, MI
GTG House w/ Red Teeth

Aug 18th - Cleveland, OH
Candlekeep House w/ Old Souls

Aug 19th - Pittsburgh, PA
Mr Roboto Project w/ Peeple Watching, Scrap Kids

Aug 20th - Philadelphia, PA
TBA

Aug 21st - Long Island, NY
Brew Haus w/ Remnants

Aug 22nd - Boston, MA
O'Brien's w/ Great Lakes USA, Sad And French

OTP "Worth The Weight" 7" Record Release Show

Hey kids, how about a free record release show?

Boston folk/punk band OTP will be celebrating the release of their 7” entitled Worth The Weight with a free, 21+ record release show at The Lilypad in Cambridge on Friday, August 1st along with The Lousy Instruments. See full details on the official Facebook event page.

The 4-song EP is the band's fourth album. When we talked to OTP back in the fall of 2013, they foresaw the 7" as a bit punchier than their previous work. “Distortion has become a big part of OTP's vocabulary,” confirms frontman Colin Garrity on the latest songs. Worth The Weight will have a sister album entitled Worth The Wait (we see what you did there), however with a lineup change and releases trending towards EPs rather than full-lengths, OTP is still in the decision making process for their next record, tentatively scheduled for later this year.

Worth The Weight is available to stream now on Bandcamp and will be available for purchase online and in stores in August. In the mean time, you can grab a free download of their recently released punk cover of Elliot Smith’s “Twilight”, on Bandcamp today.

FREE Boston Scene Support Networking Event

Do you like American music? I like American music. Swing by The Middlesex Lounge at 315 Mass Ave. in Cambridge on Tuesday, July 29th between 7p-9p to put a face with the name of our local scene supporters. A FREE meet and greet networking event for local scene supporters, bloggers, podcasters, journalists and promoters. It's about time.

7p-8p networking

8p-9p discuss collaborating opportunities, organizing a network and ways to grow your organization and the scene

If tickets sell out, add your name to the waitlist - additional spots will be released closer to the event date.

During the event, if you're having a too good to be true time, please remember to tag our gracious venue host @middlesexlounge on Twitter. This meet and greet is brought to you by Adam of Mutiny on the Microphone and Kristin of Bishop And Rook.

Save Ends Makes a Music Video - Gets Abducted By Aliens - Goes On Tour

When in doubt, cower in fear. Boston's pop punk / emo sweethearts Save Ends have released a video for track "Song of Susannah" off of their 2013 Warm Hearts, Cold Hands LP (Tiny Engines). The video, which depicts the end of the world for the band by way of Boston Costume rentals, kicks off their four-day tour with Cassavetes (PA / Black Numbers), including stops at AS220 in Providence, RI on July 24th and O'Brien's Pub in Allston on July 25th. (full tour dates)

Warm Hearts, Cold Hands can be purchased on vinyl or in digital format at Tiny Engines.

We're Nominated for The Boston A-List Best Local Blog - Vote for Us!

Oh hey hey now. We managed get ourselves nominated for the 2014 Boston A-List Best Local Blog. We're honored that late nights, cheap beer, and an endless supply of earplugs could result in such recognition. What can we say, we do it for the scene.

Show us your love and vote for Bishop And Rook - Best Local Blog. Because...music and kittens. Hurry, voting ends August 1st.

Design WMBR’s Fundraising Swag

2013 30th anniversary Breakfast of Champions T-shirt design.

Calling all artists - local college / community / OUR FAVORITE radio station 88.1FM WMBR is in search of designs for this year’s fundraising swag.

WMBR, situated on the campus of MIT in Cambridge, is a 100% volunteer station with no paid staff. “This is rare - even among other local college and public stations. Our only sources of income are listener donations and a small stipend from MIT,” states the station’s Facebook page.

Each November, WMBR hosts a week-long fundraising drive to replenish their capital budget and keep the station on air for another year, typically offering various WMBR-branded premiums such as T-shirts and bumper stickers to donors.

“Each year we choose different designs for these premiums, which is where you come in! We are reaching out to the local artist community for logos or other images. While we can't provide cash payment, any designers whose images we use will receive publicity via on-air mentions and on our website, as well as ample samples of their work on the actual premiums. In addition, you'll be helping out one of the premiere radio stations in the region.”

Interested artists can respond by Friday, August 22nd to premiums@wmbr.org with a jpeg or link to a proposed design. Rough drafts are welcome if accompanied by examples of other finished work.

Check out examples of previously used artwork 

Tune into 88.1 first on your FM dial or listen online for an array of excellent radio shows including the all local music segment Pipeline with DJ Jeff Breeze Sundays 8p-10p.

#BandcampRoulette

Ermahgerd, so close yet so far away. While the UK rockabilly band, The Blackout Bombs, may be out of reach give or take 3,309 miles, you can download their 2014 Band From the Pub EP on Bandcamp for ~$3.42 in American dollars.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

WE WANT THE AIRWAVES: The WFNX Story

On the second anniversary of Boston's 101.7FM WFNX alternative rock radio station going off the air, independent filmmaker Jason Steeves releases his 1:25 documentary of the rise and fall of the legendary media outlet, for free on Vimeo.

It will always be Hazy. Hot. And Henry in our hearts.

WE WANT THE AIRWAVES: The WFNX Story from Jason Steeves on Vimeo 

Originally posted on Vanyaland.

Foreign Tongues - Big Drag

Local indie rockers Foriegn Tongues release new single "Big Drag" off of the upcoming split EP with Felix Culpa (out 8.12.14) on No Sleep Records. Pre-order your copy now (available in digital format and on cloudy clear vinyl). See them perform their murky melancholy set live August 4th at Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain with Lilith, Notches and Ghosts of Sailors at Sea.

Originally reported on www.altpress.com.

Fifth Annual StarlabFest Music & Arts Festival

StarlabFest is a Rock and Roll, Film, Comedy, Cookout, Flea Market Party, and it’s happening Saturday, July 19th from 10a-9p in Somerville. This year's event will take place at two locations; 32 Prospect St. (the old Starlab studio where the rocking and the rolling will commence on two stages) and 453 Somerville Ave. (the new, current Starlab Studios showcasing comedy, film and art show). It is a short, half-mile walk straight through Union Square between locations.

A flea market organized by Somerville's High Energy Vintage will be available at both locations. Admission is $10, all ages welcome, 21+ with valid ID to drink. Advanced tickets can be purchased online. Visit www.starlabstudios.com and the official Facebook event page for more information.

32 PROSPECT ST.
(PARKING LOT)
12PM-9PM
ROCK AND ROLL SHOW

BEWARE THE DANGERS OF A GHOST SCORPION! 8-8:45
BLINDERS 7:30-8
ABADABAD 7-7:30
NICE GUYS 6:30-7
LUNGLUST 6-6:30
BOOGIE BOY METAL MOUTH 5:30-6
STEPHEN KONRADS & THE ETERNALS 5-5:30
THE DAZIES 4:30-5
ANIMAL MOTHER 4-4:30
CONGRATULATIONS 3:30-4
FUTURE SPA 3-3:30
THE SUN LIONS 2:30-3:00

Other Location Details
FREE BURGERS, HOT DOGS AND VEGGIE OPTIONS
plus
FREE TREATS FROM LOCAL VENDORS
and
$3 NARRAGANSETT TALL-BOYS

♜

453 SOMERVILLE AVE.
10AM-6PM
COMEDY, FILM AND ARTS SHOW

Comedy Block:
MYQ KAPLAN (featured on Conan, The Late Show, Comedy Central Presents) 5-6
DAN BOULGER (featured on The Late Show) 4:30-5
STEVE MACONE 4-4:30
with support from
SAM IKE, CAM MacNEIL & RYAN DONAHUE 3-4

Short Films by:
PAUL VILLANOVA
TIM BIERBAUM
PADRICK RITCH
ELLIOT KAFFEE
JIM DANDEE
ANTHONY KNASAS
KEVIN REUNING
Playing at 11:30AM and 2PM

Visual Arts Show featuring:
HEATHER SEELEY
MARS JUPITER
LEEANNE DAVIGNION
EQM

Craigslist Rental Listings - The Downfall of Humanity

Craigslist - A place where real estate agents give zero fucks and you can't do anything about it.

When perusing Craigslist for quality living spaces in a city saturated with college students who harbor the same level of expectations for their apartments as they do their beer and employed thirty-somethings that find themselves tumbling into the cavernous gap that was the middle class – renting in the Boston area proves to be a challenge. Thank goodness we have the expert guidance of trustworthy real estate agents who specialize in rentals. Imagine a world without their sophisticated insider knowledge, helpful photography and honesty.

There has to be a special place in hell for these people. Aside for my interest in the proper use of the English language and taking pride in one's work, just as a self respecting human being alone, I feel extremely compelled to form a taskforce to bring down these wordsmiths who say things like “pristine and elegant” to describe a rusty bathroom last updated in 1978, assume i can look past the absolute squaller their photographs communicate to see the "unique craftsman details", and for being the completely inconsiderate and unprofessional asshole who uses a term like “buttrageous” to entice me into a sale. The following are real Craiglist listings that got me real riled up.

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.

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.

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.

In the News: Sharks and Beer

A Great White Shark was spotted off the shores of Cape Cod [VIDEO]. In other news, Narragansett re-releases the iconic 1975 can from ‘Jaws’. Discuss.

Annear, Steve. “Video: ‘That Is a Huge White Shark, Dude’.” Bostonmagazine.com. 24 Jun. 2014. Web. 25. 2014

Glass, Jeremy. “Narragansett Re-Released Their 1975 Can From ‘Jaws’.” Supercompressor.com. 20. Jun. 2014. Web. 25. 2014

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.

Mikey Erg, Guillermo Sexo, Slothrust Play Allston 6.20.14

Hang out with us, As Built Presents, and all of these bands at O'Brien's Pub!

Boston based boutique music promotion, booking and management company, As Built Presents, brings us a super stacked show at O’Brien’s Pub, Allston this Friday, June 20th.

Hang out at Allston Rock City’s premiere (and our favorite) venue for new music as locals Kal Marks, Guillermo Sexo and Lady Bones share the stage with New York grunge rock band Slothrust and Transatlantic gruff and grunge punk outfit Pale Angels featuring Mike Santostefano of Crimes (NJ), The Arteries' (UK) Jamie Morrison and a guy named Mikey Erg.

8pm doors / $10 / 21+. View the official Facebook event page for more information. Come early, stay late and support local and touring bands. It's always a pleasure watching Mikey Erg play, but we're stoked for the energetic and majorly talented Lady Bones' set.

About As Built Presents: As Built PR is a Boston based boutique music promotion, booking, and management company specializing in new media and unique online promotions created by Michael Rodriguez in January of 2007. We pride ourselves on our selective and eclectic roster of artists. For more information, visit www.asbuiltpresents.com. Poster by William Malizia.

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.

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.

It's Getting a Little Burrrlesquey in Boston

Revenge of the Robot Battle Nuns takes the stage 6/30 and 6/29 at Club Oberon.

If you haven't taken in a burlesque show at Harvard Square's Club Oberon (2 Arrow St., Cambridge, MA), you are missing out on some of the city's most talented, empowering, sometimes gory but always entertaining underground choreography.

This month, Club Oberon will be hosting two, 2-night events of bodacious babes wearing little to nothing for your viewing pleasure. Blood and glitter will plaster the stage! Buy your tickets now!

17th Annual Taste of Allston

Taste of Allston happens June 28th. Buy your tickets now.

For one day only, you can save 52% off Taste of Allston tickets via Groupon.

Admission for two – Was $60, now $29

Admission for four – Was $120, now $58 

Buy now

The 17th Annual Taste of Allston features over twenty restaurants, live music, beer tastings and kid friendly fun. The event happens June 28th at Harvard Athletic Complex (65 North Harvard St., Allston, MA). Kids 10 and under get in for free.

All profits raised by the festival go straight to the Allston Village Main Streets, a nonprofit revitalization effort working to keep the community safe. Regular priced non-Groupon tickets can be purchased here.

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.