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]