World Premiere: Listen to "Preach" Off Of The Digs' Debut LP 'Manic'

First, we want you to put your hands on either side of your head. Good? Doing it? Okay. Because your face might get rocked off and we don’t want any messy accidents.

Bishop & Rook is pleased to share, for the first time ever, "Preach" off The Digs' debut LP, 'Manic' (Ocelot Records). The Midway Cafe will play host to their record release show on November 21st, featuring Trophy Lungs, The American Myth (PA) and OC45 (homecoming show). Event details here. 'Manic' will be available on digital, CD, vinyl and limited edition cassette tape.

Swing by Bandcamp to hear a selection of pre-released tracks and follow the band on Facebook for additional show information.

The 11-track album written by the band’s members, Jeff Demas (guitar/vocals/lead song writer), Andrew Dedousis (bass/vocals) and Steve Knowles (drums/vocals), takes the music outside of the traditional “rock ‘n’ roll” or “punk rock” genres, and instead melds the two into the groups auditory-vision that is 'Manic', in the fullest sense. The album takes hints from bands such as Face to Face, Green Day, and The Kinks, all whose instrumental styles can be heard in the mix and brought out even clearer through the fantastic Mastering of Nick Zampiello at New Alliance East Mastering (Cambridge MA).

Today Junior’s Sound Gets Ocean-soaked And Sunburnt in Ride The Surf

Get nostalgic for the summer sun and Ride The Surf with Today Junior.

Obviously, we’ve all heard of the infamous sophomore slump. Even with bands who never really made a splash, the second album is always perceived as the most difficult to record for reasons spanning from unreasonably high expectations to production time crunches.

But sometimes the band finds its signature sound during round two and the sophomore hits the mark that the debut was initially aiming for. While Today Junior’s What’s The Skinny (2013) is surrounded by more of an indie rock air, 2015’s Ride The Surf bathes completely in the salty breeze of the ocean.

Maas No Mas - Jay Maas Leaves Defeater

Defeater made a big announcement via social media tonight.

Per the band's Facebook page:

"Over the weekend it was decided to move forward as a band without the participation of Jay Maas due to personal & creative differences. All scheduled Defeater shows and tours will go on as planned and we wish Jay luck in his future endeavors. Thank you"

Their Wikipedia page has already been updated.

The band recently wrapped up their U.S. fall tour that ended with a sold out Middle East Downstairs show and will embark on a European tour next month. Maas owns and operates Getaway Recording in Haverhill, MA and has worked with local bands such as Rebuilder, Trophy Lungs and most recently, Somos.

Bishop & Rook Co-Hosts Mutiny on the Microphone Because...I'm Not Quite Sure Why Slash Was Promised Wine

We podcasted with Mutiny on the Microphone. Am I doing this right?

Bishop And Rook guest DJed co-hosted on Mutiny on the Microphone New England podcast because...I'm not quite sure why / was promised wine. Sorry in advance. Our opinion on Portland, OR, Brenefit shows, Ernest Hemingway, scene rants and raves and new music. Follow MOTM on Facebook and Twitter for local music news and additional podcasts. And head to Mutiny's website for more details.

 

On a mobile device? Click here to listen!

October 15th Playlist:

Trophy Lungs – Bathroom Graffiti
Lesser Knowns – What You Wanna Do
Courters – Loose Lips
The Digs – Gunslinger
Kitner – Your Memory
New Legs – Ignore Your Nature
Marriage Material – Fresh Air
Bandleader – Satisfy Your Heart
Bay Faction – Jasper Wildlife Association


Related Stories:
Bishop And Rook Guest DJs the 'Break Out Bands of 2014' Podcast For Mutiny on the Microphone
Bishop And Rook Returns to Mutiny on the Microphone (for some reason)

It’s a Brenefit Show – Benefit Show for Trophy Lungs’ Drummer Brendan Guerin

Intimate space, burgers, beers, punk rock and unisex bathrooms.

Hey kids, let’s go to a benefit show. Before you start thinking “Monday night, SMH”, understand Charlie's Kitchen ONLY hosts live music on Monday nights, and it’s a pretty damn awesome time.

One day before Boston punks, Trophy Lungs, returned from tour, drummer Brendan Guerin received news that his apartment in Jamaica Plain (that he moved into less than a month ago) caught on fire. Although everyone made it out okay, water and structural damage rendered the apartment unstable and emergency relocation was a must.

The scene came together and to form the Brenefit Show at Charlie’s Kitchen (10 Eliot Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge) featuring Trophy Lungs, Save Ends, Fucko and Rebuilder (essentially, it's an O'Brien's show, but at Charlie's). The evening also serves as a send of for some bands heading to FEST14. Charlie’s Kitchen is 21+ // $5 cover // 8PM // Facebook event link. Additional donations accepted throughout the night. Every dollar that comes through the door goes directly to helping Bren and his girlfriend Kerri find a new place/pay outrageous moving fees.

Related Stories:
Trophy Lungs Premier Music Video for “Bathroom Graffiti”

6 Nights of Halloween! Growing Up Spooky! + Trick or Treat Yo Self at Firebrand Saints

Eat, drink and be spooked. 5 nights of Halloween at Firebrand Saints.

Firebrand Saints restaurant and bar serving up New American fare and Eye Design will be enhancing your entire Halloween week leading up to the big day with audio and visual treats. 'Growing Up Spooky' is a week long event featuring horror movies from the 60's to present day. Playlist with spooky songs from each decade will accompany the films. Plus a special 'Trick or Treat Yo Self' on Halloween night featuring some of your favorite local bands covering some of your favorite mainstream bands.

Books n’ Brews Inaugural Meeting (Free Admission, All Ages) 10/15

Ernest Hemingway, let's discuss.

It’s like a suburban wine book club, but hipper. The first ever Books n’ Brews (reading and drinking) club will be in session on Thursday, October 15th, 8PM at Aeronaut Brewing Company (14 Tyler St., Somerville). The meet up is free, all ages (21+ with valid ID to drink), and provides a space for people to discuss selected short stories. The group kicks things off with "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber", by notorious drinker and cat owner, and therefore totally relatable, Ernest Hemingway.

Event organizer, Dan McMahon (Lesser Knowns) provides the deets below and via the official Facebook event page:

Interested in short stories? How about drinking beer at a cool local brewery?

What if you could discuss short stories WHILE drinking beer at a cool local brewery? Forward-thinking, I know, but it has been made possible thanks to Andy Visser, Aeronaut Brewing Company and myself.

Come on down to Aeronaut, enjoy a beer and discuss our first installment of Books n' Brews, an open discussion centered around short stories.

This month's selection is "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber", by Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway enjoyed getting his drink on, so we thought he was a fitting choice for this setting.

If you're a hip online type, you can read the entire story 23-page here.

If you have a hard-copy of the story, you're more than welcome to bring it along. If you're feeling really ambitious, you can also grab it at a fine local bookstore (yes, those still exist!). In our humble opinions, Raven Used Books would be a good place to start.

ALL AGES allowed to participate in the discussion; 21+ to drink, so don't forget your IDs with those amazing DMV photos!

Kurt von Stetten Plays All of the Instruments in Music Video for “Spanish Ship” Off ‘Bon Fortuna’, Out Now

Grab your digital copy of 'Bon Fortuna' now.

Kurt von Stetten’s 10th solo album, ‘Bon Fortuna’, is now available via Static Motor Recordings as a digital download for $7. Watch the music video for first track “Spanish Ships” below. Since 2006 von Stetten has released a full-length album every year on which he plays every instrument.

Related Stories:

10 for 10 – Kurt von Stetten Streams First Track Off Upcoming 10th Solo Release ‘Bon Fortuna’

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

Checkin' In With The Stereo State

Holyoke's The Stereo State has been quiet - so we checked in on them.

You know what we were thinking? What’s The Stereo State up to? So we checked in on them.

Here’s what we know so far:

• October 2013 – The Stereo State plays FEST12
• November 2013 – The Stereo State announces “indefinite hiatus”
• November 2014 – The Stereo State is back ya’ll! Band announces surprise resurgence
• March 2015 – Rut roh, The Stereo State cancels local show and tour to Pouzza Fest
• May 2015 – The Stereo State checks in with fans, is still writing but “very excited” about new songs
• June 2015 - The Stereo State takes a break from writing; turns to Twitter for answers 

Latest update:

We’ll keep you posted on additional Stereo State news. #‎TSS2015 #moeslipons forever.

Related Stories:
The Stereo State is Back #TSS2015
The Stereo State - Just Kidding

Born Without Bones Acoustic Video + Show Dates

Born Without Bones' frontman Scott Ayotte recently worked with Table Three Media to produce a music video of an acoustic version of “Rough Terrain” off the band’s 2013 LP ‘Baby’ (Animal Style Records). The band is currently on their own fall tour, with a homecoming show on 10/17 in Worcester, but has already announced they have picked up a few east coast dates on the Dead Leaves and PINE fall tour in November, including 11/14 at The Democracy Center (see details above). Follow Born Without Bones on Facebook for additional show information.

Table Three Media is a media production company comprised of talented individuals, each with experience in various branches of the media arts including photography, video, printmaking, graphic design, web design and social media marketing. The culminating point of this organization is to utilize creative collaboration to efficiently provide artists in the music industry with the resources they need to produce album packaging, promotional photo shoots, music videos, social media bases, and general press kits for media advancement. In short, they make awesome things with awesome people. Holla at em.

Related Stories:
Born Without Bones – This is a Born Without Bones Cover

Trophy Lungs Premier Music Video for “Bathroom Graffiti”

Trophy Lungs premiered the music video for “Bathroom Graffiti” off their debut full-length ‘Day Jobs’ on Absolute Punk today.

“I'm crazy excited for this video to come out. We had the chance to invite some of our friends out and pay tribute to people in their lives who've passed away”, guitarist/singer Kevin Bogart told Bishop & Rook back in August. “I'm super thankful for everyone who was a part of it.”

Purchase ‘Day Jobs’ via Antique Records now. Follow the band on Facebook for upcoming show information.

Related Stories:
Trophy Lungs Set to Debut-Full Length ‘Day Jobs’ this September

Bay Faction Skips School to Sing About the Cues and Codes of Sex

College kids singin' bout college kid stuff.

“I guess I never really knew how cold this house could get
without the alcohol and people helping me forget.”
– Jasper Wildlife Assoc.

Advancing past the early hurdles of “oh oh ohs” and the trite line “that sound that sound my favorite sound”, both of which are rudimentary content killers, Bay Faction’s S/T (released 9/29/15) gains confidence and opens up to reveal a smooth and clean narration of reactions to emotional situations. By the end, you’re wanting more.

“[The album] concept is an observation of the culture surrounding our generation,” Bay Faction frontman James McDermott tells Bishop & Rook. “Primarily sex, sexuality and the codes and cues associated with the identification that comes with each.” The Boston-based trio is compromised of students currently taking time off from school to pursue the band and an upcoming tour to promote their debut LP. The tour kicks off via rock n' roll halfway house Top Hat Factory (ask a punk) on October 9th and ends at The Red Room Cafe 939 on November 20th.

An indie rock band with jazz influences, Bay Faction’s sound could play nicely with locals Horse Mode ‘ (Ocelot Records) or Sports..

'Bay Faction' is available as a free digital download via Bandcamp. CDs and vinyl available via Counter Intuitive Records. 12" vinyl is available in a limited run of 250 black and 250 white. Follow Bay Faction on Facebook for additional show information.

Standout tracks: (4) Coyote, (6) Beach Book, (8) Jasper Wildlife Assoc.

Full track listing:

1. Bloody Nose
2. Captive Cow
3. Cutter
4. Coyote
5. Sasquatch .22
6. Beach Book
7. Casting Couch
8. Jasper Wildlife Association

OC45 Tour Kickoff Show at Charlie's Kitchen 10/5

Beer, burgers, punx, repeat.

Boston DIY thrash punks OC45 are coming to a city near you, but first beer. 4 shows into their long-ass 2-month tour to support new EP 'Burn It' (which you can buy on Bandcamp for $4), OC45 will celebrate a hometown send off at Charlie's Kitchen in Harvard Square, Cambridge on Monday 10/5 with Grenades in the Archives and Lowell natives Pet Sounds and War Nerves. The U.S. trek that takes the band to Florida during FEST and out west to Texas, will eventually end back in Boston on November 21st.

Monday's show is 9PM // 21+ // $5. Official Facebook event link. Grab Grenades in the Archives, Pet Sounds and War Nerves music for free now.

Eridanos Tattoo & Gallery ‘Black Mass’ Opening Reception 10/3

A collective installation with a flare for the macabre, dark art and surrealism.

Eridanos Tattoo & Gallery will celebrate its two year anniversary with 'Black Mass' - opening reception happening on Saturday, October 3rd from 8PM-11PM.

Black Mass is a collective installation showcasing a variety of multimedia artists all over America with a flare for the macabre, dark art and surrealism.

Dropkick Murphys Play Final FINAL (we mean it this time) Beachcomber Show

Hometown heroes Dropkick Murphys announced a return to Quincy, MA to play (yet another) final Beachcomber Show. Rumored forever ago to be closing its doors, the longtime beachfront divebar on Quincy Shore Drive finally confirmed back in August that the 56-year old establishment would cease to exist come the fall. Since then, at least three farewell 'comber shows have been scheduled.

The Dropkicks say:

"We are proud to announce that we will be performing a special show in honor of the closing of the world famous Beachcomber - Quincy in Quincy, Mass. The owners, the McGettrick family, are lifelong friends of Ken’s, and we are honored to be playing the final show there. Only 250 tix will be on sale. Here’s how you can get tickets: 150 tickets will be available online, starting at NOON TOMORROW. 100 tickets will be on sale at the Beachcomber starting at NOON SATURDAY. You can purchase a maximum of 2 tickets. The times for Saturday night are as follows: Doors 7pm - Show 9pm."

Tickets go on sale 12noon Friday 10/2/15. Ticket Link.
The Beachcomber is located at 797 Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy, MA. 

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXXX

Spicing things up with our Rocktober playlist. (image credit)

Do you like Maple Syrup? Do you like Bourbon? Do you like Punk Rock? Cool, we do too. Things that are happening in October.

EX-CULT (Memphis) with Raw Blow at O’Brien’s Pub 10/21. Irish Handcuffs (Germany) with Dan Webb and the Spiders at O’Brien’s Pub 10/22. The Copyrights (IL) with Bundles at Cuisine en Locale on 10/23. Expert Alternations (Baltimore) with Kitner at O’Brien’s Pub 10/2.

Listen to our October Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out playlist to preview some of these bands and wash it all down with a Bourbon Maple Apple Cider.

World Premier: Bundles' Streams 2 New Tracks – Exclusively on Mutiny on the Microphone

Listen here first - Bundles premiers two new tracks off upcoming EP.

In anticipation of their sophomore EP, Boston’s indie rock trio Bundles is releasing two new songs; “Dead Reckoning” from their 2015 Converse Rubber Tracks session and “Prisoners” off of the forthcoming EP. The songs will debut this Thursday, October 1st exclusively on Mutiny On The Microphone Podcast. Listen to the band's episode below (for those of you who can't wait, try marks 5:58 and 29:25).

Bundles introduced themselves in the spring of 2013 with their debut self-titled EP; a 4-track collection of tight, lo-fi songs, produced within 10 hours of studio time - available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp. After a string of successful shows opening for bands such as A. Sinclair, Cayetana and Beach Slang, the band returned to the studio (for more than 10 hours this time) to produce their 7-track sophomore EP, recorded, mixed and mastered at Phoenix Down (Somerville) with John Scott and David Age (of Favorite Atomic Hero), set to be released as soon as someone will pay for it. You’ll find that these new songs, while still very much a Bundles record, move the band into a tighter and more polished sound.

Follow Bundles on Facebook and Twitter for additional show and release information.

On a mobile device? Listen here. Catch Bundles live in November:

October 23rd // 8PM // Ticket link

Cuisine en Locale // 156 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA

RTT Presents Masked Intruder and Friends

Featuring Masked Intruder (WI // Fat Wreck Chords), The Copyrights (IL // Redscare Records), Not Scientists, The New Warden, New Grenada and Bundles

Full Track Listing:
1. The Dornishman’s Wife
2. The Glow
3. Prisoner’s Dilemma
4. Oh, Brazil
5. In Like a Lion, out on the lam
6. TKC
7. Normans at the Battle of Hastings
8. Dead Reckoning


Related Stories:
Bundles - S/T EP
Masked Intruder and Friends Announced at Cuisine en Locale

10 for 10 – Kurt von Stetten Streams First Track Off Upcoming 10th Solo Release ‘Bon Fortuna’

Boston's Kurt von Stetten set to release his TENTH solo record on 10/6.

Kurt von Stetten is set to release ‘Bon Fortuna’, the Boston multi-instrumentalist’s 10th solo effort in 10 years, on October 6th via Static Motor Recordings. Fans can cleanse their palates with a sample of releases off the new album including track #1, a 2:14 driving ramble entitled “Spanish Ship”.

Considering Kurt von Stetten's sonic range, you’re sure to find a dreamy, multi-layered and methodical record with ‘Bon Fortuna’. Follow KvS on Facebook and Twitter for additional release details.

Related Stories:
Kurt von Stetten's 9th Release, 'Animals'

Beware the Dangers of a Squid of Impending Doom - Guillermo Sexo Premiers Music Video for "Graffiti Sky"

Boston shoegaze band Guillermo Sexo amp up the music video game with an elaborate jaunt into space.

Shoegazers turn stargazers with the help of director Adam Depalma in the latest Guillermo Sexo music video for “Graffiti Sky” (originally premiered on bulletmedia.com) off of the band’s sixth full-length ‘Eclipse’, due out this fall via Midriff Records. Transforming a vacant apartment into an intergalactic setting, a solitary astronaut must navigate orbiting obstacles like a Squid of Impending Doom and a black hole on his one-way mission through the lonely depths of space.

Related Stories:
Guillermo Sexo - Dark Spring

New Music: Black Hatch S/T

(New) New Hampshire punk for your ear holes.

Merrimack, New Hampshire punks, Black Hatch, have debuted their … wait for it … 16-song full-length. As if someone hit record and didn’t stop, the S/T record is a rambling train of wailing guitars, adolescent screaming, and proclamations of nonsense.

Although the unnaturally long record (according to current standards) is a bit too much for our short attention span and features a few tracks that don’t provide much value to the album, it does contain some catchy songs like “Shake What You’ve Got” with Hives-like tempo and “Graveyard Dance Party” which immediately reminded us of The Meteors’ psychobilly tune “The Graveyard Stomp”. With a traditional anarchy punk sound, we think there’s at least one song that will make you hit replay.

Purchase the S/T record on Bandcamp for $5 and follow Black Hatch on Facebook for show dates.

Boston's Burning 3 - 3 Days of Punk Rock

Boston's Burning 3 - Semi-annual punk rock show this weekend.

Boston's Burning is a semi-annual series of punk rock shows held to-date at the Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain. The event features 4 shows in 3 days (Saturday gets an all-ages matinee set and evening 21+ set) of some of the area's premier punx including Lenny Lashley, The Drax, Duck & Cover, Bundles and Warn the Duke (check out their video for "Harry O'Donnell" below). Tickets will be $10 per show. Get full details via the official Facebook event page.

Friday, September 18th (night):

21+ // $10 // 9PM

The Blue Bloods

Energy

Taxi Driver

Iron Chin

The Damn Garrison

Saturday, September 19th (afternoon):

All Ages // $10 // 4PM // Online tickets

Lenny Lashley's Gang Of One (Lenny solo)

Jared Hart of The Scandals

The Skeleton Beats

Live Nude Girls

Saturday, September 19th (night):

21+ // $10 // 9PM / Online tickets

The Drax

The Warning Shots

Duck & Cover

Warn The Duke

Sunday, September 20th (afternoon):

All Ages // $10 // 4PM // Online tickets

Cactus Attack

The Old Edison

time and place (records release show)

Scrimmy and the Bingo Wings

Bundles

Recap: The Boston Scene Party Showcase: 3 Nights – 3 Venues – All Local Music

3 nights 3 venues 3 shots 3 beers - The Scene was in Session this September.

You guys, this music is better than what you’re listening to on the radio. And these shows are cheaper than your big venue prices. And the people involved? They’re the best people on the planet because their passionate and excited.

For 3 nights, a group of bloggers, podcasters and promoters worked together under the team name of Boston Scene Party to provide a showcase of local music. Those involved in curating the shows had one simple task, find bands whose music and live shows moved you to the point that you had an overwhelming urge to share their sound.

Here were the results:

Iggy Pop Goes Topless in H&M's 'Close the Loop' Campaign Video

Iggy Pop and others cameo in the promo video for H&M's global recycling initiative.

Iggy Pop makes a cameo in the recent H&M promotional video highlighting the Swedish retail-clothing company's global recycling campaign ‘Close the Loop: The Garment Collecting Program’.

The advertisement promotes making and breaking the rules of fashion trends and faux pas in an effort to recycle your clothing and to not let fashion go to waste.

After you’ve worn your clothes in every possible combination and are ready to move on, consumers are instructed to leave their unwanted clothes—regardless of their brand or condition—in the garment collecting boxes at your local H&M store. The clothes are then taken to a processing plant, where they're sorted and graded into three categories: rewear, reuse and recycle. Find an H&M near you.

The initiative comes months after H&M, along with other inexpensive fashion retailers, were featured in a social awareness documentary entitled ‘The True Cost’ by Andrew Morgan (available to watch on Netflix), that exposes and examines fast fashion’s high demand and negative impact on society and the environment from the roughly 40 million garment workers in the developing countries to the more than 11 million tons of textile waste discarded from the U.S. alone.

“When everything is concentrated on making profits, what you see is that human rights, the environment, workers’ rights get lost,” states the documentary.

Watch both trailers below.

TKO – Jargon Party Premiers Music Video For “Surf Rock Anthem Number 7”

Jargon Party experiences death by video game in their debut music video.

Portland, ME surf rockers Jargon Party lose the game in their debut music video for the first single "Surf Rock Anthem Number 7" off their upcoming full-length (release date TBD).

Filmed by Jason Boasch (Red Stallion Media) on location at Arcadia National Bar in Portland, ME, temptation of the game gets the best of the band in this grainy, electrified music video. One by one the band wonders off to compete and ultimately succumb to defeat, leaving the lone singer chanting “There’s nothing left”, before he too is annihilated.

“We're pretty avid gamers of all varieties so we thought it would be fun to combine the two. We wanted the video to have a bit of an arcade feel…kind of like a game within a game, with each of us having our own battles,” singer/guitarist Zach Lewis tells Bishop & Rook. “When each of us ultimately loses, our characters reset, waiting for the game to start again as whichever totem or avatar that we'd selected.” Drummer Jake Erskine's day job of pinball repairman at Arcadia made for a perfect filming location.

Originally created as a solo project by Zach Lewis in Brooklyn in 2012, Jargon Party is now based out of Portland, Maine and operates as a 4-piece with Zach Lewis, Eric Schnare, Dustin Graham, and Jake Erskine. 

You can download your free copy of "Surf Rock Anthem Number 7" via Bandcamp (at a name your price donation). Follow the band on Facebook and Twitter for show dates and additional release information.

Upcoming Jargon Party Shows:
October 8th - Ralph's Diner, Worcester
October 9th - Fran's Place, Lynn
October 10th - Northeastern University
October 11th - O'Briens, Allston with The Versa Contrast, Black Hatch and Super Hide - presented by Lysten Boston

New Band Alert - Kitner Plays First Show At O'Brien's Pub on 9/23

See you at a rock and roll show.

Comprised of members of Choke Up, Save Ends, Holiday Music and a few other folks around town, new band Kitner will be playing their first show at O'Brien's Pub in Allston this September. Sources say the guitar driven sound is "like Weakerthans meets Bruce Springsteen." We do not have the words to describe that, so we'll have to hear it live for ourselves.

Head to O'Brien's Pub in Allston Rock City on Wednesday, September 23rd to catch Kitner open for Lee Corey Oswald (PDX), Soda Bomb (Long Island, NY) and local band Sneeze. Killer lineup = will sell out ∴ buy tickets in advance here. The show is 18+ // $10 // 8PM doors. View the official Facebook event page.

Back to School Sale! Save 20% On Your Bishop & Rook Hoodie

"It's like wearing a kitten." Get your Bishop & Rook hoodie now.

For a limited time, save 20% on your Bishop & Rook burgundy zip-up hoodie. As seen in Rebuilder’s ‘Look What You’ve Done’ music video (below). “One of my best purchases of 2015. This is what you want in a sweatshirt. It hugs you. It’s like a kitten on the inside. It’s like wearing a kitten,” Dave Crespo – WEMF Radio.

Available in slim fit style small thru X-large and regular X-large sizes. Screen printed by ACME Band Supply. On sale for $20 (plus shipping).

Want to avoid shipping costs and experience instant gratification? Head to Charlie’s Kitchen (10 Eliot Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge) this Monday, September 14th during Night #3 of The Boston Scene Party Showcase and purchase your hoodie in person.

►► Shop Now.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Hometown Throwdown #18 Announced

It's a very Rathskeller Christmas.

“If you weren't there back in the day, here's your chance to get as close to the full Rat experience as we can possibly provide."
-Dicky Barrett

It's officially the end of summer when The Mighty Mighty Bosstones announce the annual Hometown Throwdown. The iconic Boston ska punk band took to Facebook to plug the upcoming 18th edition of the 3-night holiday event taking place at The House of Blues December 26th, 27th and 28th.

The 2015 lineup consists of acts that performed on the stage of Kenmore Square's infamous subterranean Rathskeller club. "We’ll be Throwing Down this year with groups that literally built Boston’s underground music scene while paving the way for future generations and inspiring countless bands including the Bosstones," the band states.

Shows are all ages. Tickets go on sale Saturday, September 12th at 10AM EST via Ticketmaster.

The Lineup:

December 26th

The Mighty Mighty BossToneS
The Neighborhoods
The Upper Crust

December 27th

The Mighty Mighty BossToneS
The Real Kids
The Queers

December 28th

The Mighty Mighty BossToneS
The Outlets
Stranglehold

The Ducky Boys Celebrate 20 Years By Offering Two Special Gifts To Fans

Save 20% on your State Line Records purchase now through 10/31/15 using promo code DUCKYBOYS20.

The Ducky Boys' frontman Mark Lind took to Facebook to announce the 20th anniversary of the Boston-based punk band by offering two special offers for fans. In celebration of two decades of rock, the band is offering a 20% discount on any item in their State Line Records Store. Use promo code DUCKYBOYS20 – offer is good through the end of October 2015.

Secondly, Lind states, “The other thing is a free-bee on me. It's been a decade since the rights to the first two records reverted back to me as owner of the songs and recordings. I had ‘Dark Days’ remastered with bonus tracks and called it ‘Dark Days & Lonely Nights’. I'm never gonna get around to doing anything with it. And if I don't do it then no one will. I think all the guys in that line-up of the band would prefer to know that people are still hearing the music so you can have the remaster [download] for free on our Bandcamp site.” In addition to the remastered version of ‘Dark Days & Lonely Nights’, fans can also score 3 additional B-side digital tracks as a free digital download. The CD version of the record is not free, but again…there’s that 20% off promo code.

Although the band has no plans on a 20th anniversary show, they assure The Ducky Boys are not fading away. “It's been a little over two years since we played a show where we could do a full length set. I suspect it will happen again when the time is right for all of us…Thanks for being there for us all these years. Thanks to all present and past members of the band. You all affected us in one way or another and we're grateful for the piece of the road we shared with you. Mostly.” 

► Head to State Line Records to purchase music and save 20% with promo code DUCKYBOYS20

► Download your free digital copy of the remastered 'Dark Days & Lonely Nights' (does not include CD)

► Download your free digital copy of the 3 additional B-side tracks

Boston Scene Party Showcase - The Scene is in Session This September

Boston music blog networking group, Boston Scene Party, announces the ‘Boston Scene Party Showcase’ – a 3-night, 3-venue event promoting the diverse music in Boston, curated by the people who champion it.

Feelings, Fuck Off - 'Bite Because You Like It'

“Don’t talk to me. I don’t want to be your dream girl. Men already rule the world and that’s bad enough. So why don’t you just let me read my book in peace without you hitting on me?”
-“PSA”

When you’ve had enough. When feeling feelings is too much (“feelings, fuck off”) – there’s ‘Bite Because You Like It’.

The follow up to 2014’s ‘you two can spend a special time respect even such the tiny moment OR “Little My Goes to Thailand”’, New Hampshire’s female-fronted pop punk trio My Little is back with a record that is spunky, refreshing and sung with an honest attitude.

Backed by independent Iowa label, Bloated Kat Records, a pop punk label run out of a the basement of this unemployed dude who is practically 30's parents and that has a fondness for female-fronted pop punk bands such as you Jabber (CA) and Lipstick Homicide (IA), ‘Bite Because You Like It’ is a 12-track song including an instrumental intro and interlude. Stream / download the record on Bandcamp. Our recommended jams: "Afflicted" "PSA", "Don’t Stare" and "Friends Forever".

Catch My Little at Middle East Upstairs with Worriers (NY), Fucko (NH) and Gravel on September 22nd, presented by RTT Presents. This event is 18+ / $8 / details here.

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Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXXIX

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXXIX

New music, our picks for September shows and THE SHARK PUNCHER.

Welcome Back Freshman. Moving blow. Go to a show. Providence, Rhode Island’s emo trio Twin Foxes will be at Charlie’s Kitchen in Harvard Square with Tied to a Bear on September 14th, New Hampshire’s spunky Little My is with Fucko at Middle East Upstairs on September 22nd and New York garage band Soda Bomb is playing at O’Brien’s Pub with Sneeze on September 23rd. All of this and more featured in our September Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Spotify playlist, plus partake in The Shark Puncher - a spiced rum recipe for you and your friends.

Soft Cactus In The House - Stream Their Music Video Series ‘In The Living Room’

Soft Cactus in the house. Stream the 7-music video series on YouTube now.

New definition of 'house band', Lowell’s R&B rock band Soft Cactus has released a self-produced series of 7 music videos entitled "In The Living Room", shot in their guitarist, Max Nickou’s mother’s living room. It's all pretty self explanatory. You can view all 7 videos on the band’s YouTube channel and download “In The Living Room” for free (at a name your price donation) on Bandcamp.

Answerman 'SWYM' EP - Out Now

Download your copy of 'SWYM' by Answerman now.

1-2-3-4! Boston's Answerman has a new rockin EP out and you can download it fo' free (with a recommended donation) on Bandcamp.

"We decided to call the album 'SWYM ' after noticing that one of the songs on the record titled, "Say What You Mean", contained the acronym SWYM. But it also speaks to the idea of jumping into life with everything you've got and accepting the good along with the bad," singer/guitarist Sam Pitino tells Bishop & Rook. "Just swimming right-the-hell through it all... love, pain, loss, dependance, joy. You stop once in a while...kick your feet, look around, smile or cry, and keep going." 

To celebrate the release of 'SWYM ', Answerman has teamed up with WEMF Radio to produce a 9-band record release show party at Middle East Downstairs on September 4th. The night will include a main stage and side stage, and feature acoustic performances by Drew Zieff and Miss Genevieve, as well as sets by Brennan Leeds (celebrating his own EP release), Hollywood Ghosts, Dressed For The Occasion, Dionysus Park Ranger, Birds of Spray and Wisdom Toof. The show is 18+, 7PM doors, $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Full event details here. Follow the band on Facebook for additional show dates.

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Answerman Debuts New Single, Plans a 9-Band Record Release Show

Refining The Formula – Salem Wolves Dish on Band Growth, New Projects and a BIG Announcement

Download your free copy of "Teenage Wonder" by Salem Wolves now.

Salem Wolves is one of those bands we’ve been watching out of the corner of our eye. Kicking off the year with their dirty, reverb-saturated garage music featured on the 4-song EP 'Black Books' (MegaHex Records), the band has developed their sound at an accelerated pace with the premier of two additional tracks this summer. Their second single release “Teenage Wonder” (follow up to July’s “More Weight”) pulls in influences from doo-wop and soul while staying true to their lo-fi foundation.

Answerman Debuts New Single, Plans a 9-Band Record Release Show

Stream new track "Mother's Milk" from Answerman now.

Local indie rock band Answerman is streaming “Mother’s Milk”, the first single off of their upcoming EP ‘SWYM ’ – due out September 4th and complimented by a 9-band, 2-stage extravaganza at Middle East Downstairs, sponsored by WEMF Radio.