Born Without Bones – This is a Born Without Bones Cover

Born Without Bones played to impress during Friday night's O'Brien's Show.

Holy shit, Born Without Bones. Go to their shows, buy their merch, listen to their music, write their name on your locker, buy three dogs and name them ‘Born’ ‘Without’ and ‘Bones’. Can you get pregnant from this? I think you can.

The Mighty Mighty Moss Tones

I'm bad in plaid and I'm plaid and I'm proud.

Modcloth, the kitschy / vintage / retro clothing and decor online retailer often applies witty names to its inventory from over 700 independent designers. Ranging from “Executive Sweet Jacket” to “On your Vest Behavior” and even “The Squirrel Next Door Stop”, Modcloth now pays homage to the Boston Music scene with the “Mighty Mighty Moss Tones Dress” in a very appropriate plaid.

Speaking of The Bosstones, The Hometown Throwdown 16 tickets are on sale now for December 27, 28 and 29 at the House of Blues - Boston.

Lions Lions Continues to Make Videos of Poppy Cover Songs Performed in Tight Spaces

Boston post-hardcore band, Lions Lions continues to make videos of poppy cover songs performed in tight spaces. While on tour, the band released their take on 'Holy Grail' by Jay-Z / Justin Timberlake. Previously this year, Lions Lions put forth onto the internets a delightful rendition of Bruno Mars' "Locked Out of Heaven". 

If you are curious, this is how they usually sound. 

The Young Leaves - 'Alive and Well' Record Release Show

Indie pop covered in sludge. Would have been cool in 1994, still cool in 2013. Just don't call them pop-punk

This Friday – Hang with Boston's indie pop band, The Young Leaves during their Record Release show with Born Without Bones, Save Ends and Betty Nico at O'Brien's Pub in Allston. 21+/$8/8pm doors.

Formed in 2006, The Young Leaves are a 3-piece indie rock band from Holliston, MA. Taking influence from bands such as Dinosaur Jr., Archers of Loaf, and Husker Du, The Young Leaves play loud, fast, and powerful sludge-pop that will make you think you traveled back in time to 1994.

Alive and Well (Baldy Longhair Records) is the band's third full length. Head over to Bandcamp for free downloads of the The Young Leaves' previously recorded EPs and LPs. And visit Baldy Longhair Records to purchase the limited edition colored 12" vinyl or colored cassette of Alive and Well.

Follow The Young Leaves on Facebook and Twitter for additional show dates.

#BandcampRoulette

#BandcampRoulette – Wake up to the garage punk title track off of Livids' (Brooklyn) Your House or the Court House 2013 EP (Slovenly Recordings).

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XVI

Get fancy - use a glass. (image credit)

Pumpkin domination. A lot of October cocktails floating around the internets these days call for Black Vodka, which I've already decided tastes like black licorice and food coloring. Keep it simple with pumpkin beer while staying classy with fancy glasses. And keep it eerie with the October playlist featuring local Boston bands Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion and Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys.

Callback Holly – We have 50 friends!

Callback Holly nailed it at O'Brien's in Allston. (image credit)

Callback Holly may be new to the scene but there is an essence of swagger that could get them far. Rocking out to their North Shore entourage during the Monday RTT Presents show at Obrien's in Allston, the band blazed through their set of pop punk songs, in between rambling interludes of sexual desires and bandmate encounters. As a collaborative group of Smartbomb, Outbreak, The Regulars and Far From Finished members, and with a record out later this fall, Callback Holly is an up and coming band to put on your radar.

Become part of their fan base by following the band on Facebook and Twitter and stream/purchase their demo on Bandcamp at a "name your price" donation today.

Tees in Trade - Work Attire

Liven up your weekday outfits with your weekend threads. Balance out the atypical graphic T with familiar office attire and a can-do attitude. "Why yes there is a shark on my shirt, and here are those TPS reports you asked for."

Work graphic tees like a Boss!

#BandcampRoulette

#BandcampRoulette – Polaroids (Boston) adds a dreamy surf vibe to their cover of Grimes' "Oblivion". Download this song for free on Bandcamp.


Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Stolen Bike Crusade Reunion Show

Boston's Stole Bike Crusade hits the stage at TT the Bear's 6 years after band splits

Between the years of 2000 and 2006, Boston post-punk band, Stolen Bike Crusade, channeled the likes of Fugazi, Refused, and At the Drive In to create substantial and emotional noise.

Assembly Required - A Collection of Must See Boston Bands

Assembly Required happens Thursday, September 19. 8pm, $10, Redstar Union, Cambridge.

Richard Bouchard (Indie Rock Ranger Presents) has procured an ensemble of some of the area’s finest entertainers for one night only during, Assembly Required, at Redstar Union in Cambridge, MA. The lineup includes the wildly unusual and diverse carnival sounds of Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys, the celebratory glam rockers of Sidewalk Driver (featured in September's playlist) and profound singer/songwriter Eldridge Rodriguez.

#BandcampRoulette

#BandcampRoulette – Happy Friday the 13th. Here's Vultures of Cult (Burlington, VT) with 'Thank God It's Doomsday' off of their 2013 SVRF EP. Download the entire album for free (with a "name your price" donation) on Bandcamp today.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Cradle to the Grave Speak Easy Record Release Show

This Friday the 13th, rock out with Boston's Cradle To The Grave during their Speak Easy record release show at the Middle East. The band will be performing songs off their debut 10-track album along side fellow local acts, USA! USA! USA!, Goddamn Draculas and Rebuilder. 8pm doors, 18+, $10. Come out and support local music.

#BandcampRoulette

#BandcampRoulette – Days Like Today (Toronto) sing about growing up in "Clones" off their debut EP Vacate.


Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Crash Safely - 4 Nights. 3 Venues. 2 Weekends. 1 Cause

The 3rd Annual Crash Safely promotes awareness of MS and local music

Crash Safely is a four-night event in September that raises money for the National MS Society. Crash Safely, now in its third year, is led by Boston rock writer and videographer Amanda Nichols and Figgs drummer Pete Hayes (both of whom were diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2008) of the Maybe Sump’ms bikeMS team, with support from Nick Blakey, Boston musician and booking agent. 

The events will feature some of Boston’s best performers, all of whom MS has touched in some way. 

Endation Premieres Debut Music Video For "Staab"

Boston alt rock band Endation premiered their debut music video for "Staab", off their 2012 full length, The Absence of Everything, this September. Produced by established local musicians, Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein, the "Staab" video stars Boston burlesque dancer Leah Principe as a restless spirit, arising to seek and destroy that which stirred her from beyond. The 1:58 video features the ghastly demises of numerous Boston musicians, dancers, and performers.

Endation is a musical dichotomy: a sensory marriage of beautiful and ugly. Stripped down and raw, heavy with bombastic rhythms. A fusion of complex and simple while also melodic, serene and emotional. There are only two members of Endation, but they create a large wall of sound. Anthony Conley and Matt Graber, who began creating music together more than a decade ago, have worked together to create this soul-baring music of raw intensity.

Stream / purchase The Absence of Everything on Bandcamp today. And follow Endation on Facebook and Twitter for show updates.

Bishop And Rook Gets A Logo

The official logo of Bishop And Rook, because we are professionals. It's punk rock strategic game play. Bandmate.
Bishop And Rook turned one in June, so let's take a look back at the first year of commitment issues.

Buttons and Mindy – Caterpillar EP - or - Chai Frappuccino Haitian Kiefer Sutherland!

Boston math rock band, Buttons and Mindy, release debut EP

In 2012, Buttons and Mindy created a Kickstarter and asked for support via an endearingly awkward video. 30 days and 45 backers later, the band surpassed its $2,500 pledge goal, making the 2013 debut EP Caterpillar, a possibility.

3rd Annual JP Music Festival

The 3rd Annual JP Music Festival happens September 7th, 12p-7p.

Established in 2010 as Jamaica Plain’s rightful place on the Boston music festival circuit, the JP Music Fest features local musicians and bands with at least one member residing or working within the city neighborhood of Jamaica Plain. The festival holds true to its roots of providing the chance to get together on one stage for an afternoon of music. What better way to spend the last days of summer with music, friends and neighbors.

Mals Totem Debut EP Drops September 16th

Boston alternative band, Mals Totem, to release S/T EP in September

The Haunting vocals of Boston alternative band, Mals Totem, will penetrate your listening safety zone.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XV

Here's to forgetting how much moving sucks

While you're developing carpal tunnel screwing together your ambitious IKEA Expedit purchase that will most likely end up on Craigslist in eight months, click play on the September ROWYCO playlist and mix up some Apple Cider Sangria, courtesy of Pennsylvania food blog, How Sweet It Is.

Diarrhea Planet - Not Grandfather Approved

Someone in Nashville got ticked off at this.

Get this. A punk rock band, from Nashville, Tennessee, with four guitars. Sound checks just got a whole lot more fun. (Going forward, highly suggested that all bands have four guitars.) 

Saves the Day Releases New Song 'Ring Pop'

Exactly one week before emo / pop punk heavy hitters, Saves the Day, kick off their 2013 Fall Tour, the band has released a recorded version of new song, "Ring Pop", featured on the upcoming S/T record; the first studio album in two years for the group that formed in 1994. An acoustic version of "Ring Pop" was originally released to fans in early 2013. Saves the Day will be the band's eighth record and will be released on September 17th. 

View the full tour schedule with ticket links here.

Guillermo Sexo - Dark Spring

Guillermo Sexo's fifth full-length, Dark Spring. Available 9/24/13.

As a follow up to the 2013 January EP, Bring Down Your Arms, Boston indie band, Guillermo Sexo, is set to issue their fifth full length, Dark Spring (Midriff Records), mid-September which features three previously released tracks as well as eight highly anticipated new songs.

This moody, psych rock record successfully ushers in the pending dormant season with wistful sounds and hypnotic rhythms, and is a holistic album for any music enthusiast taking a liking to dream pop bands from Lush to Beach House.

Cinema 666 - Horror Burlesque Show

The Slaughterhouse Sweethearts, Boston Horror Burlesque at its best

Are you prepared for a private viewing of the silver scream?

On Friday, August 30th, Boston's own beastly, brazen beauties, The Slaughterhouse Sweethearts horror burlesque troupe, will be back with titillating tales of terror, and tantalizing twists for a night of movie madness you do not want to miss! It's going to be ONE NIGHT ONLY of sexy interpretations of quirky camp, cult classics, and beloved fright films, happening at Club Oberon in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.

You'll be witness to a variety of flirty flicks, with endings you're only likely to find in the back row of the theater. Just try not to spill your popcorn. Purchase tickets today.

Music and Fashion

Follow Bishop And Rook on Instagram

Are you wearing a faux leather vest and listening to the original Flash Gordon theme song on vinyl?

Why yes, yes I am.

Animals Sell Part 2 - Frantic: Attaque of the Grizzlie

Case in point. This dude was holding a kitten, so I bought his record. Frantic's Attaque of the Grizzlie full length (Douche Master Records / Die Slaughterhaus) is a rampage of early Adolescents influenced garage / hardcore punk. I knew nothing / still don't know much about this (now defunct) band, but took a chance at a record store. The 12-song LP is a playground for distorted reverb, features a Government Issue cover and should be played loud at all times.

My decision making skills are class A.

Animals Sell - 5 Records with Animal Cover Art You Should be Listening to Right Now

As stated in the original Bandcamp Roulette post, and most recently, on Instagram, I'm a sucker for cover art. In particular, animal themed images. However, like finding a guy with a great sense of humor and a job with benefits, these magical items are harder to find when you're actually looking for them. But from the depths of Bandcamp, I bring you five 2012-2013 EPs/full lengths donned with fuzzies, for your listening pleasure.

Put that shit on a record. Fucking majestic.

#BandcampRoulette

#BandcampRoulette – The Holy Smokes' S/T track, “Holy Smokes” (Dayton, OH). 1:36 of bluesy fuzz rock from the midwest.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Fat Tour 2013 Comes to Boston this November

Christmas is coming early to Boston! Bowery Boston presents the Fat Tour 2013 with Less Than Jake, Anti-Flag, Masked Intruder and Get Dead at The Royale, November 12th. Per Bowery's Instagram, pre-sale tickets and Meet & Greet VIP Packages go on sale this Friday, 8/16/13 (10am local). Get tickets!

Vacant Windows – The Singles EP – Moody Highs and Lows

Baltimore experimental electronic band, Vacant Windows
lets you dance to feelings.

Self-described as “The XX and Depeche mode have a sullky [sic] brooding lovechild..” on Twitter, I would agree with the dreamscape effects of The XX but the majority of Vacant Windows’ (former Face the Sun) The Singles EP (2012) is far too lamenting to have a biological relation to the synthesized dance-party-for-one that is Depeche Mode. For the sake of reference, let’s say The XX and The National.

#BandcampRoulette‬

#BandcampRoulette – Chandeliers, “Swim Gym” (Allston, MA). Fun fact this EP was released on my birthday.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XIV

Shabu-Zen hot pot in Allston has a beer and wine license only. But they get away with making a mean sake mojito. This got me thinking of additional sake substituting, and then I found the Cherry Sake Cocktail on fancy-edibles.com. Life is about loopholes. And good music. The August Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out playlist features a little bit of surfs up, a little bit of your girlfriend and a little bit of Boston, with local bands Bodega Girls, Guillermo Sexo, The Okay Win and Rebuilder.

Life is about loopholes and good music

You're Invited - Boston Gilt City Warehouse Sale

Gilt City Warehouse Sale is coming to Boston! Buy your tickets now.

Guys, great news. Gilt City Warehouse Sale is coming back to Boston on Friday and Saturday, August 9th and 10th, at Space 57 at The Revere Hotel (200 Stuart Street, Boston, MA). 

Expect to find great deals on men’s and women’s fashion, including brand names such as Zac Posen, Missoni, Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera, John Varvatos, Paul Smith, and GANT, to home accessories, kids goods and more. The last Boston Gilt City Warehouse Sale sold out FAST, so get your tickets early.

This is your chance to rub elbows with fashionistas (literally). Put your game faces on, this is the day you've been training shopping for. Tickets to this exclusive event allow you to snag designer labels at up to 90% off retail prices, cocktails, snacks and live music provided by Gilt City's in house DJ. 

Remember what I scored last time? So.much.saving.

Buy your tickets today.

Non-stop compliments with these two

 

#BandcampRoulette‬

#‎BandcampRoulette‬ – No Fuzz “Constellations” (Novosibirsk, Russia) features sexy female front woman and free download of the 2011 No Fun Intended EP.



Play Bandcamp Roulette

Masked Intruder - Why Chance it, Narragansett

Masked Intruder steals our stuff, and our hearts. (credit)

I don’t know if these guys have visitation rights, but I had to go home and take a cold shower after this show. (this room was mad hot bro)

Masked Intruder (Red Scare Records) broke into the Middle East in Cambridge on Thursday night during their Boston stop on the Red Scare Across America Tour, promoting their 2012 self-titled full length consisting of convictions and love songs.

#BandcampRoulette‬

#‎BandcampRoulette‬ – The Small Dinosaurs (MD/CA) “Shower Time”, from an album exclusively about household chores.



Play Bandcamp Roulette

A Fine Vinyl Weekend

The most beautiful girl in the room. .... The only girl in the room....
Sometimes you just have to sift through moldy old boxes in a hotel ball room alongside a bunch of dudes.

Between the Newbury Comics buy two get one free special and the New England Record Show on Sunday in Somerville, it was certainly a fine vinyl weekend.

"You mean you have a vinyl player?"

The Nines Festival - Music, Art, Discovery

The NINES takes place Saturday, August 10th, and is a boutique multi-arts, multi-stage festival located 38 miles west of Boston on the bucolic athletic grounds of Willard Field in Devens, MA. The all ages, all day festival presents a diverse lineup of nationally touring and emerging musical performers with no overlapping sets, and showcases the works of established and emerging visual artists with art installations, exhibits, interactive art projects, and unique crafts.

The musical lineup includes Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit, Matt Pond (of Matt Pond PA), and Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys.

A mix of the regions best emerging and established comedians, including former punk rocker, Ken Reid (30 Seconds Over Tokyo), will take up residence under the “Stitch” comedy tent, curated by Harvard Square’s The Comedy Studio and hosted by the Comedy Studio’s impresario Rick Jenkins. The NINES festival is co-produced and presented by 3Rivers Arts and Great Northeast Productions, Inc.

For ticket information and a full list of musical artists, comedians and visual artists, please visit the official NINES website. Follow The NINES on Twitter and Facebook for festival updates.

Rebuilder Debut Self-Titled EP is a Headrush

In between opening for big name acts like The Dropkick Murphys and Dead Milkmen, and touring the festival circuit with appearances at Pouzza Fest (Montreal, CA 5/18), Warped Tour (Boston, 7/11) and the upcoming FEST (Gainsville, FL 11/3), Boston punk rock band, Rebuilder (Refuse Rethink Rebuild Records), found time to record their debut EP. Available now.

Name your price download of the new Rebuilder EP available on Bandcamp

Outside The Box Music Festival

Boston offers free 9-day outdoor performing arts festival

From July 13th – 21st, the first annual performing arts festival will turn public spaces like the Boston Common and City Hall Plaza into performance spaces, with over 200 events on 8 stages showcasing the best of Boston and Massachusetts. In true festival tradition, Outside The Box not only aims to unify the community, but to make art accessible to everyone. While the 9-day festival offers theater to dance, the symphony to the cutting-edge, music enthusiasts will also be able to catch local and well known bands such as The Lemonheads and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, free of charge. 

Punk 'N' Roll BBQ Fundraiser

Boston punk rock show and fundraising event

Local Boston music blog, Boston Bloghead, presents the 1st Annual Punk ‘N’ Roll BBQ, happening August 4th at O’Brien’s Pub, Allston. The event, which kicks off at 3pm, will feature nine local bands including Dead Cats Dead Rats, A Minor Revolution, The Darker Hues and Cult 45. A portion of the ticket proceeds will go to Rawk Stars, Inc., a non-profit organization that designs and sustains programs in order to foster opportunity and develop life skills for kids through music education, creation and participation.

Ticket price includes free BBQ food and is $12 in advance / $15 at doors. This show is 21+. Come out and support local music and important music-centric organizations such as Rawk Stars Inc.

Full event details, including set times.

The Motion Sick Reunite

"Nerd Rock at its finest." - Spin Magazine, April, 2006.

The Motion Sick (“Best Local Rock Band 2009" in the Boston Phoenix's Best Of issue) reunites for one night only during Parks 7” Release Show at the Brighton Music Hall (Allston) on July 13th.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XIII

Happy July to my favorite audiophiles and alcoholics! A playlist made perfect for your backyard grilling pleasure featuring some recent bands I had the pleasure of seeing in person including Count to Four, Crimes and Await Rescue, and some favorite new songs from Marnie Stern, Said the Whale and The Boxer Rebellion. This month's featured cocktail comes courtesy of Somerville Food Blogger, Culinary Colleen. Turn it up and make yourself a pomegranate cosmopolitan. Because we're fancy and antioxidants are good for us.

Sassy and sophisticated and all about the music.

TT The Bear's Cancels Boyd Rice Show...Puts on Benefit Show for Rosie's Place

Local venue cancels show, replaces with benefit show

Vanyaland.com reported on Wednesday, June 26th, that TT The Bear's canceled Friday’s sold-out Cold Cave show. “The Central Square venue’s management have [sic] raised questions and concerns over the opening act, controversial noise artist Boyd Rice.” Rice, who has been associated with Nazi and Satanic groups, has also spoken out against women’s rights.

In an interview with now defunct Misanthrope Magazine, Rice stated, “I don't think women deserve the same rights as men. I don't think women are on an equal footing with men. I think they're totally different creatures. I think the world operated better when they had less say over how the way things went, had less control.”

Canceled Boyd Rice shows have been trending across the country as many venues recognize the contentious nature and potential hazard of hosting such an individual.

On Thursday, June 27th, TT The Bear’s announced that they will be replacing the canceled show with a Benefit show for Rosie’s Place (a Boston sanctuary for poor and homeless women), featuring The Luxury, Cult 45 and Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling. Support local music and local charity this Friday, June 28th, 8:30pm. No set cover - pay what you can at the door.

This Is New England - A 100% Benefit Compilation

New England bands come together to create a compilation
to benefit brain cancer research and the One Fund.

Earlier this year, Jeff Bernoth, guitarist for Boston punk band, Yo Ticonderoga, lost his mother to brain cancer. During his last few months with her, Bernoth recounts, “[My Mom's] memory got worse and worse, and her language was very limited, but curiously she was able to sing songs she knew from beginning to end.” While working on a project to benefit brain cancer research, the unfortunate events of the Boston Marathon occurred, and in an effort to focus on something positive, This Is New England was created.

This Is New England is a benefit compilation featuring a stacked representation of local punk and ska bands. Every last penny raised from it will be split between the One Fund and the American Brain Tumor Association.

Stream/Buy This Is New England: A 100% Benefit Comp on Bandcamp today.

The bands on the compilation include:

Big D and The Kids Table, Billy Raygun, Borderlines, Brunt Of It, ChokeUp, The Fake Boys, Great Lakes USA, Have Nots, Mr Fahrenheit, The New Warden, Opposition Rising, Poison Ivy League, Peeple Watchin', The Pomps, The Prozacs, Stray Bullets, Trophy Lungs, Weak Teeth, Yale Massachusetts, Yo Ticonderoga.

Await Rescue - Feel Free to Move Up, We're Not Going to Stab You

Velocity, aggression, strong handshakes, Bonnie Raitt, this is a rock show. TT the Bear’s hosted the second installment of Await Rescue Double Shot on Monday night in Cambridge. Introducing the band’s fourth record, Everyone You Know (released April 2013), Await Rescue has been gaining attention, including an impressive eleven week stint on Boston Emissions with Anngelle Wood.

Boston band, Await Rescue, plays a hardy rock and roll set in Cambridge.

Cut It Off - Denim Vests

What do you call an alligator in a vest? An investigator! Jokes. Among the many styles aboard the 2013 fashion train, sits pretty the totally radical 1980's look. Although denim vests are a staple in the punk scene, most common folk are rocking the resurgence for the first time in a long while. Denim vests are hot right now. Like, white denim hot!

Anarchy in the Nordstrom USA

A Week of Music via Instagram

As always, each week in Boston is a tremendous week for music, featuring both local and touring acts. And as always, I try to make it out to every event saved in my Google Calendar. Swear to Dinosaurs, all your shows are stored in my online calendar of organization. Here are a few that I went to.

Support local music, go to more shows

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XII

It's beginning to feel a lot like sprummer. Sometimes warm, sometimes cold, sometimes butt sweat hot. New England, you are a menopausal woman. While Boston is figuring out if it's a spring or a summer, do the porch life thing and make June's ROWYCO playlist your background music to outdoor fun times. And while you're being a bunch of classy kids listening to this extra groovy mixtape, have a Betty Ford. And drink responsibly.

Betty in Barcelona. It's the irony that makes it delicious. (image credit)