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.

A Night At Great Scott - In Photos

All music, all on Instagram. (okay fine, some kittens too)

Sometimes we review bands and sometimes we suggest they all play together in a strategically planned lineup. Thanks to all the incredible talent that played Great Scott last night and to everyone who came out to support. Don't be lame, go to a show. Boston Shows Tumblr, 88.1FM WMBR's Concert Report and our very own Go To This Show tab feature upcoming local shows for your listening pleasure.

Traditions Sing Honest Pop Punk on 'Cycles' EP

Digital, CD and Vinyl copies of Cycles available now on Bandcamp

While every other band is fighting to claim they have the most oppression to overcome, the biggest heart break to sing about or the least amount of fucks to give, Western MA pop punkers in Traditions introduce themselves as a band that acknowledges they’re probably retelling a story in a similar fashion, they’re just doing it their way. "Every story has been written already. We know this. We’re just trying to be honest and give everyone our version."

This mission statement either sets the bar or levels the playing field of expectations for what you are about to hear.

Somos on Tour with I Am the Avalanche This Summer

Boston's Somos (Tiny Engines) will be heading out with New York's Rust Belt Lights (Adeline Records) and I Am the Avalanche (I Surrender Records) for their East Cost Summer Tour beginning July 18th in Brooklyn, NY and boomeranging back up to finish on August 2nd in Amityville, NY; making stops in Hamden, CT and Providence, RI along the way.

Somos recently released their debut LP, Temple of Plenty in March of 2014 and played a sold out Record Release show at The Middle East Upstairs with labelmates The Hotelier. (It was all ages, the Red Bull was flowing). You can purchase Temple of Plenty on vinyl and in digital format on Tiny Engines' site now and head to Bandcamp to stream the album in its entirety.

Full List of Tour Dates
FRI July 18- Brooklyn, NY @ St. Vitus
SAT July 19- Atlantic City, NJ @ The Boneyard
SUN July 20- Virginia Beach, VA @ Shaka's
TUE July 22- Charlotte, NC @ Milestone Club
WED July 23- Orlando, FL @ Backbooth
THU July 24- Tampa, FL @ Epic Problem
FRI July 25- Lake Worth, FL @ Propaganda
SAT July 26- Jacksonville, FL @ 1904 Music Hall
SUN July 27- Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
TUE July 29- Richmond, VA @ The Camel
WED July 30- Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
THU July 31- Hamden, CT @ The Space
FRI Aug 1- Providence, RI @ The Met
SAT Aug 2- Amityville, NY @ Revolution

#BandcampRoulette

Man Bear from Kansas City, Missouri will politely burst into your apartment, drink your beer, eat your pizza, and then make the bed in the morning. Also, they really like cats. Taking heavy cues from Hüsker Dü and early Paul Westerberg, “Talking Drunk at 2AM” off of their debut 2011 EP Talking Drunk, encompasses key ingredients that perfected 1980’s Midwest pop punk.

Head to Bandcamp for free downloads of all Man Bear's EPs, including their 2013 Power Slop.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Bishop And Rook Presents a Night at Great Scott

Hang out with Bishop And Rook and all these fine bands May 29th.

By our powers combined, we will create a totally stacked showcase and offer it to all music listeners 18 years of age and older! Bishop And Rook and Refuse Rethink Rebuild Records presents The Dirty Looks, Yellabird, Wrong Body and The Darker Hues at Great Scott in Allston on May 29th.

Yellabird - "Dead Hand Blues"

See Yellabird May 29th at Great Scott, Allston

2014 Rock N Roll Rumble semi-finalists and all around impressive rock duo Yellabird released a new track in anticipation to their upcoming 2014 EP Debts. "Dead Hand Blues" is currently available for free download (at a name your price donation) on Bandcamp along with previously released track "Tired Eyes".

I had the extreme privilege of judging Yellabird during their Rumble preliminary round and without hesitation, immediately understood this was a band to watch out for. To put a live performance into perspective, a favorite comment of the night was, "Wait...there are only two people on that stage?" See Yellabird live when they play Great Scott in Allston along with The Dirty Looks, Wrong Body and Darker Hues on May 29th. Event details.

Precinct Changes to 'Brass Union', Discontinues Live Music

Another one bites the dust. Precinct 2.0 will no longer feature live music.

Rumor has it Precinct will change to “Brass Union”, nix live music and focus more on food and drinks. Per Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston Eater, the former live music venue / restaurant space in Somerville’s Union Square neighborhood which temporarily closed in February for what Facebook refers to as minor renovations slated to last one month, “has been pretty much gutted.”

Precinct’s website now redirects to Brass Union’s site with a “coming soon” message. First Radio now Precinct, at least Somerville still has Porchfest.

Allston Gets a Bit More Awesome During Awesome Day Fest

15 Bands, 3 Stages, One Awesome Day in Allston (Poster design by Z*L's Ian Adams)

Jesse Sherman of Boston band, Tired Old Bones, and Cameron Keiber of boutique label Midriff Records, along with O’Brien’s Pub, Regina Pizzeria, Store 54 and Narragansett Beer present Awesome Day Fest in Allston Rock City on May 24th. Originally orchestrated by Sherman, Awesome Day has historically been an all-day affair at the charming O’Brien’s Pub, complete with copious amounts of BBQ on the back patio and a stage full of the best rock Boston has to offer.

This year, however, Awesome Day Fest transforms into a tri-venue experience with the addition of TWO MORE STAGES. Three times the music, three times the beer, just remember to cross with the crosswalk.

ACME Band Supply - Local, Knowledgeable, No Bullshit

"Band merch is fashion and branding. It’s not slapping some ink on a shirt."

"Bands needed a quality, local, knowledgeable, no bullshit, and inexpensive place to source their merch needs. ACME was started out of necessity;
both personal and for the scene."

With a combined 30 years of experience, veteran screen printers and co-owners of ACME Band Supply, Shawn Flores and Chris Huer, have been outfitting local and national bands with custom products since the late 90's, specializing in stock specifically designed for the music industry.

To get a sense of the deep rooted capacity of the headlining establishment that is ACME, you need to understand its bedrock, which includes Shawn Flores one upping a band with its own merchandise.

“While in high school one of my classes was Graphic Design and Print Production. The school copy center. Everyone who ever took that class literally used it to bootleg band shirts. I heard a year or two ago that my screens were still intact and kids were using them. Anyways, Big D and the Kids Table had horrible merch.”

Trifecta: Year One - Pop Up Arts & Culture Event

4-day event celebrating the diverse artist community in Boston.

 

Trifecta Editions is a print collective based in Boston and Cambridge, focused on producing innovative, top-quality, limited edition, affordable screen prints and art objects. Those hip T-shirts, elaborate show posters and custom record jackets you love so much? These guys do that. The collective currently works with a diverse group of artists—from illustrators, comic artists, painters and printmakers to designers, sculptors, graffiti artists and architects.

Between May 22 through 25, Trifecta Editions will be celebrating its inaugural arts and culture event, Trifecta: Year One, at the Fourth Wall Project 132 Brookline Ave., Boston.

#BandcampRoulette

See New City Ghost open for The Okay Win at TT the Bear's 5.17.14.

Pensive and emotive, New City Ghost channel the all the melodramatics of Mayday Parade with their upcoming 5-song EP Ossa Cava. Previewing two songs on Bandcamp now, the Rhode Island quartet are withholding their alternative rock, show-us-your-teeth track "Wake" for the May 20th release date. But you may be able to get an advanced listen during their set at The Okay Win's Record Release Show May 17th at TT the Bear's Central Square, Cambridge.

Follow New City Ghost on Facebook and Twitter for additional shows and record release information.

Play Bandcamp Roulette.

Somerville PorchFest 2014

Somerville Porchfest May 17th 12-6p.

On Saturday, May 17th musicians and bands throughout Somerville will celebrate and utilize an underused public venue: The Porch. Acts—ranging from bollywood funk, cosmic americana, killer blues, Moroccan, Balkan, gospel, American space rock and clawhammer banjo—will serenade passersby from porches throughout Somerville fo’ free.

There are three time slots are based on three quadrants of the city; east to Central will be 12-2; Central to Willow will be 2-4; west of Willow 4-6.

Preview the bands, get an idea of what your Saturday itinerary should look like and play around with an interactive map at the official Somerville Arts Council’s website.

Some of our favorite names this year are “Lonely Winter Hill Hammered Dulcimer Club (of One)” at 11 Fenwick St. (12-2p), “Grump Old Men’s Old Time String Band” at 10 Willow Ave. (2-4) and “The Parking Tickets” at 242 Willow Ave. (2-4).

Oh and then there are these punks covering Toto's "Africa" at 5 Forster St. (12-2p).

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bots

MC5 meets The Stooges meets The Black Keys meets our eardrums. See them at Church 5/14.

First there was Rough Francis (Riot House) from Vermont, then Missouri’s Radkey (Replay, Wreckroom), now Glendale, California brother band The Bots (FADER) are breaking the sound barrier with their version of face smashing, passionate noise. Is it just us, or are these family groups getting younger and younger?

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXIII

A Gin Gimlet because we're turn of the century classy folks who like new music. (image credit)

Hanging on the porch, listening to new music, sipping on gin and juice. That’s how it goes right? First all the of the snow, now all of the rain. But that’s not stopping us from cleaning off the patio furniture and buying citronella candles. WE WILL DAY DRINK ON OUR PORCH THIS MONTH. And we shall do it with a Gin Gimlet while listening to the May Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out playlist featuring Plague Vendor, Mean Creek, The Okay Win, Banner Pilot and PINS.

Soccer Mom - S/T

Soccer Mom's self-titled LP drops May 1st. Get your copy now.

May Day! After a nearly 2-year production intermission, Boston’s Soccer Mom releases their self-titled full-length album today. Soccer Mom (100m Records) is the follow up to the band’s 2011 EP You Are Not Going to Heaven and 2012 double single Brides/Canoe.

"Soccer Mom is a painstakingly crafted, likely career-defining collection that positions the act for national attention. The LP contains powerful and beautiful music explosively rendered from charred shadow and blinding light."

-Clicky Clicky Music

The band will be celebrating the release of the LP this Saturday, May 3rd at Great Scott (Allston) with Palehound, Bedroom Eyes and Infinity Girl. The event is 18+, $9 and 9p doors. View the official Facebook event page for full details. Soccer Mom is available on limited edition vinyl and in digital format and can be purchased via the 100m Record Store. Follow the band on Facebook for additional show dates.

2014 Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Champions

Goddamn Draculas for the win (image credit)

And your 2014 Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Champions are Goddamn Draculas!

One of our favorites from the preliminaries, DRAX powered their way through each round with gruff, rigger, some fancy lighting and those signature harmonies, ultimately taking on Petty Morals and Await Rescue during the sold out Finals night and then the crown.

The Dirty Looks - Line of Sight

Download your copy of Line of Sight on Bandcamp today.

With the recent success of local emotive bands like The Hotelier and Somos, we’re keeping the next band to emerge from that camp, The Dirty Looks, tight on our radar.

Their 4-song EP Line of Sight (Green Line Records) is the follow up to the 2013 split EP with Fairgrounds.

The Dirty Looks successfully create an air of relatable vulnerability with their music. Line of Sight hits all the right points; melodic guitars, crucial intermission breakdown with tide turning conclusion, and vivid imagery with lines like “Skin and bones hiding under the table, Rearranged to the point of disabled.”

Released April 18th, free Bandcamp downloads of the EP ran out within 24 hours. Digital downloads have been replenished at a name your price purchase, physical CDs are available during live shows.

Follow The Dirty Looks on Facebook and Twitter for additional information and upcoming show dates.

EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT! MINERAL IS PLAYING A REUNION TOUR

All of our wildest dreams are coming true. Mineral is coming to Boston.

UPDATE (4/24 3:14p)
Tickets for the 9/10 show at Brighton Music Hall will go on sale Friday, April 25th at 11am via Ticketmaster.


Oh hey, just an FYI...the short-lived yet forever eternal 90’s emo band, Mineral, will embark on a (for now) quick 20th Anniversary Tour of nostalgic pining and ethereal, angst-ridden noise beginning September with Into It. Over It., stopping at the Brighton Music Hall in Allston on September 10th and finishing up at FEST 13 in Gainesville, FL. CLEAR OUR CALENDAR.

Mineral 2014 Tour Dates
09-05 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
09-06 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
09-09 Washington, DC - Black Cat
09-10 Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
09-11 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
09-12 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
11-02 Gainesville, FL - The Fest 13

You can stalk follow Brighton Music Hall on Facebook and Twitter for ticket sale dates. Now listen to one of the best fucking albums of your life, in its entirety.

Old Gray, Tiny Moving Parts Split

Old Gray Tiny Moving Parts split out mid May. Pre-orders available now.

NH manic emotional poetic musicians Old Gray will release a split 7” with equally heart-on-sleeve Minnesota band Tiny Moving Parts mid May.

The brain melting post-hardcore collaboration will be put out by Kind of Like Records and Broken World Media, and limited to 500 copies.

This Is Boston Not LAme - April 26th

Your last chance to catch 'THIS IS BOSTON NOT LAme" is this Saturday, April 26th 7p-11p at SweeTree Ink Gallery 281A Mt Auburn St Watertown. This "very kick ass art show" features four generations of Boston Punk Rock scene in photos by Gail Rush, Tara Feely, Nicole Tammaro and Dave Tree.

Expect Boston rock n roll history expressed in photography, snapshots of staple Boston bands like SSD, Dropkick Murphys, Kings of Nuthin’ and Mighty Mighty Bosstones at original venues like the Channel, the Rat and the Middle East, complimentary refreshments and vinyl jams spinning in the background.

SweeTree Ink Gallery was established March 2010 by Dave TREE and Tyler Sweet and provides screen printing and graphic design services of the highest caliber. Preview photos on display in The Artery’s (90.9 wbur) report.

Bloghead Podcast Signs Off - Ocelot Records Takes Over

Bloghead Podcast creator Steve Knowles makes room for new project, Ocelot Records.

After 3 years and 42 episodes, Boston Bloghead (aka Bloghead Podcast) has signed off for the last time. Originally established at the end of 2010 as a website dedicated to detailing the Boston rock and punk scene, Bloghead soon branched out to include a podcast, show booking and promotions entity and a spinoff podcast, “New England Local Lode” manned by Bloghead co-host Jason Powers.

In a recent announcement, founder Steve Knowles explains, “The time has come to say farewell to Boston Bloghead. It was a tough decision to make, but new music adventures (and life) have stripped away all the time for blogging, podcasting and the like.”

The Snails and Riki Rocksteady & The Arraignments Take Over The Plough and Stars

It's a rocksteady type of night at The Plough and Stars April 26th.

Give us a fruity drink, a tiny umbrella and a seat at the bar this Saturday, because it's spring in Cambridge! The dapper Philadelphia gentlemen of The Snails will be performing rocksteady and reggae-infused music alongside local crooners Riki Rocksteady and the Arraignments Saturday night at The Plough and Stars.

Boston is part of The Snails' short New England stretch before heading out on their Hydrogen Jukebox Tour in support of the upcoming double EP out via Asbestos Records and Stubborn Records this May on CD, vinyl and digital formats.

Songs From The Hydrogen Jukebox is a four-volume series. The May 2014 release will consist of Volume 1: Blue Beat (4 brand new ska/blue beat/boogie songs) and Volume 2: Rock Steady (4 brand new rocksteady songs). Volume 3 and 4 will consist of Reggae and Soul and have a tentative 2015 release date.

For an instant good time, swing by The Plough and Stars (912 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA) Saturday, April 26 at 10pm. 21+, $5 admission. Positive vibes on the house. Full details on the official Facebook event page.

Promote your mixtape at ReverbNation.com

The Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Finals

Get your tickets for the Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Finals now.

All good things must come to an end. Head to TT the Bear's in Central Square, Cambridge on Friday, April 25th for the final installment of the 35th Annual Rock 'N' Roll Rumble. This event is 18+, $12, 8:30p doors. Tickets can be purchased in advanced at TT's Ticketweb. Find full details on the official Facebook event page.

9:30p – Wildcard: Await Rescue

10:15p: Petty Morals

11:00p: Goddamn Draculas

11:45p – Special Guest: The Information

The Okay Win - 'Nothing's Not Moving'

The Okay Win's Nothing's Not Moving out April 15th.

Notorious for staging their lyrical content in contextual allegories, Boston indie band The Okay Win introduce Nothing’s Not Moving with the thoughtful and metaphor-ridden track “Shift”. “Every record up until this point has always started with a loud punch, and this was definitely a change of pace,” states singer Stephen MacDonald. Originally thought to be added as a secret track on the record, “Shift”, which was inspired by a movie quote, "As long as you're facing forward, it's the right direction,” was promoted after the band realized the song encapsulated the overlying message of the album. “That felt like the proper note to start the record on.”

Record Store Day April 19th, 2014

Get your Record Store Day list now.

The seventh annual Record Store Day happens April 19th at an indie store near you and the list is live! … And their site has been crashing all morning. The Animals, The Standells, Veruca Salt, The Zombies? We’re going to go record poor with this lushous list.

FEINTS Out Yellabird In #RUMBLE35

Look at this upset! Due to illness, FEINTS will not be appearing in the wildcard slot for Night 2 of the 35th Annual Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Semifinals. Rock and roll duo, Yellabird, will step in as the new wildcard.

In a recent email, event organizer Anngelle Wood states,

"The nature of the Rock 'n' Roll Rumble is a roller coaster ride of emotion. For us all. We cannot predict any outcome or condition. I am sad to say FEINTS cannot appear tonight as planned but Yellabird will graciously step into the Wildcard spot as their score from night #6 dictates. Send much love to Amy Douglas, a true star of the highest caliber."

FEINTS reacted to the announcement via their Facebook page.

"We won't be able to come rock out tonight for the Rock 'n' Roll Rumble Semis. However, we are thrilled to have made it as far as we did, after all, we're really a baby band among a lot of giants. It's been an ABSOLUTE honor to play with you...we hope whoever takes the crown tonight slays it, you'll see us at Finals cheering on the Victors."

Yellabird originally played Night 6 of the Rumble's preliminary round, but could not surpass the guitar-heavy onslaught of Await Rescue. Doors for tonight's show are at 8:30pm, full details can be found on the official Facebook event page.

Wrong Body Has Right Sound with "Big"

Big out now and available for purchase on Bandcamp.

Big, the first LP from Boston's Wrong Body, takes notes from Fugazi-era post-hardcore, modern indie rock and dare we say a pinch of hard rock harmonies and riffs, but has all post-punk heart. Ghost Thrower summed it up best when they tweeted "Fucking @WRNGBDY is the best band you're not listening to."

Strip-Zeppelin at Club Oberon

Get your tickets now for Strip - Zeppelin Burlesque

For one night only, comedian and vocalist, Niki Luparelli, brings to Club Oberon, Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Friday, May 2, her Strip Zeppelin spectacular, a live music and burlesque explosion blending the best of Led Zeppelin with the best of Boston’s burlesque and aerial artists.

With a stage persona that deftly combines the best of Marilyn Monroe, Bette Midler, and Dean Martin, Niki Luparelli has been wowing area audiences for years with her pin-up girl curves, powerful singing voice, bawdy wit, and adorable drunk act.

Always sassy, brassy, and nigh to bursting from her bustier, Luparelli, cocktail in hand, leads her band the Gold Diggers (aka the Misty Mountains) and a breathtaking array of neo-burlesque performers eager to give you every inch of their love in tribute to the original Hammer of the Gods.

The burlesque performers will include Boston-based exotic extraverts Babes in Boinkland, campy maniac Ginny Nightshade, turquoise haired beauty Bettysioux Tailor, the sinewy and sumptuous Malice in Wonderland, Sparkletown Productions’ & the Glitter Bombs’ Jane Doe, acrobatic aerial ecdysiast Fonda Feeling, and silks divinity Zoso LaRos. Oh my gosh, so many fun words!

Bishop And Rook highly supports scantily clad stage performers and mixed media art. This event is 18+ with valid ID. Tickets are $20-$30 and are available at www.cluboberon.com. Find full details on the official Facebook event page.

Your Rock 'N' Roll Rumble Semifinalists

The Semi-finals of the Rock 'N' Roll Rumble happen 4/17 & 4/18

After an invigorating round of preliminaries involving twenty-four premier Boston bands, eight move onto the Semi-final round of the 35th Annual Rock 'N' Roll Rumble at TT the Bear's, hosted by Anngelle Wood of 100.7 WZLX Boston Emissions. Meet your Semifinalists, and our predictions for Finalist material.