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.
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:
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
Comprised of members of Choke Up, Save Ends, Holiday Music and a few other folks around town, new band Kitnerwill 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.
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.
“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 BluesDecember 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' 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
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.
“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.
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.
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.
1-2-3-4! Boston's Answermanhas 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.
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.
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.
Bishop & Rook is proud to co-host Night #3 of the Boston Scene Party Showcase, happening Monday, September 14th at Charlie’s Kitchen in Harvard Square ($8/21+/9PM). Part of the 3-night, 3-venue affair, Boston Scene Party has collaborated with independent music bloggers, promoters, labels and bands to present a showcase demonstrating our diverse music scene. The scene is in session this September!
It's the most wonderful time of the year. Do617 is teaming up with PBR and Allston Village Main Streets to throw a Block Party in celebration of everyone's favorite Boston "holiday," Allston Christmas.
The first-annual Allston Christmas Block Party will be held on Labor Day at the new POP Allston pop-up community space, is 100% free and all-ages, and will feature performances by SKATERS, Michael Christmas, Dirty Fences, CREATUROS, and IAN. Pabst Blue Ribbon x Boston will offer $2 beers, Polar will quench your thirst with water and soda, and Roxy's Grilled Cheese provides delicious grilled cheeses, and fries! DJ Kidd Drunkadelic spins the summertime jams while Orchard hosts demos in the building's two-floor skate park.
A combination of electronic and psychedelic rock, Ian Aware (alias of singer/songwriter Kenny Gray) has released his debut self-titled EP. The self-produced, eclectic 4-track record with touches of shoegaze, funk and rockabilly features Gray as the primary musician, although expect a full band at live shows.
Ian Aware’s S/T EP is available for free (at a name your price donation) on Bandcamp. Follow him on Facebookfor show alerts.
Singer, songwriter and man who defies logic, Frank Turner will apparently be at three Newbury Comics locations on Saturday, September 26th at 2pm. Per bandsintown.com, Turner will be at both the Faneuil Hall and the Newbury Street locations depending on which copy you're looking at. While Newburycomics.com claims he'll be the Harvard Square store. Newbies does love their Scavenger Hunts.
Regardless, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls will be at the House of Blues in Boston on Friday, September 25th and Saturday, September 26th.'Positive Songs For Negative People' is out now on iTunes and in a store near you.
UPDATE 1:01 PM: We have confirmation that Frank Turner will be at the Harvard Square location (36 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA) on Saturday, September 26th at 2PM. #mysterysolved
Boston's gritty grunge rock outfit Blackbutton has announced the upcoming release of their third and final record, 'The Absence of the Other'.
2013 Rock 'n' Roll Rumble participants and winners of the Providence, RI Midday Social, Blackbutton have been supporting their 'Stripper Series Singles' for the past year, which you can stream via Bandcamp.
The band will hit the road on a 7-stop tour to support the new record, ending with a hometown release show scheduled for August 29th at Great Scott in Allston, featuring Rye Pines, The Knock Ups and Skinny Pigeons, presented by Do617. The event is 21+ // 9PM // $10 // ticket link. Follow the band on Facebook and Twitter for additional updates.
Full Tour Schedule
August 19th - Brattleboro, VT @ Metropolis
August 20th - Portland, ME @ Oxbow Blending & Bottling with Jargon Party
August 22nd - Albany, NY @ Parish Public House with Pitchfork Militia, Noise Between Stations
August 23rd - Worcester, MA @ The Lucky Dog Music Hall with 95 Hyde, Levity
August 27th - New York City, NY @ Throne Watches
August 28th - Providence, RI @ Fatt Squirrel with Cookie & The Monsters, Marijuana Boyscouts, and the Andy Lambert Band. Presented by New England Artists’ Association and Midday Presents
August 29th - Boston, MA @ Great Scott with Rye Pines, The Knock Ups, Skinny Pigeons, Presented by Do617
Boston indie / emo rock band Sports. announces debut full-length album entitled 'Demon Daze' with teaser track "Words That Rhyme With Different, etc". The 10-song record is due out August 25th and is the follow up to 2013's 'We'll Get to it Eventually'.
Follow Sports. on Facebook and Twitter for additional release information. See the full track listing below.
TRACKLIST
1. I Love To Be Chill
2. Matt Damon
3. Words That Rhyme With Different, etc
4. I Am The Boy
5. Ridge Road
6. Spooky Damon
7. Steven Believin’
8. Good Will Haunting
9. Rick’s Licks (A Harsh Tale)
10. Police//You’re Outta Here
Lowell’s instrumental melodic rock band, Horse Mode, premieres their debut music video for “Jazz and IPAs” (directed by Shawn Thomas) off of their first full-length, ‘All You Ever Talk About is Jazz’ released earlier this summer via Ocelot Records.
The 9-track album is available for download on Bandcampat a name your price donation. Catch Horse Mode on September 18th at UnchARTed in Lowell with Audrey Can’t Die and Nashoba. And follow the band on Facebookfor additional show dates.
Local garage band Nice Guys is heading out on the "If You Roll It They Will Come" North American tour. The 18-stop tour begins and ends in Boston; get full tour details here. Nice Guys released a 6-song split with Free Pizza earlier this month via BUFU Records which can be purchased for $5 via Bandcamp.
FULL TOUR DATES
8/21: ALLSTON MA
8/24: CHICAGO IL
8/27: BELLINGHAM WA
8/28: SEATTLE WA
8/29: PORTLAND OR
8/31: SAN FRANCISCO CA
9/1: OAKLAND CA
9/2: FRESNO CA
9/3: LOS ANGELES CA
9/4: LOS ANGELES CA
9/5: LA/OC/SOCAL
9/7: DENVER CO
9/9: AUSTIN TX
9/10: NEW ORLEANS LA
9/11: NASHVILLE TN
9/12: HARRISONBURG VA
9/13: PHILADELPHIA PA
9/21: BOSTON MA
For anyone has lost a friend or family member, this song is for you. In anticipation for their debut full-length record ‘Day Jobs’ (out September 18th via Antique Records), staple Boston punk band Trophy Lungs has released the first single “Bathroom Graffiti”.
Writing “Bathroom Graffiti” was incredibly important to me because I feel like it finally gave me a chance to say goodbye."
“Music has always been an outlet for me to deal with the struggles and anxiety that come with growing up,” guitarist/singer Kevin Bogart tells Bishop & Rook. “Whenever I was dealing with something difficult I could put a record on or start playing guitar and it would calm me down. When I was younger two of my good friends Callin and Mike took their own lives. Later on another one of my good friends Chompy dumped his bike and later passed away. When someone dies you think about the last thing you said to them and constantly wonder if things could have been different if you were around. Writing “Bathroom Graffiti” was incredibly important to me because I feel like it finally gave me a chance to say goodbye. Hopefully if somebody is struggling with the loss of a friend or family they can put that song on and get a little bit of relief the way I did.”
To compliment the single, the band recently wrapped up a music video shoot for "Bathroom Graffiti" with Jonas Em (Emvisions Productions) who directed 2013’s “Dad’s Away On Business”. “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”, Bogart explains. “I'm super thankful for everyone who was a part of it.”
‘Day Jobs’ is the follow up to the 2013 EP ‘No Judgement’, was recorded with Jay Maas at Getaway Recording in Haverhill, MA and is available for pre-order via Antique Records. The vinyl record is limited to 300 copies in clear (150) and black (150). Digital download and bundle options are also available. Trophy Lungs will be playing their record release show on Sunday, September 13th with Timeshares (NY), Choke Up and The New Warden at Great Scott, presented by RTT Presents.
Follow the band on Facebook and Twitter for additional information.
Indignant Brewery in Somerville will be called ‘Winter Hill Brewing Company’ going forward. A recent email from the company stated the name change was due to naming rights. “Another small company—from Chicago—has a beer that they release once a year called Indignant … Even the small companies are quickly filing to federally own not just their company name, but also their beers and basic descriptors … However, we’re not swayed by the aforementioned climate. We’re changing our name and moving forward.”
Jeff Rowe, Head Brewer/Co-owner and frontman for punk rock band Tied to a Bear, goes on to express the company’s excitement to represent the Winter Hill neighborhood and hints at ‘exciting things to announce in the coming weeks’ including beer list and menu. Winter Hill Brewing Co. is located at 328 Broadway in Somerville, MA and is set to open later this year. Follow them on Facebook for additional information.
