screams, whispers and songs from planet earth

Category: Boston Bands Page 7 of 20

RadioBDC Live on the Square on Sunday, October 13 – FREE Concert at Union Square!

Are you looking for some FREE live music this weekend? RadioBDC (along with Budweiser, Goodwill Industries and FIVE cool Boston-based or Boston-born bands) will be showing Union Square in Somerville some big love. This happens on Sunday, October 13, starting at 12 noon. The Sheila Divine headlines, and also on the bill are American Authors, Speedy Ortiz, Christian McNeill & Sea Monsters and Rhett Price. This is a really strong lineup of local musicians. And Goodwill are going to have their trucks there, so bring along your old stuff to donate!


The Sheila Divine are something of a Boston tradition, with a hardcore “cult following” in, inexplicably, “Boston, Buffalo and Belgium.” They’ve been in business since 1997 with two hiatuses and two reunions, the most recent of which was in 2010. In 2012, they released a new album, The Things That Once Were. You can listen to more of them on bandcamp and read a little history lesson on Wikipedia.

American Authors formed back in 2006 at Berklee (known as The Blue Pages), although they’re now based in Brooklyn, NY. Gaining in popularity recently, their debut EP features the singles “Believer” and “Best Day of my Life” (heard in US and UK TV ads). They’re currently in the midst of a U.S. tour which continues through December.

Hailing from Northampton, Mass., Speedy Ortiz produce some nice, noisy garagy stuff,, with Sadie Dupuis on lead vocals and she and Matt Robidoux on dueling guitars. Their debut album (as a full band) was Major Arcana, and their most recent release was the “Ka-Prow!” and “Hexxy” single. A limited 7″ vinyl is available from Inflated Records. Here’s a little background info. They have shows this month and next around the East Coast, but not typically free ones, so get on it.

Founded in 2007, Sea Monsters are a musical collective led by Christian McNeill which started as an acoustic group of revolving songwriters performing together. They took up what became a three-year residency at Precinct Bar (in Union Square, so this appearance is quite appropriate and special). That residency garnered them a Boston Music Award and spun off into a recording session at the legendary Q Division Studios, the fruits of which became a debut single and subsequent Everything’s Up For Grabs album.

As it said in the Boston Globe back in August, “Homeless violinist to YouTube sensation.” Rhett Price is originally from Texas but was schooled at Berklee and is now based in Boston. He’s been getting some serious buzz recently with his cover of Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble,” performed along with his friend Josh Knowles at a Red Line subway station. It’s well deserved attention, too. They’re amazing.

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New(ish) from Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys: Toys of Future Past

(and some shows)

Good evening. There’s been big doings from Walter Sickert and The Army of Broken Toys. I’ve popped on quickly to tell you of a few things, as one happens tomorrow. The other is a big 3-day Halloween Extravaganza. The third thing is new music. Make that new FREE music (though you should donate a little something to support starving musicians, if you can) (ok, maybe not starving, but still in need of your money, if you’ve got any). Anyway, this is a cool and curious collection of covers. Enjoy.


TOMORROW NIGHT – 10/3 at Oberon (Harvard Square) Kissing Oscar Wilde – “The Best Book Release Part EVER for Jade Sylvan” at Oberon. Featuring music from Walter Sickert and The Army of Broken Toys and The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library; performances from Jane Doe, Claude Kitten and UnAmerika’s Sweetheart Karin Webb; readings from poet Krysten Hill, the author herself and more; and staged performances of sections from the book. ::: GET TICKETS HERE :::

10/31, 11/1 & 11/2 – THREE NIGHT HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA “There will be awesome FOOD, spectacular DRINKS, dancing, shenanigans, revelry and maybe even a MARIACHI band (not kidding). Watch FB and Twitter for more info – we will announce this show SOON! (don’t worry, you can come for one night, two nights or ALL THREE!).” Yup, this is going to be utter madness. No question about it. And take from me — you’d better start planning your costume NOW.

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A Musical Celebration and Benefit for Warren Leslie – tomorrow night!

Warren_Leslie_Benefit

A Musical Celebration & Benefit for Warren Leslie
with Haley Jane and the Primates, Warren Leslie and Dana Crowe, Kingdom of Love , Peter Montgomery band, Maura Young and special guests
The Plough and Stars, Cambridge MA
(Central Square)
$10 suggested donation
Facebook event


Ok, so this is rather late notice, but a very worthwhile cause. Singer-songwriter and blues musician Leslie Warren was recently diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 liver cancer, and his musician friends and non-musician friends have started a GiveForward campaign to raise badly-needed funds to help him.

The happy news is how many people are rising to the challenge. Tomorrow night, there will be A Musical Celebration and Benefit for Warren Leslie at The Plough and Stars in Cambridge. Have a listen to a few of the bands below, and make it out there if you can.

* Maura Young 9:30
* Peter Montgomery band 10:00
* KOL 10:30
* Warren Leslie and Dana Crowe 11:00
* Hayley Jane and the Primates 11:30

And then they jam into the night with special guests!!

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Mount Peru: Is This Thing On?

photo by Liz Linder Photography

photo by Liz Linder Photography

Here’s a little something from Somerville-based Mount Peru, an upbeat alt-country affair with a little psychedelia mixed in for nice effect. Comprising guitars, pedal steel, piano, trumpet, tenor sax, percussion and delicious rootsy harmonies, it’s a friendly and engaging, feel-good sound. Their debut, “My Sweetheart the Destroyer,” was released early in 2011, gathering praise and fans and leading to touring throughout the East Coast and Midwest. Their EP, “Your Kingdom’s Come Undone,” followed in the spring of 2012, with a residency at the newly opened Davis Square Theatre. Regrouping with a new rhythm section and recording new songs, they released “Is This Thing On?” back in the spring of this year.

Catch them at Davis Square Theatre on Saturday night (9/14) as part of “Crash Safely: Benefit for the National MS Society” and enjoy/purchase their fine music on bandcamp (or get it from Amazon.com).

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Boston Calling, Day 1 ~ beautiful vibes, pretty music

Daren Taylor, Mikel Jollett and Noah Harmon of The Airborne Toxic Event at Boston Calling

Daren Taylor, Mikel Jollett and Noah Harmon of The Airborne Toxic Event at Boston Calling

Despite it being a rather corporate affair and priced out of the reach of many of this city’s music fans, the Boston Calling Festival did a lot of things right, as large outdoor concerts go. They made an effort to include two more local bands and support a Boston charity through their Sonicbids contest, with a portion of proceeds from the submission fee donated to Boston Children’s Hospital (VIVA VIVA! played on Saturday and Royal Teeth on Sunday). Though they served alcohol (naturally), they did so in a special “beer garden” set away from the stages, which I think contributed to the fact that most of those close to the music were there for the music, and not just to get shitfaced with their friends. This was no small thing, and was greatly appreciated. The downtown setting was unique, convenient and was I’m sure a great sales boost to local businesses. There were a few problems at the start (mostly to do with what was and wasn’t allowed on site and consistency between various entities), but as they sorted out the stage placement, I’m sure they can deal with this as well. I still believe the cost is prohibitive, considering that festivals elsewhere with more performers and stages are similarly priced. I’m disheartened by all shows that cost more than $20-25, but the whole “concert-going elite” subject is a much larger topic.

Boston Calling, City Hall Plaza, at high noon.

Boston Calling, City Hall Plaza, at high noon.

People begin to gather at the blue stage.

People begin to gather at the blue stage.

Onto the music, which was absolutely superb. They wisely divided up the bands between the more “indie rock” types and the “dance/hip-hop/electro” types, which made sense and helped those who could only afford to go one day. I planted myself in front of the blue stage for most of the day, so my photos are of those bands. Everyone was clearly energized by the audience, which was among the best I’ve seen at something like this. Extremely engaged, friendly, supportive… just great. I’m sure this might not have been the case further back or as the night wore on, but my experience was very positive, and typically I’m not a lover of large music events, far preferring the small sweaty (more intimate) club scene. But I have to say, this was a lovely day. Onto the photos and my personal favorites.

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Don’t miss The NINES ~ music + art + discovery festival ~ Devens, MA – Saturday, August 10

The NINES Music + Art + Discovery Festival
featuring: Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys, Air Traffic Controller, Shuggie Otis, Matt Pond, Walk Off The Earth, K. Flay, Delta Spirit, Kid Koala, Dr. Dog and Explosions in the Sky
Saturday, August 10 at Willard Field, Devens MA
1:00 PM – 11:00 PM (parking lots open at 11; gates at noon)
::: BUY TICKETS :::

COOL EVENT ALERT! The sleepy little village of Devens, Massachusetts is going to be the home of a dazzling cornucopia of musicians, multimedia artists and comedians on Saturday, August 10th. Because that’s the day that The NINES Music + Art + Discovery Festival rolls into town. In all the flurry of concerts and bigger-name summer festivals, one might inadvertently skip over this brand new music and arts gathering, but that would be a mistake, as it features an impressive line-up of both internationally-known and up-and-coming artists.

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Outside The Box, part 4: The Grand Boston Finale

Saturday at the Outside The Box Boston music festival is like the grand finale of the fireworks. It begins in the early afternoon with Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons, Americana from Providence, followed up with the highly celebrated (and deservedly so) Boston 60s-flavored powerhouse Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents. The music winds elegantly along with the string-infused chamber folk-pop of Northampton-based Darlingside, and what is bound to be an absolutely delicious cabaret-classical adventure with Mary Bichner and Triple Strung Trio, with special guest UnAmerika’s Sweetheart Karin Webb (very special indeed).


After this, you might have a tough time deciding between rootsy world-class acts who you likely will never again see performing on the same bill at City Hall Plaza (Coyote Kolb, Blind Boys of Alabama, Taj Mahal Trio) — and a homegrown hoedown on the Boston Common featuring Buffalo Tom, The Lemonheads and Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Whew, what a party!

Saturday, July 20 ~ Boston Common & City Hall Plaza

Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons (Providence RI)
Boston Common: Park Street Stage ~ 12-12:30 pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/48965872″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents (Boston MA)
City Hall Plaza: Main Stage ~ 1-2 pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/8551411″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Darlingside (Northampton MA)
City Hall Plaza: Main Stage ~ 3-3:45 pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/63589108″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Mary Bichner and Triple Strung Trio (Somerville MA)
Boston Common: Spiegeltent at Tremont ~ 3:45-4:45 pm

Coyote Kolb (Boston MA)
City Hall Plaza: Main Stage ~ 5-5:40 pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/93758098″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Buffalo Tom (Boston MA)
Boston Common: The Beacon ~ 5-6 pm


Buffalo Tom – Tail Lights Fade by jesus_lizard

Blind Boys of Alabama (Alabama, obviously)
City Hall Plaza: Main Stage ~ 6:30-7:30

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/42979922″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Lemonheads (Boston MA)
Boston Common: The Beacon ~ 6:30-7:30 pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/5712822″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Taj Mahal Trio (based in Berkeley CA)
City Hall Plaza: Main Stage ~ 8-9:15pm

(thank you Randy Kohlenberger)

Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Boston MA)
Boston Common: The Beacon ~ 8-9:30pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/27493787″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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Outside The Box, part 3: A weekend blowout (and some fine Boston bands)

Those of you willing to pry yourself away from the AC and head to Boston Common are in store for a real treat this weekend. Outside The Box, Boston’s FREE festival, has been going on all week. They’ll finish things in grand style with a stunning lineup. Quintessential Boston singer songwriter Will Dailey & The Rivals perform their rootsy rock in the afternoon on Friday. On Friday night, all the interesting creatures will definitely be out on the town for the dramatic and theatrical tour de force that is Jaggery and Walter Sickert and The Army Of Broken Toys — *performing together*!!


They’re calling it The Looking Glass Revival, as if the thought of these two amazing bands on the same bill isn’t terrifying enough. Definitely make it to this one, if you know what’s good for you. Things get even crazier on Saturday with a “Boston Homecoming” so you’ll want to get there early. See the ::: MAP OF EVENTS ::: for stage locations.

Friday, July 19

Will Dailey & The Rivals
Boston Common: The Beacon ~ 12:30-1:30pm
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/35978254″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Jaggery, Walter Sickert and The Army of Broken Toys
Boston Common: Spiegeltent at Tremont ~ 8:30-10:30pm

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/65743914″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/85315231″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

To be continued…

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Outside The Box, part 2 ~ Wed. & Thurs. bands of note

While I’m busy preparing the first of a several-part “Eastside L.A. Midyear Roundup,” here are some more local highlights. Performing at the FREE Outside The Box festival on Boston Common and around town are Boys Like Girls (Wed, 6:30-8pm at the Beacon stage) — and at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage on Thurs, Bearstronaut (Thurs, 3-3:45pm), David Wax Museum (6:30-7:20pm) and Gentlemen Hall (8-9pm). All Boston-area bands. So there.

Boys Like Girls

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/70369147″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Bearstronaut

David Wax Museum

Gentlemen Hall

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/users/1608611″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”250″ iframe=”true” /]

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Dead Boots (formerly TAB the Band) ~ new album & The Middle East (downstairs) tonight

Here’s a quickie for you — yet something else going on tonight here in town, and a band with an imminent release as well. It’s Duxbury-based Dead Boots, whom you may know as TAB the Band, their former incarnation. The band features Ben Tileston on drums, Lou Jannetty on guitar, and Tony and Adrian Perry on bass and guitar. All but Tony share vocal duties. Though my guess is they probably don’t make a big deal of it, it’s worth noting that Tony’s and Adrian’s dad happens to be Joe Perry. Yup, that Joe Perry. Which is cool of course, but it also puts the pressure on. They do fine with it, however. Check out their new video for “Saturdays,” which is from their upcoming LP Veronica, coming out in mere days on July 16. Oh yeah, they’re playing at The Middle East (downstairs) tonight along with The Rationales, Midnight Spin and Blackboard Nails. They’re at Mercury Lounge in NYC on Wednesday, July 17.

You can also check out “I See You Coming,” from Pure Volume:

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