Bradley’s Almanac

Posted on August 5, 2002 at 9:11 am | No Comments

I just finished perhaps the tastiest Dunkin Donuts medium regular coffee I’ve ever had. The woman behind the Back Bay T-station’s Dunkie’s counter somehow found the ideal mix of sugar and cream… and from now on, I’m gettin’ in her line, every single time. She has won my undying loyalty.

10 days of dust on the blog. Been living life, not documenting it. I should be able to do both, right? Well, better more of the former than too much of the latter…

Breakin’ the Law, Breakin’ the Law…

Our Mission: to see the movie Signs this past Friday night. Our Plan: to arrive early, ensuring tickets and good seats. The Outcome: Failed. Well, sort of. You see, it was sold out waaaaay early. Surprised us both. So we bought tickets to Goldmember, instead. We’re flexible like that.

Goldmember was, uh… very vierd, as the Dutch say. Sure, we laughed at parts… but mostly we were left with an overwhelming feeling of ‘Huh?’, and other times ‘Ewwww’. I mean, Mike Myers is nuts… and sometimes not in a very amusing way. That said, the intro credits were hysterical, and I’ll never get enough of that internet monkey that smells his finger and falls over. Now that’s comedy.

Soooo…. Goldmember ends, we walk out of our theater… and guess what’s playing next door in ten minutes? Signs. I see that glimmer in Amie’s eyes, and I know what she’s thinkin’. Oh, yeah.

Now, this presented a moral dilemma for me. I was never one of those ‘sneak into the movies’ kids. Not even once. Son of a cop and all that. Amie, however, is an old pro. So in we went. When they haul us away in the paddywagon, I’ll be what’s known as an ‘accessory to the crime’, but she’s the mastermind behind the caper. I was all “but what if it’s sold out and two people who actually paid don’t get seats?”, and she was all “oh, relax, it’ll be fine.” Y’know what? She was right. Everyone got a seat, no one did a ticket check, no one gave us the suspicious evil eye. I did not, in fact, have ‘guilty’ plastered on my forehead. And in the end… Hey, Double Feature! All total, we were at the movies from about 7pm to 11:30pm. Whew.

So, was Signs worth it? I gotta go with the thumbs up. Not straight up, but damn close. I tell ya, I’ve become a major Waah-keem Phoenix fan. A fine actor, and he did an excellent job in this movie… I just loved his delivery. Mel was alright, the kids were cute, and the story drew me in… and got me sufficiently scared. The religious angle made me a tad uncomfortable, but hey, that’s just me. Call this movie the ‘Anti-Independence Day’, in the best way. I don’t want to give anything away, but you’ll know what I mean when you see it. And you should.

The rest of the weekend? Lots of bike riding… downtown, the Minuteman Bike Trail, the Esplanade, the streets of Cambridge and Belmont, a car-free, closed down Memorial Drive, the Commons. I’m paying for it painfully today, though. Caught a bit of the Saturday afternoon performance of Henry V on Boston Common, took a boat cruise out the George’s Island in Boston Harbor. My second trip out there, and my first with Amie. Loved checking out the granite walls and former confederate-filled jail cells of Fort Warren


There’s so much history in our little harbor, and it’s seems like mostly tourists ever get to see it. If you’ve ever got an extra $10, head down to the docks next to the Aquarium and grab a round trip ticket. You can take a 4-hour boat ride to Provincetown from there, too. Sounds good to me …

Saturday night brought the American Analog Set to town, in the middle of a tour with Her Space Holiday. Holy jeebus, was it crowded, and too damn hot. I didn’t even try to get a look at Her Space Holiday (not that I could have seen them… it was either pitch black or a smoky, strobe-lighted mess during their set). Things cleared out just enough for AmAnSet, though, and I grabbed a spot up front. Kenny & Co. were even better than they were last September… the new songs got me, and they played the oldies more solidly than before. I loved the Her Space Holiday cover they did, and it made the purchase of their new EP worth it. Honestly, I’m usually disappointed in ‘remix’ EPs, and this one was no exception. A bunch of bleep-bloopin’, some distorted beats… not my thing. But that one HSH cover saves it.

After a bike-pedalin’ Sunday afternoon, it was a late dinner at Boston Beer Works as we watched Pedro & the Sox crush the Rangers again. Satisfying, all around. Now that’s what I call a weekend.

Ok, so I want this


Y’see, I’m a sucker for all things Hellboy, but the top eBay bids are looking too pricey (going for upwards of $100). Curse those limited editions, curse my restraint, and curse my sorry-ass bank account.

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  • BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
    Wednesday, February 11th
    The EARFULL series
    writers reading,
    songwriters performing.
    with authors
    Thomas Beller & John Sayles
    and musicians
    The Lo-I & Chris Smither
    @ the Regattabar

    Thursday, February 12th
    Brandi Carlile
    The Head and the Heart
    @ TD Garden

    Friday, February 13th
    Nine Inch Nails
    Boys Noize
    @ TD Garden

    Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
    February 13th, 14th, & 15th
    Marcello Hernandez
    @ the Wilbur

    Sunday, February 15th
    The Black Heart Procession
    Chris Brokaw (solo electric)
    @ Sonia

    Tuesday, February 17th
    The Runarounds
    Astrea
    Hey I'm Outside
    @ the House of Blues

    Tuesday, February 17th
    Which Side Are You On?:
    A Protest Music Teach Out
    This month's edition includes...
    Dennis Brennan, The Dogmatics,
    The Flying Vipers ft. Kellee Webb,
    Stephen Fredette, Dwayne Haggins,
    and Jim Infantino
    @ the Burren Backroom

    Thursday, February 19th
    A Benefit for LUCE Hotline
    with Dino Gala,
    Babybaby_explores,
    and Rick Maguire of Pile
    @ the Lilypad

    Friday, February 20th
    Puppy Problems
    Emi McSwain
    Hey, I'm Outside
    Tiberiusnew
    @ Deep Cuts

    Friday, February 20th
    Marissa Nadler
    @ the Somerville Armory

    Saturday, February 21st
    Todd Barry
    @ the Comedy Studio

    Saturday, February 21st
    Margo Price
    @ the Royale

    Sunday, February 22nd
    Tracy Bonham
    Spring Residency night 1
    @ the Burren Backroom

    Friday, February 27th
    Hilken & Melissa Band,
    Cujo with Jen Trynin,
    and Magen Tracy &
    the Missed Connections
    Early Show @ the Middle East Up

    Friday, February 27th
    Moviola
    Sleepyhead
    Thalia Zedek
    @ the Lilypad

    Friday, February 27th
    Winterpills
    @ the Charles River Museum
    of Industry & Innovation

    Saturday, February 28th
    A Night of Rock n Roll
    for the Armory on the Assobet
    A Fundraiser featuring...
    The Haymakers, Louder Than Milk,
    Andrea Gillis, Chris Warren,
    and Royal Pines
    @ Clover Road Brewery
    in Hudson, Massachusetts

    Saturday, February 28th
    Minibeast
    Tell
    @ Thirsty First, Lowell

    Saturday, February 28th
    Ratboys
    Florry
    @ the Sinclair

    Tuesday, March 3rd
    Spiritual Cramp
    @ the Sinclair

    Wednesday, March 4th
    Lucid Express
    High
    Sophie's Bodie
    @ O'Brien's

    Wednesday, March 4th
    Cat Power
    "The Greatest 2026" tour
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, March 6th
    Michael Shannon,
    Jason Narducy,
    & friends play REM's
    "Life's Rich Pageant"
    with opener
    Eugene Mirman
    @ the Royale

    Tuesday, March 10th
    Trace Mountains
    Coma Cinema
    Elvis Depressedly
    @ the Rockwell

    Tuesday, March 10th
    Lights
    @ the Paradise

    Friday, March 13th
    Quarters
    Paper Lady
    @ the Royale

    Friday, March 13th
    Bedroom Eyes
    Vivid Bloom
    Unmade Bed
    @ Faces Brewing

    Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
    March 13th, 14th, & 15th
    Dropkick Murphys
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Saturday, March 14th
    Some Velvet Sidewalk
    Minibeast
    Lupo Cittá
    @ Deep Cuts

    Tuesday, March 17th
    Dropkick Murphys
    @ House of Blues

    Thursday, March 19th
    Julianna Barwick
    & Mary Lattimore
    @ the Somerville Armory

    Friday, March 20th
    The Hives
    The Chats
    @ House of Blues

    Saturday, March 21st
    Black Beach
    Pinklids
    Nice Guys
    Dinos
    @ Deep Cuts

    Saturday, March 21st
    Cass McCombs
    Chris Cohen
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Saturday, March 21st
    Joyce Manor
    Militarie Gun
    Teen Mortgage
    Combat
    @ House of Blues

    Sunday, March 22nd
    Maria Somerville
    @ the ICA Boston

    Sunday, March 22nd
    Tracy Bonham
    Spring Residency night 2
    @ the Burren Backroom

    Monday, March 23rd
    Matt Berninger
    Ronboy
    @ the Royale

    Monday, March 23rd
    Westerman
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, March 26th
    The Format
    Piebald
    Adult Mom
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, March 27th Mike Gordon (Phish) & his band
    @ the Paradise

    Friday, March 27th
    Downtown Boys
    Whyte Lipstick
    @ Deep Cuts

    Friday, March 27th
    Old 97s
    Lizzie No
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, March 27th
    Slomosa
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Friday, March 27th
    Gwar
    Soulfly
    King Parrot
    @ the House of Blues

    Sunday, March 29th
    Ladysmith Black Mambazo
    @ Sanders Theatre

    Monday, March 30th
    Tigers Jaw
    Hot Flash Heat Wave
    @ the Sinclair

    Wednesday, April 1st
    Wednesday (the band)
    @ Roadrunner

    Thursday, April 2nd
    On Cinema Live! with
    Tim Heidecker
    & Gregg Turkington
    @ the Wilbur

    Friday, April 3rd
    Patrick Watson
    @ Somerville Theatre

    Friday & Saturday
    April 3rd & 4th
    Hayley Williams
    Water From Your Eyes
    @ House of Blues

    Saturday, April 4th
    Throwing Muses
    @ the Paradise

    Saturday, April 4th
    The Dirty Three
    @ the Sinclair

    Saturday, April 4th
    Puscifer
    Dave Hill
    @ the Wang Theatre

    Wednesday, April 8th
    The Wedding Present
    Mark Robinson
    @ the Sinclair

    Wednesday, April 8th
    Mclusky
    Pile
    @ the Paradise

    Thursday, April 9th
    Circle Jerks
    Gorilla Biscuits
    @ the Paradise

    Friday, April 10th
    Band of Horses
    @ the Cabot in Beverly

    Friday, April 10th
    TAKAAT
    Major Stars
    KO Queen
    @ Deep Cuts

    Saturday, April 11th
    DARK SPRING BOSTON
    @ Sonia

    Saturday, April 11th
    Hot Stove Cool Music returns!
    with Fountains of Wayne,
    Kay Hanley, Peter Gammons,
    Will Dailey, Hot Stove All-Stars,
    and more!
    @ the Paradise

    Saturday, April 11th
    A benefit for Dana Farber!
    Sidewalk Driver
    Silver Screams
    The Wynotts
    Duck & Cover
    @ Faces

    Sunday, April 12th
    Holy Fuck
    @ the Rockwell

    Sunday, April 12th
    Bush
    Mammoth
    James and the Cold Gun
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Tuesday, April 14th
    The Chameleons
    The Veldt
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Tuesday, April 14th
    Fantastic Cat
    @ The Middle East Up

    Thursday, April 16th
    Rhiannon Giddens
    @ the Orpheum

    Friday, April 17th
    Snail Mail
    Swirlies
    Sharp Pins
    @ Big Night Live

    Friday, April 17th
    Pallbearer
    @ Widowmaker, Braintree

    Saturday, April 18th
    The Last Dinner Party
    Florence Road
    @ Roadrunner

    Saturday, April 18th
    Nick Offerman
    "Big Woodchuck" tour
    @ the Chevalier Theatre

    Sunday, April 19th
    Heavenly
    Swansea Sound
    Jeanines
    @ the Sinclair

    Sunday, April 19th
    Tracy Bonham
    Spring Residency night 3
    @ the Burren Backroom

    Monday, April 20th
    The Antlers
    Tōth
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Monday, April 20th
    Broncho
    @ the Sinclair

    Tuesday, April 21st
    José González
    Abby Sage
    @ the Royale

    Thursday, April 23rd
    Weedeater
    Conan
    @ Sonia

    Saturday, April 25th
    Robin Pecknold
    (of Fleet Foxes)
    Allegra Krieger
    @ Shalin Liu Performance Ctr.
    in Rockport, MA

    Monday, April 27th
    The Afghan Whigs
    Mercury Rev
    @ the Royale

    Monday, April 27th
    Fishbone
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, April 30th
    Oklou
    @ the Royale

    Thursday, April 30th
    through Sunday, May 3rd
    The Hold Steady
    celebrate 30 years of
    "Boys and Girls in America"
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, April 30th
    through Saturday, May 2nd
    The full lineup has been shared for...
    The Town and the City Festival
    featuring
    John Doe (from X) & David Lowery
    (from Camper Van Beethoven & Cracker)
    The Felice Brothers, Vundabar, Copilot,
    Tanya Donelly & Chris Brokaw,
    Future Teens, GA-20, Steve Wynn,
    John Lanford & Friends, Kris Delmhorst,
    Christana Vane, The Wolff Sisters, JVK,
    Megan From Work, Tysk Tysk Task,
    The Ghouls (performing Black Sabbath),
    Burp. (performing the Beatles),
    The Deliriants (reunion), Toluca Lake,
    Western Education, Dom the Composer,
    Dee Tension & the Secrets, Abby Moskow,
    Stay At Home Dads, Other Brother Darryl,
    The Evolutionists, Nigel Wearne, Tell,
    Poorhouse Records Allstars, Krixus,
    Dead Vapor, Mike's Carwash, Sinnet,
    Grave Givertz, Joshua Theodore,
    Losing Side, Phantom Ocean, Ron's Car,
    Weatherman, Makeshift Kings,
    Charming Arson, The Darlin', Make It So,
    Josh McKelvie, Ruby Red, Beagle Dog,
    Marcy the Baptist, Your Friends,
    Jazz Criminals, Ava Sophia,
    and Everly Estelle, plus comedians
    Tony V, Kristin O'Brien, Jen Howell,
    Jacques Lambert, & James Hamilton
    along with a reading of
    "Fenway Punk" by Chris Wrenn
    @ many venues through Lowell, MA

    Friday, May 1st
    Tanya Donelly
    & Chris Brokaw
    @ First Church, Cambridge

    Monday, May 4th
    Yumi Zouma
    Ducks Ltd.
    @ the Sinclair

    Tuesday, May 5th
    Dry Cleaning
    YHWH Nailgun
    @ the Paradise

    Tuesday, May 5th
    The Messthetics
    and James Brandon Lewis
    @ City Winery Boston

    Tuesday, May 5th
    Gladie
    Noun
    @ Deep Cuts

    Saturday, May 9th
    Remember Sports
    Cusp
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Saturday, May 9th
    Somerville Porchfest
    all around Somerville

    Sunday, May 10th
    The Cribs
    @ the Sinclair

    Wednesday, May 13th
    Courtney Barnett
    Momma
    Truman Sinclair
    @ Roadrunner

    Thursday, May 14th
    (moved from March 5th)
    The Joy Formidable
    @ the Somerville Armory

    Thursday, May 14th
    Melody's Echo Chamber
    @ the Royale

    Friday, May 15th
    Nova One (LP release show!)
    Bong Wish
    Winkler
    @ Deep Cuts

    Sunday, May 17th
    Tracy Bonham
    Spring Residency night 4
    @ the Burren Backroom

    Tuesday & Wednesday
    May 19th & 20th
    Belle and Sebastian
    play "Tigermilk" (19th) and
    "If You're Feeling Sinister" (20th)
    @ the Orpheum

    Friday, May 22nd
    The Sheila Divine
    "The Middle Ages" LP release show!
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Friday, May 22nd
    King Tuff
    Mod Lang
    @ the Middle East Up

    Friday, May 22nd
    The Black Angels
    L.A. Witch
    @ the Royale

    Saturday, May 23th
    Robber Robber
    @ Deep Cuts

    Sunday, May 24th
    David Lee Roth
    @ the House of Blues

    Saturday, May 30th
    Napalm Death
    Acid Bath
    Pig Destroyer
    @ Roadrunner

    Thursday, June 4th
    St. Vincent
    @ Boston Symphony Hall

    Friday, June 5th
    Freddie Gibbs
    Geordie Greep
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday & Saturday
    June 5th & 6th
    They Might Be Giants
    @ the House of Blues

    Wednesday, June 10th
    The Avett Brothers
    and Mike Patton
    present AVTT/PTTN
    @ the Wang

    Wednesday, June 10th
    Primus
    Les Claypool's Frog Brigade
    The Lennon Delirium
    @ the Pavilion

    Thursday, June 11th
    Echo & the Bunnymen
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, June 12th
    Dave Matthews Band
    @ the Xfinity Center

    Saturday, June 20th
    Jimmy Eat World
    "Bleed American" 25th Anniversary
    Thrice
    Girls Against Boys
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Tuesday, June 23rd
    Wolfmother
    @ House of Blues

    Wednesday, June 24th
    The Church
    The Singles Tour
    (rescheduled from 8/1/25)
    @ Somerville Theatre

    Wednesday, June 24th
    Sammy Hagar & his band
    Rick Springfield
    @ the Xfinity Center

    Friday, June 26th
    Souled American
    @ Deep Cuts

    Sunday, June 28th
    Weird Nightmare
    @ Deep Cuts

    Tuesday, July 14th
    Joe Jackson
    @ the Chevalier

    Sunday, July 26th
    Men At Work
    Toad the Wet Sprocket
    Shonen Knife
    @ South Shore Music Circus

    Friday, June 27th
    The Human League
    Soft Cell
    Alison Moyet
    @ the Wang

    Tuesday & Wednesday
    June 30th & July 1st
    Goose
    @ the Pavilion

    Thursday, July 2nd
    Godsmack
    Stone Temple Pilots
    Dorothy
    @ the Xfinity Center

    Tuesday, July 7th
    Black Country, New Road
    Horsegirl
    @ Roadrunner

    Wednesday, July 8th
    American Football
    Ian Sweet
    @ the Royale

    Wednesday, July 8th
    Lionel Richie
    Earth, Wind & Fire
    @ the TD Garden

    Thursday, July 9th
    Stewart Copeland
    spoken word tour
    @ City Winery Boston

    Saturday, July 11th
    Noah Kahan
    @ Fenway Park

    Tuesday, July 21st
    Billy Strings
    @ Agganis Arena

    Monday, July 27th
    Metric
    Broken Social Scene
    Stars
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Friday, July 31st
    Tori Amos
    @ the Pavilion

    Wednesday, August 5th
    Buddy Guy
    @ Lynn Auditorium

    Friday, August 14th
    Blues Traveler
    Gin Blossoms
    Spin Doctors
    @ the Pavilion

    Friday, September 4th
    Peter Hook & the Light
    play New Order's "Get Ready"
    @ House of Blues

    Saturday, September 12th
    Rush
    @ TD Garden

    Saturday, September 12th
    Devotchka
    plays "Little Miss Sunshine"
    @ the Sinclair

    Monday, September 14th
    Aldous Harding
    @ the Sinclair

    Tuesday, September 22nd
    Bikini Kill
    @ Roadrunner

    Wednesday, September 23rd
    Armand Hammer
    @ the Somerville Armory

    Wednesday, September 23rd
    UB40
    @ the Wilbur

    Friday & Saturday
    October 9th & 10th
    Superdrag
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Saturday, October 17th
    Sugar
    J. Robbins
    @ Roadrunner

    Monday, November 9th
    Hiss Golden Messenger
    @ the Sinclair