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boston area shows of note:


thursday, august 21st

yndi halda

caspian

irepress

@ tt the bears


friday, august 22nd

varsity drag

lump

charcoal lavage

jake and the jakes

@ o'briens


friday, august 22nd

obits (ex-hot snakes/rftc)

viva viva

dead cats dead rats

sunday morning music

@ the middle east


saturday, august 23rd

the soft drugs

higgins

the toothaches

drama queens

@ pa's lounge


saturday, august 23rd

amo joy!

franklin bruno

(from nothing painted blue)

one happy island (ep release!)

@ the lily pad


saturday, august 23rd

newbury comics / unnatural axe

30th anniversary bash

the meatmen, queers, nasties,

unnatural axe, sleazies

@ the middle east down


sunday, august 24th

don cabellero

ponytail

irepress

@ harper's ferry


tuesday, august 26th

the final installment of...

neil cleary's 'doozy'

a guest-packed august residency

@ the lizard lounge


wednesday, august 27th

liz phair performing

'exile in guyville'

@ the paradise


wednesday, august 27th

xiu xiu

prurient

@ the paradise


friday, august 29th

liz phair performs

'exile in guyville'

@ the paradise


monday, september 1st

the juan maclean

@ the middle east downstairs


wednesday, september 3rd

ryan's smashing life presents...

justice of the unicorns

tigers & monkeys

spanish armada

wild business

@ the middle east


friday, september 5th

silver jews

hallelujah the hills

who shot hollywood

@ the middle east downstairs


saturday, september 6th

my morning jacket

@ the bank of america pavilion


saturday, september 6th

matt pryor (get up kids)

kevin devine

mike fiore (faces on film)

@ harper's ferry


sunday, september 7th

ryan adams & the cardinals

@ the bank of america pavilion


tuesday, september 9th

paul weller

@ the berklee performance center


friday, september 12th

mission of burma

in-store performance

7pm @ newbury comics, newbury st.


friday, september 12th

buffalo tom

as part of the boston arts festival

@ christopher columbus park


saturday, september 13th

wfnx disorientation 2008

the kooks, flogging molly,

alkaline trio, rogue wave,

and more to be announced

@ bank of america pavilion


sunday, september 14th

lymbyc systym

this will destroy you

arms and sleepers

@ harper's ferry


monday, september 15th

lagwagon, mxpx,

only crime, & tat

@ harper's ferry


monday, september 15th

sunset rubdown

@ the middle east


monday, september 15th

james

@ the paradise


tuesday, september 16th

a place to bury strangers

@ the paradise


thursday, september 18th

the walkmen

@ the middle east downstairs


friday, september 19th

sigur ros

@ the bank of america pavilion


friday, september 19th to

sunday, september 21st

all tomorrow's parties

with my bloody valentine, low

built to spill, mogwai, shellac,

polvo, yo la tengo, lilys, autolux

dinosaur jr, mercury rev, & more

@ the catskills in nyc


saturday, september 20th

mike viola (solo)

(1st of 3 weekly residencies)

with guest blue and their

band, the major labels

@ the lizard lounge


saturday, september 20th

noah & the whale

@ toad


sunday, september 21st

the low lows

magic magic

ryan lee crosby

@ tt the bears


monday, september 22nd

the broken west

@ the middle east


monday, september 22nd

oxford collapse

love as laughter

takka takka

@ tt the bears


monday, september 22nd

mogwai

fuck buttons

@ the wilbur theatre


tuesday, september 23rd

writer dennis lehane

(release day for 'the given day')

@ the coolidge corner theatre


tuesday, september 23rd

weezer

angels & airwaves

tokyo police club

@ the tsongas arena


tuesday, september 23rd

cut copy

the presets

@ the paradise


wednesday, september 24th

joan as policewoman

@ the middle east


wednesday, september 24th

low

tulsa

@ the museum of fine arts boston


saturday, september 27th

mike viola (solo)

(2nd of 3 weekly residencies)

@ the lizard lounge


saturday, september 27th

built to spill

performing 'perfect from now on'

dinosaur jr.

meat puppets

@ the orpheum


sunday, september 28th

the bird and the bee

willoughby

@ great scott


sunday and monday

september 28th and 29th

ratatat

@ the paradise


thursday, september 30th

boston spaceships

(gbv's robert pollard)

big dipper

@ the paradise


thursday, september 30th

say hi

jukebox the ghost

@ the middle east


thursday & friday

october 2nd & 3rd

baltimore round robin

29 bands playing in a circle,

non-stop, one song at a time,

with you in the very center

with dan deacon, beach house,

creepers, the death set, adventure,

and everyone listed here

@ mass art


friday, october 3rd

death cab for cutie

@ agganis arena


friday, october 3rd

the fratellis

airborne toxic event

electric touch

@ the orpheum


saturday, october 4th

mike viola @ friends

(3rd of 3 weekly residencies)

@ the lizard lounge


sunday, october 5th

old 97s

@ the wilbur theatre


sunday, october 5th

pinback

@ the paradise


monday, october 6th

the wedding present

the jealous girlfriends

@ the middle east downstairs


monday, october 6th

fleet foxes

@ the somerville theatre


monday, october 6th

stereolab

monade

@ the paradise


tuesday, october 7th

liam finn

the veils

@ the paradise


wednesday, october 8th

wire

@ the middle east downstairs


thursday, october 9th

chuck ragan (of hot water music)

ben nichols (of lucero)

tim barry (of avail)

with guest jesse malin

@ the middle east


saturday, october 11th

the feelies

@ the roxy


sunday, october 12th

the residents

@ showcase live, foxboro


sunday, october 12th

the notwist

@ the roxy


sunday, october 12th

jamie lidell

@ the paradise


sunday, october 12th

against me!

ted leo & the pharmacists

the future of the left

@ the wilbur theatre


monday, october 13th

tv on the radio

the dirtbombs

@ the wilbur theatre


tuesday, october 14th

cold war kids

@ the paradise


thursday, october 16th

ben kweller

whitley

@ the paradise


thursday, october 16th

jonatha brooke

glen phillips

(from toad the wet sprocket)

@ the wilbur theatre


friday, october 17th

hallelujah the hills

wonderful spells

capstan shafts

@ tt the bears


friday, october 17th

jonathan richman

with drummer tommy larkin

@ the somerville theatre


saturday, october 18th

ra ra riot

walter meego

the morning benders

@ the middle east


sunday, october 19th

the spinto band

frightened rabbit

@ the middle east


monday, october 20th

magnetic morning

(adam swervedriver & sam interpol)

julie ocean

springhouse (w/jack rabid)

@ great scott


tuesday, october 21st

minus the bear

annuals

sylvie

@ the wilbur theatre


tuesday & wednesday

october 21st & 22nd

billy bragg

@ the somerville theatre


wednesday, october 22nd

yeasayer

@ the paradise


wednesday, october 22nd

lyle lovett & john hiatt

(acoustic, on stage together)

@ the orpheum


thursday, october 23rd

lykke li

@ the paradise


thursday, october 23rd

deerhoof

experimental dental school

@ the middle east down


friday, october 24th

fujiya & miyagi

@ the paradise


sunday, october 26th

broken social scene

land of talk

@ the wilbur theatre


monday, october 27th

matthew sweet

@ the paradise


wednesday, october 29th

legendary pink dots

@ the middle east down


thursday, october 30th

of montreal

@ the orpheum


friday, october 31st

the rumble strips

birdmonster

@ tt the bears


friday, october 31st

david byrne

performing the songs of byrne & eno

@ the wang center


saturday, november 1st

henry rollins (spoken word)

@ the orpheum


monday, november 3rd

coldplay

@ the td banknorth garden


sunday, november 9th

the hold steady

drive-by truckers

@ the orpheum


tuesday, november 11th

deerhunter

times new viking

the vivian girls

@ the paradise


wedneseday, november 12th

kings of leon

we are scientists

the whigs

@ the orpheum


tuesday, november 18th

m83

school of seven bells

@ the middle east down


thursday, november 20th

bishop allen

@ the middle east


saturday, december 13th

neil young

wilco

@ the dcu center, worcester


visit tourfilter for more shows




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Blog Directory - Blogged

Friday, April 04, 2008

Weekending Music Miscellany

Yes, another link-burst, filled with the various and the sundry...


For a city that's cruelly passed over by the occasional cool tour (by bands that feel NYC is close enough to count), you really can't beat Boston's good fortune lately. Not only are we getting that visit in June from the reunited Swervedriver, but we're going to be graced by the presence of the almighty Polvo just a couple weeks later. On June 20th, the reunited North Carolinians will hit the Middle East Downstairs, and tickets are already on sale.


Wye Oak is coming back to town, but this time you'll be able to spend time with their excellent debut disc before they return. Next week, Merge will release "If Children", and a month later, on May 4th, the Baltimore duo plays Allston's Great Scott with openers Drew O'Doherty and Hands and Knees. Tickets can be bought here, and I'll also be giving away a pair as the show gets closer.

I've spent a lot of time with "If Children", and I've no doubt it'll end up high on my faves of the year list (that's saying a lot with all the great stuff that's come out so far, and what's still ahead). If my praise, or the live songs I offered up a few weeks ago, aren't enough to convince you, have a listen to the two Mp3s that Merge has made available for preview...
Mp3: Wye Oak - "I Don't Feel Young"

Mp3: Wye Oak - "Warning"

Another show at Great Scott, and one that will likely pack the place to the rafters: Former Sunny Day Real Estate and Fire Theft frontman Jeremy Enigk teams up for a show with Damien Jurado on Saturday night, May 31st. Tickets here. Unless there's something new coming up soon, Jeremy will be hawking his third solo album, "World Waits", which came out last August on his own Lewis Hollow label, and Damien will probably play lots of songs from his next full-length, which he said was 'nearing completion' in January.


Sleepyhead continues to reawaken, releasing new recordings in the wake of their return to live stages last fall after a three-year absence. The (now based out of) West Roxbury trio have just let loose two songs exclusively through esteemed record store Other Music's new digital shop, and you can buy them here right after you stream each track ("Red Letter Daze" and "The Family Tree") on MySpace. Which you'll do, as they're both great songs. "Red Letter Daze" will become the title cut from their eventual fifth full-length, which should be out later this year. So nice to have them back, and right here in town where more live shows are likely. But hang in there, non-Bostonians, as summertime should see the band traveling a bit.


Great Scott keeps the good stuff coming with yet another should-be-good show: Atlanta's Snowden returns to the same stage they blew me away on back in 2006, when they play GS on Sunday, May 18th with Colour Revolt and The Epochs in support. It's been a couple years since they released their "Anti-Anti" album, so I'm glad to read on guitarist David Payne's blog that they'll be trying out "a lot of new material" on the 18-date tour. Grab tickets for that one here, and again, I'll have a pair to give away as well.


Fifty percent of Fugazi will be visiting the Boston area this spring, albeit separately, what with Joe Lally playing a show in May, and Ian Mackaye coming to town next week for a free and open-to-the-public discussion at Brandeis.

Ian's appearance, which has doors opening at 7:00 in Schwartz Hall, is part of the school's "Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts", and is presented by the Punk, Rock n' Roll Club. Because, really, what other club did you think would be presenting it?

Lally's May 23rd show is upstairs at the Middle East, and opening is Geoff Farina's Glorytellers, so we're talking sell-out (Lally, lally, lally, get your tickets here. And if you get that reference, you're old, too). Joe's latest long-player is last November's "Nothing Is Underrated", which I'm embarrassed to say I haven't yet heard. Must remedy that soon.


Really nice write-up on Brian Sullivan and his Dylan In The Movies over at the Phoenix. His song "Massachusetts Avenue" popped up in my random playlist the other day and reminded me of how much I'm looking forward to his proper full-length debut (it's been way too long since the 2005 "Feel The Pull" EP). Glad to read in that article that he hopes to have the album, which will have guest vocals from the Watson Twins, out in May. Add my hopes to the pile. Stream "Massachusetts Avenue", another new one, as well as songs from that debut EP, at MySpace.


There's a fairly unique show happening this Tuesday in Somerville at PA's Lounge, when Washington DC's These United States comes to town. The band, which consists of three main members, is nearing the end of 33 shows in 33 cities - with 33 different lineups. In every 'burg they hit, they're recruiting area musicians to sit in with them, so every single night promises to be something special. According to the band, this was to be no improv-style someone-grab-a-tamborine mess, but a rehearsed affair with pre-show practices and set tweaks. For the PA's show, we may see members of openers Pretty & Nice take part, but beyond that, it's anyone's guess... which is the whole point. Anyone seen them elsewhere yet? How was your city's version?

For those in the remaining locations (which after Somerville includes Bard College, NYC, Brooklyn, Baltimore, and finally home to DC), here's a T.U.S. track to prepare yourself...
Mp3: These United States - "First Sight"
The band's debut album, "A Picture of the Three of Us at the Gate to the Garden of Eden", can and should be purchased straight from What Are Records, or from the band at one of those remaining shows. Confluence: As I'm typing this, T.U.S. just started playing live at this very moment on our beloved WOXY. Look for that archived soon.


So John Vanderslice played the Paradise last night with Stephen Malkmus & his Jicks, and no, I wasn't there. Such are the sacrifices this novice dad must make. But I'll have another chance to see JV this Monday when he plays the far-more-intimate Oxfam Cafe at Tufts in Medford. Bonus: The Soft Drugs are opening. Now, the Oxfam isn't exactly my preferred place to see shows (usually cramped, no stage, no view... like I said, 'intimate'), but I may have to brave this one. Students only, unfortunately. Looks like my decision is made for me.

Well, at least I can listen to NYCtaper's excellent recording of last Sunday's Vanderslice show at the Mercury Lounge. Another fine offering from my ally to the south.


South's fourth full-length, "You Are Here", is out on April 15th via bluhammock music/Young American Recordings, and they're playing Great Scott a couple weeks later to show it off. Mark May 1st down in your datebook, when they'll team up with The Silver State and Johnny Lloyd Rollins for another fine Fenway Recordings-presented evening. Tickets will be available here.

For an idea of what's to come on South's "You Are Here", have a listen...
Mp3: South - "Better Things"

Stream: South - "Wasted"

Got some good news in my inbox yesterday: My pre-order for the latest Teenbeat Records release ships out today, so I'll have it in my hot hands very soon. It's the debut full-length from Maybe It's Reno, which is the name Bridget Cross has chosen to release her new solo recordings under. The one-time Velocity Girl frontwoman and former Unrest/Air Miami bassist/singer isn't exactly stripped down on this one, though, as she's got a couple familiar faces along for the ride: Her old Unrest teammates, Teenbeat head Mark Robinson and drummer Phil Krauth, join her on seven of the album's ten tracks. Can't wait to hear what the results sound like. While the album isn't officially 'out' until April 22nd, order yours here and I'd wager it'll show up straightaway.


This Tuesday, Boston's own Hallelujah The Hills will share up the seven song "Prepare To Qualify" EP on their website, for the affordable price of absolutely free (and with printable artwork, no less). The digital collection pulls together five non-album tracks the band has trickled out at random online outlets over the past year (places like the Village Voice, Largehearted Boy, & Stereogum), along with a couple previously unreleased cuts: "When Night Falls", and a live version of "(You Better Hope You) Die Before Me". If you're one of those remaining freaks (like yours truly) who is compelled to hold something in your greedy mitts, some physical copies of the EP will be available to buy through Misra Records and at HtH shows.

One of those shows is next Saturday, April 12th, at Great Scott (jeez, Great Scott must be butter), which stands as the official EP release event, and features their friends in Ho-Ag. But noooo, Ho-Ag won't be doing something as simple as opening up... they'll also be combining with HtH, Transformer-like, to make a 12-part mega-machine of rock dubbed Hallelujah The Ho-Ag. Pretty & Nice and Thunderhole will be opening up as well, with the between-band soundtrack being provided by DJ Mark Pearson of the almighty Neptune. Tickets here.


I'm as surprised as anyone that in 2008 I was excited enough about a new R.E.M. album to buy the disc on the day it was released. And so I did. And as I said after I heard the preview stream, "Accelerate" is rocking me old school. To mark their return to catchy choruses and distortion pedals, here are a few recent live Mp3s from the ancient Athenians (I kid, I kid)...
Mp3: R.E.M. - "Munich" (Editors cover on BBC1)

Mp3: R.E.M. - "Second Guessing" (live at Schuba's SxSW / NPR)

Mp3: R.E.M. - "Auctioneer" (live at Schuba's SxSW / NPR)

Mp3: R.E.M. - "Fall On Me" (live at Schuba's SxSW / NPR)

Also rocking me still is that Alan-Sparhawk-fronted Retribution Gospel Choir album, and you can now download a companion live set of the March 8th Duluth, MN release show over at the Live Music Archive. And remember, after some dates overseas in April, RGC will play stateside in June, including a stop in Cambridge at the Middle East on Thursday, June 19th. Tickets here or cheaper at the MidEast box office.


Kristin Hersh did a Daytrotter session back in March that aired a few days back, performing four songs including the old Throwing Muses track "Juno".


Have a sketchy YouTube video of the Cure performing a newer song called "A Boy I Never Knew". Hopefully that won't be the only new one they share when they play the Agganis Arena here in Boston next month.


Long as I'm getting all nostalgic, here, have a look at the details for the upcoming Rhino early-era Replacements reissues. I am, uncontrollably, fully on board for those wallet-drainers.


Alright, I have to wrap this up, as it's time to hit the road: It's a banner week for personal favorites here in Boston -- last night was Hellboy creator Mike Mignola being interviewed by collaborator Christopher Golden at the ICA Boston, tomorrow I get to see Travels play their first area live show ever at PA's with the Broken River Prophet, and right now I'm heading out on a rainy walk to Harvard to catch that panel focusing on The Wire that includes creator David Simon. Truly a time to celebrate those whose mere existence makes my life better.





random mp3s of the moment
week of august 4th, 2008

swervedriver
live at the paradise
in boston, ma
on june 10th, 2008

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