Bradley’s Almanac

Nothing is Enough and Everything’s Too Much

Posted on September 13, 2004 at 2:08 pm | No Comments

No foreplay today, just jumping right on in. Mostly music-type things this time around…

A brand new Audio Learning Center track has just been posted to their site, and whoa, is it a good one. Titled “New Calvary“, the song almost made it onto their latest record (the criminally underheard Cope Park), but wasn’t quite finished in time. Now that it’s done, it’s ours for free. (or you can pick up the latest Vagrant Records compilation, it’s on there, too… although misspelled as ‘Cavalry’. Silly spellchecker.)

Oh my oh my oh my. Just found out that Rilo Kiley‘s October 5th Boston show was moved from the Middle East over to the much bigger Somerville Theater (seats!). Wanna know why? Well, it wasn’t because the show was in danger of selling out (although it probably is)… it was to accommodate the 10 PIECE ORCHESTRA that they’re touring with. Siiiigh… I’m such a sucker for strings. The ending of “Does He Love You?” is going to sound like heaven.

So not only did I pick up those Rilo Kiley tickets yesterday, but I grabbed some to Ted Leo‘s December 9th gig as well. I chose that one over his show on the 8th since his brother Chris’ band, Vague Angels, will be making their Boston debut, opening up that second night. Plus, Matt Pond PA. Hell of a triple bill.

Oh, and we got Pixies tickets. Pricey weekend. Buh-bye, bank account.

I’ve been on an Arcwelder kick recently, which I tend to do once a year or so… going back through all their albums, wondering if they’ve got any new music in the works. It’s been too waaaay too long since the release of 1999’s Everest. So, an a whim, I dropped them an email through their website. This morning’s response…

“Hey Brad –

Believe it or not, we have been kinda working on a few new tunes. Not enough to be a record or anything, but a few that seem OK. It may be that they will be an internet release only kind of thing, who knows.

The band is really kinda on the back burner these days, but we aren’t 100% ready to give it up yet either, so who knows. We just don’t have a lot of time to put in to getting things in shape for recording.

Anyway – Thanks for your continued interest in the band, I’m glad you like the music.

Rob, (Scott, Bill) arcwelder”

So there’s hope for new stuff on the horizon. Great news. I’m probably pushing it to hope for a tour someday (hell, it’s been 8 years), but ya never know. One of the best live bands I’ve ever seen, no lyin’.

The tracklisting to Rhino‘s upcoming box set, Left of the Dial: Dispatches From the ’80s Underground is fairly respectable. Target-designed for people like, uh, me I suppose. Well, maybe to people like me who don’t already own most of the songs, that is, and who don’t care about the rest. Talk about a bit of schizo-sequencing… Camper into Suicidal Tendencies into the Cocteaus? Party programmers beware. Still, might make a good gift come Christmas.

Suddenly, it’s 12 years ago all over again. Not only is New Radiant Storm King back with a few shows to followup the release of their excellent Leftover Blues singles/rarities collection (they hit the Allston Plan on October 1st), but Thursday, October 7th will see the out-of-nowhere return of the one and only Green Magnet School to the stage, along with Kudgel the day after, and all for a good cause. The details…

THE “BARTLEY’S CHOICE” MEMORIAL BENEFIT/NOISEROCK REUNION

THURSDAY-FRIDAY, OCT. 7th and 8th

MIDDLE EAST UPSTAIRS, CAMBRIDGE

The fertile, late 80’s-early 90’s Boston noiserock scene is born again hard when several bands from that era reunite to honor good friend and fan, Tim Bartley, who died recently, leaving a wife and young daughter.

*Proceeds from the event will benefit the Tim Bartley Family Fund* The show will be 18+, 21 to drink, and will be $10 at the door.

Many of the bands featured over the 2 nights, including Kudgel and Red Bliss, have been disbanded for over a decade. Former Sub Pop recording artists Green Magnet School will be playing 2 sets, the first featuring all original members, the second with the ’92-’94 “Illuminatus” lineup.

Noise-art terrorists Red Bliss, famously banned from every club they ever played, have members traveling hundreds of miles to do the benefit, as are others as well. Of course, these are all “one-off” performances, so this is going to be an amazing, rare chance to see and hear what the Boston “noise scene” was like in the late 80’s-early 90’s.

Earplugs are recommended for the faint of heart, and lobotomies are promised for those who take this raw sonic shrapnel without protection.

Officially, these are the lineups over 2 nights…

Bartley’s Choice Memorial Benefit

Middle East Upstairs

18+ $10.00

*proceeds to benefit the Tim Bartley Family Fund*

Thursday October 7th:

Green Magnet School (2 sets)- headlining.

Slughog (featuring members of Barbaro, Liquor Tricks)

Luca Brasi (Members of Blacktail)

Donna Parker – opener

Friday October 8th:

Kudgel – headlining

Red Bliss

The Beatings

St. Bastard (From NYC, featuring Dave Gwiazdowski of Badass)- opener

There will be a limited edition double 7″ Kudgel/Luca Brasi single for sale, as well as material from all featured bands, including their current endeavors.”

Couple of sure-to-be-good records getting released tomorrow: Silkworm‘s “It’ll Be Cool”, and Thalia Zedek‘s “Trust Not Those In Whom Without Some Touch of Madness”. The lead track off of the Silkworm disc is available here, and Thalia’s got a sample mp3, Evil Hand, available here, too.

Set the TiVo: Ambulance Ltd. will be playing on Last Call with Carson Daly this Thursday night (well, technically Friday morning), September 16th.

Anyone else catch that Six Feet Under season finale last night? Now that was some good teevee right there. I tell ya, I’ve had a difficult time riding the elevator here at work today. Yikes.

Duty calls, more later on…

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  • BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
    Friday, January 30th
    Greg Freeman
    Golomb
    @ the Red Room at Cafe 939

    Saturday & Sunday
    January 31st & February 1st
    Something In The Way Fest 2026
    with Explosions In The Sky,
    Sunny Day Real Estate, Citizen,
    Tigers Jaw, The Hotelier, Momma,
    Angel Dust, February, First Day Back,
    Glitterer, Glixen, Gollylagging, Guv,
    Graham Hunt, Horse Jumper of Love,
    How Much Art, No Warning, Pelican,
    Park National, Pool Kids, Sheer Mag,
    Wicca Phase Springs Eternal,
    and Teen Suicide
    @ Roadrunner

    Tuesday, February 3rd
    Roddy Bottom
    (of Imperial Teen)
    presents his book
    "The Royal We"
    @ Porter Square Books, Cambridge

    Friday, February 6th
    Tallywacker (the band, from the movie!)
    VOD Release Party
    with Abbie Barrett
    and Stars Like Ours
    @ Deep Cuts

    Friday, February 6th
    Vapors of Morphine
    @ City Winery

    Saturday, February 7th
    Twen
    @ the Rockwell

    Saturday, February 7th
    The Grownup Noise (album release!)
    Happy Little Clouds
    & comedian Josh Gondelman
    @ Deep Cuts

    Saturday, February 7th
    Muck and the Mires
    White Dynomite
    Sonic Bomb
    The Humanoids
    We Own Land
    @ Sonia

    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
    @ 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
    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

    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
    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

    Friday, March 13th
    Quarters
    Paper Lady
    @ the Royale

    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
    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

    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

    Saturday, April 11th
    DARK SPRING BOSTON
    @ Sonia

    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

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

    Thursday, April 23rd
    Weedeater
    Conan
    @ Sonia

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

    Monday, April 27th
    Fishbone
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, April 30th
    Oklou
    @ the Royale

    Thursday through Saturday
    April 30th to May 2nd
    The Town & the City Festival
    throughout 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

    Sunday, May 10th
    The Cribs
    @ the Sinclair

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

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

    Friday, May 15th
    Nova One
    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

    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

    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

    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

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

    Tuesday, July 21st
    Billy Strings
    @ Agganis Arena

    Friday, July 31st
    Tori Amos
    @ the Pavilion

    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

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

    Saturday, October 17th
    Sugar
    J. Robbins
    @ Roadrunner