Bradley’s Almanac

“My Life Or Some Dream” Compilation

[ Originally Published in February of 2007]

And so it was a surprising seven years ago this month, in mid-February of 2000, that I registered the web address of this here Bradley’s Almanac. And while it took while for the place to mutate into its current form, it’s as good a time as any to use for marking an arbitrary anniversary.

To commemorate this minor occasion, I’m sharing and shining a new light (as well as expanding) on the free collection of songs I put together a few years back titled “My Life or Some Dream”, which compiled rare and unreleased music from friends’ bands and others I was lucky enough to have been part of. Most of these bands are linked inexorably to whatever mid-90s indie-ish music scene existed in my old hometown of Burlington, Vermont, a couple are tied to my adopted home of Boston, and there are some Brooklyn connections as well. While I’ve made some of these songs available as mp3s in the past, I never did take the time to pull them together in a proper ‘Nac post.

In addition to doing just that, I’m also updating the current whereabouts and internet-linkage to as many of the involved musicians as I could find, and more importantly, I’m adding a couple very new, unreleased tracks from some of my more recent bandmates, Charlene and the Broken River Prophet, who were kind enough to accept my invitation. Means a lot that they’re letting me debut their new material here on the Almanac. So thanks, guys.

There’s lots of good stuff to be found below (yes, despite my marginally rhythmic appearance on some of them), so enjoy, and thanks for reading along to my random ramblings. Whether you’re a recent ‘Nac visitor, or have been partaking of my sonic sharing for awhile now, I hope you’ve discovered at least one new band or song that’s helped make your life a little bit better…

My Life or Some Dream

a Bradley’s Almanac mp3 compilation
2007 Edition

Download:
all 17 mp3s in one .zip file (77 MB)



01.
Madelines – “Bradley’s AlmanacDownload the MP3

The Madelines (1993 to 1996) were Colin Clary, Pat Hegarty, Kurt Herrmann, and Scott Padden.

This song was originally released on a self-titled cassette EP, and is not only responsible for the name of this website, but the lyrics provided the title for this compilation. Recorded at Eclipse in October of 1994.

Colin also plays on track four with the The Magic Is Gone, track ten with The Four Color Manual, and he closes out this compilation with a solo song. He currently plays in Burlington, Vermont pop band the Smittens. Kurt also played in My Own Sweet, who offer up track eight, and with Pat and Scott in Brooklyn’s Pilot to Gunner, who contribute track nine.



02. Huffy – “Carry
Download the MP3

Huffy (1994 to 1998) was Jeff Brown, Tim Lauben, and Nate Wells.

This song was originally released on the “Sunny Drive Time” cassette EP. Recorded at Eclipse in 1995.

Tim also plays on track seven with Snowplow, track eight with My Own Sweet, played for awhile in Brooklyn’s The Red and the Black, and is currently working on solo songs. I highly recommend you stop by Tim’s MySpace page to hear some of ’em. He also happens to be playing a free solo set tomorrow, March 1st, at the Sidewalk Cafe in NYC. Nate is now part of the metal man-chorus that is Bang Camaro.



03. Guppyboy –
FallDownload the MP3

Guppyboy (1991 to 1997) was Jeffrey Baron, Michael Barrett, Zachary Ward, and Christopher Ziter.

This song was originally released on a the “Rani” cassette EP. Recorded at Low Tech in November 1992.

Jeff, Chris, and Mike went on to become The Essex Green, along with Sasha Bell, who was also a member of Guppyboy in their later days. Mike and Zach also played in Eef, who contribute track fourteen. Mike eventually left the Green, and has since released his own solo material (check out track thirteen). In fact, Mike and Zach recently recorded some new songs together that we’ll hopefully hear sometime soon. Chris has played some solo shows, and someday we may see a solo album from him. Jeff also plays in The Ladybug Transistor with Sasha. The Sixth Great Lake is members of the Essex Green joined by Mike, Zach, and friends … which means it’s pretty close to Guppyboy’s original lineup. Confused? Excellent.



04. Hover – “Yellow Clothes
Download the MP3

photo by mike barrett

Hover (1991 to 1994) was Bob Higgins, Nick Nichols, Brad Searles, and Jan Tofferi.

This song was recorded specifically for this compilation at Eclipse in December 1999.

Jedd Kettler (from Eef, track fourteen) also played in Hover for a time, and plays guitar on this song, which was actually recorded a few years after Hover disbanded. Matt Hutton (from Spray 9 and the Red Telephone) also played a couple shows with us as well. While in Hover, Nick and Brad started playing in Snowplow (track seven), and after Hover, Bob formed Lindy Pear with our friend Craig Gurwich (aka Summer at Shatter Creek). Eventually, Nick started a band called Gladly, and Brad went on to play with Jedd in Eef (track fourteen) and then the Four Color Manual (track ten). In time, Jan and Brad reunited to play in Starlight Conspiracy (track twelve), while Bob and Nick would join up to play in the Violet Skies (track eleven). After Starlight, Brad went on to start the Also-Rans (track six), and did stints in Charlene (track sixteen) and the Broken River Prophet (track seventeen). Whew.



05. The Magic Is Gone – “The Seatbelt Dilemma
Download the MP3

The Magic is Gone (1999 to 2005) were Joe Boo, Colin Clary, and Tom Goodale.

This song also appears on the Magic’s debut disc on Dangerfive. Recorded at Eclipse in 2000.

Colin played in the Madelines (track one), the Four Color Manual (track ten), and currently plays in the Smittens as well. He also releases solo material (under his own name, and as the Part-Time Losers, see track fifteen) and plays with the Magogs. He also believes that being nice is a political act, and he might just be right.



06. The Also-Rans – “Resignation Letter
Download the MP3

The Also-Rans (2000 to 2002) were Denny Donovan, Chris Kelly, Mary Saunders, Matt Saunders, and Brad Searles.

This song also appears on the 2002 “Resignation EP”, released on SincAudio in 2002. Recorded at Fort Apache in April 2001. Listen to a whole bunch of unreleased Also-Rans songs here.

Run-on sentence alert: Denny played in Slush, Twelves Times Over, Drowningman, The Scheme, and Starlight Conspiracy (track twelve), and started the Also-Rans with Brad, who also played in Starlight, as well as Hover (track four), Snowplow (track seven), Eef (track fourteen), and the Four Color Manual (track ten). Chris started out in Aesop, then played in My Own Sweet (track eight) and the Disconnect. Mary is also known in pop-circles as the one and only Miss Mary.



07. Snowplow – “Marble
Download the MP3

Snowplow (1993 to 1994) was Tim Lauben, Nick Nichols, and Brad Searles.

This song was never officially released. Originally recorded at Eclipse in 1994, finished at Headroom in 1999.

Pre-Snowplow, Nick was in Hover with Brad. During and after Snowplow, Tim played in Huffy, then joined My Own Sweet, and eventually the Red & the Black in NYC. As I said above, Tim is now releasing his solo songs on his MySpace page. After Snowplow, Nick formed Gladly and then the Violet Skies (track eleven), and Brad played in, well, enough about what I played in.



08. My Own Sweet – “Tales Of Temporary Setback
Download the MP3

My Own Sweet (1996 to 1999) was Chris Kelly, Tim Lauben, Dave Mersch, and Kurt Hermann.

This song was never released, along with a ton of other material that deserves to see the light of day (listen to some on MySpace). Recorded at Archer Studios in February 1998.

After My Own Sweet, Kurt headed to NYC to play with Pilot to Gunner, while Chris K., Tim, and Dave joined up with Chris Ott (aka The Grace Period) on drums to form Boston band the Disconnect. After the demise of the Disconnect, Chris K. played with the Also-Rans and Tim went on to start up the Red & the Black.



09. Pilot To Gunner
It’s So Good To Be Here In Paris
(geoffcholas turnhes mix)Download the MP3

photo by emily wilson

Pilot to Gunner (1998 to present) is Patrick Hegarty, Martin McLoughlin, Kurt L. Hermann, and Scott V. Padden.

This song was originally released on a SincAudio seven-inch. Recorded at the Rare Book Room in December 1999. A re-recorded version of this song appears on their 2003 “Games At High Speeds” cd.

Pat, Kurt, and Scott all used to be in the Madelines (track one), while Marty was in a VT-based band called Me Jane (with Adam from The Broken River Prophet and Keira from The Specific Heats). Kurt was also in My Own Sweet, and played drums with the Four Color Manual for awhile.



10. The Four Color Manual – “All The Factors Are In
Download the MP3

the four color manual

The Four Color Manual (1997 to 1998) were Dan Scinta, Colin Clary, Kurt Hermann, and then Brad Searles.

This song was never officially released. Recorded at Eclipse in 1998.

Colin and Brad are on this compilation far too much. Kurt’s on it an awful lot, too. Dan’s only on here this once, but it’s all he needs to rock you. Ten tracks in, and these descriptions are getting a little redundant.



11. The Violet Skies – “Keep Away

(originally recorded as Lucretzia Crumb)Download the MP3

photo by b. rosenzweig

The Violet Skies (1998 to ?) are Nick Nichols, Jen Manseau, Bob Higgins, and Susanne Schmidt. Darren Bernard also contributes guitar to this track.

This song was released on a self-titled cd. Recorded at Eclipse in the fall of 1998.

Nick and Bob were both in Hover, after which Nick played in Snowplow and Gladly, while Bob played in Lindy Pear. They reunited years later to form the Vermont-based Violet Skies.



12. Starlight Conspiracy – “Starlight
Download the MP3

photo by matt thorsen

Starlight Conspiracy (1994 to 1999) was Jan Tofferi, Denny Donovan, Brad Searles, and Shawn Flanigan.

This song was released on a Catapult Records 7″ in 1996, and was the first song Starlight ever wrote together. Recorded at Eclipse in 1995. Listen to every song Starlight Conspiracy ever recorded right here.

Ok, deep breath. Jan and Brad were in Hover together, and then Jan took a break while Brad played in a bunch of other bands. Denny was also playing in a ton of bands (see details on track six), until he and Brad started Starlight while working at a record store together. They grabbed Shawn, who had been playing bass in the Fags (useless trivia alert: The Fags were fronted by Eugene of Gogol Bordello, and also included Jason from James Kochalka Superstar) and convinced Jan to come out of hiding about two days before their first show. After Starlight, Denny and Brad moved to Boston and started the Also-Rans, while Shawn traveled west until returning to Burlington, where he started Fire The Cannons, and played for awhile in The Hero Cycle.



13. Michael Barrett – “Sunday Comes
Download the MP3

Mike Barrett (1970 to present) is Michael Lee Barrett.

This song later appeared on Mike’s solo album, “Couches and Carpet“, released on Planting Seeds Records. Recorded by Denny in Brad’s basement in May 2001 with instrumental assistance from Colin Clary and Brad Searles.

In addition to his artistic talents, Mike’s played in Guppyboy, the Essex Green, Eef, and The Sixth Great Lake. After heading to Nashville for a few years, he’s recently relocated to the Boston area, and is working on new material.



14. Eef – “Stable
Download the MP3

Eef (1994 to 1996) was Mike Barrett, Jedd Kettler, Brad Searles, and Zach Ward.

This song was released on Eef’s debut cassette, Three Minute Kings, and then remixed especially for this compilation. Originally recorded at Eclipse in 1994, and mixed at Headroom in 2001.

Eef started slow, picked up speed, and ended in a musical train wreck. You read about Mike above, Zach played in Guppyboy, The Sixth Great Lake, and continues to write songs. Jedd did time in Hover, and it’d be nice to think that he’s still writing his own stuff up in Vermont. Before the end times, I hope the four of us end up on a stage together one more time.



15. Colin Clary – “Five Record Players And A Projector

(originally recorded as the part-time losers)Download the MP3

Colin Clary says “Yow!”.

This song was recorded in February 2001.

Colin’s all over this thing. He played in Brian, Colin, & Vince, the Madelines, with the Four Color Manual, the Magic is Gone, and is currently in the Magogs and the Smittens. He also ran Sudden Shame Records.



And here are two brand new songs that were literally finished within the past few days…


16. Charlene – “Oh Hey

Download the Download the MP3

Charlene is Matt Mirande, John Rex, Jeff MacIsaac, and Don Stewart.

This song makes its debut here. Recorded at Dented Head in 2006/2007.

Charlene is working on their second album, a long awaited follow-up to their 2002 self-titled debut. Until then, catch them on tour this summer, and look for an upcoming digital single to be released sometime soon. Visit their MySpace page for the latest.


17. The Broken River Prophet – “December Wolves (‘Nac version)

Download the MP3

The Broken River Prophet (1994 to ?) is always evolving. For this recording the members are: Ryan Rex, Marty Rex, Deborah Warfield, Brad Searles, Eric Provonsil, and Adam Brilla.

This song is from the as yet unreleased album “7 Sermons For The Dead”. It’s based on true life events, and was devised by Adam and Marty sometime in 2004 while trying to make an entirely different kind of song. Recorded at Dented Head in February and December 2006.

The Rex twins and Adam are in Lockgroove. Adam, Deborah, and Eric were in Shenzou 5. Adam is in Tiny Amps, Eric and Deborah are in Puella, and by now, you know enough about Brad.

  • BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
    Tuesday, September 19th
    Teenage Wrist
    Spiritual Cramp
    Trauma Ray
    @ Sonia

    Tuesday, September 19th
    The Brian Jonestown Massacre
    Today Junior
    @ the Royale

    Tuesday, September 19th
    Boris
    Melvins
    @ the Paradise

    Tuesday, September 19th
    Gorillaz
    with
    Kaytranada,
    Lil Yachty,
    and Remi Wolf
    @ Fenway Park

    Tuesday, September 19th
    Death From Above 1979
    @ the Middle East Downstairs

    Wednesday, September 20th
    Zildjian 400th Anniversary Concert
    @ Roadrunner

    Wednesday, September 20th
    OSEES
    @ the Royale

    Wednesday, September 20th
    Death Grips
    @ House of Blues

    Wednesday, September 20th
    Kurt Vile
    @ Tree House Brewing, Deerfield

    Thursday, September 21st
    The Gravel Pit
    The Mommyheads
    Eggstone (Per Sunding
    + the Mommyheads)
    @ the Lizard Lounge

    Thursday, September 21st
    Bully
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Friday, September 22nd
    Live Skull
    Thalia Zedek Band
    @ the Midway

    Friday, September 22nd
    Minibeast
    Valley of Weights
    Strange Pains
    @ Faces Brewing

    Friday, September 22nd
    Jawbreaker
    Joyce Manor
    Grumpster
    @ MGM Fenway

    Friday, September 22nd
    Fiddlehead
    Never Ending Game
    Praise
    Anklebiter
    Downtalker
    @ the Royale

    Friday, September 22nd
    Wire Lines
    Silver Screams
    Oak, Fallen
    @ The Square Root

    Friday, September 22nd
    Tegan & Sara
    Carlie Hanson
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, September 22nd
    Lady Lamb
    celebrates 10 years
    of "Ripely Pine"
    @ the Sinclair

    Saturday, September 23rd
    Field Day
    @ the Jungle

    Saturday, September 23rd
    Stevie Nicks
    Billy Joel
    @ Gillette

    Sunday, September 24th
    The Breeders
    Screaming Females
    @ the House of Blues

    Monday, September 25th
    Steve Mason (Beta Band)
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Monday, September 25th
    Slowdive
    @ House of Blues Boston

    Monday & Tuesday
    September 25th & 26th
    boygenius
    Palehound
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Tuesday, September 26th
    Dead Boys
    Nervous Eaters
    The Plimsouls
    @ the Middle East

    Tuesday, September 26th
    Old 97's
    John Hollier
    @ the Royale

    Tuesday, September 26th
    Ben Folds
    @ the Wilbur

    Wednesday, September 27th
    Yes
    @ Lynn Auditorium

    Wednesday, September 27th
    Ratboys
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Wednesday, September 27th
    Royal Blood
    Bad Nerves
    @ Roadrunner

    Wednesday & Thursday
    September 27th & 28th
    Broken Social Scene
    "You Forgot It In People"
    20th anniversary show
    @ the Royale

    Thursday, September 28th
    Ratboys
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Saturday, September 30th
    Boyscott
    @ Deep Cuts

    Sunday, October 1st
    Explosions In The Sky
    Pet Fox
    @ Roadrunner

    Monday, October 2nd
    Neil Gaiman
    @ the Emerson Colonial

    Tuesday, October 3rd
    Field Medic
    Olivia Barton
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, October 5th
    Belly
    @ the Paradise

    Friday, October 6th
    Thalia Zedek (solo)
    Tyler & the Names
    @ the Lizard Lounge

    Friday, October 6th
    "A Night for Justine: Tribute
    Concert For Justine Covault"
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Friday, October 6th
    Kingsley Flood
    The Shang Hi Los
    @ the Burren

    Friday, October 6th
    Garrison
    Orangeisland
    Pilot to Gunner
    @ the Middle East Upstairs

    Saturday, October 7th
    Agent Orange
    Spice Pistols
    @ the Middle East

    Tuesday, October 10th
    The Good Life
    "Album Of The Year"
    anniversary tour
    @ Deep Cuts

    Tuesday, October 10th
    Nick Cave with
    Colin Greenwood (Radiohead)
    on bass
    @ the Wang

    Wednesday, October 11th
    Young Fathers
    @ the Royale

    Wednesday, October 11th
    Nick Cave
    Book Signing
    12pm @ Harvard Book Store

    Wednesday, October 11th
    The Mission UK
    The Chameleons
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Thursday, October 12th
    Drop Nineteens
    Greg Mendez
    @ the Paradise

    Friday, October 13th
    Minibeast
    @ the Middle East Up

    Friday, October 13th
    Violent Femmes
    performing their debut LP
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Saturday, October 14th
    The Walkmen
    Rostam
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, October 15th
    Chris Farren
    Mo Troper
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Sunday, October 15th
    Thundercat
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Sunday, October 15th
    Queen
    @ the Garden

    Monday, October 16th
    Chromeo
    Ric Wilson
    @ Roadrunner

    Tuesday, October 17th
    A Giant Dog
    @ the Middle East

    Tuesday, October 17th
    The Chats
    Cosmic Psychos
    Schizophonics
    Gymshorts
    @ House of Blues

    Wednesday, October 18th
    Palehound
    Empath
    @ the Sinclair

    Wednesday, October 18th
    Christine and the Queens
    @ House of Blues

    Thursday, October 19th
    The State:
    The Breakin' Hearts &
    Dippin' Balls Tour
    @ the Chevalier, Medford

    Friday, October 20th
    Ruby Rose Fox
    @ the Rec Room, Belmont

    Friday, October 20th
    Faye Webster
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, October 20th
    Lewsberg
    Chris Brokaw
    Minibeast
    @ the Middle East

    Saturday, October 21st
    A. Savage (Parquet Courts)
    Annie Hart
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Saturday, October 21st
    Lucinda Williams
    @ the Orpheum

    Friday & Saturday
    October 20th & 21st
    Jonathan Richman
    with Tommy Larkins
    @ Somerville Theatre

    Saturday & Sunday
    October 21st & 22nd
    Gregory Alan Isakov
    The Milk Carton Kids
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, October 22nd
    Milly
    @ O'Brien's

    Monday, October 23rd
    Pile
    @ the Sinclair

    Tuesday, October 24th
    Squirrel Flower
    Truth Club
    Knifeplay
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Tuesday, October 24th
    M. Ward
    @ the Sinclair

    Tuesday, October 24th
    My Morning Jacket
    @ Roadrunner

    Thursday, October 26th
    Hiss Golden Messenger
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, October 26th
    The Zombies
    @ the Cabot

    Thursday, October 26th
    Mudhoney
    Hooveriii
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Saturday, October 28th
    Spencer Krug
    @ Deep Cuts

    Saturday, October 28th
    Jethro Tull
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Monday, October 30th
    Porno For Pyros
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Tuesday, October 31st
    Depeche Mode
    DIIV
    @ the Garden

    Wednesday, November 1st
    Nick Lowe & Los Straightjackets
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Wednesday, November 1st
    The Hives
    @ the Sinclair

    Thursday, November 2nd
    Henry Winkler
    @ First Parish Church

    Friday, November 3rd
    Runnner
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Friday, November 3rd
    Slow Pulp
    Babehoven
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
    November 3rd, 4th, & 5th
    Bob Dylan
    @ the Orpheum

    Saturday, November 4th
    Quicksand
    playing their "Slip" LP
    @ the Royale

    Saturday, November 4th
    Blonde Redhead
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Saturday, November 4th
    Amyl and the Sniffers
    Die Spitz
    @ Roadrunner

    Monday, November 6th
    Yeah Yeah Yeahs
    Sasami
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Monday, November 6th
    Judge John Hodgman
    @ the Wilbur

    Monday, November 6th
    Into It. Over It.
    (playing "Intersections")
    Kevin Devine
    Queen of Jeans
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Tuesday, November 7th
    Lucero
    Jason Boland & the Stragglers
    @ Big Night Live

    Wednesday, November 8th
    Rosie Tucker
    @ Rockwood Music Hall

    Wednesday, November 8th
    Codeine
    Barbara Manning
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, November 10th
    The Menzingers
    Microwave
    Cloud Nothings
    Rodeo Boys
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, November 10th
    Couch
    @ Royale

    Saturday, November 11th
    Dexys (Midnight Runners)
    @ the Emerson Colonial Theatre

    Sunday, November 12th
    Slaughter Beach, Dog
    @ Roadrunner

    Sunday, November 12th
    The 1975
    @ the Garden

    Wednesday, November 15th
    Future Teens
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Wednesday, November 15th
    Tool
    @ the Garden

    Thursday, November 16th
    Slaughter Beach, Dog
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday & Saturday
    November 17th & 18th
    Letters To Cleo
    celebrating the 30th anniversary
    of their "Aurora Gory Alice" LP
    with the Gigolo Aunts
    @ the Paradise

    Saturday & Sunday
    November 18th & 19th
    The Hotelier
    & Foxing
    @ the Sinclair

    Sunday, November 19th
    Men I Trust
    Tops
    @ Roadrunner

    Monday, November 20th
    Beach Fossils
    Turnover
    @ House of Blues

    Tuesday, November 21st
    Liz Phair
    Blondshell
    @ Roadrunner

    Wednesday, November 22nd
    The Sheila Divine
    Orbit
    Dirty Bangs
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Tuesday, November 28th
    Deafheaven
    Touche Amore
    @ Roadrunner

    Tuesday, November 28th
    Baroness
    @ the Royale

    Thursday, November 30th
    Nation of Language
    Miss Grit
    @ the Sinclair

    Friday, December 1st
    Allman Betts Family Revival
    @ the Orpheum

    Saturday, December 2nd
    Buffalo Tom
    @ the Paradise

    Saturday, December 2nd
    The Hammer Party
    Black Helicopter
    Spiller
    George Tsiaras
    @ the Midway

    Tuesday, December 5th
    Pussy Riot
    Thick
    @ the Paradise

    Tuesday, December 5th
    Eric Andre
    @ the House of Blues

    Tuesday, December 5th
    Bar Italia
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Thursday, December 7th
    Wesley Stace
    @ the Charles River Museum

    Tuesday, December 12th
    Dogstar
    (Keanu Reeves' band)
    @ the Paradise

    Friday, December 15th
    Hallelujah the Hills
    Eldridge Rodriguez
    Aaron & the Lord
    @ the Sinclair

    Saturday, December 16th
    A John Waters Christmas
    @ Berklee Performance Center

    Sunday & Monday
    March 24th & 25th
    The Magnetic Fields
    perform "69 Love Songs"
    over two nights
    @ Roadrunner

    Wednesday, May 1st
    Ty Segall
    @ the Royale