Bradley’s Almanac

[Nac Faves Followup & Giveaway] My Favorite EPs, 7-inches, Reissues, & Live Shows of 2014

Posted on February 20, 2015 at 9:57 am | 2 Comments

As a post-script to my list of favorite full-lengths of 2014, I thought I’d (yes, belatedly) share a catch-all collection of everything else: The short-players, 7-inches, reissues, and digital releases that spent the most time in my ears, along with a run-down of the stand-out live sets I caught during the calendar year. Narrowing down that last list was… not easy. That was a bountiful dozen months of shows.

Seems a good time to dole out some free stuff, too: A couple of my favorite vinyl releases of ’14 along with a t-shirt from a (reunited) band who put on one of last year’s most welcome performances. Scroll to the bottom for the giveaway details.

Rather than write a bit about each release (and delay this post another month), some quick commentary…

  • David Bazan (Pedro the Lion/Headphones) is putting out some of the best songs of his varied career, but since they’re released monthly and 2 tracks at a time, they may be getting unjustly overlooked. Do yourself a favor and check out the now-finished 10-song “Volume 1” and the in-progress “Volume 2”. Hard not to imagine that if these were released in full-length form they’d get more attention, which is just silly. Same with Tanya Donelly’s wonderful “Swan Song” series, which finished up in March last year, and Kristin Hersh’s works-in-progress series with her band 50 Foot Wave.

  • Numero Group‘s stunning box sets continue to enrich my collection (and brutalize my bank account). The continued release of the comprehensive Unwound output was bolstered by their incredible Bedhead box set. Two of my all-time favorite bands, treated with absolute loving care.

  • Speaking of Unwound, Survival Knife‘s mere existence was enough to heal some old wounds. The fact that they’re so damn good is a major bonus. Getting to see them play live at Great Scott was a long-held wish fulfilled.

  • Another wish fulfilled: The Replacements in Boston. OK, not entirely fulfilled, as that wish included a venue with a roof over it, but the Mats overcame the festival venue handicap and rocked an appreciative audience of mostly-oldsters at Boston Calling. My memories of seeing them in their hayday (sorry) were dusty at best, so this refresher the perfect follow-up to catching them at last year’s Toronto Riot Fest. Hopefully this year brings them back to town for a headlining set at an indoor space, but I’m planning on heading to Philly either way.

  • There was sonic justice in the world thanks to a couple long-awaited Scruffy the Cat reissues. Thank you Eric, Pete, and everyone else involved in seeing that through. Setting those suckers on my shelf was satisfying indeed.

    Read on, and scroll way down if you want to try and snag some free vinyl from David Bazan, Survival Knife, or a Replacements t-shirt…


    (the star of The Daily Tater)


    My favorite EPs, 7-inches, & digital releases…

    David Bazan – “Volume 1” monthly 7-inch/digital series

    [ Stream at Soundcloud / Buy at Undertow ]

    Kim Deal – “Solo Series” self-released 7-inches

    [ Sample songs & buy singles at her site / “Biker Gone” video ]

    Tanya Donelly – “Swan Song” Series Vol. 5 (digital EP release)

    [ Stream & buy songs at Bandcamp ]

    50 Foot Wave – “Night Blooming” digital works-in-progress series

    [ Download the tracks / Become a supportive ‘Strange Angel’ ]

    Girlpool – self-titled EP

    [ Buy from Wichita / “Jane” video on YouTube ]

    Heathers – “I Know” (Wedding Present covers – Cassette EP)

    [ Buy & stream at Bandcamp ]

    Krill – “Steve Hears Pile In Malden and Bursts Into Tears” EP

    [ Buy & stream at Bandcamp ]

    Krill / Lvl Up / Ovlov / Radiator Hospital – Split 7-inch

    [ Stream & buy at Bandcamp ]

    “Or Thousands of Prizes” – Merge Records 25th anniversary 7-inch series

    Palehound – “Kitchen” 7-inch

    [ Buy & stream at Exploding In Sound’s Bandcamp ]

    Pile – “Special Snowflakes” 7-inch

    [ Stream & buy at their Bandcamp ]

    Polyvinyl – “4-Track Single Series” Vol. 1

    Survival Knife – “Survivalized” EP

    [ Stream & buy at Chunklet’s Bandcamp / or try and win it below ]


    My favorite reissues & live LPs…

    American Analog Set – “Know By Heart” vinyl reissue

    [ Buy from Barsuk ]

    Bedhead – “1992-1998” vinyl box set

    [ Buy from Numero Group ]

    Camper Van Beethoven – “Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart” vinyl reissue

    [ Buy from Omnivore ]

    The House of Love – “Live at the Lexington 13.11.13”

    [ Buy from Cherry Red Records / Limited Vinyl ]

    Scruffy the Cat
    “Time Never Forgets: The Anthology (’86-’88)”
    and
    “The Good Goodbye: Unreleased Recordings 1984-1990”

    [ Buy the Anthology via Amazon / Buy the Unreleased Recordings from Omnivore ]

    Silkworm – “Libertine” vinyl reissue

    [ Stream at Bandcamp / Buy from Comedy Minus One ]

    Slint – “Spiderland” Remastered Box Set

    [ Buy from Touch & Go Records ]

    Songs: Ohia – “Journey On: Collected Singles” 7-inch box set (RSD release)

    [ Buy digital version from Secretly Canadian ]

    Unwound – “Rat Conspiracy” & “No Energy” vinyl box sets

    Yo La Tengo – “Extra Painful” LP reissue

    [ Buy from Matador Records ]

    Reissue/box set I wish I’d been able to afford before it sold out…

    The Go-Betweens – “G Stands For Go-Betweens Volume One” box set


    My favorite live shows of 2014…

    … along with links to photos from each.

    (my goal of trimming this down to 10 faves failed miserably)

    Throwing Muses and Tanya Donelly at The Sinclair in
    Cambridge, MA on Friday & Monday, March 7th & 10th, 2014
    [ Photos from March 7th / Photos from March 10th ]

    The first night of Chickfactor 22 at The Bell House in
    Brooklyn, NYC on Thursday, March 20th, 2014
    with Amor de Días, Lilys, King Creosote, Jim Ruiz Set, and Withered Hand

    The second night of Chickfactor 22 at The Bell House
    in Brooklyn, NYC on Friday, March 21st, 2014
    with Saturday People, Barbara Manning, Versus NYC, & The Clientele

    Rocket From The Crypt and openers Ex Hex at Brighton Music Hall
    in Allston, MA on Tuesday, April 1st, 2014

    Barbara Manning, Dump, and The Bevis Frond
    at WMBR DJ Jon Bernhardt’s “Midlife Crisis of Champions”
    at TT the Bears on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014

    Tim Rutili of Califone – live solo in an
    Allston living room on Monday, April 21st, 2014

    Hallelujah The Hills’ album release party with openers Tallahassee
    at Great Scott in Allston, MA on Friday, May 30th, 2014

    Gold-Bears, Soccer Mom, Bent Shapes, & Rye Pines at the
    Middlesex Lounge in Cambridge, MA on Monday, June 2nd, 2014

    Dean Wareham & his band with openers Quilt
    at the ICA Boston on Friday, July 11th, 2014

    Guided By Voices at the Paradise in
    Boston, MA on Saturday, July 12th, 2014

    Merge 25th Anniversary Fest
    Wednesday, July 23rd through Saturday, July 27th, 2014 in North Carolina.
    [ Photos Set 1 / Photo set 2 / Photo set 3 / Photo set 4 ]

    The Lemonheads and Parks at RadioBDC’s “Island In The Sun” event
    on Thompson Island in Boston Harbor on Saturday, August 23rd, 2014

    The Replacements live at the Boston Calling Music Fest
    in City Hall Plaza on September 7th, 2014

    The Afghan Whigs at the Royale in Boston, MA
    on Tuesday, September 30th, 2014

    Green Magnet School, Orbit, The Red Telephone, & Hullabaloo
    on Friday, October 10th, 2014 at the Pipeline anniversary show
    at Cuisine en Locale in Somerville, MA


    Caspian’s 10th Anniversary show at the Larcom Theatre in Beverly, MA
    on Saturday, October 18th, 2014 with openers Derek & Jay of Defeater

    Wheat performs two sets at Atwood’s Tavern in
    Cambridge, MA on Saturday, October 11th, 2014

    Low live at the Columbus Theatre in Providence, RI
    on Friday, October 24th, 2014

    Slowdive with openers Asobi Seksu at the Royale
    in Boston, MA on Sunday, October 26th, 2014

    David Bazan & the Passenger String Quartet at the Regent Theatre
    in Arlington, MA on Thursday, October 30th, 2014 with opener David Dondero

    Robyn Hitchcock with special guest Tanya Donelly at Arts at the Armory
    in Somerville, MA on Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

    Girlpool, Slutever, Saralee, & Ursula at the Blaq Lodge
    in Allston MA on Tuesday, October 21st, 2014

    Survival Knife, Pink Avalanche, & Hungry Ghost at
    Great Scott in Allston MA on Thursday, November 20th, 2014

    Best shows that I should probably exclude because I played in one of the bands,
    but were great independent of our inclusion…

    Sleepyhead, Heathers, The Spook School, & Let’s Whisper
    at the Skinny Pancake in Burlington, VT on Saturday, June 7th, 2014

    Allo Darlin, Swale, & Let’s Whisper at the Monkey House
    in Winooski, VT on Wednesday, November 5th, 2014

    Allo Darlin & Let’s Whisper at the Middle East Upstairs
    in Cambridge, MA on Thursday, November 6th, 2014

    I’ll finish up this long-overdue post with some free stuff: A vinyl copy of David Bazan’s gorgeous team-up with the Passenger String Quartet, Survival Knife’s killer “Survivalized” EP on wax, and an XL-sized Replacements t-shirt (the “Hate Us On Facebook” edition). Each will go to a different (North American) reader, so drop me a note at giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com, and choose one of these three email subjects: “BAZAN”, “SURVIVAL KNIFE”, or “REPLACEMENTS”. Make sure it hits my inbox by next Friday, 2/27 at 10am, when I’ll pick one winner for each and get in touch for your mailing address.

    Up next, and hopefully soon (yeah, yeah), my big ol’ annual list of records I’m looking forward to hearing this year. Some of which are already out and are fast favorites. Yeah, I’m lookin’ at you, Krill.

    Category: annual faves, music

    [Nac Faves] My Favorite LPs of 2014

    Posted on December 31, 2014 at 9:09 pm | 3 Comments

    Close the book on another year, an unsettling one that won’t be missed by too many people I know. Myself included. Burn the old calendar, hang up the new one, shoot for some fresh starts and better perspectives. Hope may have been in short supply in 2014, but new-music-as-antidote sure wasn’t, so here are the long-players that made me feel better over the past 12 months.

    As in previous years, it’s 20-ish favorite full-lengths in alphabetical order, along with some honorable mentions. I’ve never been a fan of relative ranking, nor whittling down to an arbitrary number, so don’t go arguing with me – I’m not saying these are the best, I’m saying they’re my favorites. Can’t argue with that. I’ll hopefully follow this up in a few days with a run down of some EPs, 7-inches, reissues, and live shows that stood out above the rest.


    (the star of The Daily Tater)

    Remarkably, I believe this was the first time in 14 years of keeping track that every single album I adored was available on vinyl. Makes me very happy, that does. What didn’t change was my predictable label-loyalty: Merge, Slumberland, Polyvinyl, Teen-Beat, Captured Tracks, all represented. As they probably will be next year. If we’re lucky.


    My Favorite Music of 2014

    Allo Darlin’ – “We Come From The Same Place”
    [ on Slumberland Records ]

    Another shining indie pop gem from these Londoners, and the soundtrack to a couple of very special nights this year, when the band I’m in got to open the final two dates of their month-long North American tour. To hear their new songs live in two very different venues was a real treat, and something I won’t soon forget.

    Stream at Bandcamp / Buy at Slumberland

    Alvvays – self-titled debut LP
    [ on Polyvinyl Records ]

    Okay, I’m going to try real hard not to gush here, but hyperbole is hard to resist: Toronto quintet Alvvays has crafted an absolutely stunning debut, one that captures everything I love about indie pop-rock: Infectious, uplifting guitar lines intertwined with gorgeous, often melancholy vocals that hit me straight in the heart. Molly Rankin’s melodies get lodged in your brain and linger for days, and even as I write this the songs are bouncing ’round my head. Perfect production and song arrangement, a remarkable attention to sonic detail, and dynamics that never feel forced. I love everything about this record, I could go on and on and on, but I’ll pick out one moment: There’s a spot near the end of “Party Police“, the album’s 5th track, where the band drops out and Rankin slightly alters the delivery of a repeated vocal line, hitting a higher note on the word ‘could’ just before the band comes back in. With that one choice, my band-crush was sealed. I’m a fan, forever.

    “Archie, Marry Me” = song-of-the-year candidate.

    Stream at Soundcloud / Buy at Polyvinyl

    David Bazan & Passenger String Quartet – “Volume 1”
    [ on Undertow ]

    I’ve said it many times, might as well say it again here: I’m such a sucker for strings. So it’s no surprise that stripping down some of David Bazan’s best songs and rebuilding them with beautiful arrangements from the Passenger String Quartet resulted in a record I loved. Two opportunities to see them played live (first at Barsuk’s 2013 anniversary bash in Seattle, again a few months back in Arlington, MA) only deepened that love, so here’s hoping the “Volume 1” designation means we’ll be seeing a 2nd one.


    (live version from July 27, 2012 at Cathedrals: Tacoma)

    Stream and purchase at Undertow

    Centro-matic – “Take Pride In Your Long Odds”
    [ on Undertow ]

    A bittersweet release, marking the end of recorded output from one of my favorite bands. These Texas gents decided to pack it in this year, recently finishing up a cross-country farewell tour with some undoubtedly emotional hometown shows. Lucky for us, one of those goodbye stops was here at Great Scott in Allston, and it was glorious. They played a few songs from this record, and they stood solidly alongside their best. Leaving the stage on the highest of high notes, they’ll be much-missed, but hey, we’ll always have the records. For that, be grateful, and keep an eye on their individual musical endeavors.

    Stream at Soundcloud / Buy at Undertow

    Cheatahs – self-titled debut LP
    [ on Wichita Recordings ]

    Calling them the ‘second coming of Swervedriver’ feels reductive, especially when Swervedriver themselves are readying a resurgence in 2015, but there’s no denying that they strike many of the same distorted chords. Cheatahs hit the harder side of the shoegaze wheelhouse, more rock than reverie, and I figure there’s not a lot of gazing at their shoes on stage. I missed my chance to see them live in 2014, not gonna let that happen again in the new year.

    Stream at Purevolume / Buy at Wichita Recordings

    Craft Spells – “Nausea”
    [ on Captured Tracks ]

    A perfectly-placed next step for Justin Paul Vallesteros and his band, retaining the layered dreaminess that makes them so entrancing while widening their sonic palette just enough to surprise. Their songs transport, especially in a live setting, and I’m so glad it’s happening again very soon: In mid-March at Great Scott.

    Stream more at Soundcloud / Buy at Captured Tracks

    Ex Hex – “Rips”
    [ on Merge Records ]

    Oh, Mary Timony, please never stop. From Autoclave, to Helium, through her solo work (just her on piano, guitar, then as a duo), she’s kept on keepin’ on for a couple decades now. Her full-band, rock-n-roll return with Wild Flag kicked off an exciting chapter in her career that ended (?) all too soon, and I was worried she’d retreat and regroup. She squashed those fears quickly with a couple of exciting Soundcloud shares as newly-christened trio Ex Hex – songs that got ’em signed to Merge and on the way to this energy-infused full-length. Retro and right-now all at once, their success bodes well for a nice long run. Fingers crossed this riff-filled record is just the first salvo.

    Stream another track at Soundcloud / Buy at Merge Records

    Exit/Verse – self-titled debut
    [ on Ernest Jenning Record Co. ]

    The welcome return of former Karate/Secret Stars singer/songwriter Geoff Farina to a full-band scenario, bringing along a couple of ringers on rhythm (Pete Croke of Brokeback on bass, John Dugan of Chisel on drums) to make these new songs shine. There’s a raw, undeniable classic rock feel that just clicks, resulting in a timeless set that even your dad could love (yes, my actual Dad loves it). That ain’t an insult, my Dad’s got some damn good taste.

    Stream full LP at Soundcloud / Buy at Ernest Jenning Record Co.

    Gold-Bears – “Dalliance”
    [ on Slumberland Records ]

    Yet another ace Slumberland release. Exuberant, energetic jangle-pop out of Atlanta – an American answer to the Wedding Present (the album is called “Dalliance” after all) that exceeds mere homage. Had the distinct pleasure of catching these guys at the Middlesex Lounge (RIP live shows at the Middlesex, btw) over the summer, hoping I get another shot soon.

    Stream at Bandcamp / Buy at Slumberland

    Hallelujah the Hills – “Have You Ever Done Something Evil?”
    [ on Discrete Pageantry Records ]

    Oh, Hallelujah the Hills, how shall I praise thee? Two years after releasing what I called “their best album to date”, these local gents went ahead and upped the ante, by a major margin. “HYEDSE?” is easily their strongest, most confident collection of songs, and given how much I’ve loved the rest, that’s saying something. Just over a year ago I drove solo down to Plymouth, MA to see ’em play an AGP charity show with Krill and Guillermo Sexo, hearing many of the songs that would end up on “HYEDSE” for the first time. It was “Pick Up An Old Phone” that stood out, making me hanker for a recorded version ASAP. In May, they damn well delivered.

    [MP3] Hallelujah the Hills – “Pick Up An Old Phone”
    (live in Plymouth, MA 12/7/2013)

    Stream at Bandcamp / Buy at Discrete Pageantry

    The Luxembourg Signal – self-titled debut
    [ on Shelflife Records ]

    Sporting an impressive pedigree (with members of Aberdeen and Trembling Blue Stars), this LA-based sextet debuted with a stellar set of Sarah-Records-inspired dreampop, hitting a wealth of right notes in the shimmer-spectrum while weaving in a welcome variety of other influences. A record that took me by surprise in the best way. Another candidate for “song of the year”: “She Love To Feel The Sun“.

    Buy at Shelflife Records

    The New Pornographers – “Brill Bruisers”
    [ on Matador Records ]

    Calling this a ‘return to form’ seems silly, given I’ve found something to love about every New Pornos record, but it sure feels like a distillation of everything that makes them great. But there is definitely an abundance of energy in “Brill Bruisers” that almost begs a reevaluation of the couple LPs prior. It sounds like they’re just having fun on this album, and it’s infectious.

    Buy at Matador Records

    +/- {Plus/Minus} – “Jumping The Tracks”
    [ on Teenbeat Records ]

    Released in January, and criminally overlooked in the best-of-year posts I’ve seen so far, the long-in-the-making album hooked me straight away, immediately setting a high bar for 2014 out of the gate. It stayed in my headphones for weeks, revealing its depths while waiting for another LP to dislodge it. A melding of darkness and light, both beautiful and unsettling at once, buoyed by hook-laden guitar playing and absolutely meticulous production. And, oh, that drumming. I bow down to you, Chris Deaner. If there was one record that defined the year for me, this is it, and I hope the turn of the calendar sees them playing a few more live shows.

    Stream the LP (with bonus tracks) at Soundcloud / Purchase from Teenbeat Records

    Real Estate – “Atlas”
    [ on the Domino Record Co. ]

    Real Estate’s third record took more time than expected to get under my skin, certainly longer than 2011’s “Days” did. While it wasn’t immediate as its predecessor, the extra listening effort paid off, and their show at the Sinclair in March had the new songs standing solidly among the rest.

    Stream songs at Soundcloud / Buy from Domino

    Shellac – “Dude Incredible”
    [ on the Touch & Go Records ]

    Another abrasive, body-rattling smack upside the skull from the Chicago’s no-bullshit trio. There’s no band on Earth like the mighty Shellac, and there’s no point in anyone else even trying. They strip away the artifice of the record-producing machine – their albums appear as if by magic, with little fanfare and less promotion, kick everyone in the ass, and that’s just it. It’s all we need. Truths are revealed, conventions are challenged, heads are banged. Try driving under the speed limit while this album shakes your car windows. It ain’t easy.

    Buy from Touch & Go

    Survival Knife – “Loose Power”
    [ on the Sub Pop Records ]

    Yes, I bow down at the altar of Unwound. Have for ages. I’ve long held that their swan-song, “Leaves Turn Inside You”, is one of the greatest collections of recorded music ever released. I still feel physical pain when I look at my unused ticket for my final chance to see them: September 11th, 2001 at the Middle East, a show that was called off just after they soundchecked, as I stood outside lost and looking for something to cling to.

    Survival Knife’s arrival, studio output, and recent first-ever cross-country tour has gone a long way towards healing that open wound. No, they’re not Unwound, but with two ex-members and a sonic recipe that includes tension, restraint, and glorious release, there is undeniably some common DNA. They scratch a lot of the same itches, telling their songs as sonic stories as they eschew traditional structures while throwing in some metal for good measure. You’re not going to hear a lot of verse-chorus-verse, and you’re not going to miss it. Last month I got to see them live here in Boston, and I felt whole.

    Stream another track at Soundcloud / Buy from Sub Pop

    Withered Hand – “New Gods”
    [ on the Slumberland Records ]

    I’ll take Dan Willson, aka Mr. Withered Hand, however he wants to present himself: Solo or with his full band, backed by a crack collection of ace players or just him, his guitar, and his singularly unique voice. My first thought on hearing he’d teamed up with beloved Slumberland Records was “perfect”, and so it was. My long-standing wish to see him perform finally came true this year when he played with his band at Chickfactor 22 last March, though a Withered Hand solo gig remains high on my live show bucket list. 2015, perhaps?

    Stream more WH songs at Soundcloud / Buy from Slumberland

    Wussy – “Attica”
    [ on the Shake It Records ]

    Cincinnati’s Wussy, a band with a wealth of great records already under their belt, could easily rest on those laurels and put out just another solid collection of songs. Instead, they released an absolute stunner. “Attica” has some of the finest work they’ve ever done, including the album opener (“Teenage Wasteland“) and the closer (“Beautiful“), each of them candidates for personal song-of-the-year. How this band continues to plug along relatively unheralded is beyond me (though the efforts of CBS Saturday Morning to help remedy that was much appreciated).

    Stream/buy at Bandcamp / Buy from Shake It

    Wye Oak – “Shriek”
    [ on the Merge Records ]

    I’ll admit it, I was scared. When I first heard that Wye Oak had ditched guitars in favor of bass and keyboards for their upcoming record, I had major doubts. As a longtime fanboy, I hadn’t met a Wye Oak release I hadn’t loved, and Jenn Wasner’s guitar played no small part in that. I’m generally averse to the bleep-bloop, so the prospect of its overuse had me prepared for disappointment.

    Well, whaddya know, it turns out my fears were unfounded, and I should have trusted Andy & Jenn all along. Yes, the guitar may be gone, but the songs are still there – evocative, interesting, and just plain catchy, with Jenn’s vocals sounding better than ever, and Andy astonishing with his ever-inventive drum parts and rhythmic multi-tasking. They were able to somehow embrace a whole new sonic palette, nearly reinvent themselves, and succeed in ways I didn’t expect. I don’t just love this record, I love that I love this record. Proved that even my guitar-centric mind can be rewired at my advancing age.

    Stream another song at Soundcloud / Buy from Merge Records

    The honorable mentions…
    (aka “albums I listened to a ton and could easily
    have made the above list depending on my mood”)

    The Afghan Whigs – “Do To The Beast”, Hiss Golden Messenger – “Lateness of Dancers, Mogwai – “Rave Tapes”, Anders Parker – “There’s A Blue Bird In My Heart”, Soccer Mom – self-titled debut, Sharon Van Etten – “Are We There”, Sleepyhead – “Wild Sometimes”, Pink Avalanche – “The Luminous Heart of Nowhere”

    Favorite records that I played on…

    Colin Clary – “Twee Blues Vol.1”, Let’s Whisper – “As Close As We Are” 10-inch

    If you’re bored and looking to surf some history, have a look at my previous year-end fave lists: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001.

    Stop back in a few days, when I’ll hopefully have a follow-up post with a few EPs, 7-inches, reissues, and live shows that I loved in 2014. If I’m not already too deep into 2015, that is.

    Best to you and yours in the new year. May it bring you all you desire, or at least none of the things you don’t.

    Category: annual faves
    « go back — keep looking »

  • BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
    Thursday, October 9th
    Team Dresch
    Noun
    Vitapup
    @ Crystal Ballroom
    Thursday, October 9th
    Jason Narducy
    (Split Single, Superchunk,
    Verboten, Bob Mould Band)
    @ Q Division
    Thursday, October 9th
    The Rapture
    @ House of Blues
    Thursday, October 9th
    Violent Femmes
    @ the Chevalier Theatre
    Friday, October 10th
    Weekly Free Residency with
    Hilken Mancini & Melissa Gibbs
    & guests, this week featuring...
    David Fredette
    @ Notch Brewing Brighton
    Friday, October 10th
    AFI
    TR/ST @ the House of Blues
    Friday, October 10th
    Jukebox the Ghost
    Boys Go To Jupiter
    @ the Royale
    Friday, October 10th
    Wesley Stace's
    CABINET OF WONDERS
    with Willie Loco Alexander,
    Michael Arthur, Tanya Donelly,
    Matthew Caws (Nada Surf),
    Dave Hill, James Parker,
    Patrick Stickles (Titus Andronicus),
    & Ryan Walsh (Hallelujah the Hills)
    @ City Winery
    Friday, October 10th
    Destroyer
    @ the Paradise
    Saturday, October 11th
    The Cult
    "Death Cult In America" Tour
    with Patriarchy
    @ the Orpheum
    Saturday, October 11th
    Real Estate
    "Atlas" Anniversary Tour
    Trace Mountains
    @ the Royale
    Saturday, October 11th
    Pile
    Nnamdï
    @ the Sinclair
    Sunday, October 12th
    Pete & Bas
    @ the Crystal Ballroom
    Sunday, October 12th
    The Miki Berenyi Trio
    (that's Miki from Lush)
    Gina Birch
    The Unreasonables
    @ the Sinclair
    Monday, October 13th
    The Sword
    @ the Paradise
    Monday, October 13th
    My Morning Jacket
    @ MGM Music Hall
    Tuesday, October 14th
    Rachael Yamagata
    Anya Marina
    @ the Somerville Armory
    Tuesday, October 14th
    Grandaddy
    celebrating the 25th anniversary
    of "The Sophtware Slump"
    with Greg Freeman
    @ the Royale
    Wednesday, October 15th
    Modest Mouse
    Built to Spill
    @ MGM Music Hall
    Wednesday, October 15th
    Disclosure (Live)
    Fcukers
    Villager
    @ Roadrunner
    Thursday, October 16th
    Moving Targets
    One Fall
    Spiller
    @ Faces Brewing
    Friday, October 17th
    Bad History Month
    @ Panopticon
    Friday, October 17th
    Peel Dream Magazine
    22° Halo
    @ Deep Cuts
    Friday, October 17th
    The Psychedelic Furs
    Gary Numan
    @ MGM Musis Hall
    Friday, October 17th
    Sheila E. & the E-Train
    @ City Winery Boston
    Saturday, October 18th
    Kingsley Flood
    @ the Burren Backroom
    Saturday, October 18th
    Patty Griffin &
    Rickie Lee Jones
    @ the Chevalier
    Saturday, October 18th
    AL BARILE DAY!
    (bands announced soon)
    @ Roadrunner
    Saturday, October 18th
    Jeff Tweedy
    Macie Stewart
    @ the Royale
    Saturday & Sunday
    October 18th & 19th
    Left of the Charles festival
    with bands & vendors
    Saturday: Nemarca, Tiffy,
    Viruette, Sailor Down,
    & Brady Dallas Jones
    Sunday: Nora Meier, Luddites,
    Justin Schaefers, Spirit Ghost,
    Makeout Palace, & Lady Pills
    @ the Speedway, Brighton
    Sunday, October 19th
    Juanita & Juan
    (Alice Bag & Kid Congo Powers)
    Kathy Snax Band
    @ Deep Cuts
    Sunday, October 19th
    The Chelsea Curve
    Speedfossil
    Cold Expectations
    Happy Little Clouds
    Corin Ashley
    Eric Barlow
    @ the Burren Backroom
    Sunday, October 19th
    Guerilla Toss
    @ Crystal Ballroom
    Sunday, October 19th
    Ruston Kelly
    Sam MacPherson
    @ the Sinclair
    Monday, October 20th
    Leisure
    @ the Royale
    Monday, October 20th
    Madi Diaz
    @ the Somerville Armory
    Tuesday, October 21st
    Big Thief
    @ MGM Music Hall
    Tuesday, October 21st
    Everclear
    Local H
    Sponge
    @ Big Night Live
    Wednesday, October 22nd
    Mike Viola
    @ the Lizard Lounge
    Thursday, October 23rd
    Brian Dunne
    Dead Gowns
    @ the Rockwell
    Thursday, October 23rd
    Neko Case
    Des Demonas
    @ The Wilbur
    Thursday, October 23rd
    Shudder to Think
    Zwei Null Zwei
    @ Sonia
    Thursday, October 23rd
    Belly
    "King" 30th Anniversary Tour!
    @ the Paradise
    Thursday & Friday
    October 23rd & 24th
    Ali McGuirk
    "Watertop" Release Shows
    @ the Lizard Lounge
    Friday, October 24th
    Bumblebee Radio Presents:
    Their 5th Anniversary
    Spooky Season Showcase
    with Peppermint Kicks, Beck Black,
    Jennifer Tefft & the Strange, and
    Smitt E. Smitty & the Fezztones
    @ Crystal Ballroom
    Friday, October 24th
    Insomnies
    Chris Brokaw
    The Golden Dregs
    Lights Out
    @ Myrtle, Providence
    Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
    October 24th, 25th, & 26th
    Jonathan Richman
    with Tommy Larkins
    @ the Somerville Theatre
    Saturday, October 25th
    Tommy Stinson's
    Cowboys in the Campfire
    with Bob Logan
    & Chris Amaral
    @ Faces Brewing
    Saturday, October 25th
    Cheap Trick
    @ Lynn Auditorium
    Saturday, October 25th
    Halloween show with...
    Yoni Gordon (as Prince),
    the Grownup Noise, Indiana Stone,
    & The Naya Rockers (as REM),
    Ruby Grove (as Led Zeppelin),
    & Happy Little Clouds, Endation,
    The Daylilies, Linnea’s Garden, &
    Adi Sun (as Queens of the Stone Age)
    @ the Loft, Somerville
    Saturday, October 25th
    Amy Rigby
    House show in Dorchester
    @ the Acoustic Den
    Saturday, October 25th
    Rufus Wainwright
    @ City Winery
    Saturday, October 25th
    Ezra Furman
    The Golden Dregs
    @ the Sinclair
    Saturday, October 25th
    Minus The Bear
    @ the House of Blues
    Sunday, October 26th
    Bryan Adam
    Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
    @ the Garden
    Saturday, October 26th
    Big D & the Kids Table:
    A Nightmare Before Halloween
    with Westbound Train,
    & the JB Conspiracy
    @ the Sinclair
    Monday, October 27th
    Laufey
    Suki Waterhouse
    @ TD Garden
    Monday, October 27th
    Autechre
    Mark Broom
    @ Brighton Music Hall
    Wednesday, October 29th
    Herbie Hancock
    @ the Wang Theatre
    Tuesday, October 28th
    WHICH SIDE?
    A Protest Music Teach-Out
    A Music Series with Discussion
    Hosted by James Sullivan
    featuring the Paid Protesters
    & a revolving cast of singers
    This one features: Rick Berlin,
    Will Dailey, Thea Hopkins,
    Cliff Notez, Aaron Perrino,
    and Chad Stokes
    @ the Burren Back Room
    Wednesday, October 29th
    EARFULL series
    "Writers reading, songwriters playing"
    with authors
    Tom Perrotta & Alice Hoffman
    and musicians
    Highway Hosiery & Adam Sherman
    @ Regattabar, Cambridge
    Wednesday, October 29th
    Of Monsters and Men
    Arny Margret
    @ Roadrunner
    Wednesday, October 29th
    The Beta Band
    @ the Royale
    Thursday, October 30th
    Cage the Elephant
    Hey, Nothing
    Common People
    @ MGM Music Hall
    Thursday, October 30th
    Thundercat
    @ Roadrunner
    Friday & Saturday
    October 31st & November 1st
    Fleshwater
    Chat Pile
    @ the Paradise
    Saturday, November 1st
    Andy Bell (of Erasure)
    @ the Wilbur
    Sunday, November 2nd
    Fruit Bats (solo)
    @ the Sinclair
    Tuesday, November 4th
    Dinosaur Live!
    Improvised Entertainment with
    Edi Patterson, Paul Scheer,
    Rob Huebel, Jason Mantzoukas,
    Owen Burke, Danielle Schneider,
    and Mary Holland
    @ the Chevalier, Medford
    Wednesday, November 5th
    Boris
    "Pink" 20th Anniversary Tour
    with Uniform
    @ the Paradise
    Thursday, November 6th
    Matt Pond PA
    @ the Fallout Shelter, Norwood
    Thursday, November 6th
    Colin Hay (Men at Work)
    @ the Chevalier Theatre
    Thursday, November 6th
    Robert Plant's Saving Grace
    featuring Suzi Dian
    @ the Shubert Theatre
    Thursday & Friday
    November 6th & 7th
    The Lone Bellow
    @ the Sinclair
    Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
    November 6th, 7th, & 8th
    Buffalo Tom's 2nd annual
    "Please Come to Boston" fest
    with special live performances
    & guests each night
    @ the Somerville Armory
    Friday & Saturday
    November 7th & 8th
    Steve Martin & Martin Short
    three shows @ the Wang
    Saturday, November 8th
    Cracker
    with special guests
    @ Abbot Hall, Marblehead
    Saturday, November 8th
    Howl Owl Howl
    @ the Paradise
    Saturday, November 8th
    The Mars Volta
    @ House of Blues
    Sunday, November 9th
    Flock of Dimes
    @ the Rockwell
    Sunday, November 9th
    The Samples
    @ City Winery
    Tuesday, November 11th
    Jason Bonham's
    Led Zeppelin Evening
    @ the House of Blues Boston
    Tuesday & Wednesday
    November 11th & 12th
    Micky Dolenz (the Monkees)
    Songs & Stories
    @ City Winery
    Wednesday, November 12th
    Jens Lekman
    @ the Sinclair
    Thursday, November 13th
    Janeane Garofalo
    two shows
    @ the Somerville Armory
    Thursday, November 13th
    Major Stars
    Mountain Movers
    Gossip Collar
    @ Deep Cuts
    Thursday, November 13th
    Celebration of Hip-Hop with
    Hall of Fame Induction of Rakim
    @ Berklee Performance Center
    Friday, November 14th
    The Smithereens
    with John Cowsill
    @ City Winery
    Friday, November 14th
    John Fogerty
    doing CCR songs
    @ MGM Music Hall
    Friday, November 14th
    Geese
    @ the Paradise
    Friday, November 14th
    Spiller
    The Long Wait
    @ the Middle East
    Saturday, November 15th
    Hallelujah The Hills
    (20th anniversary show!)
    with the return of the mighty...
    Ho-Ag! @ Deep Cuts
    Saturday, November 15th
    Beach Fossils
    @ the Paradise
    Sunday, November 16th
    The Faint
    Hercules & Love Affair
    @ the Royale
    Sunday, November 16th
    Die Spitz
    @ the Sinclair
    Sunday, November 16th
    Black Flag
    (Ginn & the kids)
    @ Taffeta in Lowell
    Monday, November 17th
    Tom Morello & Friends
    (electric full band show)
    @ the Paradise
    Tuesday & Wednesday
    November 18th & 19th
    The Barr Brothers
    Land of Talk
    @ the Sinclair
    Wednesday, November 19th
    EARFULL series
    "Writers reading, songwriters playing"
    @ Regattabar, Cambridge
    Wednesday, November 19th
    Author Joe Hill
    presenting 'King Sorrow'
    @ Brookline Booksmith
    Thursday, November 20th
    Weakened Friends
    @ the Sinclair
    Thursday, November 20th
    Sarah McLachlan
    @ the Orpheum
    Thursday, November 20th
    SOM
    Hiroe
    Girih
    Bedroom Eyes
    @ Deep Cuts
    Friday, November 21st
    Queensrÿche
    Accept
    @ Somerville Theatre
    Friday & Saturday
    November 21st & 22nd
    Letters to Cleo
    The Cavedogs
    @ the Paradise Rock Club
    Saturday, November 22nd
    Couch
    @ Roadrunner
    Sunday, November 23rd
    Story of the Year
    Senses Fail
    Armor for Sleep
    @ Roadrunner
    Monday, November 24th
    Stevie Nicks
    @ TD Garden
    Monday, November 24th
    Bar Italia
    Lifeguard
    @ the Paradise
    Monday, November 24th
    Patti Smith
    Horses 50th Anniversary Tour
    @ the Orpheum
    Tuesday & Wednesday
    November 25th & 26th
    The English Beat
    @ City Winery
    Wednesday, November 26th
    The Lemonheads
    @ The Wilbur
    Saturday, November 29th
    Portugal. The Man
    @ Roadrunner
    Saturday, November 29th
    Vundabar
    @ the Sinclair
    Sunday, November 30th
    Caspian
    Aisha Burns
    @ Sonia
    Monday, December 1st
    (second show added)
    The Beths
    Phoebe Rings
    @ the Royale
    Friday, December 5th
    The Besnard Lakes
    @ Deep Cuts
    Friday, December 5th
    STL GLD
    House Party
    with Bad Rabbits
    @ the Sinclair
    Saturday, December 6th
    The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo
    Christmas Show featuring
    Paul F. Tompkins, Nellie McKay,
    & Josh Gondelman
    @ the Chevalier Theatre
    December 6th
    Sorry
    @ the Middle East Up
    Tuesday, December 9th
    They Are Gutting A Body Of Water
    Hooky
    @ the Somerville Armory
    Wednesday, December 10th
    EARFULL series
    "Writers reading, songwriters playing"
    @ Regattabar, Cambridge
    Thursday, December 11th
    The Ladybug Transistor
    @ Deep Cuts
    Saturday, December 13th
    Paula Poundstone
    @ the Mosesian Center, Watertown
    Saturday, December 13th
    Will Dailey
    @ the Paradise
    Saturday, December 13th
    Converge's SADDEST DAY Fest
    with Touché Amoré, Coalesce,
    The Hope Conspiracy, Soul Glo,
    Year of the Knife, Stress Positions,
    Wormwood, and more
    @ Roadrunner
    Saturday, December 13th
    A John Waters Christmas
    @ Berklee Performance Center
    Saturday, December 13th
    J. Robbins Band plays
    Burning Airlines
    @ Deep Cuts
    Sunday, December 14th
    Cursive
    AJJ
    @ Brighton Music Hall
    Monday, December 15th
    Algernon Cadwallader
    @ the Sinclair
    Wednesday, December 17th
    Patti Smith
    Book Tour Stop
    @ the Chevalier
    Saturday, December 20th
    The Del Fuegos
    Early & Late shows
    @ City Winery
    Sunday, December 21st
    Samantha Fish
    Cedric Burnside
    Jon Spencer
    @ the Wilbur
    Saturday, December 27th
    John Oliver
    @ MGM Music Hall
    Sunday, December 28th
    The Felice Brothers
    Charlotte Cornfield
    @ the Sinclair
    Monday & Tuesday
    December 29th & 30th
    The Disco Biscuits
    Monday @ the Sinclair
    Tuesday @ the Royale
    Wednesday, January 14th, 2026
    Bishop Allen
    Mates of State
    @ the Sinclair
    Thursday, January 15th
    Cate Le Bon
    @ the Sinclair
    Thursday, January 15th
    Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
    "Piano & Voice" performance
    @ the MFA Boston
    Monday, January 19th
    Shame
    @ Brighton Music Hall
    Thursday, January 27th
    The Residents
    Eskimo Live! Tour
    @ Brighton Music Hall
    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
    February 13th
    Nine Inch Nails
    @ TD Garden
    Friday, February 20th
    Marissa Nadler
    @ the Somerville Armory
    Saturday, February 21st
    Margo Price
    @ the Royale
    February 28th
    Ratboys
    Florry
    @ the Sinclair
    Tuesday, March 3rd
    Spiritual Cramp
    @ the Sinclair
    Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
    March 13th, 14th, & 15th
    Dropkick Murphys
    @ MGM Music Hall
    Tuesday, March 17th
    Dropkick Murphys
    @ House of Blues
    Saturday, March 21st
    Joyce Manor
    Militarie Gun
    Teen Mortgage
    Combat
    @ House of Blues
    Monday, March 23rd
    Westerman
    @ the Sinclair
    Sunday, March 29th
    Ladysmith Black Mambazo
    @ Sanders Theatre
    Wednesday, April 1st
    Wednesday (the band)
    @ the Royale
    Thursday, April 2nd
    On Cinema Live! with
    Tim Heidecker
    & Gregg Turkington
    @ the Wilbur
    Friday, April 3rd
    Patrick Watson
    @ Somerville Theatre
    Thursday, April 16th
    Rhiannon Giddens
    @ the Orpheum
    Thursday, May 14th
    Melody's Echo Chamber
    @ the Royale
    Tuesday & Wednesday
    May 19th & 20th
    Belle and Sebastian
    play "Tigermilk" (19th) and
    "If You're Feeling Sinister" (20th)
    @ the Orpheum
    Wednesday, June 26th
    The Church
    The Singles Tour
    (rescheduled from 8/1/25)
    @ Somerville Theatre
    Friday, September 4th
    Peter Hook & the Light
    play New Order's "Get Ready"
    @ House of Blues