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The BGN News Archive
Walking into the Hong Kong last Thursday was different than other times; it was packed, sold out as a matter of fact. The group Mean Jeans was mostly responsible but the whole bill seemed to draw people. We got there late and only saw a minute of Germ House which we heard later included members of the Turpentine Brothers. When Sticker Shock started we were several rows from the front. We saw then last in August 2017. The guitars were loud and the Hong Kong PA couldn’t beat it, so you couldn’t hear the vocals. The good part was that they play very short punk songs, very fast. The tempos were fast and then the drummer seemed like he was triple timing it. You got a cool buzz from it.
Then it was a new band for us called Metalleg, they're on the tour with Mean Jeans. They were a real find, the sort of band that makes going out worth it. They were a trio playing a garage/punk. The songs were short and bouncy with catchy and pronounced melodies. Songwriters work hard to get a good melody; these guys throw them out by the dozen and in short songs to boot. All this was apparent after a couple of songs, after that it was just pure pleasure taking in the set. They kept the guitars at a level where the PA could handle it. That was good because most of the time all three band members sang together. That, and the fact that there was no soloing at all, kept all the focus on those catchy melodies. You can get the gist from their Bandcamp page but the live version was the real experience.
Mean Jeans are a lot like Metalleg, but are more Ramones like. Their set was in a more pop punk mode. The band is tighter and there's more attitude in the songs, which is all good. Again a little online listening will show that:On Bandcamp. We found out that when the Hong Kong it sold out it's harder place to see the band. People line up around the band and you can be four people deep and not see the band. That happened to us so we didn’t stay for the whole set. This week proved that the Hong Kong is finding its audience. Saturday we went to the Midway afternoon show which was also a benefit for Horizons for Homeless Children.
We just snagged two groups. One was MOTO. John Keegan got to see the newer line up of the group last March. and it’s a big change. Paul Caporino has put MOTO through many changes all the while funneling his creativity, juiced up with extensive musical knowledge, into the songs. Check his Wikipedia page to see all he’s done and where he’s lived. He lets his inspirations shape his live show. With this line up he’s letting the songs be king and focuses on a tight set. That’s a good strategy and resulted in the best set we’ve seen by him. Jamie Sleaze on the extra guitar adds depth, backup vocals and tasty licks to the set. The drummer hit strong with just enough fills to further boost the energy. He was working hard and sweating bullets the whole set. Song wise, MOTO has an endless well. Some songs just have a few repeated words but they work just fine because the song structures fit the words like a glove. Paul can be insular so we don’t know if it registered with him that he was singing the song “Shitty Kids” at a benefit for children. They played “Dick About It” that was a college hit in the 80’s. That song was a career highlight for MOTO and for this set.
Battery March is a punk band with some Oi in there. They started off rough but only took a couple of songs to get it together. The set grew in power and halfway through they were sounding massive. The interplay between the two guitars was a key part of their sound. The second guitarist added moving chords to the basics to give your ear something to follow. The bass player looked like he was going to break is hand the way he was hitting the strings so hard and fast. The singer just growled out the lyrics but that worked. The set just bowled us over!! Their Bandcamp post is a demo. It gives a good idea of what they are doing but a serious studio recording would do them wonders. And in other news....... Carmelita has taken things in stride though. She posted several statements
on her Facebook page. This is the last one: Sunday nights will not seem the same. OC45 has released "City On a Hill", a new single release on Bandcamp. The title refers to the often quoted sermon by John Winthrop and this song is a strong political statement. OC45 have made other songs with points of view but this one is the most blatant and impassioned. They conclude that “This ain't no city on a hill. It's more like a landfill. For real”. This group is getting better with each release, and don’t miss them if they play live. This is on out Top Ten Songs. The Only Things from Lowell have released a new album You Can’t Rush Genius. The title track is rockabilly but after that it’s basically punk ... and punk is what we want of course. This is a fine album! The band is cranking the whole time. The vocals are up front while the band is always doing interesting things behind them. We have “Could It/Couldn’t” on our Top Ten Songs now ... but he more we listen to the album the more songs we find we could throw on that list! They are having a record release show March 21st at The Worthen House in Lowell. Rum Bar Records rated an article in The Herald ... and it’s by Brett Milano. You can read it here: Rum Bar label celebrates 5 – or so – years of indie success It looked like a fun night at the sold out Square Root on Saturday, also in celebration of their fifth anniversary. Congratulations to you Malibu Lou!!! ....and it's another Damned interview - this time Brian James: International punk magazine Vive Le Rock is to confer its Pioneer award on Brian James from the Damned at a ceremony on 1 April.... The Guardian Interviewed him and "Pop music needs a new kick up the arse, says the Damned’s punk pioneer " Mark your calendars for: April 3-5 is the Boston Tattoo Convention. They have some great local bands playing: Friday 4/2, 7-10PM: Baabes, The Gala, Salem Wolves, Devils Twins and Saturday there's an After Party (9:30PM) at Kings Boston with Brix & Mortar Here's some good shows coming up this week..... February 25 (Tuesday) Funeral Cone, Vacation (OH), Alpha Error, Scare City at Ralphs in Worcester February 28 (Friday) Motel Black, Green Piece, Black Helicopter at The Hong Kong February 28 (Friday) Scuzzy Yeti, Death Pesos, 3 Parts Dead, Blue Manic at Club Bohemia February 28 (Friday) The Steamies, The Acrylic Killers, Dutch Boy Blues at The Square Root February 29 (Saturday) DJ Easy Ed presents: Lynnette & the Sundowners, The Barley Hoppers, Easy Ed's Record Hop at The Midway for a 3-7PM matinee show. February 29 (Saturday) Classic Ruins are at Tavern at the End of the World February 29 (Saturday) PowerSlut “Fun With Junk” Release Party...AND...WhistleStop Rock Fest featuring he Chelsea Curve, Cold Expectations, Field Day, Heather Rose In Clover, Justine and The Unclean, Lockette, Kid Gulliver, The Knock Ups, The Shang-Hi-Los, and Tiger Bomb! EARLY show 3PM - Midnight mat Once Somerville. Sadly this will also be Powerslut's FINAL SHOW. March 1 (Sunday) Fabulous Pisces Birthday Bash! Black Souls & The Sparkomatics! at Tavern / End O' World FB page Early show 5-7PM And further out there is.... March 7 (Saturday) Nervous Eaters, Ace Makers, The Manglers at The Square Root March 7 (Saturday) The Gala, Muck and the Mires, Dangereens, The Downhauls at The Midway (night show) March 7 (Saturday) Cortez, Mighty High, Test Meat, Bone Church at OBrien's March 8 (Sunday) Kenne Highland Clan, Mad Painter, The Fools Agenda, Spaces For Two at The Jungle March 8 (Sunday) 45 Adapters, Rockin Bob, Skum City, Faction Zero, The Black Snakes, Model Citizen at Niagra's NYC - FB Page for more info This is part of The New York Hardcore Chronicles Page series Back to teh Roots of NY HardCore. March 13 (Friday) Murphy's Law at the Middle East Up March 13 (Friday) Set Fire, Black Helicopter, Ringtail at The Midway March 13 (Friday) U-Ey at the Buoy, Classic Ruin, Crunchtime at The Square Root March 13 (Friday) This is Night 1 of a 2-night Whistle Stop Rock festival in Salem!! Featuring: The Knock Ups, The Cold Expectations, The Chelsea Curve at Koto Salem March 14 (Saturday) A Crash Course for the Ravers featuring Lucretia’s Daggers! WMFO 91.5 - 1-4PM March 14 (Saturday) Sapling, Heavy Hands, The Freqs, Brian George of Motel Black 3-7 matinee at The Midway March 14 (Saturday) The Hong Kong's 1 Year Anniversary Party w/Mint Green, Doom Lover, FonFon Ru - at The Hong Kong March 14 (Saturday) Eldridge Rodriguez, Minibeast, Blood Built Empire, Sweeping Promises at Great Scott March 14 (Saturday) Dead Kennedys (three originals and NO Jello Biafra) at Big Night Live - here's the FB page- be sure to read everything you CANNOT do there before you go!!!
March 15 (Sunday) SkyTigers, C.O.B., Captain Martini and the Key Stoners, Colin Moran - a 2PM matinee- at Thirsty First in Lowell. March 15 (Sunday) Anti-Flag, Grade 2, Doll Skin, Evan Greer at Brighton Music Hall March 17 (Tuesday) Sonic Libibo, Duck & Cover, Skytigers at O'Brien's March 17 (Tuesday) Greg Rekus (Winnipeg), Donny McHale, and Tim Hollhouse at Thirsty First in Lowell @ 8:00 March 18 (Wednesday) Randy Black & The Heathcroppers Plough & Stars Residency March 20 (Friday) Wine Lips, Zip-Tie Handcuffs, Baabes at O'Brien's Pub FB page March 20 (Friday) Loser’s Circle with special guests No Accion, Lenny Lashley’s Gang Of One, and Live Nude Girls at Thunder Road March 21 (Saturday) Pigeon Man, Motel Black, The Knock Ups at The Square Root March 21 (Saturday) Jonee Earthquake Band, State of the Union, Kenne Highland's Air Force, Tsunami of Sound at The Midway March 21 (Saturday) Brockton Hardcore Punk Shows presents In Cold Blood, Departed, Sick Minds, Divided Life, Eternal Reach at Dylan's in Brockton. FB page.
March 21 (Saturday) The Return of the Bentmen w/ CMB at Once FB page March 21 (Saturday) The Knock Ups, Motel Black, Pigeon Man, The Runouts at The Square Root March 21 (Saturday) The Only Things "You Can't Rush Genius" Record Release Show at The Worthen House Lowell FB page. March 22 (Sunday) Rodentt, The Doom Buggies, Classic Ruins - 3-7PM matinee at The Midway March 23 (Monday) Crisis Actors, OVER (PDX), Loretta, Sticker Shock at Charlie's Kitchen March 25 (Wednesday) Louzy, Pigeon Man, Hippocrisis, Wastebuds at O'Brien's March 26 (Thursday) Waiver Wire, Scare City, The Planes, The True Jacqueline at the Hotel Vernon Worcester March 27 (Friday) Hey Zeus, Labor Hex, Razorburn City at O'Brien's
March 27 (Friday) Loom River, Billy Connors Project, The Instamatics at the Square Root March 27 (Friday) Little Caesar, Diablogato, Little Billy Lost, Pink Mahalares at Koto Salem March 28 (Saturday) The Burning Lights, Only On Weekends, Blame It On Whitman, and Breaking Up 3-7PM Matinee at The Midway March 28 (Saturday) Downhauls, Motel Black, Von Traps at Sally O'Brien's March 28 (Saturday) Hobo Chili, Uncle Dan (PA), Michael Kane & The Morning Afters, CE Skidmore & The Damn Fine Band at The Midway (night show) March 28 (Saturday) Bombpops, MakeWar, Pass Away, In the Meantime at The Hong Kong March 28 (Saturday) The Zulus at The Paradise March 28 (Saturday) WhistleStop Rock Festival Portland with Tiger Bomb, Heather Rose In Clover, The Knock Ups, PowerSlut, The Chelsea Curve, Kid Gulliver, Justine and the Unclean at Sun Tiki Studios 6PM start!!! FB page March 31 (STuesday) Stubborn Hearts, Nowhere Fast, Lotus Kid, The War In Kids at the News Cafe Provi RI April 3 (Friday) Kid Gulliver, The Steamies, The Winter Project, A Bunch of Jerks at The Jungle
April 4 (Saturday) Actor|Observer tour homecoming with Girih & Dreamwell at The Hong Kong April 4 (Saturday) Loser's Circle, Hopeless Otis, The Bad Reminders, Taken By Vultures at Club Bohemia April 4 (Saturday) The Dents, Duck and Cover, The Shang Hi Los at Sally O'Brien's April 4 (Saturday) Dark Spring Festival Boston at Once "bringing the best of dark post-punk to Boston from near and far" Early show at 5PM April 4 (Saturday) Uncomfortables, DNZL, Joe Division, The Damaged at the 13th Floor Music Lounge, Florence MA April 5 (Sunday) The Grommets, The Fatal Flaw, Trusty Sidekick, Kermit's Finger. MC: Poet Jake Tringali 3-7PM matinee show at The Midway April 8 (Wednesday) Mad Painter Live on the Heavy Leather Topless Dance Party
April 10 (Friday) Cadillac Heart Reunion, Crunchtime, Doug MacDonald, Loom River at Club Bohemia April 11 (Saturday) DJ Easy Ed presents the Cranktones with Sax Gordon, the Fathoms, and Easy Ed's Record Hop 3-7matinee show at The midway April 11 (Saturday) Courtney From Work, The Holts, Rawstrum, OTP at The Jungle April 17 (Friday) FU's, End of Hope, Northern Skulls, & More at O'Brien's April 17 (Friday) Dark Thoughts, Conmen, Spiral Heads, PCP + the Knives at The Hong Kong April 17 (Friday) Appendix, Destrucktions, Innocent, Bloodsuckers at the Democracy Center 45 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge FB page April 17 (Friday) The Dogmatics, Stop Calling Me Frank, The Billy Connors Project at Sally O'Brien's
April 19 (Sunday) The Undertones at The Paradise April 24 (Friday) StrangeColorSky, blindspot, The Only Things, Silvertongue at The Worthen House Lowell. April 25 (Saturday) Punk Night
at The Office with Color Killer, Loser Birds, Jerry’s
Got Jokes, Pigeon Man, + More bands TBA at The Office April 25 (Saturday) WhistleStop Rock Festival Western Massachusetts - featuring: Heather Rose In Clover, Kid Gulliver, The Cold Expectations, OTP and special guests State Of The Union at HiLO North Adams - FB page April 26 (Sunday) The Macc Lads at Once 7PM doors. FYI: "The Macc Lads are an English punk band from Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. Self-proclaimed the "rudest, crudest, lewdest, drunkest band in Christendom", the Macc Lads used irreverent, foul-mouthed and politically incorrect lyrics; common lyrical themes were binge drinking, sex and fighting." April 30 (Thursday) GBH at Brighton Music Hall
May 9 (Saturday) A Crash Course for the Ravers featuring Glider WMFO 91.5 - 1-4PM May 9 (Saturday) Divine Sweater, Eagle Jesus, Louzy, Jailbait matinee show 3-7PM at The Midway May 9 (Saturday) Salem Answers-Night 2: 7-9 at Koto: Acoustic sets with Live Nude Girls, C.Murray, C.Okeeefe - 9:30 to close at Koto: Diablogato, Brix'N Mortar, Hellbound Hitmen, Skytigers, Motel Black...9:30 to Close at Opus: The Gala U.S., Z28, The Von Traps, The Downhauls FB page May 10 (Sunday) SalemAnswers-Night 3: 7-9 at Koto: Accoustic sets with Carissa Angelo, Opus, Vilanvs, - 9:30 to close at Koto: Stiff Propisition (Glamtastic covers members of Bacterial Husk, Sexcrement, and Brix'N Mortar), Master of Beers (Metallica), Aces High (Iron Maiden), Warthog (Ramones ). FB page
May 16 (Saturday) Baabes, The Knock Ups, Mister Vertigo, Motel Black at The Jungle May 16 (Saturday) The Hi - End Record Release party at The Square Root May 22 (Friday) Guilloteenagers, Stigmatics, Acrylic Killers at The Square Root May 30 (Saturday) Stray Bullets, Duck & Cover, Disco Rice, Silver Screams at O'Brien's June 5 (Friday) Booze & Glory (punk/ Oi - U.K.), The Drowns, Battery March at Great Scott June 6 (Saturday) Jay Allen and the Arch Criminals Record Release Show at The Square Root June 13 (Saturday) Lyres and GLiDER at ONCE Lounge early 6:30-9PM show June 13 (Saturday) Sugar Cones, Diablogato, Bunch of Jerks at The Square Root June 14 (Sunday) Fourth Annual Out of the Blue Art Gallery Benefit FB page for more info as it comes. June 27 (Saturday) Stop Calling Me Frank, Nat Freedberg, Brad Marino at The Square Root July 3 (Friday) Andrea Howlett’s X-Ray Specs Tribute Show at The Square Root September 17 - 21 The New England Shake-Up! Year Seven! in Framingham FB page CONTACT US AT....misslynbgn@yahoo.com Send us your gig listings, your anything else ya got!! You want your CD reviewed?? Contact us for that too.
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The big news this week was the sale of WAAF to a Christian
broadcasting company. That’s a big blow to bands looking to promote
live shows and music. Carmelita's show Bay
State Rock was a huge help in that respect. 
Justine and the Unclean will be on Skybar’s
Rising show on WMFO on Tuesday Feb 25 at 8 pm.
They will play some songs and promote the Whistle Stop show that will
be at Once on the next Saturday, Feb 29.
February 24 (Monday) Rebuilder,
Dead Bars, Oh the Humanity!, Towanda at Charlie’s Kitchen
March 6 (Friday) Mercy
Uinion, Coffin Salesman, Secret Spirit, The NightBlinders at
O'Brien's 
March 9 (Monday) SkyTigers,
Brix'n Mortar, Circus Battalion, Rage//Quit at Charlie's Kitchen
April 4 (Saturday) Gypsy
Moths, Justine and the Unclean, The New Frustrations, Ghost Truckers
3-7 matinee at The Midway 
April 10 (Friday) Little
Man with special guests The Knock Ups, Falling Stars,
and Baabes at Thunder Road 
April 18 (Saturday) Rock and Bowl
at Cape Ann Lanes, Gloucester with U-ey at the Buoy, The Heavy
Denims, Jittery Jack
May 8 (Friday) Salem Answers-Night
1: This is a music fest to celebrate and encourage the arts,
magic, equality, and diversity of Salem! 7-9 at Koto: Accoustic
sets with Pink Malahares, Coffin Salesman, Jenn Lombari
- 9:30 to close at Koto: Salem Wolves, Oh The Humanity!,
Radio Compass, Bad Larry's....9:30 to Close at Opus:
Marianne Toilet and the Runs, Losers Circle, Red Ledger, Hyber,
Subourban Sunrise 
May 14 (Thursday) The Thigh
Scrapers , 61 Ghosts, GLiDER, and Sara
& the Scaliwags at Thunder Road 
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