The BGN News Archive

The BGN gets attention this week on the Rock Writ podcast.

After all the hub bub on Great Scott moving into the former Regina Pizzeria it seems like it’s not happening!!

Restaurateur Douglas Bacon has proposed to the building and turn it in to a “restaurant and bar featuring basic American fare.”

Great Scott had a very successful fund raising campaign by Mainvest to the tune of $300,000.00! Now, the question is: are they still looking for a new location or will they refund the money??? Hey what's going on Carl Lavin??

It’s so disappointing especially after the news came out and the owners of Great Scott seemed to be confident, even touring the building and going over their plans. We talked about that in October of 2020. Read more on Universal Hub

Reporting deaths seems to be happening way too often.....sadly we have two this week.

Filmmaker and drummer Mike Gill passed away earlier this week. Mike was very much loved by so many in Boston! He started out here and moved to LA. He had been the drummer in local bands The Murder Mile and Damn Personals. He also directed the Billy Ruane doc "Road To Ruane". But he did so much more. You can read about his career here. Mike was a humble sweet super likable guy and will be dearly missed. RIP MG.

Mike Gill.

Howie Pyro.

Howie Pyro was involved in the NYC punk scene from the very beginning in the '70's and was best known for his band the D Generation ad well as a gazillion collaborations with just about everyone of note including people here in Boston. Howie passed on May 4th, from complications due to COVID-19-related pneumonia, following a liver transplant and a long battle with liver disease. Here is a great interview with Howie though there are many out there.

Highway Chapel reached their fundraising goal of $1000.00 and are now able to start recording their next album. They'll record at Galaxy Park Studios in Salem with Richard Mar. Their GoFundMe page is still up if you want to contribute to their efforts

Here's some good stuff coming up:

The Kids Like Me & You (KLYAM) people just put together their Spring & Summer Program, which includes five outdoor DIY generator shows at public parks in Somerville. The first one is May 14 with Electric Street Queens, Death Snail, Alex Walton and the notorious G. Gordon Gritty. It’s a new place: The Blessing of the Bay Boathouse at 32 Shore Drive in Somerville, on the Mystic River kinda near Assembly Square. The Facebook Event page for that show is here More info and other dates below in the Gig Listings.

Brix'N'Mortar are finishing up a new record with Kyle Paradis of New Alliance Audio, they've lined up a bunch of shows for this summer to play the new songs live: 6/11 The Jungle. 6/26 Thirsty First, 7/2 Ralph's Diner, 7/2 Cherry St. in Wallingford, CT.

Rockin’ Dune Tunes will happen this year on June 25 at White Crest Beach in Wellfleet. Scroll down to the Gig Listings to see the bands and links. Groups are: Atlantic Thrills, Shiny Beasts, Daughter of the Vine, Andy California, Crow Follow, Red Sand Hill, The Angry Debutantes and Tsunami of Sound.

The Chelsea Curve have a dream show coming up later this month!! International Pop Overthrow at the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool. Then they play Camden Town at The Dublin Castle with Sharp Class and Lapels. Then they return home to a the Boston Calling gig on May 27th. They are living the dream. Congrats Curvies!! The Chelsea Curve facebook page

The new single by Kid Gulliver “Nothing But Trouble” will be released this Friday May 12. The Kid Gulliver Facebook page

Friday May 20 the Brattle Theate is showing the legendary punk film Rude Boy which "follows roughneck Ray Gange as he drops his Soho sex-shop job to roadie for The Clash ... seen in this film at the dizzying peak of their powers. Ray, a difficult, sometimes reactionary subject and a foil to the band’s idealism, plays observer to The Clash’s legendary 1978 Rock Against Racism concert in London’s Victoria Park and their studio recording of Give ’Em Enough Rope." Read more & Tix here.

New Linnea’s Garden video will be released on Friday July 15!!

RADIO .......

Another interesting mix on Sonic Overload this week. It begins with Fear and some dialogue from Decline of Western Civilization. Then, marking the 40th anniversary of the release This Is Boston Not LA, Al played Gang Green’s “Rabies”, Freeze’s “Broken Bones” and Groinoids’ “Angel”.

Later he did an old school set of Real Kids’ “She’s Alright”, Rich Kids’ “Rich Kids”, Alternative TV’s “Life” Chelsea’s “Urban Kids” and Sham 69 “Questions and Answers”. There’s a load of great hardcore. Thee Headcoats doing “I Wanna Get Fucked” gets your attention. You can catch the Sonic Overload show at Sonic Overload and the earlier shows are archived here.

PODCASTS.........

It’s all about us….in this podcast at least. Rock Writ from Hamilton, Canada zeroes in on fanzines, and magazines. This week Armen Svadjian interviews Miss Lyn and Blowfish!!!! YAY!! We talk a lot about the early days of the Boston scene and the origins of the Boston Groupie News. We think we got the early flavor of the scene in there. Blowfish tells his Jonathan Richman story. We were able to talk about the BGN freely with no time restriction and that felt rewarding. We thank Armen for the attention.

So go to Rock Writ to hear us yabber on about all things BGN. And .... scroll down so you can also hear interviews with Howard Wuelfing (Forced Exposure, Cream), Phast Phreddie (Back Door Man), Michael Azerrad (This Band Could Be Your Life) Andy Swartz (New York Rocker) and more.

Blowing Smoke With Twisted Rico interviews JJ Gonson of Once Somerville fame. Gonson has a lot going on and is right in the middle of dealing with rock and roll in the Covid era. It’s worth checking with her regularly to find out what’s going on. Steeve does that and goes over her photography career.

Gonson has photos of Nirvana and other notable groups. She’s looking to get photo books published…and would like to hook up with publishers who are interested.

She talked about how she got Once up and running. Last year Once did 26 music festivals at Boynton Yards this year there will be only 8. Gonson thinks that’s more realistic because of the work involved. The Boynton yards shows and the ones at other venues are listed on the Once website

NEW MUSIC/CDs......

Jay Allen and The Archcriminals have another punk pop songs available digitally. As usual Jay's songs are characterized with his unique charm. Jay Allen is the Ralph Kramden of punk!! He writes about, and has the persona of, the everyday guy. The Archcriminals' latest, “Frying Pan Justice” is in line with “Chopped Liver” and “Bustin’ My Balls”.

Musically “Frying Pan Justice” benefits from Jay’s mastery of the pop punk song. He gives the song a perfect pacing and a flow of lyrics that lead to the pay off in the chorus.

The Darts are playing the WMBR Late Risers show at the Middle East Up on June 6. In preparation of their tour they released the three song EP Love Tsunami. This band is pure garage gold, the swirly organ is the icing on the cake. The songs are carried along with attitude and low brow musings.

“Shit Show” slinks along as the lyrics reel off a litany of complaints. The singer has “had it up to here with losers.” Life is a “shit show, a shitty shit show.” Now there’s something we can cheer along with!! We have it on our Top Ten Songs

All three songs are garage gold. And we hear they are dynamite live too.

Jeff Hudson just release Beautiful a 13 song album. He’s been productive these last few years. His solo output probably rivals the whole output of the legendary Rentals/Jeff & Jane Hudson years. He does exactly what he's done for years; he creates everything electronically. He’s very much in the 80s synth mode. The vocals are all through the vocoder.

Our pick would be “Open the Door” which begins with a Philip Glass like chord arpeggio.

Lately bands are releasing tracks from their albums early to get attention ... and it works! They get more than one mention over an extended time. With a group like The Dogmatics it’s all welcome as far as we're concerned. Which is to say that they've pre-released a few singles from their Drop That Needle EP and now we will tell you that the whole thing is now available (and on all streaming services.)

“Drop That Needle” is such a perfect cheery name dropping Dogmatics tune that it could easily take the attention from the other tunes. We’ve heard it on all the shows that feature new local music.

Known to party hardy The Dogs now have a social conscience and that's a welcome addition to their songwriting. Both “Automat Kalashnikov” (about automatic rifles) and “Acid Rain” rock and have a message to boot.

A walking bass line and Chuck Berry riffs move “Don’t Break My Heart” along as even the heart break lyrics seems jokey in this feel good tune.

“Think Twice” has a folksy/bluegrass feel as the group takes advantage of James Young mandolin.

The Dogmatics have always cast their net wide and that's resulted in a later career that can deliver something like this – a five song EP that has diverse influences but that still is unmistakably The Dogmatics.

We’re going to direct you to “Don’t Break My Heart”. That song was not pre released and we love it.

It’s always a good week when Brad Marino releases a tune. This time he covers "Another Sad and Lonely Night" a Bobby Fuller song. Brad’s output is so consistent that we can’t even distinguish his originals from a deep cover like this. The song has muscle in its pop, Brad never gets too syrupy.

The lineup for this single is Brad, Geoff Palmer- bass, Zack Sprague- drums and Joe Queer on backup vocals.

We were big Television fans. We followed Richard Lloyd in his solo career. When Lloyd’s first album came out Boston locals were surprised to find Mathew Mackenzie of Reddy Teddy/Nervous Eaters/Willie Loco on guitar. We never knew how he ended up on that album ... until we read the liner notes recently from Richard Lloyd: Live. New York ’79 which came out in 2017.

The liner notes are a New York Rocker article from 1979 where they explain that former WBCN disc jockey Maxanne Sartori who then was working for Electra Records suggested Mackenzie. Maxanne used to play Reddy Teddy and Aerosmith in 1974 and 1975. She produced the Reddy Teddy album. Just before punk hit she was the disc jockey to listen to. It was not WBCN as a whole playing forward music but her specifically.

After all that Mackenzie is buried pretty much in this live set, but you can hear him here and there. This is for Lloyd fans only. It’s seven cuts and rounded out with a short interview with Debbie Harry and Chris Stein…for some reason. Here it is on Amazon

Here's some good shows coming up ..... **NOTE** double check with the clubs before going - many shows are getting canceled or postponed these days.

May 9, 2022 (Monday) Weatherless, Between 3 and 4, Built As Drawings, Betties at Charlie's Kitchen

May 11, 2022 (Wednesday) We Are But Your Children (An Oral History of the Nightclub ManRay) Book Reading/Signing at Hubba Hubba 7:30-9:30 FB page.

May 11, 2022 (Wednesday) The Nick Cave film This Much I Know to Be True at The Brattle Theater. Link to calendar and tickets.

May 12, 2022 (Thursday) Actor|Observer with Inspirit (former Vanna) and The World at The Sinclair

May 13, 2022 (Friday) At the Jungle it's A Bunch Of Jerks w/ Speedfossil and Indonesian Junk (from Milwaukee - they are a Rum Bar band).

May 13, 2022 (Friday) Post Punk Tribute Night w/ The Temple of Mercy, Gretchen & The Banshees, Ghost Painted Sky (as the Cure ), DJ Sawtooth at The Middle East Up. TIX

May 14, 2022 (Saturday) Kids Like Me & You (KLYAM) Spring & Summer Program presents Electric Street Queens, Death Snail, Alex Walton and the notorious G. Gordon Gritty at The Blessing of the Bay Boathouse at 32 Shore Drive in Somerville, The Facebook Event page for that show is here Starts at 1PM.

May 14, 2022 (Saturday) Baabes, Mallcops, Mister Vertigo, The Jacklights at The Jungle

May 14, 2022 (Saturday) Thee Fighting Fish, Hambone Skinny, Killer Kin at The Square Root in Rozzie

May 15, 2022 (Sunday) Sunday Matinee with Kid Gulliver, Minibeast, Nightspell at Dusk in Providence 3-7PM FB page.

May 16, 2022 (Monday) Coffin Salesman, North Star the Wanderer, Bad Idea USA, Superdown at Charlie's Kitchen

May 17, 2022 (Tuesday) Punk Rock Aerobics at Zone 3 in Allston.

May 17, 2022 (Tuesday) Kingshot, Glowbox and a special quest - David Harrison (ex VooDoo Dolls) doing an acoustic set..at The Jungle for an early evening show 6:30 - 9:30 - FB page for more info

May 18, 2022 (Wednesday) Lady Pills, Layzi, and Olivia Sisay at Once at The Rockwell

May 19, 2022 (Thursday) Sinnet, Today Junior, Airport at Notch Brewing in Brighton

May 19, 2022 (Thursday) Weakened Friends, Queen of Jeans, Bat House at Fete Music Hall, Providence RI Tix

May 20, 2022 (Friday) "Post Punk Night" at Sally O'Brien's Union Sq Somerville. with" 2 super groups: chuck ferreira & friends and duncan wilder johnson & friends -check the FB page.

May 20, 2022 (Friday) Mad Painter, Devious Intentions, Crash Cadet at the Jungle FB page

May 21, 2022 (Saturday) Nervous Eaters, Fireking and Justine and the Unclean at the Sanctuary in Maynard…The tickets are here

May 22, 2022 (Sunday) The Exploited, Cro-Mags, Total Chaos at The Middle East down. TIX

May 23, 2022 (Monday) Linnea's Garden, Skylar Symone & the Local Enigma, Unit One at Charlie's Kitchen

May 24, 2022 (Tuesday) Punk Rock Aerobics at Zone 3 in Allston.

May 24, 2022 (Tuesday) Reverend Horton Heat, The Koffin Kats, Sasquatch & The Sickabillys at Alchemy in Providence, RI. FB page.

May 27, 2022 (Friday) Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight, Damnation, Comet Pond, 13 Fridays at Ralph's Rock Diner

May 28, 2022 (Saturday) Rum Bar Records & Los Coronas CC Present Diablogato's Party at the Porch - Music by Jittery Jack, Diablogato, The Dogmatics, Duck & Cover ... also Hod Rods, Rock'n' Roll, Soul Food, Booze, All Hot Rods, Customs, Stockers, and Bikes Welcome - this is an early affair starting at NOON!! at The Porch in Medford- FB page

May 28, 2022 (Saturday) Chris 'Dimwit' Taylor Memorial Show with The McGunks, The Black Cheers, The Dimwits, DRAGO (1st show in 8 years!) and Duck & Cover at The Midway - FB page.

May 28, 2022 (Saturday) Razors in the Night & Tijuana Sweetheart Reunion Show at Sonia, also on the bill Nothing But Enemies. FB page

May 28, 2022 (Saturday) The Channel 42nd Anniversary celebration with The Del Fuegos, Nervous Eaters. Also on the bill are Jon Butcher Axis, Barrence Whitfield, Charlie Farren, Sal Baglio and Fred Pineau who will all be playing in a 'super group' of sorts.. TIX

May 29, 2022 (Sunday) Mike Oliver Memorial Show with Watts, Gozu, Hey Zeus, Worshipper, Ceshci Ramos at Sonia - 7PM TIX here. FB page.

June 3, 2022 (Friday) Lydia Lunch and Tim Dahl will perform from the recent Murderous ... Again album. Two shows - 6:30 (tix) and 8:00 (tix).

June 4, 2022 (Saturday) Lenny Lashley Gang of One (full band) in Providence at Askew. Facebook page

June 6, 2022 (Tuesday) Punk Rock Aerobics at Zone 3 in Allston.

June 9, 2022 (Thursday) WMBR's Late Risers Club Turns 45, WMBR turns 60!! Celebrate with The Darts and Loretta at The Middle East Up.

June 10, 2022 (Friday) Big Lonesome, Glowbox, Neon Cowboy at the Square Root

June 11, 2022 (Saturday) SomerPride! from ONCE at Boynton Yards starts at Noon and goes all day and into the night with Matt Heaton @ 12:00 PM with a set for kids then Crow Follow, Lady Ro, Sweet Petunia, Phantom Ocean, Muzzins, Redd Haring, Brandie Blaze, Cakeswagg, DJ WhySham and end the night with Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys. Tix and vendor info etc here.

June 11, 2022 (Saturday) U-EY at the BUOY, State of the Union, Mercury On Mars, MFB (punk from Athol, MA) at The Midway for a Matinee at 3PM. FB page.

June 11, 2022 (Saturday) Brix'n'Mortar are at The Jungle

June 11, 2022 (Saturday) The Only Things, The Agonizers, The Brand New Luddites at Thirsty First in Lowell

June 11, 2022 (Saturday) Murphy's Law, Lenny Lashley, Cinderblock at The Vault Music Hall & Pub in New Bedford. FB page.

June 12, 2022 (Sunday) Linnea's Garden, Tiffy, Girl with a Hawk at The Parlour in Providence, RI. FB page.

June 14, 2022 (Tuesday) Punk Rock Aerobics at Zone 3 in Allston.

June 15, 2022 (Wednesday) Jonathan Richman at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth NH. FB page for info.

June 18, 2022 (Saturday) Kids Like Me & You (KLYAM) Spring & Summer Program at Kenney Park in Davis Square. Line up to be announced.

June 18, 2022 (Saturday) 40 Years of The Queers Anniversary show also with The Dwarves, The Jasons, Stubborn Hearts at Sonia. TIX

June 18, 2022 (Saturday) THE ZULUS are back at The Paradise - tix here.

June 18, 2022 (Saturday) Randall Gibson Memorial at The French Club in Waltham. 2-9PM. FB page.

June 19, 2022 (Sunday) A Band Called E and Dyr Fazer for an early show at The Jungle. 5-8PM

June 19, 2022 (Sunday) The Mahones, The Pourmen, The Gobshites at Askew in Provi, RI. FB page

June 24, 2022 (Friday) Concert for Ukraine with Cold Expectations, Tsunami of Sound, Holy Smoke and "Special Secret TBA" and DJ Kristen Eck at The Magic Room in Norwood ... TIX Magic Room FB page

June 25, 2022 (Saturday) Once is putting on The Somerville Solstice on June 25th with vendors and a steady stream of music starting at noon with early setrs for kids. Groups are Genie Santiago, Tigerman Woah, Black Helicopter, Grace Givertz, Assasi, Borboleta, Nectarine Girl, The Dripp. Link to tix and more info here.

June 25, 2022 (Saturday) Concert for Ukraine with Smitt E Smitty & The Feztones, Gene Dante & The Future Starlets, Baabes, Modern Day Idols, Lonely Leesa & The Lost Cowboys and DJ Chachi Loprete...at The Magic Room in Norwood TIX Magic Room FB Page

June 25, 2022 (Saturday) Show in Honor of Jess Victor - White Dynomite, Muck and the Mires, Stop Calling Me Frank, Piranha Brothers, Screw Cart at The Middle East Up TIX and FB page.

June 25, 2022 (Saturday) Rockin’ Dune Tunes will happen White Crest Beach in Wellfleet with Atlantic Thrills, Shiny Beasts, Daughter of the Vine, Andy California, Crow Follow, Red Sand Hill, The Angry Debutantes and Tsunami of Sound. Here is the FB page.

June 26, 2022 (Sunday) Brix'N'Mortar, Pint Killers, Outsiders Punkabilly Rebels, Warthog at Thirsty First in Lowell.

June 27, 2022 (Monday) Kids Like Me & You (KLYAM) Spring & Summer Program at Charlie's Kitchen 9PM show.

June 28, 2022 (Tuesday) Punk Rock Aerobics at Zone 3 in Allston.

July 1, 2022 (Friday) The Prozacs, The Lousekateers, Lürking Class (NY), The Agonizers, Marko Bruiser at Ralph's Rock Diner

July 2, 2022 (Saturday) Hixx, Celseigh, The Stigmatics, Marianne Toilet and the Runs at The Midway

July 22, 2022 (Friday) Brix'N'Mortar at Ralph's Diner , worcester.

August 27, 2022 (Saturday) Kids Like Me & You (KLYAM) Spring & Summer Program at Morse-Kelley Playground a couple blocks from ther Armory. line up to be announced.

August 27, 2022 (Saturday) The Worst, Typhoid Rosie, Marianne Toilet and The Runs, Breaking Up at The Middle East Up.

September 2, 2022 (Friday) The Woggles with Muck and Mires & The Chelsea Curve at The Porch in Medford

September 7, 2022 (Wednesday) Kids Like Me & You (KLYAM) Spring & Summer Program with Leopardo from Switzerland at O'Brien's

September 8, 2022 (Thursday) D.R.I at Alchemy in Provi, RI - FB page.

September 17, 2022 (Saturday) Kids Like Me & You (KLYAM) Spring & Summer Program at Lincoln Park Somerville (near Union Square) more info to come.

September 17, 2022 (Saturday) Punks For Pets with Joy Boys, Sleep Mode, Sourpunch, Musclecah, Ghost Grrrl, The Debutantes, The Something Somethin’s, The Stigmatics - at The News Cafe - early show starting at 1PM. Bring something for the doggos and kittehs check the Donation List on the FB page.

October 5, 2022 (Wednesday) Dr. John Cooper Clarke at City Winery

October 9, 2022 (Sunday) L7: Bricks Are Heavy 30th Anniversary at Big Night Live FB page.

October 11, 2022 (Tuesday) Agent Orange and Gnarnia at Alchemy in Provi, RI FB page.

October 15, 2022 (Saturday) Third Annual Punktoberfest at Thirsty First in Lowell...check the FB page for updates, bands etc.

November 5, 2022 (Saturday) The Mahones, The Pourmen, The Gobshites at Askew in Provi.

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.