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The BGN News Archive
Shane MacGowen of the Pogues died this week. That's a big loss!! Early punks would remember his first group the Nipple Erectors who later changed their name to the Nips. There was Irish punk before the Pogues but after The Pogues, it was a bigger thing than ever. Shane had a long history of substance abuse. He even said himself "I was given six weeks to live, about 25 years ago!" His importance and popularity is reflected in the cascade of stories that are flooding the media. The Boston Globe had both an obituary and an appreciation (by James Sullivan). Article in Pitchfork and The Mirror and Far Out Magazine
Killing Joke guitarist Kevin ‘Geordie’ Walker died this week. His post punk guitar work was a touchstone for many. You could always count on the band to deliver hard and provocative songs. This article on Louder Sound gives a full run down of the bands career including the funny intro Geordie made into the band. We always like the song “Living in the Eighties”
The Prozacs' We Scream EP on River Monster Records will be out in vinyl in January 2024. It’s the 4 song We Scream EP on one side and their Monsters Night Out (7 songs) on the other. The limited pressing of 300 will come out in black, coke bottle clear, opaque red with only 50 with the monster splatter. You can order via River Monster Records.
The Cut in Gloucester will open soon, and it's great for North Shore folks. To add to its allure, Randi Millman is booking the club. Rand had stints at Atwood’s Tavern (we miss that place) and TT The Bears (oh, we really miss that place!!) as well as a DJ on WUMB. OK folks, so it's December ... and you know what that means... Holiday Markets with local and smaller vendors:
December 16, 2023 (Saturday) Small Mart - at Deep Cuts in Medford Square from 12PM - 5PM This market features a curated selection of local artisans, vintage, records sellers, makers and crafters! RSVP on Eventbrite for a free ticket (tickets not needed for entry) December 23, 2023 (Saturday) Small Mart is at The Crystal Ballroom in Davis Square. The SMALL MART marketplace has a sense of humor and wants to turn the idea of the big box store on its head by empowering local businesses to come together to create a space of accessibility for a thoughtful shopper. The vendors have been carefully chosen and their goods are unique and small batch. FB event page BOOKS
It’s eminently readable and engaging, just like his other books. Mach has the knack of keeping us glued to the pages. Our reads have all turned into binge reads. We thought we knew the overall story of Mach’s life, but not at all, as it turns out. We had no idea that he has years in Los Angeles and as a cook at the Beverly Hills Hotel! Then time as a cook back in Boston at the Boston Harbor Hotel. His LA stories are filled with name dropping, even the biggest name drop of all – Frank Sinatra. Simultaneously his Joe Perry connection always gives him one foot in the rock world. His motorcycle accident was a doozy. That preceded his return to Boston and marriage to Julia who has an interesting family in England. Thundertrain pops up now and again for some stories. He doesn’t spend a lot of time on his other groups - Last Man Standing and Mach 5. We think that the Mach 5 live shows and album are some of his best work.
Then as Mach was slowly working his way back to rock and roll the heart attack hits. That was a scary thing. Mach had warnings that he ignored. That’s a lesson for others. Pay attention when your body is telling you something. Then the story comes up to the current day with Mach’s live shows, and his work with Justine Covault. He quotes Tom Despres BGN review of his 2022 Hallapalooza show. His induction into the New England Music Hall of Fame is a natural topper for the memoir. Mach is a gifted storyteller. We never would have guessed books were in Mach’s future back in the day. Let’s see if Cowboy has any more surprises for us.
There’s a few things going on with Lou Reed in the news. We figure that will be true for a long while.
It’s big at 500 pages. The chapters are named by location where Lou was living; Lower East Side, Long Island, West Village. There is a Boston section where the Tea Party shows are mentioned. Nothing new in there though. No specific remarks about the city or what he thought of his time here. Jonathan Richman is talked about, he was considered the uber fan of Lou/VU. There is mention of a show in Springfield where Jonathan did twenty minutes filling in for a no-show support act. In the early 90's Lou saw a Richman show and had dinner afterward with Jonathan and Penn and Teller. The night Lou died a friend was playing music from Lou’s collection and they played “Roadrunner.” Just looking through the book casually you will get lost in it. Looks like a must read for fans.
Far Out website has an article about Lou's love of doo-wop and early rock’ n Roll. it spotlights his version of ‘This Magic Moment” by the Drifters. The song shows up in David Lynch’s Lost Highway. Far Out points out that The Drifters version, “exudes sweetness, joy, and wonder, Reed’s rendition takes on a darker and more ambiguous tone. His alteration of the lyrics injects a confrontational edge.” That’s our guy. Hear the song with some of the Lost Highway film here VIDEOS...... “There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards” sang Ian Dury and that’s the case here..... The I Want You have a video for their song ”The Pixies (Just Pixies).” Since the song is about the Pixies they decided to do the video like the Pixies, specifically, the Pixies video of “Head On” which was a Jesus and Mary Chain cover. The have some Pixies stylings in the song. Jim Gerdeman sings and screams like Frank Black. This, like the group often, is irreverent and fun. This is a great job all around. We got into the song with this video and now have it on our Top Ten Songs too
We’re sure to many people all punk sounds alike. To us we are constantly amazed at how groups carve out a sound and an identity within the simple power chord boundaries of punk. One example of that is the Alkaline Trio. They're known for their easy melodic punk whose lyrics are often much more dark than casual listening would indicate. We saw them in 2015. Their new video/song “Bad Time” is a representative take on what they do. It’s hard but melodic. We find that you can get swept up in their overall sound, especially the quality of the vocals. That may be easier if you listen to a block of their songs.
We like the cultural reference with the group named FEEP. FEEP was the alien host of Fantasmic Features that was on local TV Channel 7 in the 60’s. The whole thing was campy and cheesy. FEEP, the group, borrows some of that with their kitschy synth blipping and blopping. They continue to riff from their source idol in their new video for their song "Salem." Someone mysterious messes with their stage electronics and then the plastic androgynous inflatable alien takes over the band. Lots of fun. The band is playing grungy garage chording as a base for all this and that sounds good to us too.
“Be My Baby” is a romantic song for the ages. The Beatersband from Italy beefs up the song and lets the bass carry most of the load and it makes a romantic punk version. RADIO...... Brian Young on A Crash Course for the Ravers had Linnea Herzog and Meredith Bee of Galaxy Cake as guests. Linnea’s songs are so frank in their content it seems almost intrusive when she plays them live in the studio. This was a great show! To hear the show go to the WMFO schedule page. Hit the A Crash Course for the Raves show on Saturday at 1pm and then hit the ‘archive’ link.
Skybar will have Linnea Herzog in the studio on his Rising show this week on WMFO. She'll play some live songs and talk about her new Mirrors EP. Listen To WMFO 91.5 on Tuesday at 8pm or after Tuesday go to the WMFO schedule page Hit the Rising show on 8 to 10 pm on Tuesday, then hit the ‘archive’ button. 
The Mike on the Mic show on WMFO on Saturday morning had a full show this week. At the beginning Tim and Judy from Crow Follow were guests. They have a video release (of the song “In Between”) show at the Square Root on Dec 9 that they promoted. They also played some live songs. Then it was a new release by Stupidity (Sweden) with Keith Streng. “Monkey in a Suit (Is Still a Monkey)” is a bit deceptive. It’s not just about King Kong but they do go a bit ape in the end!
Then Skybar joined Mike for the Steve Cataldo interview.
Steve said they had to audition the songs for Steve Van Zant to put on Monsters + Angels album. He said “End of the World Girl” sealed the deal pretty fast. Steve said that their new album next year will be called Rock and Roll Your Heart Away. They will play some of those new songs at the Burren show on Saturday 12/9. To hear this excellent interview go to the WMFO schedule page. Hit the Mike On the Mic show on Saturday at 8am and then hit the ‘archive’ link. PODCASTS........ The Elastic Glam show is in the Christmas spirit already. It was T.Rex’s “Christmas Bop” to begin the show. Later it was tribute band Slady doing “Slade is For Life (Not Just for Xmas)”, The Volts with “Do You Remember Christmas” and original Slade member Don Powell and the Occasional Flames with their “Ding Dong Merrily.” We have to say the glam stomping songs suit Christmas just fine. They also play Cocktail Slippers from Norway who were in the area a few weeks ago. They play local glam with Gene Dante and the Future Starlets'“She’s Outside.” Then Suzi Quatro, Runaways, Queen and more. Love it.
Blowing Smoke had on Max Davis from Blame It On Whitman in for an interview. The number one thing that the interview confirmed for us was that the "Whitman" that deserves the blame is the town of Whitman not a person or any other thing. The band had a practice place in the town. Max is the son of Curt Davis of Bullet LaVolta/Konks. He’s been through a few rock bands before Blame It On Whitman. He didn’t finish high school but makes a living without a degree. We caught Blame It On Whitman on their first show at the Midway in July of 2017 and loved them. It was satisfying to get the whole band early days from the interview.
NEW MUSIC/CDs.....
We liked the early release songs from the Tony Marsico (Plugz/Cruzados) 6 song EP Sleepwalker. The whole EP is now up on Bandcamp and the rest of the songs are similar material. They all have 12 string guitar work up front and are mid-tempo. Those traits along with the rich vocals and songwriting remind us of the Beau Brummels a lot. The one non original is “Starry Eyes” by Roky Erickson. For that they rock it out a bit more. The bonus track, “Feels Like Heaven” proves that Tony could do a county/rock album very easily. It’s hard to pick a favorite song, maybe we would go with “Guilty of That” but they are all fine songs. Rum Bar continues to pick winners like this. They make it look easy.
Rum Bar shows no sign of slowing up their constant drumbeat of rock releases that they have been doing for 10 years now. The latest is another super collection called The Nice Price that gets you up to speed on their catalog. We’ve featured many of the groups and songs on this 31 cut album. It’s all quality material. If you haven’t heard these songs/groups it’s time to get in there and listen if you have it is good listening anyway. Did we mention The Nice Price was free? Rum Bar Records is a phenomenon that we haven’t seen before.
Yet more Rum Bar news, there’s a new album by Jittery Jack and Amy Griffin. There are two songs on Bandcamp now. The first cut “Tonight’s the Night” is a bit overwhelming. The song is a pitch perfect rockabilly tune but then there's Amy Griffin! She fills up the song with non-stop choice rockabilly fills. They are clear as a bell with wonderful tone. If you didn’t have a life you could get in there and dissect those riffs. What a showcase!!
Bob Moss says he’s a nice guy, it’s just that he’s got a bunch of problems following him around. That’s what the lyrics to Bob Moss and the Skin-Tight Skin say in his new song “I Got Lots of Problems.” This is the second song in a run of singles leading up to an album. The guest guitarist for this track is Arthur Alexander from the NYC group The Sorrows. Our favorite spot (the 1:30 mark) is where the lyrics go “Oh No” then is followed by “yeah” repeated 30 times. Then Alexander comes in with some choice guitar.
Rhino Records is reissuing the first Cars LP The Cars in 180 gram vinyl. To others this is a New Wave classic. To us in Boston it’s more personal. We saw the Cars phenomenon close up. Everything seemed so exciting in 1978 and this was part of that. Some details: “Cut from original analog master tapes…pressed at Optimal on dead-quiet 180-gram vinyl … and is packaged in a glossy, heavyweight tip-on gatefold jacket that includes an insert festooned with an image of the master tapes box, an insightful Q&A with Cars guitarist Elliot Easton, producer Roy Thomas Baker’s original notes on “Good Times Roll,” and a 1978 publicity photo of the band in the studio.” Order at the Rhino store Article on reissue on Absolute Sound. We enjoyed this rabid fan review on Pop Dose Here's some good shows coming up .....
December 6, 2023 (Wednesday) Vicarium, Island of Alaska, Fizzpasteat at The Silhouette December 7, 2023 (Thursday) Ue At The Buoy, Stop Calling Me Frank, The Gypsy Moths at Notch Brewery Brighton 7-10PM. FB page December 8, 2023 (Friday) Heavy Holiday Party at New Alliance Studios - Rong and Miracle Blood will be playing...7-11PM check the FB page for updates on the artists showing December 8, 2023 (Friday) Girl With A Hawk CD Release Party, Cold Expectations at The Burren December 8, 2023 (Friday) AxeMunkee and friends at The Square Root December 8, 2023 (Friday) Huck 2, Gretchen Shae and The Middle Eight and Key of Caustic at Koto Underground, Salem
December 9, 2023 (Saturday) The Doigenstein, Mt Metal, RHK Experience, and The Megalomaniacs at the VFW Fidelity Post 1011 in Peabody, Ma. Get ready North Shore people for the Attack of the Santas, Santa Limbo, Sumo Santa and bakesale. Vets get in free. Bring an unwrapped toy for the toy drive. Doors at 5PM music at 6PM show December 9, 2023 (Saturday) The Nervous Eaters w Special Guest Randy Black at The Burren 7PM show December 9, 2023 (Saturday)Video Drop Party with Va Va Voodoos, Connor Storms, Crow Follow at The Square Root December 10, 2023 (Sunday) Back Porch Carousel rocks The Plough & Stars for the holiday season - 4PM show - FB page. December 10, 2023 (Sunday) "For the Children" with Think I Care, COA, Yellow Stitches, Skinhead, Haywire, Klaxon - ticket PLUS an unwrapped toy required for entry. December 10, 2023 (Sunday) Mad Painter, Church Puppets, Galaxy Cake at The Worthen Attic December 13, 2023 (Wednessday) Josie Cotton, The Plimsouls, Kurt Baker at The MIddle East Up.
December 15, 2023 (Friday) Sheer Terror, Nothing But Enemies, American War Machine, ICU, Rejekts, Clearance at The Middle east Up FB page December 15, 2023 (Friday) Actor|Observer, Sleep Spirit, girih, Empty Halls at The Shaksheen Pub, Manchester, NH - 7PM doors. FB page. December 16, 2023 (Saturday) SMART MART Holiday Market Deep Cuts in Medford Square from 12PM - 5PM for a market featuring a curated selection of local artisans, vintage, records sellers, makers and crafters! RSVP on Eventbrite for a free ticket (tickets not needed for entry) and here's the FB page. December 16, 2023 (Saturday) Light of Day Records and Indie617 present a rockin' night to benefit The Cancer Care Equity Center at Dana-Farber with Muck and the Mires, Vapors of Morphine, The Chelsea Curve, Muzzins, The Ray Liriano Experience, Uncivil Servants and Henry Santoro will be MCing the event! 6pm, at the Crystal Ballroom Tickets start at $25 with various tiers of support. All proceeds go to Dana Farber Cancer Care Equity Center. TIX HERE
December 16, 2023 (Saturday) Jittery Jack & Amy Griffin Record Release Party with Deke Dickerson, Pledge Pins - 7pm All Ages Faces Malden December 16, 2023 (Saturday) 6th Annual Toys for Tots at The Midway with Matt Charette and the Truer Sound, Loser's Circle, Jonee Earthquake Band, Dave Wells, this is a Matinee 3 PM Show, ALL AGES! and bring an unwrapped toy to donate. December 16, 2023 (Saturday) Abysmal Depths Productions is proud to bring you this Toys For Tots benefit holiday show. Bring a donations of an unwrapped toy to be donated to the Toys For Tots program - Bands: Loser Birds, Rocket Gods, The Woods, D-Coy, Artificial Extinction at Porters Pub in Rockland (South Shore near Brockton) Facebook event page. December 16, 2023 (Saturday) Mach Bell Experience with Wicked Theory - 7pm Magic Room, 83 Morse Rd. Bldg. #5, Norwood MA TIX HERE
December 17, 2023 (Sunday) Stars Like Ours, The Magic City, Roxy And The Crisis at The Jungle - Early show 4-7PM December 18, 2023 (Monday) Johnnie & The Foodmasters, The Wailin Milfs, Delons at The Silhouette December 20, 2023 (Wednesday) Show Wrap Party and Gallery Talk for JJ Gonson's Photo Show - The show closes at the end of December. so here's a party and gallery talk. Doors open at 6pm At 7pm JJ will talk about her experience shooting bands and her history with touring and photography. After that there will be snacks and entertainment until about 9:30. FB event page. December 23, 2023 (Saturday) LAST MINUTE GIFT SHOPPING at Small Mart Holiday Market at The Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre 11-4 - The vendors have been carefully chosen and their goods are unique and small batch......FB page December 27, 2023 (Wednesday) Bike Thrasher, Miracle Blood, Neck Dive at Faces Malden
December 29, 2023 (Friday) Tree, They Will Be Done, Inverter at Alchemy, Provi. December 30, 2023 (Saturday) The Manglers at The Square Root January 5, 2023 (Saturday) Black Mold Market Presents- Last show before Koto renovations! Come out and celebrate! with Troll Milk, Freak, Dental Dames, The Downhauls, Brix'n Mortar at Koto. FB page January 8, 2023 (Monday) OrangePeelMystic, Scove Cone, Blazers Over Turtlenecks at The Silhouette January 11, 2023 (Thursday) Punk Rock Karaoke with members of (Bad Religion, Circle Jerks The Dickies, Pennywise, Goldfinger) Pick a song, they give you the lyrics.They call your name and voila! you are the singer in a punk rock band backed by the finest hand picked side men.Simple...there will be a sign up sheet at venue - The Middle East Down. We went to one in 2015 and it was loads of fun!! January 14, 2023 (Sunday) Stop Calling Me Frank, The Spackles, Screw Cart, Jay Allen and The Archcriminals at The MIdway - MAtinee show at 3PM.
January 19, 2023 (Friday) O Positive and Three Colors, are reuniting at the Paradise Rock Club (show at 8pm) for WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS-A Benefit Concert For A Friend In Need. The evening will raise funds for a friend’s medical bills in her battle against brain cancer. FB event page. January 26, 2023 (Friday) Hooligan Holiday Night 1 - Suited and Booted with DJ Boss Hooligan, Stress The White Boy, DJ Ruben Doc Marten Soundsystem January 27, 2023 (Saturday) Hooligan Holiday Night 2 - The Templars, Battle Ruins, Merauder, Violent Way, Powerhouse at The Paradise February 7, 2023 (Wednesday) Pledge Pins, Nice Guys, Andy California at The Silhouette
February 10, 2023 (Saturday) Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight, Ex-Hyena, Looking Glass War at Faces Malden February 10, 2023 (Saturday) The Dreadnoughts, Mickey Rickshaw, The McGunks at Askew in Provi, RI March 2, 2023 (Saturday) Negative FX, Wrecking Crew. Wound Man, Savage Heads, Please Die, Eye Witness at The Middle East Down - all ages 1PM matinee show CONTACT US AT....misslynbgn@yahoo.com Send us your gig listings, your anything else you've got!! You want your CD reviewed?? Contact us for that too.
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December 9, 2023 (Saturday)
Holiday Bazaar returning to Roadrunner! with
over 130 thoroughly unconventional vendors selling art, vinyl, vintage, &
more! A holiday market that dares to be different, & with 50,000 square
feet of indoor space, easily one of the largest in the Greater Boston Area For
one day only, if you need something unique, it’s probably gonna be here!
So whether gifting for yourself or others, our motley crew has got you covered!!
Mach Bell has his third memoir, Rock Survival
out. The memoirs are a trilogy now, move over J.R.R. Tolkien you
have competition.
Mach ends up being a teacher in a free form school where he led students
into music and film projects. A yearly show he put on was a big hit.
First
off there's Lou Reed: The King of New York
a new bio by Will Hermes. (Hermes! – Lou would love that, Hermes
was the herald of the gods.)
Steve revealed that there were other songs recorded in Northern Studios in
Maynard at the same time as “Loretta,”“Just Head” and
“Get Stuffed.” They found those tapes decades later but they were
beyond saving.
December 4, 2023 (Monday) Vim,
Tiefling, Roaches, all the way up, Garden Party at The Silhouette
December 8, 2023 (Friday)
Hung, Circumstances, Empty Halls, Rose Lane, Elizabory
at The Hotel Vernon Worcester - 
December 14, 2023 (Thursday) Modern
Day Idols, Autumn Hollow at Notch Brewing Brighton
December 16, 2023 (Saturday) Massa
Nera, Infant Island, New Forms at The Democracy Center - all ages -
portion of proceeds will be donated to Youth On Fire Harvard Square.
December 17, 2023 (Sunday) Slimedog's
Drag Puppet Punk Xmas Show (with poetry & free pizza)! Featuring...
Kermit's Finger, Grimly Pleased, The Jacklights, Charmed & Strange,
The Instamatics, plus poetry from Jake Tringali! 
December 28, 2023 (Thursday) Shiverlane
and Freeloader at Notch Brewing Brighton
January 14, 2023 (Sunday) Chris
Brokaw's new band Lupo Sita with Hidden Fountain
and Pledge Pins at O’Brien’s
February 8, 2023 (Thursday) The
Dreadnoughts, The Gobshites, Mickey Rickshaw at The BUrren - 7-9PM
show.
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