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The BGN News Archive
Happy New Year to our BGN Readers! And thanks! The death of Bowie and Prince, among others, made 2016 a bad year. The contentious election on top of that made people declare 2016 one of the worst years ever. We did have some local highlights to cheer however. So, let’s look at some good things to think about in our….. BGN 2016 Year End Review (You can view all these items in our Archive
pages. There is a link on the left side of the main page for that.)
Also in January were .... the first shows for Shiny Beasts the ex-Triple Thick members recruited a few new people and ended up with a new favorite group. the last show by My Own Worst Enemy who called it quits. Jan Crocker released a video of the Police at the Rat in 1978. VIDEO Robin Lane and the Chartbusters played a reunion set at the soon to be closing Johnny D’s in Somerville.
David Minehan's band Stardarts played a set at the A Celebration of the Life and Music of Allen Devine at the Lizard Lounge. John Keegan covered the Holy Holy show that was a remembrance for David Bowie at the Wilber.
Keegan also was at the Dictators show at Great Scott’s. There was a show with Paul Collins and the Lyres at
The Middle East Up that was heaven. Here Arthur Freedman had a photo show at the Out of the Blue Gallery Too. Then there was Chetstock 2016 at Once. There was a great line up of bands and it will all be part of the film about Chet that is currently being put together.
Michael Monroe just blew everyone away in his show at Middle East. He’s never to be missed ever. We got to see The Digs who are led by Jeff Demas nephew of Matthew MacKenzie. The Digs turned out to be a cool new group.
Brett Milano releases his new book; Don’t All Thank Me At Once: The Lost Pop Genius of Scott Miller. We saw Michelle Paulus' new group Stars Like Ours which immediatly became a new favorite to keep an eye on. We loved an older Pop Punk band we saw for the first time – The Prozacs In April..... The Sam Black Church doc Leave Behind a Groove in the Earth played the Brattle. A notable show was Peter and the Test Tube Babies with Bad Engrish at the Middle East Up.
It was time for the Sixth Annual Hardcore Cotillion at the Midway this year with the FU’s and McGunks. Iggy Pop was at the Orpheum. Miss Lyn and John Keegan was there . There was a Real Kids show at the Midway.
There were the three days of Abbey Reunion shows at Sally O’Brien’s. Jenn D'Angora and Michele Paulhus put the shows together and they were jam packed with friends from the Abbey days and there was really great music too. May..... Real Kids do a US tour including Atlanta and California. One of our favorite shows of the year was the Rockabilly marathon Easy Ed 10th Anniversary Party all day on a Saturday at The Midway. There was stellar music spun and played.
Wayne Viens makes the tough decision to close his beloved space Store 54. We interview him as it closes…sob. May had one of the best shows of the year with the Remains and Lyres at Once. The Midway had the 4th Annual Joefest.
Chetstock 2016 II at Once again. Fantastic line up of bands. It was great to see and hear Xanna Don't who came in to town for the occasion. Roger Miller starts up the Trinary System. Also from MOB Peter Prescott revved up his group Mini Beast. Actor/Observer at Great Scott’s was a dynamite show.
The annual Al Janik's St Stanislaus Day Polka Party in Somerville where everyone is Polish if they have any life in them. In June... The eagerly awaited documentary Boys From Nowhere is available for a short while then taken away as, sadly, the court battle on it drags on. The Midway has a novel gig with the Nervous Eaters and some hardcore groups, one of which Fast Times, which has Nick Hepditch, the son of The Nervous Eaters' Allen Hepditch. They sang together in a photo moment that signaled the unity of two generations. We all felt good about that.
Cherie Currie plays the Brighton Music Hall and John Keegan had the photos. Another all day event at the Midway was Mike's Monsters Guitar Third Annual Birthday Bash. The highlight was the guitar fashion show. We're looking forward to this year’s show. Jay Allen starts his Sunday Night Messaround at The Plough. Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling has their going away show at the Middle East as they move to the West Coast.
There was a meeting at the Grove Hall Library with the idea of starting a Boston Music Archive. Nothing has followed but it was an eye opening meeting. It showed the massive project it would be and the institutional resistance to any real support. Vanyaland held a community meeting on the problems in Clubland.
One big issue was pay-to-play.
Alan Vega died. The Real Kids tour Europe!
We had the final WMBR
Trivia Night Everyone had such a great time so the baton was
picked up by Erin Amar of Rocker Zine and Brett Milano.
Now we have regular Trivia Nights at Zuzu’s!!
August .......
had Frank Rowe’s Birthday party at the Midway, always a
fun night.
We go to the annual Fuzzstival at the Middle East where
we fall in love with Ravi Shavi.
Brian Young's A Crash Course for the Ravers on WMFO
starts reading the Boston Groupie News as a concert report and they
still do it every Saturday between 1 and 4 pm.
We go to a show at Pop Allston a temporary space that will
soon be no more.
In September....
A new documentary on Morphine called Journey
of Dreams comes out.
We hit Starlabfest and outside show in Somerville.
Cheetah Chrome, Unnatural Axe and The Crack County Daredevils
and The Humanoids heat up the night for a killer show at the
Middle East up.
Check it out here
We see the return of the Svetlanas and the Upstart Fest.
This was our second time seeing them, we had to go back for more! They
are one wild act.
The final Rat
Beach Party happens.
They name a street in Queens Ramones Way.
Patti Smith has a Conversation with Michael Patrick MacDonald
at Berklee, mainly about her new book The M Train.
The Dickies and Muck and the Mires at the Middle East.
The Buzzcocks celebrate their 40th Anniversary with a tour.
Here in Boston we see them at The Royale.
We finally catch the Barroom Heroes and were definitely impressed!
Mr. Airplane Man moves to the West Coast.
Carla Nolan former DJ of WMBR's Late Risers Club died
Andy California tries to kiss Blowfish at The Midway!
The surprise is the amazing Proletariat show at Once.
Real Kids do another Midway show.
The annual International Pop Overthrow at PA’s this year.
A new Lou
Miami video surfaces.
The Dune Rats from Australia play one crazy show at O’Brien’s.
Sad Vacation, a movie about Sid and Nancy plays at the
Regent.
Crime Spree have a ball and make an impression at the Midway.
We go to a show at Wonderbar, the old Bunratty’s is reborn.
The bands are downstairs, upstairs it’s a dance club.
We end up the year interviewing John Felice and that will come
out soon.
Patti Smith turns 70!!
And in general.....
A good year for Upper Crust who played a lot......Pop Gun
broke up.....Owned the year = Rum Bar Records with release after
worthy release......Saw a lot of Today Junior, Zip Tie Handcuffs
this year....Trophy Lung broke up.....All year there were attractive
bills at Koto in Salem and the Spotlight in Beverly....All
the Andy California shows were memorable.....A favorite new band
is the Runouts.....Newest recording format – an old one,
the cassette. It’s all the rage.....Worshiper won the Rumble....we
hope Frigate plays out more in 2017!!
And in other news.....
A Blog called Five
Bands You Should Know About
took Johnny Angel's book Looking for Lady Dee as a takeoff
point and spotlights five Boston bands. There's nothing new for us longtime
fans but nice to see the attention. The Aeronaut Beer Company in Somerville is having their second
annual "Beer for Books" event on Jan 19. What does that mean? see below
in the gig listings. it involves music and a live jukebox. Leave Behind a Groove in the Earth the documentary about
Sam Black Church is now available for download at $15.00 or rent
one day for $5.00. Link
Wimpy Rutherford and his band The Cryptics start an East
Coast tour this month. Boston is not on the list for January but he
promises he'll have a show in our parts in March! Here's the tour
FB page with cities and dates. Here's some good shows coming up .....
January 7 (Saturday) The Johns,
The Martians (mems of Bim Skala Bim/Rock Bottom), The Cold Expectations
(Album Release) and Medical Maps at The Midway January 7 (Saturday) The Last
Ones, Tsunami of Sound and Stop Calling Me Frank are
at Sally O'Briens
January 8 (Sunday) The Third
Trivia Night by Rockerzine happens at Zuzu's again. "Swell
Prizes from The Middle East, Zuzu, Rum Bar Records, The Somerville Theatre,
Ritual Arts, & Vidumami. We kick off earlier this time - at 7:30,
so get down early to get your seat and order your delicious snacks and
drinks order in early! Free entry, teams limited to 5 people, no cell
phones!"
And further out......
January 13 (Friday) Club Linehan
A Go Go, Kenne Highland Band, Freeky and Funklee at the Out of the
Blue Gallery Too Mass Ave Central Sq.
January 14 (Saturday) after all
your holiday indulgences its time for Punk Rock Aerobics 12NOON
at Once
January 14 (Saturday) Now here's
a show you won't want to miss Brian Young's A Crash Course for the
Ravers (WMFO 95.1FM 1-4PM) has Andy California as a guest.
January 14 (Saturday) Special
afternoon show at Atwood's Tavern to celebrate the release of the"Jittery
Jack meets Darrel Higham platter" - there's be two rockin'
sets, copies will be for sale...no cover but a minimum $5 donation is
suggested. Atwood's has awesome food too!
January 14 (Saturday) Sidewalk
Driver, Goddamn Draculas, Party Bois & Swivel at Great
Scott's
January 14 (Saturday) Real
Kids in Wistah!! at Ralph's
January 19 (Thursday) Aeronaut
Brewery's 2nd Annual Beers for Books- join Room to Read and Aeronaut
as we help raise money for literacy and gender-equality in education
in the developing world. The event will feature a live jukebox! Here's
how it works: 1) Request a song: 1 song = $1 = 1 book January 20 (Friday) The 50th Anniversary
of the Boston Tea Party opening is at the Verb Hotel. Friday
Jan 20 from 5 to 8. " Join the Music
Museum Of New England for a commemoration of the Tea Party 50th
anniversary on Friday, January 20, 5-8pm, at The Verb Hotel and Hojoko
Japanese tavern, 1271 Boylston Street (opposite Fenway Park). Whether
you went to any shows at the Tea Party, or wish you had, let's all get
together to celebrate good music and good times, and to enjoy the rock
memorabilia at The Verb."
January 20 (Friday) The Lights
Out, Gene Dante & The Future Starlets, Zip Tie Handcuffs and
The Sun Lions at the ArtsEmerson Black Box series at Emerson/Paramount
Center, Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre - 559 Washington St Boston
(Link)
January 21 (Saturday) HayBaby,
Creaturos, MiniDresses and Jack as part of the ArtsEmerson
Black Box series at Emerson/Paramount Center, Jackie Liebergott Black
Box Theatre - 559 Washington St Boston (Link)
January 24 (Tuesday) Adam Ant
is at The Wilbur
January 27 (Friday) Ska and Punk
night at the Midway with Hobo Chili, Stray Bullets, Losers Circle,
Crime Spree and Gant!
January 28 (Saturday) Joanie
Lindstrom is celebrating 1560 Thursdays on the air at WMBR's
Late Risers Club...We'll do the math for you, that's 30 years. She
makes it look easy, but we know it isn't. She's having a bash on January
28th at the Record Company. That's the new space at 960 Mass Ave (Boston
not Cambridge MAP).
The bands are Shirt Lifters and Mathchild w/ members of
Spitzz, Worshipper, Bullet La Volta. There'll be more bands on the bill
but that's what's lined up now. If you've been at other parties organized
by Joanie you need no other prompt.
January 29 (Sunday) Black Beach, Hairspray
Queen, Idiot Genes and Thee Cavemyn at O'Brien's
February 9 (Thursday) we love
this stuff its always fun!! Karaoke Underground at O'Brien's
in Allston. The Karaoke Underground is for punk and indie rock
fans who love to scream, yelp, croon, bark and sometimes even sing their
favorites from artists like Black Flag, Modest Mouse, the Misfits, Cat
Power, the Pixies, Dead Kennedys, Sleater-Kinney, Pavement, Joy Division,
Fugazi, Guided By Voices and many more. It's video karaoke with onscreen
lyrics, a stage, you -- and the chance to sing great songs you just
can't find anywhere else. Full catalog
of songs here.
February 10 (Friday) BadassMotherfuzzers,
Muck & the Mires,The Real Kids, RichieParsons at the
Midway
February 10 (Friday) The Upper
Crust, Watts and Petty Morals are at Great Scott
February 17 (Friday) Lux Lives
East Coast is coming again -this event is in Salem at Koto, on the
bill are Thee Fabulous Itchies, The Evil Streaks and The Nebulas.
Here's the FB
Page Lux Lives is a chance for Bands and DJ's and fans to come together
to celebrate the life of Lux Interior. Since it's inception, Lux Lives
East Coast has raised over $10,000.00 for Lux and Ivy's favorite charity
Best Friends Animal Society. This is a GREAT event all around!
March 3 (Friday) Robyn Hitchcock
at Once
March 8 (Wednesday) The Sheckies,
Mongorellis, The Prozacs, Meat Depressed at Koto in Salem
March 10 (Friday) Agent Orange, The
Queers, & Guttermouth at ONCE Ballroom FB
page
April 1 (Saturday) The Upper Crust,
Sidewalk Driver and When Particles Collide as part of the
ArtsEmerson Black Box series at Emerson/Paramount Center, Jackie Liebergott
Black Box Theatre - 559 Washington St Boston (Link)
June 1 & 2 (Thurs & Fri)
Reverand Horton Heat at Once in Somerville
CONTACT US AT....misslynbgn@yahoo.com
- Send us your gig listings, your news and anything else ya got!!
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Joanie Lindstrom is celebrating 1560 Thursdays on the air at
WMBR's Late Risers Club...We'll do the math for you, that's 30
years. She makes it look easy, but we know it isn't. She's having a
bash on January 28th at the 
January
6 (Friday) The Billy Connors Project is @ The C note
in Hull with Liz Borden
January 13 (Friday) Lyres, The
Charms, the modifierS at The MIddle East Up.
January 14 (Saturday) Go Blank,
The Martians, Loser's Circle and Black Cheers are at O'Brien's
January 21 (Saturday) Vibrate with
the Cranktones at Atwood's Tavern (Cambridge St Cambridge) this
is a 4-6PM show. And stay for dinner the food is awesome at Atwood's.
We 
February 4 (Saturday) Oh this is
gonna be a GREAT show!!: OC45 (CD Release/Tour Kickoff), 
February 25 (Friday) The Billy Connors
Project is @ the Cantab with Corrola Deville and Jimmy
Bez.
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