The BGN News Archive

John Keegan was at the Jon Spencer and the HITmakers show at the Middle East. They moved the show from downstairs to upstairs. There Spencer played out his fractured blues and garage. One member of the band was playing a car shock spring…that must have been the garage part of the act. John has the report and photos – to see hit the photo link above.

Minus ten degrees in Boston on Friday night! Shows went on as far as we know. Saturday night the Wang Theatre had to cancel a show because the cold caused their sprinkler system to malfunction. Here’s the story on the Channel 10 news website.

Kids Like You and Me have a Johnnie & The Foodmasters show scheduled at Cantina La Mexicana in Union Square. It's the first time a rock 'n roll gig has been hosted there, hopefully there will be more!

The Cantab Lounge is offering their space for bands to rehearse or shoot a video….oh ya, rate = $50.00 an hour with a two hour minimum. Website with info

There’s a St. Patrick's Day Punk Rock Market in Peabody on Friday, March 17. There will be bands, food and vendors include Skindress Taxidermy! Vendors start at 6pm and bands at 7:30pm. It’s at the VFW Fidelity Post #1011, 20 Stevens St, Facebook event page

For those out in the western suburbs - the Amazing Things Art Center has been advertising on Facebook that they are open to music shows. They are at 160 Hollis St., in Framingham. Their Facebook page.

Whoa!! Mark your calendars!! The Murder Junkies are out and about for the 30 Year GG Deathaversary Tour!! They'll do a full set of all old GG songs. They will be at Alchemy in Provi, RI on June 26th also on the bill - Psycho, Midnight Creeps, Scumbari. Check out the gig listings by scrolling down....

The Boston Globe stepped up and put more effort into the Gary Smith obituary. There’s more detail in this piece than can be found anywhere else. Read it here if you can get by the paywall

John Lydon and PIL lost their chance to be Ireland’s song in the Eurovision contest. The good thing is that the song got attention and gave Lydon a lot of publicity and good will. The story on Louder Sound website

We’ve heard Roger Miller talk about his Surrealist game nights. He leads people through an evening of drawing and word games developed by the Surrealists. He is doing special Valentine’s Day event on February 14 in Harford, CT at Real Art Ways. he will also DJ – providing a surrealistic soundtrack to the evening. He says: “The wonder of these games is the unexpected juxtapositions that occur, creating amazingly synchronistic sequences and unexpected meanings and connections.” This is his third year doing this.

Roger has proven that surrealistic techniques can be fertile ground for artistic works. They also can just be fun. Here’s the website for the show.

VIDEOS......

The Dammed's new album Darkadelic is finished and ready to be released on April 28. This is their first album since 2018’s Evil Spirits. From the title we get the impression that it might be psych heavy. That’s confirmed with a look at the first single off the album that comes with a video.

In “The Invisible Man” some short black and while noir scenes give way to the band playing on a stage with a psychedelic light show in the background.

At the 2:12 minute mark there’s a full blown psych freak-out section that goes for a minute. The way Vanian sings “the invisible man” sticks with you. The video is very enjoyable. The Dammed still rule!!

Wreckless Wreck Chords will release a live album from Bad Movies called Live From Jennifer’s Room. Right now they have a video of the first single from the album titled “Killer For Higher.” Bad Movies is the group where both members Colman Burns-Takki and Linnea Sturdy died in 2021. This gives you the idea of the raw punk they played.

And this week we have Johnny D's Allston Closing Night installment #3 from Bob Martel (aka Bob Cellar) - Ten bands and Bill Tupper as MC....these are never heard before audio recording of Johnny D's closing night! Let this be a history of Boston punk for you if you were not there!!

The third band was Last Stand - sometimes called "Boston's answer to the Clash": "Comprised of members Tom Keenan ("TK"), Pete Mulford, Cathy DeMarco, and a host of bassists over the years, the garage/punk-pop outfit Last Stand began slugging it out in 1984, with their first split single with Noonday Underground for the Taang! label, A three-song EP followed in 1985, Coup D'etat, and a year later, a full-length album, Approved Cuts. Further releases followed throughout the '80s (1988's Faith in Fate and 1989's Boston Callin) before the group went on hiatus by the mid-'90s. But eventually the quintet re-formed for a sellout reunion show in 1998 at TT The Bears in Cambridge, MA, resulting in their first full-length release in years, 2000's Any Battle Won".

Listen to it here- Last Stand at Johnny D's Closing

And here is a BGN page on the Last Stand reunion set at TT's (Along with The Dogmatics, The Neats, Band 19, Classic Ruins) in 2011: https://www.bostongroupienews.com/JuneWeekend.html

RADIO......

Skybar’s Rising show on WMFO has been heavy with guests lately. This week he'll have Jen D’Angora of the Shang Hi Los.

She will of course talk about the new album Aces Eights & Heartbreaks. That already has had the Coolest Song In the World on Little Steven’s show with “Billy.” We think they'll have another Coolest Song contender with “Monsieur Valentine.” It’s just too good for Little Steven to pass by. There’s a lot of stand out tunes on this album that should give the group constant air time on local and national radio shows.

Skybar says they will talk up the big show Shang Hi Los have coming up at Faces in Malden with the Chelsea Curve and the Dogmatics. It's this Friday Feb 11.

To hear the show tune in to WMFO 91.5 FM on Tuesday at 8 or listen to the archive version after Tuesday by going to the WMFO archive page and hitting Tuesday at 8pm then hit the archive button.

Brian Young’s A Crash Course for the Ravers has been cut back an hour. It’s now from 1pm to 3pm. The station wants more slots for Tuft students. Brian said it’s happened before for the same reason but he eventually got the hour back.

PODCASTS.........

Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico had a talk with Rich Gilbert of Human Sexual Response and The Zulus. Rich loved music, and rock especially, from a very early age. He spent his early years in a small Illinois town and moved to Boston to go to Berkeley in 1974.

Human Sexual Response was his first band! Wow. He gives a good rundown on what clubs HSR played. He goes on with the Wild Kingdom story. He said that the band initially couldn’t get lots of gigs. As the band changed to Zulus things were cooking again.

Rich was part of Frank Black and the Catholics for six years. He also worked with Uncle Tupelo playing pedal steel guitar. Rich is a great interview, he tells the stories straight without distracting side comments.

This week Sonic Overload did a six song set of The New Bomb Turks, all from the album !!Destroy- Oh Boy!! which was released 30 years ago in January of 1993.

Al Quint pulled out an old punk obscurity “Tran-Sister” by Neo . Neo was an NYC band fronted by ex-Milk‘N’Cookies guitarist Ian North. They got their name thrown around a lot in the late seventies.

Al later pulled out “Don’t Care” by Klark Kent (Stewart Copeland), an old favorite. The last set had songs from Tom Verlaine, one from the Neon Boys, then a load of hardcore he played to catch up on. You can hear the whole show on the Sonic Overload web page

The Shang Hi Los' "Billy" was the Coolest Song of the World on Little Steven’s Underground Garage. You can imagine someone hearing that song for the first time and going “Whoa, what’s this?” Along with that, Dan Kopko got interviewed on the Underground Garage podcast Coolest Conversations with Mighty Manfred (Woggles). Dan has a long and varied rock background. He was on stage at age 16 and played metal and glam.

Dan says Watts is still a group and deciding what move to make next. He talked a lot about how “Billy” came together. They also talk about “Plymouth Rock” which comes from Jen D’Angora’s growing up in that city. Manfred really dug into the songwriting.

NEW MUSIC/CDs......

Rum Bar Records has unearthed another Boston treasure. After The Dogmatics ended Jerry Lehane formed The Matweeds. Dave Fredette was in the group as well as many other Boston band veterans. They opened for the Ramones at one point. Tapes were made at Fort Apache but no record released ... until now.

There are seven songs on Hooligans In The Vestibule which will be released on March 17th. But the song “Stay” is available now. Don’t wait!! Go and listen to that now!! Hit the embedded song below.

What a comfortable groove that song sits in. As it rolls along you get sucked in irresistibly. It’s impossible not to love.

Evil Felipe's new eleven cut album Into the Ivy is out now. All the songs have a power and depth that comes from expressing heartache and personal pain. The group’s indie sound helps to transmit that. They don’t try to rock like crazy but they don’t lightly jangle either.

We found the group sound and vocals just swept us along all the way through the album and it did that every time we started to listen to it. It holds together thematically and mood wise. To create an album that is as sensitive and sustained like this from a young group like Evil Felipe is an impressive accomplishment.

Circus Battalion have a new digital single; “Destroy This Place” ... and it does what great punk can do – it makes a statement about what’s going on in real time and gives you a cathartic way to vent.

The lyrics hit the Allston gentrification straight on:

“Welcome to all you biotech yuppies,
there's a new balance to this town
Work, be a bore, just spend more, more, more, more!

Sneaking in on G.E. kickbacks
Pay for our jets. Up goes rent, rent, rent, rent! “

Then the frustrated rage “I just want to destroy this place”.

They hit it right on the head with the lyrics and the music is a perfect punk backing to boot!! The group has reached a new level with this.

We have this on our Top Ten Songs.

Continental's long awaited album Hello is almost ready for release by Rum Bar Records. Rick Barton and his son Stephen, have gone their own way and taken their time to make music the way they want. Two songs are up on Bandcamp now: “State O’Maine” and “Best I Can.” Both songs skirt genres but they kick and rock. An extra track“Baby Baby” is an excellent song that was on a Rum Bar sampler.

Here's some good shows coming up .....

February 9, 2023 (Thursday) Lover of Eve, Linnea's Garden, Alyssum at the Middle East Up

February 10, 2023 (Friday) The Shang Hi Los, The Dogmatics, The Chelsea Curve at Faces Brewery Malden. FB page

February 10, 2023 (Friday) The McGunks, The Gobshites, The Welch Boys at The Midway

February 10, 2023 (Friday) The Instamatics, Kermit's Finger, Michael Boezi at the Square Root

February 10, 2023 (Friday) Gloucester Stage Company Presents: Rock `N’ Roll! with North Shore Acts - The LeBarons, Tsunami of Sound, U-ey at the Buoy! Doors 7pm FB page

February 11, 2023 (Saturday) Lucretia & Skulls of Lucretia's Daggers, Dead Harrison, PLague & Pestilence on A Crash Course For the Ravers on WMFO 1-3PM

February 11, 2023 (Saturday) Freeloader, Hammered Saint, Tiger Bomb with Cowboy Mach Bell as emcee!! at The Middle East Up - EARLY show 6-9PM - FB page

February 11, 2023 (Saturday) Public Serpents, The F.U.'S, DEAD LOW, Riki Rocksteady, Jerry's Got Jokes, Goon Platoon EARLY show at 6PM at Brighton Lodge of Elks #2199, Brighton. FB page

February 11, 2023 (Saturday) KLYAM show at Cantina La Mexicana in Union Square (first time a rock 'n roll gig has been hosted there) with Johnnie & The Foodmasters exclusively performing a couple of sets! '50s, '60s, Los Saicos, 'Tequila', all the favorites!!!! There is no cover and the bar will be open for business. This will be the Foodmasters last local show before they leave on their first tour in April (more on that soon!). FB page.

February 11, 2023 (Saturday) Novakoi, Broken Vanity, Fools Agenda at Shred City 52 Main St Wilmington - doors at 6PM. Shred City FB page

February 16, 2023 (Thursday) Key Of Caustic, The Jacklights at The Burren - FB page Doors at 6- Music at 7PM.

February 17, 2023 (Friday) Red On Red Records Presents: Crow Follow, Cold Expectations at The Burren for an early show at 6PM.

February 17, 2023 (Friday) Franz Nicolay, Coffin Salesman, Your Friends In Hell at Faces -Malden

February 17, 2023 (Friday) Hixx, Scott Damgaard Band, Phantom Ocean at O'Brien's - Tickets

February 17, 2023 (Friday) TREE, Goon Platoon, Stone The Oracle, Scumbari at Shred City 52 Main St Wilmington - FB event page Shred City FB page

February 17, 2023 (Friday) The Imposers, Diablogato, Bobcat at The Worthen Attic, Lowell.

February 18, 2023 (Saturday) Wired For Sound, Charmed & Strange, The Lazy Susans, Terminal Stereo at The Midway

February 18, 2023 (Saturday) Punk Rock Party in Bangor, ME with Uncle Spudd, WarGraves, Capisic, Extreme Beer Trio at G-Force Entertainment. FB page.

February 19, 2023 (Sunday) It's another Mess Around Sunday of a 3-Day weekend with "The Godfather of Boston Acoustic Punk Rock, the one and only Bob Cenci" with his new outfit, U-ey at The Buoy, and first-timer singer/songwriter Stan Lyness...and of course your hosts: Justine Covault, Tom Baker and Jay Allen, 4-6PM at The Plough

February 19, 2023 (Sunday) The Crank-tones and The Fathoms at The Midway for a Matinee at 3PM - FB page

February 23, 2023 (Thursday) Dune Rats, Chastity, Oh The Humanity at Sonia

February 24, 2023 (Friday) Goth / Post-Punk Tribute Night with Gretchen & the Banshees perform as Siouxsie & the Banshees and Staring at the Sea as The Cure at The Midway. FB page.

February 24, 2023 (Friday) Triple B Records presents: Gorilla Biscuits, Restraining Order, Wild Side, Vantage Point, Truth Cult, Wreckage - warning tix are $40!! this is a 6 PM show. Middle East

February 24, 2023 (Friday) Actor|Observer, In Good Nature, Inspirit and Summer Cult are doing one of Bone Up's "Band Hangout" nights- what's a Band Hangout? Meet the bands, listen to music, snag some merch, and drink beer! It’s not a concert, but it’s just as cool as one! Starts at 7pm! Beer Release: Fool’s Gold, hazy IPA, Food: Sekali, malaysian street food and congee bowls - FB event page.

February 24, 2023 (Friday) Waiver Wire. baby bowler, Paper Tigers, Indoor Friends at The Jungle

February 24, 2023 (Friday) The City Gates, Iceblynk, The Spearmint Sea at O'Brian's. FB page.

February 25, 2023 (Saturday) Color Killer, Scooped Up, Dirty Walter & The Smelltones, Granite Danes- at The Square Root - FB page

February 25, 2023 (Saturday) THE SPAWN OF SEWAGE SHOW with Spewage Sewage, Burt Bacharach, Eyespressedin, DONE, Gnasher doors at 5 Shred City FB page

February 25, 2023 (Saturday) Thrust Club, Saturniids, Sorry Ma at State Park

February 27, 2023 (Monday) The Roland High Life, Tiffy, Sorry Ma at Charlie's Kitchen

March 3, 2023 (Friday) Actor|Observer, In Good Nature at Free Street - Portland, ME

March 4, 2023 (Saturday) The Dogmatics are on A Crash Course For The Ravers on WMFO 1-3PM. And if you haven't yet, check out our interview with Rudy Childs who made the Dogmatics Dogumentary!

March 4, 2023 (Saturday) Actor|Observer, In Good Nature at Taffeta in Lowell, MA

March 5, 2023 (Sunday) "I Am Not Gone" A Tribute To Asa Brebner LIVE - The Burren - Facebook page

March 5, 2023 (Sunday) Actor|Observer, In Good Nature at Alchemy. Provi, RI

March 10, 2023 (Friday) Freqs, Mollusk, Hotel Black, Knock Over City at The Jungle

March 11, 2023 (Saturday) Grayskull Booking & Hardcore Stadium present Slapshot, Crown of Thornz, Risk, Neighborhood Shit at The Middle East Down

March 11, 2023 (Saturday) Linnea’s Garden, Soraia, Justine and The Unclean, The Idiot Kids at The Jungle

March 17, 2023 (Saturday) St. Patrick's Day Punk Rock Market. There will be bands, food and vendors include Skindress Taxidermy! Vendors start at 6pm and bands at 7:30pm. It’s at the VFW Fidelity Post #1011, 20 Stevens St, Peabody, MA - Facebook event page

March 18, 2023 (Saturday) The F.U.’s, Cuidado, Duck & Cover, Black Helicopter at the Gerry No. 5 Veteran Fireman's Association, Marblehead - FB page.

March 24, 2023 (Friday) TREE @ Ralph's Rock Diner - FB page

March 25, 2023 (Saturday) Condition Baker, Classic Ruins, The Grandstand Jockeys, Sand Machine at The Midway for a Matinee 3-7PM

March 25, 2023 (Saturday) The Freqs, Deprogrammer Cult, Rue, Ghost Planet at The Worthen Attic, Lowell

March 31, 2023 (Friday) The Church - The Hypnogogue Album Tour at The Sinclair FB page.

April 1, 2023 (Saturday) Holy S%&T I'm turning 60 - Jay Allen's Birthday Show with Justine and The Unclean, Tom Baker's Double Down, Muck and The Mires, Stop Calling Me Frank, The Shang-Hi-Los, The Spackles (Ex-A Bunch of Jerks), Jay Allen and The Archcriminals, Spiller, The Dogmatics, Quest for Tuna at French Club, Waltham, MA, 5pm to Midnight- FB page

April 14, 2023 (Friday) Glowbox, Speedfossil, Girl with a Hawk - music starts at 8PM at Sally O'Brien's

April 15, 2023 (Saturday) Cold Expectations (Record Release Show), Hammered Saint, Butterknife at The Square Root

April 20, 2023 (Thursday) Black Flag at the Middle East Down - 2 sets- Set 1 the band performs the album My War, Set 2 - Blag Flag classics. $30 TIX here FB page

April 20, 2023 (Thursday) Gang Green, The USM (a full member reunion), Far Above The Ground Grip Bite at Alchemy in Provi, RI. Doors at 7, Music at 8- FB page.

April 22, 2023 (Saturday) Welch Boys, Loser's Circle, ChumHuffer, Cry Havoc, Scumbari at The Midway for a Matinee at 3PM

April 23, 2023 (Sunday) Plymouth Punk Rock Market - Spring 2023 edition! Mayflower Brewery Plymouth - FB page to keep up to date.

April 28, 2023 (Friday) Emo Night Karaoke with live backing band & special guest Monica Whitlock at Middle East - Downstairs.

April 30, 2023 (Sunday) Gorilla Biscuits, With Honor, Gel, Peace Test, Anklebiter, Bulletproof Backpack at The Met - Pawtucket, RI. All Ages - Early show 2PM- 10PM - FB page

May 5, 2023 (Friday) Township and Stars Like Ours at The Burren - 7PM FB page.

May 6, 2023 (Saturday) Dark Spring Boston Festival at The Middle East Down - line up coming - FB page.

June 26, 2023 (Monday) The Murder Junkies 30 Year GG Deathaversary Tour (Playing a full set of all old GG songs) with local lineup Psycho, Midnight Creeps, Scümbari - At Alchemy, Provi, RI Doors 7pm Music 7:30pm - FB page.

August 19 & 20, 2023 (Sat & Sun) In Between Days Festival - 2 Stages, 2 Days, 24 bands ... and Cool Vintage and Local Market Place, Vinyl Record Pop Up Shop, Food, Modest Mouse , Weakened Friends, Paper Tigers, Clarissa Johnson, Dutch Tulips and the South Shore’s own Gypsy Moths. You'll want to get your tickets now because they have a ‘tier’ system. They have some lame "tier" ticket scheme so the longer you wait the higher the ticket prices are. FB page

October 11, 2023 (Wednesday) The Mission UK & The Chameleons: Deja Vu Tour 2022 Rescheduled to 2023!!! also on the bill Theatre of Hate

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.