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The BGN News Archive
It seems like Jonathan Richmond was on to something. Maybe Picasso WAS an asshole as he sang in his 1972 song (released in 1976). That’s what this article in Far Out magazine claims. As they make their case they quote Richmond from the Boston Groupie News interview that we did in 1980! (read the full BGN interview here) They say: “I read about him when I was 18. I moved to New York and was intimidated by these girls who I thought were attractive,” Richman told Boston Groupie News in 1980. “I was afraid to approach them. I didn’t have too high a self-image. I was self-conscious, and I thought, ‘Well, Pablo Picasso, he’s only 5 foot 3, but he didn’t let things like that bother him.’ So I made up this song right after I saw those girls. You can picture it; I had this sad little look on my face, and I was thinking, ‘Why am I so scared to approach these girls?’ That was a song of courage for me.” Also it is widely known that Picasso was in fact an asshole.
The New Frustrations have a six song EP coming out. They have a release party on October 28 at the Midway. Also on the bill is Stop Calling Me Frank, The Grommets and State of the Union. The New Frustrations have gone through a few phases in their time as a band. They really haven’t got the credit for the quality pop rock they have given us live and on recordings. If you go to Bandcamp and check out their EPs you will find some new favorite songs. We heard their new EP and it’s even a step up from their previous work. This one is absolutely solid six pop songs in a row with guitars crankin’. The recording was done at Woolly Mammoth and it has that going for it on top of the songs. More than a few times they remind you of the Neighborhoods! Our favorite moment is when they tag on the end of “Roadrunner” to the finish of the first song.
The Rock and Roll Rumble is April 4 to May 4 at the Middle East and Sonia. If you’re in a band and qualify, the submission form is online here .
We were struck by how things have changed. Would there have been an article like this in 1981 when SSD and hardcore began? No, of course not. Hardcore was not seen as respectable by the arbiters of established social standards. The established rock and roll world distained it. That’s why we respect that early hardcore gang. They fought for everything they got. They had to find their own clubs. They worked to get recorded. Punk, a few years before, went through the same thing. It’s gratifying to see people’s attitudes change. There’s that feeling that ‘we were right’ and they missed out on some exciting music and times because they couldn’t see its value in the time it was happening. We feel vindicated when records we bought back in the day go for insanely high prices now. Sometimes you just have to live long enough.... The article in the Globe if you can get by the paywall…
Bootleg Dan is working hard to get Boston bands appreciated in other areas....
He also has Kenne Highland's Airforce taking a short road trip too: Thursday Oct 26 Erie, PA, Friday October 27 Syracuse, NY and Saturday Oct 28th Parkside Lounge NYC. He's got Handsome Dick Manitoba coming to New England too...check the gig listings below (scroll down!)
Rick Berlin's Nickel and Dime Band are opening for the Violent Femmes at the MGM Music Hall on Friday October 13. Rick met Gordan Gano at Doyle’s Café in 2011. The Femmes will be playing the whole first album. Tickets!
Most Boston music fans know by now that the Dropkick Murphys got their name from a wrestler who started a detox center in Acton, Ma. Now, Globe reporter Emily Sweeney has written a book titled Dropkick Murphy: A Legendary Life. There’s an article in the Boston Globe about the book with some photos You can get the book here VIDEOS.....
Geoff Palmer has been very active these last few months. His new album is coming out and he’s been giving teasers for that. We spotlighted the video for “Give it Up” two weeks ago . Now we have a video for another song off the An Otherwise Negative Situation album called “In the Grooves.” This is a song of praise for vinyl records. We love the sentiments of the lyrics.We find the chorus of “In the Grooves” uplifting as he sings of hearing the voices of past singers that give him inspiration. We think Geoff has been on a winning streak with his latest work. Here’s a third single from the new album that is on Spotify
We featured Canadian rockers Danko Jones for their song “Good Times” in July. It had the chorus, “we came to fuck shit up and have a good time.” That hedonistic attitude continues on another song, “Get High”, off their new album Electric Sounds. The video features piles of weed. The band sound is mainstream hard rock. It’s very palatable like Cheap Trick or Kiss. We’ve heard the album and it is a non-stop rocking piece of work, eleven cuts that sound like these two songs in the videos. RADIO...... Key of Caustic have been making the rounds getting attention for their new album Unleased produced by legendary producer Paul Kolderie. On A Crash Course for the Ravers this week Brian played the first song from the album “Big City Disease”. The song took from the debates around dealing with Covid. The song is now out on the streaming platforms. Here it is on Spotify below.
Brian also played “Bullet In My Head” and “Secrets and Lies” from the album, first time on the air for them. The idea of the album is make music like the NY Dolls, Misfits, Ramones or Sex Pistols but doing it now with a modern spin. To listen to that show go to the WMFO Schedule page and the A Crash Course for the Ravers show at 1pm Saturday then hit the archive button. PODCASTS........ Here’s your weekly hit of Glam from the Elastic Glam Breakfast Show. They played “Back Off Bugaloo” by Ringo who revealed that the song was inspired by Marc Bolan. Later they played “Life’s A Gas” sung by Marc Bolan and Cilla Black. Here’s a video of that. The also played “Ballroom Blitz” which never gets old. A new one to us was The Fratellis doing “Easy Action”.
Marc Bolan is the subject of a movie made in England titled Angelheaded Hipster - The Songs of Marc Bolan and T Rex. It will be out in the UK on September 22 and on home entertainment (streaming services) on November 6. The film has interviews with Nick Cave and Billy Idol. It’s directed by Ethan Silverman and produced by Bill Curbishley (The Who’s manager). It's got the same name as the Bolan Tribute Album (which is available to buy on line) An article on the movie is on the Evening Standard website NEW MUSIC/CDs......
Stars Like Ours is a bulldozer on their new EP Better Every Day!! They sound BIG all the time. That bass/drum sound is just pumping every second. There’s a wonderful melodicism that sweeps though “What’s Going Wrong.” It’s not a hook in the verse or chorus, it inhabits the whole song. That’s the case with the other songs too. In “Winding Down” Michelle Paulhus captures you with her vocals and they carries you along. The way she parses out the phrases is a signature move. The recording is a knockout. It was done at Q Division Studios and Klub Kent Studios (Quincy). We also have to acknowledge Tom Polce who mixed and mastered this vibrant sounding EP. and you can get it from Rum Bar records on Bandcamp!!
Dream of a Man in a Top Hat is two ex-members of Native Tongue who were a cutting edge Boston band in the 80s. Their current material is electronic based. After a few singles they now have a nine cut album. They still have that post punk influence in the music along with some more melodic moments. We like “Eggshell Minefield” because it has drive and an easy flow. Like most of the songs there are a lot of details in the arrangement that keep your ears busy.
The Hi-End have their 11 cut album, Nothing to Hide, up on Bandcamp. They've put seven previously released single releases on the album and that doesn’t dilute the album experience at all. It’s that line up of unrelenting rocking that makes the album. All in a row you feel like you’re getting hammered. Try to keep up with these guys. We love the recording which was done at New Alliance. The drums and bass create a thundering undercurrent that gives every song its excitement. The guitar work is stellar whether it rhythm work, added touches or soloing. Johnny Carlevale brings every song home. The band is so good they need a commanding vocalist like him to top it off. Two covers by The Dictators and Cock Sparrer show where some of their influences come from. They have two songs on Bandcamp to hear but you really need to hear the whole album at once to get the impact of what they have done.
We were early on Glory, the new Barrence Whitfield & The Savages album last week. Right now it’s on all the platforms – Bandcamp, Apple and Spotify. Our advice - get in there and soak it up!! Barrence and the group still have the passion. It’s in every song. When people talk about drums stomping…this is what they are talking about. Peter Greenberg on guitar knows how to make a few notes do all the work. His notes sting, sing, singe, rasp, rattle or some other type of texture. And Barrence’s voice…well, you know. Our picks to click: “Right Hand Man”, “Rumble Strip” and “Killing Time”.
We saw Boston’s The Evil Streaks in 2016 They were fun garage rock. Their new single “Satan’s Satellite” is garage on steroids. It’s got a garage sound with heavy organ but they add some moments that take from surf/instrumental music. They whip up a lot of excitement in the playing. We only want more of this.
The new song by the Beatersband from Italy comes with a video. “Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye” tells the tragic story of some sort. There are many references to dead rock stars in the video, we assume that is involved. It seems Eddie gave it all up for Love. The music is punked up fifties rock. It’s a mini Rock Opera. The song is below, the video is also on the Bandcamp page and here
Here's some good shows coming up .....
September 19, 2023 (Tuesday) Punk Band (Bob Cenci) at The Midway Matinee Show- and Bob says:"Okay Jerry's Kids fans.. my band, "Rockin Bob From Jerry's Kids aka Jerry's Kids Forever and Ever Until we Die" has added Authentic Blazing Hardcore Versions of Jerry's Kids Classics like 'Build Me A Bomb' and 'I Don't Belong' and 'Lost' to our set list.. and there is still time to add more.. we are not going to do this all the time.." September 19, 2023 (Tuesday) Ash Code, Pilgrims of Yearning, Ghost Painted Sky at The Middle East Up September 20, 2023 (Wednesday) Captain Easychord, Fast Tracks, Johnny Plankton, Glowbox at The Silhouette September 21, 2023 (Thursday) Split Squad , Shang Hi Los, Speed Fossil, at The Stone Church Newmarket NH September 22, 2023 (Friday) Hardcore Stadium Presents: Sheer Terror, A Poor Excuse, Nothing But Enemies, American War Machine, ICU, The Rejekts, Poor Impulse Control - Middle East Down - tix September 22, 2023 (Friday) Silver Screams, Oak Fallen and Wirelines at The Square Root September 22, 2023 (Friday) Ruby Grove, The Endorphins, When Particles Collide, Linnea's Garden at The Jungle
September 22, 2023 (Friday) CE Skidmore, The Downhauls, Cape Crush at Koto, Salem September 23, 2023 (Saturday) Baabes, Muzzins, The Grommets at Bone Up Brewing Company - DAY TIME SHOW 2-7PM FB page September 23, 2023 (Saturday) TJ Welch and the Wasted, The Lookout Honeys, Hilken Mancini Band, Christian Kids at The Midway September 23, 2023 (Saturday) Eddie Japan, The Evil Streaks, Hambone Skinny at Faces Malden September 23, 2023 (Saturday) Fluff Fest After Party with Field Day, Looking Glass War, Horse Fly Gulch, Parenting at The Jungle September 23, 2023 (Saturday) Muzak, Foxy Grandpa, Ski Club at The Silhouette September 23, 2023 (Saturday) 2023 Punks for Pets (#16!!) with The Agents, Vague, Sourpunch, Starbath, Shirley Drive, Musclecah, Crossbite - outside at NickANee's (Indoors if it rains) Something from the wish list is your ticket in. See the Wishlist on the Facebook event page. September 24, 2023 (Sunday) Key of Caustic, Tyler & The Names, Stop Calling Me Frank for an early 4PM show at The Worthen Attic, Lowell. September 24, 2023 (Sunday) Split Squad, Brad Marino, Tiger Bomb, at Geno's Portland, ME
September 26, 2023 (Tuesday) Anti-Heros, Legion 76, The Antagonizers - Middle East Down September 28, 2023 (Thursday) Dead Boys, GLiDER, Midnight Creeps, One Fall at Alchemy Provi RI. FB page. September 29, 2023 (Friday) Kurt Baker record release show with Bad Idea USA and Nate Doyle at Faces Malden TIX! September 29, 2023 (Friday) Anti Heros, Legion 76, Antagonizers, Blood Stained Brindle, Absuctors - Middle East Down. September 29, 2023 (Friday) The Fleshtones + The Nervous Eaters at Cafe Nine - New Haven CT- FB page September 30, 2023 (Saturday) The New England Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame Awards ceremony is at The Regent Theater. Perfromign wil be Mach Bell Experience, Robin Lane, Lizzie Borden & Axes at Regent Theater Arlington MA - New England Music Hall of Fame Live Awards and Performances. Tickets September 30, 2023 (Saturday) Forever’s Fallen Grace, Dark Rain, Authentic Descent, Third Knuckle, Renegade Cartel, Anu Dysfunction at The Peabody VFW Fidelity Post 1011. Facebook page 6 bands only $10!! September 30, 2023 (Saturday) The Woo Music Review is at the Raven in Worcester.... there are 14 bands, starting at 2PM, including Thigh Scrapers, Musclecah, and Wrought Iron Hex. Check out the FB page for times and bands.
October 6, 2023 (Friday) Crow Follow at The Parkside Lounge NYC October 7, 2023 (Saturday) Agent Orange, Spice Pistols, Baabes at The Middle East Down October 7, 2023 (Saturday) The Long Wait, The USM, Sonic Bomb at Faces Brewing Malden October 7, 2023 (Saturday) The Courettes, The Devils Twins, Thee Fabulous Itchies at Askew in Provi RI October 8, 2023 (Sunday) The Scurvy Dog Parking Lot Mega show 2-10 PM - Here's a list of bands (Last to first) Rockin’ Bob Punk Band, Sire, Chew, Vudu Sister, the Slashers, Epochsis, Some Kind of Nightmare, Grip Bite, Salem Wolves, the Moodrunners - cehcek the FB page for times. October 9, 2023 (Monday) Black Beach, Saturniids, Astral Bitch, Bad//Verb at The Silhouette October 9, 2023 (Monday) Great Falls, Miracle Blood, Bed Time Magic, Don't Grow Old at O'Brien's October 9, 2023 (Monday) Voided Shape, Cotter Champlin Group, Mad Painter at The Jungle - music starts at 6:30PM!!
October 11, 2023 (Wednesday) The Mission UK & The Chameleons: Deja Vu Tour 2022 Rescheduled to 2023!!! also on the bill Theatre of Hate October 12, 2023 (Thursday) Sydney Valette, Looking Glass War, Goiter at O'Brien's October 12, 2023 (Thursday) The Len Price 3, The Chelsea Curve, Cynz, Tiger Bomb. at Geno's Portland, ME October 13, 2023 (Friday) Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight, Your Friends In Hell, American Ocelot, Thou Merciless Graves at Faces Brewery Malden October 13, 2023 (Friday) The Len Price 3, The Chelsea Curve, Muck & The Mires at The Burren Backroom, October 14, 2023 (Saturday) Son of a Gun, The Legendary Brewmasters, The Ballbusters, Linwood Strange at The Midway - 3PM matinee October 14, 2023 (Saturday) Hammered Saint, Tiger Bomb, Greg Allen's Fringe Religion, Warthog at The Jungle MUSIC AT 8PM October 14, 2023 (Saturday) Murphy's Law, The Rumjacks, Bar Stool Preachers at Deep Cuts Medford
October 15, 2023 (Sunday) Honey Cassette, Miss Geo, Thrust Club at Once at The Rockwell - 6: 30PM early show. October 20, 2023 (Friday) The Jacklights, Double Star (EP Release Party!), Harry & The Hot Flashes at The Square Root October 20, 2023 (Friday) Bootleg Dan Presents Ivan Julian, Muck & The Mires, Judy Ann Nock at The Burren - 6PM show!!! FB page October 20, 2023 (Friday) The Zip-Ups, Magen Tracy & the Missed Connections, Stars Like Ours at Sally O'Brien's October 20, 2023 (Friday) Jonathan Richman is at The Somerville Theatre Tickets!! October 20, 2023 (Friday) Wreckless Wreck Chords presents Wreck-O-Ween at The C Note This is a TWO day event - Day 1 - Barfight Champs, War Graves, Mitch Kramer, Screams Of Hockomock, Witches Tears, Hardwired, Barry Larry Tickets here. $25 for both days Day 1 FB page October 21, 2023 (Saturday) Wreckless
Wreck Chords presents Wreck-O-Ween at The C Note - Day 2 -
Worm ( as Misfits for Halloween Guest Singers) October 21, 2023 (Saturday) Psych-O-Postive featured on A.C.C.F.T.R. WMFO 1-4PMS
October 21, 2023 (Saturday) Here they come, the Halloween shows....Halloween Kick Off Cover Extravaganza - post punk cover bands are ready to get you into the costuming swing: Gretchen and The Banshees, Staring at the Sea (The Cure), The Devil (The Pixies). Plus the whole night will be MCed by the most fabulous Gene Dante! Dress to impress. Dress to win! It's at Once at Arts @ The Armory. Tix October 25, 2023 (Wednesday) The Zip-Ups, Magen Tracy & the Missed Connections, Stars Like Ours, at Sally O'Brien's October 26, 2023 (Thursday) Mudhoney at The Brighton Music Hall 18+ TIX October 27, 2023 (Friday) Darkbuster, Working Poor USA, Noi!se, Battery March, The Stress at Sonia. SORRY SOLD OUT already! October 28, 2023 (Saturday) The New Frustrations, State of the Union, The Grommets, Stop Calling Me Frank at The Midway for a 3PM matinee show. October 29, 2023 (Sunday) GBH and NIIS at The Middle East down. Tickets November 1, 2023 (Wednesday) Handsome Dick Manitoba playing classic punk including The Dictators songs - Garage B Brighton MA November 2, 2023 (Thursday) Handsome Dick Manitoba playing classic punk including The Dictators songs at Geno'sd POrtland, ME November 3, 2023 (Friday) Modern Day Idols Single Release Party with Tad Overbaugh and the Late Arrivals at Square Root, Roslindale.
November 5, 2023 (Sunday) Handsome Dick Manitoba playing classic punk including The Dictators songs at The Music Room in Yarmouth November 9, 2023 (Thursday) The Cocktail Slippers, The Chelsea Curve at Cafe Nine New Haven, CT November 10, 2023 (Friday) The Cocktail Slippers (Norway), Diamond Dogs (Sweden), Soraia at The Burren Back Room November 11, 2023 (Saturday) KLYAM's annual Rama Lama Ding Dong Fest! with Johnny & The Foodmasters, Balaclava (NY), Gossip Collar (ex-Spitz), Nurse Joy, Orange Whip (new band with members of Funeral Cone/Ancient Filth) at O'Brien's Tickets November 11, 2023 (Saturday) The Cocktail Slippers (Norway), Diamond Dogs (Sweden), Soraia, Tiger Bomb at Geno's Portland, ME November 12, 2023 (Sunday) Cynz, USM, C.E. Skidmore, The DFB at The Worthen House Attic November 12, 2023 (Sunday) Diamond Dogs, Soraia at Divine Theater, Holyoke MA November 15 - 18, 2023 (Weds - Sat) International Pop Overthrow at The Square Root Rosindale
November 17, 2023 (Friday) Tribute night to your favorite goth & post-punk bands: Staring At the Sea performing The Cure and Gretchen & the Banshees performing Siouxsie & the Banshees at The Midway November 18, 2023 (Saturday) The Fast Tracks, Hammered Saint, The Spackles, Sex Zombies - a 3PM Matinee at The Midway November 18, 2023 (Saturday) Color Killer, Rockin' Bob PunkBand at the Middle East - Matinee show starts at Noon!! December 8, 2023 (Friday) Huck 2, Gretchen Shae and The Middle Eight and Key of Caustic at Koto Underground, Salem December 9, 2023 (Saturday) Connor Storms, Fire King, Crow Follow at The Square Root 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!! 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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The Boston Globe had an article on the SSD’s
How Much Art Can You Take? book release party at the Aloft
Hotel in the Seaport District. The article included three of
Philin Phlash’s photos too.
He's got The Chelsea Curve taking a short road trip: Thursday
Sept. 21 is Buffalo, NY at Stamps the Bar, Friday Sept. 22 is Rochester, NY
at Loving Cup and Saturday Sept. 23 is Erie PA at Philly on the Rocks. 
BOOKS......
September 18, 2023 (Monday) Mirrored
Hell, Phagotcyte, Cigarette Camp at The Silhouette
September 22, 2023 (Friday) Minibeast, Valley of Weights, Strange Pains at
Faces Malden
September 26, 2023 (Tuesday) Dead
Boys, Nervous Eaters, The Plimsouls at The Middle East Up 
October 6, 2023 (Friday) A Night
for Justine (Justine Covault Triobute show) with Quest For
Tuna, The Croaks, The Black Threads with guests, The Bags, Dink Pinkerman, Tom
Baker and the Double Down, The Unclean with guests - at The Crystal
Ballroom 
October 11, 2023 (Wednesday) Nick
Cave Book Signing - a signing of Faith, Hope and Carnage at
The Harvard Square Bookstore NOON - sold out- sorry!
October 14, 2023 (Saturday) The
Len Price 3, Palmyra Delran and the Doppel Gang, Steve Krebs and The Maynard
G's at Parkside Lounge NYC
October 21, 2023 (Saturday) Psych-O-Postive
NYC, Classic Ruins, Little Billy Lost at The Square Root 
November 3, 2023 (Friday) Handsome
Dick Manitoba playing classic punk including The Dictators songs at
Race Street Live Holyoke, MA
November 16, 2023 (Thursday) Cocktail
Slippers, Muck and the Mires, Stigmatics, Sourpunch at Alchemy Providence
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