Up to Eleven

This Friday's date is November 11. 2011 (11-11-11) and has been declared Nigel Tufnel Day, Nigel's scene in the mockumentary "Spinal Tap" is classic among rock music fans. See the clip below.

Here's my Top 11 songs to turn up to 11

1. Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Nevermind
2. AC/DC "Back in Black", Back in Black
3. Metallica "Enter Sandman", The Black Album
4. The Replacements :Alex Chilton", Pleased to Meet Me
5. The Clash "The Clampdown", London Calling
6. The Strokes, "The End Has No End", Room on Fire
7. Gang of Four "I Found That Esssence Rare", Entertainment!
8. Uncle Tupelo "Graveyard Shift", No Depression
9. The White Stripes "Hardest Button to Button", Elephant
10. Talking Heads "Found a Job", More Songs About Buildings and Food
11. Drive-By Truckers "Sink Hole", Decoration Day

Boston Music Awards

The 24th annual Boston Music Awards will be held at the Liberty Hotel on Sunday, Nov 20 (the weekend before Thanksgiving). It can be pretty chaotic and hard to get around, but it's also a lot of fun. Limited tickets for the event (awards and performances) are available and benefit Music Drives Us.

Here's a video by Time Out Boston from last year's shindig, which includes some performance clips from 2010 winners Dom (song of the year), M-Dot (hip hop) and Barry & The Remains (Hall of Fame) :

Boston Music Awards 2011 Recap (for Time Out Boston) from Extraneous Noise on Vimeo.

More info:

• bostonmusicawards2011.com
• musicdrivesus.org/boston-music-awards-2011.aspx
• facebook.com/BostonMusicAwards
• bostonmusicspotlight.com
• boston.com/ae/music/packages/bma/gallery/2010winners

Lucero NYE

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

Lucero plays Paradise on Dec 31, 2011. Although it's unrelated, that's the same night as First Night Boston, so there will be lots and lots of people in town that night and lots to do before the show...

Allmusic.com said of Lucero's "Dreaming in America":

Flying by the seat of their pants, Southern indie rockers Lucero have eked out a career in music despite never receiving a royalty check from their first record company and watching their second label close its doors right as the band was getting hot. Add a charismatic, heartfelt ruffian as lead singer, a never-ending tour schedule, and a Replacements-like show that's brilliance on the brink of drunken disaster, and you've got one heck of a story.

Video: Lucero Live @ CBGB

 

When I saw them in 2009, they reminded me more of Uncle Tupelo than The Replacements, but I'm a big fan of both and never got to see either. Lucero have a rabid following, many who sing along and shout requests, even this far north of their Memphis home. They play for two hours without a set list and honor most requests; even if they're not sure they can remember the words. They rock. Go see them, if you can.

Official website: luceromusic.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Lucero

John Peel

 John Peel (30 August, 1939 – 25 October, 2004) was a famous radio DJ and one of the rare non-musicians whose impact in shaping modern music was greater than those of many of the musicians that he championed. October 25 marks the anniversary of his passing approaches, described as "the day the music died" by The London Evening Standard. I came across some great tributes to the man; including John Peel Day events listed at the #KeepingItPeel website and the documentary "John Peel's Record Box", shown below.

The videos below are described by JohnPeel3904 as a documentary that was "first shown on Channel 4 in 2005, looking at the most prized records in John Peel's huge record collection, which he kept stored in a special box. Looks at the music and artists featured in those special records and at the music tastes of John Peel. Also includes interviews with family and friends, including wife Sheila Ravenscroft, son Tom (who was also involved in its production) and brother Alan; DJs Mary Anne Hobbs, Paul Gambaccini and Marc Riley; artists Elton John, Ronnie Wood (Faces), Roger Daltrey (Who), Fergal Sharkey (Undertones), Jack White (White Stripes), Mark E. Smith and Brixa Smith (Fall), Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt (Status Quo), Billy Bragg, Daman Albarn (Blur) and Pete Wylie (Wah!); plus schoolmate Michael Palin."

"Teenage dreams, so hard to beat" - John Peel's epitaph

Lucinda Williams "Copenhagen"

Official video for "Copenhagen" from Lucinda Williams' "Blessed". The hauntingly beautiful song was inspired by the loss of her manager Frank Callari, who died suddenly when she was touring in Europe,




Lucinda Williams plays Capitol Center for the Arts on Fri, November 4.

The Lemonheads Do Ray, The Pixies Doolittle

Two of Boston's best bands will be doing their best albums in their entirety live, so you may want to get your tickets soon.

Both albums are considered to be among the greatest of all time. According to Best Ever Albums, "Doolittle" is ranked at 21 and "Ray" at 881. One could argue about the order, but both would be in my Top 100 albums of all-time and Ray would be higher on my list.

The Lemonheads will be doing "It's a Shame About Ray" (1992) at Paradise on Oct 12 and Pearl Street in Northampton on Oct 15.

The Pixies have done their album "Doolittle" (1989) in major cities, but are bringing it The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Oct 30 and the State Theatre in Portland, ME on Nov 1 as part of their Lost Cities tour.

Music by the Sea

The Music-by-the-Sea Concert Series will be held at the Seacoast Science Center in the beautiful Odiorne State Park in Rye, NH. Gates open at 5pm and the music starts at 6pm. The cost is $8 for non-members, $4 for SSC members and all proceeds support the environmental education programs at SSC. 

2011 Concert Schedule
 

July 7 Islandside: reggae-calypso
July 14 Entrain: rock-blues-calypso-ska-zydeco-jazz-funk
July 21 Gnarlemagne: funk-blues-soul-classic rock, dance ban
July 28 Jumbo Circus Peanuts: pop-funk-swing- rock, mardis gras style big band

For more info

http://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/events/

Summer Music North

FYI, here's a couple of FREE outdoor music series north of Boston.
Bring your own chair.

Backyard Music series

Tsongas Arena, Lowell

http://www.tsongascenter.com/event_details.php?id=107

Join us behind the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, along the scenic Merrimack River for our new Backyard Music Series!  Bring the entire family down with your blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy the beautiful Summer weather with an evening of FREE music. Food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at each show.

Thurs. June 30 - Island Castaways (Jimmy Buffet Tribute)
Thurs. July 14 - Jen Kearney & the Lost Onion
Thurs. July 21 - Yani Batteau & the Styles
Thurs. August 4 - Richard James & the Name Changers
Thurs. August 11 - The Flip
Thurs. August 18 - Melvern Taylor & his Fabulous Meltones

*All shows 6PM - 8 PM
** In the event of rain shows will be moved into the Tsongas Center lobby

Intown Manchester Summer Concert Series

Veteran's Park, Manchester, NH

http://www.intownmanchester.com/press_release.php?id=579

2011 TD Bank Summer Concert Series at Veterans Park. All shows begin at 7pm and are free and open to the public. Donations for the series will be accepted at park entrances and throughout the evening by volunteers from the Palace Theatre. Food and non-alcoholic drink will be available for purchase on sight. 

Be sure to bring a comfortable lawn chair or blanket and catch these phenomenal acts under the stars in downtown’s best outdoor venue at Veterans Park:

JULY 7th – WHOSE MUDDY SHOES?

The Whose Muddy Shoes acoustic band emphasizes high energy arrangements with full bodied vocal harmony, playing blues, jazz, swing, folk, country and other classic Americana along with original tunes. The quartet features acoustic guitar, bass, clarinet and saxophone, with three and four part vocal harmony.

Whose Muddy Shoes has been together for over ten years as an acoustic quartet, and has played in Boston and New England venues including Club Passim, Johnny D's, the Newburyport Waterfront concert series and New Year's First Night, the Blackthorne Tavern, and the Colonial Inn, and the former Old Vienna. http://www.facebook.com/whosemuddyshoes

JULY 21st – ALTERNATE ROUTES
The Alternate Routes were formed as an outgrowth of a meeting between songwriting partners Eric Donnelly (lead guitar) and Tim Warren (lead vocals, guitar) at Fairfield University in Connecticut. Expanding to a five-piece and based at one point in Boston, the band was working out of Bridgeport, CT. Whatever fate has in store for this promising young band, it’s sure to make for a good story…and an even better song. The Alternate Routes have never been afraid to roll the dice during their brief and turbulent journey, always relying upon their heartfelt brand of music to pull them through the ups and downs that come with the territory. It’s a trait evident in their powerful Vanguard Records debut, Good and Reckless and True, a memorable, incredibly confident opening statement from a band that takes nothing for granted. The album emphasizes straightforward guitar rock, with occasional gentler songs more in the singer/songwriter style.
http://thealternateroutes.com

JULY 28th – ROCKSPRING
Formerly known as The Verbs, Rockspring is a high energy five-piece string band that has quickly gained a strong following in the New England region. Combining original songwriting with eclectic cover choices, Rockspring puts on an incredibly entertaining live show that makes people dance out of their shoes into the wee hours of the night.
Bending bluegrass, rock and various other influences, Rockspring not only appeals to bluegrass fans, but also to pop, rock, alternative folk and country ...
http://www.facebook.com/Rockspring.Music

AUGUST 4th – AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER

MTV Video Music Award Nominee and 2010 Boston Music Conference Winners Air Traffic Controller have teamed up with legendary power-pop maestro/producer, Bleu, and signed on with Sugarpop Records. Their extraordinary debut album, “The One” has been shaking up the airwaves in 2010 and into 2011. Serving in the US Navy as a real-life air traffic controller, singer/songwriter Dave Munro sent home 4-track demo tapes of songs written during his deployment. With his enlistment up, Munro returned to hometown Boston and discovered an impressive number of fans, prompting the genesis of the aptly-named rock band Air Traffic Controller. Accolades and award nominations soon followed; as did airplay on tastemaker radio stations such as WFNX and WERS, and coverage in publications such as Business Week, Boston Herald, Performer Magazine, Boston Globe and the Boston Phoenix.
http://www.airtrafficcontrollermusic.com

Treat Her Right

Treat Her Right will be doing a live recording at Lizard Lounge on Wed, Apr 27, 2011. Special guests will include Tim Gearan, Monique Ortiz, Jess Tardy and more. I recently saw them put on a blazing set at this year's New England Americana Festival, so saying that this promises to be a great show would be an understatement. Advance tickets suggested.

Born in the Boston area around 1984, Treat Her Right was a band with a sound ahead of it's time. Fronted by David Champagne on slide guitar, Mark Sandman on low guitar, Jimmy Fitting on harmonica and Billy Conway on cocktail drum, Treat Her Right was said to have a style that encompassed rock & roll, rockabilly, blues-rock, and swamp-rock, all with post-punk attitude...cowpunk. Cambridge on any given night? 

Here's a vintage Treat Her Right video, featuring Mark Sandman and filmed at The Plough and Stars in the late '80's.

 

Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/5804

Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116843841666500

Cure for Pain: The Mark Sandman Story

Cure for Pain: The Mark Sandman Story is a film on the life and music of the former frontman for Boston's “low rock” band Morphine. Sandman tragically died on stage in 1999 at the age of 46. His impact on the Cambridge and Boston music scene is still felt today.

Mark's vision lives on in the Mark Sandman Music Project. His music lives on in Elastic Waste Band (former members of Morphine) at Atwoods Tavern on Wednesday nights and Treat Her Right (Mark's earlier band) at Toad on alternate Sunday nights.

The film will be shown on Fri, Apr 29 at 10PM as part of the Independent Film Festival Boston.

Foo Fighters new film and album

"Back and Forth" the 2011 documentary on Foo Fighters is now airing on VH1. It's pretty good, so check local listings. The Foos will be the musical guest on Saturday Night Live tonight (Apr 9).

The Foos new album "“Wasting Light” was recorded in Dave's garage, on tape (no Pro Tools), produced by Butch Vig ("Nevermind") and features appearances by Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) and Bob Mould (Husker Du/Sugar). I'll listen...

NEAF 2011 Schedule

It looks like a great line-up for the annual 3-night New England Americana Festival (NEAF) at Church. Hope to see you there!

Official website: http://www.newenglandamericanafestival.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188885037809233 

Here's a semi-official schedule from http://www.narragansettbeer.com/2011/03/win-tickets-to-the-new-england-americana-festival

Festival Night One . Thursday, March 31st @ Church $10
Ticket Link : http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/29719

Main Stage:
6:40 . 7:10 Sam Otis Hill
7:20 . 7:50 Rationales
8:00 . 8:30 The Molenes
8:40 . 9:10 Jonny and the Molasses Band
9:20 . 9:50 Highway Ghosts
10:00-10:50 Sarah Borges
11:00 . 11:50 Will Dailey & The Rivals
12:00 . 12:30 Comanchero

Host Stage:
6:40-7:40 Patrick Coman
8:00-8:30 Jeff Conley
10:-10:50 Adela & Jude of They Will Hate Us

Festival Night Two . Friday, April 1st @ Church $12
Ticket Link : http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/29721

Main Stage:
6:50 . 7:20 Susan Cattaneo Band
7:30 . 8:00 Abbie Barrett & Sarah Blacker
8:10 . 8:40 This Way
8:50 . 9:20 Tom Hagerty Band
9:30 . 10:00 Jeff Byrd & Dirty Finch
10:10 . 10:40 John Colvert & The Great Brighton Fire
10:50 . 11:30 Treat Her Right
11:40 . 12:20 Dennis Brennan Quatro
12:30 . 1:00 Big East

Host Stage:
6:50-7:20 Mount Peru acoustic
8:50-9:20 Audrey Ryan
10:50-11:30 The Highland Drifters

Festival Night Three . Saturday, April 2nd @ Church $12
Ticket Link: http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/29723

Main Stage:
6:00 . 6:30 Kieran Ridge Band
6:40 . 7:10 Sam Wheeler
7:20 . 7:50 The Resurrectionists
8:00 . 8:30 Glen Yoder & His Merry Band
8:40 . 9:10 Cactus Attack
9:20 . 9:50 Chasing Blue
10:00 . 10:30 Coyote Kolb
10:40 . 11:10 Sam Reid & The Riot Act
11:20 . 12:20 Jimmy Ryan, Tim Gearan, Eric Royer,
Christian McNeill, .Gearna, Royer, Ryan, and McNeill.
12:30 . 1:00 Three Day Threshold

Host Stage:
6:00-6:30 The Whiskey Boys
8:00-8:30 Mr. Sister
10:00-10:30 Eric Royer & his Guitar Machine

3 Day Pass . $25
http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/29729

See the Calendar for more shows you should know

Rolling Record Store at Newport

The full announcement is now at http://www.newportfolkfest.net/

The 2011 acts include Amos Lee, BrownBird, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Delta Spirit, Devil Makes Three, Earl Scruggs, Elvis Costello, Gillian Welch, Justin Townes Earle, Mavis Staples, M. Ward, Middle Brother, Rambin' Jack Elliot, Tegan & Sara, The Civil Wars, The David Wax Museum, The Decemberists, The Secret Sisters, The Wailin' Jennys, Trampled By Turtles, Trombone Shorty, Wanda Jackson and more!

Plus Third Man's Rolling Record Store... If you haven't seen Jack White's Rolling Record Store, check out this video teaser.

Jack White and Seasick Steve did a couple of songs in front of the van at SXSW. I wouldn't be too surprised to see him at Newport, since he played on and/or produced records with both Wanda Jackson and Secret Sisters.

 
See the Calendar for more shows you should know

"Color Me Obsessed" at IFFBoston 2011

"Color Me Obsessed" 

the potentially true story of the last best band, The Replacements

The new documentary film on The Replacements will be shown at Independent Film Festival Boston, Apr 27 - May 4. Films will be shown at Sommerville, Brattle, and Coolidge Corner Theatres, as well as Stuart Street Playhouse.

I don't have specific info on this film, but am hoping to catch it. There are a few Boston musicians in the film (Dave Minehan, Dan Zanes), so hopefully there will be a Q&A session.

The complete film listing is http://www.iffboston.org/2011/filmlist.php

  The Replacements - Color Me Impressed by Pablo Coss

Update: The film will be shown on Thu, Apr 28 at 6:45PM as part of the Independent Film Festival Boston. There will be a Panel discussion of Rock Docs on Fri, Apr 29 at 3PM.

New England Americana Festival

The second annual New England Americana Festival will return to Church of Boston for three nights. The dates are Thu, Mar 31 through Apr 2, 2011. The lineups look great again this year and are listed below.

Thursday

Will Dailey & The Rivals, Sara Borges. Comanchero, Sam Otis Hill, Patrick Coman, Rationales, The Molenes, Jeff Conley, Johnny A and The Molasses Band, Highway Ghosts, Adela & Jude of They Will Hate Us

Friday

Dennis Brennan Quatro, Treat Her Right, Big East, The Highland Drifters, John Colvert & The Great Brighton Fire, Susan Cattaneo Band, Mount Peru, Abbie Barrett & Sarah Blacker, This Way, Tom Hagerty Band, Audrey Ryan, Jeff Byrd & Dirty Finch

Saturday

"Gearan, Royer, Ryan & McNeill", Three Day Threshold, Sam Reid & The Riot Act, Kieran Ridge Band, The Whiskey Boys, Sam Wheeler, The Resurrectionists, Glen Yoder & His Merry Band, Mr. Sister, Cactus Attack, Chasing Blue, Coyote Kolb, Eric Royer & his Guitar Machine

Festival attendees will get a copy of the excellent New England Americana Project CD. There will be a raffle to benefit Club Passim's Music Speaks initiative.

 For TICKETS and more info:

• http://www.newenglandamericana.com/
• http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188885037809233

New England Americana Project CD

The New England Americana Association (NEAA) is releasing it's "Americana Project" CD on March 13 at Church of Boston. The festivities kick off around 5 with a listening party, followed by live music from OldJack, Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons, and Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards.

• More info at www.newenglandamericanafestival.com
• www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125935610811589

Details on the album below:

“You’ll Be Mine” - Howlin’ Wolf (Willie Dixon)
Jeff Byrd - guitar / vox / harp
John Ransom - bass
Steve Dejufo - drums/percussion
Parker Richey - slide guitar
group vox, claps (Jeff B, John R, Steve , Parker , TubbyLove, Eric R., Noel C., Sam R., Jon A.)

“My Grandfathers Clock” - Henry Clay Work
Sam Reid - guitar/ backup vox
John Ransom - bass / lead vox
Steve - Percussion (drums and washboard)

“The Goodle Days” - John Hartford 

Eric Robertson - mandolin/vox

Tubby Love - guitar/vox
John Aanestad - fiddle/vox
hand claps/crowd - Jeff B, John R, Steve , Parker , TubbyLove, Eric R., Noel C., Sam R., Jon A.

“Stewball” - Woody Guthrie 

Dave Deluca - rhythm, lead vox

Matt Slowick - drummer, backup vox
Noel Coakley - backup vox, pedal steel
Abbie Barrett - banjo, backup vox
Sarah Blacker - backup vox
Dave Procaccini- bass

“On the Banks of the Ohio” - Carter Family (or earlier)
Sarah Blacker - mandolin, vocals
Abbie Barrett - banjo, vocals

“Be Here to Love Me” - Townes van Zandt
Rick Berlin - vocals, piano
Jesse Adams-Luokowski - guitar

“Freight Train” - Elizabeth Cotton
Chadley Kolb - guitar, lead vox
Matthew Maybruck - drums, backup vox
Sonny Jim - steel guitar, backup vox
Noel Coakley - pedal steel guitar, backup vox
Dave Deluca, Sam Reid, back up vox

“John the Revelator” - Blind Willie Johnson
Brendan Murphy - vocals
MorganEve Swain - vocals, fiddle
David Lamb - vocals, banjo
Mike Burke - electric guitar
Scott Marucci - upright bass
Todd Sampson - drums
Noel Coakley - pedal steel
Matthew Girard - trumpet, harmonium

“The Last Thing I Do” - Cat Mother
Dan Nicklin - lead vox
Lauren Pearl - lead vox
Matthew Girard - bass, trumpet
electric guitar, autoharp
acoustic guitar
Werlitzer organ
Todd Sampson - drums
Backup vox - Dan, Lauren, Noel,

“Bringing Mary Home”- Country Gentlemen
Jimmy Ryan - lead vox, mandolin
Eric Royer- banjo
Scott Marucci - standup bass
Sam Reid - guitar
Dave Deluca - drums
Noel Coakley - pedal steel

"Too Late" - The Consolers
Dennis Brennan vox/guitar and friends

"Delia’s Gone” - Johnny Cash
Evan Gavry - lead vox, rhythm
John Stump - bass, backup vox
PJ Aspesi - drums
Kier Bynres - lead electric
Dave Delaney - fiddle

Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble

The 24 bands have been selected for this year's Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble. It will be held over 9 nights at TT the Bear's beginning on Sun, Apr 3. The Semi-finals are Fri, Apr 15 and the Finals are Fri, Apr 22. Tickets are available at www.ttthebears.com/public/calendar.php

Some of the bands on the rootsier side include OldJack,  The Autumn Hollow Band and retro rockers Tired Old Bones and Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents. Lots of modern rockers, too.

Details at rockandrollrumble.com
History at www.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBCN_Rock_%26_Roll_Rumble

February Residency News

February is a great time to come in from the cold and catch a hot show. That is, if you can shovel yourself out, make it to the venue and find a parking spot.

Will Dailey & The Rivals is a "must-see" residency Thursday nights at Lizard Lounge in February. Will and his band are enough reason to get out, but wait there's more. They will also have special guests every week. Advance tickets are suggested. You can get them at brownpapertickets.com. Here's the special guest schedule:

• 2/3 with CHRISTIAN McNEILL and TIN CAN TELE
• 2/10 with KRISTIN CIFELLi and NICOLE NELSON
• 2/17 with OLD JACK AND JENNY DEE AND THE DEELINQUENTS
• 2/24 WITH BRIAN BERGERON AND THE RUSSIANS

Session Americana continues their Tuesday night residency at Lizard, but according to their mailing list "the residency will end this month and it could be a long while before another tuesday night - though we may stretch by one day into March if we can get a good guest band". Tickets available at brownpapertickets.com. Here's the special guest schedule:

• 2/1 - THE DAVID WAX MUSEUM
• 2/8 - DIETRICH STRAUSE AND BAND
• 2/15 - TBA
• 2/22 - THE RYAN MONTBLEAU BAND

The Get Backs will be at Rosebud Bar 9pm every Wednesday night in February and March. They bring authentic funk and soul with a great line-up (see below). Sounds like fun. For more info, see the Facebook event.

• U.B. Big-Vocals
• Sax Gordon-Sax
• Lyle Brewer Guitar
• Matthew Stubbs-Guitar
• Marc Hickox-Bass
• Charis Rivelli-Drums

The White Stripes Call it Quits

The White Stripes have officially called it quits. Thanks for the memories Jack and Meg! Here's the text from whitestripes.com:

The White Stripes would like to announce that today, February 2nd, 2011, their band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live.

The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg and Jack are feeling fine and in good health.

It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve What is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.

Meg and Jack want to thank every one of their fans and admirers for the incredible support they have given throughout the 13 plus years of the White Stripes’ intense and incredible career.

Third Man Records will continue to put out unreleased live and studio recordings from The White Stripes in their Vault Subscription record club, as well as through regular channels.

Both Meg and Jack hope this decision isn’t met with sorrow by their fans but that it is seen as a positive move done out of respect for the art and music that the band has  created. It is also done with the utmost respect to those fans who’ve shared in those creations, with their feelings considered greatly.

With that in mind the band have this to say:

“The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful.”

Sincerely,
Meg and Jack White
The White Stripes

Buffalo Tom "Skins"

"Skins", the new disc from Buffalo Tom is due out this winter. It's listed as 3.8.2011 on buffalotom.com. Check out their website for a free download. Here's the video for "Down" from "Skins".

Buffalo Tom will be heading to Europe in March. The tour dates are listed on Bill Janovitz' blog.

The Low Anthem

The Low Anthem have just released their new album "Smart Flesh" and are kicking off a new tour. Their Boston area show will be at Old South Church on Fri, March 4. Tickets available at royaleboston.com

Below is a haunting video for "Ghost Woman Blues", which they performed on Late Show with David Letterman on Jan 12, 2010.

I saw them at Johnny D's when they opened for Sarah Borges at Johnny D's a couple of years ago. I'll always remember them practicing harmonies a cappella in the alcove before the show.

I always liked the harmonies on "To Ohio" from their album "Oh My God Charlie Darwin".

   The Low Anthem, Oh My God Charlie Darwin - To Ohio by foundations

January Residency News

The Sea Monsters, winners of Best Residency in the 2010 Boston Music Awards finished up their SUN night run at Precinct. I'm hoping that they'll resurface in the year ahead. In the meantime, you can catch Christian McNeill with friends Tim Gearan, Jimmy Ryan and Eric Royer on WED nights at TOAD.

The Giant Kings finished their blazing December residency at Lizard. I was lucky enough to be there on the last night, which featured a finale with Peter Wolf.

The TUE night Session Americana residency at Lizard will feature Laura Cortese in January. She's a great fiddle player and has a beautiful country voice. Last month's guest was Duke Levine.

A new TUE residency at TOAD features The Wild Sea at 7pm and The Blue Ribbons at 10pm.

TUE night also continues with the most excellent dAVID jOHNSTON bAND at Bull McCabe's.You should go see them. It's a cool Irish pub and it's free.

A new WED residency at Rosebud features The Get Backs. This band will bring the funk and soul, with a great line-up including Lyle Bewer, Matthew Stubbs, Sax Gordon and more. See the Facebook event for more info.

Atwoods continues with Elastic Waste Band (Wed), Dennis Brennan (Thu) and Tim Gearan (Fri)

For more info see http://fastermilesanhour.blogspot.com/p/calendar.html

Girls Guns & Glory, The Sweet & Lowdown @ Lizard

Girls Guns and Glory with The Sweet & Low Down performing the music of Hank Williams on the anniversary of his death (1953). Avi and Celia from Hey Mama also joined the celebration. It was a great night of honky tonk roclk & roll at Lizard Lounge on New Year's Day, 2011.

 

David Wax Museum

In case you missed David Wax Museum at the Newport Folk Festival, First Night Boston or around town, get ready to mark your calendars. The David Wax Museum's CD Release Extravaganza will be Thu, Feb 3 at OBERON in Harvard Square. Below is their new video, which was featured in this story from NPR's All Songs Considered.

"Born With A Broken Heart" from Anthem Multimedia on Vimeo.

They said to expect up to ten musicians, horns, accordions in addition to the donkey jawbone. They expect that their moms will be there too, so keep the cursing to a minimum.