Let's Go TRIPPIN'

On July 25th, 2013, I felt honored to see DICK DALE play at The Middle East in Cambridge, MA; an intimate setting conducive to his familial vibe.  Dick Dale is a storyteller and engaged the audience with his personable tales of growing up in Quincy, MA and working his way through the school system with his raw talent.  His stage presence was relative to Johnny Cash and his personality was cool and captivating.

This man stands completely still on stage while his guitar moves an entire room.

Dick Dale's popularity reSURFaced (haha) when Pulp Fiction was released and 'Misirlou' played in the opening theme.  Along with his classic surf tunes, Dick Dale ad-libbed throughout his live performance with medleys which included Johnny Cash's 'Ring of Fire', Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water', and, a favorite of mine, Link Wray's 'Rumble'.

Every twangy note was played with spirit and perfection.  Dick Dale is, indeed, King of the Surf Guitar!

DRINKIN' WHISKEY TONIGHT!

Hell, YEAH! 

POKEY LAFARGE!

What an eclectic mix of talented musicians 

creating old-timey American music!

Be ready to cut the rug!

This band expresses hard-core American roots with classy, nostalgic attire and a jazzy, swingin' style through such acoustic instruments as the cornet, the clarinet, the upright bass, harmonica, guitars of multiple makes, and percussion through a snare drum and a washboard with various clickety-clanging attachments.  But it's no country jamboree; it's a beautiful, happy mix of sounds that is so easy on the ears,

it's practically family-friendly.

Only reason I wouldn't classify it as such:

Pokey LaFarge is raw cooool!

LAST SPLASH

The first time I saw THE BREEDERS was at Lollapalooza.
They were among an amazing line-up including Beastie Boys, George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars, Luscious Jackson, Green Day, Flaming Lips, L7, Cypress Hill, God Lives Underwater, and even Green Day.  Smashing Pumpkins headlined.
When The Breeders broke into 'Cannonball', there wasn't a still body in the crowd.  
When I heard they were reuniting for a tour to perform the entire Last Splash album at Royale in Boston , I knew I had to be there.

I literally arrived at Royale just as they began playing 'New Year' and flew up the stairs to hear each song off their album played in sequential order.  Kim Deal's voice still had the same raspy texture combined with a sweet, girly tone.  The band was soulful and tight.  There was humorous interaction between songs with references to days gone by.  And the audience was receptive and appreciative of the reunion.
As each song played, my body moved with more intensity.  I felt so happy and grateful for the experience.
I was in heaven for the duration of the show!

In LOVE with LOVE!

Seeing THE MOWGLIS and FAMILY OF THE YEAR together at Brighton Music Hall was like a big hippie-fest of music and love!

There was so much "happy" going on, I wished to have bells on my shoes.  If you're looking for a fun crowd and freedom to dance like a crazy monkey, you'll love these bands!

 (And for more on The MOWGLIS, visit the BAND page!)

EASTBOUND AND DOWN

I discovered EASTBOUND JESUS at Battle of the Bands at SPAC in 2011.

I voted for them.  They won.

And I have taken long road trips just to see these guys again and again. 

Made up of two brothers and a bunch 'o' friends, Eastbound Jesus kicks out some intense bluegrass bred from their roots in upstate New York.  If you want a rip-roarin' good time, go to one of their shows.  These country boys can get a crowd pumpin' hard with their fast-paced guitar-playing and yee-haw energy!  Check out the 'Ghost Town' video for a good taste of the talent (and the song) that turned me on to them.  I reckon it'll turn you on too!

PUTNAM DEN Winter Show!

PERCUSSION GUN

After a change in date and venue, the long-awaited WHITE RABBITS show was rescheduled at T. T. the Bear's Place in Cambridge, MA.  These guys have more talent than their down-to-earth presence implies.  Die-hard fans surely left fulfilled.  I know I did!

If YOU Fall In Love, Don't Worry...

I remember standing in my kitchen one November night in 2012, listening to "underground" music on my fave radio station, when Travis Gray's voice came at me like an ocean wave.  The song was 'Bound To Let You Go' off the soon-to-be-released WILD ADRIATIC EP, 'Lock and Key'.  I had to learn more of this band and quickly hit the interwebs for info.  Much to my delight, Wild Adriatic was to be performing near me, at Tommy Doyle's in Harvard Square, the following week.  Tickets were immediately purchased.  Show was amazing.

First time was a charm!

Not only are these guys tight and melodic, they engage the crowd with collaborative dance moves; something I feared was becoming a thing of the way past.  Wild Adriatic plays a modern style that gets them airplay on "alternative" radio while maintaining an old-school, bluesy, rock and roll energy.  Their songs hold a catchy familiarity that is a perfect recipe for developing a vast fan base.  But they are no wedding band; these guys rock hard (and look good doing so)!

Mateo Vosganian, Travis Colin Gray, and Rich Derbyshire

Since my first Wild Adriatic show, I have watched these guys perfect their style despite the loss of a guitar-player.  The vibes produced on stage reflect a strong brotherly bond between Mateo, Rich, and Travis that can not be broken but welcomes family members.  And to make things even more fun, their merch includes a "competition" of t-shirts donning "beards" vs. "fros", courtesy of Mateo's and Rich's grooming styles.