Spin a recent Mr. Vertigo record and be prepared to hear a project that might include up to dozen people, about 20 instruments and roughly a decade of collaborative experience. The alt-rock band (existing in one form or another since 2002) will be celebrating the release of their 7th official record entitled ‘Dreaming on the Left Side’ Friday, July 8th at O'Brien's Pub in Allston.
Purchase 'Black Box' from Air Traffic Controller now.
Air Traffic Controller has released the newest music video associated with their 2016 ‘Black Box’ album. (We thoroughly enjoyed the band's previous music video for "The House" last fall). The audio/visual is for track “On The Wire”, originally premiering onBullet Media and written and directed by Olivia Saperstein and Max Lapointe.
The video depicts a young woman who has had enough of her unhinged relationship and joins up with another spirited wonder on her adventure to experience life in the now. “On The Wire” evokes feelings of relief and freedom, spotted with the tinge of uncertainty as the two characters embark on whatever is to come next.
Air Traffic Controller kicks off their summer tour next week, stopping in Lowell, MA on July 15th and Portsmouth, NH on August 6th. View the full tour dates.
Like walking through rooms of a very eclectic house, each
door opens into a new vibe. From experimental reverb to sundown twang leading
into driving alt-rock guitars, TheCoward Flowers’ ‘Jams and Jellies’ is comprised
of intricate song writing, taking the listener on a journey of emotions that
influenced the 2016 record.
Mercury On Mars has joined up with Ocelot Records for their latest album due out this summer. The 2015 Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble band is offering their 2014 release ‘Be The One’ for free on Bandcamp in celebration of the partnership.
Ocelot Records will be working with the alt-rock band to release their new album and to bring a back-catalog of albums into the future with streaming services such as Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Google, Youtube and more.
Mercury On Mars joins a growing list of acts on the Ocelot label including fellow 2015 Rumble band Psychic Dog, two current #classof2016 Rumblers, The Digs and Idle Pilot, and Boston Music Award winner DCDR. Discover more bands on the official label website. And follow Mercury on Mars and Ocelot Records on Facebook for additional information.
Upcoming Mercury on Mars Shows:
March 19th - Aeronaut Brewing Company, Somerville MA
April 29th - Jacque’s Underground, Boston MA
See Dead Trains February 22nd at Charlie's Kitchen, Harvard Square
Dead Trains, Boston’s self-proclaimed punk blues band, is a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll, and maybe most likely went through a weird metal phase in high school. Primus meets TigermanWoah, Dead Trains utilizes irregular chord progressions, swift tempo changes, and pulsing bass and guitar lines to create frantic, slightly unstable, rock and roll with a twangy swagger.
In anticipation of the upcoming 7-track LP, ‘Country Road Bound’ (set to be released later this month and featuring two previously recorded songs off of 2015's 32/20), Dead Trains has released a music video for the first single “County Road Bound/Mean Town Blues” (directed by Humar Miranda and originally premiered on Dying Scene) which is available to purchase on Bandcampnow.
Catch Dead Trains live on Monday, February 22nd with Lesser Knowns and The Shallow End Divers at Charlie's Kitchen in Harvard Square - $5 // 21+ with ID // 9PM (event details) and follow the band on Facebook for additional release information.
Purchase your copy of The Okay Win's 'Cannon Mouth' now via Bandcamp.
Singer / songwriter gruff with an orchestral country twang, The Okay Win’s 2016 ‘Cannon Mouth’ continues the contemplative and powerful vibe synonymous with the band, however, the EP almost didn’t happen.
Getting sounds in the Rubber Tracks studio. (image credit)
We’re excited to premier Bundles’ music video for “Dead Reckoning” off their soon-to-be-released record. The 2:26 video (created by John Schoeck and Mike Silva) highlights the band’s Converse Rubber Tracksexperience back in August.
“We got to the studio around 11am and I think had finished basic tracking by 1pm and were out of there with a finished, mixed track by 5pm. The staff was super friendly and very easy to work with,” Bundles bassist Brain Jones recalls. The song was later re-mixed and mastered with the band’s producer, Dave Age (Favorite Atomic Hero) at his studio Union Digital.
“Dead Reckoning” is one of two tracks premiered by the band earlier this fall. Although talks have been initiated on how the record will be released, Bundles’ sophomore EP has yet to have an official release date. But, per Jones, the band would “love to chat” with anyone interested in working with the band.
See Bundles at ONCE in Somerville on November 20th and at the Quincy Sons of Italy for a benefit show on November 25th. Details below. Listen to a more in-depth recap of what went down in the Rubber Tracks studios via the band’s guest DJ episode on Mutiny on the Microphone podcast. Follow Bundles on Facebook and Twitter for additional show and release information.
Pulitzer Prize Fighter taps brings the harmonies with Postal Service cover.
Boston's pop alt band Pulitzer Prize Fighter have released a cover of The Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" as a free download on Bandcamp. "For the foreseeable future we'll be periodically dropping free covers in between original releases," states the band's Facebook page. PPF will be releasing a new single entitled "Wicked" sometime next month.
Westport, MA progressive alt rockers, War Games, have released the first single titled "Foundations" off their upcoming full-length, Holding Patterns, due out March 10th.
Originally premiering on Absolute Punk, “Foundations” is available for purchase via iTunes and Bandcamp. Pre-sale for Holding Patterns is available now via Etsy and their CD release show will happen March 6th at The Met in Pawtucket, RI. Follow War Games on Twitter and Facebook for additional release and show information.
Boston’s melodic indie rockers, Kal Marks, took to Facebook today to announce the departure of drummer Nick Egersheim. Egersheim, who joined the band in early 2013, will stick around to finish out the last of their scheduled shows.
“We unfortunately will no longer be playing with our drummer Nick. We really appreciate all that he's done for us and his terrific playing.
We would like to continue on playing. We understand its very big shoes to fill. So if you would be interested in the spot or have any suggestions, you can message us here or at Kalmarksmusic@yahoo.com.
Otherwise we'll still be playing the following shows:
1/9 Allston Ma. @ O'briens w/ Palehound, Pupppy, Lady BONES
1/30 Wesleyan College w/ Pile
2/12 Brooklyn NY @ Palisades w/ Big Mess & more TBA
2/13 Philadelphia PA w/ Big Mess, Left & Right & more TBA
THANKS”
Just a Lonely Fart, the latest 3-song release from Kal Marks can be purchased on Bandcamp today, $3 for digital and $6 for a limited edition 7”.
Hey man, holidays, whaddyagonnado. No matter how many times you’ve done it, nothing can quite prepare you for the onslaught of meaningless questions and passive aggressive accusations about your alternative life style. When are you going to get married? Is that another tattoo? You’re in band? I love Bruno Mars. He's great. Is your band on the radio yet? Here, hold the baby. Seriously guys, it’s a universal discomfort. That is why we are here to provide an escape via new, sometimes local, but always awesome music and a drink to match.
Until Everybody Dies is a record that deserves dedicated listening time to accurately uncover the hard packed layers of emotion. From romance and heartbreak to desperation and determination, 2014 Rock N Roll Rumble alumni Doom Lover hopes their signature style is moving people with their debut 5-song EP.
Huntington Beach, CA label, No Sleep Records, recently released their 2014 Fall Sampler which includes a track by Boston's Foreign Tongues. "Luxury", off of the 2014 The Felix Culpa / Foreign Tongues Split, is one of 18 tracks on this free, limited time digital download. Snag your copy here for free before they're gone.
In 2012 Western Education hit the scene with their indie pop S/T EP and synth pop The Weekend Sessions EP. In 2013 they showed their teeth with noticeably harder rock values on the single “Rivals”. And in 2014 the Lowell-based quartet proved ambition and a snazzy blazer could get you far in the 35th Annual Rock N Roll Rumble.
With their name still fresh in the media; Western Education prepares to release their first full-length Let Your Secrets Out (7/8/14) - a fusion of all their musical efforts up until now, with a large synth overlay and an abundance of confidence.
I recently read an article about how it's 'finally iced coffee season'. Clearly that person was never inches away from certain death by snow plow while en route to the 24 hour Dunkin' Donuts for some cold brew during a blizzard. But now that it is "socially acceptable" to drink your coffee over ice, why not add some Frangelico? And I mean, since you're on your wild streak, you might as well listen to new music by The Bamboos, Masked Intruder, Speedy Ortiz, White Murder and Dry Heeves. Drink up. Press play. Get down with your bad self.
All music, all on Instagram. (okay fine, some kittens too)
Sometimes we review bands and sometimes we suggest they all play together in a strategically planned lineup. Thanks to all the incredible talent that played Great Scott last night and to everyone who came out to support. Don't be lame, go to a show. Boston Shows Tumblr, 88.1FM WMBR's Concert Report and our very own Go To This Show tab feature upcoming local shows for your listening pleasure.