Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXIV

Looks like coffee. Tastes like delicious.

 

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.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bots

MC5 meets The Stooges meets The Black Keys meets our eardrums. See them at Church 5/14.

First there was Rough Francis (Riot House) from Vermont, then Missouri’s Radkey (Replay, Wreckroom), now Glendale, California brother band The Bots (FADER) are breaking the sound barrier with their version of face smashing, passionate noise. Is it just us, or are these family groups getting younger and younger?

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXIII

A Gin Gimlet because we're turn of the century classy folks who like new music. (image credit)

Hanging on the porch, listening to new music, sipping on gin and juice. That’s how it goes right? First all the of the snow, now all of the rain. But that’s not stopping us from cleaning off the patio furniture and buying citronella candles. WE WILL DAY DRINK ON OUR PORCH THIS MONTH. And we shall do it with a Gin Gimlet while listening to the May Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out playlist featuring Plague Vendor, Mean Creek, The Okay Win, Banner Pilot and PINS.

Old Gray, Tiny Moving Parts Split

Old Gray Tiny Moving Parts split out mid May. Pre-orders available now.

NH manic emotional poetic musicians Old Gray will release a split 7” with equally heart-on-sleeve Minnesota band Tiny Moving Parts mid May.

The brain melting post-hardcore collaboration will be put out by Kind of Like Records and Broken World Media, and limited to 500 copies.

Bloghead Podcast Signs Off - Ocelot Records Takes Over

Bloghead Podcast creator Steve Knowles makes room for new project, Ocelot Records.

After 3 years and 42 episodes, Boston Bloghead (aka Bloghead Podcast) has signed off for the last time. Originally established at the end of 2010 as a website dedicated to detailing the Boston rock and punk scene, Bloghead soon branched out to include a podcast, show booking and promotions entity and a spinoff podcast, “New England Local Lode” manned by Bloghead co-host Jason Powers.

In a recent announcement, founder Steve Knowles explains, “The time has come to say farewell to Boston Bloghead. It was a tough decision to make, but new music adventures (and life) have stripped away all the time for blogging, podcasting and the like.”

Special Delivery: Vinyl Clubs

Support bands, grow your record collection, sign up for a vinyl club.

What could be better than coming home to a 13x13 media mail package shoved into your tiny mailbox? A case of wine sitting patiently next to your door I suppose, but the "It's here!" excitement or rather, the "Wait, which one is this?" brain teaser is like Christmas for vinyl lovers. Each month is a surprise with a Vinyl of the Month Club!

Now Hear This - You're Not A Starfish, Wear Ear Plugs

Bishop And Rook will be offering free ear plugs during Night #1 of the Rock 'N' Roll Rumble!

Fun fact: Most starfish can regenerate damaged limbs. All humans cannot regenerate damaged hearing.

Studies have shown that the decibel level of a loud rock concert registers at approximately 120dB. The maximum exposure to 120dB of sound without ear protection is a whopping 15 minutes a day before you risk damaging your ear tissue, leading to permanent hearing loss. (The average rock concert runs around 240 minutes.) That’s just a scooch below the loudest recommended exposure WITH hearing protection (at 140dB).

Visit the Rebuilder merch table during Night #1 of the Rock 'N' Roll Rumble for a free pair of ear plugs (while supplies last), complimentary of Bishop And Rook music blog.

A Letter From The Editor

This week I said "goodbye" to one of my biggest musical influences. I contribute a lot of my passion for music towards the impact my dad had on me. Without him, I would not have had the motivation to start Bishop And Rook. And without music, I would not have been able to connect with him on such a deep and meaningful level. I am a music lover, a record collector, and a fan who went beyond the Top 40. Just like my dad.

-Kristin

ACME Band Supply's 'The 50 Deal'

The merch company behind The Mighty Mighty Bosstones has a deal for you.

Going on tour? In the market for some swag? Check out ACME Band Supply’s 'The 50 Deal'. 

ACME’s ‘The 50 Deal’ is an ideal starter kit and includes 50 cotton Ts’, 50 one inch pins and 50 beer koozies for $350 plus tax. Spread the word about your band while making a profit with custom and professional merchandise.

With over 15 years of experience in commercial printing, the Marshfield-based full service print shop is the merchandise mastermind behind notable acts like The Dropkick Murphys, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Big D and the Kids Table, Frank Turner and Less Than Jake, as well as yours truly.

Take advantage of this limited time '50 Deal' offer and contact ACME at info@acmebandsupply.com today.

For a complete list of print and design services, visit the official ACME Band Supply website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram for product shots.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXI

Petite, delicious, punk rock. Oi Oi Oi! (Image credit)

Do you suffer from Chronic Polar Vortex Syndrome? Symptoms include numbness, loss of balance and weeklong Netflix binges. If so, non-medical tests have concluded that music and alcohol can help! Our "all lion, no lamb" March Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out playlist is an ideal addition to any Hashtag Fuck Snow party and includes locals like Ghost Thrower, Twin Berlin and OC45 (they all have shows coming up, go to them). Plus get seasonal with a Baby Guinness shot, a delicious concoction we first had while hanging out with Joe Sib and Dave Hause at Highland Kitchen after their set at the Somerville Armory a few years back. Cheers!

Submit Your Band to "A Fat Wreck" Punk-U-Mentary Soundtrack

Via The Dying Scene, Boston's ska punks, Big D and the Kids Table, are among the bands set to feature songs on the upcoming “A Fat Wreck” punk-u-mentary. A contest is now open for you to submit your band to be featured on the physical and digital Fat Wreck Chords Tribute compilations, and one grand prize winning band to be featured in the documentary itself.

Per the official "A Fat Wreck" website, "Pretty much any bands that submit a quality track will be on the digital release of the tribute comp! [within reason]. It will have links to your social and be a great way to showcase your band to the "Fat Wreck" Loving community," while the physical version will be limited to a handful of spots. Voting starts March 1st.

Get full submission details here.

February Record A Day #Instagram

Hashtag fun times. Record A Day continues into February.

The vinyl community came together for thirty-one days to show off the best-of-the-best in categories like “Compilation/Soundtrack”, “Collection of an artist” and “More than two colors”, allowing people some serious bragging rights on Instagram. Part enlightening camaraderie, part daily one-upmanship, record collectors filled the photo sharing social network with prized wax possessions. And it's happening all over again beginning February 1st.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XX

We're spritzing in the month of love with cocktails, playlists and self promotions.

We can count up to made it to XX! We ❤ music, especially local tracks from bands like The Appreciation Post, The Dirty Looks, Vundabar and Old Gray. And to prove our undying affection, we are tri-hosting a show on February 15th with RTT Presents and Refuse Rethink Rebuild Records featuring Shambles, Rebuilder, Save Ends and Save Ends' Canadian counterpart, Laureate from Montreal.

To toast the fresh tracks on this February playlist AND the upcoming Bishop And Rook’s Flirty Thirty Birthday Show, try an Aperol Spritz submitted by Jay over at Boston music blog, Clicky Clicky Music.

Boston Calling Announces 2014 Lineup

Someone found the golden ticket! (image credit - Twitter user @brandnewrockfan)

Boston Calling got all interactive with Bostonians last night as the three-day, two-stage festival planted hidden vinyl records around town that would reveal the highly anticipated lineup of the May 2014 event. Music lovers deciphered a list of riddles including "Don’t pound the pavement too hard, just go where you can find a few beans and there is bound to be a hipster scene" and "Follow the flavors and the beats of the east and your hunt can come to a cease. Watch that clock and think indie rock".

After the official Boston Calling website waved the flag last night, alerting the masses to begin braving the 16 degree weather in search of vinyl, social media notifications of lineup announcements began buzzing and an official announcement video was tweeted from the event's account around 8:40 this morning. Tickets for the event will go on sale January 31st.

The May 2014 lineup includes Jack Johnson, Death Cab For Cutie, Modest Mouse, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Brand New, The Head & The Heart, Tegan & Sara, Bastille, Jenny Lewis, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, The Neighbourhood, Phosphorescent, Built To Spill, Kurt Vile, Walk Off The Earth, Warpaint, Cass McCombs, The District, Tigerman Woah!, and Magic Man.

Blackbutton Premieres New Single "AM Clouds PM Sun"

Blackbutton at TT the Bear's during their Single Release show 1.17.14 (image credit)

Boston rock trio, Blackbutton, thrashed the stage (figuratively and literally) with their distorted set of originals and a nearly indistinguishable cover of Nirvana's "Breed" last night during their Single Release Show at TT the Bear's in Cambridge. As part of the Stripper Series, a set of singles corresponding with 1960's stripper Polaroids, the band premiered a turbo boost of adrenaline via "AM Clouds PM Sun".

The guys plan to release at least five songs in the series according to drummer, Justin Emile, but like any creative process, the project depends on inspiration. "AM Clouds PM Sun" first premiered on Boston music blog, Vanyaland, the morning of the show and is an addition to Blackbutton's diverse musical portfolio.

Sign up for the Blackbutton mailing list to gain VIP access to new singles as they are released, and head to the band's Facebook page to download their first two singles in the Stripper Series, "Still Kids" and "Canopy" for free.

Day Drinkers & Parents Rejoice! There's A Show For You!

All ages matinee punk show = No excuse to miss this show

There are a few matinee shows happening in Boston the next few Saturdays for all you earlier risers / day drinkers, including an all ages punk show on 1/18 and a family friendly Rock n Romp on 1/25.

Blackbutton Single Release Show - January 17th

Blackbutton Single Release Show. We're dying to see who the next stripper is.

In mid-December, Blackbutton spent a day at Q Division Studios for Converse Rubber Tracks Boston and recorded their third single from the Stripper Series. To celebrate its release, the band is putting on a show with friends The Year Million, Jessica Prouty Band, and A Wish For Fire. Join in and get your free copy of the single :Friday, Janu:ary 17th at TT The Bear's Place in Central Square, Cambridge. (Set times can be found on TT's website). This show is $10, 18+, 8:30pm doors. For additional details, view the official Facebook event page.

Taking Back Sunday Releases New Song "Flicker, Fade"

Taking Back Sunday has released the first single, "Flicker, Fade," off their anticipated sixth studio album, Happiness Is (Hopeless Records), which will be available for purchase on March 18th. "Flicker, Fade" can purchase on iTunes today. Happiness Is will be the band's first record in three years. After several lineup changes, the band reprised the original Tell All Your Friends lineup of Adam Lazzara, John Nolan, Eddie Reyes, Shaun Cooper and Mark O'Connell in 2011 to record their self titled album. 

“Courtesy Moans” Makes My Lady Bones Tingle

Allston's Lady Bones is the next band to put on your radar.

See what I did there? Back in September, Allston indie rock band Lady Bones collaborated with local experimental rock band, Horsehands, to release a 4-song split. Side note, if gremlins made music, I’m certain it would sound something like Horsehands’ contribution.

Hold/Transfer Premier Music Video for “Spoken For”

Boston shoegaze dreampop band Hold/Transfer, side project of American Thread's Michael Taggart, premiered a new music video for single, "Spoken For". The haunting song serves as a soundtrack to this homemade-style video of the quintessential dream girl next-door. Check out more tracks from Hold/Transfer on Soundcloud and follow the band on Facebook for information on the upcoming release of the band's first full-length and release show.