All You Ever Talk About is Vocals - The Next Stage of Horse Mode

Old horse, new tricks. Horse Mode dishes on latest EP (image credit).

The members of Billerica’s Horse Mode harnessed the DIY spirit roughly six years ago with a gruff, 6-song demo and have since turned their passion project into a true hustle, scoring a recent recording opportunity at Converse Rubber Tracks, executing a 9-stop spring tour stretching from Brooklyn to Montreal and making a master decision that will keep the band competitive in the local music scene.

Murcielago Moves On - Last Shows Announced

After 7 years, Murcielago ends their run. (image credit)

Portland, Maine rockers, Murcielago, have called it quits. The 2015 Rock 'n' Roll Rumble participants took to Facebook to announce the decision.

"Hi All,

We've decided to take a long bow after an excellent 7 year run. Thank You all who have come to our shows, bought our music and merchandise, and told your friends. We are grateful and humbled.

Many thanks to Nick Lamberto for getting us going, huge thanks to Benny Grotto and Mad Oak Studios for excellent work. Many thanks to the bands and promoters we've been lucky enough to work with during our time.

Thank You,

Murcielago"

May we always remember the times these veteran rockers blew our faces off with impressive 70's style riffs, hardrock power, and mesmerizing performances. We shall wear our Board of Maine shirt in respect.

You know you want one. Everyone wants one. (shop it)

Catch the band during their last few shows in Vermont and Maine.

• July 22 @ Higher Ground in Burlingto, VT., with Scissorfight and Hey Zeus
• July 30 @ Matrix Fest in Fort Lee, ME, with "too many awesome bands to recount"
• August 6 @ Portland House of Music and Events in Portland with Eldemur Krimm and Pigboat

Song Premiere: “A Girl From Quincy” by Art Thieves

'For Free!' will be available for free download on December 31st.

It is with our unwavering pleasure that we present to you “A Girl From Quincy” by Art Thieves.

Working on their material under the radar, Bishop & Rook caught Art Thieves earlier this year in their natural South Shore habitat (RIP Beachcomber) and gave our stamp of approval. It was the band’s on stage chemistry and thoroughly entertaining live set that later earn them a spot in the Boston Scene Party Showcase.

“A Girl From Quincy” is off the band’s debut 10-track record entitled ‘For Free!’, available as a free digital download on December 31st. Listen to a few per-released songs on Soundcloud now. See Art Thieves on February 13th at O'Brien’s Pub in Allston with Warn the Duke (NYC), The Warning Shots, and You Scoundrel. And follow the band on Facebook for additional release and show information.

World Premiere: Listen to "Preach" Off Of The Digs' Debut LP 'Manic'

First, we want you to put your hands on either side of your head. Good? Doing it? Okay. Because your face might get rocked off and we don’t want any messy accidents.

Bishop & Rook is pleased to share, for the first time ever, "Preach" off The Digs' debut LP, 'Manic' (Ocelot Records). The Midway Cafe will play host to their record release show on November 21st, featuring Trophy Lungs, The American Myth (PA) and OC45 (homecoming show). Event details here. 'Manic' will be available on digital, CD, vinyl and limited edition cassette tape.

Swing by Bandcamp to hear a selection of pre-released tracks and follow the band on Facebook for additional show information.

The 11-track album written by the band’s members, Jeff Demas (guitar/vocals/lead song writer), Andrew Dedousis (bass/vocals) and Steve Knowles (drums/vocals), takes the music outside of the traditional “rock ‘n’ roll” or “punk rock” genres, and instead melds the two into the groups auditory-vision that is 'Manic', in the fullest sense. The album takes hints from bands such as Face to Face, Green Day, and The Kinks, all whose instrumental styles can be heard in the mix and brought out even clearer through the fantastic Mastering of Nick Zampiello at New Alliance East Mastering (Cambridge MA).

Today Junior’s Sound Gets Ocean-soaked And Sunburnt in Ride The Surf

Get nostalgic for the summer sun and Ride The Surf with Today Junior.

Obviously, we’ve all heard of the infamous sophomore slump. Even with bands who never really made a splash, the second album is always perceived as the most difficult to record for reasons spanning from unreasonably high expectations to production time crunches.

But sometimes the band finds its signature sound during round two and the sophomore hits the mark that the debut was initially aiming for. While Today Junior’s What’s The Skinny (2013) is surrounded by more of an indie rock air, 2015’s Ride The Surf bathes completely in the salty breeze of the ocean.

It’s a Brenefit Show – Benefit Show for Trophy Lungs’ Drummer Brendan Guerin

Intimate space, burgers, beers, punk rock and unisex bathrooms.

Hey kids, let’s go to a benefit show. Before you start thinking “Monday night, SMH”, understand Charlie's Kitchen ONLY hosts live music on Monday nights, and it’s a pretty damn awesome time.

One day before Boston punks, Trophy Lungs, returned from tour, drummer Brendan Guerin received news that his apartment in Jamaica Plain (that he moved into less than a month ago) caught on fire. Although everyone made it out okay, water and structural damage rendered the apartment unstable and emergency relocation was a must.

The scene came together and to form the Brenefit Show at Charlie’s Kitchen (10 Eliot Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge) featuring Trophy Lungs, Save Ends, Fucko and Rebuilder (essentially, it's an O'Brien's show, but at Charlie's). The evening also serves as a send of for some bands heading to FEST14. Charlie’s Kitchen is 21+ // $5 cover // 8PM // Facebook event link. Additional donations accepted throughout the night. Every dollar that comes through the door goes directly to helping Bren and his girlfriend Kerri find a new place/pay outrageous moving fees.

Related Stories:
Trophy Lungs Premier Music Video for “Bathroom Graffiti”

World Premier: Bundles' Streams 2 New Tracks – Exclusively on Mutiny on the Microphone

Listen here first - Bundles premiers two new tracks off upcoming EP.

In anticipation of their sophomore EP, Boston’s indie rock trio Bundles is releasing two new songs; “Dead Reckoning” from their 2015 Converse Rubber Tracks session and “Prisoners” off of the forthcoming EP. The songs will debut this Thursday, October 1st exclusively on Mutiny On The Microphone Podcast. Listen to the band's episode below (for those of you who can't wait, try marks 5:58 and 29:25).

Bundles introduced themselves in the spring of 2013 with their debut self-titled EP; a 4-track collection of tight, lo-fi songs, produced within 10 hours of studio time - available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp. After a string of successful shows opening for bands such as A. Sinclair, Cayetana and Beach Slang, the band returned to the studio (for more than 10 hours this time) to produce their 7-track sophomore EP, recorded, mixed and mastered at Phoenix Down (Somerville) with John Scott and David Age (of Favorite Atomic Hero), set to be released as soon as someone will pay for it. You’ll find that these new songs, while still very much a Bundles record, move the band into a tighter and more polished sound.

Follow Bundles on Facebook and Twitter for additional show and release information.

On a mobile device? Listen here. Catch Bundles live in November:

October 23rd // 8PM // Ticket link

Cuisine en Locale // 156 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA

RTT Presents Masked Intruder and Friends

Featuring Masked Intruder (WI // Fat Wreck Chords), The Copyrights (IL // Redscare Records), Not Scientists, The New Warden, New Grenada and Bundles

Full Track Listing:
1. The Dornishman’s Wife
2. The Glow
3. Prisoner’s Dilemma
4. Oh, Brazil
5. In Like a Lion, out on the lam
6. TKC
7. Normans at the Battle of Hastings
8. Dead Reckoning


Related Stories:
Bundles - S/T EP
Masked Intruder and Friends Announced at Cuisine en Locale

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXXIX

New music, our picks for September shows and THE SHARK PUNCHER.

Welcome Back Freshman. Moving blow. Go to a show. Providence, Rhode Island’s emo trio Twin Foxes will be at Charlie’s Kitchen in Harvard Square with Tied to a Bear on September 14th, New Hampshire’s spunky Little My is with Fucko at Middle East Upstairs on September 22nd and New York garage band Soda Bomb is playing at O’Brien’s Pub with Sneeze on September 23rd. All of this and more featured in our September Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Spotify playlist, plus partake in The Shark Puncher - a spiced rum recipe for you and your friends.

Soft Cactus In The House - Stream Their Music Video Series ‘In The Living Room’

Soft Cactus in the house. Stream the 7-music video series on YouTube now.

New definition of 'house band', Lowell’s R&B rock band Soft Cactus has released a self-produced series of 7 music videos entitled "In The Living Room", shot in their guitarist, Max Nickou’s mother’s living room. It's all pretty self explanatory. You can view all 7 videos on the band’s YouTube channel and download “In The Living Room” for free (at a name your price donation) on Bandcamp.

Answerman 'SWYM' EP - Out Now

Download your copy of 'SWYM' by Answerman now.

1-2-3-4! Boston's Answerman has a new rockin EP out and you can download it fo' free (with a recommended donation) on Bandcamp.

"We decided to call the album 'SWYM ' after noticing that one of the songs on the record titled, "Say What You Mean", contained the acronym SWYM. But it also speaks to the idea of jumping into life with everything you've got and accepting the good along with the bad," singer/guitarist Sam Pitino tells Bishop & Rook. "Just swimming right-the-hell through it all... love, pain, loss, dependance, joy. You stop once in a while...kick your feet, look around, smile or cry, and keep going." 

To celebrate the release of 'SWYM ', Answerman has teamed up with WEMF Radio to produce a 9-band record release show party at Middle East Downstairs on September 4th. The night will include a main stage and side stage, and feature acoustic performances by Drew Zieff and Miss Genevieve, as well as sets by Brennan Leeds (celebrating his own EP release), Hollywood Ghosts, Dressed For The Occasion, Dionysus Park Ranger, Birds of Spray and Wisdom Toof. The show is 18+, 7PM doors, $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Full event details here. Follow the band on Facebook for additional show dates.

Related Stories:
Answerman Debuts New Single, Plans a 9-Band Record Release Show

Answerman Debuts New Single, Plans a 9-Band Record Release Show

Stream new track "Mother's Milk" from Answerman now.

Local indie rock band Answerman is streaming “Mother’s Milk”, the first single off of their upcoming EP ‘SWYM ’ – due out September 4th and complimented by a 9-band, 2-stage extravaganza at Middle East Downstairs, sponsored by WEMF Radio.

Tied to a Bear, Twin Foxes & Me In Capris at Charlie’s Kitchen 9/14

Bishop & Rook takes over Night #3 of the Boston Scene Party Showcase!

Bishop & Rook is proud to co-host Night #3 of the Boston Scene Party Showcase, happening Monday, September 14th at Charlie’s Kitchen in Harvard Square ($8/21+/9PM). Part of the 3-night, 3-venue affair, Boston Scene Party has collaborated with independent music bloggers, promoters, labels and bands to present a showcase demonstrating our diverse music scene. The scene is in session this September!

New Music: The One-Man-Show of Ian Aware

Experience the debut EP of Ian Aware.

A combination of electronic and psychedelic rock, Ian Aware (alias of singer/songwriter Kenny Gray) has released his debut self-titled EP. The self-produced, eclectic 4-track record with touches of shoegaze, funk and rockabilly features Gray as the primary musician, although expect a full band at live shows.

Ian Aware’s S/T EP is available for free (at a name your price donation) on Bandcamp. Follow him on Facebook for show alerts. 

Frank Turner is Omnipresent - Will Be at 3 Newbury Comics Locations on 9/26 at 2PM

Where in Boston is Frank Turner?

Singer, songwriter and man who defies logic, Frank Turner will apparently be at three Newbury Comics locations on Saturday, September 26th at 2pm. Per bandsintown.com, Turner will be at both the Faneuil Hall and the Newbury Street locations depending on which copy you're looking at. While Newburycomics.com claims he'll be the Harvard Square store. Newbies does love their Scavenger Hunts.

Regardless, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls will be at the House of Blues in Boston on Friday, September 25th and Saturday, September 26th.'Positive Songs For Negative People' is out now on iTunes and in a store near you.

UPDATE 1:01 PM: We have confirmation that Frank Turner will be at the Harvard Square location (36 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA) on Saturday, September 26th at 2PM. #mysterysolved

Blackbutton Announce the Upcoming Release of Their Third and Final Record

Join Blackbutton on August 29th at Great Scott. (image credit Hannah Cohen Photography)

Boston's gritty grunge rock outfit Blackbutton has announced the upcoming release of their third and final record, 'The Absence of the Other'.

2013 Rock 'n' Roll Rumble participants and winners of the Providence, RI Midday Social, Blackbutton have been supporting their 'Stripper Series Singles' for the past year, which you can stream via Bandcamp.

The band will hit the road on a 7-stop tour to support the new record, ending with a hometown release show scheduled for August 29th at Great Scott in Allston, featuring Rye Pines, The Knock Ups and Skinny Pigeons, presented by Do617. The event is 21+ // 9PM // $10 // ticket link. Follow the band on Facebook and Twitter for additional updates.

Full Tour Schedule

August 19th - Brattleboro, VT @ Metropolis

August 20th - Portland, ME @ Oxbow Blending & Bottling with Jargon Party

August 22nd - Albany, NY @ Parish Public House with Pitchfork Militia, Noise Between Stations 

August 23rd - Worcester, MA @ The Lucky Dog Music Hall with 95 Hyde, Levity 

August 27th - New York City, NY @ Throne Watches 

August 28th - Providence, RI @ Fatt Squirrel with Cookie & The Monsters, Marijuana Boyscouts, and the Andy Lambert Band. Presented by New England Artists’ Association and Midday Presents

August 29th - Boston, MA @ Great Scott with Rye Pines, The Knock Ups, Skinny Pigeons, Presented by Do617

Related Stories:
Blackbutton Single Release Show - January 17th
Blackbutton Premiers New Single "AM Clouds PM Sun"

Stream the First Single Off of Sports.' Debut Full-Length 'Demon Daze'

Listen to "Words That Rhyme With Different, etc.' now. (image by Steven Pribramsky Jr.)

Boston indie / emo rock band Sports. announces debut full-length album entitled 'Demon Daze' with teaser track "Words That Rhyme With Different, etc". The 10-song record is due out August 25th and is the follow up to 2013's 'We'll Get to it Eventually'.

Follow Sports. on Facebook and Twitter for additional release information. See the full track listing below.

TRACKLIST

1. I Love To Be Chill
2. Matt Damon
3. Words That Rhyme With Different, etc
4. I Am The Boy
5. Ridge Road
6. Spooky Damon
7. Steven Believin’
8. Good Will Haunting
9. Rick’s Licks (A Harsh Tale)
10. Police//You’re Outta Here

3 Straight Nights of Diarrhea (Planet) in Allston this November

DP coming at you this November in Allston.

Boston music blog Allston Pudding presents three nights of wonderful rock and roll with Nashville, Tennessee's Diarrhea Planet (Infinity Cat Records) at Great Scott in Allston on November 13th - 15th. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 24th. Hands down, one (or 3) of the best live shows you'll go to this year.

Related Stories:

Diarrhea Planet - Not Grandfather Approved

Zerobot Announces 12th-To-Last TT's Spectacular

Zerobot frontman Mick Greenwood took to YouTube to announce the 12th-To-Last show at TT the Bear's, featuring Zerobot, Await Rescue, The Rationales and The Susan Constant, happening July 14th. Watch for the cameo at the end.

Tickets are $8 in advanced (ticket link) and $12. Full details can be found on the official Facebook event page.

Free Music - Today Junior Releases Two Tracks in Anticipation for “Ride The Surf”

Listen and download your copy of "Ride the Surf" & "Daydrifter" now.

Surfy indie rock outfit Today Junior has been diligently working on their first studio album, ‘Ride the Surf’, for the past year. As the band prepares for its release with a show slated for August 3rd at Middle East Upstairs with Fantastic Liars, Peachpit and Rye Pines, they have provided two teaser singles for free download on Bandcamp now.

Follow the band on Facebook and Twitter for release information and see them live this summer in Providence, RI, Somerville and Cambridge.

The I Want You 'Coast' EP Release Party

Nothing says party like a late night party.

 

This Saturday, June 27th, Eye Design and Firebrand Saints present The I Want You 'Coast' EP Record Release Party with Hands and Knees, The Four Point Restraints and 2015 Rock 'n' Roll Rumble participant Psychic Dog.

$5//9:30PM//21+ (full event details)

Check out the new music video for title track "Coast" below (which, if you are fond of the most recent Spoon stuff, this will be your jam), premiered earlier this week on Vanyaland.