First Annual JP Porchfest

The 1st Annual JP Porchfest happens July 19th with after party at The Milky Way.

As reported by The Boston Compass (it’s free, go get one), Jamaica Plain will be hosting the very first JP Porchfest Saturday, July 19th from 12 noon to 4p, with a Portchfest After Party at the Milky Way (4:30p-8p) with $5 all you can eat pizza.

The JP Porchfest features over 55 bands performing on over 30 porches throughout the neighborhood. Organized by Marie Ghitman and Mindy Fried, this free, all-volunteer event celebrates JP’s creative talent and diversity, using music as a vehicle to weave the community together.

“We were inspired by Porchfest events around the country, especially nearby Somerville, which has held a Porchfest for several years,” said Ghitman.

“We are thrilled and amazed at the overwhelming response from the community, including musicians of all genres, and the many people who have offered their porches to musicians,” commented Fried. “The energy is positive and we are certain that this is the first of many JP Porchfests.”

Visit the official JP Porchfest website for map, schedule and artist information, and check out their Facebook page to get all social with the event.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XXV

Gin and new music ahoy! It's the Salty Dog and a brand new playlist for you.

It's summer! We made it! We dug ourselves out of the snow and now we're racking up our electric bill with AC abuse. New England you are my home. While the venues may be parched due to festival season, we have some mew music for your listening pleasure including tunes from Geronimo!, Atlantic Thrills, Slothrust, Speaker for the Dead and Zooparty. Plus, the July 2014 cocktail, straight from our love affair with gin, the Salty Dog.

Western Education Dishes On 'Let Your Secrets Out' LP

Hear Western Education's new LP live on July 5th at Middle East Downstairs.

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.

The Color And Sound Signed to Black Numbers

The Color And Sound Signed to Black Numbers. Wrapping up next EP Peace of Mind.

 

Boston's rip roaring all for one and one for all indie band The Color And Sound are officially signed to Black Numbers record label (NJ). And to kick off the relationship, Black Numbers is re-releasing team Color and Sound's Spring Tour EP, available for the first time on vinyl.

If you act on this pre-order now, you could snag one of the limited edition vinyl records on gold (100), blue (150) or white (250). Also available is the "3 Pack" bundle which includes all 3 variants and the "Test Press Pack" bundle that includes all 3 variants and a test press (limited to 30).

In addition to the re-release of the Spring Tour EP, the band states, "[We're] excited to announce that we have wrapped up our next EP Peace of Mind, which will be released this fall." You can catch The Color and Sound live at The Sinclair in Harvard Square, Cambridge on July 19th along with Sidewalk Driver, The Venetia Fair and Salita.

Pre-order your The Color And Sound Spring Tour EP vinyl now.

Followers of Bishop And Rook can attest to our admiration for the 2014 Rock N Roll Rumble alumni. In an effort not to rewrite the book for the third time, we quote ourselves from the spring 2013 review, The Color and Sound – The Kids Just Want to Have Fun, "As skeptical as one can be when keyboard, xylophone and banjo appear together at a punk rock show, the infectious romp stomping celebration and high velocity stage presence of The Color and Sound are extraordinarily successful in raising one’s adrenaline level."

Black Numbers is also home to Tiny Moving Parts, Crimes, Banquets and fellow Boston band Great Lakes USA.

In the News: Sharks and Beer

A Great White Shark was spotted off the shores of Cape Cod [VIDEO]. In other news, Narragansett re-releases the iconic 1975 can from ‘Jaws’. Discuss.

Annear, Steve. “Video: ‘That Is a Huge White Shark, Dude’.” Bostonmagazine.com. 24 Jun. 2014. Web. 25. 2014

Glass, Jeremy. “Narragansett Re-Released Their 1975 Can From ‘Jaws’.” Supercompressor.com. 20. Jun. 2014. Web. 25. 2014

Slothrust – Who Here Ever Went to Summer Camp?

Slothrust at O'Brien's Pub 6.21.14 (Instagram)

Not only do I have a giant XX chromosome girl crush on Slothrust front lady Leah Wellbaum, but the New York three piece as a whole is a pretty fucking awesome band and rocked the room at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston during Friday night's As Built Presents show.

Slothrust (Ba Da Bing Records) is a bluesy indie rock band with hints of nostalgia and a bit of a bite, like a fine boxed wine that gives no fucks. And in case your wet dreams weren’t moist enough, dare I say, “Black Sabbath cover?”

Convinced their lyrics are rhetorical non sequiturs, scribbled down on Post-it Notes and rearranged like magnetic poetry tiles, Slothrust’s songs string together these abstract thoughts to create epic singer songwriter brain garble set to tremendously powerful music.

I like cats, do you like cats? Of course you do you sassy motherfucker.
-“Crockpot” (Of Course You Do)

Slothrust is the type of band that seduced me into writing music reviews. Do yourself a favor and see them at TT the Bears (Cambridge) on July 17th with Licious, Mal Blum and Sylvana Joyce & The Moment, because no matter how much you dig them on Bandcamp or Spotify or Soundcloud, nothing compares to the cupid's arrow of their live set.

Follow Slothrust on Facebook and Twitter and purchase Of Course You Do on CD and vinyl via Ba Da Bing Records now.