PREVIEW: Salem Wolves Album Release Show [O’Briens 5/7]

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By Anna Marketti

What better way to spend your Sunday night than thrashing along to Salem Wolves‘ newest album, Tooth & Nail at O’Brien’s? The Salem-based group creates raucous tunes that embody the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll: chugging guitar lines, wailing vocal riffs, and an indomitable crash cymbal that keeps time. Playing alongside Atlantic Thrills and Today Junior, Salem Wolves is hosting their album release show at O’Brien’s this Sunday (5/7).

“It’s liminal, quantum space. Rock and roll is whatever moves you,” Salem Wolves said of the genre.

As Salem is best known for its witchy haunts, Salem Wolves shared a few of their favorite witch-related pop culture icons, which includes the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus, Megg of Megg & Mogg, and “The Witch” by the Sonics. 

Their single “From The Vault” channels the gritty spirit of rock legends past — singer Gray Bouchard’s throaty vocals crack at the edges and descend into maniacal laughter at certain points in the song. “This ain’t the feel-good hit of the summer,” Bouchard sings. And while that may not be true of “From The Vault,” the song certainly carries an energy that easily fills a room in and of itself.
Reminiscent of Highly Suspect, the instrumentation is a key player in the music Salem Wolves produces. It toes the line of too much distortion, balancing the scuzzy guitar and bass from Dan McMahon and Harrison Swyter with crisp, breakneck drums that propel the song through its narrative. Like in “Can’t Wait,” which takes note of its title and begins with a subdued vocal track under tinny, thinly strummed guitar before bursting open at the striking up of the drums. There’s something urgent about the chorus of “ahhs” that backs Bouchard’s vocals that makes for a greater catharsis once the bridge hits.

Salem Wolves said Tooth & Nail functions as a yearbook for the band. “It’s who we were, who we are and it points to who we’ll be. It was important to exorcise these songs,” they said. The rock outfit added that who they are isn’t always necessarily good old fashioned rock. “We don’t wake up thinking ‘let’s be rock and roll today,'” they said. “We just wake up groggy and gasping and thankful to be on this side of the dirt. Then we start making noise.”

You can grab tickets for the O’Brien’s show for $8 here. If you can’t make the show on the 7th, make the journey up to Salem for a night for their hometown release show (entitled “Homecoming”) at Opus on 5/25 for $5.

REVIEW: New Pornographers + Waxahatchee at HOB (4/25)

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By Nick Calvino
Photos by David Kinchen

Rain and wind sure put things in perspective sometimes.

The miserable weather made the House of Blues, rife with faux-artifacts, tchotchkes, and pricey drinks seem like an ideal respite, but nothing could shake the upbeat mood brought in by The New Pornographers show that evening.

Opening the evening was Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield, joined by bassist Katherine Simonetti. The duo took the stage with a simple “hi” before captivating the docile crowd with a set peppered with new tracks. This run of dates preempts the July release of the band’s upcoming release, Out in the Storm, and songs like “Silver” and “A Little More” are some of the strongest the band has made yet. The highlight of the set also happened to be a new track by the name “Sparks Fly.” Their set was tender and subdued, easing crowd into the atmosphere without lulling them into complacency.

The New Pornographers came with two notable presences: an incredibly colorful, sci-fi futurist backdrop and Neko Case. With this rare appearance, the band was 8 members strong and as lush as ever.

Launching into “High Ticket Attractions” off their latest record, Whiteout Conditions, it became clear that they’ve hardly (if ever) waned in quality. Every song felt like a power pop classic, just recorded in different eras. Particularly strong this evening were the chugging, confident “Dancehall Domine” and “All The Old Showstoppers”, but the title track of their newest record was easily one of the most powerful of the evening with its epic, ‘80s-like synths.

When they do engage in banter, the chemistry in the band is always a treat. Neko Case went from commenting on how the rainy weather frizzled her red mane into feeling like her head was covered in spiders to a joking belief that they were all on The X-Files.

The only noticeable absence in their revised X-Files cast came during “Testament to Youth in Verse.” Lead vocals were handled by Carl Newman in lieu of Dan Bejar, currently recording with his group Destroyer. However, the exhilaration of the new record and hearing fan favorites like “The Bleeding Heart Show” show made up for the lack of his contributions this round.

There was a slight presence of our current political climate that was hard to ignore. Music stands were adorned with stickers that read “RESIST” and the large, square void of the backdrop that appeared to spew about twenty solar eclipses. Coupled with the band’s powerful melodies and seamless grandeur though, it suggested some sort of positivity out of the darkness; a fleeting beauty in the face of uncertain fate.

For more photos from the show, check out our gallery below.

REVIEW: Pinegrove (Sinclair 4/26)

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By Jeremy Stanley
Photos by Sarah Wilson

During a tuning break mid-set, Evan Stephens Hall jokingly likened a string of sub-two-minute songs to the “living room” portion of Pinegrove’s show. Despite an extremely sold-out Sinclair, with a crowd singing along to every word, the show had the intimacy and the feel of a living room. Not a show, just the room itself. The feeling of a worn-in carpet and the crackle of the nearby fireplace.

Maybe it’s because of how good these songs sound live. Pinegrove is such a strong live band. Songs that sound great on albums Cardinal and Everything so Far reach new heights on stage.

Take “Angelina” – one of those sub-two-minute tunes – for example. On record, there is a tension to the track. Live, Hall’s delivery brings a sense of urgency and yearning, particularly when he sings “I love you like it’s the old days.” The band takes complex arrangements and turns them into gold.

Other highlights from the set list included “Aphasia,” with its extended jam out; “Old Friends,” with its heart-wrenching lyrics; and “Size of the Moon,” with its – well, heart-wrenching lyrics is already taken.

Hall’s stage presence is playfully goofy. Before playing the last song before the encore, he noted that he was hungry and would leave the stage for a snack of a red pepper. And after that last song, the applause died down and the crowd quieted to a hush – no rampant hush. Sure, bandleaders note the utter stupidity of encores, but it’s rare to see it treated like an intermission. Then, Hall returned with said pepper, before tearing into “Recycling.”

Allow me be the first to admit that it took me a while to truly get Pinegrove. But when I did finally connect with the music, everything I once read about the band with passing interest turned into must reads. It’s hard to say what compelled me to listen that fifth or sixth time that got me truly hooked on Pinegrove’s sound, but I’m glad it did. Hall’s songwriting, along with the band’s refined sound, should stick around for years to come.

Hovvdy of Austin, Texas, was Pinegrove’s tour mates. The music rarely deviated from a slow pace. Hovvdy is originally a duo, but tours as a four-piece ensemble.

Horse Jumper of Love served as local support (read our 2016 feature on the band here). This band has played all over the Boston area of course, but there’s nothing quite like hearing the band’s self-titled album’s tracks performed on The Sinclair’s clean and crisp sound system.

Check out photos of the show below. Pinegrove’s next stop in the Boston area is at Newport Folk Festival.

PHOTOS: Jazz Cartier & J.I.D at Sonia (4/27)

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by Lee Delulio

Do you like stage dives, mosh pits, or an artist walking on the crowd? Then get hip to Jazz Cartier; cause that’s what’s going down at his shows. Jazz’s music has a signature energy to it which translates into a strong performance. Nothing worse than seeing an artist undersell their own music in person. Thankfully that was nowhere near the case. Jazz brought the juice and delivered a healthy serving.

Opening for Jazz is up and coming Dreamville artist J.I.D. J.I.D’s new album “The Never Story” has picked up some steam since it’s release last month. J.I.D had a great, albeit, brief set. Would have loved to heard more off his new album which is strong throughout. Overall a quality night of hip hop at Cambridge’s newest venue Sonia.

PHOTOS: Ruby Rose Fox w/ Bent Knee at Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (4/27)

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by Ross Edmond

On Thursday April 27th the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum RISE Music Series hosted two outstanding acts in the museum’s sonic cube, Calderwood Hall.

Ruby Rose Fox headlined the show and lived up to her billing as a vocal powerhouse who delivers soul-driven, edgy rock ‘n roll. With past accolades including the 2016 New England Music Awards “Female Performer of the Year”, 2015 Boston Music Awards “Best Pop Artist” & “Best Female Vocalist”, and the Improper Bostonian “Best Musician of 2015” title, Ruby Rose Fox is gaining momentum in 2017 to make this her strongest year to date.

Democratic musical collective Bent Knee have been pushing the boundaries of pop and rock since their formation in 2009, and the RISE performance was no exception. With Courtney Swain on vocals, Chris Baum on violin, versatile Ben Levin on guitar, Jessica Kion of bass, and Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth on drums, the Boston-based band combined for a nuanced yet captivating performance.

SHOW PREVIEW: Midnight Snack @ Cafe 939

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By Becca DeGregorio

For a summer sound as indulgent as a quesadilla shoddily made under moonlight, look not further than Boston-via-Asheville art-pop outfit Midnight Snack, which plays the Red Room at Cafe 939 alongside Two Girls this Saturday (5/6). After giving the new album Child’s Eyes a listen, you may be hungry for more (Sorry. I really am sorry for the pun. Stay with me here.)

The closer on Child’s Eyes (aptly named “Closer”) is, oddly enough, a good place to start. The song accurately displays the many sounds of Midnight snack: bass, keys, synth, crisp vocals, nodding toward shoegaze but melting into something different as well. Think Unknown Mortal Orchestra with more groove; think Duran Duran with less of it (and for the better). There you have the ex-Boston group consisting of drummer/vocalist Jack Victor, guitarist Mike Johnson, bassist Pete Brownlee, guitarist Zack Kardon and trumpeter/vocalist Katie Richter.

That said, if you must know each member’s favorite midnight snack™, we’re ahead of you on that front:

Pete (bass) – Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food
Jack (drums/vocals) – pita chips & hummus
Zack (guitar) – green beans sautéed in butter and garlic
Mike (guitar) – a cheesie (pizza)
Katie (trumpet/vocals) – avocado & pretzels 

Midnight Snack play the Red Room at Cafe 939 Saturday 5/6. Doors are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

INTERVIEW: Shonen Knife Talks Punk Rock and Ramen

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by Jackie Swisshelm

It’s been 36 years since Shonen Knife first formed, but Naoko Yamano, the band’s main vocalist, guitarist, and most loyal participant doesn’t want to talk about that. Her sister, and Shonen Knife’s original drummer-turned-bassist Atsuko Yamano, is officially back with the band after an almost 10 year hiatus. Together with the fresh-faced and eager Risa Kawano on drums, the punk rock trio is taking the US by storm— again. This time, it’s for Adventure, the name of their latest full length album, and a healthy helping of ramen in 28 cities along the way.

We met up with the punk legends ahead their show at Boston’s Japanese tavern, Hojoko, for some of that sweet ambrosia they call ramen, and to talk music before they embarked on what is sure to be the most delicious tour of all time.

Allston Pudding: First of all, why ramen over sushi, tempura or other foods?

Naoko: Sushi is already very popular here and ramen is now getting popular. Ramen is a very creative food because each restaurant has each recipe, so they taste very different. Depends on the restaurant. And ramen is very quick, easy to eat, but very tasty. So we picked ramen.

AP: Did you grow up with music?

Risa (translated from Japanese by Naoko): Risa’s father liked rock music and she was listening to rock music when she was a child.

Naoko: I started listening to rock music when I was a junior high school student and I started to listen to to the Beatles first, and then I was inspired by late 70’s punk bands like Ramones, Buzzcocks—that kind of music.

Atsuko: I’m the younger sister of Naoko so all the things she listened to. I checked her records.

AP: I have an older sister and definitely went through all her CDs when I was young, so I understand. Which was the first band you saw that made you go, ‘I wanna do that?’

Naoko: Actually, my first rock concert was Aerosmith.

AP: You know they’re from Boston?

Naoko: Wow! It was late 70’s and I was a high school student. When Steven Tyler came to Japan, he got cold but played very energetically, enthusiastically.

Risa: Risa went to see Shonen Knife when she was a high school student. It was her first rock concert.

AP: That’s amazing! When did you realize you wanted music to be your life?

Naoko: [humming] I think around 1992 or ’93. We released our albums from big record company in America at that time.

AP: What’s the last song you sang along to? Can you name a couple bands you like to listen to while on tour?

Naoko: Rock and blues musicians like Earth Wind & Fire or Con Funk Shun. Michael Jackson.

Atsuko: Jackson 5!

Naoko: Because I like to listen to the music which I cannot play. R&B is very different from Shonen Knife music, very far. So I like that.

AP: What about everyone else? Do you kinda do your own thing?

Atsuko: I like punk music sometimes. Also in the airplane I listen to hard rock, 70s era.

Risa: 70’s classical rock music like Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.

AP: How did you start playing your instrument?

Naoko: I was a very, very little child I had a piano lessons but my piano teacher was so strict, so I didn’t like to play piano. But it’s useful for me. And then I started to play the guitar when I was a high school student. But my first guitar was acoustic guitar so it’s very hard to put the chords, and I had sore fingers so I quit! And then in early 80’s I started to play electric guitar. And after I formed Shonen Knife, I started to play electric guitar.

AP: How did you pick up the drums, Risa?

Risa: When she was a junior high school student, she formed rock band with her friend. And her friend wanted to make her a drummer. So that’s why she drummed.

Atsuko: Actually, I am the original drummer.

AP: And then you picked up bass, right?

Atsuko: Yes. When we formed Shonen Knife, Naoko played guitar, Michie bass, and then Naoko asked me, “You should play drums.” I go, “O-kay.”

AP: How has touring in the U.S. changed throughout the years?

Naoko: It’s getting more convenient because of internet. For this time, I brought a SIM-free cell phone, you just change the SIM card. It’s very easy. I can search everything through internet so it’s very convenient. Also the number of delicious Japanese restaurant increasing, so very good for us.

AP: Makes sense. What are some of your favorite lyrics from your new album Adventure?

Naoko: It’s very difficult to pick one, but “Rock’n’roll T-Shirt” I think is a good thing because we usually sell our t-shirts as merch and I’m always annoying about t-shirt design. Recently, I started to draw by myself for our t-shirt. It’s really cool. I hope many Shonen Knife fans like my drawing.

AP: Which songs are the most fun to play live in general?

Naoko: Risa likes “Capybarra” and I enjoy songs like “Cobra vs Mongoose” or “Antonio Baka Guy.” Like, heavy metallic songs.

Atsuko: I like to play “Wasabi.”

AP: Thats’s definitely a favorite. So who’s the best new artist out of Japan right now?

Naoko: My favorite is a band called EXTRUDERS.

Atsuko: Convex Level.

AP: Do you have any advice for young women who want to play music?

Naoko: Just keep on rocking, and never quit.

Find photos by Sarah Wilson from dinner and the show below.


 

PREVIEW: Boston En Masse Festival’s Mixed Genre Mission

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By Harry Gustafson

Flyer by Jane Fitzsimmons

It’s 2017. Most of us realize that music isn’t something that can (or should) be wrapped up into a box with a nice little bow on top that lets us know what genre it is. It is increasingly common to see bands break the constraints of their genre labels, collaborate with others and create new sonic mashups. Think about all the classic cross-genre team-ups over the years – from Public Enemy and Anthrax to Feistodon, and beyond – and the fantastic results such collaborations have yielded. The Boston En Masse festival takes this to heart, pushing for a Boston music scene that serves more as a crossroads of talent than a glorification of one style of music. 

Coming this Saturday (4/29), Illegally Blind, a live music series with a focus on uniting local fans regardless of genre, will host the third iteration of the Boston En Masse festival The event is a showcase of local talent at Somerville’s ONCE Ballroom. In previous years, the festival stretched over multiple days, but this year, the organizers have consolidated it into one. The goal of the festival is to get local musicians and their supporters together under one roof to bond over their mutual love for the Boston scene, strengthening cross-genre relationships. This year’s lineup is a generous sampler of local sounds, including Birthing Hips, Oompa, Haasan Barclay, Strange Mangers, What Cheer? Brigade and more. 

Each of the acts have generated strong waves throughout the local scene in recent years. It also seems like a lot of these artists share Illegally Blind’s philosophy that genre isn’t that big a deal; many of them do their fair share of genre-hopping. For instance, People Like You blend indie rock and jazz, while Haasan Barclay’s washed-out R&B vibes contain hints of psychedelic synthpop. This is a great chance to go see some artists that you may have heard about through friends, but haven’t given a listen to yet. You’ll be able to meet other locals who are invested in the scene, but have entered from another end. 

With music starting at 7, the bands are split between two stages in the ballroom to minimize the time between sets. Boston En Masse is all ages, and tickets are available for $12 online or $15 at the door. ONCE Somerville also posted in the Facebook page for the event recently, stating that a limited amount of physical tickets are available at Somerville Grooves, the record store in Union Square. Stop by, pick up your tix, select a few groovy LPs and help support local music on a variety of levels!

Flyer by Jane Fitzsimmons

Boston En Masse is set to be a killer time. Check out the full lineup, plus set times:

STAGE 1:
11:40pm – What Cheer? Brigade
11:00pm – Gem Club
10:00pm – Roz and the Rice Cakes
9:00pm – People Like You
8:00pm – Birthing Hips
7:00pm – Strange Mangers

STAGE 2:
10:30pm – Oompa
9:30pm – Lina Tullgren
8:30pm – Beeef
7:30pm – Haasan Barclay

VIDEO PREMIERE: LittleboybigHeadonbike

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By Allston Pudding Staff

Providence’s LittleboybigHeadonbike has released a video detailing the swirling thoughts that follow the end of a relationship. The track is off of the band’s upcoming album, God Damn Wonderland.

“The intent of the video is to display three main narratives that all represent a different part of the mind. The girl running was symbol of subconsciously avoiding inconvenient thoughts, or a romance inevitably coming to an end. The boy building the fire represents a stubborn attempt to keep things going, despite how impossible it may seem. He keeps trying to light the fire, failing each time, but when he finally throws a clock into the fire, the one factor that is causing the situation is stopped, and the song ends.When looking back at the relationship, the main character can only conclude that ‘it was alright’,” Will Orchard (guitar/vocals) said. 

 

You can pre-order God Damn Wonderland (released June 23rd) and check out LittleboybigHeadonbike this summer on the following dates:

6.22 @ Lowell, M.A. (unchARTed)

6.23 @ Providence, R.I. (as220)

6.24 @ Middletown, C.T. (mac650 Gallery)

6.25 @ Boston, M.A. (O’Brien’s)

6.26 @ Brooklyn, N.Y. (Muchmore’s)

6.27 @ Philadelphia, P.A.(Pharmacy)

6.28 @ Washington, D.C. (Electric Maid)

6.29 @ Richmond, V.A. (Strange Matter)

6.30 @ Raleigh, N.C. (TBD)

 

PREVIEW: Steep Leans vs Drug Dogs [Great Scott 4/28]

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By Christine Varriale

Steep Leans and Drug Dogs are playing a show together tomorrow night at Great Scott with Rick Rude, Dead Trains, and Idle Pilot. Before the show, Matt Altieri of Drug Dogs and Jeff Somers and Joe Beaton of Steep Leans asked each other some hard hitting questions, because they were so excited to play together. We’re equally excited for Steep Leans‘ return to Boston after their life as a local band before migrating in the exodus to Philly. Rick Rude is a truly amazing band out of NH/ME that you should see tomorrow as a precursor for their stint up at Waking Windows next weekend. Dead Trains plays blues rock that isn’t vomit coming out of Dan Auerbach’s mouth. Self-proclaimed “post-whatever three piece” Idle Pilot are coming to ya from way up north Lowell. If you want to experience the rock n’ roll lifestyle boy is this gig for you!!! Here is what Matt, Joe, and Jeff have to say about Hulk Hogan, birds, Kurt Cobain, and the typeface of your tombstone among other topics that may or may not have anything to do with their actual music.

Let’s play 19 questions with Steep Leans

Drug Dogs: I just want to get this one out of the way…what is a “Steep Lean?”

Steep Leans: he’s this sort of lone wolf vigilante cowboy figure think clint eastwood. think mad max. Steep Leans. it’s like a name. get it?

DD: Favorite Hall & Oates member?

SL: i guess i’d go with oates, because he’s always got a sick looking guitar in every video. he’s kind like a miniature lionel richie. check this video out it’s chill AF 

DD: Who is a person that is going to change the world one day, that nobody knows about?

SL: john brown (of world cup) and he doesn’t even know it

DD: Would you rather have a phone-shaped-banana or a banana-shaped-phone?

SL: damn this is a good question. I guess the phone shaped banana….that i would dip in some sort of lacquer to preserve and then eventually i’d turn that into an actual phone so it would be phone shaped banana banana phone.

DD: What is your least favorite type of bird?

SL: i think i find all birds equally irritating/entertaining. i could say something obvious like the seagull or the pigeon. but what fun would a beach be without a seagull. there’s no excitement there. they’re hilarious

DD: What is your favorite hot pockets flavor?

LL: cheese and roni obviously what the hell?

DD: If Steep Leans existed in the 1970s, peace-and-love hippie era, who would you be jamming with?

SL: big star. and we’d both be broke. :^)

DD: If you could cast the current Steep Leans lineup into a film, what film would it be?

SL: Hmmm, maybe Wild Hogs.

DD: Did Courtney love kill Kurt Cobain?

SL: nah but she definitely didn’t help him out too much. i think she was definitely a contributor to his downfall. but that’s also his own fault. poor guy.

DD: If you had to cram your entire existence into one guitar pedal, what guitar pedal would you become?

SL: i’d probably go with my Visual Sound tap delay. that’s how I get my sound. it has this modulation knob where i get my warbly guitar sound, as opposed to using chorus or phaser which i used to use, but i found that this pedal sort of
combines all the shit i want into one place. this pedal is the culmination of me fucking around with a lot of sounds for a long time.

DD: What color did you see the dress as?

SL: god dammit. i think blue? wasn’t it gold? the dang dress/ dang the dress.

DD: You must enlist all of Steep Leans to wrestle a 4-on-1 handicap match against any professional wrestler of your choosing, alive or dead. Who do you go up against?

SL: i think we’re gonna go with Hulk Hogan, cause he’s like bad a guy. a pretty poor father from what i’ve heard. and check it out, cory is already prepared:


(editor’s note: he is clearly dressed up as macho man randy savage, not hulk hogan, but i’m gonna let this one slide)

DD: If you have Marilyn Manson’s phone number, what would you text him?

SL: 15/m/boston u? no i’d probably see if he wants to party. he likes to party

DD: Favorite drinking hole?

SL: in boston, i’m going with michaels in somerville. in the US i’m going with Charles Hanson’s 169 Soul Jazz Oyster Bar in LES NYC. $3 beer and shot combos before 5pm/$5 dollars after. the tip jar says “drug fund” but the G is backwards. there’s a free pink leopard print pool table. tiki drinks. a dinosaur coming out of the wall and a stripper pole that they pay like, older middle aged women to dance. it’s not like sexual thing. it’s more like a david lynch thing.

DD: Steep Leans has an eating contest. Who wins? What is eaten?

SL: [Jeff turns to look at Steep Lean member Tim Cushing] mussels.

DD: You’re in charge of writing a children’s book. What do you write about?

SL: I’m gonna let Joe take this one:
Joe Beaton: “The hippo that saved the day.”

DD: Most underrated or under appreciated band you’ve heard this year?

SL: My boys in Jaw Gems from Portland, ME and YVES TUMOR

DD: if you had to be trapped on a desert island with only 2 of the golden girls who would they be and why

SL: So I never watched a lot of golden girls as an adult. I used to watch it when i was like 10. i guess i’d probably just choose jenny lewis as an adult (tho shes tech not a golden girl, she was the daughter) because i really liked her band rilo kiley’s first record in high school and had a crush on her. Then i guess B Arthur would be like our chaperone or something.

DD: What is the one conspiracy theory you’re most likely to believe?

SL: Bill Hicks went insane and disappeared and came back as alex jones. It sucks. i know.