The Drowning Men at Terminal 5, NYC

This isn’t a show review. Not exactly. It’s a story of heartfelt commitment to one’s craft, to strength and perseverance, and to the bonds of friendship. And by “friendship,” I don’t mean posting something witty on someone’s facebook page, but coming to their rescue in the middle of the night on some desolate highway after a hellish traffic accident, packing their gear into your trailer and managing to cram 19 people onto a tour bus. (more…)

Behold, Mikel Jollett’s Iggy Pop Moment with a then clueless Boston audience waiting for Franz Ferdinand at WFNX’s ‘Miracle on Tremont Street’ holiday concert back in December 2008. I’m assuming the reaction will be a little different when The Airborne Toxic Event takes to the stage of the Orpheum Theatre as headliners tonight.

A limited number of tickets are (I believe) still available at the door. Let’s sell this out! | Miracle on Tremont Street 2008 review

(from their last visit in May, at the House of Blues):

Black Ocean and Walter Sickert PROUDLY present PANDORA’s BOX
2 Nights of ART and Mayhem @ the Church of Boston
Friday 11/18 and Saturday 11/19
doors 8pm, 21+ | Buy Tickets ($10/advance; $12/day of show each night. $16 for a Golden Ticket Two Day Pass (comes with a FREE exclusive, UNRELEASED song – download card to be picked up at the venue)
::: Preview Trailer :::

If you’re beginning to feel the pull of holiday season psychosis, and would like to be yanked straight off the edge, might I suggest beginning your silly season in the company of Walter Sickert & his Posse of Perverted Elves (with special guests). Different sets, costumes and vibe each night. Leave your inhibitions at the door, take a deep breath, and step into the welcoming abyss. (more…)

(clockwise from top left): Jaggery (Noah Blumenson-Cook), BENT KNEE, Lainey SchoolTree (Caleb Cole), and Sound of Venus (http://www.jenniferbmorgan.com).

Coloring Party with Sounds of Venus, SchoolTree, Jaggery, BENT KNEE @ the Middle East Upstairs
Thursday, November 17, 2011
9pm doors | 18+ | $10 | facebook event | tickets

Sounds of Venus, SchoolTree, Jaggery, and BENT KNEE cordially invite you to their Coloring Party. For one night only, the Middle East Upstairs is transformed into an interactive art space. Draw while you listen; let the music inspire you to artistic heights (or depths). Bring crayons, pens, pencils, pastels, oils, acrylics, calligraphy sets, stone tablets, etch-a-sketches, play-dough, paper, etc. ~ additional art supplies will be provided. (more…)

On this auspicious evening, the theme is CULT, and the featured performers include:

The Slutcracker mastermind Sugar Dish

Burlesque artist Femme Brulee

Lainey SchoolTree

Elephant Tango Ensemble
Valerie Thompson (Voice/Cello, Goli), Vessela Stoyanova (MIDI Marimba, Goli), Brendan Burns (Guitar), & Nate Greenslit (Percussion, HUMANWINE, What Time Is It, Mr Fox).

Black Cat Burlesque co-creator Mary Widow as David Bowie

A sneak preview of the holiday phenomenon The Slutcracker

WIREFOREST Cult Leader Walter Sickert

A special performance art piece from Axe To Ice’s Artistic Director Karin Webb

Video shorts from the Boston Underground Film Festival

As always, the evening will be hosted by UnAmerika’s Sweetheart Karin Webb and the legendary Mary Dolan.

Get on down to Harvard Square tonight and give them a rousing farewell!

(clockwise from top left): Voltaire, Black Tape For A Blue Girl (photo by KyleCassidy.com), WEEP, Sugar Snow, and Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling.

Projektfest 2011 at The Middle East Downstairs
Saturday, November 12, 7pm doors
18+ | $20 | facebook event | Tickets

Presented by Dark Sky Productions and Projekt Records, it’s Projektfest 2011, a dark and atmospheric orgy of fine bands and also vendors and artisans. Featured artists include:

Black Tape For A Blue Girl

Theatrical, dark cabaret since 1986. Old favorites.

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Voltaire

Extremely odd, and very unique. “Morbid humor, murder ballads, and other macabre favorites.”

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WEEP (featuring Doc Hammer of The Venture Brothers)

A very nice ’80s inspired goth/synth pop sound. I reviewed their debut album for Hybrid Magazine; really like them. Fans of The Cure, New Order and The Psychedelic Furs take note!

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with supporting local Boston artists Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling and Sugar Snow. (more…)

On Saturday morning’s Expanding Awareness program, Victor and his guest will be discussing Mandalas – their meanings and uses. They’re at 90.3FM in the Boston area (the interview begins at 10am), or this show can be heard after the fact on the WZBC Archive. All of ‘ZBC’s shows are online for two weeks. (more…)

The aftermath, West Hartford, Ct

How can I explain this paradigm shift? I was going along, living my life, within a certain comforting flow of events and circumstances. Ups and downs, to be sure, but overall a sense that everything would be ok. Then suddenly – and it came at me with no warning – this major change. I was no longer sure… of anything. Maybe it was the economic downturn and general malaise and dissatisfaction; the overseas violence and uprisings. Or perhaps it was the odd and increasingly frequent natural disasters. A seemingly endless maudlin parade of surprises. A new reality operating at a completely different frequency that I didn’t understand. At some point when I wasn’t paying attention, I got out of sync. And here we are. Welcome to the new normal.

So it was really nothing out of the ordinary when, on this seemingly benign autumn weekend, a significant portion of the Northeastern U.S. would get a small taste of what everyday life is like for a quarter of the world’s population. (more…)

(clockwise from top left): Mezzanine Owls, Summer Darling, Walking Sleep (photo by Jimmy Mendiola), and Voxhaul Broadcast

I see that two weeks ago, I threatened a bunch of band profiles and updates. What can I say? Sh*t happens. And sometimes, really weird sh*t happens. More on that coming soon, once I’ve had sufficient time to collect and jot down my thoughts. For now, here’s an update on some of my favorite Eastside L.A. bands who’ve floated into my inbox in the past few months – Mezzanine Owls has a welcomed rebirth on JAXART Records; Summer Darling has a new song and a new video; Walking Sleep has a special 12″ vinyl/CD package of their recent Tarp Sessions plus rarities; and Voxhaul Broadcast is in town Tuesday night at TT’s! (more…)

Local musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and author Audrey Ryan will be celebrating the release of her book, “The Need to be Heard”, with performance and book readings tomorrow night at the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church in Somerville. Joining her will be author/artist/musician Dylan Metrano (Tiger Saw) and songwriter/performer/landscaper Guy Capecelatro III. (more…)