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Upcoming Events

There are some amazing shows like Eganstock V, East Meets West Punk Fest, Punks For A Princess, and others. Don't leave without getting the 411 about them and others on our Show News page. 

Meet the Bands of the East Meets West Punk Fest by visiting the Bands Page.

The Benefit So Big - One State Couldn't Hold It

The 3rd Annual Punks for a Princess weekend event will be held Sept 3-5. Friday and Sunday's shows will be held at Club Hell in Providence, RI; Saturday's show will be held at The Beachcomber in Quincy, MA. (More details on our Show News page)

Green River Fest 2010

Many faithful festival attendees ventured out to this two-day event despite the sweltering heat, including our own John MacLeod. This year's festival brought us such acts as Cake, Gandalph Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, and Rubblebucket, along with some local faves including Fancy Trash, Unit 7, Rusty Belle and many more. To read John's adventures of musical pleasure and discovery, click here.

A Celebratory Double Whammy

On Friday September 10, The Lonesome Brothers (Jim Armenti, Ray Mason & Tom Shea w/ Scott Hall on keyboards) and the Ray Mason Band (Frank Marsh, Stephen Desaulniers, Tom Shea & Ray w/ Ken Maiuri on keyboards) will be performing at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA. What is the big double celebratory event? It's The Lonesome Brothers 25th Anniversary and Ray's 60th Birthday. Each band plays a full set for one show starting 7 p.m.

Band Feature

We would like you to check out Eva Cappelli & The Watershops Band. They won our Best of 09 in the Blues category, however they are a very multi-genre band who bring an eclectic mix of instrumentation. You can learn more about the band on our Bands page.

While you are there, you can listen to their August 22nd discussion with Patty with live acoustic performances (Eva, Joe & Mya) on 411 Underground radio show which airs on 97.7fm WBCR-lp. They debuted 3 new songs just for the occasion!

Additionally, they hold our feature video slot which can be found on our multi-media page, click here.
 

Look What's New or Returning

Bands

Many new bands have emerged in 2010. However, we will save a full report of that for our year in review in December. For now, we'll note a few.

If you caught our last edition, you know all about Sparrow, an acoustic female duo consisting of Shanta Paloma and Kim Temple. You didn't know? You can read all about it HERE.

Tasty Treats, an acoustic duo who recently hit the scene, are as sweet as candy... or are they? I (Patty) caught them for their 1st gig. Although I expected it not to be perfect with a newcomer making a performance debut, I was pleasantly surprised how well put together they were and how good they sounded. Did I mention this was a debut performance for the duo and for the lead female singer?  Now don't get it twisted. This duo, with the strong vocals of Megan Harper accompanied by veteran solo acoustic performer and lead vox for Tailor Made, Tim Rapa, sweetens you up like a sucker (the lollipop, that is) so you'll never expect what's about to hit you.

Dread Mystic, the latest reggae vibes emanating from the Berkshire hills of Western MA, features the talents of Jordan Loder, Chris Merenda, Rob Sanzone, Jennifer Schulthies and Matt Kelly. Dread Mystic made their debut on August 27 at Monte Alban restaurant (former Club Helsinki) in Great Barrington MA.

Remember Kill Shot? Well, they're back! They rocked the scene in 2009-early 2010 when they went on hiatus to seek a replacement lead singer and additional guitarist. Then, with a name change, they re-emerged in the Spring as The Shot. A couple months later, the search for a singer was back on but was short lived. Their new vocalist Toby Turschman (formerly of Ultimatum) came on board. Only 3 short weeks after joining the band, Toby and the guys made their first appearance at The Waterfront on August 13, opening for Carrie Pratt and returning to their original name, Kill Shot.

Speaking of Carrie Pratt, although not really new, as they've been around for 2 years or so, but they don't play around much which is a shame because more people need them to rock their worlds. Who is she? Well, Carrie Pratt is a 3-piece (male) unit made up of former members of Far Alpaca and Drunk in July. Why the woman's name then? Being local history buffs from Holyoke, they named the band after a woman who owned a Holyoke brothel many, many years ago, Carrie Pratt. Haven't seen them yet? Be prepared to be seduced and have your innocence taken! Or, what's left of it.

Utah, a new original rock band saying hello to the scene made up of members of Under Falling Skies, God the Robot, Disaster Simulator, et al. They make their official debut September 5 at Club Meadows in East Longmeadow MA.

Finally, Thirty Stones are rolling back to us. After being away approximately 5 years, they return to the Waterfront in Holyoke on November 27.

Venues

The Route 63 Roadhouse had closed on June 26, with owners Carol Cameron and Jamie Snyder putting it up for sale. It quickly reopened on August 10th, after enthusiastic club patron Jessica Gershman decided to buy it. The former owners will continue on to help train her, but Jessica looks equally dedicated to booking great live music. Visit Route 63 Roadhouse for more info.

The Primer Club is a new local offering, attached to the French King Bowling Center on Route 2 in Erving, MA. The space has been renovated and Paul Interlande (of Angry Chair Studios in Turners Falls, MA) has been busy putting together the makings of a great local rock club complete with a killer sound system, rack lighting and the works, with a capacity audience of 300. The grand opening show will be on October 2 at 7:30 pm featuring Q, Mycomium and Seven Minute Stagger, all for 5 bucks. For more info, check out their MySpace page or contact Josh Smith at thetheorypromo@yahoo.com.

Arts Block Cafe at 289 Main Street in Greenfield, MA is located on the first floor of The Arts Block. It is a 550-person restaurant, bar, and music venue featuring both local and nationally recognized musicians. September's entertainment schedule includes such performers as Leah Randazzo, Bernal/Eckroth/Ennis, Makaya McCraven, Geoff Vidal, Akashic Record, and Michael Gregory. Visit the Arts Block Cafe for more details.

The Grand Opening of The Still takes place on September 18. The fun begins at 2pm with raffles, giveaways, and Lazer 99.3 in the house broadcasting all day. For the evening's entertainment, three Agawam-based bands (Long Gone Day, Tailor Made, and Douglas Black) will continue the fun during nightlife hours and bless your earholes with some great local musical sounds. The new Still is located at 858 Suffield Street (Southgate Plaza) in Agawam, MA. Visit the new Still for all the details.

After 15 years of bringing in some pretty big names and area acts, Club Helsinki closed the doors at its Great Barrington MA location on August 31, 2009, with its last show the prior evening. It reopened on May 1, 2010 as Club Helsinki Hudson at its new location, 405 Columbia Street, in nearby Hudson NY - well nearby to GB anyway. Visit Helsinki Hudson.

See more Hello's and Goodbye's at bottom of page

Area Bands Open for Big Headliners

Switchblade Suicide

Boston-based rockers Switchblade Suicide opened for rock legends KISS at Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA, playing a blistering 4-song set, opening with "Stronger", off of their new EP "Japanese Release." Frontman Dennis Vasconcelos thanked the fans, Guitar Center, and KISS for the honor of opening the Boston area's "Hottest Show on Earth". "We want to thank everyone that voted for us because if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be here right now", he said to the Boston area KISS faithful.

Switchblade Suicide was #1 in the voting out of 150 local bands that entered the KISS/Guitar Center Opening Act Competition (Boston Area), selected based on their excellent musicianship, solid commercial viability and marketability, and a genre of music that KISS embodies. The reaction from the crowd supported their selection, as from beginning to end, Switchblade Suicide's music was met with resounding, enthusiastic applause after every song.

In a recent interview with Chris Kazarian of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Switchblade Suicide guitarist Geoff Jewett spoke about leveraging this experience to take the band and their music to the next level; "We don’t want to be a band that gets an opportunity like this and just disappears or rests on our laurels. This is a chance for us to take it to a different level.”

About Switchblade Suicide

2010 has been a breakthrough year for Switchblade Suicide. In addition to opening for KISS, they recently opened for Cheap Trick and Squeeze on July 17 at Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford, NH. Additionally, Switchblade Suicide has had notable performances in cities such as Pittsburgh, New York City, Hartford, Manchester, and Boston, with airplay on WBCN and an appearance on WAAF. In 2009, Switchblade Suicide opened for Dizzy Reed (Guns ‘N Roses), and members of Quiet Riot, Warrant, and White Lion.

Switchblade Suicide's sound is colorfully described as the bastard child of hard rock and heavy metal, devouring the riffs of the ‘70s (KISS, Aerosmith), the driving dominance of the ‘80s (AC/DC, Guns ‘N Roses), and the remorseless angst of the ‘90s (Alice in Chains). Blend it all together and "The Blade," as their fans have dubbed them, personifies the next incarnation of raw, ruthless rock ‘n’ roll, refusing to replicate.

Their new EP "Japanese Release" (available on iTunes and CDBaby) features "Stronger," a runaway freight train of powerful rock melodies and harmonizing, edgy vocal sounds, and the power ballad “Wasted Time”. With a sound and vibe that is uncompromising, unapologetic, and unbridled, Boston-based Switchblade Suicide will infectiously inject you with a lethal dose of original rock ‘n' roll ... just what the doctor ordered for the revival of rock music.

Ten Year Vamp

Based out of Albany, New York, the summer of 2010 went very well for upstate female-fronted rockers, Ten Year Vamp. First, they won the "Open for Bon Jovi" contest held by PYX 106 and The River 99.5 area's public vote to open for Bon Jovi at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga, NY on July 11. They also opened for Aerosmith on August 26 at the New York State Fair in Syracuse NY. Additionally, they have performed with Big Bad Daddy Voodoo at Stamford CT's Alive at 5 and opened for the Gin Blossoms at Albany's Alive at 5 celebration.

Other highlights from 2010 for Ten Year Vamp include:

Voted Best Rock Band 2010 in the Albany Capital District by Metroland Magazine

Made it to the final round at the Hard Rock Cafe Battle of the Bands in Boston

Featured in AP Magazine

Their song "Rockstar" was used by the NHL during the 2010 NHL Awards Show

Their song "Pleasures (That I Call Mine) aired on MTV's Real World, New Orleans

Their songs "Never Know" and "Say That You Made Love to Me" won Honorable Mention Awards in Billboard Magazine's 2010 'World Song' contest

Adobe and Dockers licensed songs to be used in upcoming company videos

Other Hello's, Goodbyes, and Tidbits

-  Sifer returns with new bassist and drummer on Oct. 22 at Casey's Billiards in Pittsfield. Watch for their upcoming feature in our 4th Anniversary Edition on Oct. 20

- The Poncherellos returned for a one and only 2010 show at Rebel Sound Records on Aug 25

- Toby Turschman says goodbye to his position as lead singer of Ultimatum and hello to Kill Shot. Also, saying hello to new bands are Mya Llure partnering with Eva Cappelli & The Water Shops Band; Mark Gentile (Sweet Revenge) joined Hero Psycho; and Mike Jekot (The Excuses) joins the forces of The Uncomfortables

- Saying their goodbyes to the scene were Subculture Stereo, God the Robot, Red Invasion, and Dredi . Also saying goodbye was The Devil's Moses; however, according to Coop as stated on the 411 Underground radio show, they are not gone for good; they were auditioning for a new lead singer and will return under a new identity. We'll check back in on that soon.

Upcoming CD Releases

In September, All That Remains and Denial Machine both release new cd's. This will be the second cd released in 2010 for Denial Machine. For October, Billy G and The Blue Zone release their new cd with a Halloween performance at the Wahconah Country Club in Pittsfield MA on Oct 30.

HotBlack "Rock and Roll Will Destroy Your Life". The CD release party will be on November 12 at The Elevens in Northampton with HotBlack, Planetoid, Yucky Octopus and Mellow Bravo on the lineup.

Also working on new cds that you can expect in the near, or not so near, future are The Damaged, Pruf, Pallet, Independent Idiot, John Brandoli, Deafened by Love, The Uncomfortables, Lenny Lashley, and Eva Cappelli & The Water Shops Band.