Handsome Pete’s Birthday Shitshow – The Funcrushers – Self-Titled CD Release (75orLessRecords) Longtime local music fixture Handsome Pete Lima’s annual birthday never fails to live up to its billing. This year will be no exception as it includes a self titled CD Release for Lima’s surf rock band, The Funcrushers, who no longer exist. His […]
The Blushing Brides (Rolling Stones tribute) I don’t do a lot on cover bands because what is there is to say other than how well a band pretends to be somebody they are not? The one exception is The Blushing Brides who I’ve caught a couple of times in recent years probably due more to […]
On their 4th release, Afterlife, VulGarrity conjures up another batch of supernatural-themed thrillers. VulGarrity are a brother/sister team composed of Shawn and Tracy (Vul)Garrity that are known for swapping instruments back and forth and being obsessed with horror movies and the supernatural. They even used to have their own web series that delved into skits […]
Jodie Treloar – Voila (75orLess Records) Jodie Treloar’s debut EP Voila features five tunes on the crossroads of indie folk and alt-country. Voila opens with “Marionette,” which reminds me of a stripped-down version of The Cranberries with the breezy guitar style and Treloar’s rich vocals. “Credit Score” is a driving indie folk nugget propelled by […]
Festivals in Flux In local music, breaking news is kind of rare. Sure, bands put out albums and play shows, but those are more the result of months of work and planning than anything suddenly happening. But Liberty Fest had some breaking news as the steward of Liberty Fest decided to move the festival a mere […]
Last week Providence Liberty Fest unveiled a staggering listing of 40 bands for their 16th anniversary show this 4th of July at Dusk. Confirmed bands for the show include Atlantic Thrills, Baylies Band, Beta Motel, Big Huge, Blackletter, Cross-Armed Calculator, Eric and the Nothing, Feedback Psychosis, The Frenzy of Tongs, Gavage, Gymshorts, Happiness, Headless […]
All killer, no filler, hot times, summer in the city, back of my neck getting dirty and gritty… Hey ho, let’s go! Sebadoh Lou Barlow’s other seminal band, Sebadoh, reunited a few years ago and has been off and on touring ever since. Sebadoh put out some classic indie guitar swing with albums like […]
Providence Public Library – “From Pop to Punk: Highlights of 20th century Popular Music in Providence” I’ve had the privilege to patronize some legendary joints like The Rat in Boston, CBGBs in New York City, The Roxy in LA, and of course The Living Room and Safari Lounge locally. So it’s always a pleasure to […]
On a rainy Tuesday night, an eclectic crowd of roughly 400 musicians and music lovers, from folk to hardcore, from hip-hop to EDM, gathered to swap stories, down drinks and receive awards. Thanks to all who came out, and thanks to the nearly 4,000 Motif readers who took the time to vote for their favorites. It was […]
Waxahatchee – Ivy Trip (Merge Records) Indie rockers Waxahatchee released their 3rd album, Ivy Trip, last month. Primarily a vehicle for singer/songwriter Katie Crutchfield, Waxahatchee finish up this leg of their US tour at the Greenwich Odeum this Thursday night, March 14. On Ivy Trip, tunes like “Under a Rock,” which reminds me of the […]