Sick Pills — Sickening Earlier today I was blasting the new CD Sickening from the New Bedford-based band Sick Pills. With all that ground thumping new wave goodness pouring from my open window, my normally bucolic, suburban street was transformed into what the Bowery must have sounded like some 40 years ago when Television or […]
We start this week off with some sad news: that Dave Lamb of Brown Bird is still battling leukemia. The band has been unable to earn a living for almost a year now due his illness. Thankfully friends and fans have rallied to the cause with generous donations to help them get by in what […]
The Atlantic Thrills –Self Titled (Almost Ready Records) On their debut full-length release, Atlantic Thrills let their retro flag fly proudly from the cover straight down the songs that celebrate the spirits and sound of 60s garage, psychedelic, harmonies and surf guitars. Atlantic Thrills keep the recipe simple as far as basing everything off […]
1. Friday, February 14: Bad Rabbits, Seasick Mama, Young Pandas; $15; 8 pm doors / 9 pm show; all ages; The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. Bad Rabbits finally seem to be on the verge of the stardom they rightfully deserve. A righteous blend of rock, funk and R&B, the Boston-based band finally […]
“A more groove orientated T. Rex kind of Electric Warrior feel.” –Swan Point’s upcoming album Salt Whelp, the polar vortex has metamorphosed into a balmy-January-by-New-England-standards vortex. So let’s continue with a heat wave and talk about a new band that’s ready to catch some waves in Swan Point. I caught Swan Point a number of […]
The best in local albums of 2013 and the best in January 2014 concerts 2013 was a strong year for local releases. People like these “Best of 2013” lists, but I question if anyone ever goes out and buys a record because of it. I guess the local New England releases that come to […]
1. Saturday, January 11th: Rustic Overtones, Grace and The RSO, Viking Jesus; $10 advance / $12 day of; 7:30 pm doors / 9 pm show; 18+; The Spot Underground. Rustic Overtones are a band that I have enjoyed from afar for what feels like forever. While blending rock, funk and soul isn’t exactly what I look for, they do […]
Rock in RI: Clarkin’s top shows of December Throwing Muses – Purgatory/Paradise It’s been a decade since Newport’s own Throwing Muses have released a record and Purgatory/Paradise shows that it wasn’t spent being idle. Purgatory/Paradise is a 32-track record that comes with a book that includes audio commentary and even more tracks! Because of the […]
Five of the biggest concerts happening in RI this December 1. Saturday, December 7: A Wilhelm Scream (Partycrasher CD release!), Half Hearted Hero, The Holy Mess, The Down and Outs. $12 advance / $14 day of. 7 pm doors / 8 pm show. All ages. The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. New Bedford’s own A Wilhelm Scream’s new […]
I wanted to start this column addressing the recent passing of Lou Reed. I remember reading about The Velvet Underground as a band “that almost nobody bought their records but everyone that did started a band.” As a person that perpetually starts fake bands that never go anywhere, this seemed like something to check out. […]