boston

WHO: The Subprime Lenders   WHAT: On the Automile   WHY: New England has no shortage of great bands and no matter how hard I try I will always be way behind on who the cool new act in the area is. What I do know is that the Subprime Lenders most definitely qualify as one of the outstanding bands in Boston (though technically they’re from Lowell). Their latest release (although a couple years old) pulls from all the right...

WHO: THE OTTOMANS WHAT: Their SELF-TITLED debut WHY: There are some changes brewing here at Ground Control Magazine and this includes a new partnership with Red Sound Records. If you didn’t know yet, Red Sound Records is an online label focused on distributing free music, plain and simple. The bands control the process from beginning to end, and pass on the savings onto you. Or something like that… Having gone dormant for a while, Red Sound Records is back with an...

White lung Brighton Music Hall – Boston, Massachusetts – July 30, 2016   There are many ways to describe a White Lung show: ferocious, loud, energetic, threatening, powerful, transfixing. I’ve seen this band three times now, and I’m extremely glad to report that they have not lost a single beat. White Lung are one of the best bands active today and one of the greatest live acts currently touring . Their albums have a tendency to contain the same song-writing...

Leftover Crack @ Once Ballroom – Somerville, MA – June 18, 2016 Who would have guessed that the reputation Leftover Crack would have this year in Boston is as the hottest show in town. Sure, they were playing the coolest new venue in Boston (as Stefon would say, “This place has everything!”), but I remember from Punk Rock Bowling in Vegas last month that their show was one of the first to sell out. Let’s be clear here, Leftover Crack...

Aesop Rock Paradise Rock Club – Boston, Massachusetts – June 17, 2016 I love Aesop Rock, and I love the sweaty shows he puts on at the Paradise in Boston (where I’ve seen him numerous times before). Of course there might be pandering to the crowd (“This is the best crowd of the tour!” he exclaims), but this is also the best I’ve ever seen Aesop Rock. I know now that the man focuses heavily on his newest album when...

  NOFX Live: 04-28-16 Venue: Paradise in Boston, MA Review: Ollie Ottoman Photo: Scott Murry Whenever I think of NOFX live shows, I do that Italian gesture of kissing my fingers and go, “MUA!” Seriously, I have seen NOFX in small clubs and large outdoor venues (yes, the Warped Tour), and have never in my life had a bad experience. Is it because they’re such consummate musicians or because they are simply so goddamned entertaining live? Maybe it’s both. We...

I know I can always refer to Wilco when I want to make a point about what an idiot I actually am. Not that it isn’t obvious to most people. Wilco is one of those bands that I’ve avoided most of my life. First because they weren’t aggressive enough, second because I associated them with my ex, and third because I thought they were washed up at this point. Like I said, I’m an idiot. Another reason for me to...