The Doctors Fox To Perform With New Beard At The Milky Way

Boston's own The Doctors Fox will be performing a show in a little less than 2 weeks at The Milky Way in Jamaica Plain. The Doctors Fox are a melting pot of rock, bluegrass, reggae, funk, bossa-nova, and jazz all rolled into one, sort of like a musical burrito of sorts. Joining them for this show will be Brooklyn's own New Beard, a band that has a penchant for performing with an electric tuba, a guitar player who could pass as a spitting image of Frank Zappa, a lead singer who resembles a hobbit but with a booming voice, and a saxophone player and a drummer who aren't that bad either. All this should be reason enough for you to come out and check out these two bands in action!

The show will take place on Thursday, January 31st at 9:30pm. Tickets are $5 at the door and the show is 21+. For more information on The Doctors Fox, visit their BandCamp page here where you can download their latest album. And if you would like to check out New Beard, visit their BandCamp right here where you can discover their wide assortment of musical delights.

Artist Spotlight: Cub Scouts

For today's edition of Artist Spotlight, we had to the land Down Under, specifically Brisbane, Australia and unwrap the eclectic sounds of Cub Scouts. The band consists of Tim Nelson on vocals and piano, Zoe Davis on vocals and bass, Sam Netterfield on vocals and keys, Daniel Puusaari on drums, and Andrew Williams on guitar. The band has a dreamy, focused indie rock dynamic similar to the stylings of Beach House and Vacationer with a strong emphasis put on keyboards and synthesizers to get their musical point across to their prospective listening audience. I've become a bigger fan of indie rock in the past few years, specifically the aforementioned bands I previously mentioned that utilize an electronic dynamic within their music that makes it feel like you're watching the band live in concert right before your very eyes, and in awe and amazement of the musical kinship of everyone involved who have gathered to create these compositions for you. A terrific indie band that is definitely deserving of greater exposure here in the U.S. Some highly recommended tracks for you to check out include "Evie" and "Told You So".

For more information on Cub Scouts, head on over to the band's Facebook page located here where you can find out more information on this up and coming Aussie band. The group is also on Twitter right over here where you can stay in touch with the band and see if any tour dates will be popping up in the U.S. soon. The group's official website located here contains links where you can listen to the band's music and find more in-depth info related to the band. If you would like to purchase their new EP "Told You So", you can buy it on iTunes at this link right here.

Me vs. Gravity - Begin EP

Boston, MA's own Me vs. Gravity are back with their second EP titled Begin. The disc is a clever mix of rock and electronic beats superimposed with a strong lyrical mindset that makes the band a big hit with the teenage crowd, and this EP reinforces the notion that their best is yet to come.

The disc starts out with the EP's title track, "Begin" a downtempo, slightly electronic infused delight with the strong lead vocals of Zach Nelson guiding you through the song at ease, and gives you a preview of the type of songs we can expect to hear moving forward. "What Went Wrong" picks up the melodic intensity quite a bit with a stronger emphasis put on the drums, brought yo you courtesy of Benjamin Meyers who contributes a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to each track that the band produces, and assumes a bit of a leadership role from a listener standpoint. My favorite track off the disc is "Alone", a downtempo ballad that is able to strike a balance between the rock and electronic influences, and is able to integrate those components into the song without making it sound drowned out and convoluted, plus the lyrics definitely strike a chord with the devoted members of their fanbase who will grow to appreciate this song almost immediately after first listen. "Killing Me" closes out the EP with an intense, consistent tune with more prominent guitar riffs delivering the finishing touch that closes out the disc on an uptempo scale, the total opposite of the sound when the disc first started, but provides for an assorted variety to give a little something to everyone, not just the casual music listener. I've seen these guys in concert twice before, most recently back in October at Cafe 939 and I was impressed with the band's popularity with their mostly female fanbase, and how devoted they are to their fans where they spent almost an hour talking with fans after the show where they signed autographs and took pictures and it really speaks to mind about how hard working and genuine these guys are and how much they appreciate their fans for coming out to see the band perform the songs that they themselves have worked so hard to write and record.

To sum it all up, a well rehearsed and executed effort from Me vs. Gravity, who are beginning to move on up the pedestal of Boston area bands who are making their presence known to some of the most passionate music fans in the entire country, and have the "it" factor that so many other bands strive to achieve stylistically.

                                                                                                                              EP Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Begin
2. What Went Wrong
3. Alone
4. Killing Me

Artist Spotlight: Beau Cassidy

Time to start off your Tuesday with an all new edition of Artist Spotlight. Today, we have an emerging and extremely talented singer-songwriter by the name of Beau Cassidy. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, FL Beau spent some time here in the Boston area as he was a student at BU where he formed the pop/rock band The Fates (who was a past Artist Spotlight feature here). He has decided to step out on his own and see what's on the other side of the fence musically, and it's somewhat different from his previous venture. Beau has an extremely powerful and wide ranging voice that enables him to tackle different styles of pop music with an intricate and focused style that is all his own. I had the opportunity to see Beau in concert when he was with The Fates, and I'm so happy that he's found his identity as a solo artist and stepped out into the forefront as he is a truly gifted individual with a special talent that he's ready to share with the world.

For more info on Beau Cassidy, head on over to his Facebook music page located here where you can listen to his debut solo single, "Paint Me In Black". He's also available to be followed on Twitter right here where you can stay up to date on any future concert appearances that may be stopping by the Boston area relatively soon! His debut single is also available on his ReverbNation page located here where you can listen to what he has to offer you.

The Foresters - The Foresters EP

Bethany, Connecticut's own The Foresters have arrived on the scene with their self-titled debut EP. The disc is a refreshing collection of works from a group of young talented brothers Evan (13 yrs. old), Hayden (11 yrs. old), and Liam (9 yrs. old) that show everyone that young kids know how to rock too with a simple and straightforward pop-punk blast that is reminiscent of how Green Day and blink-182 first got their start, and they're well on their way to achieving that same level of success in the years to come.

The disc starts off strong with my favorite track off the disc, "Better" a noisy, punk-fueled barrage that gets off into high gear right from the start with an assortment of blasting guitar riffs and loud, blasting drum patterns that show off the band's remarkable musicality that is incredible to find at this young of an age. "Rubber Band" takes it back old school with a raw, dynamic sound that give the listening audience an idea of what to expect as we move forward. "Mugshot" pumps it up to 11 with an loud, furious rhythmic guitar pattern that show the band's evolution into a group of experienced and dedicated musicians that can play with the big boys anytime and are more than "just a group of kids". "Mastermind" is a more melodic, toned down tune that ventures into a more pop-punk direction than the others, and relies upon the collective wisdom of the brothers to craft a sonically pleasing track that goes well above and beyond the call of duty.

The disc's latter half features "Bleach'd", a fast moving opus that hearkens back to the early heyday of Nirvana with a fast paced, quick moving opus that condenses all of the members' individual talents in a span of just under 2 and a half minutes that allows the band to show what they're all about in a quick and orderly fashion. 'This Time" features some Ramones styled drum patterns that begin to close out the disc much like the same way it started, fast moving punk rhythms and no holds barred drum patterns that put everything in perspective right away. The disc ultimately concludes on "Alone", a tightly wound, encapsulated jam that brings together all the elements we've heard so far in one unique package that brings together an assortment of vocals, guitars, and drum beats that sound much like the works of a polished, veteran act. I was quite impressed when I first heard The Foresters a few months back and was amazed with the band's intense desire to get involved in music after first seeing Green Day in concert back in 2010 that encouraged them to save up their money to buy instruments that led them to ultimately form the band. Being exposed to music at such a young age can make a world of difference in young people's lives and enrich them with confidence and self-esteem that can help them get good grades in school, and possibly pursue careers within the field of music.

In conclusion, a solid and well rehearsed debut effort from The Foresters, a band that I'll be keeping a close eye on in the years to come, and a group that have all the necessary components to go forward with a possible future in the world of music in a live capacity.

                                                                                                                                      EP Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Better
2. Rubber Band
3. Mugshot
4. Mastermind
5. Bleach'd
6. This Time
7. Alone     

The Sheepdogs Release Music Video For "Feeling Good"

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada's own The Sheepdogs (a past Artist Spotlight alumni) just released their brand new music video yesterday for 'Feeling Good", the latest single from their self-titled album. The stop motion video features the band transforming into action figures while taking part in a variety of fun, battle scenes dressed up in costumes reminiscent of G.I. Joe figures all while maintaining a clever and entertaining visual aesthetic that will appeal to many devoted fans of their fanbase.

If you haven't checked out The Sheepdogs yet, their self-titled debut album is now available on iTunes and Spotify, plus 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter right here.

Artist Spotlight: Kid Disaster

Ready with another edition of Artist Spotlight to close out the week for you! Today, we have an emerging rock band from right here in Beantown by the name of Kid Disaster. The group consists of Shane Dolley on lead vocals, Russell Alba on guitar, Colin Talbot on guitar, and Sean Noyes on drums. The band has an eclectic mixture of pop-punk rhythms and a slight metal touch mixed in with an indie sensibility that makes them entirely worth listening to and definitely not a waste of your time. The band played on the Vans Warped Tour back in the summer of 2011 and have opened for some prominent acts such as There For Tomorrow, Terrible Things, and A Skylit Drive. The band is currently in the process of recording their brand new EP with John Naclerio, who has worked with Brand New, My Chemical Romance, and Senses Fail and was also at the helm of their self-titled EP as well. So as you can see, the band have accomplished a great deal in their young career, and I can only imagine what the future has in store for them but I know they'll be a force to be reckoned with in the days and months to come! A terrific local act that definitely gets my stamp of approval as far as I'm concerned. Some recommended tracks for you to check out include "Reversal" and "A Shot In The Dark... And I'm The Bullet".

For more information on Kid Disaster, click on their Facebook page right here where you can listen to their music by clicking on the 'Music' tab and select which song you would like to listen to. The band can also be followed on Twitter right here where you can stay up to date on what the band have going on this very minute, including upcoming tour dates stopping by near you relatively soon! The band's official website is located right here for other additional, pertinent info relative to the band.

Brian Medlin & The Elk Band - Brian Medlin & The Elk Band

Ardmore, PA's Brian Medlin has launched a brand new side project and formed a new group called Brian Medlin & The Elk Band. The self-titled release is a welcome mixture of relaxing, folk leaning rhythms that yearn to be heard the moment you download it and provide for a comforting backdrop as the cold, winter months linger on.

The disc starts out with "A Ghost Called Love", a wondrous, folk infused jam with an array of relaxing acoustic guitar arrangements and lightly tuned percussion arrangements that give you an idea of the type of music that we'll encounter in our journey through the album. "Put It On" is a downtempo number that brings the energy level down a couple of notches, and relies upon Brian's vocals to create a comforting beacon that bridges the gap between the varying degrees of tempos and a well rounded and diverse album begins to take shape in the process. My favorite track off the disc is "Steady My Love" a beautiful, organically composed ballad that highlights Brian's exquisite vocal abilities that feel right at home amongst the backdrop of the simple yet elegant instrumentation that lays before you as you're listening. "Living Tribute" continues to dabble in a downtempo frame of mind with Brian's voice growing deeper with each passing moment that ticks by.

The second half kicks off with "Sink Or Swim", a pleasant sounding ballad that varies in degree on the type of instrumentation being implemented, albeit on a higher degree of tempo this time around that gives us a different flavor and a even greater variety that we hope to hear more of going forward. The disc starts to come to a close on "Loveless", a deeply personal, authentic ballad that shows off Brian's personable side and his ability to weave thought provoking lyricism within the instrumentation that puts a great touch on a well rounded and executed album all the way throughout. The disc ultimately concludes on "Last Domino", a terrific closing track that brings together all the elements that we've heard so far, and condenses them in an encapsulated format that allows us to look back and see all the shapes and sounds that we've heard in succession one after another right here. I've been a big admirer of Brian Medlin when I first heard him as a drummer for Person L, and was immediately impressed with his musicianship when I heard his solo work that was the subject of an Artist Spotlight feature here on the blog last year, and I was equally impressed with his ability to wear multiple hats at the same time with being both a drummer and a singer-songwriter at the same time that shows to me that he has his presence known at multiple points of entry during the creative process, and reveals a deeply committed and passionate individual dedicated to his craft.

To sum it all up, a terrific and well planned debut effort from Brian Medlin & The Elk Band, who have crafted a simple and straightforward collection of works that show a group who know what they want to sound like going in, and the results of their labor are eloquently shown right here.

                                                                                                                                  Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Ghost Called Love
2. Put It On
3. Steady My Love
4. Beacon of Light
5. Living Tribute
6. Sink or Swim
7. Best You Can Do
8. Loveless
9. Making a Change
10. Last Domino     

Artist Spotlight: This Much

Today, we're kicking off the first Artist Spotlight of 2013! Today, we head over to Allston, MA otherwise known as Allston Rock City, and find the distinct sounds of This Much. The group consists of Terrence Mulhern on lead vocals, guitar, and keys, John Stricker on bass, and Denny Kennedy on drums. The group is an indie leaning mixture of Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes with their own authentic and unique take on it that shows off their creativity and where their roots lie as well. I'm huge fans of both of their respective influences, and the overall instrumentation in their music is spot on and show off a creative blend that is unique to them and identify where they are in their respective careers and where they intend to go moving forward. A terrific local band that is worth keeping an eye on throughout the new calendar year. Some recommended tracks for you to try out and have a listen at include "Steady Feet" and "The Noise".

For more information on This Much, click on their Facebook page here and follow them on Twitter here for all the latest breaking news pertaining to the band. The band's official website located here allows you to listen to the band's latest EP via their SoundCloud page which is integrated directly in the website so that you don't have to click on another browser window!

It's Getting Hot in Here As WTKK Finally Settles On Hot 96.9 As Permanent Format

 
After over a week of gimmicky format changes from Nova 96.9 to Mike 96.9 and the hilarious Bone 96.9 (insert joke here), WTKK has finally settled on Hot 96.9 as the permanent name for the brand new station. The station will play an assortment of rhythm and dance tracks from the artists of yesteryear and today, such as Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Usher, and Rihanna. New hire Pebbles officially kicked off the station this morning at 11am by playing the first of 13,000 consecutive songs in a row.

To check out the station, simply go over to www.hot969boston.com and 'Like' them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/hot969boston and follow them on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/hot969boston

Pat Brown - In My Room EP

Burnsville, Minnesota native Pat Brown, formerly of the pop-punk band Sing It Loud has released his debut solo EP titled In My Room. The disc is a refreshing and inviting mixture of laid-back, acoustic rhythms that maintains a strong musical ethos that permeates this disc with great fervor and simplicity.

The disc starts off with "Who We Are", which just happens to be my favorite track off the album. The tune is a no frills, strictly acoustic based number that immediately jolts you to life with Pat's dynamic and introspective vocal style that puts things in perspective right away and gives you an idea of the type of music that we can expect to hear on the rest of the EP. "Your Own Good" is another strong musical entry with solid acoustic guitar riffs and Pat's beautiful and inspirational vocal style fitting in together perfectly with the rest of the album like a jigsaw puzzle piece. "Annually" is a melodic, organic number that brings it all home with a relaxing number that brings everyone together in a group sing-along and bonding together over their love of music. We begin to close out the disc with "iPod on Shuffle", a passionate, all around perfect tune that does a great job of spotlighting Pat's exquisite vocal abilities in a richly dynamic setting that fits Pat perfectly and allows him to be who he is, a truly gifted and talented songwriter. The EP ultimately concludes with the disc's title track, an amazing way to close out the disc with dazzling acoustic guitar riffs and Pat's jaw dropping vocal abilities that were featured quite prominently, wrap everything up together neatly and ensure that everything on the effort turns out the way it intended to. I managed to catch Pat Brown in concert last month at The Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge where he opened up for Mod Sun, and I was completely blown away with his vocal abilities and his simple and straightforward singer-songwriter style that was completely original and all his own. He wasn't trying to emulate anyone else but himself, and that's what makes him completely unique and special from all the other singer-songwriters coming up in the scene today.

To sum it all up, a truly remarkable and cohesive debut set from Pat Brown, who has completely come into his own with an amazing collection of tunes that show off his dynamic musical persona, and the truly creative and passionate individual that he is musically.

                                                                                                                                 EP Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Who We Are
2. Your Own Good
3. Annually
4. iPod on Shuffle
5. In My Room 

WTKK Settles on 96.9 MIKE FM As The (Hopefully) Final Format Switch

It appears that Greater Media has finally settled on an appropriate format for the new station. WTKK has settled on 96.9 MIKE FM as the new and (hopefully) final format change after a series of stunt formats within the last couple of days. The station has settled on a "We play anything" mantra that you may remember when it was known as 93.7 MIKE FM that launched in 2005 and signed off the air in 2011. With the addition of Pebbles yesterday, the station also just hired Cadillac Jack to oversee the station's programming and will be in charge of all 5 stations in Greater Media's Boston cluster.

The new station is available online at: www.969mikefm.com

Pebbles Joins 96.9FM, Station Switching to Stunt Formats

Pebbles, formerly co-host of the Ramiro and Pebbles morning show on Jamn 94.5FM, has been named morning host on 96.9FM. The station, which flipped formats yesterday to the stunt format Power 96.9FM, has flipped again to an electronic dance station called Nova 96.9FM. This is expected to be another short lived format change, as Greater Media is experimenting with a host of different formats, and may lean towards a rock/alternative station as their final format switch.

Pebbles was at Jamn 94.5FM for 17 years before being laid off by the Clear Channel owned station in November. No word yet on the official launch date of her new morning show.

Power 96.9FM Debuts!

A new radio station debuted this morning on the Boston airwaves! Power 96.9FM debuted at 10:00AM this morning, with the first song being Rihanna's "Diamonds". The station replaces Talk 96.9FM, a conservative talk station that had been in place in the Boston market since 1999. The new station is an R&B/hip-hop format designed to compete with JAMN 94.5FM, featuring a host of hip-hop and R&B acts including Rick Ross, Miguel, Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj.

The new station can be accessed on the traditional FM dial at 96.9FM, and can also be accessed via their website at www.power969.com No word yet as to whether this is a set in stone format, or it's just another stunt format.