TruckFighters live in Cambridge, MA

TruckFighters
Sonia, Cambridge MA
Wednesday August 20 ,2025

Support Bands:  Restless Spirit, Earthlore

Wednesday night was one for the ages.  I've been lucky to have the ability to see a lot of shows.  This fall I will hit my 40th year of attending shows.  I will always find something to like about the live events I do attend, but now and again and event really stands out.

This was one of them.

An all timer.

Sweden band Truckfighters kicked off their US Tour, albeit a short tour Wednesday to a ravenous crowd.  Ozo (Oskar Cedermalm)  is the bassist in the band, one of the founding  members and guitarist Dango (Niklas Källgren) the other.  They have swapped out drummers but the ferocity of their live shows does not begin to tell the story.

Having been around since 2001 and releasing five studio albums the band has rolled members, taken a hiatus and even at the start of this tour noted it was the  last batch of shows on their current visa.  Touring in the US is getting harder and harder.

The show began with a full recorded version of "Alterd State" before Dango arrived on stage, getting everyone riled up before tossing his shirt in to the audience.

We were underway.

Three songs came from the debut, but it ran through their discography.  

This show was everything you'd want.  A ravenous (and respectful) fan base.  Dango hardly standing still...he gives any/all guitar players a run for their money with enthusiasm.  He was in the crowd even.  It was such an electric show, you could not stop watching them.  Here are a few shots I took:

The full set:
Atomic
Momentum
Monte Gargano
Gain Speed
Helium 28
Manhattan Project
The Chariman
Mexico
Encore:
The 1
Desert Cruiser


If you can get out there, go seem em..or buy their stuff.  Its awesome
The bands website
A Wiki page

Wow. ..just wow

  Caught the Swedish band Truckfighters earlier this week.  It was a show for the ages.  I need to put keys to keyboard to gush more...

Okay...its done   

A little note on the passing of Mike Peters.

 

This might be a little long…but it must be done.

Tuesday April 29^th was like any other day.  I got in to work, turned on computer and set up for another day.

Then I got a text from a buddy with an article… “Mike Peters: The Alarm singer dies aged 66”.

I didn’t even click it.  I did not need to.  The wind was taken out of my sails.  Mike, and the band have been a part of my life for over 40 years. 

Decided to put down a little history to help me both cope and memorialize a band and person that shaped my music direction that stands to this day.

To begin I am the youngest of three.  My oldest brother was the one that introduced me to the Alarm.  I was starting to get in to U2 and the Alarm was gaining traction, as a poorly labeled “poor mans U2”.  With the wild hair, and acoustic guitars it wasn’t like anything I had been listening to, or been exposed to at the time.

I was able to see the Alarm live a few times and that is where I want to go for the bulk of this eulogy.

The beginning:  A lot had to do with MTV.  If you are of a certain age, you realize the importance of this cable channel.  My first memory of is “The Stand”  video.  Also, for those local to Boston I am pretty sure I saw the video a few times on the short lived V66.

Slowly started to noticed some kids in school “knew who they were” and celebrated the video alongside me.

At some point, being only slightly artistic, I decided I wanted to put the poppy flower logo on the back of my jean jacket.  Thank to my mom for being into sewing/fabric etc I got got  a piece of fabric slightly larger than the large area on the back of the jacket (was better to fold under to sew don’t you know).  So I had that together and mom sewed it on and off I went.  I wonder where that coat ended up?  I am sure I’d be the “fat guy in a little coat” these days but I still can see it vividly in my mind.

Was able to see them five times.  The first was May 6, 1986 at the Orpheum Theater.  Still to this day one of my all-time favorite shows.  Have a look at the set list and tell me I am off on this…

April 26, 1988 the band played the Wang Theater.  It was broadcast on WBCN and later released as “Electric Folklore Live”.  Once again, stunning show and during Rescue Me Mike went in to the audience for an absolutely stunning version.  Setlist is here.

Third time was back at the Orpheum.  This was December 16, 1989.  The setlist is not super available it seems, but the band had taken to doing a cover of Neil Youngs “Rockin in the Free World” as well as “War is Over” from John Lennon.

We went shockingly “smaller” the next time with two night at the Paradise Rock Club.  This was on the “Raw” tour and the band was close to coming apart.  This was May 1, 1991.  I wasn’t even 21 yet, but I recall two things.  One, being VERY close to the stage.  The closest I had been to the Alarm up to that point.  I also was wearing my jean jacket with the alarm logo on the back and had a few people comment on it.  That was a thrill.

September 16, 2010 this new (to me) version of the Alarm played Showcase Live in Foxboro MA.  It had been a LONG time since I had seen the band live, and Mike was doing various projects at the time, including keeping the Alarm “relevant”.  It was a terrific show and shot them back in to the “can’t miss” segment for me.  I was happy I got to meet Mike after the show.  He signed my CD and posed for a picture.  Gracious…and a total thrill.  Here is one of the many shots I took that evening.





The final time I saw Mike was at Firehouse 13 in Providence RI on September 16, 2016.    On this tour Mike was doing the Alarms famous UCLA show from 1986 that was shown on MTV.  It was Mike with a guitar, a kickdrum and some backing track.  Now before you get worked up….it 100% worked.  They even did the Martha Quinn intro.  It was an absolute blast.  I mean watch the show to give you an idea…the SAME ENGERY in about a 150 capacity venue.  Watch the MTV segment  

There was going to be that “one more time”. Some high school friends and I were going to go see them at a small club in Boston.  It was going to be a celebration in more ways that one. As we get older, schedules change and availability is precious, but we were all locked in.  We even made it a point to “get in the city early to have dinner to extend the time together”.  Sadly, Mike fell ill and the tour was postponed, then cancelled.

Mikes wife Jules provided dozens of updates on Mike via Facebook posts.  All the while Mike was positive as possible, despite being visibly exhausted.

Thank you for the music, the memories, the friendships formed.  You touched me personally and I am forever grateful.

Love, Hope, Strength indeed Mike.

Pigs x7 new album and tour news.

 The Newcastle, UK based bangs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs (or Pigs7) released a video for Glib Tongued (featured EL-P).  This is the 3rd song released from their forthcoming 5th studio album "Death Hilarious" that is due out on April 4th!  It will be released via Missing Pieces records in North America and Rocket Recordings across the rest of the world.

In other exciting news WE HAVE A TOUR!.  Kicks off June 18th in New York and you Boston area people get ready for June 29th and Brighton Music Hall (dates down below).

You can preorder the album here

North American Tour: 6/18 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge 6/19 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts 6/20 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club 6/21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird 6/23 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop 6/24 – Detroit, MI – Magic Bag 6/25 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall 6/27 – Toronto, ON – The Concert Hall 6/28 – Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz 6/29 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall 8/14 – Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room 8/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room 8/16 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel 8/18 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios 8/19 – Vancouver, BC – The Pearl 8/20 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern 8/22 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room 8/23 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre 8/25 – Dallas, TX – Club Dada 8/26 – Houston, TX – White Oak Upstairs 8/27 – Austin, TX – The Parish

Keep up with Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs: WEBSITE - FACEBOOK - INSTAGRAM - TWITTER - YOUTUBE - SPOTIFY Oh, here is the album cover art:

Chick Corea Trilogy 3 news and a preview listen

 

Candid Records and Chick Corea Productions have released Corea’s rendition of Thelonious Monk’s “Trinkle, Tinkle,” the second single from the upcoming double live album Trilogy 3 (out digitally February 28, with CD & vinyl pre-orders available now for release on May 30. 

In 2020, jazz icon Chick Corea hit the road with his powerhouse trio of Christian McBride and Brian Blade, embarking on what would be Corea’s final tour. The recordings from those shows are now being released as Trilogy 3, the third installment from this extraordinary group. 

The album is now available for pre-order. It will be released on all streaming services on February 28 with physical formats arriving on May 30. The vinyl release is a double-disc LP in a gatefold jacket. Produced and recorded by Bernie Kirsh, and mastered by Bernie Grundman, both the LP and CD feature personal liner notes from Christian McBride and Brian Blade.

Tracklisting:

1. Humpty Dumpty
2. Windows
3. Ask Me Now
4. You’d Be So Easy To Love
5. Trinkle Tinkle
6. Scarlatti: Sonata in D Minor K9, L413 Allegro
7. Spanish Song
8. Tempus Fugit

You can listen to "Trinkle, Trinkle" here

Some new Funk - To the Moon and Back from Analog Son

 

This should get you moving.  

Collaborators Josh Fairman (SunSquabi) and Jordan Linit  have just shared a new track as Analog Son.  "Take Me to the Moon and Back" is an instrumental jazz funk single that features Eric "Benny" Bloom who is the trumpeter for Lettuce

This single is from the upcoming release "Keep it Coming".

Check it out here

Live Shows Part 3 and some other stuff...

Okay, here is part three.  I added some other observations at the bottom.
Here was Part 1
Here was Part 2

Wave 3

Acid Mothers Temple – October 18, 2024  Alchemy (1^st time)
Interesting, 3 of my favorite shows of the year were at this venue.  There are many factors that add to seeing a show there.  Free and easy parking, not being too long of a drive (I did all three of these shows solo) and the ability to get as close as you can to the stage.  Like all other bands at least 2 members seem to be around the merch pre show, and all go there post show.  Acid Mothers Temple is a band that I have been chasing for YEARS.  They delivered such a sonic/psychedelic show.  My goodness, please come back.

Show Highlight(s): Just the fact these guys are such legends (to me) have killer merch and just were everything I hoped for.  I really hope they come back again.
Set list that night: here
Artist Website: bandcamp page
Cool Clip: Pink Lady Lemonade

 

Slift  October 23, 2024  Brighton Music Hall  (1^st time)
Keeping with the loud and psychedelic Slift blew the doors off the place.  What a great show.  The fact these guys really don’t engage the audience is kinda cool.  Odd how sometimes you want that, other times you don’t.

Show Highlight(s): Lions and Tigers and Bears
Set list that night: here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip: For a few weeks this session kept being fed to me on YouTube.  One day a clicked  So happy I did.

 

Sturgill Simpson November 24, 2024  MGM Music Hall 
Ummm yeah. 3hrs no encore, some crazy good covers.  Sturgill is an amazing guitarist.  Another “yeah this is a top 5 show of the year”.  He continues to grow on me and I am “getting” it more and more with each listen.  Immense talent that really can’t be missed

Show Highlight(s): The fact he played for over 3 hours just about non stop.  The “oddball” covers that seemed to work.
Set list that night: here
Artist Website: here 
Cool Clip: A few songs from the show I was at

 

Caspian November 29, 2024  Cabot Theater Beverly MA

Show Highlight(s): Treat every one of their shows as a gift.  So few bands compare to them live.  I did a review of the show you can check out
Set list that night: here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip: Someone recorded the whole show

The Jesus Lizard – December 13, 2024  Roadrunner Boston
If you were ever to take someone to a rock show that had never been to one, this would the band to see.  For me it’s what a rock show should be.  Loud, rowdy and just electric.  No frills, just four guys bringing the heat.  David Yow was in the audience from the opening notes and he returned a few times.  The band is tight and you get what you get.  If it was your first rock concert ever, you saw one for the ages.

Show Highlight(s):  David Yow with his quirky “Hello..insert wrong city here..” Also his efforts to continually connect with the audience.
Setlist that night: here
Artist Website: (label) website here
Cool Clip: Long friend BH from Ash Grey Proclamation recorded this

Random notes:
Weirdest show – Pentagram String Band  feel free to ask me about it.  I'd see them again, but it was a total whim for me.
Coolest Venue – A friends home for Honeysuckle

Legends I saw in 2024 – Rolling Stones (my first time) and Iron Maiden and I guess you can add Pearl Jam too.  All three were good, fun and entertaining.

I also need to toss in “Dead Letter Office” an REM tribute band that played at the Met in Pawtucket (8/17/24) 35 song set, no opener a short set break.  Just an absolute blast of a show and I realized how much REM music is and was a part of my musical identity.

There you have it.  Thanks for reading