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

Live shows Part 2

 Part 2

Fantastic Cat – June 27 The Met Pawtucket RI (1^st time)
I need to admit this is was of the top five shows of the year.  I had read about these guys, poked around a little and fell in love with their cover of Warren Zevon’s “Keep me in your Heart”.  They were so so fun, funny, and great to watch.  I got the cover too (and others).  They played again in MA a few weeks ago and I just couldn’t swing it.  I know I’ll kick myself, but this setting was so very perfect for this show.  Please watch/listen: Keep My In Your Heart and or Band on The Run.  Just the fact their debut album is called "The Very Best of Fantastic Cat" gives you an idea.

Show Highlight(s):The stage banter, their merch booth with a countdown clock to them being eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of fame and of course that version of “Keep Me In Your Heart”
Set list that night here 
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip:  See the clips above.

 

The Atomic Bitchwax  Alchemy Providence(1^st time)
Three guys. Orange Amps and no frills rock and roll.  Ripping show/set.  Favorite part of this show, with all due respect to the band, was not about what happened on stage.  The venue has a low stage and there was a Dad and his son.  The son was maybe 12?  He stood right front/center and RAGED the whole show.  He knew the words and was getting hi-fives from everyone.  He got a set list and picks.  Talk about memories being made and a fan for life.  They are killer live.  They basically did this set verbatim. It was released on physical media and is/was probably my most played cd when I was out in the convertible this summer.  Great “road rock”.

Show Highlight(s):  I think it will forever be the little kid.
Set list that night: here
Artist Website is here
Cool Clip:  Someone recorded the show!

 

Goose September 2, 2024  MGM Fenway
This band is just going to get bigger.  Mark my words.  Your kid brother/sister are gonna pass you on this one.  Get in while the getting’ is good.  They are a talented group of performers.
This is a clip from Philadelphia in June of 2024.  The track is Tumble  and it rules.  I had hoped they’d play if for us in Boston…and they did.  It too was awesome.  This is a song I’d send to anyone that is wondering what Goose is all about.  If you get a little impatient scroll to about the 16-minute mark, turn it up and sit back.  Seriously…either you are gonna get it, or you are not going to get it.  It’s okay if you don’t get it, but your wrong. (I kid)

Show Highlight(s): The fact they played Tumble and honestly, its about to get huge.
Set list that night: here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip:  Its above…

 

Peter Hook September 3, 2024  Paradise.
Saw him a few years ago in the same venue.  Knocked my socks off.  I mean who the hell needs New Order?  Performed both Joy Division AND New Order Substance albums IN FULL?  Screw the stand around New Order blokes and stick with this. 

Show Highlight(s): The fact he brings it, every single show.  Marches around the stage, tells stories and just is a pro.  So worth your time and money.
Set list that night: here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip:  Live version of Love Will Tear Us Apart that is spectacular

 

James/Johnny Marr October 10, 2024  Orpheum Theater.
Johnny Marr is like Peter Hook.  WHO NEEDS THE OTHER FOLKS?  Marr is going to give you a few Smiths tunes to tease you enough but he just seems to enjoy being up there performing.  James is such a crazy underrated band in the US both in studio and live.  It seems like its been ages since they’ve toured the US.  I’d see either of these bands on their own, but put em together and don’t skimp on set length…take my money.

Show Highlight(s): Although they didn't play together it was such as solid night of music.  Tim Booth in the audience, the trumpet player in the balcony.  Marr just dishing out those "riffs".  It was so worth the time.  Marr is fast becoming a "can't miss" show for me and James always has been.
Set list that night:  James and Marr
Artist Websites: James  Johnny Marr 
Cool Clip:  My buddy Steve recorded a few of the tunes from both, check out one clip and you can view others.  Here is How Soon is Now

If you are curious Part 1

A record year of Live Shows. Part 1

I set a new record for myself….at the start of the year I never thought I’d hit FORTY TWO (42) live shows this year.  For some it pales in comparison, for others its 42 more than they saw..i realize that.

I saw a lot of diverse acts but decided to share my favorite shows of the year.  I might at the end disclose the top 2-3 here they are in order only based off the month/date they occurred.  The cool part…EIGHT of them were seeing them for the first time.

1. U2 at (the)Sphere in Las Vegas.  A few months before this show went down, I looked in to it and could have got tickets but then wrestled with the “who will go, who will spend this $$, who will travel etc”.  A few weeks later I got a text from my oldest brother with simply “Pack your bags and figure it out”.  It was spectacular.  What an “experience”.  I was hardly in Vegas (few on a Friday evening, in uber back to airport Sunday at 730am Vegas time).  A friend went a few weeks before I went and wrote the line that I’ve stolen since “I hope your favorite band plays there”.  If you get a chance to go, it really is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced live.  The videos etc. hardly do it justice.  Figure out a way, and go.

Show Highlight(s) – the whole experience really
Set list that night:here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip:With or Without You Live

2. The English Beat at the Met in Pawtucket April 4, 2024
I went to this show solo and stood at the side of the stage.  Very fun and tight band, Dave wearing loafers on stage just smiling ear to ear.  Hopefully we left an impression for them to come back.  Its always a walk down memory lane with them and its impossible to leave a show without having a smile on your face.
Show Highlight(s): Just the sheer joy of Dave's face really
Set list that night:here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip: Fan shot live clip

3. The New Mastersounds at Sinclair April 10, 2024 (1^st time)
I’ve been chasing this band for years it seems and finally saw them.  File them under can’t miss/won’t miss.  I knew I wanted to see them, glad I did and hopefully have fixed my missing em again issue.  Incredibly tight band. Fun to watch perform even though its not like they are bounding around the stage.  They find the groove, lock it down and get to it. 

Show Highlight(s): This was a bucket list show for me.  Meeting them in lobby was also a plus.
Set list that night:here
Artist Website:here
Cool Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUlq2zGSWHw&t=1324s

4. Swans at the Paradise May 14, 2024 (1^st time)

It was a packed Paradise, and I was off to the side.  I had read and heard of their live shows.  Michael Gira does sit for the shows but don’t let that fool you with what assault your ears will then be released to/with.  Six songs, but over two hours of music.  Swans can be a challenging listen and at times it was, but I also left feeling I had seen something really special and that doesn’t happen a ton.

Show Highlights: really one of those things you need to experience.  In reading I am not alone with that thought.
Set list that night: here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip: Full show from the Paradise

5. King Buffalo May 18, 2024 at the Middle East (Downstairs)

Huge huge HUGE fan of these guys.  They were part of a “festival” which kept their set to about 60 minutes, but they continue to be accessible to fans before and after the show.  I decided to brave it and head to about 3^rd person off the stage for most of the show (being tall I always feel bad, I really do).  I moved back.

Show Highlight(s): They were part of a "Festival" and how casual they were just hanging out before, then giving a killer live set.
Set list that night:here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip: Clip from the show

6. A Place to Bury Strangers -May 29^th Alchemy Providence (1^st time)

Ho-lee smokes.  This was an undersold show.  Terrible for a band to come back perhaps but a huge win for the few that showed up.  They have long been heralded as “New York City’s Loudest band”.  They were freaking loud. The the jam in the center of the room made the evening even more special.  I 100% want to see them again.

Show Highlight(s): The on the floor jam.
Set list that night:here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip: a live show that is awesome

Part 2 is here