JON BUTCHER GOES BACK TO THE FUTURE by A.J. Wachtel Jon Butcher is a showman in every true sense of the word. Behind his charismatic smile is a heart full of soul and passion. And now, a generation later, he brings his iconic flashy licks front and center and revisits a great former band—Jon Butcher Axis. Read on and learn the differences between fact and fiction as the plot thickens in Butcher’s legendary life. Noise: In three sentences, give me … Read More >>
DO YOU HAVE A SECRET LOVER? by DJ Mätthew Griffin Worcester’s Secret Lover is a mysterious foursome. They’re an enigma that recalls the decadent era of Velvet Underground and the paranoia of New York’s no wave scene. The band’s femme fatal, Sally is their siren vocalist; John’s twangy post-punk guitar beckons the Gang of Four; Dave beats the skins; and Lars dreamily looks up to the stars while playing bass. Sitting down with the band and giving them their first … Read More >>
Sat Feb 23 ALLOY ORCHESTRA @ Somerville Theatre, Somerville MA Sat Feb 23 DAN WEB & THE SPIDERS @ the Middle East, Cambridge MA Sat Feb 23 SASQUATCH & THE SICKABILLYS @ Lucky Dog Music Hall, Worcester MA Sat Feb 23 JASON BENNETT & THE RESISTANCE (4:00 pm) @ Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain MA Tue Feb 26 BOBBY KEYES @ Chianti, Beverly MA Fri Mar 1 RYAN JACKSON TROIKA CD Release @ Precinct, Somerville MA Sat Mar 2 THE … Read More >>
IN THIS ISSUE Lolita: We call our February issue the appreciation issue because the contributors of the Noise get to air their Top Ten lists. The lists reflect each writer’s opinion in their choice of category, which can rage from top bathrooms to top artists—the only rule is that the list pertain to New England music in 2012. Find the contributor that you agree with the most. Rita: Also in this issue are features on SECRET LOVER, THE BLACK CHEERS, … Read More >>
FRANCIS DiMENNO ECLECTICA: TOP TEN CDs of 2012 1. Big Dipper Crashes on the Platinum Planet 2. The Chandler Travis Trio This Is What Bears Look Like Underwater 3. Tim Mungenast & His Preexisting Conditions (aka Timworld) Dhoom 4. Rotary Club Second Year In Swine 5. The Weisstronauts 19 Something 9 6. Dirigible Ego Entanglement 7. Peter Bufano’s Cirkestra The Hairless Woman 8. Love of Life …And Time Again 9. The 7CS Stick Your Neck Out 10. Lauren Bateman Here I Am …and five outstanding EPs 1. Golden … Read More >>
DARLING PET MUNKEE You Better Believe It! 7 tracks Darling Pet Munkee (Michael J. Epstein, Sophia Cacciola, and Cathy Capozzi of Axemunkee) presents a follow-up to their earlier release “Glows in the Dark!” which also featured a kaleidoscopic collection of comic-book-ad-themed sonic pulp. Opening track “Hypno Coin” belongs firmly in the Sparks/Queen axis of idiosyncratic and operatic rock. “Scary…,” with its use of ominous soundscapes, electronic effects, and droning overtones, features a deliberately abrasive post-punk sound in the school of … Read More >>
VARIOUS ARTISTS Chandler Travis’ 9th or 10th Annual Boston Christmas Cavalcade Benefit for the Homeless Johnny D’s, Somerville MA 12/13/12 A great night for an important cause hosted by an incredibly entertaining cast of characters. The Cape Cod’s Chandler Travis holds his annual benefit tonight, and as I enter the door I’m thinking what a cool example of the closeness of our very diverse entertainment scene. The Classic Ruins, Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents (“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”), … Read More >>
BOOK REVIEW A MUSICIAN’S COMPLETE GUIDE TO BETTER SOUND by BILL WYNN 49-page e-book liveconcertstagesound.com Review by Joel Simches At 49 pages, this work from world-renowned live sound engineer Bill Winn is more of a pamphlet than a book. Think of this as a treatise for bands to better understand how live sound works in a concert venue and how to be better prepared for the process of live performance as it relates to sound reinforcement. Winn takes this process to the stage by … Read More >>