Valley Show Girl: Gimme, Gimme Noise Pollution, experimental night at The Root Cellar in Greenfield
After a full day of sitting inside a dankly weed-scented office — we did a photo shoot of some nuggets for this 4/20 issue — my first thought walking into The Root Cellar in Greenfield for an experimental show is “damn this place smells good” … and familiar. I’m fashionably late and, regrettably, miss the first set by Fully Glazed (Richie Records, Members of Watery Love). After ordering a well-deserved beer, I sit at the wooden...
Valley Show Girl: Thao Nguyen Goes Solo at Gateway City Arts
A Woman Alive As I walked into Gateway City Arts in Holyoke for the first time, I came to a dead stop to admire the factory-style architecture. The ceilings are very high, with a huge industrial ceiling fan staring down. The large stage was lit up awaiting performers, with just a few dozen people starting to gather in the metal folding chairs. I made my way to the bar at the back of the venue to check out the list of appetizer...
VIDEO Valley Show Girl: Experiencing an Album Live; Disguise the Curse’s Release Party
A couple weeks ago I picked up Echoes of the Dying Light by local metal titans, Disguise the Curse. “Holy shit, this is amazing,” I said to myself while drumming on my steering wheel with the music blasting through my car speakers. Produced by Chris Daniele at Yucky Studios, the quality of the album is superb with not one track worth skipping. The album is still in my car stereo on repeat. The opening track “Caverns” sets the tone for...
Valley Show Girl: Krewe Les Gras at Theodore’s
I consider myself a musical schizophrenic. I can get into just about any genre you put in front of me — especially if it’s live. I may not be a musician, but music has been a passionate subject for me for as long as I can remember. One of the first local shows I went to when I was about 18 or so, was Hypnotic Kick and All That Remains at the Fat Cat Bar and Grill in Springfield. I soon became a regular at their hardcore nights on...
In Concert: Weird Love Noise
Spending Valentine’s Day with Thurston Moore and friends A distant droning noise fills the cold air as I get out of my car in a very full parking lot at the 13th Floor Music Lounge in Florence. I walk up the steps to the entrance of the club above JJ’s Tavern, and the distortion beyond the walls gets louder. I’m greeted by manager and promoter John Gulow with a smile. I open the doors, and am immediately hit with an intense...
Music Pick: Hothfest at Max Cap
Bone Chilling Metal Turn those cold winter blues into face-melting metal this weekend at the 3rd Annual Hothfest! Two full days of killer lineups featuring local bands scattered throughout touring bands. “When death metal takes over New England!” says the man behind it all: organizer and Disguise the Curse drummer Jamie Cross. DTC are slated to play midday Sunday. Among the almost 30 bands scheduled to perform are Splattered Entrails,...
Electrifying the Vinyl: Electric Eye Records in Florence is a vinyl lover’s go-to destination
That slight scratching sound the needle makes when you gently place it on the record. The brief static that comes through the speakers before the music hits. Then: bam! Just like magic, music emerges from my vintage suitcase record player, sounding like nothing else. It was my mother’s. She gave it to me when I was a child, and I was immediately drawn to it. Surely the ’70s rainbow design on the inside lid was the initial culprit....
Scene Here: Dreaming Away with Deer Tick
Down an old country road, tucked into the mountains in Becket, rests the 200-year-old Dream Away Lodge. The romantic name suits the intimate atmosphere with dim lighting and couples in every nook. It’s a lot like entering a good friend’s living room with unique, mismatched decor and a friendly black poodle hanging out. On this Saturday night, Ian O’Neil and Dennis Ryan of the folk rock band Deer Tick were performing an acoustic gig. I...
Saturday’s Tribute to Daddy K (KJ Morris) @ Diva’s
This past Saturday at Diva’s Nightclub in Northampton, a tribute to KJ Morris was held. Under the name Daddy K, Morris was a dancer and drag performer at Diva’s and was a huge part of the LGBT community in the Valley. Drag queens and kings, close friends, acquaintances and more came out to celebrate the life and impact that Morris left behind. Diva’s was packed with familiar faces and there was a constant line to get...
Review: Gaiah’s Perfect Disaster
A couple weekends ago, I went and saw Springfield-based Gaiah perform at Maximum Capacity to support their recent release, Perfect Disaster. The performance was far from a disaster. I mean, these guys have been around the Valley music scene for some time. They are far from new to this. Do you remember nights at the Fat Cat Bar & Grill in Springfield in the early 2000s? To relive that era in my distant memories always leaves me...
Women in Rock’s Luminaries
When you hear the term “rock star,” who comes to mind first? Elvis Presley maybe, or The Rolling Stones? When I was little, I was introduced to Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, and Led Zeppelin. All male-based rock bands. When I stepped out of my parent-influenced taste in music – all while still loving them – I found the ladies. Heart, Joan Jett and Blondie were some of the earlier treats that made me realize rock music is...
Halloween Haunts
This Halloween, get your costumes ready and head over to the Iron Horse for the Annual Halloween Bones Shakedown with DJs LeFox (Sugar Biscuit) & Hip Sockit (Pollinate). It’s a dance party with prizes, so to win, you gotta DANCE! A night of costumed attendees and dance-fueled music that’ll keep the dance floor moving all night. 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Iron Horse Music Hall, 20 Center St., Northampton, (413)...
Show Us Your Tattoos
The message here needs no explanation. I am a war tax resister, and this was my fourth and last tattoo from Saved Tattoo in Brooklyn, NY. (right) — Tom Wilson, Shelburne Falls My favorite Disney movie is The Little Mermaid, so that’s the reason why I decided to do that theme. Plus, I love the ocean and always have had a closeness with the sea. — Tonianne Silva, Indian...
My Favorite Walk: Route 20’s Hidden Gem
Along scenic Route 20 in Chester, is the Chester-Blandford State Forest. On a 95-degree summer afternoon, the natural shade from the tall trees kept us cool as we walked the mile up to the Sanderson Brook Falls. Walking along the path, we only saw a few small groups of people. All said hello when they passed and continued in the opposite direction. One woman had a small dog that I don’t think barked once. It was almost as if, as soon...
VIDEO Concert, Goodbye, Kool Thing, Kim Gordon makes her exit
Goodbye, Kool Thing Standing inches away from me moaning her iconic voice into the mic for soundcheck stood Kim Gordon. The longtime Northampton resident is bidding farewell to the Pioneer Valley, and she picked the perfect place to say goodbye. On top of the historic Florence building that includes the Miss Florence Diner rests the 13th Floor Music Lounge, a place where you see friendly faces every time you visit. It’s a small and...