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Spanking is Not OK
My sons love watching nanny reality shows. Supernanny was an event in our house every Friday while it was still on. They were so bummed when it was cancelled. Oddly, we found Nanny 911 streaming on Netflix and have been watching it obsessively for a couple of weeks....Moment of Silence
Something I heard this week really stuck with me and I can’t seem to get past it. It was after President Obama made his first (and great) reaction speech to Newtown. He mentioned children who are killed on street corners in Chicago. A commentator pointed out...NRA: Wake the Fuck Up
I came across the article “Wrestling With Details of Noah Pozner’s Killing” by accident, and almost couldn’t bear to read it. In it, the author describes her moral battle over printing the graphic details of Noah Pozner’s body, as related...Saying I'm Sorry
I know, it sucks. Nobody wants to do it (unless they’re REALLY in trouble. In which case, it’s probably not enough anyway). I’ve noticed some real difficulties around this in day care lately. No one wants to say they’re sorry, and...Sly
Here’s a little weekend morning inspiration for you. I think we have a few people here in the valley who can relate. Does anything beat this?Being Dragged into the Future…Kicking and Screaming
When I was growing up there was nothing I hated more than an old coot who did nothing but sit around and endlessly harp on the good ol’ days. Do you want to know who I am today? This whole line of thinking began this morning when I looked at the calendar on my...Why UPK is a Bad Idea
Everyone’s all abuzz about President Obama’s mention of universal preschool (UPK) in his state of the union address. I’m totally against it, and it’s shocking all the people who know me as a dedicated early childhood professional. But Amy,...The Scourge of the Red Ham
I was changing the sheets on my son’s bed when I found this little guy hanging onto the bed rail for dear life. Just like that, little pleading eyes looking up at me. He’d fallen down behind the headboard, under the pillows, and God only knows how long...It's Indoor Picnic Time!
A day care friend of mine always used to say that February is the “make or break” month for providers. I’ve decided that if February is make or break, March is just mother nature screwing with you. It was sunny, then snowy, then an absolutely...I Can't Do It All
Just for kicks (and because I can’t stop my mind from racing about all the things I have to get done), I thought I’d make a list of everything I have to do in the next two weeks. Finish taxes (yearly receipts for clients, add up income, hours, and meals...Last week of March, day care style
The kids and I spent the week waiting for March to go out like a lamb. It felt like we were almost there but the cold wind still had a lion’s bite. We played with the snow shovels, hopefully for the last time, hacking away at the last snowbanks and throwing the...Vacation Doesn't Mean Escape
I’ve spent the last week in the desert on spring break with my kids. I was hoping to come home and write about our glorious family bonding experiences there, but the world had other plans in store. Getting details about what happened in Boston in a remote place...Spring Fixes Everything
There’s nothing like beautiful weather and the chance to get outside to fix all the frustration of winter. Of course, a week-long vacation over spring break doesn’t hurt either. It’s amazing how much better spending the day with kids is when...Achtung readers
Welcome to the underground, the Northeast Underground that is, and yes, I just started my first blog post with a “Beverly Hillbillies” reference. And, much like a hidden cache of “Texas tea” I am here to bubble up from the depths from time to...Mascis tapped for appearance at Neil Young tribute concert
Amherst, Mass. native and Dinosaur Jr frontman J Mascis (see photo at right) has labored for years under the comparisons made between his voice and that of the legendary singer/ songwriter Neil Young. Now, according to an announcement made by the website...Hail Odin! British Sea Power set sail for “Valhalla” on new release
Fresh on the heels of their likewise mythological-titled record “Zeus,” the indie rocker lads who make up British Sea Power appear ready to chart a course for musical nirvana on their latest release, “Valhalla Dancehall.” While I admit I was...Local idol hopeful dreams on
As a music writer, it is often hard enough to ignore the behemoth that is Fox’s American Idol. Now entering its 10th season, the popular reality show has had an incalculable impact on the popular music landscape and given careers to such stars as Kelly Clarkson,...Ultimate-Guitar writer Nolan Whyte surprises fans with latest story's conclusion
Do you know who the Clutch Dogs are? What about the group Hellakill? Can you name the bassist for Riot Band? If you are able to answer any of these questions, then you must know Nolan Whyte. As a part-time writer for the popular website Ultimate-Guitar.com, Whyte has...Music in the movies: to razz or not to razz
The nominees for the 83rd annual Academy Awards were announced Tuesday with popular stars like Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, and James Franco all receiving recognition for their work on the big screen. While much of the focus of Hollywood’s biggest night...Garagre rockers the White Stripes surprise fans with news of break-up
In a move that came as a surprise to music fans around the world, the American rock duo the White Stripes officially announced their break-up today via a post on frontman Jack White’s Third Man Records website. The statement reads: “The White Stripes would...Sonya Kitchell returns to Northampton for homecoming gig at the Iron Horse Music Hall
The world of art has made a lengthy history out of delivering gifts of beauty from moments of pure tragedy. In the case of Sonya Kitchell, that gift has always been music. Kitchell first came to the attention of valley residents after her pre-teen reactions to 9/11...Thurston Moore unleashes softer side on new solo release Demolished Thoughts
Thurston Moore Demolished Thoughts (Matador) Release date: 5/24/11 As recently detailed in the pages of the Valley Advocate, on his latest solo release and first since 2007’s Trees Outside the Academy, Sonic Youth co-founder and alternative rock icon Moore looks...Lost in the Trees bring 'orchestral pop' to Calvin Theatre concert in Northampton, Mass.
Shortly after 8 p.m. Friday, a giant horse introduced itself to the audience at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton. Consisting mainly of a large white sheet and faux skull suspended by separate wooden poles, the creature crept out from behind the curtains and wound its...
Beady Eye rises from ashes of Brit-rockers Oasis with debut release
Beady Eye Different Gear, Still Speeding (Dangerbird Records) By opening their debut album with the hard rocking track “Four Letter Word,” the band formerly known as Oasis makes no bones about drawing a firm line between the past and the future....Cure for the common Grammys
There’s nothing like the Grammys to make one feel out of touch with popular music. After spending a relaxing few days near the cape, I arrived back home Sunday night just in time to catch the latter half of the music industry’s biggest awards show of the...
They're back…Beavis and Butthead prep return to MTV
It’s official. Two of the rudest boys to ever grace music television are back in business. A mere 14 years after the airing of their series finale, Beavis and Butthead are making their long-awaited return to the airwaves with a new season of their cartoon...Same old song: Dropkick Murphys remain tried and true on new album Going Out in Style
Dropkick Murphys Going Out in Style (Born and Bred) Upon hearing that Boston’s own punk rock heroes the Dropkick Murphys were releasing a concept album, many fans’ feelings (this writer’s included) were decidedly mixed. For those not up on their...Indie-rapper Eprhyme expands horizons on new record Dopestylevsky
Eprhyme Dopestylevsky (K Records) On the first hip-hop album to be released under the indie-minded K banner in over 10 years, Eden Pearlstein (aka Eprhyme) appears ready to bring his unique style of rap up from the underground despite somewhat uneven results....Smashing Pumpkins discover unlikely cover girl
In perhaps one of the weirder coincidences to crop up in music news recently, the Smashing Pumpkins have announced that the band’s newest bassist and former Ludlow, Mass. native Nicole Fiorentino also appeared on the cover of the group’s 1993 album...Has the end finally come for garage-rock heroes the Libertines?
Though having balanced for years on the fine line between greatness and disaster, the sun appears to have finally set on the careers of popular British rockers the Libertines. According to a recent interview with noted rock magazine the New Musical Express, group...Northampton's Sun Parade marches forward on debut EP
The weather in the Pioneer Valley hasn’t been especially sunny of late, but a whole different brand of solar power has managed to peak out from behind the clouds to share its warmth with the Paradise City and lucky listeners alike. I speak of course of...Made this way? – Lady Gaga's new album leaks online
Can’t wait to listen to pop diva Lady Gaga’s hotly-anticipated new album Born This Way? Well, thanks to the wonders of digital piracy your wait has just gotten a little shorter. According to an article in the online edition of Rolling Stone Magazine, one...West Coast state of mind
In honor of the Northeast Underground’s upcoming trip to California, I thought I would create a special blog post honoring a selection of some of the Golden State’s finest musical treasures. However, the more I contemplated tackling such a piece I soon...Out Tuesday: Eddie Vedder keeps matters simple on new disc Ukulele Songs
Eddie Vedder Ukulele Songs (Monkeywrench Records) Release date: May 31, 2011 Though four years have passed since the release of his last solo album, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has yet to stray far from the rootsy appeal that made his contributions to the...Grunge bassist Mike Starr dead at 44
The world of grunge lost another family member Wednesday as former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr (see photo, far right) unexpectedly passed away at the age of 44. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, Starr’s body was found in a house in Salt...Music revolutionary Gil Scott-Heron passes away at 62
Popularly known as the “godfather of rap” and the “black Bob Dylan,” poet Gil Scott-Heron died Friday in New York City at the age of 62. According to an article on Rolling Stone magazine online, the renowned artist had recently taken ill after...
California Dreamin' or Top Ten lessons learned from a weekend on the West Coast
One week ago today, as my plane touched down in Hartford, Conn., I felt exhausted. Taking a redeye flight out of Los Angeles International Airport at 11:30 p.m. was partially to blame for my tiredness, and so too was a mid-trip emergency that required a nervous flight...Kurt Vile aims for musical heaven on new album Smoke Ring For My Halo
Kurt Vile Smoke Ring For My Halo (Matador) Having started out in his career using many of the same lo-fi tactics that helped produce indie darlings like – Sebadoh, Daniel Johnston, and Elliot Smith – Philadelphia native Kurt Vile hopes to finally reach a...Hip-hop artist Nate Dogg passes away at 41
Just one week after the death of original Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr, the music world has lost another pivotal figure. According to a recent article in Crawdaddy Magazine, Long Beach singer and hip-hop artist Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (aka Nate Dogg) passed away...Adult Swim pranksters Heidecker and Wood revisit the past on debut release
Heidecker and Wood Starting From Nowhere (Little Record Company) Opening with a smattering of applause from a supposed live concert, the debut record by Tim Heidecker and Davin Wood (co-workers on “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!”) wastes little time...
Rollins at 50: Still Henry after all these years
From his early beginnings as one of hardcore music’s most intense vocalists to his current role as a documentary filmmaker, actor, world traveler and spoken word performer, Henry Rollins has carved a lifetime out of doing and saying things that others only dream...Music news in review: rap rules Bonnaroo, 'Big Man' suffers stroke, and more
What a week. From continued tornado relief efforts and comedy’s triumph at the Tony Awards (see photo), all the way to Lebron James’ ignominious defeat at the hands of Dirk Nowitzki and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks, the past seven days have been a mix...Eddie Vedder announces release of new solo album, plans tour
Fresh on the heels of the news surrounding the deluxe reissues of Pearl Jam’s seminal ‘90s albums “Vs.” and “Vitalogy,” grunge icon and frontman Eddie Vedder is giving music fans another reason to rejoice this spring. According to a...Rock veteran Garland Jeffreys comes to the Iron Horse for rare Pioneer Valley show
From the start of his career in the 1960s, where he played many of the same folk venues that gave rise to a young Bob Dylan, all the way to the recent release of his new album The King of In Between one point about singer and songwriter Garland Jeffreys has remained...Sebadoh's Lou Barlow discusses return to Pioneer Valley for Pearl Street show
Mere minutes before my recent conversation with Dinosaur Jr bassist and Sebadoh founder Lou Barlow (see photo, second from left), I briefly pondered breaking one of the cardinal rules of journalism: Be professional. Though our interview took place the day after St....Garland Jeffreys' concert brings rock 'n' roll back to the Paradise City
Mere minutes into his first encore Saturday night famed singer and songwriter Garland Jeffreys turned the clock at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Mass. backwards to the 1960s. By segueing briefly from his impassioned rendition of the ? and the Mysterians...Sharon Van Etten brings 'epic' sound to Paradise City
The world of indie music has always been a second home of sorts to confessional singer/ songwriter types. Artists like Bon Iver, Cat Power, and Liz Phair all got their start on the indie scene. And, the simple do-it-yourself atmosphere has encouraged countless others...Some things never change: Dinosaur Jr. and others bring stomp and roar to Whole Childen benefit concert
This wasn’t your parents’ charity show. Eschewing any “We are the world” or Bob Geldof-penned Live Aid platitudes, the Calvin Theatre in Northampton, Mass. more closely resembled a gathering of indie all-stars Tuesday night as the lineup for...Concert review: Sharon Van Etten at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Mass.
After an enjoyable sun-filled day in Western Massachusetts, the air outside the Iron Horse Music Hall Friday night felt crisp. However, the chill felt by those huddling outside on the sidewalk wasn’t just the fault of the change in temperature. Amidst talk of...
Smells like a comeback: Nirvana celebrating Nevermind anniversary in style
Fresh on the heels of news that the documentary 1991: The Year Punk Broke will see a long-awaited debut on DVD this fall, Nirvana fans have an additional reason to be excited as the band plans another special release to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their...Stephen Kellogg launches solo tour with Pioneer Valley show
Former Western Massachusetts native Stephen Kellogg (of roots rockers Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers fame, see photo at right)) launches his first-ever solo headlining tour tonight at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Mass. Don’t miss it! Also, check...Don't use me like that: Tom Petty goes after Michelle Bachmann for unapproved song use
Well, so much for running down this particular dream. Adding yet another chapter to the history of disputes between musicians and politicians, Rolling Stone magazine has confirmed reports that Minnesota congresswoman and 2012 presidential candidate Michelle Bachmann...Stephen Kellogg interview part one
As promised, here is part one of my recent interview with roots rocker Stephen Kellogg (see picture, middle) as he checked in with the Northeast Underground on the eve of his first-ever solo headlining tour. Underground: So, what have you been up to lately? I know the...Keith Wood and Hush Arbors: a secret it's hard to keep quiet about
One of the many highlights of the Whole Children benefit concert held at the Calvin Theatre on June 21 was the appearance of area resident and Sonic Youth co-founder Thurston Moore. Performing with his band Demolished Thoughts (titled after his recent solo album of...Stephen Kellogg interview part two
Now for the second and final part of my interview with former Northampton, Mass. native and musician Stephen Kellogg (see picture, middle): Underground: What are some bands and artists you are into right now? Kellogg: Well, here’s the deal. This is going to be...Hail to the chief! Noel Gallagher finally announces solo album plans
Nearly two years after his departure from Britpop kings Oasis, Noel Gallagher (see photo, right) has finally confirmed the details surrounding his long-awaited solo album plans. And in a unique twist, it turns out that it won’t be just one record that...Raveonettes bring 'love and death' to show at Pearl Street Nightclub
Upon taking the stage at the Pearl Street Nightclub two weeks ago clad in a black t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of the film “Back to the Future,” musician Sune Rose Wagner no doubt felt the irony that those simple words represented. As guitarist,...40 years on Jim Morrison and The Doors: still dark, still strange, and still hot
As any longtime music fan might observe, there are a certain number of artists a person encounters in their life that they return to repeatedly, like some sort of weird psychic center. For example, the Beatles are one of the bands on this writer’s personal list....You decide: Foo Fighters vs. King Missile
While driving to work the other day, I was suddenly taken aback to hear the strains of a song I hadn’t heard in years emanating from my car radio. ‘Wow, they’re actually playing this,’ I thought. ‘I would’ve never...E-Edition
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