Music
by Gary Carra | Jun 6, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
Carrots enhance the eyesight. Spinach helps you grow big and strong. And cranberries … make you rock?”It’s how I learned to play guitar back when I was 14,” explains the 33-year-old singer-songwriter Holly Miranda. “I was on a...
by Hunter Styles | Jun 2, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Featured, Music
Natural Born Killers Fourth of July comes twice this year: once on the date you’d expect, and again on July 21, when Vegas-based power-rock balladeers The Killers play Mohegan Sun. It’s been a few years since we’ve come out to see Brandon Flowers and his friends play...
by Kristin Palpini | May 23, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music, News
Brian Cooper has what seems like an obvious suggestion when it comes to fixing the C_lvin Theater’s marquee: Use money collected through the $2 “Historic Preservation Fund” fee attached to every Calvin ticket sold to buy a new one.The letter “A” has been missing from...
by Advocate Staff | May 23, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Leisure, Music, News, Stage
Happy Brffday, GirlThe self-anointed Queen of Crossplay (a blend of cross dressing and cosplay) Serenity Lockhart is having a birthday party Saturday night at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke and everyone is invited. Dress to impress Her Majesty and to coordinate with the...
by Advocate Staff | May 23, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music
The Big Easty New Orleans and Easthampton are 1,500 miles and a couple of cultural lightyears apart, but both cities love good music like nothing else. Brewmaster’s Jazz, the recently-opened concert venue inside New City Brewery on Pleasant Street, hosts a two-night...
by Gary Carra | May 23, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
By Gary Carra In 2014, Thomas Kielbania Jr. revived Chicopee’s storied Kielbasa Festival after a nearly two-decade hiatus. Now, he’s reinventing it – and renaming it, and relocating it – to West Springfield, for what’s shaping up to be a...
by Kristin Palpini | May 24, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Leisure, Music, News, Stage
By Kristin Palpini After looking into what the Historic Preservation Fund fee charged for admission to Calvin Theater concerts is for, Advocate staff wanted to know how fees compare around the area. Below is a comparison of the fees charged for upcoming shows at area...
by Hunter Styles | May 16, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music, News
Adhamh Roland has the look down pat: black-jacket tuxedo, bowler hat, and a friendly twinkle in his eye that speaks volumes. “Yes,” his smile says, “I have an accordion. Yes, I show up unannounced, bearing a special message from someone you know. And yes, I’m going to...
by Kristin Palpini | May 18, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
By Gary Carra Forget about the unemployment rates and bleak economic forecasts from the usual cast of politicos and pundits. Northampton’s Betsy-Dawn Williams says she has proof positive it’s a bull market out there. “I’ve just been signed for...
by Hunter Styles | May 11, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Leisure, Music, News
Holyoke Rocks The enterprising staff at Gateway City Arts always seems to be revving its engines, pushing the canal-side arts center to host the most fun and interesting programming in a rapidly-evolving downtown Holyoke. This weekend, they’ve outdone...
by Kristin Palpini | May 11, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music, News
OMG, ya’ll Frost your hair tips, put a logo across your rear, and dig out your puka shell necklace because it’s 2000 again and Aaron Carter is coming to sing at the Waterfront on Main Street in Holyoke Saturday night. It’s being promoted as a “girls night out”...
by Michael Cimaomo | May 10, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Blogs, Music, Northeast Underground
House shows have always been an important part of the DIY music scene. Whether it’s some garage rockers providing the soundtrack to a backyard party, a punk rock band playing a concert in a basement or even some indie folk musicians holding court in a living room, the...
by Gary Carra | May 9, 2016 | Columns, Music, Nightcrawler, Uncategorized
An interview with Joe Perry, Aerosmith vet and member of the Johnny Depp-led band Hollywood Vampires Gary Carra: Joe – big fan. I’ve been kicking around Western Mass for a quarter-century now, either playing music or writing music, so of course I’ve come across...
by Will Meyer | May 5, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Basemental, Music
Northampton self-proclaimed pop-punks Potty Mouth formed at Smith College in 2011. Their self-titled EP came out in August. The EP, produced by John Goodmanson in Seattle (Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill) delivers five tightly-packed, driving songs that are severely...
by Gary Carra | May 2, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Basemental, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
Sutherland swaps silver screen for six-string; Gartska jams with guitar gods… briefly He was a “Lost Boy.” A “Young Gun.” One of “A Few Good Men” to enjoy a three decade career on both the silver and small screens alike. But...
by Will Meyer | Apr 18, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Basemental, Columns, Music
As a 24-year-old musician in the Valley, my world centers around Hadley basements and Easthampton community centers — the places where you can catch the best of the area’s DIY music scene. The what scene?Exhausted by the exploitative pay-to-play model often used by...
by By Gary Carra | Apr 25, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Basemental, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
Better call Mr. Peabody and Sherman. Looks like someone’s gotten a hold of the Wayback Machine.First stop: Foxwoods Resort Casino’s Grand Theater this Friday, April 29. Not only will female hip-hop heavyweights Salt-n-Pepa be there, but so will literal heavyweight Biz...
by By Jennifer Levesque | Apr 25, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music
Last fall, Northampton-based singer-songwriter Mikey Sweet hitchhiked around the Northeast for two weeks, busking with a cardboard sign that read “Broke Musician Need Money to Finish Album w/Big Shot Producer and Hot Band! God Bless.” After paying an Albany outlaw a...
by Gary Carra | Apr 20, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
By Gary Carra There’s been a growing trend in tribute circles over the past decade. While the songs remain the same for bands like Zep-licators Get The Led Out (coming to Holyoke’s Mountain Park Aug. 5) and Billy Joel recreators Big Shot, the need to physically look...
by By Gary Carra | Apr 12, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
A little more than a month ago, the Valley’s own Jon Donais arrived in Chile, Santiago. He had flown in with his present band, hardcore heroes Anthrax, along with headliners Iron Maiden on “Ed Force One” — an aircraft infamous in aviational circles for both its “Book...
by By Gary Carra | Apr 5, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
Everyone wants to be a Renaissance man, in a Renaissance band … or at very least, ensconced in a scene or city that has been awarded the “Renaissance” brand.But Matthew Larsen is kicking it old school — back to the “dark” ages, one could say.Back in 2006 while still...
by By Gary Carra | Mar 29, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
By all accounts, regional college rockers Miracle Legion had a miraculous 13-year run, scoring rave reviews and even regular rotation flirtations with MTV back in the heyday. In 1996, however, they released a disc the band now affectionately refers to as their “swan...
by Advocate Staff | Mar 22, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music
Winterpills songs bloom like flowers at night. The Northampton indie rock band leads with clear, bright melodies, but the backdrop is often cast in shadow, marked by swelling strings, sighing harmonicas, and spare piano keys glinting oddly in the dark. Since 2005, the...
by By Gary Carra | Mar 22, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
Eclectic sextet Bella’s Bartok reports that they drastically changed up their recording style for the new full-length Change Yer Life, the completion of which they will celebrate this Saturday, March 26 at Pearl Street.They’ve cut out the middle men and,...
by Hunter Styles | Mar 14, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music, Stage
When you browse the faded pages of an historical account, local lives don’t always shimmer to the surface. But Hampshire College professor of History Susan Tracy noticed a few intriguing details when she was paging through the 1870 census for Colrain, the small...
by Gary Carra | Mar 14, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
A “Perfect Storm” is slated to touch down at Chicopee’s Maximum Capacity this Saturday, March 19. Sorry, Walmart, but there will be no need for folks to stock up on water, batteries, flashlights,Vaseline or whatever else all those alarmist types go scurrying around...
by Advocate Staff | Mar 8, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music, News
– A huge faucet that releases a daily torrent of craft beer (bring your growlers) – A basketball hoop – A big fat “$” – An “O,” to give ’90s singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin her moment to shine – For that matter, add an M too, and rearrange...
by Gary Carra | Mar 8, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
The Hysteria On The High Seas luxury liner had already left port when Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott came up mute — a case of laryngitis leaving him unable to take the mic for his boatload of fans. Luckily, crewmate Andrew Freeman was equal to the task. The Valley...
by Advocate Staff | Mar 9, 2016 | Music
Happy Birthday, Meat For Tea • Saturday Award-winning local literary mag Meat For Tea is celebrating double digit action! The Western Mass magazine is officially one decade old and will be celebrating in due style on Saturday at Sonelab with a multi-media infused...
by Gary Carra | Feb 29, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
Tom Mahnken never performed with noted bluesman Ed Vadas & his Fabulous Heavyweights. And, truth be told, he ended up doing just fine with his own Trailer Park band. But on the eve of Vadas’ passing Feb. 18, the Trailer Park frontman fondly recalls his brief...
by Hunter Styles | Feb 29, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music
In 1972, the first man-made spacecraft left our Solar System. The Pioneer 10 probe could detect and record solar wind particles, magnetic fields, and UV light, but it also had a message to deliver. Mounted on the craft was a plaque, designed by NASA with help from...
by Advocate Staff | Mar 1, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Get Out With Staff Picks, Music, Stage
Amherst Art Walk • Thursday The first Thursday of every month is Art Walk night in Amherst. From 5 to 8 p.m. downtown galleries throw open their doors to art lovers. This Thursday, check out Stephen Gingold’s nature photography, Hillary Wilbur Ferro’s prints and...
by Gary Carra | Feb 24, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
The future of Holyoke’s Waterfront Tavern seemed murky at best a few months ago. Just when it appeared the historic venue would be pulling the plug altogether, rumors of a strategic alliance began to swirl. Last week, however, Donald Robert of Maximum Capacity...
by Story and photos by Amanda Drane | Feb 24, 2016 | Articles, Leisure, Music
Jim Eagan of Shelburne Falls may not have started songwriting until his late 60s, but the second song he ever wrote got scooped up by Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane. That was last year, and now Kaukonen is touring with Eagan’s song, “Ain’t In No Hurry,” as the...
by Advocate Staff | Feb 17, 2016 | Articles, Get Out With Staff Picks, Music
June Millington Retrospective • Sunday The good thing about celebrating the godmother of rock is that audience members be graced with not only her majesty’s music but that of all her successors. Members from Millington’s legendary band Fanny will perform at this...
by Jennifer Levesque | Feb 16, 2016 | Articles, Music
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...
by Jeff Good | Feb 16, 2016 | Articles, Music, Scene Here
So, yeah. I’m obsessed. I began following Bruce Springsteen as a schoolboy coming of age in mid-1970s Omaha. A few seconds after graduation, I loaded up my Mercury Bobcat (creamsicle orange paint, white vinyl top) and headed east. Crossing the Jersey state line, I...
by Gary Carra | Feb 8, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
Between corporate takeovers, format changes and, quite literally, the omnipresent threat of satellites looming overhead, the average life expectancy of local radio stations these days seems to only slightly exceed that of say, a Betta fish. Set that gloomy backdrop to...
by Advocate Staff | Feb 3, 2016 | Articles, Film, Get Out With Staff Picks, Music
Lexi Weege at Fort Hill Brewery • Friday Westfield native Lexi Weege has been making waves in recent years, sharing her enchanting vocals and unashamed lyrics throughout the region, but this weekend she plays at “her favorite place in all of the Valley” — Fort Hill...
by Hunter Styles | Feb 3, 2016 | Articles, Music
Citizen Sanders sees a groundswell of support from sea to shining sea, and the Valley is no different (just last week, the Springfield office for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign officially opened its doors). Bernie has pledged to fuel his run for the White...
by Amanda Drane | Jan 25, 2016 | Articles, Music
Attending a Veruca Salt concert as a teenager in the ’90s, Tanya Pearson never imagined that 20 years later she’d be asking lead vocalist-guitarists Nina Gordon and Louise Post about sexism in the industry. A photo documenting Pearson’s reunion with the two band...
by Blaise Majkowski | Jan 25, 2016 | Articles, Music
Blaise’s Bad Movie Guide Rock ‘n’ Roll High School It’s a literal blast when The Ramones show up The holidays are over and the kids are back in school, though it’s my guess that no one ever attended a school quite like Vince Lombardi High, aka “Rock ’n’ Roll High...
by Jennifer Levesque | Jan 25, 2016 | Articles, Music
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...
by Gary Carra | Jan 18, 2016 | Articles, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
As evidenced by the recent, massive outpouring by fans and contemporaries alike, David Robert Jones — better known as David Bowie — touched generations the world over. In fact, some would go so far to say that the Starman may have even possessed intergalactic...
by Amanda Drane | Jan 18, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music, News
It’s difficult to argue against Beyoncé’s greatness, it is true. But skimming through clips of marching bands past elicits one big question about the Super Bowl halftime shows of today: with all the fireworks and special effects, have we strayed too far away from the...
by Kristin Palpini | Jan 18, 2016 | Articles, Leisure, Music
The Thunder From Down Under Ladies and gentlemen get your singles out for the beefcake coming to Chicopee by way of the Las Vegas performing strippers, The Thunder From Down Under. The “blokes” are toned, tanned, and sassy. First row is in the sweat/splash-zone if...
by Amanda Drane | Jan 11, 2016 | Articles, Music, News
One Bar and Grill — formerly Tully O’Reilly’s and The Elevens — is once again reborn after little more than a year in its former incarnation. Following last week’s convening of the Northampton License Commission, the establishment is officially doing business as...
by Kristin Palpini | Jan 11, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music
This wild night is calling you: the ultimate tribute to one of rock’s lovingest godfathers Van Morrison is going down in Springfield Friday night. Moondance, 7:30 p.m. $25-$29. CityStage, One Columbus Center, Springfield, (413) 788-7033. — Kristin...
by Amanda Drane | Jan 7, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music, News
By Amanda Drane One Bar and Grill — formerly Tully O’Reilly’s and The Elevens — is once again reborn after little more than a year in its former incarnation. Following Wednesday’s convening of the Northampton License Commission, the establishment is officially doing...
by Amanda Drane | Jan 4, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music
Joshua Davis: A Miracle of Birds (Independent release) Joshua Davis had me at The Voice. While other finalists in last winter’s season of the show scrambled to find themselves as artists, Davis came into the competition knowing exactly who he was — a piercingly...
by Kristin Palpini | Jan 4, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music
Thirty metal bands from around the world will descend on Chicopee this weekend for the second annual Hothfest organized by metal Renaissance man musician/promoter/tattoo artist Jamie Cross. On Saturday and Sunday, bands that will take the Max Cap stage include:...
by Gary Carra | Jan 4, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
With some 30 heavy bands hailing from the world over, Hothfest 2016 organizers decided to jump ship on their originally scheduled venue. At the time, the future of Holyoke’s Waterfront Tavern was just too uncertain. “It’s Jamie Cross’ show, and with the future of the...
by Kristin Palpini | Jan 4, 2016 | Articles, Arts, Music
Bobby D (Chicopee), Claire Dacey (Easthampton), Elric Walker (Cummington), Ed Bentley (Westfield), Bruce King (Easthampton). 7-10 p.m. Unitarian Society, 220 Main St., Northampton, (413) 527-1900.
by Advocate Staff | Dec 30, 2015 | Articles, Arts, Get Out With Staff Picks, Music
Drunk Stuntmen at the World War II Club Looking for something to do during the day? Never fear! Northampton’s First Night is here! The city’s annual 12 hour NYE’s party includes entertainment at 22 venues. I’ll be hitting up the Deuce (World War II Club) on my lunch...
by Advocate Staff | Dec 21, 2015 | Articles, Arts, Leisure, Music
It’s almost 2016! We say you should welcome the new year by doing whatever it is that will make you happier in the coming year. Go hard, go home — however you do it, set the tone. Feel like you need more cheese in your life? Cozy on up with a wheel. Feeling like...
by Kristin Palpini | Dec 28, 2015 | Articles, Arts, Music
Shakedown is a Vermont-based Afrobeat/funk band that plays covers and original tunes. Their focus is on getting the audience to dance to horns, vocals and a boombastic rhythm section. Members are an offshoot of Brattleboro-based Alafia. Saturday, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m....
by Advocate Staff | Dec 23, 2015 | Articles, Arts, Get Out With Staff Picks, Music
Santa’s Got a Brand New Bag o’ Funk • Saturday James Brown gets it done with his Funky Christmas style. No more problems, dude. 9 p.m. at The Rendezvous on Dec. 26; 78 3rd Street, Turners Falls. — Amanda Drane Edward Scissorhands • Wednesday Scissors for hands,...
by Kristin Palpini | Dec 21, 2015 | Articles, Arts, Music
If you’re a member of Gen X, Sublime holds a special place in your heart. In the late ’90s, the band was playing the songs of your summer. Prozac for your ear is how I heard 99.3’s Leslie describe them, and that’s pretty accurate. Sublime released their megahit...
by Gary Carra | Dec 14, 2015 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
Lori McKenna hit the musical trifecta earlier this month with a song she penned for the group Little Big Town. “Girl Crush” premiered at number one on Billboard’s Hot Country 100 back in December of 2014. Last month, it won “Song of the Year” at the 49th annual...
by Michael Cimaomo | Dec 15, 2015 | Articles, Arts, Music, Northeast Underground
This isn’t your parents’ best of list. To paraphrase Jimmy Fallon, “You know those awards they give out in high school yearbooks? Awards like Most Likely to Succeed, Class Clown, stuff like that?” Well, Northeast Underground is handing out its own superlatives this...
