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New documentary: Life On the Other Planet

The first inklings of the Boston punk scene were happening in 1974. There were a handful of bands a few clubs and Oedipus' radio show. The first BGN came out late in 1975. That means that it's been 50 years since the Boston punk scene started!

Right on time comes a new documentary about the scene, out this summer, is Life On the Other Planet. The director, Vinny Straggas, has ties to WGBH and has used footage from that source. In the promo trailer you can see David Minehan, Fred Pineau, Rick Berlin, Mr. Curt, Robin Lane and The Boston Groupie News! Later they will create a podcast to go with the film that will talk to personalities one on one and focus on the music of today.

Straggas says he's getting great response to his first announcements. He's received dozens of requests already to show the film, one in LA. Looks like the Boston punk scene will get a little love this summer because of Life On the Other Planet.

The Ramones will get a documentary on Netflix, scheduled for June 2025. The description of the storyline seems to be things most fans know. The story on Sporty Parrot.

It's been awhile since The Chelsea Curve released new music. Their album All The Things came out two years ago. They were on Red on Red Records and when Justine Covault died that was a hard blow to come back from. Then Ron Belanger the drummer moved to North Carolina. Then Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. Whew....

With a new single coming out they signal things are turning around. They have a remix of "Jaime C'Mon" an earlier single and a live favorite (a 1956 song) "Hey, Sah-Lo-Nay". The vinyl single will be out in July but the songs will be streaming earlier. The Chelsea Curve will be at Faces Brewery this Friday 5/16 with Diablogato and Yes, Nanny.

The Nervous Eaters had signaled that their time with Wicked Cool Records had come to an end. One thing we have come to know as true with the Eaters - they always have a Plan B. They've hinted that there's some new news coming.

They just released a photo that made our eyes bug out. It is seemingly the new line up of the band. In it are Steve Cataldo, David McLean, Brad Hallen and…..Billy Loosigian!
Let's unpack that!! You're telling us that there will be TWO ex-Boom Boom Band members in the Eaters now? You're telling us that one band will have both Cataldo and Loosigian on guitar?

Holy crap. Really? The mind reels. We're already imagining the possible guitar interplay and the sound of Billy playing Steve's songs. For us long-time fans this is exciting stuff. Now we wait for more info.

We love O’Brien’s playlist It's sample songs from the bands playing the club each week. There’s a wide range of styles. You won’t like everything but you will probably find something new you like.

We got interested in Killer Kin and their messy and raw garage songs. It sounds like they must rip it up live. They're from New Haven, CT. Here’s their Bandcamp page. Spirit Ghost from Austin and DD Island from NYC both have an alternative indie sound. We’ve said it before, this is a great idea for all the clubs to do.

BOOKS......

We talked about the Jonathan Richman Songbook in 2017. It actually came out in 2009. This comes up because The Jonathan Richman Songbook Volume 2 has been released by publisher Hal Leonard.
There are 24 songs, some are: "Affection", "Astral Plane", "The Fenway", "Hospital", "Cold Pizza", "New England", "That Summer Feeling", "Want to Visit My Inner House", "Shameless, Shameless" and more.

Like the first volume, some songs have notes from Jonathan. Like everything he does there's always a personal touch to his projects that makes them special. Get the book on the Hal Leonard website.

VIDEOS......

TJ Welch and the Wasted sing the glories of the "Dorchester Girl". The video shows the Dorchester girl (Dylan Marie Dosh) entering the Middle East (Big Night Live is seen too) and smoking a cig. She's the queen of Savin Hill don't you know! There is tons of local color in the vid.

TJ Welch does the Sonic Lobotomy shows, he knows his way around videos. The song has heart to spare. By the time it gets to the chorus you want to join in singing. It has a swirly organ solo that adds even more to the tune. There's so much to like about this.

There's a video by 20th Century Music and Arts that focuses on Mission of Burma. They follow the origins of MOB with Roger's Sproton Layer and then Moving Parts (Roger, Boby Bear, Lindgren, Conley). The rest is just a history of the group via the albums that goes all the way to their reunion.

All Boston music fans will be familiar with the material. The take away for us is just to see the respect that MOB gets and the acknowledgement of their place in punk history.

Worm has a new album Slave Driver, on the verge of coming out. To promo that Mikke Worm was on the Ghetto Booth Chronicles podcast. It's really an introduction to the band with info on band members and ending by playing a song "Eye in the Sky". For live vids of Worm go to their YouTube page.

For Ataris and Breaking Bad fans both, the new song/vid of "Car Song" is of interest. Ataris's Kristopher Roe actually bought the character Walter White's (played by Bryan Cranston) Volvo that marks the final episode of Breaking Bad. That car is featured in the video. The story in the video is a take-off of the TV show in style, look and content.

Another twist to the release: we talked in the last issue of the BGN about record companies enclosing beer, flies and marijuana in the vinyl. Here's the original story on the Loudwire website. Rob dedicated this song to his recently passed father and he is going to include his ashes in the vinyl version of the song. The song has a nostalgic heart and Roe does a fine job delivering the lyrics in a flowing melody. This is the first release for the popular Ataris in fifteen years.

Signal Chords is a video podcast that had Oh the Humanity! for an hour interview. Chris and Kevin from the band talked about the Ground to Dust album. We find out that the cover is of an abandoned drive in located in Mass.
They played the video for "Gutted" that shows the band in the studio making their album. They relate that they had a very positive reaction from the crowds when they played Canada a few months ago. They say that the whole album was demo-ed beforehand. We can't help believe that it added to how strong the album came out.
They spend time talking about a song that got a lot of attention - "Upper Riffspiratory Infection".

PODCASTS......

Chris Atwood from The Alternative show on WATD in the South Shore posted an interview he had with Vox from the Chameleons on the occasion of their show at Big Night Live. Chris does a fine job balancing the history of the group with the current tour and new material. We love Vox's heavy English accent.

NEW MUSIC/CD's ......

Muck and the Mires, just the name puts us in a good mood, have a new 14 song album, Beat Revolution. That was the name of a song they released a few years ago that was a rousing declaration in a "Bill of Rock" for you to "shake things up tonight". "Cool Imposter" is another song they released a while back. The other 12 are new.

There are five songs streaming on Bandcamp now. "You Can Try It (Before You Buy It)" has hooked us hopelessly. It could only be a Muck and the Mires song with that economical and effective melody that is sung with the ear catching inflections by Evan Shore. The knock-out punch is the 12 string solo that takes you back the Shingdig broadcasts of the English groups that we lived for in the sixties.

Listening to songs like "Lemon and Lime" and "Mary Ann Man" make us think of the phrase 'wound up'. The Mires always sound like they so pent up with energy that is funneled through with their instruments that they would positively explode if they didn't have this music outlet. The whole album will be released on May 9. The band is on a tour of England/Germany/Sweden ending up in the Middle East UP on June 27.

Atlantic Thrills from Providence are always good for a dose of garage rock. Their latest song release is "Out in the Light". The song could be mistaken for a lost 60s nugget. It's mostly two chords all the way. Listen to that bass! That's a graphic illustration of the way a bass can move a song.

Yes, Nanny are a new group that are gigging around. They just released a demo and it kicks. "The Other Ones" the band says is inspired by the TV show Yellowjackets. The recording has a sound that jumps out at you, like the best demos do. It's close to a live recording and that makes you think that live they must be something to hear.

The song leads up to a line that sticks with you, "We're not like the other one's/ Actually…actually, we're worse". Yes Nanny are at Faces with The Chelsea Curve and Diablogato this weekend! See gig listing below

The Nervous Shakes from Belgium posted this song on our Facebook page this week. "Number One" is a Queers song that was co-written by JJ Rassler. It was originally released on 2004's Separate Beds? I Don't Think So and remixed/rereleased in 2021. It's a primo pop punker.

You hang around long enough and you get…"Punk Rock Gandma". We came across this in a remix by The Institutionalist (from Melbourne). The song was originaly done by Mick Medew and Ursula from Chicago. If you look at the video it seems that Ursula is just telling her story…with attitude. She sings, "I'm a punk Grandma you better believe it/I'm a punk Grandma take it or leave it".
Ursula punctuates the lyrics with some yells. The boasting lyrics are backed up with the fiery punk the band is cranking out. Point made.

We've talked about One Step Closer from Wilkes Barre before. They have a hardcore/emo style. The vocals remind us of locals Actor/Observer. Even though you don't know exactly what the lyrics mean in their new song "Jinx", the mental anguish is very obvious. The band gets tension in the music too without piling on the dissonance. The song leaves an impression.

This is a cool reissue by Cleopatra Records. Sexagisma was a glam/punk group in the UK. They were part of the Batcave scene/club. Unfortunately they didn't do a formal record release, thus we didn't know of them here in the USA. They had an outrageous live show which included someone spurting fake blood through the top of their head. Now Cleopatra has fixed things with an album, 40 years after the fact with From The Batcave 1981-1985.

Right now there is one song up on Spotify that should be enough to get you hooked. "Monster Fun" is glam informed by punk. That's a perfect combo to us. The band sound is gritty and pumping. The guitar solo is a squealing delight. The video of the song has a live performance buried under effects and the required shots from the original Nosferatu. You can get the vinyl LP or CD at Cleopatra's website.

Movieland are a shoegaze band from Vancouver. Their new album Now & Then is a follow up to their previous Then & Now. We zeroed in on the song "We're There". One of their influences is the Jesus and Mary Chain and you can hear that strongly in the song. It has that moody/dreamy atmosphere which can't be easy to capture, but this has it in spades.

Here's some good shows coming up .....

May 13, 2025 (Thursday) Teen Mortgage, Upchuck, Zip-Tie Handcuffs at Sonia - All Ages 6:30 show

May 16, 2025 (Friday) The Chelsea Curve, Diablogato, Yes Nanny at Faces

May 16, 2025 (Friday) The FUs, Arctic Horror, Deprogrammer Cult, The Angry La's (Formerly GIVE UP!) at KOTO Underground, Salem

May 16, 2025 (Friday) Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends, Bedtime Magic, Sapling, The Freqs at O'Brien's 21+

May 16, 2025 (Friday) Bootleg Dan Presents: Exit 99, Crow Follow, Mike Younger at The Burren 

May 16, 2025 (Friday) Johnny Plankton, The Grimly Pleased, Classic Ruins at The Square Root

May 16, 2025 (Friday) Battery March, Corrective Measure, Wake InFright, Blunt Force Truma at The Squashed Warehouse, Winsor, ME - Squashed Warehouse is a sober space and this is an All Ages show FB page.

May 17, 2025 (Saturday) Punk Rock Aerobics Class: A Benefit for Mass Trans Political Coalition 12:30 - 2"30 at The Midway FB event page TICKETS!

May 17, 2025 (Saturday) The Cranktones (with Sax Gordon), Good Looking Hank, The Fathoms at The Midway for a 3PM matinee

May 17, 2025 (Saturday) Death Pose, Miracle Blood, GCIS, Vacuist at O'Brien's

May 17, 2025 (Saturday) Smitt E. Smitty & The Fezztones, Stop Calling Me Frank, Aluminum Brain at The Square Root FB event page

May 17, 2025 (Saturday) Huck 2, Classic Ruins, Kenne Highland's Air Force at Koto Lowell - KH Airforce goes on at 9:30.

May 17, 2025 (Saturday) Worm, Dirty Walter & The Smelltones, The McGunks, A.P.E., Barry Larry at Ralph's Rock Diner Worcester

May 18, 2025 (Sunday) Missing Link, Death Before Dishonor ( Record Release), Shattered Realm, Street Power, Soulless, Give Up Hope at Sonia - ALL AGES Matinee 2PM. FB page.

May 18, 2025 (Sunday) The Mess Around!! at The Square Root May 20, 2025 (Saturday) Bimbo, Slo-anne, Thought Partner at Deep Cuts 8PM

May 18, 2025 (Sunday) The Cromags, Brick by Brick, Sadplant, and Worm  at Alchemy Provi, RI

May 23, 2025 (Friday) Consumer Culture, Held Captive, Louzy, Sowing, Be Released at O'Brien's 21+

May 23, 2025 (Friday) Spo, Linneas Garden, Troll 2, The Jacklights - 18+, at The Middle East UP FB page.

May 23, 2025 (Friday) Johnny & The Foodmasters, The Grommets at Jeanie Johnston Pub JP 21+, 8 PM, $5

May 24, 2025 (Saturday) Neighborhood Shit, The Promised End, Fracture Type, Knock Over City at The Midway 3PM Matinee!

May 24, 2025 (Saturday) The Cadavers, Classic Ruins, The Bickersins at Alchemy - Early show 5- 9:30PM

May 25, 2025 (Sunday) Bite the Hand, Halo Bite, Neighborhood Shit, Psychic Weight at O'Brien's

May 25, 2025 (Sunday) Scurvy Dog Parking Lot Mega Show with Sire, Minibeast, The Humanoids, Laughing Matter, The Endorphins, Slyne & the Family Stoned, Cannibal Ramblers, Bedtime Magic, Consumer Culture, Grip Bite, People Eating Plastic - Music starts at 2PM. FB page.

May 29, 2025 (Thursday) Major Stars, Gossip Collar Notch Taproom Brighton

May 29, 2025 (Thursday) Lipsmear, Looking Glass War, The Northern Line, DJ Ben Sherman at The Middle east Up

May 30, 2025 (Friday) Thalia Zedek Band, Vivid Bloom, Harsh Foxing at O'Brien's

May 30, 2025 (Friday) Punk Rock Night at JJ's Tavern - DNA's Evolution, Disqualifier, Common Disaster, Degenerates of Punk at JJ's Tavern 99 Main Street Florence, MA FB page

June 6, 2025 (Friday) Poor Impulse Control (Record release party), Moose Knuckle, Scumabri, Impact Driver at Flashback Arcade Bar Hyannis MA FB page.

June 6, 2025 (Friday) Joe Kaplow, Alexander, TELL at O'Brien's

June 14, 2025 (Saturday) ShaggahS, The Cynz, at the Burren, Somerville 7pm The Burren

June 14, 2025 (Saturday) Takes Us Alive, The Spackles, The Brigands at The Jungle

June 14, 2025 (Saturday) The Slow Death are at Faces Malden

June 14, 2025 (Saturday) Linnea’s Garden  at Aeronat Brewery Allston - this show is FREE!! 6:30PM

June 19, 2025 (Thursday) Blue Hyenas, Stars In Debt, blindspot, Liam Slavin at The Jungle

June 21, 2025 (Saturday) The McGunks, Pleasure Wheel, The Welch Boys, C.O.B at The Midway

June 21, 2025 (Saturday) Weekend Nachos, Dropdead, Wound Man, Peace Test, American Ethos - All Ages show at The Middle East FB page

June 21, 2025 (Saturday) The Rumjacks, Crazy & The Brains, Mickey Rickshaw - ALL AGES at Sonia - FB page -7PM.

June 21, 2025 (Saturday) One Fall, 40 Reps, The Downhauls at Moon Base One Salem - this is a benefit for BAGLY

June 26, 2025 (Thursday) Murphys Law, The Take, Duck & Cover at The Middle East 7PM doors. ALL AGES

June 26, 2025 (Thursday) Faster Pussycat, The Super Suckers, The Rumours, The Lonely Ones at Koto Lowell 21+, 6:30PM doors - FB page

June 27, 2025 (Friday) The Gruesomes (legendary Canadian garage punk band) , Muck & The Mires, The Chelsea Curve at The Middle East UP EventPage

June 27, 2025 (Friday) Rockin Bob Punk Band, Color Killer, The F.U.’s and from California, Stay Out at the Middle East UP, 8pm

June 28, 2025 (Saturday) TREE and Incendiary Device at Brighton Music Hall - 6PM - TIX

June 28, 2025 (Saturday) Neighborhood Shit, The Neon Hookers, Gumskab, In Remembrance, The Blind at O'Brien's

June 28, 2025 (Saturday) Angry Trees, TELL, Jade Array, Hot Start at The Jungle

June 29, 2025 (Sunday) Worm, Cry Havoc, Rags to Stitches, Screw Cart, Hardwired at The Midway for a 3PM matinee

June 29, 2025 (Sunday) Frenzy Of Tongs, Scumbari, The Stress Balls, Angry Red Planet -at The Cantab, 21+ 8pm

June 29, 2025 (Sunday) Black Beach, King in Yellow, Parachute Club at Moon Base One Salem - sober space ALL AGES 1-5PM

June 29, 2025 (Sunday) Murphy's Law, The Take, Klaxon, Grip Bite at Alchemy. TIX

June 30, 2025 (Monday)Bunuel, Murderous Again (Lyndia Lunch, Tim Dahl, Kevin Shea), Today Is the Day, Spiritual Poison at Alchemy TIX!!

July 6, 2025 Sunday) Greg Norton, (original bass player of Hüsker Dü) and Büddies, Jon Snodgrass (Drag the River, Ft. Collins Co) and David Jarnstrom (Rad Owl, BNLX) and guest singers Scott Reynolds and Lenny Lashley playing songs and celebrating 40 years of Hüsker Dü! 

July 11, 2025 (Friday) Casket Rats, All Sinners, Officer X, Phantom Rider at Ralph's Rock Diner Worcester - FB page

July 16, 2025 (Wednesday) Alvilda, Brower, The Downhauls, The Crimps, Balloon Thief at The Middle East UP

July 18 & 19 2025 (Thursday & Friday) Ryan Packer Presents Mike Mccolgan and the bomb squad "Do or Die" in its entirety, Violent Way, The Welch Boys, Klaxon at The Middle East (Down) 7pm $30

July 19, 2025 (Saturday) The Wynotts, The Haymakers, American Ocelot at the Square Root, Roslindale 8pm

July 26, 2025 (Saturday) Already Dead, East End Redemption, The Frenzy of Tongs, Circus Battalion, COB at The Midway for a 3PM matine

July 26, 2025 (Saturday) Thrust Club, The Flaming Little Sh*ts, Ruby Grove, Tiffy at The Jungle

July 31, 2025 (Thursday) The New Bomb Turks, The Drowns, Gossip Collar, Static Friction at Sonia TIX

August 2, 2025 (Saturday) The Dwarves, Burn Kit, Scumbari at Deep Cuts TIX!! FB page

August 15, 2025 (Friday) Futon Lasagna, Blackout Shoppers (NYC punk), Skum City (NYC Punk), Basics at Ralph's Rock Diner Worcester

September 5, 2025 (Friday) Tough Luck Festival (2 days!) Day One: Slow Joy, Trophy Wife, Actor|Observer, Exit 18, 5Ever, Sophie's Body - Brighton Music Hall TIX

September 6, 2025 (Saturday) Tough Luck Festival (2 days!) Day Two: Great American Ghost, Move, Euclid, Blood Tithe, Survive The Sun, Sevalynn - Brighton Music Hall TIX

September 7, 2025 (Sunday) Rock and Roll Yard Sale in Somerville Union Square FB page for more info vendors etc

September 19, 2025 (Friday) Marc Valentine Band, Chelsea Curve, Glimmer Stars at The Burren

September 21, 2025 (Sunday) Shonen Knife, Pack AD - All Ages at Sonia

September 27, 2025 (Wednesday) The Grip Weeds, Tiger Bomb, at The Burren

October 30, 2025 (Thursday) Stupidity, Chelsea Curve, Little Billy Lost, at The Burren

January 27, 2026 (Thursday) Hooligan Holiday Boston with The Oppressed - ALL AGES show 7PM doors. FB page

CONTACT US AT....misslynbgn@yahoo.com Send us your gig listings, your anything else you've got!! You want your CD reviewed?? Contact us for that too.