-
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Shop our Secure
Big Takeover Store
for Back Issues
T-shirts & CDs
ISSUE 72
ABOUT TO SHIP!
Join the Big Takeover Group on Yahoo!
Donate
Help defray the cost of doing all this stuff. Give as little or as much as you want. PayPal accepts credit cards.
-
-
-
21 January 2013Soundgarden - The Orpheum Theatre (Boston) - Sunday, January 20, 2013
Cornell howls, Thayil slays, Camerons slams, Shepherd sways – grunge lives in 2013.
11 November 2012Tame Impala with The Amazing - Royale (Boston, MA) - Friday, November 9, 2012
Tame Impala find the locus of The Beatles, Pink Floyd and hacky sack.
28 October 2012Slug Guts at Crafts House - Tufts (Medford, MA) - Saturday, October 13, 2012
Australian imports with enough tremolo to shatter windows
25 October 2012Rush - TD Garden (Boston) - Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Canada’s longest running trio tours on their newest record, Clockwork Angels.
21 October 2012Jon Spencer Blues Explosion with Bloodshot Bill and CreaturoS - The Middle East - Friday, October 12, 2012
The blues are back!
17 October 2012Swans with A Hawk And A Hacksaw - The Paradise Rock Club (Boston) - Thursday October 12, 2012
When Reverend Gira pulls in your town and sets up the revival tent, it’s a call to all pilgrims. Heed the call, join in the triumph.
9 September 2012ZZ Top with Lynyrd Skynyrd - Comcast Center (Mansfield, MA) - Saturday, September 8, 2012
The old dogs don’t have any new tricks, but why mess with a successful formula?
14 August 2012Jane's Addiction with Band Of Skulls - Bank Of America Pavilion (Boston) - Saturday, August 11, 2012
At least in Jane’s Addiction case, it wasn’t better to burn out than to fade away.
2 June 2012Radiohead - Comcast Center (Mansfield, MA) - Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Radiohead continue their mastery of the live stage.
7 May 2012Archers of Loaf with Pipe and Hundred Visions – Middle East Nightclub (Cambridge, MA) – Friday, April 27, 2012
The Archers restring their bow and hit the target.
7 April 2012Swervedriver with Heaven - Brighton Music Hall (Boston) - Thursday, March 29, 2012
Swervedriver still has some fuel left in the tank
7 April 2012The Joy Formidable with A Place To Bury Strangers and Exitmusic - The Paradise (Boston) - Friday, March 30, 2012
The Joy Formidable capture Boston, taking no prisoners.
2 April 2012The Wedding Present with The Jet Age and Toquiwa - Brighton Music Hall (Boston) - Friday, March 25, 2012
The Wedding Present bring Seamonsters roaring back to life.
19 March 2012New Multitudes with Bobby Bare Jr - The Paradise (Boston) - Friday, March 16, 2012
On the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s birth, his words still provide inspiration a new generation of musicians.
10 January 2012Mark Burgess and ChameleonsVox with Black Swan Lane and The Curtain Society - TT The Bears (Cambridge) - Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Half of The Chameleons is better than the full complement of most bands.
25 November 2011Judas Priest with Thin Lizzy - Tsongas Arena (Lowell, MA) - Sunday, November 20, 2011
For a final victory lap, it was all there. Judas Priest is dead, long live Priest.
19 November 2011Foo Fighters with Social Distortion and The Joy Formidable - TD Garden, Boston - Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Foo Fighters wrap up their North American tour with a strong supporting cast and rock the sold-out TD Garden audience.
13 November 2011The Damned with The Legendary Shack Shakers - The Middle East (Cambridge, MA) - Thursday, October 20, 2011
35 years on, The Damned still deliver.
26 October 2011Tommy Keene with Doug Gillard and Sally Crewe and the Sudden Moves - Church (Boston), Sunday, September 11, 2011
Power pop doesn’t have to be all buffed out and shiny; there was plenty of grit and sweat in tonight’s doses.
22 September 2011Alan Bishop
Sun City Girl/Alvarius B./Sublime Frequencies principal Alan Bishop discusses life, liberty and getting bitten by a band member.
23 July 2011Bill Callahan with Ed Askew - Brighton Music Hall (Boston) - Sunday, July 10, 2011
Bill Callahan’s baritone brings songs of grief and joy to life on stage.
17 July 2011Urge Overkill - TT the Bears (Cambridge, MA) - Saturday, July 9, 2011
Urge Overkill man their Rock and Roll Submarine
3 July 2011Solid Sound Festival curated by Wilco - Mass MoCA (North Adams, MA) - June 24-26, 2011
Wilco is back for the second version of their self-managed festival, nestled in the woods (and rain) of Western Massachusetts.
12 June 2011The Melvins at The Paradise (Boston) - Saturday, June 4, 2011
The Melvins take their endless residency to a half dozen fortunate cities and play five seminal and separate recordings from 1991-1994.
22 May 2011Lykke Li with Grimes - House of Blues (Boston) - Friday, May 20, 2011
Swedish songstress Lykke Li blends a hypnotic mix of tightly-wound pop songs and dance floor fever.
2 May 2011Low with Marissa Nadler at The Paramount Theatre (Boston, MA) - Friday, April 28, 2011
Low has a fan in Robert Plant, and with good reason. The MN-based band delivers a slow, silent killing using a brush, a mallet, some strings and some skins.
11 April 2011The Joy Formidable with MONA and The Lonely Forest - Brighton Music Hall (Boston) - Tuesday, March 29, 2011
This is a band whose upside is high enough that you’ll need an altimeter to accurately gauge it; don’t miss the chance to see them in a small club while you can.
1 April 2011Sebadoh with Richard Buckner and Stephen Brodsky at The Paradise (Boston) - Thursday, March 24, 2011
Lou Barlow and Jason Lowenstein set the clock back to 1994 and give us the best of Sebadoh’s Bakesale and Harmacy.
5 February 2011The Decemberists with Wye Oak - House of Blues (Boston) - Friday, January 28, 2011
Chart-topping (how weird does that sound?) PacNW band The Decemberists play the first of two sold-out shows in Boston, in support of The King Is Dead.
19 January 2011Cracker with Camper Van Beethoven - The Middle East (Cambridge, MA) - Sunday, January 16, 2011
Two sides of David Lowery’s songwriting talent, two albums delivered in full.
12 December 2010Killing Joke with Black Helicopter - The Paradise (Boston, MA) - Saturday, December 4, 2010
Killing Joke reform, create an outstanding new record, and deliver a crushing performance.
28 November 2010Man or Astro-Man? and Dex Romweber Duo - The Middle East (Cambridge, MA) - Sunday, November 14, 2010
Man or Astro-man? zip up their space suits and take flight once more.
21 November 2010The Allman Brothers Band - The Orpheum Theatre (Boston) - Thursday, November 18, 2010
Photos from the first of three shows by The Allman Brothers Band in Boston.
10 November 2010Guided By Voices - Terminal 5 (NYC) - Sunday, November 7, 2010
Guided By Voices ends the Hallway of Shatterproof Glass tour at the sold-out Terminal 5 in New York City.
24 October 2010Triptykon with 1349, Yakuza and Black Pyramid - The Middle East (Cambridge, MA) - Thursday, October 7, 2010
A cold blast of metal blows in, featuring the first post-Celtic Frost work of Tom Warrior and black metal from Norway in the form of 1349.
18 October 2010Chapterhouse with Ulrich Schnauss and 28 Degrees Taurus - The Middle East (Cambridge, MA) - Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The return of Chapterhouse hits all the right notes.
26 August 2010Big Takeover 30th Anniversary Festival (Night 2) - The Bell House (Brooklyn, NY) - Saturday, July 31st, 2010
The second day of the celebration of thirty years of The Big Takeover, forcefully capped by imposing performances from For Against and Mark Burgess.
7 August 2010Big Takeover 30th Anniversary Festival (Night 1)- The Bell House (Brooklyn, NY) - Friday, July 30th, 2010
Day one of The Big Takeover’s 30th Anniversary Party, held at The Bell House and featuring sets from The Avengers, Channel 3, Visqueen, Springhouse and more.
2 August 2010Kurt Vile with Real Estate and Sore Eros - Harpers Ferry (Boston) - Friday, July 23, 2010
Kurt Vile with a slightly revamped Violators lineup pair with the shimmery breeze of Real Estate.
21 July 2010Robert Pollard as Milko Waif and the Bug-Eyed Mums - Canal Street Tavern (Dayton, OH) - Friday, July 9, 2010
Bob Pollard returns to the stage, debuting the new Moses On A Snail, at a sold-out Canal St. Tavern in his hometown of Dayton Ohio.
16 June 2010Danzig - Deth Red Sabaoth (Evilive/The End Records)
Can the mastermind behind the seminal ghoulish hardcore and metal bands MISFITS and SAMHAIN still summon the demons like he once did?
23 May 2010Buzzcocks - The Paradise (Boston) - May 17, 2010
Triumphant show to an adoring packed house, Buzzcocks can still bring the energy and the hooks.
19 May 2010Steve Diggle of the Buzzcocks (Part Two)
The conclusion of my interview with Steve Diggle, touching on his new record, his relationship with Pete Shelley, and tattoos.
16 May 2010Steve Diggle of the Buzzcocks (Part One)
The Buzzcocks’ co-founder and singer/guitarist discusses their impending American tour, during which the band will be playing their first two records in their entirety.
12 May 2010Public Image Ltd - Royale (Boston) - Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Can John Lydon provoke and effect with the same caustic wit? The jury is out, as he let the music do most of his talking.
8 May 2010John Doe and Exene with Dennis Brennan - The Paradise (Boston, MA) - May 4, 2010
John Doe and Exene show that the simplest approach is often the best.
16 April 2010The Wedding Present with Girl In A Coma and The Motion Sick - The Middle East (Cambridge, MA) - Monday, April 12, 2010
Is a recast glance to a 22 year old record still a valid experience? Read and find out.
11 April 2010Wilco at the Capital Center for the Arts (Concord, NH) - Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Thirty five songs later, Wilco does indeed love you.
7 March 2010Kreator with Voivod, Nachtmystium and Evile - The Palladium (Worcester, MA) - Friday, March 5. 2010
Can old school thrash metal bands still bring it? As long as they mix it up and keep you on your toes they can.
4 February 2010Damon and Naomi (and Kurihara) with Sharon Van Etten - The Brattle Theater, Cambridge MA, Sunday, January 31, 2010
A special evening of film, discussion, and most of all, heart-felt music
24 January 2010Mission of Burma with Bunnies - The Paradise, Boston - Saturday, January 16, 2009
Burma plays the second of two nights to the hometown fans, featuring newer and older songs. Ears are left hanging and bleeding.
15 December 2009Holly Golightly and the Broke-offs with Wrong Reasons - The Middle East, Cambridge MA (Wednesday, December 9, 2009)
Holly Golightly treads the lo-fi/no-fi line and delivers a raucous, lively set with counterpart Lawyer Dave.
26 November 2009The Outlaws - Showcase Live (Foxborough, MA) - Thursday, November 12, 2009
Stars ‘n’ Bars weren’t waving in the crowd, but the spirit of the deep south as defined by three blazing guitars was on full display.
19 November 2009The Jesus Lizard with Animal Hospital - The Paradise (Boston, MA) - Saturday, November 14, 2009
For one night, it was like 1991 all over again. The Jesus Lizard stalk the stage like no other.
17 November 2009Neko Case with Calexico - Wilbur Theatre (Boston, MA) - Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Neko Case and her big voice fills the airy Wilbur Theatre quite easily while a stripped down Calexico breezes through their songs.
26 September 2009Naked Raygun with Shot Baker - Middle East downstairs (Cambridge, MA) - Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Punk rock Chicago-style never disappoints. When the pioneers come to town, take heed and join in the mosh pit.
9 August 2009Joe Pernice with The Walsh Brothers - The Brattle Theater (Cambridge, MA) - Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
Songwriter Joe Pernice puts down the guitar and picks up a pen to write his first novel. And not surprisingly, a recording comes out of the effort too.
24 July 2009Mark Burgess - Hennessey's (Boston, MA) - July 21, 2009
A Chameleon makes a surprise appearance in Boston and delivers an incredible night of passionate music.
24 July 2009The Datsuns with Future of the Left and Turbo Fruits - TT The Bears (Cambridge, MA) - Friday, July 17, 2009
Australian and Welsh guitar power collide and create energy.
10 July 2009Judas Priest with Whitesnake and Pop Evil - Comcast Center (Mansfield, MA) - Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Judas Priest takes a look back, fondly remembering British Steel.
6 July 2009The Church with Adam Franklin - Tupelo Music Hall (Londonderry, NH) - Friday, July 3, 2009
The Church continue to excel at lush, gauzy, guitar-driven music.
28 June 2009Van Der Graaf Generator with Strawbs - The Regent Theater (Arlington, MA) - Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Prog rock lives, with emphasis on the rock…no Roger Dean-inspired fantasies here.
22 June 2009Sir Richard Bishop and his Freak of Araby Ensemble with Oaxacan and Micah Blue Smaldone - The Middle East (Cambridge, MA) - Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Sir Richard Bishop plays with a full band for the first time since the end of Sun City Girls.
8 June 2009PJ Harvey and John Parish - House of Blues (Boston) - Saturday, June 06, 2009
PJ Harvey can singe your soul with a beautiful voice.
2 June 2009Phish - Fenway Park, Boston - Sunday, May 31, 2009
Phish is safe at home in Phenway Park.
30 May 2009Secret Chiefs 3 with Kayo Dot - The Middle East (Cambridge, MA) - Thursday, May 28, 2009
Surf’s up, Sufi’s up – join the ride and feel your third eyelid flicker and open.
15 May 2009The Damned with the Bellrays and Electric Frankenstein - The Paradise, Boston - Friday, May 8, 2009
The Damned were too smart and too talented to stay in the punk cul-de-sac, and successfully mixed both psychedelia and goth along with punk and garage with the main reason of success being that they could write and perform a song much better than the average safety-pin victim.
4 May 2009Mogwai with The Twilight Sad - The Wilbur Theatre (Boston, MA) - Friday, May 1, 2009
Equal parts brute force and delicate beauty, Mogwai bring a velvet cudgel to the side of your head. And it feels so good.
30 March 2009Morrissey with The Courteeners - House of Blues (Boston, MA) - Sunday, March 29, 2009
Even Morrissey is subject to the House of Rules.
15 March 2009Throwing Muses with 50 Foot Wave and Screaming Females - The Middle East (Cambridge, MA) - Saturday, March 14, 2009
Kristin Hersh jumpstarts Throwing Muses back into brief existence for a triumphant hometown reunion.
7 March 2009Blitzen Trapper with Alela Diane - The Paradise (Boston, MA) - Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Rose City’s Biltzen Trapper show off the best from last year’s excellent record, Furr.
22 February 2009Psychic TV/PTV3 - Mr. Alien Brain vs. The Skinwalkers (Sweet Nothing)
Genesis P-Orridge says goodbye and pays homage to Lady Jaye
16 February 2009Revolting Cocks - Sex-O Olympic-O (13th Planet)
Alan Jourgenson bids adieu to Ministry and revs up the glam machine.
1 February 2009The Red Bull Sound Clash featuring The Roots and Antibalas - The Roxy (Boston) - Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Roots and Antibalas work with rather than against each other in Red Bull’s Sound Clash.
24 January 2009Bill Frisell Trio featuring Rudy Royston and Eyvind Kang - The Regattabar (Cambridge, MA) - Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Long-time jazz great Bill Frisell shows that the music form doesn’t need horns or keyboards for definition.
30 November 2008Robyn Hitchcock at The Somerville Theater (Somerville, MA) - Friday, November 21, 2008
Robyn Hitchcock turns back the clock and sings about trams, alcoholic suicides, and dying leaves. It’s the feelgood record of the season.
19 November 2008Calexico - Somerville Theatre (Somerville, MA) - Sunday, November 16, 2008
Calexico finally rouse the restful
5 November 2008Woven Hand - Ten Stones (Soundsfamilyre)
David Eugene Edwards’ latest effort under the Woven Hand banner is more fearsome and relentless than anything he’s previously done.
14 October 2008Einstürzende Neubauten - The Jewels (Potomak)
Blixa Bargeld and the rest of Neubauten compile a large handful of previously web-only tracks into a electronic/percussive stew.
13 October 2008Stereolab with Le Loup and Monade - The Paradise (Boston, MA) - Monday, October 6th, 2008
Stereolab remains a solid, dependable friend. Don’t be a stranger.
4 October 2008Robert Pollard's Boston Spaceships and Big Dipper - The Paradise (Boston, MA) - Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Boston Spaceships achieve lift-off, heading straight for the Big Dipper.
28 September 2008All Tomorrow's Parties (curated by My Bloody Valentine) Day 3 - Kutsher's (Monticello NY) Sunday, Sept 21, 2008
My Bloody Valentine end sixteen years of American live performance silence via a deafening roar to close out the massively successful All Tomorrow’s Parties/New York festival.
28 September 2008All Tomorrow's Parties (curated by My Bloody Valentine) Day 2 - Kutsher's (Monticello NY) Saturday, Sept 20, 2008
Shellac put in the best gig of the day, on day 2 of ATP which was filled with great shows.
25 September 2008All Tomorrow's Parties (curated by My Bloody Valentine) Day 1 - Kutsher's (Monticello NY) Friday, Sept 19, 2008
All Tomorrow’s Parties, the stamp of excellence. Day 1 looks at the “Don’t Look Back” section, with bands like Thurston Moore and Tortoise playing entire records from their discography.
7 September 2008My Morning Jacket - Bank of America Pavilion (Boston, MA) - Saturday, September 6, 2008
My Morning Jacket brave the storm, bring the storm.
30 August 2008Steven Stapleton (Nurse With Wound) - Part Two
The conclusion to my interview with Steven Stapleton, the creative force behind Nurse With Wound.
30 August 2008Steven Stapleton (Nurse With Wound) - Part One
Steven Stapleton gives a rare glimpse into the mysterious realm of Nurse With Wound.
15 August 2008Radiohead with Grizzly Bear - Comcast Center (Mansfield MA) - Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Radiohead’s now king, but rather than press you against the wall they will lift you out of your seat.
11 August 2008Melvins with Big Business and Porn - The Paradise (Boston, MA) - Saturday August 9, 2008
King Buzzo and Dale Crover = rockness personified.
-
-
|