Cornell howls, Thayil slays, Camerons slams, Shepherd sways – grunge lives in 2013.
Tame Impala find the locus of The Beatles, Pink Floyd and hacky sack.
Australian imports with enough tremolo to shatter windows
Canada’s longest running trio tours on their newest record, Clockwork Angels.
The blues are back!
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.
The old dogs don’t have any new tricks, but why mess with a successful formula?
At least in Jane’s Addiction case, it wasn’t better to burn out than to fade away.
Radiohead continue their mastery of the live stage.
The Archers restring their bow and hit the target.
Swervedriver still has some fuel left in the tank
The Joy Formidable capture Boston, taking no prisoners.
The Wedding Present bring Seamonsters roaring back to life.
On the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s birth, his words still provide inspiration a new generation of musicians.
Half of The Chameleons is better than the full complement of most bands.
For a final victory lap, it was all there. Judas Priest is dead, long live Priest.
Foo Fighters wrap up their North American tour with a strong supporting cast and rock the sold-out TD Garden audience.
35 years on, The Damned still deliver.
Power pop doesn’t have to be all buffed out and shiny; there was plenty of grit and sweat in tonight’s doses.
Sun City Girl/Alvarius B./Sublime Frequencies principal Alan Bishop discusses life, liberty and getting bitten by a band member.
Bill Callahan’s baritone brings songs of grief and joy to life on stage.
Urge Overkill man their Rock and Roll Submarine
Wilco is back for the second version of their self-managed festival, nestled in the woods (and rain) of Western Massachusetts.
The Melvins take their endless residency to a half dozen fortunate cities and play five seminal and separate recordings from 1991-1994.
Swedish songstress Lykke Li blends a hypnotic mix of tightly-wound pop songs and dance floor fever.
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.
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.
Lou Barlow and Jason Lowenstein set the clock back to 1994 and give us the best of Sebadoh’s Bakesale and Harmacy.
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.
Two sides of David Lowery’s songwriting talent, two albums delivered in full.
Killing Joke reform, create an outstanding new record, and deliver a crushing performance.
Man or Astro-man? zip up their space suits and take flight once more.
Photos from the first of three shows by The Allman Brothers Band in Boston.
Guided By Voices ends the Hallway of Shatterproof Glass tour at the sold-out Terminal 5 in New York City.
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.
The return of Chapterhouse hits all the right notes.
The second day of the celebration of thirty years of The Big Takeover, forcefully capped by imposing performances from For Against and Mark Burgess.
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.
Kurt Vile with a slightly revamped Violators lineup pair with the shimmery breeze of Real Estate.
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.
Can the mastermind behind the seminal ghoulish hardcore and metal bands MISFITS and SAMHAIN still summon the demons like he once did?
Triumphant show to an adoring packed house, Buzzcocks can still bring the energy and the hooks.
The conclusion of my interview with Steve Diggle, touching on his new record, his relationship with Pete Shelley, and tattoos.
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.
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.
John Doe and Exene show that the simplest approach is often the best.
Is a recast glance to a 22 year old record still a valid experience? Read and find out.
Thirty five songs later, Wilco does indeed love you.
Can old school thrash metal bands still bring it? As long as they mix it up and keep you on your toes they can.
A special evening of film, discussion, and most of all, heart-felt music
Burma plays the second of two nights to the hometown fans, featuring newer and older songs. Ears are left hanging and bleeding.
Holly Golightly treads the lo-fi/no-fi line and delivers a raucous, lively set with counterpart Lawyer Dave.
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.
For one night, it was like 1991 all over again. The Jesus Lizard stalk the stage like no other.
Neko Case and her big voice fills the airy Wilbur Theatre quite easily while a stripped down Calexico breezes through their songs.
Punk rock Chicago-style never disappoints. When the pioneers come to town, take heed and join in the mosh pit.
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.
A Chameleon makes a surprise appearance in Boston and delivers an incredible night of passionate music.
Australian and Welsh guitar power collide and create energy.
Judas Priest takes a look back, fondly remembering British Steel.
The Church continue to excel at lush, gauzy, guitar-driven music.
Prog rock lives, with emphasis on the rock…no Roger Dean-inspired fantasies here.
Sir Richard Bishop plays with a full band for the first time since the end of Sun City Girls.
PJ Harvey can singe your soul with a beautiful voice.
Phish is safe at home in Phenway Park.
Surf’s up, Sufi’s up – join the ride and feel your third eyelid flicker and open.
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.
Equal parts brute force and delicate beauty, Mogwai bring a velvet cudgel to the side of your head. And it feels so good.
Even Morrissey is subject to the House of Rules.
Kristin Hersh jumpstarts Throwing Muses back into brief existence for a triumphant hometown reunion.
The Rose City’s Biltzen Trapper show off the best from last year’s excellent record, Furr.
Genesis P-Orridge says goodbye and pays homage to Lady Jaye
Alan Jourgenson bids adieu to Ministry and revs up the glam machine.
The Roots and Antibalas work with rather than against each other in Red Bull’s Sound Clash.
Long-time jazz great Bill Frisell shows that the music form doesn’t need horns or keyboards for definition.
Robyn Hitchcock turns back the clock and sings about trams, alcoholic suicides, and dying leaves. It’s the feelgood record of the season.
Calexico finally rouse the restful
David Eugene Edwards’ latest effort under the Woven Hand banner is more fearsome and relentless than anything he’s previously done.
Blixa Bargeld and the rest of Neubauten compile a large handful of previously web-only tracks into a electronic/percussive stew.
Stereolab remains a solid, dependable friend. Don’t be a stranger.
Boston Spaceships achieve lift-off, heading straight for the Big Dipper.
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.
Shellac put in the best gig of the day, on day 2 of ATP which was filled with great shows.
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.
My Morning Jacket brave the storm, bring the storm.
The conclusion to my interview with Steven Stapleton, the creative force behind Nurse With Wound.
Steven Stapleton gives a rare glimpse into the mysterious realm of Nurse With Wound.
Radiohead’s now king, but rather than press you against the wall they will lift you out of your seat.
King Buzzo and Dale Crover = rockness personified.