The Scene – May 25th, BUTTER Melts the Stage at Wonderbar

Posted on June 21, 2009 by Sully

G. Love at Wonderbar

G. Love at Wonderbar

May 25th, Memorial Day, nothing like a full day off work to rest and recover from a long weekend of BBQs and prepare myself a trip to Boston to check out BUTTER’s inaugural show. After a morning of coffee consumption and blogging I hopped on I-95 for the hour plus journey north. Arriving in town a bit early I caught up with some friends for a few hours, and even persuaded one to tag along when I headed to the Allston section of Boston. It had been the better part of a decade since I had visited Wonderbar, luckily I had a fair recollection of its location, I was only a half a block away from its location when I thought I was lost and asked for directions. Tyler and I arrived plenty early, so early in fact we were treated to a bit of sound check while we ordered some quesadillas. I fully enjoyed the organic approach they were using to construct the upcoming sets, distribution of solos as well as set list and order. After they completed sound check I introduced myself and asked if they would mind if I took some video clips. There were to be two bands for the night, the B-3 Kings and BUTTER. Continue reading →

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The Scene – May 22nd, Finish the Night Right at The City Cafe

Posted on June 20, 2009 by Sully
Downtown at The City Cafe

Downtown at The City Cafe

Heather Rose and The Drama were setting the stage at the Blackstone as Tim and I made our way out, discussing the sets from Sex Slaves and For the Love of Sloane. We piled back into my car and started heading toward downtown, on the journey we experienced what I could only describe as a Rhode Island moment. Driving along the river we saw a pimped out caddie convertible blasting some tunes, Tim and I both said “Someone’s out cruisin’ for the ladies.” Pulling up to the caddie we both wanted to examine who was enjoying the fine night out cruising, and burst nearly burst into tears laughing as we noticed it was my friend Jeff George. We rolled down the passenger window and started a cat call to garner his attention, it was only after about the third “Jeff George is a PIMP” we yelled that he noticed us over the blaring FEDD HILL cd. Busting some chops and alone on the road we waited through the next light chatting trying to get him to tag along to the City Cafe to no avail, Jeff was on a mission for the evening, and the City Cafe was not on the agenda. Continue reading →

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The Scene – June 11th, 2009 Ricky Valente at Arlene’s Grocery

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Sully

A write-up is still pending, but Ricky performs so mind blowing a show my feeble words cannot describe the experience.  Once you watch you can DIGG it and help generate some BUZZ here, but make sure to spread it if, nay, when you enjoy it.

Click ME for Playlist

Click ME for Playlist

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The Scene – May 22nd, Start of the Night at The Blackstone

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Sully
The Blackstone

The Blackstone

Friday May 22nd I waited after work to persuade my brother into tagging along for an ambitious night on the town. Tim begrudgingly agreed and gave the Friday zombie groan and said he’d be down if he had time to take a nap. Sounded fair to me, so I hopped on line trying to figure out the full bills for the evening, to no avail. Over the course of the night I caught a bit of five acts: Sex Slaves and For the Love of Sloane at The Blackstone and Jose Docen, Zig Zag and Kyle Nicholas at The City Cafe. Tim got his beauty rest, and we started out towards the Providence/Pawtucket line for the opening acts at The Blackstone.   Having been there once before, Tim claimed he could easily navigate me back once again.  I knew the general vicinity but was unsure of the ins and outs of that would lead us there, we came to a fork in the road, and apparently I took the path less traveled as we ended up a ways down the road at Tim’s urging before I stopped at a gas station for directions.  As it turns out we weren’t too far off, we were on a parallel road about an eight of a mile from where we needed to be, after a quick U-Turn and left, we arrived at our destination in no time flat. Continue reading →

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BUTTER Melts the Stage at Wonderbar this Monday

Posted on June 12, 2009 by Sully

This just in, back from NYC,  I’ve been managing media since my return, but I’ve just discovered BUTTER will be rocking the house at Wonderbar again this Monday!

BUTTER is a jazzy funky bluesy Boston Based Band, consisting of G. Love, Timo Shanko, Eli Winderman, Johnny Trama and Tom Arey.

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Excuses and Apologies

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Sully
Nicole and I at her sister, D's 30th B-day BBQ

Nicole and I at her sister, D's 30th B-day BBQ (photo: Bud Blake)

As the summer has been heating up, both literally and figuratively, so has the local music scene.  In addition to my normal responsibilities I’ve had a ton of family events, BBQs and shows to attend, cutting down on my writing time.  I’ve also spent the better part of two weeks working on back-end type changes for Sully’s Cafe, types of things that you, as the reader, may not notice, but these changes will hopefully make my life easier going forward.  There is, however, one major change and update you folks should enjoy, check the Shows Tab, and upcoming events calendar, I’ve tried filling them out as much as possible with all the information I could find.  Its going to be one crazy summer, and not John Cusack style.  Tonight I’m headed to NYC after work for tomorrow night’s Ricky Valente concert at Arlene’s Grocery, when I return I’ve got plenty of shows to write up: Continue reading →

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The Scene – May 16th, RISA Saturday Songwriter Sessions

Posted on June 6, 2009 by Sully

Saturday May 16th after dropping Nicole off, I bummed around most of the day uploading media from the previous night’s show and working on the blog. Weekends I usually pack full of errands, typing, cleaning and shows as much as possible, and try to save after work for relaxation. Around 6pm I started to get ready and gave Nicole a call to twist her arm into coming to the Brooklyn Coffee Teahouse for the Saturday Songwriter Sessions. The sessions this Saturday consisted of Andrea Belanger, Daniel Chase (both of whom I’d seen recently) and Joyce Sampson (who I’d yet to hear). When Nicole and I first got together, she lived way down Douglas Ave, but neither of us had heard of the Brooklyn, and in all honesty, really wish we had during her time out there. Once we found the place, it was like a diamond in the rough the front door was locked with a sign pointing to the side entrance. Passing the wrought iron gate, Nicole and I meandered down a field stone path that traversed an outdoor garden, full of luxurious green vines and a variety of flowers to cover the spectrum of a rainbow. Park benches lined the path with some standard white PVC outdoor lounge chairs, and as we approached the door, I noticed an old time self contained porch swing, and was immediately reminded of my Grandma Jo and her summertime swing cadence by the lake with good book. Continue reading →

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YOUR Vote Needed!

Posted on June 4, 2009 by Sully

Check out Zee Avi‘s debut album then vote for her at MTVU.com The Freshman. You are allowed to re-vote here, so keep spamming it all night tonight or all day long tomorrow!

Then once you’ve secured first place for Zee, take your time and peruse The Providence Phoenix’s Best Music Poll 2009. This vote is open longer, and I believe you can re-vote as well.  I can’t go through all my picks here, but I’m sure some names will sound familier from previous “The Scene” posts.
As always, keep your eyes and ears peeled for all the great music going on around you.

Peace, Love and Song

Sully

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Tunes Around Town – Fillin’ out The Show Calendar

Posted on May 31, 2009 by Sully

I’ve been working most of the morning today, researching shows worth your time throughout Southern New England.
Not even halfway through all the bands on which I’ve been keeping an eye, alphabetically speaking.

Check out the Shows tab above to map our your weekends for the coming months, if I missed your show, send me a note.

Peace, Love and Song

Sully

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The Scene – May 15th, Jerky’s for a Surprise Three Band Bill

Posted on May 30, 2009 by Sully

Jerky's Live Music Hall

Jerky's Live Music Hall

Friday May 15th I worked about an hour late, which isn’t too bad compared to most days, and called Nicole to make sure she still wanted to attend the show at Jerky’s I’d been talking about all week. We were both a little beat from long and stressful work weeks but we thought it best not to be bums and make it out this night. I arrived at Nicole’s place to find she’d already eaten, myself starving I suggested we grab a brew each at the liquor store and hit United BBQ so I could put something in my stomach sooner rather than later. I scarfed my pulled chicken sandwich as she picked at my fries, and we got our butts out of there fast to secure parking downtown before the show. Its come to my attention that my anal retentive punctuality usual results in being early for everything, much was the case this night, Nicole and I arrive at Jerky’s about an hour before the music actually started. I had only known of two bands on the bill for the evening before arrival, but after speaking with Zach Fenner for a bit I was informed the bill consisted of Spank City, Gravity Works, and The Brew. Continue reading →

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