Brothers McCann creates dynamic palettes of sound, weaving sweeping three-part harmonies over rustic reinventions of folk-rock. Mike, Pat and Erik nurture the heart of their New England musical upbringing with three unique songwriting styles on rotating display. The raw simplicity of acoustic guitars, keyboard and vocals welcomes the eager, patient listener to invest in their melodies and experience an honest, live performance.

Check out a video they made Here!

Tim Mann‘s first public appearance was in 1985 at a high school talent show, playing cover songs by Neil Young and the Grateful Dead. After high school Tim spent several years studying the origins of rock though blues artists like B.B King, Robert Johnson, Freddie King, and Albert King. Combining all these influences Tim wrote his first song at the age of twenty and formed his band a blues trio at the age of twenty one.

Fred Griffeth fronts Fandango  – Their celebrated selection of Americana music draws a loyal band of pious sisters and reform school brothers! – Truth . . .

Boston-based African style band AIR CONGO play music from the 1960’s-70’s Kinshasa/Brazzaville scene–the music of Docteur Nico, Tabu Ley, Les Bantous De La Capitale, Franco et l’Orch TPOK Jazz, and more!

“You guys put on a hell of a show, a lot of fun!” – Steve Morse, long time Boston Globe music critic and freelance writier on the Baker Thomas Band . . .

LOS GOUTOS

“A veritable Grand Ole Opry with a modern sense of humor….”   (Music Connection Magazine)

Featuring:

Bruce Bartone
(acoustic and electric guitars; bass guitar, keyboards; backing vocals);

Mike Eigen
(lead and backing vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar, clarinet, ukulele, songwriting);

Shamus Feeney
(bass guitar, acoustic, electric, and resophonic guitars; percussion; lead and backing vocals);

Chris Gleason
(lead and backing vocals, mandolin, tenor banjo, acoustic guitar, percussion, songwriting);

Paul Stewart
(lead and backing vocals, accordion, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, harmonica, songwriting)

…and whenever possible:

Jakub Trasak
(fiddle)

Field Day – “Seriously raucous barroom rock that stings with lean power chords and open-hearted lyrics.” – James Reed, Boston Globe

The MoonRaiders are a Western Swing band that combine elements of Jazz, Rock n’ Roll, Country, and Truck Driving music.
Award winning guitarist Chris Hersch (formerly of Girls Guns & Glory) leads this quartet of accomplished musicians, improvising and singing their way through an eclectic set that will please both the dancer and music aficionado.
Drawing on a unique repertoire often overlooked in the American Songbook, The MoonRaiders pivot between Bob Wills, Chuck Berry, Dave Dudley, Commander Cody, and original music, all in one show.
This band’s style is Honky Tonk Trucker Jazz and Rock n’ Roll!!!!

“Vinyl record sales are at a 28 year high” – Fortune April 2016  – See/Hear for yourself at Sunday Spins – every Sunday – bring your records and take turns sharing your faves!

“Frank Drake is one of the most unique musicians around.  He is refreshingly free of conventions and covers a wide spectrum of folk-pop-and-more styles . . . ” Steve Morse – Boston Globe

David Johnston  – if you don’t know him, you have to stop by TOAD for Blue Monday – take a listen HERE where David talks about his influences and plays a bit of music –

Just look at the band; Dennis Brennan on harmonica, guitar and vocals. Tim Gearan on guitar and vocals. Steve Sadler on lap steel.  Jim Haggerty on bass and Andy Plaisted on drums.

Check out a clip from one of their shows HERE  – After making it thru Monday, YOU deserve a night out!

Brothers McCann creates dynamic palettes of sound, weaving sweeping three-part harmonies over rustic reinventions of folk-rock. Mike, Pat and Erik nurture the heart of their New England musical upbringing with three unique songwriting styles on rotating display. The raw simplicity of acoustic guitars, keyboard and vocals welcomes the eager, patient listener to invest in their melodies and experience an honest, live performance.

Check them out Here!

“Ray Charles and Tom Waits on a pirate ship with Sun Ra and Captain Beefheart,” they combine “upbeat disillusionment and celebratory fatalism with musicianship” – Charan Devereux;Boston Globe.

“I still believe the lessons I learned when I was raised in a Roman Catholic household. Like, it’s harder for a rich man to get into heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” – Michael Moore –

Celebrate Hump Day with Fandango

Boston-based African style band AIR CONGO play music from the 1960’s-70’s Kinshasa/Brazzaville scene–the music of Docteur Nico, Tabu Ley, Les Bantous De La Capitale, Franco et l’Orch TPOK Jazz, and more!

Over the course of his career, Big Ben Hillman has shared the stage with a host of diverse and well known musicians including hip hop stars Method Man and Ghostface Killa from the Wu Tang Clan, De La Soul, Biz Markie, Digable Planets and Mix Master Mike of The Beasty Boys. He has also been seen performing with rock legends Les Claypool and Jimmy Buffet.

Big Ben Hillman is quite the smooth retro funkster…. The production is excellent on all levels, keeping the listener in a comfortable, easy-flowing harmonic place. Ben never falters – his compositions and production show signs of a master at work enjoying his craft. I’m just going to think of Big Ben Hillman as the new Barry White on the opposite end of the vocal spectrum. – T Max, The Noise

Trailer Park = a ten-legged rock and roll machine powered by rock and roll guitar, bass, drums, and twin tenor saxophones

Grain Thief is a 5-piece Americana band from Boston, Massachusetts. The self-proclaimed “Northern Country Barn Grass” band released their new EP “Animal” in the fall in November of 2016. The band is singer-songwriter/guitarist Patrick Mulroy, Tom Farrell on guitar, Zach Meyer on Mandolin, Alex Barstow on Violin, and Mike Harmon on the Bass fiddle.

“In a day an age where the chamber-grass of Punch Brothers and anything with a banjo could be classified as ‘bluegrass’ music the unadulterated and raw sound of straight bluegrass music is a well welcomed gift to my ears. … sometimes I just want some no apologies pickin’ and hollering with soaring fiddles and quick paced mandolin runs. Grain Thief is that kind of band…and for that, I thank them.”  -Red Line Roots, Jan 6th, 2016

Bring your vinyls as we get to take turns playing our faves…

LEARN MORE

Ship of the Sun celebrates the music of the Grateful Dead with a fun, free-wheeling, danceable show that pays tribute to the sounds of rock & roll’s most unique band.

Ship of the Sun came together in 2015 around each member’s love of the songs, spirit, and improvisation adventurousness of the Dead.

David Johnston is a regular fixture in Harvard Square. You can find him on just about any sunny afternoon with his old Gibson guitar, his signature black jeans, and black hat – Busy during the day?  Lucky you – David Johnston brings his blues to TOAD every Monday before The White Owls!

Just look at the band; Dennis Brennan on harmonica, guitar and vocals. Tim Gearan on guitar and vocals. Steve Sadler on lap steel.  Jim Haggerty on bass and Andy Plaisted on drums.

Check out a clip from one of their shows HERE  – After making it thru Monday, YOU deserve a night out!

Brothers McCann creates dynamic palettes of sound, weaving sweeping three-part harmonies over rustic reinventions of folk-rock. Mike, Pat and Erik nurture the heart of their New England musical upbringing with three unique songwriting styles on rotating display. The raw simplicity of acoustic guitars, keyboard and vocals welcomes the eager, patient listener to invest in their melodies and experience an honest, live performance.

Check out a video they made Here!

Boston rock band with an eclectic sound. Dylanesque lyrics set to catchy rock guitar. Occasional hints of Stones and Replacements. Eric Salt & The Electric City’s live shows can approach a Springsteen explosion and captivate audiences with their raw power.

FANDANGO is as much a spiritual renewal as it is a reinterpretation of some of the best soul, blues, gospel, and Americana music ever written. With a loyal flock of followers (the flock that rock) to their weekly Wednesday night residency at TOAD in Cambridge, FANDANGO fuels frontman Fred Griffeth to lead this congregation into soul and R&B righteousness! For he is like a refiner of fire and he shall purify!

“Ask not for whom the Fandan goes. It goes for thee. On Wednesday donchaknow.” –

Boston-based African style band AIR CONGO play music from the 1960’s-70’s Kinshasa/Brazzaville scene–the music of Docteur Nico, Tabu Ley, Les Bantous De La Capitale, Franco et l’Orch TPOK Jazz, and more!

ET – phone home –   yeah, yeah –

but only after the Baker Thomas Band show . . .  they’re out of this world. . .“A whole bunch of musicians and a whole bunch of instruments, come together to deliver an electrifying show which promises a whole bunch of fun” -Tracey Delfino, Trespass Music

with Jim Haggerty on Bass and Jorge Perez Albela on Drums –

Chris McDermott is a very busy musician playing all over America,  Europe, and the Caribbean for over 25 years.  Posessing a truly unique rhythmic style he draws from what seems to be every available musical color in the palette. He is also one of the bravest and most energetic musicians you will ever experience live.
Playing solo or surrounding himself with some of the best international musicians in the world, Chris lives for that real “in the moment” exchange with his audience, his players and the vibrations created by all involved.

take a listen HERE   – Liz Morrison always brings some of the community’s best musicians to accompany her – can’t wait to see who’s up on that little stage this night . . .

tonight playing with:  Andy Plaisted (drums), Marc Hickox (bass) & Chris Rival (guitar)

Peter Wolf (formerly of the J Geils Band), whose brilliant Midnight Souvenirs—released in 2010—included  David Johnston’s “I Don’t Wanna Know.” This song went on to become the second single from that album, and was performed on the David Letterman Show in June of 2010.