Calendar

Jun
3
Sun
Sunday Spins
Jun 3 @ 3:00 pm
Sunday Spins

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

LEARN MORE

Big Ben Hillman – The Professor of Funk
Jun 3 @ 9:00 pm

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

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Jun
4
Mon
David Johnston
Jun 4 @ 7:30 pm

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.

The White Owls
Jun 4 @ 9:00 pm

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!

Image result for white owls at toad

Jun
5
Tue
Carla Ryder & The Blue Ribbons CD Release – along with an opening set by Susan Cattaneo
Jun 5 @ 7:30 pm
Carla Ryder & The Blue Ribbons CD Release - along with an opening set by Susan Cattaneo

Carla Ryder: Rock n’ roll flapper, garage serenader, folk balladeer, front porch chanteuse, country crooner, lover of language.

With a total of 7 albums under her belt, she has toured extensively and developed a loyal and enthusiastic following. A true storyteller, she writes from the heart and from the gut a lyrical portrait of the human condition. Confessional or observational she passionately blends her experiences with those of others and the world around her. Her sound has been described as rootsy, raw, soulful and soaring. She has crafted a style that is heart wrenching and heart warming all at once. She’ll make you cry one minute and make you dance the next. Her charm, presence and humor exude a connection to the audience so deep that from the crowd, you feel that you know her personally.

Tonight her band will be none other than TOAD faves The Blue Ribbons!

The Blue Ribbons
Jun 5 @ 10:00 pm

The Blue Ribbons was formed by singer/songwriter/keyboardist James Rohr.

They have been building a base of devoted fans with their original and soulful music.

Described as
“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.

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Jun
6
Wed
Fandango
Jun 6 @ 7:00 pm

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

Grant Bloom and Morgan Lindley
Jun 6 @ 10:00 pm

Grant Bloom was brought up learning classical piano; wedged between Dallas and Ft. Worth Texas. Much like a kid eating broccoli, he pushed it away, not realizing how beneficial the music was. Some years later, he was baptized into the world of jazz and from this, music began to tug at Grant’s sleeve. After being taught basic guitar chords from his father, and becoming comfortable in his vocal prowess, Grant began to craft songs.

Joining Grant tonight is Morgan Lindley

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Jun
7
Thu
Sugar Blood Jinx
Jun 7 @ 7:30 pm
Sugar Blood Jinx

SUGAR BLOOD JINX

is Eric Waxwood who uses finger-picking and a slide on a National Steel Guitar and sings lead vocals;

Matt Murphy who plays an upright bass and sings background vocals; and

Scott Pittman who plays an old 1920‘s ‘traps’ drum kit and sings background vocals.

Baker Thomas Band
Jun 7 @ 10:00 pm

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

 

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Jun
8
Fri
Organ in Orbit
Jun 8 @ 10:00 pm
Organ in Orbit

. . . tonight TOAD welcomes  Organ in Orbit

Organ In Orbit is a jazz/funk organ trio from Boston, formed originally as a side-project of the Freelance Bishops leader/keyboardist, Jeremy Parker, back in 2004. Jeremy had a dream and a newly customized Hammond A-100, with a high-power Leslie cabinet and subwoofer he designed and built himself. With a smart selection of covers by artists ranging from the Meters to John Scofield,and styles ranging from shuffles to boogaloos to modern funk, the roots of the trio’s musical influence were growing wide and deep. And it certainly didn’t hurt to have a similarly deep bench of musical talent to contribute to this vision. On guitar, local luminaries like Justin Piper, Mike Mele, and Bruce Bartlett would be on call. And on drums, you’d likely see Benny Benson, Pete Maclean, or Steve Langone. After many years of regular gigs at their favorite local venues, the trio has developed a unique chemistry and dynamic musical interaction that truly engages the audience. Fast forward to 2017, and the band lineup has solidified and is working on brand-new original material composed by Jeremy, with a new album release eminent. Things are about to get interesting…

Come hear for yourself why this jazz-funk organ quartet from Boston is Out of THIS World!

 

Jun
9
Sat
Chris Hersch & The Moonraiders
Jun 9 @ 10:00 pm
Chris Hersch & The Moonraiders

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!!!!

Jun
10
Sun
Sunday Spins
Jun 10 @ 3:00 pm

“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!

Image result for sunday spins toad

John Powhida International Airport
Jun 10 @ 9:00 pm
John Powhida International Airport

  John Powhida is a singer/songwriter living in Boston. John is a multiple Boston Music Award nominee and his songs have been featured in episodes of My Name is Earl and Men in Trees. He has sung on recordings by The Click Five, Sarah Borges, and The Gentlemen. 

Powhida’s main boogie from here on out will continue to be John Powhida International Airport, a potent 6 piece rock,  disco, soul, pop fuzion entertainment unit of the highest original order.

John Powhida International Airport won the Boston 2011 Rock and Roll Rumble! Hot Dog! 5 yrs after The Rudds took silver JPX takes Gold!!!

 

 

Jun
11
Mon
David Johnston
Jun 11 @ 7:30 pm

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 –

Image result for david johnston music

The White Owls
Jun 11 @ 9:00 pm

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!

Image result for white owls at toad

Jun
12
Tue
Telescope
Jun 12 @ 7:30 pm
Telescope

Telescope is one of Andrew Stern‘s projects –  He came up with the name because the band is designed around the Telecaster guitar.

When the question is posed to guitarists, “If you could have just one guitar, what would it be?”, polls show that an overwhelming number of guitarists reply, “a Telecaster”. I rank as one who would answer exactly the same. The telecaster is a versatile tool which can cover a lot of ground, but more importantly, it changes the way I approach and play the instrument. Inspired by my own teles and by some telecaster playing guitar heroes of mine, I’ve designed a band around the guitar itself, appropriately titled “Telescope”. A mix of originals and covers, it’s a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll and more than a little bit undefined.

Oh – and besides, Andrew . . . the other names should also “sound” familiar:

Andrew Stern: guitar
James Rohr: keys
Greg Loughman: bass
Mike Connors: drums

 

Tim Mann & Band (David Rizzuti, Joe Klompus & Ari El)
Jun 12 @ 10:00 pm
Tim Mann & Band (David Rizzuti, Joe Klompus & Ari El)

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.

Jun
13
Wed
Fandango
Jun 13 @ 7:00 pm

“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

 

Frank Drake & The Living Wage (with Paul Dilley & Greg Klyma)
Jun 13 @ 10:00 pm

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

Jun
14
Thu
Melvern Taylor & His Fabulous Meltones
Jun 14 @ 7:30 pm
The Band Members: Melvern Taylor- Ukulele
And the Fabulous Meltones: Matt Murphy -Upright BAss Dave Livingston – Slide Guitar Sir Bob Nash – Drums
Genre: Post-Modern Parlor Music  – give it a listen HERE
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Baker Thomas Band
Jun 14 @ 10:00 pm

BAKER THOMAS BAND  “…kind of a musical Robin Hood, robbing freely from the classic roots of American music and bringing it back to the common folks.”  – Billy Beard, Talent buyer/Boston Session drummer.

Image result for baker thomas band

Jun
15
Fri
GA-20 (featuring members of Charlie Musselwhite, Roomful of Blues, and Matthew Stubbs & The Antiguas)
Jun 15 @ 10:00 pm
GA-20 (featuring members of Charlie Musselwhite, Roomful of Blues, and Matthew Stubbs & The Antiguas)

Traditional Blues band based in Boston MA. GA-20 plays 50’s & 60’s heavy blues music featuring Matthew Stubbs (Charlie Musselwhite band)-Guitar, Pat Faherty-Vocals & Guitar and Chris Anzalone-Drums.

check out the facebook event HERE

Influences include:  Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Charlie Musselwhite, Freddie King, Paul Butterfield, John Lee Hooker, Magic Sam, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson I, Big Joe Williams

Jun
16
Sat
Colorway (Boston CD Release)
Jun 16 @ 7:30 pm
Colorway (Boston CD Release)

“You gotta hear this band!” –Peter Holsapple, The dB’s

Independent Music Award winning guitarist, F. Alex Johnson’s band, Colorway is an original, indie, progressive pop rock trio from Northampton, Massachusetts. The band draws on their love of American and British rock mixed with inventive, energetic and melodic lead guitar. Colorway’s live show is always a moving experience for the listener and the musicians themselves, as the band strives to elevate the room and connect with the audience at each live performance and with every spin of any one of their albums.

Check out the FACEBOOK event for more info HERE

Stan Martin Band
Jun 16 @ 10:00 pm

Stan Martin is a keeper of the traditional country music flame. He’s a Don Rich/Danny Gatton-schooled Telecaster-loving guitar picker, a virtuoso who is not a showoff. And he’s a skilled writer and musician who is unabashedly, unapologetically country. Martin’s original songs have a moving, sometimes comic, honesty. He retains a romantic toughness, as with some of Waylon Jennings early 1970s tunes written before the outlaw stance became a circus act.” Rick Allen Vintage Guitar

 

Jun
17
Sun
Sunday Spins
Jun 17 @ 3:00 pm

“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!

Image result for sunday spins toad

Honey Talk
Jun 17 @ 9:00 pm

Honey Talk is a fresh, innovative, and comfortable quartet that performs classic hits and inviting originals making you feel sweeter than honey.

Honey talk is:
Cody Nilsen – Guitar/Vocals
Steve Bunce- Bass/Vocals
Ben Blanchard – Keys/Vocals
Pat “Daddy” Dalton – Drums/Vocals

check out one of their songs HERE

 

Jun
18
Mon
David Johnston
Jun 18 @ 7:30 pm

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 –

Image result for david johnston music

The White Owls
Jun 18 @ 9:00 pm

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!

Image result for white owls at toad

Jun
19
Tue
The Franc Graham Band
Jun 19 @ 7:30 pm

The Boston Globe on The Franc Graham Band:

“Immensely Underrated… cool and commanding… an unusually rich blend of singer-songwriter rock…”

The Blue Ribbons
Jun 19 @ 10:00 pm

The Blue Ribbons was formed by singer/songwriter/keyboardist James Rohr.

They have been building a base of devoted fans with their original and soulful music.

Described as
“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.

Image result for the blue ribbons music

Jun
20
Wed
Fandango
Jun 20 @ 7:00 pm

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.” –

Field Day
Jun 20 @ 10:00 pm
Field Day

 

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

Jun
21
Thu
Juliet Simmons Dinallo & Michael Dinallo
Jun 21 @ 7:30 pm
Juliet Simmons Dinallo & Michael Dinallo

Making transitions is never easy, and the way Juliet Simmons Dinallo expresses the ups and downs of the human process of moving, changing and growing older is the joy of listening to Dream Girl. There’s tension here, and unresolved matters of the heart and soul: “I don’t have all the answers,” goes one song, and another finds the narrator driving from Nashville to Memphis, accompanied by a groove that evokes the sweet-and-sour styles of both cities.

“If you look up the word underrated, then Michael Dinallo‘s name should be right beside it. He has an imposing array of credits from producing soul great Eddie Floyd to helming the esteemed “Feel Like Going Home: The Songs of Charlie Rich,” yet he has never received the credit he deserves.

AS SEEN AT TOAD...